Young Thug’s jail call leaks have just revealed that he paid for fake streams, also known as “bots,” for his album and his YSL artist Gunna’s album to reach the top of the charts. The conversation, reportedly with a close associate, begins with Thug’s frustrations over Business Is Business, his 2023 album recorded while incarcerated. The project opened with 88,000 units, but failed to debut at No. 1, blocked by Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time, which sold 108,000. Thug allegedly laments the missed opportunity, questioning why no one considered pairing him with Wallen to bridge audiences. Young Thug says he spent $50K on fake streams aka (K-BOTS) on Gunna’s ‘DS4EVER’ for it to debut at #1 over The Weeknd’s ‘Dawn FM’ pic.twitter.com/bRlrNofeLq — DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) August 31, 2025 The discussion then shifts to Gunna’s breakthrough moment. According to the leaked recording, Thug claims he spent $50,000 on artificial streams to push Gunna’s DS4EVER past The Weeknd’s Dawn FM in January 2022. “You didn’t honestly earn a number one album over The Weeknd,” Thug is heard saying. “I paid for that.” The audio also captures Thug expressing disappointment with Gunna’s actions since that milestone. He accuses Gunna of charging young, aspiring rappers thousands for features, despite the support Thug says he provided without ever taking a cut. Young Thug finds out ‘Business Is Business’ is at risk of not debuting at #1 and tells his team to contact their fake streams “plug” “You still got that plug, right? That sh*t that we did with Gunna and them?”pic.twitter.com/7L3UwtSrfT — Kurrco (@Kurrco) August 31, 2025 The tone suggests a deep sense of betrayal. “I protected you,” Thug implies, painting a portrait of loyalty met with disloyalty. The leaked remarks add turbulence to an already complicated chapter. Business Is Business was marketed as a triumphant statement from behind bars, but the specter of bot allegations and fractured relationships now colors its legacy. The tape also references Lil Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape, which broke hip-hop’s long absence from the top of the Billboard 200 in July 2023, underscoring how fragile rap dominance was that year. This is not the first time private calls have been made public. Previous leaks captured conversations with 21 Savage and Lil Baby, as well as claims of behind-the-scenes conflicts involving Quality Control. Neither Gunna nor The Weeknd has responded to the latest allegations. Whether verified or not, the recordings reveal how Thug’s incarceration has become a spectacle, reshaping narratives around loyalty, success, and survival in hip-hop.

Jeremy Lin’s basketball story began with a surge that gripped the sport and forever altered the New York Knicks’ narrative. On Saturday, Lin officially announced his retirement, closing a 15-year professional career that carried him from Madison Square Garden’s brightest lights to international leagues in China and Taiwan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jeremy Lin 林書豪 (@jlin7) The 36-year-old guard shared the news on Instagram, reflecting on the weight of the decision. “As athletes, we are always aware that the possibility of retirement is never far away,” Lin wrote. “Actually saying goodbye to basketball today has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made.” He thanked fans, teammates, and loved ones, acknowledging their support as the force behind his improbable rise. Lin’s path was as unlikely as it was transformative. An undrafted Harvard guard and the son of Taiwanese immigrants, he spent his early years bouncing between rosters with the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. By early 2012, he seemed destined to drift out of the league—until a desperate Knicks team gave him a chance. Inserted into the rotation, Lin erupted in February of that year. He scored 25 against the New Jersey Nets, followed by 28 against the Utah Jazz and 23 with 10 assists against the Washington Wizards. Suddenly, the Knicks had a sensation, and the basketball world had “Linsanity.” The phenomenon reached its peak against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Under the glare of Madison Square Garden, Lin scored a career-best 38 points, sending the crowd into frenzy and turning him into the face of the NBA’s first true social media-era craze. The magic faded quickly. Carmelo Anthony’s return shifted the offense, a coaching change minimized Lin’s role, and a knee injury halted his breakout. He never replicated that stretch, but Lin forged a respectable career across eight NBA teams. In 2019, he became the first Asian American player to win an NBA championship, lifting the trophy with the Toronto Raptors. Lin later found success overseas, starring in China and Taiwan. His final season ended with MVP honors and a championship for the New Taipei Kings. Though his playing days are done, “Linsanity” remains unforgettable. Jeremy Lin’s story endures as one of resilience, representation, and cultural impact—a moment when the Knicks, and basketball, belonged to him.

