Duane “Keefe D” Davis’s battle in court over the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur has encountered yet another obstacle. On March 10, his attorney, Robert Draskovich, withdrew from the case, citing disputes over retainer fees, according to reports. Judge Carli Kierny approved the withdrawal and set a hearing for March 31 to assign new counsel. This signals a likely delay in the trial schedule. The specifics of the disagreement over fees and budgets remain unclear. Therefore, Davis is left in need of legal guidance with his case still pending. Since his arrest in September 2023, Davis has cycled through multiple attorneys. Previous lawyers, Carl Arnold and Michael Pandullo—who had collaborated with Draskovich—cited Davis’s altercation at the Clark County Detention Center as a factor in their departure. The frequent turnover has raised concerns over the continuity and strategy of his defense. Davis Faces Murder Allegations as Tupac Case Reignites Davis faces serious accusations that he orchestrated Shakur’s murder and allegedly boasted about it across various media. He and his defense team maintain that these claims are exaggerated and lack factual basis. A recent ruling in February further complicated matters. A judge denied Davis’s motion to exclude evidence collected during a raid on his home. Currently, Davis is serving time at High Desert State Prison for the jail fight while awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin August 10. The coming months will test his new legal team’s ability to navigate a complex, high-profile case. Observers continue to watch closely as one of hip-hop’s longest-running mysteries moves toward resolution. The courtroom proceedings will determine not only the fate of Davis but also how the decades-old questions surrounding Tupac Shakur’s death are finally addressed.

A fresh round of online sparring has unfolded between 50 Cent and Papoose, adding another chapter to a rivalry that has resurfaced periodically in recent years. The latest exchange began after Papoose released several songs aimed at the Queens-born rapper and television producer. Instead of replying with a track of his own, 50 Cent turned to social media, posting a meme that also referenced boxer Claressa Shields, who has been publicly linked to Papoose. The post quickly circulated online and prompted responses from both camps. According to XXL, 50 Cent shared an A.I.-generated image on Instagram on March 12. The image depicted him standing beside a whiteboard labeled with a mock equation about rap careers. The board read: “The Secret Formula. How to Never Blow Up. 1 Rap Career (still rapping) + 25 Years (still waiting) = 0 Hits (still zero).” The visual then shifted to an image of Papoose, accompanied by the caption, “You make one hit record and I’ll respond. Until then go hang out [with your] boyfriend I mean your girlfriend LOL.” The post was removed not long afterward, though 50 Cent later commented on the decision. “If I put up a post and take it down is because I don’t want your ugly a** face on my page. I’m the algorithm PUNK!” he wrote in a follow-up message that continued circulating across social platforms. View this post on Instagram Papoose Fires Back as His Feud With 50 Cent Escalates Online Papoose responded the next day with a post of his own. He shared a throwback photo that showed himself alongside 50 Cent and fellow G-Unit members Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. Alongside the image, he included a snippet from an article discussing accusations that some artists inflate streaming numbers. “On this day Curtis breath was smelling like s**t!” he wrote. “It’s a new day in Hip Hop. The days of buying ya own records, to make it look like you got a hit is over. Inflated numbers can no longer make it seem like you’re better than artist who are really ‘NICE’. Corny memes can’t save you from Papoose. Don’t let him distract you from the fact that I just destroyed him. Soon as I posted that ‘AGENT PROVOCATEUR’ hit streaming platforms he started panicking!” The exchange arrives as Papoose has already issued multiple musical responses aimed at 50 Cent, including the diss track “Agent Provocateur” and a freestyle over the instrumental of “Many Men.” Despite that, 50 Cent has largely kept the back-and-forth in the realm of online commentary rather than recording a direct reply in the studio. Observers of New York hip-hop say the dispute reflects long-standing tensions tied to reputation, commercial success, and personal history within the scene. The friction has occasionally involved Remy Ma, Papoose’s longtime partner, after earlier remarks by 50 Cent sparked conversation among fans. For now, the conflict continues to play out mostly on social media, where both sides have traded posts rather than songs.

