Halle Berry is petitioning the court to restore her original custody agreement for Maceo, her 12-year-old son with ex-husband Olivier Martinez. ​According to PEOPLE, Berry is asking the court to restore 50/50 custody with her ex. Also, she wants to reinstate her tie-breaking authority and force Martinez to attend court-ordered therapy.   ​Per the filing, Berry alleged, “that Martinez’s anger towards her influences her own disagreements with their son.” ​“The fourth concern is Olivier’s continued attempts to align Maceo with him and against me in many areas of our child’s life,” she wrote.  Berry claims it “causes Maceo to be angry with me about private issues relating to Maceo which Olivier and I were discussing at the time.” ​“When Maceo would come home from his custodial time with Olivier, he would be angry and combative. It took Maceo 2-3 days to acclimate to being at home, and when he would go back to Olivier, the cycle would start all over again,” she alleged in the documents. “I also perceived Maceo to repeat disputes that Olivier and I discuss in private and take Olivier’s side/position in that dispute.” “If the dispute related to a decision regarding Maceo (for example, about soccer, school, or therapy), Maceo knew about it before Olivier and I reached a decision. With respect to a particular issue and would tell me what he and Olivier are going to do (without my input) completely disregarding my authority as his mother,” continued Berry. HALLE BERRY’S ISSUES WITH HER EX On Oct. 1, reports revealed that Martinez filed a restraining order against Berry. He alleged that she physically abused their son by jumping on him and choking him. Martinez has requested sole custody of Maceo and a no-contact order from Berry for both himself and their son. His request for a temporary restraining order was granted, covering both himself and Maceo.

Freddie Jackson, the Grammy-nominated R&B crooner whose velvety baritone defined the “quiet storm” radio format of the 1980s, died Monday night. He was 70. Jackson’s death was confirmed Tuesday through a statement posted to his verified Instagram. While a specific cause of death was not immediately disclosed, the announcement noted that the singer passed away on Oct. 5, just three days after celebrating his 70th birthday. “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson,” the family’s statement read. The memorial described Jackson as a “generous soul” who maintained a deep, lifelong connection with his global fan base. Born in Harlem in 1956, Jackson began his musical journey in the church before rising to international stardom in the mid-1980s. His 1985 debut album, “Rock Me Tonight,” catapulted him to the top of the charts. The title track, “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, while the follow-up single, “You Are My Lady,” became his signature song and a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Jackson’s dominance continued throughout the decade with a string of hits including “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “Jam Tonight.” His sophisticated style and polished production made him a staple of romantic playlists, earning him 10 No. 1 R&B singles over the course of his career. He often collaborated with other soul luminaries, most notably topping the charts with Melba Moore on their duet “A Little Bit More.” In the statement released Tuesday, his family expressed gratitude to the millions of listeners who supported his decades-long career. “To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you,” the family said. Jackson is remembered by peers and fans alike for his ability to convey intimacy and vulnerability without oversinging.  His work remains a cornerstone of classic soul music, frequently sampled by hip-hop artists and played at weddings and celebrations around the world. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Atlanta rapper Lucki speaks while he is recovering after suffering a facial injury during a violent confrontation with hip-hop star Playboi Carti near ComplexCon in Los Angeles over the weekend. Lucki addressed the incident Monday (Oct. 5) in an Instagram post, showing bandages covering part of his face while joking about his missing vehicle. The rapper claimed the car contained hundreds of thousands of dollars and his debit cards before directing a pointed question toward the Los Angeles Police Department. “LAPD tryna have some fun?” Lucki said. View this post on Instagram The rapper also acknowledged that he was still trying to piece together what happened during the chaotic confrontation. “A lot going on,” he said. According to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ, Lucki was surrounded by fans in a parking lot Saturday when an unidentified person allegedly struck him on the side of his face. The blow reportedly caused a laceration that required hospital treatment. Several other people were also reportedly injured. Rapper Lucki Addresses Being Stabbed At ComplexCon During Brawl With Hip-Hop Star Playboi Carti’s Entourage The LAPD is investigating the incident as an attempted murder. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or announced any arrests. Playboi Carti was reportedly near the scene when the fight erupted, though law enforcement sources said he was not involved in the altercation. The incident unfolded as crowds gathered near ComplexCon, the annual culture and entertainment event that draws artists, fans and industry figures to Los Angeles. Lucki’s Instagram update marked his first public reaction to the confrontation. His joking remarks about his missing car stood in contrast to the seriousness of the ongoing investigation. The rapper has not identified the person who allegedly struck him or explained what sparked the fight. He also has not provided details about the injuries suffered by others. For now, Lucki appears focused on recovering while authorities work to determine what led to the violent encounter.

Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks are still far apart on a contract extension. ​Currently, Towns has a $61 million player option for next season and is eligible to sign a four-year, $276 million extension. The two sides are not even close, with the Knicks’ offer so far in the $45 million to $50 million per year range. ​On Monday, Towns shared his perspective on his contract situation. ​”It don’t look good,” Towns said about the chances of getting a new contract in place before the start of the regular season. ​When Towns was asked if he thought that winning the championships would make his contract extension a “slam dunk,” he had an interesting response. ​”No s—, Sherlock,” Towns said. “I just won a championship. You’d think it was pretty easy. Unless you guys [reporters] think I have something else to prove.” “I’ve made it known I wanna play here. … I would like to get one done, of course… so I can step on the court and feel as comfortable as possible.” Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns on extension talks. (via @jschwartz115)pic.twitter.com/66ooge2XJ5 — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 28, 2026 Keeping the Knicks’ core intact—and handing Jalen Brunson a max deal while dodging the second apron—will require financial sacrifices across the roster. Karl-Anthony Towns says he is open to taking a pay cut to help the cause, provided his contract still reflects what he and the team have built over the last two years. “Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said. “None of those things have come close to happening.” ​Towns proved to be the missing piece for New York, anchoring the interior and spacing the floor to power the Knicks to the 2026 NBA Championship. He led the franchise’s first title in 53 years. Serving as a dynamic inside-out threat alongside Jalen Brunson, Towns elevated the Knicks’ offense with his elite perimeter shooting and double-double production, providing the elite frontcourt versatility needed to snap New York’s historic championship drought. ​”I’ve made it known I want to play here,” Towns said on Media Day. “I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. I’d like to get it done and step on the floor and feel as comfortable as possible.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is doubling the city’s artist grants, giving rappers and other creators access to up to $10,000. The increase marks the first boost to the city-funded grants in nearly two decades. Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Julie Su and Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij announced the change Friday. Individual artists and small nonprofits can now apply for grants worth up to $10,000. The previous ceiling was $5,000. The money is available to artists across all five boroughs, including rappers, musicians, filmmakers, dancers, writers and painters. Mamdani said artists face the same soaring costs as other New Yorkers. “Artists are working New Yorkers with the same costs as everyone else,” Mamdani said. “Doubling these grants is a critical step” toward helping creators afford to remain in the city. The grants will be distributed through local arts councils and other city-funded partners. Applications are open in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. Staten Island’s application period begins in November. The city is also offering artists another perk: free creative supplies. Materials for the Arts will launch a dedicated shopping day for current artist grantees beginning this month. Eligible artists can access donated materials on a monthly basis. Mayor Zohran Mamdani Doubles NYC Artists Grants To $10k, Rappers Allowed To Apply The program collects about 4 million pounds of donated materials each year. Those supplies are distributed to nonprofits, schools and city agencies with cultural programs. Vij said the expanded grants followed six months of town halls and listening sessions with artists across the city. “I’ve spent the past six months in town halls and listening sessions with working artists across every borough,” Vij said. “These increased grants and free resources from Materials for the Arts represent our first step,” she added. Brooklyn Arts Council President Rasu Jilani said the increase addresses long-standing financial pressures facing artists. “Raising the grant ceiling to $10,000 is a long overdue recognition of what it costs to live and make art in New York City,” Jilani said. For rappers and other working artists, the larger grants offer more money to create, produce and sustain their careers in an increasingly expensive city.

