Ciara recently sat down with Associated Press to discuss her new album, CiCi— her first project in nearly six years. It works as a follow-up to her 2019 album, Beauty Marks. Released on August 22, CiCi is an expanded version of her 2023 EP of the same name and marks her first release as an independent artist. Back in 2017, the Grammy-winning artist founded her independent label, Beauty Marks Entertainment. “It’s time. Honestly, I’ve been working on this album for almost five years,” she tells the outlet. “I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, as they would say, into this project…” The singer also revealed to the outlet that while recording CiCi, she had given birth to two of her youngest children: Win Harris and Amora Princess. “I literally gave birth to two babies while I was making this project, too. So, a lot has happened,” she said. Source: Associated Press (AP) While Ciara did take a brief reprieve to raise her ever-growing family, the singer made it clear that she wasn’t just “chillin’” the last five years and had always “actively put out music on the project.” With a career spanning over two decades, Ciara noted that she still enjoys creating music after all these years; however, if she ever happens to “stop loving the process,” she’ll “stop.” The “Level Up” singer continued, ” I have so much passion for it and I just feel so fortunate that 21 years later, from my first album ‘Goodies’ to now, that I still have the same excitement I had as a little girl.” “Success to me is yes, putting out music. Being the best artist I can be, hopefully being known as one of the best to ever do it …” she adds. “But it’s not solely in that,” she said. “People lose themselves because they didn’t live. I don’t want to be that girl – I’m not going to be that girl.”

On what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 47th birthday, Vanessa shared a deeply touching tribute on Instagram that resonated widely. Vanessa posted a throwback photo of herself kissing Kobe on the cheek—set against a romantic European backdrop—and captioned it: “We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Natalia Bryant, their eldest daughter, also honored her father with her own heartfelt gesture. She posted a playful snapshot of herself and Kobe mimicking a nearby statue, simply captioned: “Happy Birthday Daddy” followed by a red heart emoji. Keeping Kobe’s legacy alive, as previously reported, in a heartfelt gesture that resonated deeply with fans across Los Angeles. Lakers star Luka Dončić has donated $5,000 to help restore a beloved mural honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, which was recently defaced with black spray paint. The mural, created by Los Angeles-based street artist Sloe Motions—whose real name is Louie Palsino—featured the powerful message “Mamba Forever” alongside a portrait of Kobe and GiGi. It had become a cherished local landmark and a symbol of resilience, legacy, and community healing following the Bryants’ tragic passing in 2020.

Despite one Grammy win, five nominations, and becoming the third female hip-hop artist to have an album peak at number one on the Billboard 200, Eve surprisingly “doesn’t think about” her legacy in music. “I don’t think about it. I just, it’s not something that comes to my mind, it is not something I think about,” she tells the Associated Press in a new interview. In Eve’s opinion, she doesn’t mull over how much credit she receives because she knows what she’s “done and have accomplished,” and according to her, “that’s something no one could ever take” away from her. The “Tamborine” rapper acknowledges the impact she has had on her fans, who have told her how she inspired them; however, she didn’t understand the gravity of her career for herself until she wrote her 2024 memoir, Who’s That Girl? Eve continues, “I think the only time I kind of allowed myself to really reflect on it is after I finished my book and I did the audiobook. And literally, as soon as I got in the car, I called Cathy, my co-writer, and was like, ‘Yo, I did a lot, like, and I’m proud of myself, you know!’” In other news, Eve recently sat down for the Joe and Jada podcast with Fat Joe and Jadakiss. At one point in the conversation, the pair asked the rapper what motivates her to go on tour, considering her billionaire husband is waiting for her at home. The former “First Lady of Ruff Ryders” says she still likes getting her own checks. When Jadakiss asked how the tour was going, Eve said, “The tour’s good. So far we, um, we’ve only done three, four, we’ve done four shows. I did Europe first.” Fat Joe went on to ask why that “Rich Girl” is still doing shows. To which she responded with, “I like money. Okay? I like checks. So if there’s, I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t a check involved, I wouldn’t be doing it if the check wasn’t right.” The “Let Me Blow Your Mind” rapper also made it clear that no man “saved her.” She added, “First of all, nobody ever saved me. I saved myself. I got my own money. If I wanted to stop working, my man wouldn’t care. But why would I not do something that I love?”