After nearly two weeks, R.Kelly has been released from solitary confinement. Last month, it was reported that Kelly had landed himself in isolation after it was discovered he possessed a retired prison warden’s number. Following the discovery, an investigation was launched. Now, his lawyer, Beau Brindley, is saying the singer was unfairly held without cause. “Mr. Kelly has been released from special housing. No impropriety whatsoever was found with respect to his possession of the telephone number of a former prison official,” Brindley told Los Angeles Magazine. “He was kept in special housing for approximately two weeks without legitimate cause before the facility was compelled to release him.” The former warden, whose name hasn’t been revealed, gave Kelly his cell number prior to his retirement in case he needed to seek advice about an ongoing mentor program. Not long after, Kelly’s cellmate was busted with a phone. A sweep of their cell was made, and it was discovered that a notebook, belonging to Kelly, contained the warden’s number. CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Images) R. Kelly serving 30 year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking R. Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is currently serving a 30-year sentence in federal prison for racketeering and sex trafficking. The singer’s release date was recently revealed to be in 2045, meaning the singer would be nearly 80 years old. Last year, photos of the singer rocking his prison uniform went viral, with people weighing in on his appearance. While some suggested he looked like his spirit had been broken, others claimed he appeared to be having too much fun. During an interview last October, Kelly’s former wife, Drea Kelly, touched on the topic of domestic violence and how it’s particularly handled within the Black community. She questioned why certain survivors receive widespread empathy and support while others are overlooked. The former wife of R. Kelly pointed to Cassie Ventura’s case against Sean “Diddy” Combs as an example, saying that Cassie’s bravery was celebrated far more than that of others who have come forward with similar stories.

DJ Khaled has been announced as the headliner for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Afterparty.   Presented by Venmo, the concert will be held at KC Live! in the Power & Light District on Saturday, March 14, after the Men’s Championship game at T-Mobile Center. The performance will be DJ Khaled’s first-ever performance in Kansas City. The concert will be free of charge for all attendees in celebration of two weeks of basketball in Kansas City. In a statement, DJ Khaled shared his excitement about the upcoming performance. “The Big 12 Tournament is one of the biggest and best. I’m looking forward to bringing that energy to the Tournament After Party with a performance and connecting with the fans,” Khaled said. “Young world, the world is yours – you are now and you are the future! Keep going! WE THE BEST!”  View this post on Instagram Tyrel Kirkham, Chief Brand and Business Officer for the Big 12, lauded Khaled’s artistry.  “We are continually investing in ways to elevate the Big 12 Basketball Tournaments and deliver an unforgettable experience for our fans,” said Kirkham. DJ Khaled is performing in KC for the first time “DJ Khaled is an incredible performer, and we know he will put on a high-energy show. From elite competition on the court to world-class entertainment off it, our goal is to create a championship atmosphere that blends sports and culture in a way only the Big 12 can. Kansas City has been an outstanding partner in helping us bring that vision to life.” The Big 12 women’s tournament will start March 4 and end on either March 8 or 9. The men’s tourney is March 10-14. THE TOURNAMENT IS ALREADY FILLED WITH DRAMA  Earlier this morning, No. 5 Iowa State defeated No. 4 Texas Tech 75–53 to secure the first spot in the semifinals. The remaining quarterfinal matchups feature top-seeded Arizona taking on UCF, followed by No. 2 Houston vs. BYU and No. 3 Kansas vs. TCU in the night session.  Meanwhile, the Women’s Big 12 Tournament concluded this past Sunday, with West Virginia capturing its second-ever title after an impressive 62–53 upset over top-seeded TCU.

Boosie Badazz has reignited discussion online over the decisions some rappers make while behind bars, particularly regarding protective custody. In a pointed video targeting Kodak Black, the Louisiana rapper declared, “You checked PC, my n****. Nothing you rap is valid anymore, bro. Nothing you rap is valid.” In response, Kodak highlighted a list of peers who reportedly declined protective custody, including Young Thug, prompting the Atlanta artist to weigh in. Speaking with No Jumper, Young Thug offered a pragmatic view of the risks, saying, “Pc is smarter tho. That hard sht get u nun but heartaches from your family and kids and more charges if it’s to much goin on in the dorms.” Boosie fired back quickly, accusing Thugger of hypocrisy: “THUGGER IF ITS SMARTER TO CHECK PC WHY U AINT CHECK PC? CAUSE U CANT CHECK PC IF U SAY YOU U A REAL N***. U FROM THE TRENCHES U KNOW HOW THIS SHT GO BRA. U CHECK PC U A COWARD. Simple is that. KEEP DAT SHT A 100. I FEEL LIKE U PICKING SIDES smh DONT SAVE NO N**** LETEM DROWN. YALL KNOW WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR.” As for Boosie, his outspoken nature keeps him at the center of rap controversies. View this post on Instagram Ralo vs. Young Thug: Prison Feud Ralo also added his perspective on Young Thug’s prison record, emphasizing resilience: “Thug ain’t went to not one federal prison yard. He had that weak as trial and now he think he Escobar. Imagine being called a rat and still walked every yard with my chess out.” Thug responded directly to Ralo, offering context for his choices: “Ralo stfu. U right og, im just saying someof us the police hate and cant wait to put charges on n****s for anything so it’s a case by case situation, but if you acting gangtsa stand on whateva comes with it fasho u overly right but I am to cause the police hated me frfr they tried everything.” To clarify, Boosie remains a pivotal figure in these heated exchanges. The back-and-forth builds on Boosie’s ongoing tension with Kodak Black, which flared over the weekend during a livestream. Their rivalry, simmering for years, escalated in 2023 after Kodak collaborated with 6ix9ine—a move that offended Boosie due to past snitching allegations linked to the Nine Trey Bloods case. Consequently, the drama continues to revolve around Boosie in the hip hop scene.

