Teyana Taylor can now add another achievement to her already impressive resume. On Thursday (Feb.26), Time dropped off its annual “Women of the Year” list. Taylor—who graces the cover of the magazine—was selected for its prestigious 2026 class, along with 15 other pioneering women. According to Taylor, she predicted it all. “I love when it’s hard—that means it’s of purpose. I want everything that is supposed to be mine. And I’m going to work my ass off to make sure that I see that.” Taylor refers to herself as “creative” and doesn’t identify as just an actor, director, musician, dancer, or choreographer, but all of the above. While one might think her multifaceted talent would be an instant boost to her career, she admits it took time. Taylor reveals that people in the industry told her to focus on one thing at a time; however, she refused to pick a lane. That said, there came a time when she had to put down one of her many hats, specifically music. Teyana Taylor covers TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year issue. by: Xavier Scott Marshall pic.twitter.com/EgYwOjY54J — Rap Alert (@rapalert6) February 26, 2026 “Everybody told me it was dumb,” Taylor Says Taylor noted that she felt underappreciated.”Everybody told me it was dumb,” she says. “And I was like, ‘No, I am going to be a great actress. One day, I am going to be a great director.” However, she found her way back with 2025’s Escape Room. According to Taylor, stepping away from music was precisely what she needed. An ugly split with her ex-husband Iman Shumpert, and a new romance with actor Aaron Pierre worked as fuel. “I had something to talk about,” she says. “I had experienced love. I had experienced heartbreak. I had experienced healing.” Regarding her Oscar nomination for her character Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Taylor admits that just having the nomination is a declaration that she’s one of the best. In her opinion, even if she loses, she’s still a winner. “Even if I go home empty-handed, I have won.”

Legendary underground hip-hop architect Roc Marciano sits down with Mornings with Mero for an in-depth conversation about his journey from Hempstead, Long Island to becoming one of the most influential producers and MCs in modern hip-hop. In This Interview: The rich hip-hop legacy of Long Island (Rakim, EPMD, Prodigy, Method Man & more)Creating his signature sound and producing his new album “656” from front to backLessons learned from working with Busta Rhymes and Flipmode SquadHow he survived the music industry collapse by going direct-to-consumerBuilding an ecosystem that inspired a new generation of artistsWorking with legendary producers like The Alchemist, DJ Premier, and Pete RockThe blueprint for independent success in hip-hop Key Topics:✓ Long Island’s underrated hip-hop history✓ Production techniques and influences (Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q-Tip)✓ The evolution from Marcberg to 656✓ Creating the “Roc Marciano sound” that shaped underground hip-hop✓ Work ethic lessons from Busta Rhymes✓ Cutting out the middleman and building direct fan relationships✓ Inspiring the next generation of MCs and producers Roc Marciano’s influence on modern hip-hop cannot be overstated. From his soulful production to his intricate wordplay, he’s created a blueprint that countless artists follow today. Representing: Hempstead, Long Island Latest Project: 656

Ray J is speaking out after an ex-girlfriend made a troubling public claim about his mental health. The singer and reality TV personality addressed the situation directly, pushing back against allegations that he was exhibiting “suicidal” behavior and urging the public not to jump to conclusions. View this post on Instagram The controversy began when Ray J’s former partner took to social media with an alarming message suggesting concern for his well-being. The post quickly circulated online, sparking worry among fans and fueling widespread speculation about the entertainer’s mental state. In response, Ray j denied the claims and emphasized that he is focused on his health, his family, and his ongoing business ventures. While acknowledging the seriousness of conversations around mental health, he made it clear that the characterization being shared publicly does not reflect his current reality. ““I’m feeling good right now — I’m not suicidal at this moment — I don’t need to call a hotline — I’m perfectly stable” Ray J told TMZ. As the story continues to develop, Ray J appears focused on moving forward and keeping attention on his professional moves rather than the controversy.

Actor Jonathan Majors sets the record straight after his viral moment with NLE Choppa sparked online debate and the rapper’s comments towards Major’s wife, actress Meagan Good. During the Feb. 17 episode of For The Fellas, Majors revisited the tense exchange that unfolded on Den of Kings. On that show, the actor challenged NLE Choppa’s interpretation of scripture, telling the Memphis rapper to “read it again.” The clip quickly circulated, fueling speculation that the correction stemmed from personal friction tied to past comments about Majors and Meagan Good. Asked directly whether there was underlying hostility, Majors dismissed the idea. Instead, he offered guidance and positive resolutions. “Well, it’s funny,” he said. “I don’t mind speaking to it because as it was happening, I called Kirk, and said, ‘Yo, I think we should do this again. I think we should get that same group of people in there and we should do this again. Just pick up where we left off.’” According to Majors, that instinct to continue the dialogue came “before I found out that he thought I had hostility towards him behind my wife.” He added, “I don’t even know what he said about me, but I only know what he said about my wife is because my wife told me.” Still, Majors made it clear he feels secure. “I married her. I’m not worried about, you know, in that regard,” he said, brushing aside any suggestion of jealousy or resentment. Jonathan Majors Sets The Record Straight On NLE Choppa’s Comments About Wife Meagan Good Rather than escalate the situation, Majors offered grace. “Man to man, yeah I got no comment for the young brother,” he said. “He doing great. He’s happy. I wish him peace of mind. And I wish for him curiosity… don’t think you know everything because I know I don’t know everything.” Then came the line that felt unmistakably pointed. “If you want to be viral, trust me, I can make you viral. Trust. If you want to have a conversation, we can have a conversation.” For Majors, the message is simple: choose dialogue over drama.

