Not long ago, Fat Joe made claims that “gentrification” was behind the cancellation of the BET Hip Hop Awards; however, Benzino disagrees. Benzino was enjoying some relaxation and was on Instagram Live, seemingly in a hot tub. He shared his thoughts on the situation there. According to the former Source magazine co-owner, there’s only one reason why the iconic live show was removed from the air: low ratings. In fact, Benzino believes that Fat Joe’s stint as the award show’s host significantly contributed to the show’s low ratings in recent years. Benzino argues that if gentrification were the true cause, the “Lean Back” rapper would have been part of the gentrification he claims the network is responsible for. “Why Fat Joe said it’s gentrification, after they let his a** host the awards two years earlier?” Benzino said in the IG Live video. “The ratings were the worst ever after he hosted it. Was it gentrification when you was hosting it, Joey? Stop, man. Joe, you’re putting out too much misinformation on the internet, bro. You gotta do better, man.” Benzino blames Fat Joe’s hosting of the BET Hip-Hop Awards for tanking ratings and causing the show’s suspension. : livebitez/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/LXMEsA119c — The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 11, 2025 Fat Joe Calls BET Cuts ‘Gentrification’ Of Black Culture On a recent episode of Joe and Jada, the two legends discussed the cancellation of the BET Hip-Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards. They also questioned what it means for Black culture in entertainment. Fat Joe described the situation bluntly, “This is a form of gentrification, what’s going on. I don’t know if you really want to ask me about this s**t,” he said. Reflecting on BET’s history, he noted that it began as a space dedicated to Black audiences. It was later sold by founder Bob Johnson to Viacom Paramount. According to him, the shift in ownership brought quiet but consistent staff cuts, especially targeting those who voiced concerns. The Bronx rapper recalled working on the BET Hip-Hop Awards for three years and watching the event’s resources dwindle. “S**t was like the budget, not for me, but the budget just kept getting chopped and chopped and chopped.”

The press tour for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is in full swing; most recently, the director and film star, A$AP Rocky, stopped by the Track Star music show. When asked about the research he put into the role, Rocky said that he was already well-equipped because he’d been an avid fan of the director in his youth. According to the rapper, he “grew up” on Spike Lee. “I didn’t have to do research,” the rapper-actor said. Shortly after that, the rapper proceeded to share a few of his favorite films from the Brooklyn native. With over four decades of work to pick from, you think the “Praise The Lord” rapper might have trouble deciding; however, for Rocky, it was simple. “It’s between Mo’ Better Blues, Malcom X, He Got Game, Inside Man, [and] Crooklyn…” The rapper also acknowledged how much Red Hook Summer taught him to “use different mediums at a time when everyone wanted these big movie production cameras…” Lee had shot the 2012 film with a small digital camera. Spike Lee and A$AP Rocky have become quite chummy over the past few months as the rollout for Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest continues. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Lee lauded Rocky’s performance in the film. “Yeah, don’t sleep on A$AP,” Lee said. “In this film, Denzel and A$AP go toe to toe.” “What’s interesting is, even before I got involved with this film, I always thought that A$AP looked like he could be Denzel’s son. There’s a big resemblance. So when you see it on the screen, it adds an element of father and son. Don’t sleep on A$AP. Don’t sleep on A$AP,” he added. Lee also said that Rocky was not overwhelmed by Washington’s aura like he had seen with other actors. “I’ve done five films with Denzel, and when he’s in a scene with somebody, they just get overwhelmed. He’s one of the world’s greatest living actors. But A$AP wasn’t having that,” Lee explained. “Toe to toe. I mean, they were going at it.” 

Saweetie and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho just gave fans another reason to believe their rumored romance is the real deal. Over the summer, the two were spotted at The Apollo Tattoo & Piercing Studio in Santa Monica, where Sancho made a bold move that had everything to do with the “My Type” rapper. Saweetie & Jadon Sancho Hit Tattoo Shop, Soccer Star Gets Her Middle Name Inked https://t.co/2IusVpz9v5 pic.twitter.com/0Mp1hmFFTO — TMZ (@TMZ) August 14, 2025 Sources at the shop say Sancho had “Qiava,” Saweetie’s middle name, inked in delicate cursive behind his left ear. For anyone keeping track, Saweetie’s full name is Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, making the tattoo a clear and personal nod to her. That wasn’t his only update. Sancho also had an older tattoo on his hand that once read “her only” replaced with a colorful flower design. While it’s unclear who that original dedication was for, it seems that chapter is closed. Witnesses say the energy between the two was unmistakable. Saweetie and Sancho were seen kissing and sharing intimate moments throughout his appointment, making it clear they’re comfortable showing their connection in public. Fans have been speculating about their relationship for months. Saweetie has turned up to watch Sancho play in person, and earlier this year, people noticed his iPhone lock screen featured her “PB” mug shot. These subtle details have only fueled talk that the pair are more than just friends. Neither has stepped forward to confirm the dating rumors, but Sancho’s new tattoo might be the loudest statement yet. Whether or not they ever make it official, the ink, the public affection, and the appearances at his games are painting a pretty vivid picture. Right now, it seems like Saweetie and Sancho are letting their actions — and in this case, permanent art — do all the talking.

