Key Glock may have a new love interest, and fans are already paying close attention. The Memphis rapper was recently spotted in New York City with Love Island USA’s JaNa Craig, setting off rumors that the two could be more than friends. Cameras caught them walking together in outfits that looked perfect for a night out. They weren’t kissing, but the way they interacted told a different story. At one point, the person recording even pointed out that they looked like they were blushing, and the pair smiled as if they had been caught. JaNa was caught outside with the rapper key Glock and she’s glowing omggg pic.twitter.com/1lJgfSiYBv — NATE (@NATERERUN) August 19, 2025 Craig did not reveal much about her link to Glock, brushing it off by saying they were “just working.” Still, she did take the time to share advice for Love Island’s newest winners, Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. “Communication is key,” she said. “If there are arguments, talk them out. Go through his phone if she needs to. Just saying.” The timing of the sighting comes shortly after Craig’s very public breakup with her Love Island partner Kenny Rodriguez. She confirmed the split in late July, telling fans on Instagram that it was far from amicable. “Hi my loves… Thank you for all your love & support. It means the world to me,” she wrote. “As you know, Kenny and I are no longer together. Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is.” She continued, “Discovering that someone you loved isn’t who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn’t been genuine since day one has been truly devastating.” Craig later called Rodriguez a “manipulative liar,” while her friend Charmane Smith claimed he only dated her for fame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Glock shared an Instagram story, captioned “GLOCK ISLAND,” though both have stayed quiet on the rumors.

Fivio Foreign shows no sign of letting go of his brief but intense feud with streamer PlaqueBoyMax, which erupted during a January livestream. Earlier this year, Fivio and Lil Tjay joined PlaqueBoyMax on a stream, but the session ended abruptly when the rappers, smoking inside an Airbnb, were asked to stop. Frustrated, they walked out, drawing online backlash. Fivio later addressed the spat in a diss track titled PlaqueBoyMax, underscoring that tensions linger. The feud reignited this week when Fivio challenged PlaqueBoyMax to a boxing match. “Somebody tell that PlaqueBoyMax n***a we gotta box,” he wrote on his Instagram Story, as shared by DJ Akademiks. “Let’s do it. We could put up $1 million, $5 million, however you want to do it.” PlaqueBoyMax has yet to respond publicly. PlaqueBoyMax Weighs In on Streamers and Nas The streamer, however, may have his own grievances. Earlier this week, he discussed his perspective on streamers during a conversation with Jim Jones. “Rappers is cool, right? Streamers… I’m just telling you nothing but facts… the streamers got lit off of having the cool people on they stream,” he said. “It’s the streamer that’s lit, they [fans] like the platform. People like the platform. People don’t really like the individual.” PlaqueBoyMax also shared his thoughts on Nas, adding a further layer to the conversation. “I grew up with ns like Sosa, Gino. And I’m not saying that the man [Nas] is wack, he’s not legend,” Fivio claimed. “He’s been out for years, I got a song with the n and I got a song on the album and the album got a Grammy. But I can’t sit there and say a Nas bar to you or a song.” As the back-and-forth continues, fans remain split between support for the New York rapper and the viral streamer, with speculation mounting over whether the proposed boxing match will ever come to fruition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

Tamar Braxton recently detailed her close call with death. Taking to her Instagram page Tuesday, August 19 where she reposted a quote on her story that read “Thank you God for waking me up today.” “I struggled to write this but everyone keeps calling me and honestly, I can’t even really talk anymore I’m so weak. I almost died Sunday. I was found in a pool of blood from my friend with a face injury,” she explained. “As the days go by the worse it is. I fractured my nose, lost some teeth and mobility. The way I look at life now is totally different,”she continued. “As my health is on the mend my mental journey begins. Pray for me for real I don’t even know what happened to me.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tamar Braxton (@tamarbraxton) While Braxton did not disclose the what cause her injuries or any photos,  she said that she was discovered by her friend. Before her injuries, Braxton has been featured cast members on the reality show The Braxtons on We TV, as the show is preparing for its second season.  “The main reason for wanting to do The Braxtons again is because of Traci,” Toni Braxton shared in a trailer for season 1.  “She asked us to do this — this was her last wish,” Miss E added. In April, Tamar shared a clip on Instagram where she and her family celebrated what would have been Traci’s 54th birthday. “Happy Heavenly Birthday beautiful @therealtracibraxton,” Tamar wrote in the caption. “We miss you down here sis!! But I know God didn’t want to see you sick like that so, he brought you home to himself to heal you Tamar was also touring on October London’s  October Nights: Calling all Lovers Tour with Ro James.

