Bigxthaplug Booked in Dallas Hours After 'I Hope You’re Happy' Drops

Arlington Police Department

Hours after his country-rap album “I Hope You’re Happy” hit streaming services, Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug — born Xavier Landum — was booked into the Dallas County jail at about 2:20 a.m. Friday on two misdemeanor counts: possession of marijuana (less than 2 ounces) and unlawful possession of a firearm. He later posted bond.

An arrest-warrant affidavit says officers stopped the 26-year-old around 8:45 p.m. Thursday for not having a front license plate as he pulled out of a Williams Chicken in Dallas. When asked whether there was a weapon in the vehicle, Landum acknowledged one under the center armrest, according to the affidavit. Officers reported finding two firearms and a small amount of marijuana. The affidavit notes police referenced a listing for Landum in a law-enforcement gang database; the document ties that listing to a state handgun offense.

The booking capped an album-night sprint. Landum had just celebrated at a release party at Cash Cow in Deep Ellum; a second event planned for Friday at a Wingstop location was canceled after the arrest. He told local reporters he intends to reschedule.

“I Hope You’re Happy” blends trap percussion with country songwriting and features Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett and Ella Langley. A companion video with Jelly Roll, “Box Me Up,” arrived alongside the album.

Thursday’s arrest is Landum’s second in North Texas this year. In February, Arlington police arrested him after a traffic stop for an expired registration; officers said they smelled marijuana and found a handgun in the vehicle. Landum was booked on a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession and later released. That case was subsequently dismissed, according to local reports.

Dallas voters approved a charter amendment last fall to curb arrests and citations for low-level marijuana possession, but city officials paused enforcement in July after a court ruling in a separate case. Police have resumed enforcement while the legal fight plays out.

Jay-Z Stays Atop Music’s Billionaires as Forbes’ 2025 List Swells

The rapper ranked No. 6 on Forbes’ 2025 celebrity billionaire list — highest among musicians — poses with his partner in a Tiffany & Co. campaign portrait. (Photograph by Mason Poole. Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)

“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” Two decades after that flex, Jay-Z tops music’s money column on Forbes’ 2025 celebrity billionaire list — No. 6 at an estimated $2.5 billion — ahead of Taylor Swift at No. 9 ($1.6 billion), turning “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint” into equity that still compounds.

What puts him in front is ownership. Jay-Z sold 50% of Armand de Brignac to LVMH in 2021 and a majority stake in D’Ussé to Bacardi in 2023 — cash-and-equity deals layered on top of Roc Nation and the 2021 sale of a majority stake in Tidal to Block. Add a valuable catalog and blue-chip art, and you get a portfolio that grows even when the studio is quiet.

Rihanna sits at No. 13 (about $1.4 billion) on the strength of Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty — proof that brand and product can outrun any release calendar. Swift is the rare ten-figure artist powered primarily by music itself; her spot at No. 9 comes from catalog control, royalties and the “Eras Tour.” Tyler Perry lands at No. 11 ($1.4 billion), a reminder that vertical control — studio, library and lot — keeps the checks coming.

Sports reads the same, just in a different jersey. Michael Jordan ranks No. 3 ($3.5 billion), a sovereign brand whose Nike royalties still score in overtime. Magic Johnson is No. 10 ($1.5 billion) off team stakes, insurance and real estate. LeBron James is No. 14 ($1.3 billion), proof an active player can build a ten-figure balance sheet with salaries, SpringHill and ownership. Tiger Woods is No. 12 ($1.4 billion), the endorsement engine turned operator. Oprah Winfrey sits at No. 4 ($3 billion), decades of audience trust turned into durable media equity and heavyweight real estate.

Zoom out and world-building pays longest. Steven Spielberg leads the celebrity set at No. 1 ($5.3 billion) and “Star Wars” creator George Lucas follows at No. 2 ($5.1 billion) — iconic IP that compounds for decades. Vince McMahon is No. 5 ($3 billion) after the WWE–UFC merger rolled spectacle into TKO stock. Kim Kardashian (No. 7; $1.7 billion) and Peter Jackson (No. 8; $1.7 billion) round out the upper middle on Skims and the Weta Digital deal.

The newcomer class explains how money moved this year. Bruce Springsteen (No. 15; about $1.2 billion) crystallized decades of songs with a blockbuster catalog sale. Arnold Schwarzenegger (No. 17; $1.1 billion) and Jerry Seinfeld (No. 18; $1.1 billion) arrived via long-tail syndication and investing. McMahon’s rise reflects that combat-sports merger windfall.

