Katt Williams will never bite his tongue, and he’s telling the world why. ​During a recent interview on Off the Record with Big Boy, Williams said he saw celebrities leaving Diddy’s parties. ​”People indeed do ask, “How do you know what goes on at the P. Diddy party if you weren’t at the P Diddy party? They would have these parties in Hollywood Hills, and then they would have a parking lot where they would shuttle people up. So everybody would meet in this parking lot, Williams explained. ​“They would send shuttles down. I was never invited to the parties, but I was invited to the parking lot because I knew the people who ran the shuttle service. I would go to the parking lot and I would watch them all go up there. And I would just be on the car having a grand old time, smoking and laughing, watching everybody going.” ​“I would see all these big-time Hollywood men that I just watched go up there. They all came down off the shuttle and looking sad in the eyes,” he said. “All of them were wearing Sean John and looking oily. Their shoelaces were always untied. Then they would get in their car, and they would drive off standing up.” Big Boy then asked him how Katt learn to master being in the spotlight and when to lay low. ​“I would see all these big-time Hollywood men that I just watched go up there. They all came down off the shuttle and looking sad in the eyes,” he said. “All of them were wearing Sean John and looking oily. Their shoelaces were always untied. Then they would get in their car, and they would drive off standing up.” Big Boy then asked him how Katt learn to master being in the spotlight and when to lay low. ​“As a hunter, it’s part of how it goes. The prey has to be given enough time to relax and feel like it’s okay to come back,” Williams said. ​“I’m not disappearing to twiddle my thumbs. I disappear to do the behind-the-scenes work,” he added. “The inner work, the shadow work necessary to pull off what it is I’m trying to pull off against, at times, supernatural competition. WILLIAMS HAS A NEW NETFLIX STAND-UP SPECIAL ​Williams is set to return to the stage with his fourth Netflix stand-up special, Katt Williams: The Last Report. Dropping on Feb. 10,  the hour-long special blends his social commentary and how he’s dealing with country living.

Shaquille O’Neal revealed how his children treated him after his divorce from Shaunie Henderson. ​Appearing on T.I. ‘s “expediTIously with Tip “T.I.” Harris,” O’Neal shared what he learned from his divorce. ​“I learned that I know better than to be out here bullshitting,” said O’Neal. “Sometimes you just get caught up. But we know better.” ​O’Neal then spoke about how the divorce affected his seven children. SHAQ RECONCILED WITH HIS CHILDREN AFTER THE DIVORCE ​“In all of that, I’m just happy and blessed that they’ve forgiven me. Because me and my babies didn’t talk for a while,” O’Neal admitted. “I understood that, but now we’re starting to get closer. I’m teaching my boys to be better than me. Papa was a Rolling Stone. You don’t need to be like me.” View this post on Instagram ​ He went on to thank the mother of his kids for “forgiving me and not killing me’ and that he’ll be getting married in three years. SHAREEF O’NEAL TALKS ABOUT HOW HIS PARENTS CO-PARENT ​In November on Heir Time with Reginae Carter,  Shareef opened up about how he and his siblings dealt with their parents’ breakup. ​”The first few years it was pretty hard,” Shareef recalled. “We were all too young to kind of understand what’s going on. Mom and Dad aren’t going to be together. It wasn’t like a ‘choose a side’ thing.” “My mom [was] like, ‘If you guys wanna go with your dad, go ahead.’ My dad’s like, ‘If y’all wanna go with your mom, go ahead,’” Shareef continued. Although the divorce was challenging, Shareef said that his parents learned to co-parent. “I think the thing that I respect about my parents both is how well they co-parent,” Shareef said. “They never come around, and it’s a problem. My mom is remarried now. She can bring her husband around and dad [can] dap him up and have a conversation. So, I respect them both for never putting the stress on us.”

