Styles P believes that Jim Jones is not on his level as a lyricist. During an interview on the No Funny Shit Show, the legendary member of the LOX, at around the co-host Kenny Supreme suggested that Jones might have a better “20 pack” of songs. While Styles acknowledged that  Supreme is “entitled” to his opinion because “hip-hop is about you connecting with music,” Styles said that he and Jones “ain’t in the same league.” “The Ghost” then explained what differentiates him from Capo. “Me and Jim don’t do the same thing. I’m a bar master. I’m a lyrical technician. I’ve been on joints with some of the best emcees in the world,” Styles said, naming The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Black Thought, and Talib Kweli.. “I bar sh*t down. When Rakim tells you you nice, KRS tells you you nice, Big tells you you nice, Hov tells you you nice … all these people tell you you nice, you’re f**king nice,” Styles said. “I’m not here to make catchy hooks and do dope sh*t. I don’t knock that. I’m trying to say some sh*t that’s gonna make your soul move—that’s gonna be some shit you may catch 10 years later, down the line,” he added. “There’s not many people in my age group that have the amount of catalog I have.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by NFS (@nofunnyshit.show) “[Jim] don’t got none of those kind of songs that make n***as cry,” Styles explained. “You better check my jacket. I made up a fucking lane. There was no artist emcee before. It was fly dudes, it was kings. I invented the lane where n***as saying they make hard shit. Me.” In a now-deleted post on Instagram, Jones then challenged Styles to a Verzuz battle. “Now go listen to [the] song ‘Bobby’ we did on Lobby Boy,” Jones said of the track from The Lobby Boyz album with Maino. “We recorded it at the same time in the studio together. Since we talkin’ bars let’s [just] do a versus [sic] ep something for [the] people to listen n judge.” “I’m not scared of no competition on any level, I’m here to level [the] playin field. If we talkin bars let’s go,” Jones added. This wouldn’t be the first time Styles and Jones were involved in a Verzuz. In 2021, The LOX soundly defeated the Diplomats.

During Diddy’s federal sex trafficking trial, Cassie testified that he accused her of having an affair with Michael B. Jordan after they broke up.  Cassie’s alleged relationship with Jordan was brought up during cross-examination by Anna Estevao, Diddy’s lawyer, on Thursday. While on the stand, Estevao asked if Diddy “suspected” she had an affair after they broke up. At the time, Cassie and Diddy were filming Honey 3: Dare to Dance in South Africa. “Mr. Combs suspected you of having a relationship with whom?” Estevao asked, to which Cassie responded, “Michael B. Jordan,” according to Inner City Press reporter Matthew Russell Lee’s trial transcripts. According to Cassie, the romance with Jordan was sparked after she discovered that Diddy was allegedly with one of his on-off girlfriends. At the time, she was filming a movie in South Africa. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Cassie also testified that she ended communication with Diddy for some time and began dating the Sinners actor. When asked how Diddy reacted to the relationship with Jordan, Cassie said, “I wasn’t there to see it.” She also testified that she couldn’t remember if Diddy tried to text her about Jordan, but “he did try to make contact.” In her civil lawsuit against Diddy, Cassie’s relationship with Jordan was first mentioned along with Kid Cudi. The suit alleged that Diddy threatened to blow up Cudi’s car in front of his friends. Jordan’s name also came up during jury selection before the trial. Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. If found guilty, Diddy faces life in prison.

Halle Bailey has officially been awarded sole legal and physical custody of her young son, Halo Saint. According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, the decision follows a series of serious allegations against her ex-boyfriend and the child’s father, rapper and content creator DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr. Bailey, 25, welcomed Halo in December 2023, but their relationship ended the following year. In her legal filings, she accused the 27-year-old of repeated emotional and physical abuse. As part of her custody request, she also filed for a temporary restraining order that requires DDG to remain more than 100 yards away from both her and their son. That order will stay in place until a court hearing takes place in June 2025. Bailey also asked the court to restrict DDG from having unsupervised contact with Halo. She proposed that if any visits are allowed, they should occur once a week in Los Angeles and be monitored by a professional visitation service. She wants the court to block any attempts by DDG to take Halo out of the county without approval. Her filings include a request for a child abduction prevention order. She stated that DDG has previously hidden their son from her, threatened to take him away, and refused to cooperate with her on custody and parenting decisions. Bailey asked that he be barred from applying for or holding Halo’s passport or any other travel documents unless she gives written permission. She also wants DDG to share full travel details if he takes Halo anywhere with her consent, including airline information, addresses, and contact numbers. In her statement to the court, Bailey wrote, “I realize that there is no placating Darryl. I cannot allow this abuse any longer. I cannot keep living like this.”