During a recent interview with the Associated Press, Mariah the Scientist addressed the critics of her relationship with Young Thug. “I’m used to people scrutinizing my relationship,” she tells the outlet. “It’s almost like I expect them to do that.” According to Mariah the Scientist, she wants to avoid the public having any say or “heavy impact” on her relationship with the rapper. She continues, “I just want to be able to actively decide on my own if it’s something that I want to do or not. Or, if it is something that’s serving me or not serving me. And I think it’s definitely been a process.” Rumors first circulated about the pair back in 2021. However, amid the early stages of their relationship, Young Thug and his YSL (Young Stoner Life) label mates became embroiled in a highly-publicized racketeering trial. The “Digits” rapper was arrested in May 2022 and would ultimately spend two years in prison. After agreeing to a plea deal in October 2024, the rapper was released in November. Aside from talking about her relationship with Thug, Mariah also spoke about her new album, Hearts Sold Separately. The project was released via Epic Records and the singer’s imprint Buckles Laboratories on Friday, August 22. Along with a new project, her single “Burning Blue” has become a No. 1 hit track on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart. The catchy tune also cracked the top 30 on the Billboard 200 chart. When asked about her feelings on becoming R&B’s next up-and-coming star, the former biology student-turned-singer said her hard work is “paying off.” Mariah added, “Just people appreciating the art I make, not on just an acknowledgment level, but actually digesting it and appreciating it. …It’s really not necessarily about the accolades, but I feel like accolades are indicative of the exposure and being perceived in a flattering way.”

Ciara’s latest Billboard feature was supposed to spotlight her new album CiCi, but it was her daughter, Sienna, who stole the show. The eight-year-old stepped into the interviewer’s chair, asking her mom questions that had fans laughing and melting at the same time. During the sit-down, Sienna threw a playful curveball by asking, “Do you know my favorite song of yours?” Ciara leaned back and confidently guessed “Level Up,” but she was quickly shut down. “No, Mom, say the real answer,” Sienna insisted. Trying to brush it off, Ciara begged her not to reveal it, but the little one shouted, “It’s ‘Ride!’” Without hesitation, Sienna began singing the track’s chorus while Ciara dropped her head into her hands, jokingly acting defeated. “Mom, you knew the answer, you’re just trying to act like you don’t,” Sienna teased, grinning from ear to ear. Ciara eventually gave in, laughing as she admitted, “I know, I just wish you’d pick another song!” She explained that her daughter grew attached to “Ride” while joining her on tour and has been hooked ever since. Sienna’s questions kept rolling, and she wanted to know which collaborators stood out most in her mother’s career. Ciara admitted it was tough to choose, but one name was easy to highlight. “Some of my favorites are people like Auntie Missy [Elliott],” she said, making Sienna’s face light up. She also mentioned her current single with Chris Brown, “How We Roll,” and longtime partner-in-music Ludacris, who has joined her on tracks like “Ride” and “Oh.” “Those are moments that just felt so special,” she reflected. Between the playful back-and-forth and Sienna’s proud little cheers, the interview became less about Ciara’s upcoming album and more about the joy of watching a mother and daughter share an unforgettable bond.