The Merchant’s House Museum, a slim 19th-century townhouse in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood, has discovered a link to the underground railroad just in time for Black History Month. Spectrum New York News 1 broke the news on Tuesday (Feb. 9). Located on East Fourth Street, the building is long celebrated for its preservation of the “old New York.” The building’s underground railroad discovery is set as a concealed passageway hidden inside the landmarked home, which likely served as a safe haven for enslaved Africans fleeing the South. Built in 1832 and opened as a museum in 1936, the former Treadwell family home showcases a ruby-red parlor with the original piano and a cast-iron stove in the kitchen. It attracts tourists seeking a glimpse of Manhattan’s history. The underground railroad was discovered by experts upstairs, behind built-in drawers along the west wall. The railroad was part of a pivotal change for Blacks during the salvery era. “We knew it was here but didn’t really know what we were looking at,” curator Camille Czerkowicz said. After removing a heavy bottom drawer, investigators uncovered a rectangular cut in the floorboards. The opening leads to a tight, two-by-two-foot shaft with a ladder descending to the ground floor. Historians describe the design as deliberate and nearly invisible. Underground Railroad Discovered At Manhattan’s Merchant’s House Museum “I’ve been practicing historical preservation law for 30 years, and this is a generational find,” said Michael Hiller, a preservation attorney and Pratt Institute professor. “This is the most significant find in historic preservation in my career, and it’s very important that we preserve this.” Architectural historian Patrick Ciccone credits builder Joseph Brewster, who sold the house in 1835, with embedding the hidden feature. “Being an abolitionist was incredibly rare among white New Yorkers, especially wealthy white New Yorkers,” Ciccone said. “[Joseph Brewster] was the builder of the house, and he was able to make these choices and design it.” City leaders say the find reshapes Manhattan’s historical narrative. “Many New Yorkers forget that we were part of the abolitionist movement,” Councilman Christopher Marte said. “This is physical evidence of what happened.” Councilman Harvey Epstein called it “a critical piece of the overall struggle for freedom and justice.” Now, the Merchant’s House Museum offers more than antique elegance. It stands as living proof that Manhattan once played a quiet but courageous role in the fight for freedom.

Rapper NBA Youngboy claims that Future can’t beat him in a Verzuz after a fan suggested the Atlanta recording artist, following YB’s challenge to hip-hop. “Tell yo favorite let’s go 15 songs each loser never rap again ,” YoungBoy posted on X, raising the stakes far beyond a typical song-for-song showdown. The statement carried weight. Verzuz has historically celebrated legacy. YoungBoy reframed it as elimination. He did not name an opponent. Instead, he opened the floor to fans. One user, @InBijanWeTrust, offered a pointed response. “If it’s no features, only person that stands a chance is Future,” the fan wrote, narrowing the rules to solo records only. NBA YoungBoy responds to a fan who thinks Future has a chance against him in a 15-song Verzuz battle!! NBA YoungBoy vs Future who y’all got? pic.twitter.com/7o3W0u9YyY — My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) February 8, 2026 The suggestion immediately shifted the conversation toward catalog depth and individual star power. Future’s résumé makes him a formidable name in any battle discussion. The Atlanta rapper owns a decade of Billboard hits, platinum albums, and culture-shifting mixtapes. Stripping away features would test both artists on their standalone records, hooks, and replay value. NBA Youngboy Tells A Fan He’s “Smoking More Dope Than Me” If They Think Rapper Future Can Beat Him In A Verzuz YoungBoy dismissed the idea with a sharp reply. “You smoke more dope than me,” he shot back, rejecting the premise that Future—or anyone—could defeat him in a 15-song faceoff. The response mixed humor with defiance, but the message was clear. He does not see a peer on his level. The exchange quickly evolved into a broader debate about generational dominance. YoungBoy’s supporters pointed to his relentless output, streaming numbers, and loyal fan base. Future’s camp cited influence, longevity, and classic records that shaped modern trap. Verzuz once thrived on nostalgia and celebration. YoungBoy’s framing introduced something colder: finality. A loss would mean retirement. Whether symbolic or serious, the challenge underscored his confidence. For now, the duel remains hypothetical. Still, YoungBoy’s stance echoes loudly. In his mind, the outcome is already decided.