All of it sits inside a record backdrop: Forbes tallied 3,028 billionaires worldwide worth a combined $16.1 trillion, with a record 15 people in the $100-billion club and, for the first time, three above $200 billion. Against that surge, the celebrity cohort totals roughly $39 billion across 18 names. Hits fade — equity doesn’t. In 2025, catalogs, companies and control still turn fame into generational wealth.

Whirlpool Teams With Big Boi for Crystal-Studded Washer That Sings 'So Fresh, So Clean'

Big Boi’s iconic OutKast anthem “So Fresh, So Clean” has found an unlikely new home — inside a limited-edition Whirlpool washer that plays the chorus after each cycle. (Courtesy photo)

Twenty years ago, OutKast had clubs chanting “so fresh and so clean” as the anthem of late-night swagger. Today, Whirlpool wants your socks to feel the same way. In one of the most unexpected hip-hop crossovers yet, the appliance giant announced a limited-edition washer and dryer set that plays Big Boi’s chorus from the 2001 classic after every cycle.

Yes, it’s real. The Benton Harbor-based brand revealed the machines Tuesday as part of a sweepstakes giveaway, complete with a matte black finish, hand-placed crystals, and a “certified fresh” badge signed by Big Boi himself. The first set has already been delivered to the Atlanta legend, who co-signed the partnership with a simple truth: “Now your laundry looks fresh, smells fresh, and even sounds fresh.”

 

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It’s the kind of headline that sounds like satire until you remember hip-hop’s ability to bend culture in ways nobody predicts. Sneakers, champagne, fast food menus — the genre’s influence has already spilled into every corner of consumer life. But this may be the first time a rap hook is hardwired into household appliances, cementing just how permanent the early-2000s South has become in the American imagination.

OutKast’s legacy looms large over the moment. While André 3000 reinvented himself in 2023 with a flute-driven jazz odyssey, Big Boi’s steady presence has kept the duo’s catalog alive in arenas, soundtracks, and now, washing machines. For fans who once blasted “So Fresh, So Clean” through car stereos on summer nights, hearing it while folding laundry is a reminder of both hip-hop’s absurd reach and its timeless cool.

The sweepstakes runs through September 23, and only a handful of fans will ever own one of the crystal-studded machines. But the cultural takeaway isn’t about how many units exist. It’s about what it means when a track once soundtracking parties is now soundtracking adulthood. Hip-hop doesn’t just move generations forward — it ages with them, growing from the streets to the suburbs, and now, to the laundry room.

OutKast made the world feel so fresh and so clean. Whirlpool just made it literal.

Busta Rhymes’ Boundary-Breaking Career Earns Visionary Honor at VMAs

Busta Rhymes will receive the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award and perform at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in New York. (Photo Credit: Derek Blanks)

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are setting the stage for a night that blends cultural celebration with high-voltage performances — and hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes is at the center of it all.

On Sept. 7, the rap legend will receive the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award, honoring his groundbreaking career and enduring impact on music and culture, before hitting the stage for a performance expected to steal the night.

The recognition caps an extraordinary run for Busta, who this year also cemented his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and remains a constant creative force. Across three decades, he has sold more than 20 million albums, earned 12 Grammy nominations, landed seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 and seen over 60 million of his records certified gold and platinum. Since his first VMA appearance in 1997, Busta has delivered some of the show’s most electric moments, including the rapid-fire medley that closed the 2021 broadcast. His return in 2025 underscores not just his longevity, but the way he continues to shape the conversation in hip-hop.

He won’t be the only artist honored. Ricky Martin will make history as the first recipient of the Latin Icon Award, marking a four-decade career that has sold more than 70 million albums and redefined Latin pop for a global audience. Martin, who first lit up the VMAs stage in 1999, will return on the 26th anniversary of that performance, bringing his legacy full circle.

LL Cool J will host the ceremony live from UBS Arena in New York. The Queens legend — a VMA veteran and pop-culture mainstay — anchors the night in his first solo turn as host. The show will air coast-to-coast on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

The first wave of announced performers signals the breadth of the 2025 show. Breakout singer-songwriter Alex Warren makes his debut with his global No. 1 hit “Ordinary,” which has him nominated for Best New Artist, Best Pop and Song of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter, last year’s Song of the Year winner, returns with eight nominations including Video of the Year for “Manchild.” J Balvin, one of Latin music’s most decorated stars, will perform “Zun Zun” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, before joining DJ Snake for the live premiere of “Noventa.” Rising artist sombr will also take the stage for the first time, fresh off nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative.

But the story this year is Busta Rhymes — a performer whose career has spanned generations, genres, and platforms without losing its urgency. From his early days with Leaders of the New School to his chart-smashing solo records and iconic videos, Busta has remained a larger-than-life presence. His recognition with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award is less a career capstone than a reminder that his influence remains present tense. On VMA night, the stage is his again.