BigXthaPlug’s album rollout hit a serious snag after the Dallas rapper, whose real name is Xavier Landum, was arrested late Thursday in North Texas. The 27-year-old was booked into the Dallas County Jail on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana under two ounces. Police reports say the arrest stemmed from a traffic stop just before 9 p.m. when officers noticed his pickup truck driving without a front license plate near South Great Trinity Forest Way and US 175. Officers questioned Landum about weapons, and he admitted to having one in the vehicle, pointing them to its location. Authorities later said a criminal database flagged him as having gang ties in Arlington, which prevents him from legally owning a firearm. A small quantity of marijuana was also recovered during the stop. This is not the first run-in the rapper has had with police this year. Back in February, he faced marijuana charges in Arlington. The arrest created chaos around his scheduled celebrations for I Hope You’re Happy, his new album featuring Darius Rucker, Luke Combs, Shaboozey, and Jelly Roll. Landum was supposed to attend a release party Thursday night at a Deep Ellum nightclub, followed by another event Friday at a Dallas Wingstop. He never made it to the stage, as he was already behind bars before the first party even started. Despite the setback, BigXthaPlug had just marked a major career achievement. His 2024 project Take Care reached platinum certification, signifying more than one million copies sold. So far, his team has not commented on the arrest or whether his planned events will be rescheduled, leaving fans wondering what comes next.

During a live session on X(formerly Twitter) spaces, Cardi B called out the critics of her new song, “Imaginary Playaz.” The track features a sample of Jay-Z’s track, “Imaginary Player,” which appeared on his 1997 album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. While many of the rapper’s supporters enjoyed the Bronx native’s twist on the classic track, there were quite a few who weren’t fans of it. According to Cardi, the majority of the criticism is coming from “grown-ass” men who are waiting for her “downfall.” However, at no point during the conversation did the rap starlet name anyone in particular. “For people to dog pile on me over one song,” she said. “And when it comes to dog piling, it’s not even just like, ‘Oh well, I don’t like this song,’ because if you don’t like this song, fine, but to come at the way I speak, to make narratives of how I think I am and who the fuck I think I am, to talk about every single piece of me, to bet on my downfall is crazy.” She continued, “There’s grown men that are practically betting for me to lose. Grown-ass men that I ain’t never did nothing to, betting on my downfall. And my thing is with these people, it just be like, when my record do good, when ‘Outside’ did good, people couldn’t believe it.” “When I do good, the numbers ain’t real. When I do bad, my career is over,” Cardi added. “It’s almost ridiculous.” Cardi B’s full space. 8/22/25 pic.twitter.com/Sst59tQVGH — (@cardiuniverse) August 22, 2025 In other news, Cardi B recently shut down rumors that she would be expecting her fourth child. During a recent Instagram live, Cardi B made it clear that she is not currently with child. “’We thirty weeks pregnant?’ No, you stupid b*tch. I’m just f*cking out of breath ’cause I have asthma… Stop f*cking being f*cking funny in this b*tch before you get motherf*cking blocked, b*tch.” Cardi has three children that she shares with her estranged husband, Offset. As previously reported, in a candid moment with Ebro, Offset reflected on his personal failings amid the tense dynamics with his estranged wife, Cardi B, stating: “I f*cked up… I gotta acknowledge that and then get back on the journey… I’ve accepted the actions I’ve done to cause certain situations to happen.”

