Watch: Megan Thee Stallion Helps Defending Champs Open MLB Season by Throwing Out First Pitch

Photo Credit: @thestallion Instagram

Houston native Megan Thee Stallion made a special appearance at the Astros' home opener on Thursday, where she threw the ceremonial first pitch for her hometown team.

The Grammy-winning rapper donned a white Astros jersey and a diamond chain with the words "Hot Girl," along with a jersey displaying her last name and "222" on the back.

While her pitch landed a little outside and bounced in the left-handed batter's box, Megan managed to get the ball to the plate, a feat that has eluded many other celebrities attempting the first pitch. Astros' mascot, Orbit, gave her a hug to celebrate the accomplishment.

The pitch was a lighthearted moment in Megan's busy schedule, as she continues to make waves in the entertainment industry.

Megan is in talks to star in a new Netflix movie alongside Adam Sandler, which will be directed and produced by Josh and Benny Safdie, the directors of the hit movie "Uncut Gems." The film, set in the world of sports memorabilia, will begin production this summer, although its title and plot are yet to be revealed.

Megan is also making her feature film debut in the R-rated musical comedy "F***ing Identical Twins," produced by A24 and Chernin Entertainment. She will star opposite Nathan Lane, Bowen Yang and Megan Mullally, although the film's release date is still unknown.

However, Megan has also been involved in a high-profile court case with rapper Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson. Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan on a California curbside in July 2020.

Lanez's lawyers have filed a motion for a new trial, citing various grounds, including a claim that the judge "erroneously allowed" jurors to view an Instagram post from Lanez's account claiming that Megan's now-estranged best friend Kelsey Harris was the shooter.

During the trial, both Kelsey and Megan denied the allegations that Kelsey fired the shots that wounded Megan. Lanez faces up to 22 years in prison at sentencing, but his new lawyers have successfully lobbied the judge to delay his sentencing until April to prepare for the motion.

Check out Megan's first pitch below:

Martha Reeves, Lead Singer of Martha and the Vandellas, Launches Fundraiser for Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Courtesy Photo 

Motown icon Martha Reeves is making a final push to get her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after her former manager failed to follow through on a promise to cover the costs.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Reeves was nominated for the honor in 2021, but her ex-manager's pledge to cover the installation and maintenance costs fell through.

With just a few months remaining before the June deadline, Reeves' current manager, Chris Roe, has established a fundraiser to raise the $55,000 required to secure her spot for next year.

"Martha's former representation got in over their heads on this," Roe explained. "They didn't realize how hard it would be and wasted a year of fundraising time. Now we're down to the wire."

Despite the setback, Reeves, who led the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas to fame with hits like "Dancing in the Street" and "Heat Wave," is determined to see her dream come true.

"My wildest dreams are coming true, and I hope to continue inspiring others with my music," she stated.

Reeves, who has had a storied career spanning over six decades, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and this year marks her 60th anniversary in Motown. Nevertheless, with no record label or movie production studio to support her, Reeves' team is asking the public for assistance.

"If we do not make a sizeable indentation to our goal, it is likely that Martha's Hollywood Star selection will be withdrawn, and we will have to start the nomination process all over again (which could take several years)," Roe stated on the fundraising page.

Reeves is not the first celebrity to rely on crowdfunding to achieve the Hollywood Walk of Fame honor. In 2020, actor Daniel Dae Kim raised the funds to get James Hong a star, while the Motown music group The Funk Brothers obtained their sidewalk star in 2013 via public fundraising.

'99 Problems' But Money Ain't One: Jay-Z Doubles Net Worth in Record Time

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Sean Combs

Jay-Z is pictured on the far right with Diddy, a current member, and Ye, a former member, of hip-hop's three-comma club.

Hip-hop impresario Jay-Z has once again proven that he's not just a businessman; he's a business, man.

The "99 Problems" artist has surpassed other notable billionaires, such as former NBA icon Michael Jordan ($2 billion) and Apple CEO Tim Cook ($1.8 billion), having doubled his net worth in record time over just a few short years.

According to Forbes, the Brooklyn-born rapper's net worth has reached a staggering $2.5 billion, placing him at No. 1,209 on the list of the world's wealthiest individuals. He's rubbing shoulders with media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey, who shares the same net worth and comes in at No. 1,204.

.@Forbes updates Jay-Z's net worth pic.twitter.com/nN5OYD6bVX

— JAY-Z Daily (@JAY_Z_Daily) March 23, 2023

In 2020, Forbes estimated Jay-Z's net worth to be $1 billion, which increased to $1.4 billion in 2022. During that same year, Jay-Z was named the third highest-paid entertainer after he sold his stakes in the music streaming platform Tidal and the champagne brand Armand de Brignac.