Halle Berry seemingly reacts to her ex-husband, David Justice, saying the reason the two got a divorce is because she wasn’t “motherly.” Berry and David was married from 1993 to 1997. “I was young and had only been in one real relationship before her,” he said during a recent episode of All the Smoke podcast. “My knowledge and my understanding, my wisdom around relationships just wasn’t vast.” “I’m thinking, ‘OK, if we have kids, is this the woman I want to have kids with and build a family with?’” he recalled. “And at that time, as a young guy, she don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem motherly—and then we start having issues.” “We spent a lot of time apart because she was doing movies in this country, that country,” he explained. “Honestly, we probably could have made it if I knew about therapy.” “She asked me to marry her after knowing me for five months,” he noted. “I said OK, but I don’t know if my heart was really into it. I didn’t want to make her feel bad and say no.” David’s comments has since went viral, even sparking a reaction from Halle Berry herself. She shared a series of photos via Instagram and captioned it, “Phew…! cooking, cleaning and mothering..” https://www.instagram.com/p/DNWCdM2uVMI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Killer Mike is jumping into the podcast game. On August 13, he debuted with Conversate with Killer Mike. Co-hosted by his partner and former Outkast DJ Cutmaster Swiff, the show will feature his takes on the latesttopics of the day that “hit like your favorite mixtape.” “I created the show because I think that people need to converse more,” Mike said. “People need to sit with people that don’t look like them, that aren’t from the same background, that don’t even see the world in the same way and just simply have conversation. I think it grows our perspective.” Tje tongue-in-cheek name makes it clear that Conversate with Killer Mike will not be your everyday podcast. With a “roundtable-style dialogue with an opinionated cast and crew that’s part bars and business, part books and barbershop banter, but across the board authentic.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Conversate with Killer Mike (@conversatewithkillermike) “I hope listeners walk away from every episode of Conversate with a slightly different understanding of perspectives that may not be like their own,” the Grammy Award winner said.  “Having a former Atlanta mayor tell you that essentially power and politics comes down to what the fuck are you gonna do about it? Either you’re bullying, saying that, or you’re refusing to be bullied and you’re doing something about it,” Mike continued.  “I think that’s an amazing thing to be said in this day and time. It gets us back to a time where we watched All in the Family and The Jeffersons and our feelings weren’t catered to like babies.” Conversate with Killer Mike is available on all podcasts. Follow @conversatewithkillermike for updates, exclusive clips and the ride of a lifetime.

Kid Cudi accused Drake of “kicking him while he was down.” During an interview with CBS Mornings, Cudi detailed how he and Drake had a fallen out over ghostwriting allegations. In a tweet at the time,  Cudi said that Drake and Kanye West can’t be the greatest rappers with “30 people writing songs for them.” Drake responded in 2016 with a diss track “Two Birds, One Stone” and named Cudi who was in a rehab at the time. “I was like, oh okay, you wanna kick me when I’m down. Great,” Cudi said. “But he wanted to play the game with me. He wanted me to put him in my song or whatever and I’m not that type of artist. “I’m not going to the studio angry rapping about some other man and putting him in my art. That’s not what we’re gonna do here,” he contined. “I’m gonna come to your doorstep and I’mma let you know that I’mma see you. I’mma see you and that’s a promise.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBS Mornings (@cbsmornings) Eventually, the two rap stars were able to patch things up after West who set up a meeting between them. Cudi gave a guest verse on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy. “I went on to do a record for him for his album, but granted, I haven’t heard from him ever since,” he expressed.  “It just let me know that time is over. We’ll never be homies like we were before. I don’t have any beef with him anymore and I’m not mad at him or anything,” Cudi said. “It’s just time has gone by. We are in different places. It’s all good. I know he loves me. I know that. And I know he respects me as an artist. That’s good enough for me.”

“Don’t Call It a Comeback!” According to PEOPLE, LL COOL J is returning to host the 2025 MTV VMAs. This marks the second time LL will host the ceremony. In 2022, he co-hosted with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. The “Mama Said Knock You Out” has a long history with MTV. In 1991,  he won his first Moon Person in for Best Rap and was the first rapper ever to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Video Music Awards (@vmas) Uncle L and MTV go way back. He performed onstage during the 50 years of hip-hop all-star tribute. in 2023, he celebrated the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records with Public Enemy in 2024. This song, “Murdergram Deaux”, his duet with Eminem, is nominated in the Best Hip-Hop category from LL Cool J’s 2024 album The Force this year. The MTV VMAs revealed their nominees for the upcoming awards show on August 5, and Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars have 11 nominations.  Lady Gaga, for the first time in her career,  is the most-nominated artist for the VMAs with 12 nominations.  ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter have eight nominations. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd have seven nominations. Billie Eilish has six nods, and Charli xcx received five nods. Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who are both nominated for artist of the year. The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS (for the first time) and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.