Ice Spice has turned a quiet Iceland getaway into another viral moment without releasing new music or making an announcement. The Bronx rapper shared a series of travel photos Tuesday, captioning them simply, “spiceland .” The post quickly attracted attention online. spiceland pic.twitter.com/9Gf5ZNE3jC — ice spice (@icespice) October 5, 2026 Within hours, a repost featuring three images surpassed 1.7 million views on X. The photos showed Ice Spice surrounded by Iceland’s dramatic landscape. She appeared in steaming open water beneath dark hills and an overcast sky. No song, tour announcement, brand partnership or other promotion accompanied the images. The most circulated version featured three photographs. In one, Ice Spice stood in the water wearing a metallic silver-gray bikini top. She accessorized with a chain necklace while her wet hair framed her face. Rocky terrain and low mountains appeared behind her. Another photograph showed her sitting in steaming water and smiling over her shoulder. A third image captured her posing in a locker room mirror. Rapper Ice Spice Turns Iceland Into “Spice Land” With Viral Bikini Pics Ice Spice held a phone with a light pink case while wearing the same bikini. Her original X post contained four images. Her “spiceland” caption appeared on Instagram before she repeated it on X. Neither post identified a specific location, hotel or commercial partner. The scenery strongly suggests a geothermal lagoon, with steam rising around open water and barren, volcanic-looking hills. Several repost accounts identified Iceland, while others focused solely on her appearance. One fan account called the trip an “Ice in Iceland” moment. Another described the photos as an Iceland getaway. A later fan clip used Adela’s “Ain’t In LA,” referencing Iceland in its accompanying text. The reaction centered heavily on Ice Spice’s appearance. Some fans praised the photos, while others questioned her public image beyond social media posts. Her latest images arrive roughly one month after she pushed back against pregnancy rumors. The rapper addressed those claims while promoting her music. The Iceland photos have since generated another wave of discussion around her appearance and celebrity image. Ice Spice has increasingly become a social-media attraction beyond her music releases. Her photos regularly circulate independently across repost accounts and entertainment pages. That pattern has followed her throughout 2026. Previous photo sets drew thousands of reactions, though none matched the latest viral surge. Since her breakthrough, Ice Spice has paired her Bronx drill identity with a highly visual public persona. Now, even without a new single or major announcement, three photographs can dominate the conversation.

Nas is bringing the iconic 1984 movie Beat Street to Broadway as a brand-new musical. According to Deadline, Nas has assembled a top-tier creative team for the stage adaptation. The project features director Schele Williams (The Wiz), playwright Kristoffer Diaz (Hell’s Kitchen), and music supervisor Jason Michael Webb.  Under Williams’ direction, Diaz will adapt the original film’s script for the stage while Webb handles musical arrangements and orchestration. To refine the adaptation, the creative trio recently completed an intensive 29-hour workshop in August.  “Beat Street wasn’t just a film – it spread the revolution of hip-hop culture throughout the country and the world. It left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of young artists and creating new hip-hop fans alike,” Nas told The Hollywood Reporter in June of 2024. “It’s a thrill for me to join the creative team of Beat Street, bringing the raw energy of hip-hop into the fabric of Broadway. It’s an honor to breathe new life into this iconic work and celebrate its enduring legacy.” THE IMPACT OF ‘BEAT STREET’ Released in 1984 and directed by Stan Lathan, Beat Street is a seminal dance drama that captured the explosive rise of early hip-hop culture in the South Bronx. The film follows aspiring DJ Kenny Kirkland, his b-boy younger brother Lee, and their graffiti-artist friend Ramon as they strive to elevate their artistic talents beyond their local neighborhood.  Beyond its narrative, the movie stands as an invaluable cultural time capsule, showcasing authentic breakdancing battles at iconic spots like the Roxy, alongside electrifying performances from genre pioneers including Grandmaster Melle Mel, the Treacherous Three, and the Rock Steady Crew. By bringing all four core elements of hip-hop—DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti—to mainstream cinema, Beat Street played a vital role in exporting the South Bronx movement to a global audience.  Doug E. Fresh, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambataa & The Sonic Force, Us Girls, The Treacherous Three, Magnificent Force, The New York City Breakers, Rock Steady Crew, and Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five all appeared in the film. It was produced by Harry Belafonte and David V. Picker, with music by Belafonte and Arthur Baker.

R&B singer Queen Naija and her fiancé, Clarence White, are growing their family. The “Hate Our Love” hitmaker announced Sunday that she and White are expecting their second child together. The pregnancy marks Naija’s third child. The couple shared the news in a playful Instagram video. Naija held up a Clearblue pregnancy test while teasing the big reveal. “Here we go. I’m nervous. Wanna count down with me?” she said. View this post on Instagram After counting, “Three, two, one,” Naija turned to White and asked, “What does it say?” The camera then pulled back to reveal her baby bump. The couple burst into laughter as they celebrated the pregnancy. Naija and White did not reveal the baby’s sex or due date. Their newest addition will join Naija’s sons, Christopher “CJ” Sails Jr., 11, and Legend Lorenzo White, 7. Naija shares CJ with her ex-husband, Chris Sails. She welcomed Legend with White. R&B Singer Queen Naija & Clarence White Announces Baby No.2 On The Way The pregnancy comes after Naija previously opened up about having another child. During a May 2025 appearance on the “Pour Minds” podcast, she said she could be happy stopping at two children. Still, she remained open to expanding her family. “I’ve always said, like, I really, really want a girl,” Naija said. She also explained that she wanted time to focus on herself, her music and other goals before welcoming another baby. By January 2026, White had expressed his own desire for another child. During a livestream, he said marriage would come first. “I’m not gonna lie, I kind of want to have another one though. But we gon’ get married first,” he said. White said he could imagine having two more children. He also revealed that he hoped for another boy. Three months later, White proposed to Naija after nearly eight years together. Naija announced their engagement April 16, sharing footage from the proposal. “I CHOOSE YOU FOREVER,” she wrote. Now, the couple is preparing to welcome another child as they enter their next chapter together.