The Grammy winner's latest increase in net worth is largely due to his February deal with Bacardi over the D'ussé cognac brand. Bacardi acquired a majority stake in Jay-Z's stake in the brand, leaving the rapper with a "significant ownership role."

In addition to profits from his music, Jay-Z's fortune is the result of his successful business ventures, which have included investments in real estate, art, and spirits. In 2019, he was hailed as the first hip-hop billionaire, surpassing his former protege Kanye West.

Jay-Z's wife, Beyoncé, who has been married to the rapper since 2008, also has a significant net worth of $450 million, according to Forbes.

Watch: New Trailer for 'Dear Mama' Docuseries Offers Intimate Look into Tupac Shakur's Life with Mother Afeni

Screengrab YouTube/FX

FX has unveiled the official trailer for "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakur," a new
docuseries that delves into the intricate bond between rapper Tupac Shakur and his mother, Afeni.

Directed by Allen Hughes, the five-part series promises to provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Tupac and Afeni through the eyes of those who knew them best.

The show is scheduled to debut on April 21st and features never-before-seen footage of the late rapper, as well as rare audio and vocals. Hulu describes the series as an "intimate wide-angle portrait of the most inspiring and dangerous mother-son duo (Tupac and Afeni Shakur) in American history, whose unified message of freedom, equality, persecution and justice are more relevant today than ever."

Afeni, a Black Panther and political activist who instilled her values of freedom, power, and revolution into her son, speaks about her philosophy of motherhood in the trailer. "It was my responsibility to teach Tupac how to survive his reality," she says.

The docuseries will air episodes 1 and 2 on FX on April 21st at 10 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a new episode every Friday until the series concludes on May 12th, just two days before Mother's Day.

In addition to the series, fans can look forward to the upcoming release of the first and only Estate-authorized biography of Tupac Shakur, written by author Staci Robinson. While the book is set for a fall 2023 release, it is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.

Check out the trailer below:

Isley Brothers in Legal Battle Over Band Name Trademark

The Isley Brothers, an iconic R&B group founded by six siblings, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute between former bandmates and brothers Rudolph and Ronald Isley.

In August, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Ronald exclusive rights to the "Isley Brothers" trademark, a decision that Rudolph is currently contesting in court.

Rudolph filed a lawsuit against his younger brother, alleging that Ronald unfairly obtained exclusive rights to the trademark without his knowledge. Rudolph is seeking a trial by jury to regain his "rightful 50% share" of the Isley Brothers empire.

The Isley brothers are having a huge Family Feud after Rudolph sues his brother Ronald after he legally purchased “The Isley Brothers” trademark and is now pocketing the profits. “We should own 50% each says Rudolph the oldest brother” pic.twitter.com/GFVLY0lIU6

— Black Millionaires ® (@Blackmillions_) March 21, 2023

According to court documents, Rudolph claims that all profits and property accrued under the Isley Brothers trademark have been divided equally among the group's founding members since the band's inception. However, Ronald's team argues that Rudolph is no longer qualified for partial ownership of the band name.

The Isley Brothers as a group have 32 Albums and a hit record in EVERY decade for the past EIGHT decades. Their first hit was in 1959 with Shout and their current album is #6 on the charts in 2023. Ronald will be 82 this year. pic.twitter.com/hptpftXVTW

— dj spydermann (@djspydermann) March 19, 2023

The brothers had previously agreed to a 50/50 ownership of the band and trademark after the death of their eldest brother, O'Kelly Isley, in March 1986. Rudolph departed from the group in 1989 due to health issues and the loss of his brother but has remained involved in managing and promoting the group's properties. Ronald and Ernie Isley have continued to perform under the Isley Brothers moniker as a duo.

Ronald's team stated in a letter that they have no issue incorporating Rudolph into Isley Brothers business, but only for the years that Rudolph was a working member of the group. "Rudolph retired in 1986, has had no involvement in any of the compositions/body of works done after he retired, and has not performed with The Isley Brothers since the death of O'Kelly Isley," the letter continued.

The case is currently making its way through the Illinois court system, and the fate of the Isley Brothers trademark remains uncertain.

Formed in Cincinnati in the 1950s, the group has been active for over six decades, releasing numerous hit songs such as "Shout," "Twist and Shout," "This Old Heart of Mine," "It's Your Thing," and "Contagious." The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Tekashi 6ix9ine Hospitalized Following Brutal Florida Gym Assault

 Tekashi 6ix9ine mugshot

Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was brutally assaulted by multiple men at a South Florida gym on Tuesday, resulting in serious injuries that required hospitalization.

