David Blake Jr., son of Compton hip hop veteran Dj Quik, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison for a fatal shooting. In May 2022, 31-year-old Julio Moises Cardoza, Jr was fatally shot by Blake Jr. According to reports, the incident occurred after a fight broke out between Cardoza and another man in Downey, CA. Blake, who was nearby, allegedly opened fire from a vehicle, striking Cardoza multiple times before driving off. Cardoza was taken to a hospital, but did not survive his wounds. Blake was arrested the next day. On Friday (Feb 27), Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Laura Walton sentenced Blake Jr. to 15 years to life, dismissing the gun allegations that could have resulted in an additional 25 years. Judge Walton called the case “an absolute tragedy,” per The Downey Patriot. She also noted that at the time of the offense, Blake Jr. was only 27 with “no prior record.” She told him that a “split- second decision that you made does not define your character or who you are.” She told him that “at some point you will be paroled.” Per the outlet, Blake Jr, admitted that he was “sorry for the role” he had in the death of Cardoza. “My heart aches for the Cardozas,” he said. “I was truly in fear for my life and believed I was going to die,” after he was asked to drive his boss, then- Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan, to the Cardoza family home, where a fight broke out. Blake worked as a liaison Councilman Galvan. In 2022, Galvin was removed from office due to allegations of election fraud. In 2024, Galvan pleaded guilty to taking bribes in exchange for cannabis permits. The victim’s mother, Elida Cardoza, said through a Spanish interpreter that her son “lost his life because of the actions of a man that didn’t care that I was beside my son and grandson. “There is no greater pain than having your son die in your arms,” she said. “I yelled at him not to leave me … I realized that his soul was leaving his body, that I was losing him forever.” In a statement read on his behalf, the victim’s father said his family has been devastated by his son’s killing and that “our life has been a living hell.” DJ Quik also released a statement saying that he wishes he could share the sentencing with his son. “I’m disappointed that I didn’t get in front of that story and share the sentencing with my son,” he said. “The reality of all of this is that two families are irrevocably changed forever.” Prior to the arrest and sentencing, Blake Jr. had a budding rap career, performing under the name D. Blake. He appeared on Quik’s 2014 album The Midnight Life. Blake also released several solo records, including “Official,” “Rollin” (featuring Kinglife Herb) and “I Wanna Know (Remix)” featuring Dom Kennedy.

Mariah the Scientist’s profile has risen steadily in recent years, driven by strong streaming numbers and a growing fan base that has followed her from early releases to larger stages. Yet the Atlanta singer, known for her album Hearts Sold Separately, has also faced recurring criticism online. Some detractors have questioned her stage presence, while others have framed her success within broader debates about colorism in the music industry. The latest round of criticism began after public speaker and author Feminista Jones posted a short video from one of Mariah’s performances in Virginia Beach. In the post, Jones criticized the singer’s choreography and live vocals. “What the actual hell. No way she gets away with this if she’s dark skinned,” Jones wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The comment quickly circulated online, prompting debate among fans and observers. Supporters of the singer pushed back, arguing that linking an artist’s reception to complexion overlooked the work behind her career. Jones, however, stood by her criticism in follow-up posts. “I don’t argue with people who regularly use SnapChat. Grow up,” she wrote, dismissing the backlash. The exchange soon became another example of how quickly conversations about music can expand into larger cultural disputes on social media. Mariah the Scientist Lets Her Success Do the Talking Mariah did not address Jones directly. Instead, she used her platform to highlight the scale of her recent tour and the response from audiences. “125k tickets sold all on my own… Packed from the front to the back & not a single lyric goes unsung. It’s really something, u should see it in person,” she wrote. The singer also acknowledged the people behind the scenes who have supported her rise, including her sister Morgan, who manages her career, and a cousin who works as her assistant. “My fans (friends) have grown with me and related to me in ways that I never thought were possible,” she said. Reflecting on earlier criticism, she added, “I can’t believe I actually let your negative opinions bother me years ago when you all tried convincing me that what’s for me isn’t for me.” Mariah has also addressed a different strain of online criticism that dismisses her as superficial. “When in all actuality, it requires much intellect & creativity to take a small seed and grow it to what it has become. Very fruitful to say the least,” she wrote.