Busta Rhymes Feted as Hip-Hop Icon During Harlem Day Celebration

Busta Rhymes holds up the Hip Hop Icon Award during Harlem Week’s Harlem Day celebration at St. Nicholas Park in New York. The Brooklyn-born rapper was honored for his three-decade career, global impact, and contributions to hip hop culture. 

Busta Rhymes, whose rapid-fire flow and high-voltage performances helped redefine East Coast rap, was honored Sunday with the Hip Hop Icon Award during the finale of Harlem Week. The Brooklyn-born emcee received the recognition from the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce at St. Nicholas Park, where his son, Trillian Wood-Smith, also performed.

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The honor came as part of Harlem Day, the signature closing event of Harlem Week, a 51-year-old celebration themed this year as “Celebrate Our Magic.” Harlem Day featured three stages of music and tributes to Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Dr. Hazel Dukes, and the late Harry Belafonte, along with a musical salute to Quincy Jones led by Ray Chew.

Organizers selected Busta Rhymes not only for his chart-topping hits, platinum albums, and Grammy-nominated career, but also for his enduring influence on hip-hop culture and his global representation of New York. Over more than three decades, he has collaborated across genres and delivered boundary-pushing music videos and performances that inspired generations.

On Instagram, Busta thanked Harlem Week’s organizers and the community, writing: “THE BLESSINGS DON’T STOP SO THE BLESSINGS WON’T EVER STOP!!! … AIN’T NOTHING BETTER THAN TO RECEIVE YOUR FLOWERS WHILE YOU CAN SMELL ‘EM IN ABUNDANCE!!!”

The award follows another milestone for Busta Rhymes earlier this month, when he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his place among hip-hop’s most influential figures.

Courts Hand 3½-Year Sentence to Sean Kingston in Fraud Case

Sean Kingston appears in a booking photo following his arrest on federal wire fraud charges. The singer was sentenced Friday to three and a half years in prison in connection with a $1 million luxury goods scheme. (Photo Credit: Broward Sheriff’s Office)

The saga of Sean Kingston — once known for the breezy charm of “Beautiful Girls” — has taken a starkturn.

On Friday, the 35-year-old singer was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release, after being convicted of his role in a $1 million wire fraud scheme alongside his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, in March 2025. Turner previously received a five-year prison term, plus supervised release, in July.

Janice Eleanor Turner,

Kingston’s mother, is

serving a five-year sentence 

for her role in the fraud

scheme.

In court, Kingston — real name Kisean Paul Anderson — apologized to the judge, expressing regret over his actions. He had sought to delay surrender due to health issues, but Judge David Leibowitz ordered immediate custody, rejecting the request.

The case against the duo revealed a striking pattern: between April 2023 and March 2024, Kingston and his mother approached dealerships, jewelers, and specialty retailers with promises of social media promotion in lieu of payment. Victims were invited to Kingston’s Florida home and shown fabricated wire receipts to explain payment delays. According to investigators, the items — including a bullet-proof Escalade, a 19-foot LED TV, and luxury watches — were never paid for.

Prosecutors accused Kingston of exploiting his celebrity status to manipulate victims into parting with their goods, describing his actions as a calculated deception. Kingston’s attorney painted a different picture, arguing he was financially naive — thrust into fame as a teenager and unable to manage his money. The judge recognized his acceptance of responsibility and gave him a lighter sentence than initially requested.

The downfall began with a SWAT raid on Kingston’s rented Southwest Ranches mansion in May 2024. Turner was taken into custody on the spot, while Kingston was apprehended later at Fort Irwin, California, where he had been performing.

Kingston’s rise to fame began at age 17 with his 2007 debut, “Beautiful Girls,” which earned the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Hits like “Fire Burning” and “Take You There” followed. In recent years, his legal troubles and inability to manage finances — despite continued musical output like the single “Thick Thighs” in October 2024 — added an undercurrent of cautionary narrative to his legacy.

LL Cool J to Run the Show as Sole Host of 2025 MTV VMAs

LL Cool J will host the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards solo for the first time on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in New York. (Photo Credit: Peter Yang)

LL Cool J has been a fixture of the MTV Video Music Awards for decades — tearing up stages, setting records, and making history long before most of today’s nominees were even in the game. Now, the Queens-born hip-hop pioneer is stepping into the spotlight solo to host the 2025 VMAs on Sept. 7, live from UBS Arena in New York.

The broadcast — airing coast-to-coast on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streaming on Paramount+ — marks the first time LL will emcee the awards by himself. He co-hosted in 2022 alongside Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, but this year, it’s his name alone at the top of the bill.