A Tennessee-based rapper IHeartMemphis, known for the 2015 viral hit “Hit the Quan,” was arrested early Tuesday following an overnight SWAT standoff at a residence in Plantation, Florida, after authorities responded to what police described as a welfare-related call that escalated into a barricade situation. Plantation police said the incident unfolded late Monday near the 8600 block of Gatehouse Road. Officers initially arrived to conduct a welfare check, but the encounter intensified and required a tactical response. The standoff lasted several hours and ended without reported injuries. The individual taken into custody was identified as Richard Maurice Colbert, who records under the names iHeartMemphis and iLoveMemphis. Colbert has more than 700,000 followers on Instagram and rose to national prominence nearly a decade ago with “Hit the Quan,” a single that became a cultural staple through social media and sports celebrations. Family members told CBS News Miami that they had attempted to secure help for Colbert in the days preceding the incident. According to those accounts, concerns about his mental state prompted requests for a welfare check. “Hit The Quan” Rapper IHeartMemphis Arrested During SWAT Standoff On Livestream In Florida In the hours before his arrest, Colbert posted a series of videos on social media. Some clips showed officers arriving at the residence. Others captured statements police later cited as alarming. Authorities said Colbert told officers he believed he was God. In a separate recording, he filmed the sky and claimed clouds were watching him. During the standoff, Colbert livestreamed from inside the home, drawing nearly 20,000 viewers at its peak. In the broadcast, he appeared visibly distressed and pleaded for help. “Please, please save me y’all,” he said. “I’m begging you. I don’t got nothing. I don’t want to hurt nobody, y’all.” He also stated he did not want to die. Video from the scene showed property damage, including a bent garage door, shattered glass, and a vehicle turned on its side. Near the end of the livestream, Colbert was seen crouching in the garage as SWAT officers moved in. Police arrested him shortly after 3 a.m. Authorities said Colbert was transported to a hospital for evaluation following his arrest. Police confirmed he was taken into custody on an active warrant for written or electronic threats to kill. No further details regarding the warrant were released. Officials also confirmed that a dog inside the home was removed safely and released to a family member. The investigation remains ongoing.

Lil OT, born Omer Niaz Muhammad, was shot and killed Monday night (Feb. 9) in Burlington, Ontario, cutting short the rise of a young voice in Canada’s independent rap scene. He was 24. Halton Regional Police confirmed the fatal shooting occurred around 10:10 p.m. in the parking lot outside Kelsey’s restaurant at Burlington Centre. Emergency responders transported the rapper to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities believe the attack was deliberate. “We do believe this was a targeted incident and we do not believe there is any known risk to public safety,” Constable Jeff Dillon said during a Tuesday morning press conference. Investigators are searching for two suspects who fled in a white SUV. Police have not released descriptions. Detectives are examining potential links between Muhammad and the suspects. They are also reviewing whether the homicide connects to prior shootings in the Halton region. Lil OT had been building momentum since 2023. He released two albums and grew a following of more than 27,000 on Instagram. His music carried the weight of lived experience. RIP Lil OT In 2023, he survived a drive-by shooting at his family’s Hamilton home, according to The Hamilton Spectator. That earlier incident underscored the volatility surrounding young rap artists navigating public visibility. Police urged witnesses to come forward with video footage or information. Dillon addressed the broader danger posed by gunfire in a public space. “Unfortunately one young man lost his life,” he said. “When you are in a wide open parking lot like this and a gun is fired, it was lucky that nobody else was struck. It shows a rampant disregard for anyone else who may have been here.” The killing marks Burlington’s first homicide of the year. Shock rippled through the community. “You hear about these things in the bigger cities, but you are not expecting it to happen in your community,” one mall patron said. On Instagram, grief surfaced quickly. “Rest in peace, brother,” one commenter wrote. Lil OT’s career was still unfolding. Now, his city mourns what could have been.