Drake appears poised for a major comeback, teasing his ninth solo album, Iceman, with hints that suggest more than a typical release. On March 11, he shared a series of enigmatic Instagram Stories. These included a selfie in a cream bubble vest, a model in a tee reading “I Support Women’s Rights & Wrongs,” and a repost of a masked figure captioned, “This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself.” Each image has fueled speculation about the album’s tone. Additionally, they raised questions about Drake’s intentions. Earlier this month, the rapper provided additional glimpses in an Instagram carousel. He juxtaposed images of music icon Cher, his father Dennis Graham, and the phrase, “Talk Is Cheap.” Iceman will follow 2023’s solo release, For All the Dogs. Last year’s collaborative LP with PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs, also precedes the new album. This signals a continued balance of personal reflection and experimentation. Drake has also previewed material during livestreams, with clips shared by commentator Akademiks hinting at themes of betrayal. “Fuck them haters,” he rapped in one snippet. Later, he added, “Even my label, gave ’em 15 years of my soul,” calling out “double agents” in his inner circle. These moments suggest the album may wrestle with both personal and professional tensions. Drake Blends Introspection and Spectacle in ‘Iceman’ In a November interview with Complex, Drake elaborated on how he is approaching album releases differently. “I think I am always capable of recognizing when things are shifting and not being weirdly affected by it, not being jealous, not being thirsty, just finding how I can shine light or co-exist or make it a part of our ecosystem,” he explained. He further described his livestream experimentation: “How high can the quality get? How many cameras can we get to go live at once? 12? 13? 14? Can we get a drone shot to go live? We just started getting unhinged with the requests because we wanted to push it as far as possible.” With these hints, Iceman promises a project that blends introspection, spectacle, and ambition. This suggests a return that is as much about Drake’s personal journey as it is about music.

Justin Johnson, one of three men charged in the 2021 murder of Young Dolph, will remain behind bars for life after the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld his 2024 conviction. The ruling, issued alongside Judge Matthew J. Wilson, confirmed Johnson’s guilt on charges of premeditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, according to Fox 13 Memphis. Johnson’s appeal argued four main points, but the court dismissed each. He first challenged the sufficiency of the evidence against him. The appeals panel reaffirmed the jury’s verdict, pointing to surveillance footage of the shooting, extensive cell phone records, and video tracking Johnson’s movements around the time of the incident. Testimony from Cornelius Smith, who admitted to assisting Johnson, also played a key role in the jury’s decision. Another issue involved two photographs of Young Dolph’s body presented to the jury. The court deemed the images admissible, finding they did not unduly sway the outcome. Johnson also contested his seating behind defense attorneys during trial, arranged for security reasons. The judges ruled this precaution appropriate given the case’s high-profile and sensitive nature. Court Upholds Verdict as Case Advances with Cooperating Witness Finally, Johnson challenged a prosecutor’s comment in closing arguments referencing a witness who did not testify. The appellate court dismissed this, noting that his attorneys had not objected during the trial. As the court emphasized, “the evidence of defendant’s guilt was overwhelming, and the prosecutor’s comments were brief.” The decision comes as Cornelius Smith continues cooperating with prosecutors under a plea agreement. His initial guilty plea, expected last month, was rescheduled for March 30 to accommodate logistical arrangements within the Tennessee Department of Corrections, leaving ongoing developments in the case as authorities prepare for the next steps.