The move feels like a full-circle moment for a rapper who’s been part of VMA history since the early ’90s. In 1991, LL took home his first Moon Person for Best Rap Video. Six years later, he became the first rapper to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a recognition of both his music video innovation and his role in bringing hip-hop visuals into the mainstream.

In the years since, he’s turned the VMAs into a personal stage for culture-shifting moments — from leading an all-star tribute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023 to a surprise Def Jam 40th anniversary set with Public Enemy in 2024.

This year, LL isn’t just the host — he’s a contender. His 2024 single “Murdergram Deaux,” a collaboration with Eminem from his critically acclaimed album The Force, is nominated for Best Hip Hop.

For LL Cool J, the VMAs gig is another chapter in a career that’s defied categories. A two-time Grammy winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and multi-platinum artist, he’s also had a 14-season run as Special Agent Sam Hanna on “NCIS: Los Angeles” and launched the SiriusXM channel Rock The Bells Radio to preserve and promote classic hip-hop.

His return to the VMAs is more than nostalgia — it’s proof that the rapper who broke through at 16 with “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” still knows how to command a stage.

“LL Cool J is the blueprint,” said MTV executive producer Bruce Gillmer. “His impact spans music, television, film and culture. Having him host solo for the first time is going to be electric.”

Boston to Rename Roxbury Street 'New Edition Way' to Honor R&B Pioneers

Mike Edwards, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Boston is giving its most famous R&B sons the ultimate homecoming salute. On Aug. 30, Mayor Michelle
Wu will declare “New Edition Day” in honor of the groundbreaking group, and the city will officially rename Dearborn Street at the corner of Ambrose and Albany streets in Roxbury as New Edition Way — a stretch near the Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, where the members first sang together in the Orchard Park housing projects.

The celebration begins with the street-naming ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by a community block party one block away starting at 11 a.m., featuring live music, free food, backpack giveaways for youth, and appearances by the group.

On Instagram, Ricky Bell put the moment in perspective for fans around the world:

“We are so humble and equally excited to receive this incredible honor that is given to us by our home City of Boston. So come celebrate with us, catch a flight, take the train, drive or walk — this event would not be complete without the amazing energy of the #NE4Lifers!

“I am truly grateful for the privilege of being made a permanent fixture in our city that has played such a significant role in shaping our lives and career. It brings me immense joy to think that future generations of my family, friends, and #NE4Lifers from all over the world will be able to walk and drive down New Edition Way. This honor is mind-blowing in the most awesome way. 02119 IS and WILL always be my home.”

Bobby Brown echoed the emotion: “Boston is where it all began for us. This honor means the world to me.”

Mayor Wu called the event “a unique opportunity to bring Boston’s neighborhoods together in a celebration of culture, pride and community” and praised the group’s impact “from our communities here in Boston to the music industry worldwide.”

 

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Formed in 1978, New Edition changed the face of modern R&B with their blend of smooth harmonies, streetwise swagger, and chart-topping hits. From “Candy Girl” and “Cool It Now” to “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain,” they set the blueprint for boy bands and bridged the gap between soul, pop, and hip-hop. Their 1996 comeback album “Home Again” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, cementing their staying power.

Over four decades, the group has earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2017), the BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), and inductions into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame (2022) and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2023).

Snoop Dogg to Bring West Coast Heat to Australia’s AFL Grand Final Stage

Snoop Dogg will headline the pre-game entertainment at the 2025 AFL Grand Final on Sept. 27 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

The AFL has locked in one of hip-hop’s most recognizable voices for its biggest day, announcing Snoop Dogg as the headline act for the Telstra pre-game entertainment at the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final on Sept. 27 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Australian Football League — founded in 1897 as the Victorian Football League and rebranded in 1990 — is the premier competition in Australian rules football, with its Grand Final regularly drawing over 100,000 fans in person and millions more watching nationally.

Snoop Dogg’s Biggest Sports & Entertainment Hosting Moments

• Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show (2022) — Performed alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent in a set hailed as one of the NFL’s most memorable shows.
• WrestleMania 32 (2016) — Took the mic at AT&T Stadium, performed live, and was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame celebrity wing.
• NBA All-Star Weekend Appearances — Provided live performances and fan engagement at multiple NBA events, bringing music to the heart of the sport.
• NHL Stadium Series & Charity Games — Delivered high-energy sets at major hockey events, blending his West Coast style with global sports culture.
• American Song Contest (2022) — Co-hosted NBC’s music competition with Kelly Clarkson, showcasing his live-event charisma.

For Snoop, it will be his first-ever performance at the MCG and his highest-profile Australian sporting event appearance to date. The West Coast rap legend, who rose to fame on Dr. Dre’s 1992 album "The Chronic" before releasing his multi-platinum debut "Doggystyle," has delivered three decades of chart-topping tracks, including “Gin and Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Young, Wild & Free.”