Kid Cudi made sure to stop by a place near and dear to his heart ahead of his show at the House of Blues Cleveland. On Sunday (Aug.31), the Cleveland native took to Instagram and shared a picture of himself on the steps of his childhood home. The rapper, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, grew up in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. “Back in The Land, baby!!! Went to my childhood home and met the family living there,” he began the post. Cudi continued: “They said people have told them this was my house, but he didn’t believe it, haha, one of my homegirls from school, Kalicia Perry, lives in the house next door, and she ran out and randomly saw me. It was a cute reunion, man. Met her daughter, talked about people f*ckin up my lastname haha man, it felt good to go back and show Lola where her husband is from.” The rapper added, “I loved seeing my old high school and all my spots I use to kick it. Life is WILD, boy. Big love to Dinero, who kindly let me take photos and was so cool. Thanx brother!!! Cleveland is the reason I’m cool! Shaker boy for LIFE.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Willis (@kidcudi) Life for Kid Cudi seems to be coming full circle. Back in June, the rapper-actor tied the knot with his longtime partner, Lola Abecassis Sartore, in an intimate and luxurious ceremony in her hometown along the South of France coast. The celebration was held on June 28 at Hôtel Cap-Estel, a scenic location that set the tone for their elegant weekend. Their love story began seven years ago at Virgil Abloh’s first Louis Vuitton show, and that connection lived on through special tributes woven into their big day. A bounce house paid homage to the late designer, while their rings—crafted by celebrity jeweler Ben Baller—reflected their personal styles: Cudi’s featured platinum and rose gold, and Lola’s was made of solid gold.

Solange reveals that while she wasn’t too confident as a songwriter in her early career days, Beyoncé never doubted her talent. On Friday (Aug.29), an X user named @PopCulture2000s shared a short clip of the music video for Beyoncé’s “Why Don’t You Love Me?” The track, which was released in 2008, appears on her third studio album, I Am…Sasha Fierce. The “Don’t Touch My Hair” singer, who is credited as a writer on the track, quoted the post, writing, “omggg tyyyy to my goat for trusting my penn way back whenn.” According to Solange, the track was created on a “very, very angsty day.” She added: “No one could have made it bang like my big sisss.” omggg tyyyy to my goat for trusting my penn way back whenn wrote this on a vry vry angsty day fed tf uppp lol and no one could have made it bang like my big sisss https://t.co/XoooHKAY8K — solange knowles (@solangeknowles) August 29, 2025 Back in May, Solange showed love to another one of her “goats,” Mariah Carey, by producing a dreamy, chopped-and-screwed remix of Carey’s 2006 single “Say Somethin’” to celebrate the 20th anniversary reissue of The Emancipation of Mimi. Ahead of the release, Solange shared her excitement on Instagram Stories, posting a throwback interview clip where she once said she had plenty of songs she’d love for Mariah to sing, if ever given the chance. She followed that up with a heartfelt note of appreciation, writing: “I love uuuu so much mom @mariahcarey tyyy so muchhh,” alongside a video of herself dancing to the track. The full Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition) package included more than just Solange’s remix. Fans were also treated to a Kaytranada rework, which dropped in April, and an unreleased song called “When I Feel It.”

In celebration of Michael Jackson’s birthday, his hometown of Gary, Indiana, held a special block party near his childhood home —the late, iconic singer would’ve turned 67 years old this year. CBS Chicago reports that on Friday (Aug.29), residents of Gary came together for the “Jackson Street Block Party,” which was held at 2300 Jackson Street. The location also happens to be very close to Roosevelt High School, where Jackson’s older brother, Jackie, attended. Brothers Marlon and Jackie were there in support and spoke about their love for their hometown.”Even when we go around the world, we talk about Gary, Indiana. Everybody know where this is,” Marlon said. Jackie: “Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We love you guys for that.” VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1988. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) Along with the residents of Gary and family, a very close friend of the Thriller singer, comedian Chris Tucker, showed up and did an impromptu performance of MJ’s “You Rock My World.” In 2001, Tucker starred in the music video for the track alongside Jackson. The Friday actor also expressed to CBS Chicago how “honored” and “blessed” that Gary is to be the birthplace of the “world’s most famous entertainer and the world’s most famous entertainment family.” There was also a special event held the following day, Saturday (Aug.29), at Roosevelt High in honor of brother Tito, who passed away last September. In other news, Michael Jackson’s eldest son, Prince, recently tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Molly Schirmang. Earlier this week, he took to Instagram to share the news along with a few touching photos, writing,” 8 years down [infinity emoji] to go. Molly and I have spent a lot of time together and made incredible memories. We’ve traveled the world, graduated and grown so much together. I’m excited for this next chapter in our lives as we continue to grow and make great memories. I love you babs [kissy face emoji].”