CC Sabathia will enter another Hall of Fame. His No. 52 will be retired by the New York Yankees on Sept 26. According to ESPN, the team will dedicate a plaque in Sabathia’s honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park  Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sabathia shared the news and his excitement about the announcement. “From the first number that hung in my locker to 52 forever hanging in Monument Park — this HOF journey has come full circle,” Sabathia posted to X on Wednesday night. “To have my number retired by the New York Yankees this year is one of the greatest honors of my life. The LegaCCy continues.” Sabathia will be the 24th Yankee to have his number retired by the team. He’s also the first since Paul O’Neill received the honor back in 2022. SABATHIA IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST PITCHERS IN YANKEES’ HISTORY In his 11-year  tenure with the New York Yankees (2009–2019), Sabathia was regarded as one of the most dominant pitchers in franchise history. In his first year with the team,  Sabathia earned ALCS MVP honors after posting a 1.13 ERA against the Angels. During his time in the Bronx, he led the American League in wins for two consecutive seasons (2009 and 2010). He also earned three All-Star selections and reached the historic 3,000-strikeout milestone in 2019. In total,  he totaled 134 wins and 1,700 strikeouts with the Yankees. Capping off his remarkable career, Sabathia was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. In his induction speech, Sabathia thanked his mother for introducing him to baseball. He recalled watching Ken Griffey Jr and the Seattle Mariners visiting his hometown Oakland A’s. “My mom loved the game, too,’’ Sabathia said. “She’d put the catching gear on and catch me in the backyard. My mom is the reason I’m a baseball fan. And fans turn into players who sometimes turn into Hall of Famers.”

Kamala Harris just may return to the national stage as a presidential candidate in 2028. ​During a conversation with podcaster Sharon McMahon, Harris revealed that she has ruled out another presidential bid. When McMahon asked if Harris would consider another run, the former Vice-President didn’t hesitate to answer. ​”I haven’t decided,” Harris answered.”I might.” ​In an interview with the BBC, Harris said, “her grandniece would get to see a female U.S. president “in their lifetime, for sure.” “I am not done,” she said. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.” Back in the summer, many speculated that Harris would throw her hat in the ring and run for governor of California. After much speculation, Harris decided not to pursue the governorship. “In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor,” Harris said in a statement. “I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election.” She added, “For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office. I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans.” HARRIS MADE HISTORY IN 2024 Following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race on July 21, 2024, he immediately endorsed Harris, sparking a whirlwind consolidation of party support. In just 32 hours, Harris secured the backing of a majority of convention delegates, effectively clearing the field of any major challengers and transforming her from a vice-presidential running mate to the presumptive nominee almost overnight.

Bronx rap star Ice Spice is clearing the air — and doing it in her own words. On Feb. 25, the “Munch” hitmaker responded to swirling rumors that her recent weight loss was linked to Ozempic, the Type 2 diabetes medication that has become pop culture shorthand for dramatic celebrity slim-downs. The speculation reignited after a workout clip surfaced online with the caption: “Ice Spice shows off her workout and that her weight loss wasn’t from Ozempic.” Ice Spice shuts down Ozempic rumors and explains that her weight loss was actually the result of depression: “na it was depression im better now tho ” pic.twitter.com/0GMnagPfZO — Kurrco (@Kurrco) February 25, 2026 Not everyone was convinced. One user fired back, “This weak ass video just shows it was definitely from Ozempic,” dismissing the footage as proof of anything other than pharmaceutical assistance. Ice Spice didn’t dodge the jab. She met it head-on. “Na it was depression. I’m better now tho ,” she wrote. Ice Spice Says Weight Loss Was Due To Depression, Not Ozempic With one sentence, she shifted the narrative. Instead of entertaining debates about gym routines or shutting down Ozempic chatter with a polished denial, she revealed something far more personal. Her weight change, she suggested, was tied to mental health struggles — not a trending injection. The honesty landed differently in a digital space that often treats women’s bodies like public property. Throughout 2025, social media users dissected side-by-side photos of the rapper, fueling Ozempic accusations without evidence. The drug’s growing visibility in Hollywood has only intensified that scrutiny, especially for women in entertainment whose appearances constantly trend. By naming depression, Ice Spice reframed the conversation around wellness rather than aesthetics. “I’m better now” reads as both reassurance and quiet triumph — a signal that she has emerged from a darker chapter. In an era where celebrity transformations spark instant conspiracy theories, Ice Spice’s response served as a reminder: not every glow-up is cosmetic. Sometimes the real story lives beneath the surface.