For much of his career, Papoose has built a reputation on directness. The Brooklyn lyricist is widely known for meeting challenges head-on. This is particularly true within hip-hop’s tradition of lyrical sparring. That posture has again drawn attention as friction with 50 Cent continues to ripple across the rap world. In recent weeks, the Queens-born artist has been at the center of a series of public disputes. These have involved several high-profile peers. Among those exchanges was a widely discussed back-and-forth with T.I. This disagreement circulated online for days and generated commentary across music media. Not long after, additional artists—including Maino, Dave East, and Jim Jones—became part of the wider conversation. The situation escalated when Maino released a diss track earlier in the day. As a result, the rivalry returned squarely to the musical arena. In hip-hop’s competitive culture, those kinds of releases often invite further responses. Papoose reignites the feud; fans eye 50 Cent’s response Papoose’s answer arrived with a newly released track titled “Agent Provocateur.” The song opens with pointed claims, including lines that question the long-repeated story about how many times 50 Cent was shot. Later in the record, Papoose also suggests the rapper has drawn heavily from the style and legacy of Tupac Shakur. Delivered across nearly five minutes, the record leans on sharp phrasing and deliberate pacing. It relies on those rather than spectacle. The diss track quickly drew attention among listeners who follow rap rivalries closely. Some fans have begun debating whether the Queens mogul will respond through music or continue addressing critics primarily online. While it remains unclear how 50 Cent will react, the release places the focus squarely on lyrical competition. Within New York hip-hop circles, Papoose has long been regarded as a lyricist’s lyricist. He is an MC whose reputation is tied to the craft itself.

A jury has determined that Kanye West must pay $140,000 to a former employee over disputes tied to renovations at his former Malibu mansion. The case centers on Tony Saxton, who said he was hired as a project manager during the extensive work on West’s oceanfront property. Saxton alleged the conditions were unsafe. He also claimed he was dismissed after only a few weeks on the job. Court filings indicate that Saxton was brought in to help oversee work on the multimillion-dollar home. However, he received just one paycheck before his termination roughly seven weeks later. He initially sought more than $1.7 million in damages, citing lost wages and medical expenses tied to the alleged hazards. After reviewing testimony, jurors found West responsible for a portion of the claims. Ultimately, they awarded far less than Saxton had requested. The final judgment requires West to cover about $140,000 in unpaid wages and medical costs. West’s Limited Recall Marks End of Malibu Renovation Dispute West testified during the proceedings, acknowledging that he had limited recollection of Saxton or the circumstances surrounding his hiring. He reportedly expressed uncertainty about who formally brought Saxton onto the project. His wife, Bianca Censori, also appeared in court. She explained that while she interacted with Saxton during the renovation, their time working together was brief. The verdict closes a contentious chapter in the saga of West’s Malibu property. It highlights the legal and logistical challenges that can arise during large-scale celebrity construction projects. Though the ruling resolves this particular dispute, it also provides a glimpse into the complex dynamics of managing high-profile real estate renovations.

Earlier this week, Eminem’s maternal grandmother, Betty, passed away at her home in Missouri, according to TMZ. She had been battling complications from breast cancer, and the rapper was reportedly not present during her final moments. Their relationship, marked by both love and tension, had long been complicated. In a 2000 interview with London’s Mirror, Betty spoke candidly about her discomfort with Eminem’s explicit lyrics. “When I hear his vile disgusting lyrics I can’t believe this is my Marshall,” she said. “The same boy who used to come and sit on my lap.” Yet she contextualized his work within the broader music landscape. “He’s no worse than the rest of them. I don’t like some of the lyrics myself, but this is what the people want to hear,” she explained. “If they’re going to criticise my grandson, criticise the rest of them. What about Limp Bizkit? And Ozzy Osbourne, who used to eat live bats on stage.” Betty lamented the scrutiny directed at her grandson: “They seem to be singling my grandson out. They’re picking on him.” Despite their disagreements, she conveyed deep affection: “He’s my first grandchild, I was there then he opened his eyes, I love that boy. I want to stop this war between us because life’s too short – I want him to hang in there, because everything’s going to be okay.” Eminem Faces Family Loss a Year After Becoming a Grandfather Eminem has not yet publicly commented on her passing. The news comes almost a year after he became a grandfather, following the birth of his daughter Hailie Jade’s son, Elliot Marshall McClintock, last April. Hailie’s pregnancy was revealed in Eminem’s October 2024 music video for “Temporary.” The track contains lyrics addressed to her, crafted as a message she might one day hear, blending personal reflection with his enduring connection to family and legacy.