Meek Mill is moving to reassert control over his career, announcing that he is seeking $5 million to fund a new round of projects that include a book, an album, and a short film. The Philadelphia rapper has used social media in recent weeks to voice his frustration with the industry, arguing that artists who step outside the traditional label system face steep and often unfair hurdles. “I need $5M in funding for a book, album, and short film,” Meek wrote in a post on X. In the same message, he took aim at the structure of record deals, saying, “These label deals are not looking fair at all… they have essentially tarnished the game, but I’m poised to revitalize it! Why can’t I receive the same level of investment as tech initiatives in rap culture?” He went further, pointing to banks and financial institutions as gatekeepers that should be challenged by artists. Sharing a clip from radio host DeDe In The Morning, Meek reflected on the deep imprint of Black culture across American life. “Why, as independent music artists, are we not engaging with banks when everything in the music industry ultimately circles back to financial institutions? We possess total control—let’s take action! Is it truly so difficult to secure funding outside of a record label in America? It’s perplexing, to say the least.” Meek Mill turns scrutiny into a blueprint for independence The rapper’s transition to independence has been under sharper scrutiny since his split from Roc Nation earlier this year. That scrutiny grew louder after Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, in a lawsuit against Diddy, made allegations touching on Meek’s private life. Meek rejected the claims outright in a lengthy statement online. “I have a 14-year-old son. I refuse to let unfounded rumors tarnish my name or manhood… My son has had to confront such negativity at school! This is part of a silent war against black men, and we must unite!” Meek presented that resolve as its own form of strength. “I am a real-life KING. They’ve realized I can uplift entire communities just by showing up… I can mitigate street conflicts without threats… I can mobilize billions to challenge the system… turning $0 into $100 million. This is why I played it low-key; someone caught on!” His call for financial autonomy underscores a larger shift in hip-hop. Increasingly, artists are questioning the value of conventional label deals, instead pushing for the kind of investment and independence that Meek Mill is demanding as he turns the page on the next stage of his career. I need 5m in funding for book.. album and short film …These label deals not looking fair at all… they ruined the game basically … but I can reboot the whole thing! Why I can’t get the same attention as a tech investment in rap wthelly — MeekMill (@MeekMill) September 8, 2025

Singer Montell Jordan, the voice behind the 1995 hit, “This Is How We Do It,” recently announced his prostate cancer has returned. On Wednesday (Sept.3), Jordan sat down with the Today show to share the devastating news. In 2024, Jordan was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and despite having his prostate removed, the singer tells the outlet that his cancer has not only returned but also spread. “I always imagined I would be telling my prostate cancer story from the other side of prostate cancer because I had a radical prostatectomy surgery,” Jordan tells Today. “My prostate was removed. There were clear margins.” “I’m trying to give a template for people that get diagnosed with this,” Jordan says “Close to a year post-prostatectomy, I still need to go back and have additional treatments because it’s [been] detected that there is still cancer,” Jordan continued. In an effort to combat the cancer, the singer will undergo a “targeted radiation” treatment program. The gold would be to treat his lymph nodes as well as “take home blockers that stop the growth of the cancer.” “It is a seven-and-a-half week interruption of life to make sure that I have a longer life,” he added. The singer also told Today that he plans to document his cancer journey with a documentary in collaboration with nonprofit organization Zero Prostate Cancer. The project is set to be released next year. “I’m trying to give a template for people that get diagnosed with this to … know they have options available to them,” Jordan noted when asked about the forthcoming film. “It’s okay to cry…It’s okay to shake your fist at God…It’s okay to navigate and do what you need to do, but doing nothing is not an option. I never knew there was such a thing as being a two-time cancer survivor, so that’s the journey that I’m on right now.”