“It’s an absolute honor to be hitting the stage at the AFL Grand Final — it’s one of the biggest events on the Aussie calendar,” Snoop said in a statement released by the league. “Can’t wait to bring the energy and celebrate with the fans. Let’s make it unforgettable.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the addition of Snoop reflects the league’s push to make Grand Final day a cultural event as well as a sporting one. “Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer, and a true entertainer,” Dillon said. “He’s played to packed stadiums around the world — but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most iconic crowd yet.”

The AFL has a recent track record of bringing in global headliners for Grand Final entertainment, including Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, and The Killers. This year’s show will again be produced by the Mushroom Group, whose CEO Matt Gudinski promised “an unforgettable spectacle” and hinted at more Australian artists joining the bill.

Snoop’s relationship with Australia has had its twists. In 2007, he was denied a visa over past convictions in the United States, but the ban was lifted in 2008, allowing him to tour the country multiple times since. His most recent visit was part of a sold-out 2023 arena run.

Telstra executive Brent Smart said the company is “thrilled” to host the pre-game entertainment for the fifth straight year. “We’re passionate about delivering unforgettable experiences for fans. We’re confident Snoop Dogg will make this year’s celebration one to remember.”

The pre-game show will take place roughly an hour before the 2:30 p.m. bounce, following the traditional motorcade of coaches and players from the competing teams. Additional performers for the 2025 AFL Grand Final are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

NYC Immortalizes DJ Mister Cee, Fatman Scoop With Street Co-Namings

Street signs honoring the late Fatman Scoop in East Harlem and the late DJ Mister Cee in Brooklyn were unveiled over the weekend, cementing the hip-hop legends’ place in New York City history.

New York City immortalized two of its most celebrated voices with street co-namings over the weekend — forever linking DJ Mister Cee and Fatman Scoop to the boroughs where they made history.

On Saturday afternoon, the corner of 109th Street and 5th Avenue in East Harlem became Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place. The crowd heard from Kurtis Blow, who painted a vivid picture of Scoop’s influence:

“When you went into a club and the club was packed and they threw on a Fatman Scoop record, you knew you were at the place to be. Just hearing his voice, you knew it was time to do your best dance moves.”

🎤 “Fatman Scoop ain’t nothing to play with!” — Hip-hop legend @KurtisBlow1 sharing his remarks at the Harlem street co-naming of Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place at E 109th St & 5th Ave. 🗽✨ pic.twitter.com/2y2rZ2R0it

— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) August 9, 2025

Scoop — whose unmistakable hype voice turned countless tracks into anthems — died on August 30, 2024, at the age of 56 after collapsing onstage in Hamden, Connecticut. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ruling his death from natural causes.

 

On Sunday afternoon, Brooklyn’s Classon and Lafayette Avenues were officially co-named DJ Mister Cee Way in honor of the DJ, producer, and tastemaker who championed Big Daddy Kane, The Notorious B.I.G., and countless others. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams attended, while Mayor Eric Adams called him a “true hip-hop legend taken too soon” in a social post.

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DJ Mister Cee’s son, DJ Magic, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram:

“Today was a major day for Pops aka DJ Mister Cee… Classon & Lafayette co-naming unveiling. We will never forget you, Pop. I love you and miss you.”

DJ Mister Cee was a true hip-hop legend taken too soon.

Thank you for all you gave to the culture and to Brooklyn. This street co-naming will honor your lasting legacy. pic.twitter.com/NYXeSAYFDz

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 10, 2025

Mister Cee — born Calvin LeBrun — passed away April 10, 2024, at age 57. The New York City Medical Examiner listed his cause of death as diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease.

Atlanta Rapper T-Hood Killed in Georgia Shooting at 33

Rapper T-Hood  was killed in Snellville, Georgia, after a domestic dispute outside his home.

Southern hip-hop is in mourning. Tevin Hood — better known as T-Hood — was shot and killed Friday at a residence in Snellville, Georgia, according to Gwinnett County police. He was 33.

Officers were dispatched around 7 p.m. to the 3900 block of Lee Road following reports of a dispute at the home. First responders found Hood with gunshot wounds, rendered aid, and transported him to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. One individual was detained at the scene and is currently being interviewed; the shooting is being investigated as a homicide. Authorities emphasized there is no active threat to the public.

RIP T HOOD 💔 one of the first people to hop on me and @Deedotwill vivid trap beats.

he was literally the only person to hop on this melody i did from scratch. I ain’t fuckin with this at all i’m ngl. pouring up for my all my niggas tonight pic.twitter.com/uVJAPPVuhJ

— glick attachment (@cashgangrott) August 9, 2025

Hood’s mother, Yulanda, confirmed his identity to local media and rejected claims of a party taking place at the time of the shooting. Family members spoke with Channel 2 Action News, validating the tragic news.