Cardi B has been in full rollout mode since announcing the release date of her forthcoming album, Am I The Drama? Unlike with Invasion of Privacy, the rapper is stepping into a new era; however, it’s much darker than expected. Aside from the album’s eerie cover, the usage of crows, which are often a symbol of death, has even been reflected in her recent fashion choices. Last month, at Schiaparelli’s Paris Couture Week, she made quite the entrance, rocking a live crow as an outfit accessory. Cardi B recently sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music and noted the album’s dark “energy” stems from “something dying inside” her. “I really like to do my things very colorful. I’m a very colorful person. But it’s just like this past year, I feel like something kind of was dying in me.” “My humbleness, me trying so much to be unproblematic, me trying to avoid drama, avoid the disses, avoid the b*tches, avoid the talks, it’s like that sh*t is dying, that’s dying out in me,” she continued. “Because I’m really about to show you, b*tch, that you are not f*cking with me.” The rapper said her “cockiness” has been reborn. At this stage in her life and career, Cardi says she’s done being nice: “It’s like, ‘Oh, just ignore it, be the bigger person.’ That sh*t is dying. Now it’s like I feel like I gave y’all too much grace to think that y’all could f*ck with me. And it’s like that sh*t is dead, b*tch. Now I’m going to embrace that.” “You wanted that, b*tch. Now I’m going to give it to you,” Cardi B added, “And I hope you could take it when I motherf*cking give it to y’all.”

Before shutting down their set in the city of angels, the Clipse made sure to stop by L.A.’s new hot spot, Marathon Burger. The burger joint is owned and operated by Nipsey Hussle’s brother, Blacc Sam. TMZ reports that the pair, which consists of brothers Pusha T and Malice, enjoyed the restaurant’s new “Marathan Burger” combo. The meal comes with “two wagyu beef patties, grilled onions, Fresno peppers, house-made pickles, American cheese, ketchup, mustard, secret sauce on a toasted brioche bun, served with a side of fries.” The duo also had the opportunity to share a quick photo-op with Sam and members of the restaurant’s staff. During an interview with KCAL News back in March, Sam said the restaurant wasn’t only a gift to the community, but in honor of his brother’s legacy. In 2019, Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed in front of his Marathon Clothing store, which he co-owned with Sam. Clipse pulled up to Marathon Burger pic.twitter.com/ALZibIAzEP — Episodes (@episodesent) August 27, 2025 “I think [the] Marathon brand, [which] [was] created by Hussle to kinda like inspire and motivate.” He continued: “It just means to keep going. It’s not a race; it’s a pace,” and why it’s important to “do it on your own.” He added, “Anything that we can continue doing in that spirit is always a blessing.” Clipse’s trek to Los Angeles proved very fruitful. The Virginia natives have earned high praise from comedian Bill Burr. On his Monday Morning Podcast, Burr recalled their L.A. set with characteristic bluntness. “To the Nokia Theater (The Novo). I smoked some weed and dude, it was f*ckin’ unbelievable,” he said, likening the raw energy inside the venue to witnessing a legendary rock concert. For Burr, the sheer force of the performance was unforgettable. The brothers themselves provided the most poignant moment. During their performance of “Birds Don’t Sing,” they turned inward, dedicating the song to their parents. Burr later noted the sincerity of the tribute, pointing to the evident love and respect that was revealed, in his words, the influence of “standup folks.”