Chris Rock recently revealed that he declined to fund the legal defense of a childhood acquaintance who spent nearly two decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit. In a candid conversation with The New York Times for a segment of “The Interview,” Rock admitted that his personal policy against paying legal fees prevented him from assisting Roger Logan, the brother of one of his closest friends. Logan served 19 years in prison for a murder conviction that was eventually overturned. Rock explained that while Logan’s brother repeatedly pleaded for financial assistance to secure a private attorney, the comedian remained firm in his refusal. The decision, Rock confessed, continues to weigh heavily on his conscience years later. “I always had like a no lawyer thing because a lawyer is like an open-ended thing,” Rock said during the interview. He noted that while he is often willing to help friends with tangible costs like mortgages or other living expenses, the unpredictable nature of legal billing made him wary of getting involved. Rock acknowledged that he clearly “had the means to help him” but chose not to, adding that the situation “still messes with me.” The veteran stand-up comic used the story to illustrate a broader point regarding the American justice system and racial perceptions of guilt. Rock argued that Black men are frequently targeted by false accusations, suggesting that there is a cultural divide in how these allegations are processed. He stated that in his view, “white people believe every accusation is a conviction.” Reflecting on the outcome, Rock expressed uncertainty about whether his financial intervention would have changed the course of Logan’s life. However, the knowledge that an innocent man remained imprisoned while Rock possessed the resources to potentially assist him has left a lasting impact. “I don’t know if we could have got him out or not,” he said. The interview also touched briefly on other aspects of Rock’s life, including his current stance on the 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith. Rock indicated he has moved past the event and has no interest in discussing it further, stating that he has “moved on” and wishes everyone well.

Rapper The Game and his company, 100 Entertainment, have sued Virgin Music Group and Universal Music Group over an alleged failure to provide most of a $500,000 marketing budget promised for his 2022 album, Drillmatic — Heart vs. Mind. The complaint, filed Sept. 30 in California Superior Court by attorney Michael Trauben, alleges Virgin agreed to allocate $500,000 to promote the album. The budget was intended to cover radio promotion, music videos, digital advertising, and international marketing. According to the lawsuit, roughly $320,000 of the promised budget was never spent on those efforts. The complaint also alleges UMG failed to carry out key digital marketing operations. The Game sues UMG & Virgin Music for $500K, claiming over $320K meant to promote “Drillmatic” was never spent pic.twitter.com/bldn6sG5Sz — My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) October 4, 2026 Radio promotion was allocated $125,000, but the lawsuit claims no money was spent on radio advertising. The Game and 100 Entertainment contend the missing promotional support limited the album’s exposure during its critical release period. The complaint further alleges 100 Entertainment paid certain promotional expenses to keep the rollout on schedule, including production of the video for “Stupid,” featuring Big Sean. Hip-Hop Star The Game Files Lawsuit Against Virgin/UMG Over Drillmatic’s Underwhelming Performance According to the filing, UMG did not reimburse 100 Entertainment for those expenses. Instead, the company allegedly recouped the costs from The Game’s royalties. The lawsuit contends that the alleged marketing shortfall negatively affected Drillmatic’s sales and streaming performance and that the album could have performed better had the full promotional commitment been delivered. The Game is seeking $500,000 in damages. Released in 2022, Drillmatic featured 30 tracks and appearances from Kanye West, Big Sean and Drake. Its production credits included Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Mike Dean and Hit-Boy. The album debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 with approximately 25,000 equivalent album units in its first week, according to industry figures. The case highlights the financial disputes that can arise when artists allege record companies fail to meet contractual marketing commitments. Virgin Music Group and UMG have not publicly responded to the allegations.