According to the BBC, Doechii has pulled out of two of the largest music festivals in the U.K., as well as another performance in Paris. On Tuesday (Aug.19), in a social media post, the Rock en Seine shared that Doechii had unexpectedly pulled out of her performance set for Thursday, Aug. 21. Mere hours later, the All Points East festival posted to its official Instagram account that they were “sorry to announce” the rapper would no longer be performing. “She is an incredible artist, and, like all of her fans, we were hugely excited to see her on stage,” the post continued. Prior to the cancellation notice, Doecii was slated to take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 23. Not long after All Point East’s announcement, Forwards Bristol festival shared similar news, in a social media post, and had “sadly announced” Doechii “will not be performing at her upcoming shows.” The rapper was scheduled to perform at the festival this upcoming Sunday, on Aug. 24. Neither Doechii nor a representative from her team has released a statement or explanation as to why the rapper pulled out of her upcoming shows. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Doechii attends The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” – Arrivals at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/FilmMagic) In other news, Doechii has been named in a lawsuit where an Atlanta event company says it was scammed out of nearly $200,000 in a bogus booking deal for one of Baltimore’s biggest festivals. Blackout Management LLC claims it paid New Jersey agent Christopher Young $187,500 in December 2024 to lock in performances by Doechii and SiR for the AFRAM Festival. Young allegedly assured the company that his ties to Top Dawg Entertainment gave him direct access to the artists. According to AllHipHop, things started to unravel by March 2025 when Young reportedly told Blackout that both acts had scheduling conflicts. The company says that after months of unanswered questions, it reached out to TDE directly and learned that Doechii had never been booked and that there were only brief talks about SiR. No contracts, promotional materials, or official documents were ever provided. According to the lawsuit, the deposit never reached the label and was instead kept by Young and his business, Sacrifice Management LLC.

Charley Crockett is making it clear that Beyoncé belongs in country music. In a lengthy Instagram post, the Texas artist pushed back against critics of Cowboy Carter while accusing the industry of hiding behind double standards. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charley Crockett (@charleycrockett) “Hey country folks,” Crockett wrote. “Beyoncé ain’t the source of your discontent. It was 25 years of bro country.” His words came as a response to the wave of backlash Beyoncé has faced since releasing the record, which blends traditional country with other genres. Crockett pointed out how some of today’s biggest stars built their reputations while borrowing from Hip-Hop and pop. “#1 country artist on earth listens to nothing but rap,” he said. “Openly says he doesn’t really know any country music. Gotta respect his honesty.” He added, “These ‘country boys’ been singing over trap beats for years. So what’s different now? Authenticity.” He went on to highlight Beyoncé’s accomplishments, noting that she became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the Grammys in 2025, while still being overlooked by the Academy of Country Music Awards. “The machine points to a black woman who’s making a statement about marginalized people being removed from the conversation altogether,” Crockett wrote. Sharing his own experience, he revealed that Nashville executives once attempted to mold him into a prefabricated star. “Many of those business folks called me early on. They had whole albums pre-written and recorded, ready to just plug me in. I have receipts.” Crockett closed his message by stating, “I don’t need to put down a black woman to advance my music. That’s just embarrassing to the idea of America and I got no respect for it.” He even praised Texas rapper BigXThaPlug as “genuine” and “a true story teller.”

BigXthaPlug welcomed Billboard to Los Angeles with a stop at Max City BBQ, where he dug into smoked links while ribs were brought out as an extra treat. Between bites, the Dallas rapper opened up about how a difficult time in jail became the starting point of his career. At just 20 years old, he was serving time after a probation violation when his son Amar celebrated his first birthday. “It took a toll on me,” BigX explained. “And made me very emotional. So they [jail officials] had to confine me by myself. And in that confinement, I felt like I was losing myself mentally.” Looking for ways to keep his spirit intact, he asked other inmates how they coped. One idea was to try writing, which soon turned into rap lyrics scribbled on medical sheets since notebooks were not allowed. “I wasn’t planning to be a rapper,” he admitted. His focus shifted after he made a vow to Amar that “you’ll never not be with me ever again,” pushing him to find a way to support his family while staying present in his children’s lives. That decision set the stage for a breakthrough. Today, BigX boasts hit singles like “Texas,” “Mmhmm” and “The Largest,” along with a gold-certified album Amar in 2023 and a platinum project Take Care in 2024. His third release, I Hope You’re Happy, arrives this week through UnitedMasters. The record blends his Texas roots with country influences and includes features from Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, and Ink. Now raising two children, Amar and Leilani, BigX was recently honored with the Innovator Award at Billboard’s Country Power Players. He says this new album reflects heartbreak, fatherhood, and growth, while he also takes time to enjoy being a dad and keeping an eye on the coming football season.