Known for his work in Southern rap, T-Hood released tracks including “Ready 2 Go,” “Perculator,” “Girls in the Party” and “Big Booty” with B.o.B. He was also named Trendsetter of the Year at the 2025 Black Only Awards.

i been all over the place trying to find a way to process the passing of my dawg. i knew t hood a while and he used to always go crazy at every stage he was on.

he really went crazy with his talent and im fortunate to have got some work in with him. one of the few artists who… pic.twitter.com/YQqzJ2Vh9X

— DJ Blak Boy (@DJBlakBoy) August 10, 2025

Just weeks prior, Hood shared an eerie Instagram video promoting his song “Grave Diggerz.” Wearing a ghost costume in a cemetery, he joked, “Come down to the cemetery. I have a spot for you… Just die today.” Fans have since called the clip chillingly prophetic amid the tragedy.

Producer Deddotwill, a frequent collaborator, expressed his grief online: “We was just on the phone all day. I can’t believe you are gone. REST IN PEACE T-HOOD, I LOVE YOU BROTHER.”

DJ Blak Boy added his personal tribute: “I knew T-Hood a while… he was a light of energy… always supported everybody… a friend I’ll miss.”

Former Assistant Sues Busta Rhymes, Alleges Repeated Abuse

Busta Rhymes kneels beside his newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in July 2025. A former assistant has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the rapper of physical assault and creating a toxic work environment.

Busta Rhymes is facing a federal lawsuit from a former assistant who claims the hip-hop legend physically assaulted him, subjected him to a hostile work environment, and then derailed his career after a violent incident earlier this year.

Dashiel Gables filed the 13-page complaint in the Eastern District of New York on Monday. The suit outlines a range of allegations, including assault, battery, wage and hour violations, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

According to the complaint, Gables was hired by Rhymes — born Trevor Smith Jr. — in 2024 at a rate of $200 per day. Over time, Gables claims he was forced to work excessively long hours, including 18-hour days without overtime, while enduring verbal abuse, unreasonable demands, and escalating threats.

The breaking point came in January 2025, when Gables says Rhymes punched him twice in the face after yelling at him for texting his daughter during a break. Gables sought medical treatment and filed a police report. Rhymes turned himself in and was charged with assault, but the criminal case remains pending.

In a statement released to the press, Rhymes denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false." He claimed the employment arrangement with Gables was short-lived and did not work out. "Apparently, Dashiel has decided to respond to being let go by manufacturing claims against me in an attempt to attack and damage my reputation," he said. Rhymes also announced plans to countersue, alleging an attempted "shake-down."

The lawsuit paints a different picture. Gables alleges a toxic pattern of behavior that included screaming, spitting, name-calling, and public humiliation. He says he remained in the job because he needed the work but ultimately could not tolerate the physical abuse.

"I worked my heart out for Busta," Gables said in a statement. "Long hours, day and night, weekends, you name it. He bullied me from day one. He regularly insulted me, called me names and slurs, screamed at me in front of other people ... But I stuck around, because I needed the work and I thought things would get better. But instead, he punched me twice in the face."

Gables also claims the incident and the resulting criminal charges caused him to be "frozen out" of the music industry, leaving him with "substantial future lost wage damages."

This is not the first time Busta Rhymes has faced legal issues involving assault. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a former driver and a fan. In 2015, he was arrested for throwing a protein drink at a gym employee during an altercation.

Rhymes, 53, was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and made a cameo in the reboot of "The Naked Gun." His hits include "Gimme Some More," "Break Ya Neck," and "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check."

Hip-Hop Mourns Howie Tee, Sonic Force Behind Special Ed and Chubb Rock

Hitman Howie Tee, born Howard Thompson, is dead at 61. The influential producer helped launch the careers of Special Ed and Chubb Rock and co-produced hits for Color Me Badd.

Hip-hop has lost a giant.

Hitman Howie Tee — the Brooklyn-based producer, DJ and sonic architect behind pivotal records from Special Ed, Chubb Rock, The Real Roxanne and Color Me Badd — has died at 61. His death was confirmed in early August by close collaborators and friends including DJ Premier and Questlove, though the exact cause and date have not been publicly disclosed.