Comedy star Mike Epps is walking back jokes he made about Nicki Minaj and her family at the latest stop of the We Them Ones Tour. A fan-recorded clip from his set spread across social media within hours, transforming a late-night joke into a national conversation. During the performance, Epps took aim at Nicki Minaj, mocking her perceived political alignment with Donald Trump before escalating the bit with a crude sexual remark that many viewers felt crossed the line from satire into disrespect. View this post on Instagram Inside the room, laughter followed the joke. Online, the reaction shifted. The clip traveled fast across hip-hop platforms, fan pages, and political feeds, often stripped of context. Timing intensified the response. Minaj’s name has remained prominent amid growing attention around her 2026 rollout, keeping her fan base highly alert to any perceived slight. Epps delivered the joke with loose, freewheeling energy, pacing the stage while drinking. That delivery shaped how the moment landed once it reached the internet. Many viewers said the joke felt personal rather than playful. Mike Epps Apologizes To Nicki Minaj Over Drunk ‘We Them Ones’ Jokes As the clip circulated, fans tagged Minaj directly, calling for acknowledgment. Within a day, the discussion moved away from punchlines and toward boundaries. Backlash followed in waves. The Barbz led much of the criticism, labeling the remarks misogynistic and unnecessary. Several fans took issue with the reliance on shock humor, while others argued that referencing Minaj’s family, especially her child, crossed an unspoken cultural line. Even observers outside her fan base questioned why her political views became grounds for explicit commentary. Some longtime comedy fans expressed disappointment, saying they expected sharper satire from a veteran performer. They questioned why Epps targeted Minaj personally instead of critiquing politics more broadly. Still, a smaller group defended him, arguing that roasting celebrities has long been central to stand-up comedy. As the clip reached millions across X, Instagram, and TikTok, pressure mounted. Less than 24 hours later, Epps issued a public apology. Speaking calmly on camera, he admitted he crossed a line and described the moment as “unfiltered comedy gone wrong.” He referred to himself as “Mr. Accountability,” stressing that he stands on correcting his mistakes. Epps also addressed Minaj’s family directly, apologizing to her husband, Kenneth Petty, and their son. He acknowledged that jokes carry consequences beyond the celebrity target and said his intention was never harm, only laughter at the wrong cost. The apology spread nearly as fast as the original clip. Some praised its speed and tone. Others dismissed it as damage control. Either way, the moment underscored how quickly comedy, culture, and accountability now collide in the social media age.

House of Hits Powered by Billboard set the tone for a Grammy weekend honored with legacy and culture. Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox led a powerful conversation honoring the legendary Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. Clipse, Pusha T & Malice, sat down with Billboard for an open conversation about their career highs, groundbreaking records, time in the industry, their faith and the cultural influence that continues to define their legacy. @Ralphytoo_fly The two-day gathering fused legacy, hit-making, and storytelling into one intimate, high-impact experience produced by Global Music Touring. day one Day one set the tone with a masterclass on R&B greatness. Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox led a powerful conversation honoring the legendary Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. The three hit-makers unpacked decades of timeless records, career-defining moments, and the untold stories behind songs that shaped the sound of generations. Billboard Senior Director Carl Lamarre also tapped in with Fam-Lay, diving into his journey and iconic collaborations with The Neptunes, Clipse, and beyond. Clipse, Pusha T and Malice, sat down with Billboard for an open conversation about their career highs, groundbreaking records, time in the industry, their faith and the cultural influence that continues to define their legacy at House of Hits. @Ralphytoo_fly day two Day 2 shifted the energy to hip-hop history as Clipse, Pusha T and Malice, took center stage. From groundbreaking records and industry highs to faith and growth, the now Grammy-winning duo reflected on their evolution while connecting the past, present, and future. The Thorton brothers reunited for fourth studio album, Let God Sort Em Out back in July, leading to their first Grammy win for the Kendrick Lamar assisted, “Chains & Whips.” House of Hits combined luxury and dialogue, with curated cocktails by Crown Royal Marquis and Lalo Tequila, bites from Marathon Burger, and an elevated caviar experience by Cavi Morii. Attendees included industry veterans Stephen Hill and Steve Rifkind, Devon Franklin, Mayor Phillip Jones, Global Music Touring co-founder Antonio Dowe and more.