Terence “Bud” Crawford went viral over the weekend after an alleged ex-girlfriend, Lavern Crump, shared several videos of her run-in with the retired undefeated boxing star at Claressa Shields versus Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Detroit. Omaha radio personality Lavern Crump posted a series of Instagram videos on Feb. 25 addressing a verbal altercation with Crawford before the fight. In clips circulated online, Crawford stands near ringside seats smiling, shrugging his shoulders and folding his arms while looking directly at Crump as she speaks toward him. Crump disputed the narrative that emerged from what she described as a brief viral clip. “I really hate that I have to come on here to defend myself,” she wrote. “The fact that everyone took a 10 second clip and came up with their own version of what happened is insane.” View this post on Instagram She alleged Crawford approached her after initially being “way across the room.” Crump claims he “decided to come back to further taunt me.” Crump said her passport was inside the Louis Vuitton bag and called his behavior “a damn donkey.” She also criticized Crawford for “allowing his son to get in grown folks business,” saying children should not “talk reckless to adults.” Crump denied accusations that she was stalking the former welterweight champion, adding sarcastically, “I don’t care what ya’ll say he loves me and I love him… I’m just kidding.” Larven Crump, Alleged Terence “Bud” Crawford Ex, Exchange Words At Claressa Shields Fight In Detroit In a second post, Crump referenced prior legal action. “Let’s talk about how this man took me to court for two whole years,” she wrote, claiming it “cost me tens of thousands of dollars.” She alleged Crawford “wanted to silence me from letting the world know who he really is.” She also accused him of portraying her as a stalker. In the accompanying clip, Crawford flashes a peace sign and smiles. View this post on Instagram Crump concluded with a third post showing what she said was an Oklahoma trademark registration of Crawford’s name. “I didn’t get mad I went and trademarked his name,” she wrote. “I’m from Nebraska I don’t get mad I get even.” Crawford has not publicly responded to the posts.

The California Supreme Court has denied review of rapper Tory Lanez’s criminal conviction, leaving intact his 10-year prison sentence for shooting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. KESQ 3 broke the news on Wednesday. The high court’s decision declines to disturb a November ruling from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal, which affirmed Lanez’s convictions on three felony counts. A Los Angeles jury in December 2022 found Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He was sentenced in August 2023. In a 46-page opinion, the appellate panel rejected defense arguments alleging evidentiary and procedural errors at trial. The justices concluded the record contained “more than sufficient” evidence to support the jury’s finding that Peterson personally inflicted great bodily injury on Megan Pete. Tory Lanez’s Megan Thee Stallion Case Petition Denied By California Supreme Court At trial, Megan testified that Lanez shot her in the feet on July 12, 2020, following an argument after a gathering at Kylie Jenner’s home in the Hollywood Hills. She told jurors she had “no doubt” he fired the weapon and alleged he later offered her $1 million to remain silent. According to her testimony, he yelled, “dance, bitch,” before shooting. Under cross-examination, Megan addressed her initial reluctance to report the incident, stating she “didn’t want to be a snitch.” She said she later chose to “defend my name” after public figures questioned whether she had been shot. During sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott argued the shooting occurred because Megan “bruised his ego,” characterizing it as “an act of misogyny.” Defense attorney Jose Baez called that theory “nuts,” contending alcohol contributed to “foolish, reckless behavior” and asserting, “The intent was not to take someone’s life.” In 2024, Megan secured a restraining order alleging Lanez orchestrated online harassment from prison. A Los Angeles judge granted that request in January 2025.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced its nominees for the 2026 induction class. The list includes 17 artists that span pop, rock, and hip-hop. Lauryn Hill and the Wu-Tang Clan appear on the ballot for the first time. Notably, Hill joins as one of the only hip-hop acts nominated this year. Their inclusion continues a gradual shift toward recognizing rap’s long-standing influence on popular music. Hill’s nomination centers on her 1998 solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a record that blended rap and soul with an uncommon emotional directness. The album won five Grammy Awards in 1999. It also made her the first hip-hop artist to win Album of the Year. More than two decades later, it remains a reference point for artists working across genres. Wu-Tang Clan is nominated in recognition of its 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The album introduced a nine-member collective whose stark production and distinct lyrical styles reshaped East Coast rap in the 1990s. Its influence can still be heard in contemporary hip-hop, which continues to draw inspiration from talents like Lauryn Hill. Where Legends Meet Legacy Other nominees include Mariah Carey, Shakira, Jeff Buckley and Pink. In a statement, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said, “This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture. Induction into the Hall is music’s highest honor and we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 this Fall.” Inductees will be announced in April across several categories, including Musical Influence and Musical Excellence. The ceremony is expected to take place this fall, though specific details have not yet been released. The 2025 class included Outkast and Salt-N-Pepa. This was part of a broader effort by the Hall to more fully acknowledge hip-hop’s role in shaping the modern musical landscape, and artists like Hill contribute to this recognition.