On Thursday (Sept.4), TMZ reported that Juan Raymond Harper, also known to the online masses as “Rolling Ray,” had died unexpectedly at only 28 years old. Not long after the news broke, fans and celebrities, like Cardi B, hopped online to honor his memory. “Rolling Ray was a menace lmaoo… but he changed soo much and became so positive,” she wrote in an X post. “I know that soul made it to heaven…You will truly be missed BIG PURRRR!!!” Along with being the face behind dozens of popular memes, Rolling Ray also starred in several shows on the Zeus network, like Bobby I Love You, Purrr. In addition to Ray’s mother confirming the news to the outlet, the Zeus network also confirmed the passing with an Instagram post, writing: “Gone way too soon. #RestInPeace to the BIG hearted, most Raw, & #Zeus Star #RaymondHarper aka @iamrollingray.” Rolling Ray was a menace lmaoo… but he changed soo much and became so positive. I know that soul made it to heaven…You will truly be missed BIG PURRRR!!! — Cardi B (@iamcardib) September 4, 2025 In other news, Cardi B has been in full rollout mode since announcing the release date of her forthcoming album, Am I The Drama? Unlike with Invasion of Privacy, the rapper is stepping into a new era; however, it’s much darker than expected. Aside from the album’s eerie cover, the usage of crows, which are often a symbol of death, has even been reflected in her recent fashion choices. Last month, at Schiaparelli’s Paris Couture Week, she made quite the entrance, rocking a live crow as an outfit accessory. Cardi B recently sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music and noted the album’s dark “energy” stems from “something dying inside” her. “I really like to do my things very colorful. I’m a very colorful person. But it’s just like this past year, I feel like something kind of was dying in me.” “My humbleness, me trying so much to be unproblematic, me trying to avoid drama, avoid the disses, avoid the b*tches, avoid the talks, it’s like that sh*t is dying, that’s dying out in me,” she added.

On Thursday (Sept.4), Billboard held its annual R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event. Anthony ‘Top Dawg’ Tiffith, the CEO and founder of Top Dawg Entertainment, was crowned as the ‘Executive Of The Year.’ Tiffith founded the independent record label in 2004 in Carson, California. TDE has helped launch the careers of industry heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and most recently, Doechii. He took to the Billboard stage with TDE executive Terrence “Punch” Henderson, along with his son, TDE president Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr, by his side before giving a moving speech. “I like to stay behind the scenes,” he began. “Billboard pulled me out tonight, I got a couple words for y’all. I want to thank Billboard for honoring me with this award, Executive of the Year. I feel like I should’ve won this three, four, five times.” Top continued: “I am low-key, not promoting myself and letting my artists shine, they don’t recognize that. But tonight is that night, this is the MVP trophy of the music industry.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B (@billboardhiphop) Top Dawg Entertainment has been on quite a run the past year. Back in June, Kendrick and SZA’s Grand National Tour became the highest-grossing reported co-headline tour ever, according to Billboard’s Boxscore. At the time, they were only halfway through, and the pair had already grossed nearly $256.4 million and sold over 1.1 million tickets. In February, the label’s newest star, Doechii, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album for her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Released in August 2024, the 19-track project earned critical acclaim and peaked at No.10 on the US Billboard 200. Alligator Bites Never Heal has now been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). During the Grammys ceremony, she gave a moving speech that went viral after a clip of it circulated online: “Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony right now.”

According to Cardi B, winning a Grammy is the most “prestigious award” and that “nobody can take it” from her. In 2019, the Bronx native’s debut project, Invasion of Privacy, won Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. However, in a recent interview with Billboard, while the rapper expressed her happiness about receiving one, she emphasized that her definition of success has evolved. For the mother of three, “success” isn’t about awards and praise from critics, but “putting out good music.” “Winning a Grammy, the most prestigious award, you can never take that from me. Everybody wants to downplay it, but everybody wants one. [But] times have changed,” Cardi B tells the outlet. “Success for me will be people saying, ‘She put out a great album.’ If [at] 3 a.m., people are talking about the album, that’s going to be success for me because people can’t wait to downplay it. I even want the people who don’t like me to be like, ‘Yo. That sh*t is fire.’ Yeah, eat your f*cking fruits, n*gga.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by billboard (@billboard) In another section of the interview, Cardi B described the balance between motherhood and music, a juggling act she carries largely on her own. Raising three children—Kulture, seven; Wave, four; and Blossom, who recently turned one—she has taken pride in stepping fully into the role of provider. “I do everything for my kids. I’m the only provider, and you know what? There’s no complaining about it. I love them so much, and they keep me grounded,” she said. Her approach to parenting, she added, is shaped by her own upbringing. “My mother worked incredibly hard to support us, and I want my children to understand that I made sure they had everything they wanted,” she explained. That determination has become central to her identity, reinforcing her belief that family anchors her, even when the spotlight demands otherwise.