The Sidney Hillman Foundation has honored journalists who pursue investigative reporting and deep storytelling “in service of the common good” since 1950. In recognition of some of the most compelling journalistic work in the industry,  The Hillman Prizes “strive to recognize discernment of a significant news story, resourcefulness and courage in reporting, skill in relating the story, and the impact of the coverage.” On the 75th anniversary of the organization, the 2025 Hillman Prizes for journalism were awarded. Held at the Times Center in New York City on Tuesday evening (May 13), several distinguished journalists received awards in several categories. For Book Journalism, Jonathan Blitzer won for Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America and the Making of a Crisis, Penguin Press. Jennifer Gollan and Susie Neilson’s “Fast and Fatal” for the San Francisco Chronicle took home the prize for Newspaper Journalism. For Magazine Journalism, Ronen Bergman and Mark Mazzetti won for “The Unpunished: How Extremists Took Over Israel” in The New York Times Magazine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Sidney Hillman Foundation (@sidneyhillman) Dan Slepian, Dawn Porter, and Kimberley Ferdinando’s The Sing Sing Chronicles, NBC News Studios & MSNBC Films, won the prize for Broadcast Journalism. The SEIU Award for Reporting on Racial and Economic Justice went to Robin McDowell and Margie Mason, “Prison to Plate”, Associated Press. Elie Mystal of The Nation won the Opinion & Analysis Journalism award for “Justice Correspondent”, The Nation. In his moving acceptance speech, Mystal told the cheering audience the commitment that it takes to be a journalist in these times. “If you feel like you can go to Washington, DC right now and have no chance of getting into a fight, you’re doing it wrong,” he said. “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the acceptance of fear and doing what we must do anyway. And so I want to thank the Hillman people very much again for this honor.”

The United Justice Coalition (UJC) and Roc Nation announced that the third UJC Summit will be held on May 30 at The Shed in New York City. This annual event is a free, public event and will feature “over 30 leaders, advocates, and changemakers to engage in critical conversations about criminal justice reform.” Additional speakers and panel discussions for the third UJC Summit, set to take place  Speakers for the event included Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a UJC Advisor, will provide the invocation, Angela Rye, CEO of IMPACT Strategies Principal, Laura Coates, CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Director of the Midwest Innocence Project Executive, and Vincent Schiraldi, Director, Columbia Justice Lab.  Other speakers and advocates include Marcy Croft, Gretta Gordy-Gardner, Andrea Lyon,  Alexandra Bailey, Lisa Moss, Ernest Stevens, Dr. Rheeda Walker, Rich Rivera, Jessica Jackson, Kemba Smith Pradia, Munajj Salahuddin, Marcus McClure, and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Team Roc (@teamroc)  Panel discussions will delve into critical issues across the justice system, including probation, prison, and parole reform; police corruption; the intersection of mental health and justice; the unique challenges faced by women in the criminal legal system; and the profound impact of systemic injustice on families. These conversations will provide attendees with firsthand insights, expert analysis, and pathways toward meaningful reform. Additionally, the families of Atatiana Jefferson, Botham Jean, and John Albers will be in attendance to share the impact of losing their loved ones and their continual commitment to justice, and how communities can work better together.  The event will begin at 10 AM ET. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.unitedjusticecoalition.com. 

Megan Thee Stallion’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, has released a statement to XXL about Tory Lanez’s attorneys reportedly having evidence that proves Megan was shot by Kelsey Harris. The statement reads, “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.” Megan Thee Stallion’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has released the following statement to XXL about Tory Lanez’s attorneys now claiming to have evidence that proves Megan was shot by Kelsey Harris: “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly… pic.twitter.com/mwxEARD0PQ — XXL Magazine (@XXL) May 14, 2025 We previously reported that, Tory Lanez shared a petition urging California Governor, Gavin Newsom, to pardon him. The Canadian rapper shared the petition via his Instagram after his legal team presented new evidence suggesting he was not the one who shot Megan Thee Stallion. Gianno Caldwell, who has been advocating for Lanez’s released, stated, “Mr. Peterson was never given a fair trial, free from bias.” During a press conference held today, May 14, United the People, a non-profit focused on social justice, highlighted evidence shows Megan’s former best friend, Kelsey Harris, as the person who fired the shots. Attorney Walter Roberts argued, “Mr. Peterson never shot anybody. Never even touched the gun.” Megan Thee Stallion or Kelsey Harris has yet to directly respond to any of these claims.