Born Howard Thompson in London to Jamaican parents and raised in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood, Howie Tee carved out a legendary career by fusing breakbeats, funk, jazz, and even cartoon samples into an unmistakable sound that helped define East Coast hip-hop in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

 

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He first made his mark as a member of CDIII and later as the in-house producer for Select Records, where he shaped the signature styles of future legends. With Special Ed, he delivered “I Got It Made,” a coming-of-age anthem that turned a teenage MC into a star. With Chubb Rock, he produced classics like “Treat ’Em Right,” “Ya Bad Chubbs” and “Just the Two of Us,” blending boom-bap energy with wit and rhythm.

His sound wasn’t limited to rap. In the early ’90s, Howie Tee co-produced Color Me Badd’s No. 1 hits “I Wanna Sex You Up” and “All 4 Love,” the latter famously topping Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” on the Billboard Hot 100. His ear for crossover appeal made him one of the most versatile producers of the era, with remixes for Madonna, Heavy D, Maxi Priest and Raven-Symoné further proving his reach.

 

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Questlove remembered him as “another legend from my childhood,” calling him a “superhero superproducer” who helped hip-hop evolve by blending TV themes and pop melodies with hard drums. DJ Premier recalled long conversations with Howie Tee about music and life, crediting him for inspiring his own early production aspirations.

From Whistle’s playful “(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin’” to Special Ed’s “I’m the Magnificent” and deep cuts like Little Shawn’s “Hickeys on Your Chest,” Howie Tee’s catalog remains a masterclass in groove, grit and experimentation. He was a sonic bridge between the park jam spirit of old-school hip-hop and the polished swagger of the New Jack Swing era.

Though never one to chase the spotlight, his influence stretched far beyond the studio. He helped shape the sound of an entire generation — and gave some of hip-hop’s most beloved voices their earliest hits.

VMAs 2025: Gaga, Bruno Mars, Lamar Top Nominations; Beyoncé Could Make History

Beyoncé, tied with Taylor Swift as the VMAs’ most awarded artist with 26 wins, is up for Artist of the Year at the 2025 ceremony. A win would put her alone in first place. 

The MTV Video Music Awards are back — and hip-hop is once again at the heart of the conversation. The 2025 nominations, announced Tuesday, blend chart‑topping pop dominance with a deep bench of rap and R&B heavyweights, setting up one of the most competitive races in recent memory.

Lady Gaga leads all artists with 12 nods, followed closely by Bruno Mars (11) and Kendrick Lamar (10), whose “Not Like Us” became both a hit record and a cultural rallying cry. Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter earned eight apiece, while Ariana Grande and The Weeknd pulled seven each. Billie Eilish grabbed six.

For hip-hop and R&B, the ballot reads like a celebration of legends and next‑gen stars. Lamar is nominated in major categories including Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop, while LL Cool J returns to the VMAs ballot alongside Eminem for “Murdergram Deux.” Drake, Doechii, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Travis Scott and PartyNextDoor also secured key nods. In R&B, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, SZA, Summer Walker and The Weeknd lead a lineup that reflects the genre’s continued chart and cultural dominance.

The race for most‑ever VMA wins could see history made: Beyoncé, tied with Taylor Swift at 26 career wins, is up for Artist of the Year. A win would put her alone in first place, extending her reign as the show’s most awarded artist.

First‑time nominees add new flavor to the mix. Brent Faiyaz and Mac Miller (posthumously) are both recognized, along with Gigi Perez, The Marías and Lainey Wilson. Rosé earns her first solo nods — eight in total — signaling a breakout year for the Blackpink member.

New categories — Best Country and Best Pop Artist — widen the field, but hip-hop’s fingerprints are everywhere, from Lamar’s collaborations with SZA to Travis Scott’s double Afrobeats nominations.

The 2025 VMAs air live Sunday, Sept. 7, from UBS Arena in New York, simulcast on CBS, MTV and streaming on Paramount+. Fan voting is open through Sept. 5 at vote.mtv.com, with special “power hours” and Instagram boosts in select categories.

Full List of 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees

Nominees are listed in alphabetical order by first name. (**) = New category.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment

Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records

Kendrick Lamar – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – Interscope Records

Morgan Wallen – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

The Weeknd – XO/Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Alex Warren – “Ordinary” – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I'm Sorry” – Interscope Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Lorde – “What Was That” – Republic Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Tate McRae – “Sports Car” – RCA Records

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST

Alex Warren – Atlantic Records

Ella Langley – SAWGOD/Columbia Records

Gigi Perez – Island

Lola Young – Island

Sombr – SMB Music/Warner Records

The Marías – Nice Life/Atlantic Records

BEST POP ARTIST **

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Charli XCX – Atlantic Records

Justin Bieber – Def Jam Recordings

Lorde – Republic Records

Miley Cyrus – Columbia Records

Sabrina Carpenter – Island

Tate McRae – RCA Records

MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Aug 2024 – Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood/Empire

Sept 2024 – Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin Records/Republic Records

Oct 2024 – Mark Ambor – “Belong Together” – Hundred Days Records/Virgin Music

Nov 2024 – Lay Bankz – “Graveyard” – Artist Partner Group Inc.