According to Lance Lazzaro, the rapper's attorney, 6ix9ine was ambushed without warning while in the sauna at an LA Fitness gym.

The assailants outnumbered and overwhelmed the rapper, who was not accompanied by security at the time.

Gym staff quickly alerted a manager, who called the police and emergency medical services. 6ix9ine was then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Tekashi 6ix9ine left bruised and bloodied after ambush attack inside gym sauna. https://t.co/kTrbDOV9lO

— TMZ (@TMZ) March 22, 2023

A photo obtained by TMZ, which first reported the story, shows significant facial damage, including gashes and swelling, sustained by 6ix9ine during the attack.

Lazzaro plans to contact federal authorities to ensure the rapper's safety. 6ix9ine was granted early release from federal prison after cooperating with authorities in a case that resulted in the incarceration of several gang members.

#Tekashi #6ix9ine got hands and feet put on him in Florida #damn pic.twitter.com/rwu0EdnIdN

— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) March 22, 2023

It is unclear whether the attack is related to 6ix9ine's cooperation.

Watch: Bagpiper Puts Tartan Twist on Snoop Dogg's 'Still D.R.E.'

Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg received a grand Scottish greeting upon his arrival at Glasgow Airport for his highly anticipated concert at the OVO Hydro on Thursday night.

The 51-year-old rapper was met by the soulful sound of bagpipes as the traditional Scottish musical instrument played his classic 1999 hit, "Still D.R.E.," in collaboration with Dr. Dre, marking a rare moment of cultural fusion.

Upon hearing the iconic tune played with a Scottish twist, Snoop couldn't contain his excitement and exclaimed, "F—ing dope!" before busting a few moves on the tarmac.

To brave the chilly Scottish weather, the "Gin and Juice" hitmaker was wrapped up in a blanket and donned a red beanie.

Bagpiper Ross Ainslie, who was dressed in a kilt for the occasion, shared his thoughts with Glasgow Live, stating that "It was a very cool experience!" He also revealed that he only had a day to learn Snoop's hit song but was pleased with his tartan-flavored rendition.

The heartwarming moment was shared on Ross' Instagram account, garnering over 40,000 views.

Snoop's concert had been rescheduled from August 2021 due to scheduling conflicts.

Watch the video below to see the international act of goodwill.

Hurricane Chris Acquitted of Murder Charges in Highly Publicized Trial

Christopher Dooley

Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris, whose real name is Christopher Dooley, has been acquitted of all charges in a highly publicized murder trial.

Dooley, 34, had been indicted by a Caddo Parish grand jury for second-degree murder in connection with the June 2020 slaying of Danzeria Farris Jr., 32, at a Texaco station in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In a statement following the verdict, Dooley expressed gratitude to those who supported him during the ordeal.

"I wanna thank God, my attorneys at the Washington & Wells Law Firm, and my family for standing with me as my life was on the line," he said. "They wanted to give me life if I was found guilty. Now I can hug my son and think about raising him to be a man. This situation drained me and affected my health greatly. God, I give you all the glory. I got my life back, and words can’t explain how I feel. Thanks to everyone who wished me well."

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Dooley's attorney, Alex J. Washington, maintained that his client acted in self-defense.

"He was simply trying not to be killed. When the guy put his hand in his pocket, he was faced with a decision: should I leave my life in this guy's hands? Or, should I make a decision?," Washington said. "And he made a decision to save his own life and he pulled the trigger."

This moment caught by Christopher Dooley’s legal team was immediately following the verdict. Dooley’s mother Stephanie George says this is the start of what she says is their plan to “move on”. #HurricaneChris #trialwatch @ksla #ksla pic.twitter.com/PasYbocIIt

— Alexandria Savage KSLA (@APsavageNews) March 15, 2023

Dooley was also charged with illegal possession of a stolen 2016 Mercedes, but his attorney explained that the car was purchased with an ex-girlfriend who reported it stolen after they broke up. The rapper was acquitted on those charges as well.

In response to the verdict, the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office issued a statement.

"The same evidence that the grand jury got is the same evidence that we presented to the jury on Tuesday, and they decided there was nothing there," said Ivy Woodard, a spokeswoman for the office.

Hurricane Chris rose to fame in the mid-2000s with hits such as "A Bay Bay" and "Halle Berry (She's Fine)." He has collaborated with notable artists, including Lil Wayne, Ludacris and Plies.