Nardo Wick, the Jacksonville rapper who rose to prominence in the early 2020s, is currently being held in a Georgia jail, according to recent reports. No Jumper reported that he was taken into custody earlier this week. Jail records list him as an inmate at the Forsyth County Jail. Officials have not released additional details. The report said Wick is being detained in connection with an outstanding felony warrant and is considered a fugitive from justice. Beyond that designation, little information has been made public. Authorities have not disclosed when the warrant was issued or what charge prompted it. Court records have not yet clarified the circumstances. A booking photo circulated online shows the 24-year-old artist with a neutral expression. The lack of official information has left fans and observers waiting for clarity. Law enforcement agencies involved have not commented publicly. More details are expected to surface as the case proceeds. This is not Wick’s first encounter with the legal system. In 2021, he was arrested on a concealed weapons charge at a time when his music career was rapidly gaining traction. That year marked a breakthrough, fueled by songs like “Who Want Smoke??” and collaborations including “Me or Sum” with Future and Lil Baby. The momentum led to his selection as a 2022 XXL Freshman. In the years since, Wick has remained active but less visible. His most recent album, WICK, was released in February 2025 and featured appearances from 21 Savage, Future, Southside, Lil Baby, and Sexyy Red. He has not released new music since then. It remains unclear how the current legal situation may affect his plans moving forward.

J. Cole has suggested that his forthcoming album, The Fall-Off, may represent a turning point in his career rather than a continuation of it. As the project approaches release, the rapper has indicated that his interests are moving away from releasing solo albums. Instead, he has expressed a growing focus on producing and contributing behind the scenes. The comments have prompted discussion about what the next phase of his work may look like. During a recent “Ask Me Anything” session with fans, Cole addressed his outlook directly. “I appreciate all the support. My love for music is authentic, and what’s truly exciting about this album is the immense inspiration I feel right now,” he said. “While I don’t foresee myself creating more albums under the ‘J. Cole’ name, my enthusiasm lies in music production.” He added, “I will continue to write and record music whenever the inspiration strikes, and I may release new tracks if I feel compelled to do so. However, The Fall-Off stands as a significant work that I won’t seek to surpass.” Cole expanded on that idea by describing a long-standing interest in collaboration. “I aspire to make beats and assist in producing for other artists, even if my input doesn’t entail creating the actual track,” he said. “Shaping someone else’s vision is a passion of mine that I haven’t fully explored, given that my focus for years has predominantly revolved around my own narrative.” He added that he believes his strengths may be better realized in a supporting role. A Pivotal Release The Fall-Off will be Cole’s seventh studio album and is scheduled for release on February 6. The project includes collaborations with Burna Boy, Erykah Badu, Future, Morray, Petey Pablo, PJ, and Tems. Industry projections cited by Talk of the Charts estimate first-week sales between 260,000 and 300,000 album-equivalent units. That performance would make it his strongest debut since KOD in 2018. Following the album’s release, Cole marked the moment with a low-key promotional effort. He traveled to North Carolina A&T University, where he sold copies of The Fall-Off directly from his car. The effort, which he referred to as a “Trunk Sale Tour,” echoed earlier moments in his career. It also reinforced his emphasis on accessibility and direct connection with listeners.