The New England Patriots plan to part ways with veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs when the 2026 league year begins next week. Patriots set to release WR Stefon Diggs after the start of the league year. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/63srpnVwT1 — NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2026 A league source said the move stems largely from financial considerations. Diggs’ salary cap hit was set to jump from $10.5 million to $26.5 million. His contract also included a clause guaranteeing an additional $6 million if he remained on the roster beyond next week. After the news surfaced, Diggs acknowledged the moment publicly. The 32-year-old posted a message on Instagram thanking the organization and supporters. “Thank you for a hell of a year,” he wrote. “We family forever.” Diggs joined the Patriots last March on a three-year, $69 million deal and quickly became the team’s top receiving option. He led the club during the regular season with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. His production helped stabilize the offense and gave quarterback Drake Maye a dependable target. NFL Star Stefon Diggs Will Be Cut By The New England Patriots The veteran receiver also contributed during the Patriots’ playoff run that ended at Super Bowl LX. Diggs recorded 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown across four postseason games while frequently drawing top defensive coverage. Away from the field, Diggs faces legal scrutiny tied to an alleged dispute with his personal chef. Authorities filed felony strangulation and related charges. Diggs has pleaded not guilty. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 1. With Diggs expected to depart, New England must reshape its receiving group. Veterans Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte headline the returning unit alongside DeMario Douglas. Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the challenge during the NFL Scouting Combine, noting that elite receivers rarely reach free agency. “You have to draft them,” Vrabel said. “You develop them.” The Patriots hold 11 selections in the upcoming draft, including the No. 31 overall pick. Finding a new primary target will be a priority this offseason.

The separation between Anderson .Paak and his estranged wife, Jae Lin, are moving further into the legal system. The couple is working through custody and financial matters. Lin has asked the court for primary physical custody of their two children. Meanwhile, she is proposing that the singer receive visitation and secondary parenting time. She has also requested spousal support as the divorce process unfolds. According to documents first reported by TMZ, Lin cited “irreconcilable differences” in her filing and left the date of separation listed as “TBD.” .Paak submitted a similar filing in 2024, using the same language. The couple married in 2010 and have two children together, now 9 and 13. Their case is still in progress. In time, a judge is expected to determine how custody and support will ultimately be arranged. The legal developments come amid reports that .Paak has recently spent time with television personality Jeannie Mai. The two were seen together last month at Andy’s in Los Angeles. There, footage showed them seated closely in a booth, with .Paak resting an arm around her. Mai finalized her own divorce from rapper Jeezy in 2024 after three years of marriage. The former couple share a daughter, Monaco, who is four. Jeannie Mai Prioritizes Her Daughter’s Peace During Divorce Mai has spoken openly about trying to protect her child from the emotional fallout that can accompany a separation. During a January appearance on the podcast Question Everything, she described her approach to parenting through a difficult period. “That’s not something I want her to ever have to think about,” she said. “My job is to define peace for her. So, she’s going to get that.” Reflecting on the experience of divorce more broadly, Mai described it in stark terms. “There’s no way to understand that feeling of space shared with somebody and all of a sudden it closing in, to where you even wonder if you can trust yourself in your thoughts because one day you had a plan and you had these thoughts and then suddenly it becomes something else,” she said. For now, the divorce between .Paak and Lin remain unresolved. Custody and financial support are likely to be settled through the courts in the months ahead.

An argument between NBA YoungBoy and his former partner Arcola unfolded across social media this week, turning a personal disagreement into a widely viewed exchange. The two share a child, and the dispute began after Arcola reposted criticism suggesting the rapper had not met his responsibilities as a father. The posts quickly circulated, drawing attention from fans and critics alike. The original comment accused YoungBoy of focusing more on relationships than parenting. “Boy shut up and get them kids,” the tweet read. “Talked all that shi about Sherhonda picking men over you & yo rich a**! literally doing the same.” Arcola amplified the message with her own response, writing, “Ahahahaaa this the one and not the 2.” YoungBoy answered in a series of blunt posts that intensified the exchange. “Girl fk yo baby! You a never try again! Tell the world knock on my door,” he wrote. “Tbh have y’all can go to court b* I’ll gladly pay it’s f** you. I don’t play or do no pretending idc idgaf fwm.” The remarks drew swift backlash online, particularly because they appeared to reference the child the pair share. YoungBoy Goes Offline Amid Arcola’s Explosive Claims Shortly after the argument spread, YoungBoy’s social media accounts appeared to go offline. It was not immediately clear whether the deactivation was temporary or permanent. The timing, however, followed a wave of criticism directed at the rapper after the posts circulated widely. Arcola continued posting messages describing what she said had been years of frustration. “You don’t even love yourself btch!” she wrote. “I know it’s fck my baby, it’s been fck my baby when you let his finger get burned and yo lying a* wife said he got bit bye a ‘dog’ fck you and everything you stand for btch, you gone rot in hell too.” In another message, she described raising their son largely on her own and accused YoungBoy of doing little to help. “I took care of KAELL BY MYSELF AND YOU KNOW THIS BE FR MY N***A.“