Ciara has first-hand experience of what it means for an artist to own their master recordings. During a recent interview with Forbes, Ciara shared how she became an independent artist and how label drama led to owning her masters. “It was also one of my greatest meetings because that propelled me to become independent, because literally he did not see the vision of what ‘Level Up’ was,” said Ciara. “I remember going downstairs to the person that was my A&R at that time his name was Monti Olson […] I’m forever grateful for him because he also believed in me when I was like eight months pregnant to sign a deal with meHe was one of the executives that were actually still at the company when the old CEO went out.” “I asked for my masters and they gave it back to me for free, so let you know how much they didn’t believe, and now ‘Level Up’ is almost three times platinum,” she continued. Betting on herself turned out to be the best decision the “Goodies”  singer ever made. The success of “Level Up” helped to launcher her independent label, Beauty Marks Entertainment, which she established in 2017. The hit song became the first release from her label and debuted at 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 31, 2018 moved to number 59 the following week. It debuted at number 10 on the US Digital Songs chart that same week, becoming Ciara’s sixth top-ten hit on the chart and first since “Love Sex Magic” in March 2009.

Tyler, The Creator is keeping the Chromakopia era alive with a stunning new visual for his track “Darling, I.” The self-directed video, released this week, plays like a retro film reel—blending romance, humor, and cultural callbacks with Tyler’s trademark eccentricity. Among the standout appearances are Nia Long, Lauren London, and Willow Smith. Other cameos include Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Teezo Touchdown (who is also featured on the track), Na-Kel Smith, Chase Infiniti, Oriane Strohhacker, and Jasmine Rutledge. The video opens on a 1970s-inspired bus depot, where Teezo Touchdown plays the driver ushering passengers into a world of vibrant set pieces. From there, viewers are taken through a series of intimate, playful, and surreal vignettes—each with its own flair. NIA LONG MAKES AN APPEARANCE: One of the buzziest moments comes when Nia Long leans in toward Tyler as if to kiss him, only to mischievously stick out her tongue. Willow Smith, meanwhile, joins Tyler in portraying members of the Black Panther Party, sharing a playful photo booth moment that adds political undertones to the otherwise whimsical storytelling. Lauren London also takes center stage in an evocative booth scene, while Lionel Boyce channels tension in a gritty payphone exchange. The aesthetics throughout feel drenched in nostalgia, complete with vintage wardrobes, analog backdrops, and subtle references to Tyler’s Chromakopia motifs. Though Tyler recently shifted focus with his 2025 album Don’t Tap the Glass, the “Darling, I” video doubles down on the visual narrative that accompanied Chromakopia. Tyler, who directed the video under his real name Andrew Okonma, continues to lean into bold color palettes, whimsical costume design, and layered symbolism—cementing his role not just as a rapper but as a full-fledged auteur.

Lance “Un” Riverea calls cap on Fat Joe, who said he made tracks with The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. During an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Rivera addressed Joe’s assertion head-on, expressing skepticism and a touch of humor while firmly.  “I love Fat Joe, Fat Joe is my guy. I love the Jada & Joe show, and now I know why they’re running with the ‘Joe is the King of Cap,’” Rivera laughed. “Imma call cap, without even knowing, ’cause I don’t know for sure, but I’m calling cap […] If there was a real, legitimate album, I would’ve heard about that. I wouldn’t have heard about them doing songs,” he continued. The founder of  Untertainment Records, Rivera and Biggie, on several projects including Junior Mafia’s 1995 album The Conspiracay. So any songs featuring Fat Joe would have come across his desk. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Art Of Dialogue (@theartofdialogue) “And I wouldn’t have heard about them doing songs together, right? Because in Daddy’s House, Big go in the studio, you could get a verse or you might not get a verse, depending on his mood and how much money you had in your pocket. He was a ‘How much weed you got on you’ type sh*t, you know what I’m saying? But I call cap off that, Joe. Show me the receipts, Fat Joe.” In an interview from 2023, Fat Joe claimed to have recorded several songs that never saw the light of day because they included disses toward Tupac.  “We made a bunch of songs, y’know what I’m sayin’?” Joe said. “But it was really disrespectful and hateful, and so [Biggie] died and 2Pac died. They might have burnt them sh*ts, to be honest with you, ’cause you know, it was distasteful after the fact.”