Doja Cat seemingly launched into pop superstardom with her projects like Hot Pink (2019) and Planet Her (2021). However, the rapper-singer felt her skills as an MC were being doubted and decided to drop off Scarlet in 2023. According to Doja Cat, the project was almost like a “massive fart” she needed to release. “Not to diminish it, but it was a bit of like, I just need to get this out,” the rapper tells the New York Times. Doja continued: “I thought fixing that would entail making music that was more visceral or more emotional or maybe more angry or more sad. And I enjoyed performing it onstage, but it didn’t get me all the way there.” That said, these days, the rapper reveals to the outlet that she’s ready to “return back” to what she knows. Doja Cat talks to the New York Times about her album ‘Scarlet’: “Not to diminish it, but it was a bit of like, I just need to get this out — it was a massive fart for me, I thought fixing that would entail making music that was more visceral or more emotional or maybe more angry… pic.twitter.com/jbmkgNE7Pw — Pop Base (@PopBase) September 5, 2025 On Friday (July 15), Doja Cat announced that her forthcoming fifth studio album, Vie, is coming this September. The singer-rapper hopped on Instagram to share the exciting announcement with fans, writing, “Je sais que tu es ma vie Vie out 9/26.” The French phrase translates to “I know you are my life.” Judging by the video and caption Doja posted, this upcoming project is heavily inspired by Parisian culture. The “Say So” singer has been teasing the album since last year. Back in March, she shared snippets of a few tracks that will appear on the album, including one named “Lipstain.” Similarly to her past work, the tracks seem to pull inspiration from a variety of genres. In a recent interview with V magazine, Doja Cat revealed that Vie would be a “pop-driven project.” “I know that I can make pop music, and pop is just that it’s popular. It starts to become a bit of a thing that’s viewed as a sport by people who are just bystanders to it, who enjoy it, but maybe also don’t respect it or what it is, which is just music … They see it as if this is some kind of football for girls and gays,” she told the outlet.

Earlier this week, audio clips of Young Thug’s jail conversations began to circulate online. Most recently, new audio has leaked of Young Thug revealing that, despite public appearances, he and Future aren’t close as one would expect. According to the “Digits” rapper, the two “haven’t been tight in a minute.” Thug accuses Future of doing “lame stuff” behind the scenes and in the studio. “I pull up to the studio, chillin’ wit him, you asking me what to say on the song and how you should start off your song,” Thug says. “…Then [when] it’s girls in the room, now you actin’ like you don’t hear me tellin’ you nuthin’” “I don’t be likin’ that, n*gga I’m a playa,” Thug continued. “I don’t know what image you tryna get off to these girls, but you an idiot, n*gga.” However, Thug claims that when the “March Madness” rapper is alone, he’s “all ears. The YSL rapper also used a derogatory term in reference to Future when noting his ignorance on certain topics.”When I talk to him about God, or when I talk to him about certain things, he just don’t know nuthin’. He doesn’t know nuthin’ but music,” Thug added. Young Thug slams Future in newly leaked call, calls him an “idiot” and “r*tarded” “Me and him ain’t been tight in a minute, he do lame stuff. I don’t know what image you tryna get off but you an idiot, everything you know I done taught you […] He just don’t know nothing he… pic.twitter.com/VUuu8CKT7K — Hip Hop All Day (@HipHopAllDayy) September 6, 2025 Young Thug has come under fire this week after alleged leaked comments targeting some of hip hop’s biggest names, including J. Cole, André 3000, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, and Gucci Mane. The controversy comes as he navigates legal troubles and a snitching scandal, adding more heat to an already complicated situation. A clip shared on Twitter reportedly captures Young Thug criticizing J. Cole and André 3000. In the conversation, he questioned why J. Cole had not collaborated with rising artists. “YB [is] the biggest artist in the world on YouTube. Why wouldn’t J. Cole do a song with him?” he allegedly said. He went on to call out artists for avoiding collaborations, explaining, “Like, come on, bruh. You ain’t never in your life sold more records than this boy, this young na. F*ck is you thinking? Like, tripping. Na just be on that, ‘Oh, I don’t like your music. I ain’t doing no music with you.’ Man, n*ggas don’t like y’all n*ggas’ music either.