Demi Lovato and Keke Palmer recently revisited parts of their early years that, in retrospect, feel difficult to reconcile. During Palmer’s podcast, Baby, This is Keke Palmer, the two performers reflected on dating significantly older men while they were still teenagers navigating early fame. Both began their careers young, and their conversation suggested that the environment of child stardom often blurred boundaries that seem clearer with time. Roughly 14 minutes into the episode, Palmer paused to consider something that once felt routine. “I found myself dating — I’m 15, why is my boyfriend 20?” she said. Lovato responded with a similar recollection. “Why was my boyfriend 30? You know what I’m saying?” The moment drew a mix of surprise and recognition as the two compared experiences that, at the time, did not fully register as unusual. Palmer acknowledged how different those situations appear now. “Girl! Damn! I’m not smiling at that, but that is real. We was trying to find outlets, though. A way to process this,” she said. Lovato described how fame created a kind of isolation that made those relationships seem easier to rationalize. “Nobody our age could understand,” she said. Looking back years later, she added, “But then you look back in hindsight—when I turned 30 I was like, ‘That’s not okay.’” For Palmer, the realization unfolded gradually as she grew older. “The moment when you realize and you get the age that a lot of people that were around you and doing stuff, it’s almost a mental break that can happen,” she said. “Because you realize: ‘You were taking advantage of [me]. Oh, I was being exploited!’ That was very difficult for me when I realized [it].” Lovato Says Early Fame Shaped Her View of Relationships She explained that, at the time, the relationships felt consistent with the adult responsibilities she already carried. “At 15, I’m thinking, ‘My boyfriend’s older because I’m doing an older job. And I’m doing a bunch of things, and this is the way that it is. And it seemed normal in my mind. Especially if you’re an older soul, too. Especially if you’re mature for your age.’” Lovato did not identify the relationship she referenced during the podcast. However, her 2022 song “29” has often been interpreted as reflecting on her past relationship with actor Wilmer Valderrama. In a 2015 interview, Lovato described how they first met during a public service campaign. “We shot a PSA together for the 2010 Census forms for Voto Latino,” she said. “We shot them at his house, so we actually met there. Of course, I was like, ‘Oh my god. You’re so attractive.’ And he was like, ‘You are not 18. Get away from me.’” Lovato said the two remained friends before eventually beginning a relationship years later.

Houston rapper Monaleo faced a “sudden medical emergency that required surgery,” according to a recent Instagram post. The incident ultimately forced her to cancel upcoming dates for her Who Did The Body Tour. The rapper was due to perform in Memphis and New Orleans. She noted that while she’s disappointed, she must prioritize her health. “I’m beyond disappointed, but right now I need to prioritize my health and recovery to prevent any further complications,” she wrote. “I have been working really hard — 25 shows in and I give 110% for every single one. As for the rest of the tour, it’s honestly going to be a day-by-day process.” While the surgery went well, she admitted she will be stepping away for a moment. Right now, the rapper is focused on recovery. Monaleo says she’s following her doctor’s advice and “taking it one step at a time.” She added, “My main priority is getting better. We’ll communicate any changes as soon as possible.” Along with providing refunds for the shows, the rapper is working to reschedule dates as soon as possible. Toward the end of the post, Monaleo sent a message to her supporters who’d been showing her love at shows: “To everyone who’s been at the shows screaming every word, wearing the merch, posting the videos, and making this the most incredible chapter of my career so far, I love you. All my love, Leo.” View this post on Instagram