Fivio Foreign recently sat down with Jim Jones for a candid conversation on Artist 2 Artist, part of Jones’ new IFC Factory platform. The Brooklyn rapper opened up about the music that shaped him and admitted that Nas was not a major influence during his come-up. Fivio explained that his teenage soundtrack was dominated by Chicago artists, especially Chief Keef, who inspired much of his style. “I’m not saying that the man is wack or he’s not a legend,” Fivio clarified. “I got a song with the n—a. I got a song on the album and the album got a Grammy, but I can’t sit there and say a Nas bar to you or a song — I like ‘One Mic.’” Jim Jones responded with his own perspective, making it clear that he grew up in an era where Nas was central to hip hop. “That’s what I want the people to know — but I can ‘cause Nas was my era. I came up f—kin’ with Nas. I know the Nas sh—t. But moving forward, I started a whole new era and a whole new genre and a generation of people…I just be doing me.” When pressed about his biggest influences, Fivio again highlighted his admiration for Chief Keef and the Chicago drill movement, saying he was “infatuated” with that sound. That passion ultimately fueled his own contributions to New York’s drill scene. Their talk also touched on the challenges that come with viral moments. Fivio recently made headlines after clashing with streamer PlaqueBoyMax and fellow rapper Lil Tjay during a livestream that got heated over smoking in an Airbnb. Meanwhile, Jim Jones was pulled into his own debate earlier this year when a college student claimed on a podcast that Dipset had a greater influence than Nas, sparking discussions about legacy and impact.

Lil Yachty recently expressed his gratitude to Tyler, The Creator for being his mentor. On his Instagram, the Atlanta rapper paid tribute to to Tyler. “Last leg of this tour for me and I just want to take the time to thank you for your friendship, thanking you for giving me the praises i needed to push me on and holding me accountable when i do some / ignorant sh*t,” his post read. “All in all, i’m grateful.” “1 of the few mentors i have, always held me accountable, always challenged me,” wrote Yachty. “Forever grateful. Young men need mentors. Need a line of proper guidance. Thanks Tyyytyyy.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Complex Music (@complexmusic) Lil Yacty had been opening up for  Tyler on his Chromakopia album across North America. Outside of being thankful to Tyler, Yachty found himseilf embroiled in a controversy about his use of George Flyod in a song. Shared a snippet of a track during a recent Twitch livestream, Yachty rapped, ““Put my knee up on her neck, I went George Floyd,” Yachty rapped on the song.” Former NBA star Stephen Jackson took offense to lyric and blasted Yachthy in in a now-deleted Instagram post. He described the lyric as “demeaning.” “Don’t ever say his name, bro. None of y’all knew G. Nothing about him,” Jackson wrote. On Instragram Story, Jackson revealed that Yachty that apologized for the the song. “I took my post down about Yachty because I’m emotional about George. I apologized to him. We spoke and he apologized as well,” Jackson said. “I salute him. Not a lot of people like to own up to when they [expletive] up.”

The blessings don’t stop for Busta Rhymes. The hip-hop legend received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His most recent honor, Busta, who MTV described as “one of hip-hop’s greatest visual artists”, will receive the inaugural MTV VMA, Rock the Bells Visionary Award. According to Deadline, the prestige award will celebrate his “boundary-breaking cultural impact and indomitable musical career.” Busta will be awarded the honor at the 2025 VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 7. He also will give one of his signature live performances during the show. In his remarkable career, Busta has sold 20 million albums worldwide. He also received seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200, 12 Grammy Award nominations, and has a catalog with over 60 million records certified gold and platinum. He was also the Global Icon honoree at the 2024 MTV Awards. The 2025 MTV Video Awards will be hosted by another legendary rapper, LL COOL J. He is returning to host the show, and 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 for Best Rap and was the first rapper ever to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997. 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+.

Joey Bada$$ will be coming to a city near you. On Monday (August 19), the Harlem rapper/actor announced the launch of his  “The Dark Aura Tour” with Ab-Soul and Rapsody. He also dropped his new single “Dark Aura,” which the tour is named after. The tour is in promotion of his latest LP Lonely At The Top. Taking to Instagram, Joey shared his exciting news with his followers. “THE DARK AURA TOUR w/ @souloho3 & @rapsody | THIS FALL COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU,” his post read. The 25-stop tour begins on October 16 in Boston, then off to cities such as success Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, and more cities before wrapping up on November 20 in Philadelphia. Although he was slated to release Lonely At The Top on August 1, he put the blame on his record label, Columbia Records, “claiming that he fully completed the album on time.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by JOZIF BADMON (@joeybadass) “The album is not dropping Aug. 1. I’m f—king sorry. I’m ashamed, I’m f—king disappointed I wanted to take accountability and responsibility because I’m not ever gon’ leave y’all high and dry,” accroding to Billboard. “My s—t got pushed back because the label pushed my s—t back,” he claimed. “My album is signed, sealed and delivered over a month ago. This ain’t ‘cause of no sample clearances. This ain’t ‘cause of no features, this ain’t ‘cause of no clashing with another artist on the date. This is literally an Exhibit A of the label getting in the artist’s way … I’ve been moving on rogue time.” Tickcerts will be available on August 29. Tickets for The Dark Aura Tour will go on sale on Thursday, August 21.