Cardi B is on the cusp of releasing her long-awaited second album, and the moment carries unusual weight. Two weeks removed from a victory in a civil assault case, the Bronx-born rapper is reemerging in the public eye, navigating the intersection of personal upheaval and professional momentum. Offset, her estranged husband, has said he hopes to “move on in peace,” but Cardi shows little sign of slowing down. Speaking with Billboard, she described the balance between motherhood and music, a juggling act she carries largely on her own. Raising three children—Kulture, seven; Wave, four; and Blossom, who recently turned one—she has taken pride in stepping fully into the role of provider. “I do everything for my kids. I’m the only provider, and you know what? There’s no complaining about it. I love them so much, and they keep me grounded,” she said. Her approach to parenting, she added, is shaped by her own upbringing. “My mother worked incredibly hard to support us, and I want my children to understand that I made sure they had everything they wanted,” she explained. That determination has become central to her identity, reinforcing her belief that family anchors her, even when the spotlight demands otherwise. A New Chapter with AM I THE DRAMA? In July 2024, Cardi filed for divorce from Offset for the second time, a rupture that has unfolded in full view of her audience. The separation has played out across social media, while reports link her to NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs—an evolution that may influence her creative work. Her new album, AM I THE DRAMA?, arrives September 19. It features the singles “Outside” and “Imaginary Playerz,” alongside chart staples like “Up” and “WAP.” Seven years in the making, the project reflects a period marked by both family milestones and legal battles. Still, she insists on precision. “I always knew I would release a second album; I just didn’t have a project that was well organized,” she said. “I’m very selective about my music and need to make sure everything fits perfectly before I put it out.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by billboard (@billboard)

Kanye West is once again navigating legal challenges. This time, attention is focused on his 2022 project, Donda 2, which has drawn scrutiny from copyright holders over the use of a particular track. Billboard reports that West is facing a federal copyright infringement lawsuit for allegedly sampling soul singer Sam Dees’ 1975 song “Just Out Of My Reach” without permission. Filed September 4 by The GRC Trust on behalf of Ginn Music Group, an Atlanta-based publisher that controls Dees’ catalog, the suit centers on West’s collaboration with Vory, titled “LORD LIFT ME UP.” A comparison of the two songs reveals a marked similarity, especially in the opening seconds of Dees’ original, which West reportedly loops throughout the 2-minute, 10-second track. The suit names not only West and Vory—whose full name is Tavoris Javon Hollins—but also Yeezy LLC, highlighting the business entities tied to the release. Implications for Collaborators The lawsuit further implicates Kano Computing and its founder, Alex Klein, responsible for developing the Stem Player, the exclusive platform for streaming Donda 2. The filing asserts, “At no point did defendants obtain authorization from GRC to use the composition in connection with the infringing work. Defendants continue to exploit and receive profits from the infringing work, thereby violating GRC’s rights in this composition.” The GRC Trust is seeking both a court injunction and monetary restitution, demanding “all profits of defendants… plus all losses of GRC, plus any other monetary advantage gained by the defendants through their infringement.” The case underscores the increasing legal scrutiny artists face when sampling classic material, especially within projects distributed on unconventional platforms. The dispute coincides with anticipation surrounding West’s upcoming documentary, In Whose Name?, set to debut in select theaters. Developed over more than a year, the film examines pivotal moments in West’s life from 2018 to 2024, including his divorce from Kim Kardashian and his controversial remarks regarding antisemitism, offering an intimate look at the intersection of his personal struggles and artistic ambitions.

Sexyy Red has drawn attention as much for her outspoken persona as for her music. Since late 2024, she has been unusually candid about her admiration for NBA YoungBoy, the Louisiana star who at the time was entangled in a federal fraud case. Her mix of blunt humor and disarming honesty has made her one of the more unpredictable figures in hip-hop today. That interest in YoungBoy first surfaced in November, when she logged on to X, formerly Twitter, to post a cheeky note: “Free all da fine sht [crying emojis].” The message, half-joking yet pointed, revealed more than a passing curiosity. Months later, during an Instagram Live stream from Dubai, her fascination became even more apparent when she noticed YoungBoy among her viewers. Sexyy Red Pursues YoungBoy Boldly, Igniting Social Media Buzz “YoungBoy on here y’all,” she blurted with delight, before adding, “Shake that a*s for YoungBoy,” in a bid to capture his attention. Her pursuit sharpened recently when she weighed in on speculation about his expanding family. Responding to a caption that suggested he might be expecting his 22nd child—he currently has ten children with eight women—she shot back, “I’m ready… who tf just said dat??” The remark quickly circulated, underscoring both her boldness and her willingness to make the chase part of the show. YoungBoy, however, has remained silent. He has not acknowledged her remarks publicly, instead directing his focus toward his career. His first headlining tour, built around his latest album, Make America Slime Again, began September 1 in Dallas, signaling a fresh chapter for a rapper intent on cementing his place in the industry. The lack of response has hardly slowed Sexyy Red. Her willingness to play out her crush in public has left fans debating whether it is sincere affection, a calculated bit of humor, or some combination of the two. Either way, it has become a subplot in hip-hop’s wider conversation—one that continues to amuse, and occasionally bewilder, its audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)