Anderson. Paak was a part of the star-studded lineup that performed at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. But he said he had to beg Dr. Dre to get on the show. During a recent episode of Drink Champs, Paak revealed how he got on the stage for the historic performance. “They had already dropped a flyer for the Super Bowl. I was not on that sh*t,” the Silk Sonic member recalled. “I hit Dre direct. ‘Dre, what the f**k? Let me get on that joint. Let me play drums, something,” Paak continued. “I gotta get in there some way’. He said, ‘Hey, it’s all good.’” Paak then shared how he felt drumming during Eminem’s performance of “Lose Yourself.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by REVOLT (@revolt) “The way they orchestrated it, it went off without a hitch. That was a big moment for sure. I was like, ‘Should I smile?’ I couldn’t help it. And I’m like, ‘I’m going to be straight-faced.’ And then, as you can see, I had the biggest fucking smile the whole time. I tried. I was hyped,” he said. Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent also hit the stage during epic performance. Amazingly, he almost skipped out on an opportunity to work with Dre when he thought about skipping a recording session with the legendary producer. “I’ve got my own thing going. I don’t need to go and work on this. My manager was like, “Are you an idiot?” He was like, “Dude, you go, bro.’ Then I went, and it was like, wow, right there first two people meet Dre and D.O.C,” Paak said “He was working on a project called Compton, and he was working with these two writers, Mez, who is my dog to this day, and JT, when they were like, ‘Yo, we love your song “Suede.” That was the song I had bubbling. He was like, ‘We love this, and we want to play it for Dre,’, he continued.  I was like, well, let’s make some new shit and  get them excited about something else, you know, in case they don’t like it,  “When he heard he said, ‘What the fuck was that? And gave me two thumbs up.”

Paramount Skydance has officially ended talks to sell BET Networks, putting an end to months of speculation surrounding the network’s fate. The announcement came on Wednesday during an extensive press Q&A, just days after Skydance CEO David Ellison closed his acquisition of the studio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Ellison (@davidellisonskydance) Ellison affirmed that BET will remain a core pillar of the company’s streaming vision, positioning the brand and its extensive content catalog as vital to future growth. His approach marks a departure from Paramount Global’s recent trend of selling assets to generate quick capital, instead committing to strengthening and retaining existing brands. In recent years, BET drew interest from private equity firms and prominent Black investors, including Tyler Perry. The potential sale was seen as a major turning point for Black-owned media, sparking debates on the cultural and economic impact such a deal might have. By halting negotiations, Ellison signaled his intent to keep BET firmly under Paramount Skydance’s control, anchoring it as a flagship within the company’s streaming ecosystem. Ellison revealed that this philosophy was present from his earliest conversations with former Paramount Global chair and majority shareholder Shari Redstone. Their initial meeting, he said, centered on maintaining the integrity of the company’s portfolio — which includes Paramount Pictures, CBS, and BET — and investing in its long-term potential. “We had this conversation with Shari when we first met about the company,” Ellison told reporters. “It is our intention to keep the company together and invest in that lens.” The decision comes amid a rapidly evolving media landscape, where legacy networks face fierce competition from tech-driven streaming platforms. BET remains a cultural force, especially in music, film, and television programming for Black audiences. Its high-profile events, scripted shows, and reality series maintain strong engagement across platforms, making it a critical driver of audience loyalty. With BET’s position secured, Ellison’s strategy reflects a broader industry shift toward consolidation over liquidation. For audiences and industry insiders, the move offers a rare sense of stability — and the promise of expanded cultural influence for one of television’s most enduring brands.

Co-parenting is not a term that Nick Cannon will endorse. During a recent episode of his Wondery podcast Nick Cannon @ Night , Cannon responded to a fan’s question. “Curious to hear Nick’s perspective on managing multiple co-parenting relationships while dating,” the listener wrote in on X. “It’s a unique situation that could offer some real insights for blended families.” The Wild’ N Out creator acknowledged that he “always kind of had an issue” with the term “co-parenting,” because he believes it’s just “parenting.” “When you start throwing labels on things, I think it does more harm than help and can get very dangerous, because then everybody else has a preconceived notion of what you’re doing,” Cannon said. “I haven’t figured it out yet. I haven’t gotten it all the way right. But also to your point, if I just step into every situation with respect and compassion and individuality,” he added.”That’s the other thing I always do with anyone I’m involved with in my life.” Nick Cannon has 12 children with six different women: Mariah Carey, Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, Alyssa Scott, Bre Tiesi, and LaNisha Cole. He has twins, Moroccan and Monroe, with Mariah Carey. Brittany Bell is the mother of Golden Sagon, Powerful Queen, and Rise Messiah. Abby De La Rosa shares twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, and Beautiful Zeppelin with Cannon. Alyssa Scott is the mother of Zen (who passed away at 5 months old) and Halo Marie. Bre Tiesi is the mother of Legendary Love, and LaNisha Cole is the mother of Onyx Ice ColeNew episodes of Nick Cannon @ Night arrive every Wednesday at 5 pm PST/8 pm ET on YouTube, Wondery+, and everywhere podcasts are available.