After thrilling audiences across North America with “The Serenade 2024 Tour, multi-platinum, Grammy-winning artist Maxwell has announced ‘The Silent Serenade Ensemble”, a limited run of intimate, reimagined performances on the East Coast.  According the the press released, “Maxwell will bring his unmistakable voice and signature blend of sensual soul and timeless grooves to MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C. for three consecutive nights—September 18, 19, and 20, followed by a very special hometown show at the historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on September 28.” These exclusive performances will give Maxwell’s adoring fans a completely unique live music experience. Each show will feature new arrangements of his classic hits and deeper cuts, supported by live percussion and a string quartet, bringing an elegant, cinematic dimension to Maxwell’s music. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maxwell (@maxwell) In a statement, Maxwell expressed his excitement about the upcoming performances. “Brooklyn raised me, D.C. embraced me—and there’s nothing like sharing that kind of love in a more intimate setting,” says Maxwell. “These shows are going to feel like home.” This past February, Maxwell led his second annual romantic, star-studded Urban Hang Suite Cruise. The sold-out cruise featured exclusive performances by Maxwell and as guests aboard the Norwegian Pearl, making stops in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. The third annual Urban Hang Suite Cruise, taking place on the Norwegian Joy from February 7-12, 2026.  Regarded as one of the greatest singers of his generation, Maxwell has released several hit singles such as “Till the Cops Come Knockin”, “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)”, “Sumthin’ Sumthin”,  “Fortunate”, “Pretty Wings”, and “Lake by the Ocean.”  His classic albums include Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite (1996), Embrya (1998), Now (2001), and  BLACKsummers’night (2009), to name a few. For his work as an artist, Maxwell has won three Grammy Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards.

In this exclusive update, TT Torrez and veteran journalist Lisa Evers break down everything that happened on Day 2 of the official trial involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. With Cassie at the center of the case, the courtroom drama intensifies as key testimony continues to unfold. Get the latest details on the trial, including what was said about Cassie’s allegations and how it impacts Diddy’s defense. Stay tuned for more updates as the case progresses.

Halle Bailey has taken legal action against DDG, the father of her son Halo, after alleging multiple incidents of violence and harassment. TMZ broke the news of the order. On Tuesday, the Grammy-nominated singer filed a police report and secured a domestic violence restraining order in Los Angeles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TMZ (@tmz_tv) According to court documents, the first alleged altercation occurred in January, months after the couple’s October breakup. Bailey claims DDG became enraged while picking up their son, shouted profanities at her, and physically attacked her. She says he pulled her hair, slammed her face against the steering wheel, and chipped her tooth. Despite the pain, Bailey stayed in the car to protect Halo and later informed DDG’s family of what happened. She submitted photos of bruises and dental injuries with her legal filing. In March, Bailey says DDG entered her home without permission, walked into her bedroom, and sent her a photo of her empty bed with a message she viewed as an accusation of infidelity. A few days later, she says he returned, smashed her Ring camera, grabbed her phone, and sped off, yelling as he threw the phone from his car. Bailey says she filed another police report after that incident and has surveillance footage to support her account. Around the same time, DDG claimed on social media he had been “fighting to see” his son—comments Bailey sees as misleading and part of a broader pattern of online harassment. The tension escalated over Mother’s Day weekend. While vacationing in St. Lucia with Halo and her sister, Bailey received messages from DDG accusing her of being on the island with singer Brent Faiyaz. She denied the claim and asked to be left in peace. A judge granted the restraining order, requiring DDG to stay 100 yards away and banning him from posting about Bailey or their child. Bailey also received approval to travel to Italy for two months to film a movie. Her legal move adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding DDG’s conduct and reflects a broader issue of public figures seeking safety from toxic relationships in the spotlight.

Cassie alleges that Diddy left a freak-off to confront rival, Suge Knight. While testifying during Diddy’s criminal trial, Cassie briefly recalls, “we were having a freak-off in one of [Diddy’s] homes in LA and he said Suge was at Mel’s Diner, and we packed up and drove down there,” Cassie claimed, according to NBC. “I was screaming and crying, ‘Please don’t do anything stupid.’ I didn’t know what they were going to do.” “It’s like I wasn’t even there,” Cassie added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOLLYWOOD UNLOCKED (@hollywoodunlocked) Cassie testified that Combs orchestrated “freak-offs”—drug fueled sexual encounters with male escorts that he directed and filmed. These sessions, which reportedly began when she was 22. Beyond the orchestrated encounters, Cassie recounted instances of physical violence, including being struck and dragged by her hair. She also testified about Combs’ control over her appearance and music career, as well as threats and intimidation tactics. In one particularly disturbing account, she described a video shown in court depicting Combs assaulting her in 2016.