In a recent interview, Chance the Rapper shared his thoughts on whether he’d walk down the aisle again someday. While the Chicago native “respects” the sanctity of marriage, at this point in his life, he’s “chill” on the idea of doing so in the near future. “No, I just I just be chilling. You feel me? Like, I be chilling,” he told The Shade Room. Last December, Chance’s longtime girlfriend and later wife, Kirsten Corley, filed for divorce. Prior to that, the couple had been together nearly a decade and married in March 2019. That same year, he released his debut album, The Big Day, which was heavily inspired by his life at the time, as he was preparing to marry Corey and become a father. Despite debuting at No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart, it was heavily criticized. Chance believes it’s because his message wasn’t “connecting” with people at that time. “I feel like with rap, especially, like you’re expected to tell your story and expected to also have stuff that connects with people. But we [are] all just humans.” He added, “I still respect it totally. You know what I’m saying? Especially ’cause that’s what the Bible says you’re supposed to do…Like, I ain’t gonna downplay it at all. But right now, I’m just figuring that life out.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) In other news, Chance the Rapper recently opened up about how Odd Future played a “pivotal” role in hip-hop. The Los Angeles crew, which included Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, Syd, Hodgy, and Domo Genesis, among others, used the internet to bypass gatekeepers. “Odd Future in a lot of ways helped birth a lot of careers,” the rapper says in a recent interview. The collective released music directly to fans, built their own brand identity, and cultivated a rebellious DIY ethos. Odd Future’s brash style and shock-value lyrics often grabbed attention, but beneath that chaos was a blueprint for independence. By controlling their output and rejecting industry norms, Odd Future proved that viral energy, authenticity, and community could sustain careers.

Denzel Washington is hailed as one of the greatest actors of all time, but watching films is not his thing.  During a recent conversation with A$AP Rocky and Spike Lee for GQ, Washington admitted that he’s not an avid movie watcher. “I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t,” said the two-time Oscar winner. “I’m just being honest with you. I don’t watch movies, man. I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies,” Washington continued as A$AP Rocky could not contain his laughter. The Harlem rapper then asked Washington if it was because he’s appeared in so many films that he doesn’t watch them anymore. “Probably,” Washington replied. “You know, I’m tired of movies.” While he may not watch films, Washington does have some rap skills, according to A$AP Rocky. During filming, he found himself in a rap battle with Washington. “That was crazy because I did not know that that man was such a fan of hip-hop like that,” Rocky said on an episode of Million Dollaz Worth Of Game. “I presumed that he was on some Miles Davis s**t, maybe some Alice Coltrane. […] Yo, your man came on set talking about Moneybagg Yo lyrics, NLE Choppa lyrics, DMX lyrics. So in the scene, he just started freestyling like regular, so it caught me off guard, but I was fanning out the whole time. […] And just to see him freestyle, he got me up out of there. I lost a battle to Denzel.”

Megan Thee Stallion and Patti LaBelle are now besties. In an interview with PEOPLE, Megan shared how she met the legendary singer while taping  her newest docuseries KPOPPED, “where western icons reimagine one of their biggest hits by collaborating with K-pop stars.” “I was like, ‘Ms. Patti, girl, what you doing out here? How do you feel?’ Me and Ms. Patti were, like, besties by the end of the whole experience,” said Megan, who is also an executive producer of the series. “I really felt like we were related. As soon as we saw each other, it was just big hugs, kisses and we were locked at the hip the whole time,” the “Mamushi” rapper says. “And I was like, ‘Dang, I cannot believe that Patti LaBelle knows who I am and she likes me. I must be the bomb because if Patti LaBelle gives me the cosign, I’m the one.’” Lionel Richie, an executive producer of the series, spoke about how Megan and Pattie reminded him of each other. “Listen, she takes charge… The Godmother of Soul was there on the scene. When I first got in the business, Patti was in the business about the same time I was coming in. She was immediately likable. You cannot not like her.” Along with fanning out over meeting the iconic singer, Megan noted how she was drawn to the series because of her love for K-pop. “I wanted to go over there and learn,” Megan said about filming the show in Seoul. “I wanted to go over there and fan out, so it was a perfect opportunity to do some work but also have some fun, which is what I love to make my work feel like. It didn’t even feel like work. It felt like a vacation.” ‘KPOPPED’ is currently airing on Apple TV+.