Megan Thee Stallion is in full rehearsal mode as she prepares for her upcoming Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The Houston hottie recently gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at all the hard work she’s putting in. In the video, which The Shade Room shared, Megan gives a quick rundown of her day, which includes exploring the theater, having fittings, and even meeting with a dialect coach. The “Body” rapper is expected to play Harold Zidler—owner of the fictional Moulin Rouge club—with a twist, as she will be the first woman to portray the character in a gender-swapped performance. She’s set to appear from March 24 to May 17. “Stepping onto the Broadway stage and joining the Moulin Rouge! The Musical team is an absolute honor,” the rapper said in a recent statement. “I’ve always believed in pushing myself creatively, and theatre is definitely a new opportunity that I’m excited to embrace. Broadway demands a different level of discipline, preparation, and storytelling, but I’m up for the challenge and can’t wait for the Hotties to see a new side of me.” View this post on Instagram Megan Thee Stallion Hints She’d Be Open to Marrying Klay Thompson In other news, while in Milan last month, Megan Thee Stallion spoke candidly about love during a casual outing with Olympians Brittany Bowe and Hilary Knight, who recently announced their engagement. After watching a TikTok clip of Knight’s proposal, Megan offered her congratulations. “I heard y’all just got engaged, congrats! I love love, that’s so sweet,” she said. Then, almost to herself, she added, “Manifesting my engagement, too,” crossing her fingers with a quiet laugh. Her remarks come as her relationship with NBA player Klay Thompson continues to draw attention. The two have shared glimpses of their time together online. For example, Megan organized a recent birthday celebration for Thompson that featured a surprise performance by Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony. Public moments like that have fueled speculation. However, neither has offered many details about the private dimensions of their relationship.

The Arizona Cardinals announced they will be releasing quarterback Kyler Murray. According to ESPN, the Cardinals will release Murray next Wednesday, when the new league year begins, unless a trade happens first. Preferring to be released, Murray was “ guaranteed $36.8 million for 2026 and would have been guaranteed another $19.5 million for 2027 if he was still on the roster March 16.” Taking to social media, Murray thanked the Cardinals organization and the fans for their support throughout his tenure.  MURRAY THANK THE CARDINALS FANBASE FOR THEIR SUPPORT “To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization. I am sorry I failed us.” To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my… — Kyler Murray (@K1) March 3, 2026 “And I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. I am no stranger to adversity and I am prepared for whatever’s next. He continued: “I trust in God and my work ethic,” he continued. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me, and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.” MURRAY WAS An ELITE QB As A Cardinal After being selected as the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He went on to set several franchise rookie records. Also, he was named to two consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021, the latter of which saw him lead Arizona to its first playoff appearance in six years.  By the conclusion of his seven seasons with the team, Murray solidified his place in the franchise record books, ranking third all-time in passing yards (20,460) and passing touchdowns (121), while also ranking second in franchise history for rushing yards by a quarterback with 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns.

It appears that rapper Sauce Walka is developing a new hip-hop-based fighting video game. The Houston rap star revealed the video game in a new interview with XXL. He hopes to give fans the chance to see some of the biggest names in rap fight each other, like in the 2000s classic Def Jam Vendetta. “The name of the game is Only Hands,” Sauce Walka tells the interviewer. @xxl Sauce Walka will release a new hip-hop fighting video game this year called Only Hands, featuring Kodak Black, Lil Durk, Key Glock, and more rappers. Hit @xxl link in bio for full interview. Powered by @distrokid ♬ original sound – XXL – XXL “It’s been 20 years since the last hip-hop-based fighting game, with actual artists, real artists, in real time, that we really listen to, love, know, and pay attention to right then, right now,” he said. He highlighted a gap since the Def Jam fighting games of the early 2000s, noting fans haven’t seen a game featuring contemporary stars in their prime. Sauce Walka Reveals He’s Developing A Hip-Hop Fighting Game Called “Only Hands” With 50 Favorite Rappers The title’s roster, he says, includes “50 signed, licensed… I would like to say all A-level artists.” Names he shared include NLE Choppa, Kodak Black, That Mexican OT, Boosie Badazz and Key Glock. He also added, “Free Lil Durk, Lil Durk on the game,” confirming the Chicago rapper will appear despite legal challenges. By describing the roster as “big dogs,” Sauce Walka signals that Only Hands will spotlight influential, commercially relevant figures in hip-hop. He also stressed the artists are “signed, licensed,” indicating that their likenesses and brands are officially cleared for use. Sauce Walka’s venture positions Only Hands as a modern fusion of hip-hop culture and competitive gaming. With real-time battles, current chart-toppers, and a nod to the genre’s history in gaming. The title aims to capture the energy of today’s rap scene while giving fans a new way to engage with their favorite artists.