Dec 2024 – Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye” – Warner Records

Jan 2025 – Katseye – “Touch” – Hybe/Geffen Records

Feb 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani” – 300 Entertainment

Mar 2025 – Leon Thomas – “Yes It Is” – EZMNY Records/Motown Records

Apr 2025 – Livingston – “Shadow” – Republic Records

May 2025 – Damiano David – “Next Summer” – Sony Italy/Arista Records

June 2025 – Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” – Island

July 2025 – Role Model – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” – Interscope Records

BEST COLLABORATION

Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” – Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville

Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me A Drink” – Mercury Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Sunset Blvd” – SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

BEST POP

Alex Warren – “Ordinary” – Atlantic Records

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST HIP-HOP

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

Drake – “Nokia” – OVO/Santa Anna/Republic

Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records

GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “Whatchu Kno About Me” – CMG/Interscope Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

LL Cool J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux” – Def Jam Recordings

Travis Scott – “4x4” – Cactus Jack/Epic Records

BEST R&B

Chris Brown – “Residuals” – Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records

Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “Mutt (Remix)” – EZMNY Records/Motown Records

Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” – Gamma.

PARTYNEXTDOOR – “N o C h i l l” – OVO Sound

Summer Walker – “Heart Of A Woman” – LVRN/Interscope Records

SZA – “Drive” – Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA Records

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” – Island

Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up” – KIDinaKorner/Interscope Records

Lola Young – “Messy” – Island

mgk & Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road” – EST 19XX/Interscope Records

Sombr – “back to friends” – SMB Music/Warner Records

The Marías – “Back To Me” – Nice Life/Atlantic Records

BEST ROCK

Coldplay – “All My Love” – Atlantic Records

Evanescence – “Afterlife (From the Netflix Series 'Devil May Cry')” – Netflix Music

Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard” – Reprise Records/Warner Records

Lenny Kravitz – “Honey” – Roxie Records Inc./BMG Rights Management GmbH

Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine” – Warner Records

Twenty One Pilots – “The Contract” – Fueled By Ramen

BEST LATIN

Bad Bunny – “Baile Inolvidable” – Rimas Entertainment

J Balvin – “Rio” – Capitol Records

Karol G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” – Bichota Records/Interscope Records

Peso Pluma – “La Patrulla” – Double P Records

Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – “Khé?” – Sony Music US Latin

Shakira – “Soltera” – Sony Music US Latin

BEST K-POP

Aespa – “Whiplash” – SM Entertainment/Virgin Music Group

Jennie – “like JENNIE” – OA Entertainment/Columbia Records

Jimin – “Who” – BigHit Music

Jisoo – “Earthquake” – Warner Records

Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye – “Born Again” – Lloud Co./RCA Records

Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom” – JYP/Imperial/Republic

Rosé – “toxic till the end” – Atlantic Records

BEST AFROBEATS

Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” – YBNL Nation/Empire

Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa” – Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records

Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It To The Max (Fly) (Remix)” – Gamma.

Rema – “Baby (Is It A Crime)” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd./Jonzing World Entertainment/Interscope Records

Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right” – RCA Records/Since ’93

Tyla – “Push 2 Start” – FAX Records/Epic Records

Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece Of My Heart” – Starboy/RCA Records

BEST COUNTRY **

Chris Stapleton – “Think I'm In Love With You” – Mercury Nashville

Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You” – CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville

Jelly Roll – “Liar” – BBR Music Group/BMG/Republic Records

Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU” – Broken Bow Records

Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” – Columbia Records

Morgan Wallen – “Smile” – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

BEST ALBUM

Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” – Rimas Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar – “GNX” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Mayhem” – Interscope Records

Morgan Wallen – “I'm The Problem” – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Short n' Sweet” – Island

The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

BEST LONG FORM VIDEO

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)” – Rimas Entertainment

Damiano David – “Funny Little Stories” – Sony Italy/Arista Records

Mac Miller – “Balloonerism” – Warner Records

Miley Cyrus – “Something Beautiful” – Columbia Records

The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Burna Boy – “Higher” – Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records

Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Younger And Hotter Than Me” – SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking” – Arista Records

BEST DIRECTION

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST ART DIRECTION

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Lorde – “Man Of The Year” – Republic Records

Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” – Columbia Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover” – Columbia Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST EDITING

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)” – Atlantic Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

FKA twigs – “Eusexua” – Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Tyla – “Push 2 Start” – FAX Records/Epic Records

Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly” – Epic Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)” – Atlantic Records

The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records