Will Smith is hitting back at claims of sexual harassment brought on by a violinist who performed on his Based on a True Story tour. According to court documents obtained by Billboard, Smith’s lawyers are seeking to have the “farce of a lawsuit” dismissed. The violinist, Brian King Joseph, who was a season 13 finalist on America’s Got Talent, accused Smith of wrongfully terminating him. Joseph claims he was fired after someone broke into his hotel and left “sexually aggressive materials” in his room. He believes that the incident was connected to Smith and was a form of “grooming.” “Brian King Joseph is using the California court system to maliciously ensnare [Will Smith] in a frivolous lawsuit,” the court documents read. “The false and salacious allegations in plaintiff’s complaint undoubtedly make for tabloid fodder but, like most tabloid stories, they are untrue, inflammatory, legally baseless, and are nothing but an attempted money grab.” HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Actor Will Smith attends the Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Focus” premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) Smith Lawyer’s Claim Violinist was ‘Erratic’ and made other performers ‘uncomfortable’ Smith claims Joseph was dismissed for repeatedly arriving late to rehearsals and for behaving “erratically.” He also alleged that Joseph was making other performers feel “uncomfortable.” Per the suit, Joseph had never been promised a long-term position with the band. “Plaintiff was never promised a regular position in the band,” the documents continued. “Ultimately, it was determined that plaintiff was not a good fit for the band, and he was not invited to perform at further shows.” Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, is facing her own legal drama. As we previously reported, Jada Pinkett-Smith is being sued by Will Smith’s former assistant. Pinkett-Smith has been accused of threatening Bilaal Salaam. She allegedly said he would “end up missing” or “catch a bullet” if he continued “telling her business.” Salaam, who says he’s been a “best friend” of Will Smith for almost 40 years, claims he’s  “worked closely” with the actor. He noted that he was included photos in the actor’s memoir Will.

The Fulton County medical examiner has determined the cause of death for Nathan Smith. Officials listed the cause as “drowning in the setting of psilocybin use,” and the manner of death as an accident. Nathan Smith, 27, performed under the name DJ Young Slade. He was reported missing on Feb. 3. Authorities found a body in a nearby pond three days later. Police said there was “no indication of foul play” in the case. The Police Report The report said toxicology showed psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in certain mushrooms. Investigators said the drug was a factor in the drowning. The medical examiner’s office provided the ruling on Friday. Lil Jon confirmed his son’s death after rescue teams located a body in a park pond north of Atlanta. The discovery followed an extensive search by local crews. Family members had urged the public to keep them in their thoughts. Milton police said Smith left his home early on the day he was reported missing. He departed without a phone and may have been disoriented, the department said. Officers released few other details while the medical examiner completed its work. Friends and fellow artists reacted to the news on social media. They remembered Smith as a creative young musician. He had worked as a DJ, producer and engineer. He also had recently graduated from New York University. Local rescue crews used divers to search ponds and other waterways. Those teams located the body that was later identified as the missing man. Fire and police officials thanked volunteers and urged people to avoid speculation while authorities finished the inquiry. The medical examiner’s ruling ends the formal cause-of-death phase of the probe. Police said the investigation remains open. They asked anyone with relevant information to contact Milton authorities. The medical examiner’s report closes one chapter in a painful story. Local authorities said the investigation remains open for procedural reasons. Milton police asked anyone with information to contact their investigators. Lil Jon is known for hits like “Get Low.” He also has a young daughter, Nahara. The family has asked for privacy while they grieve. The rapper recently said he was grateful to have had time with his son before his death

Gina Huynh resurfaced in the public conversation this week during a livestream that was later shared widely online. Speaking openly about her past relationship with Sean Combs, she also addressed her long-running tension with his former partner, Yung Miami. The remarks revisited a rivalry that dates back to the period when Combs and the City Girls rapper were publicly involved. Huynh did not soften her feelings. “Yung Miami can suck my dck,” she said during the stream, responding to questions from viewers about the source of their conflict. She added, “I wasn’t even thinking about her,” while maintaining that she believes Miami played a role in Combs’s legal troubles. “She snitched on my man’s so I don’t fck with her,” Huynh said, offering no further detail. At the same time, Huynh expressed continued support for Combs, despite their relationship having ended years ago. “I hope he gets out in a couple months,” she said, echoing language from a letter she previously submitted during his bail proceedings. In that letter, she described him as a “changed man” who “has not been violent for many years” and “has been committed to being a father first.” Combs appeals as personal ties linger Combs is serving a 50-month federal sentence for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is incarcerated at Fort Dix in New Jersey and is scheduled for release on May 8, 2028. His attorneys are pursuing an appeal, with a hearing set for April 9, 2026, as part of an expedited process. Huynh’s comments underscore how personal relationships continue to intersect with Combs’s legal case. Even from a distance, old alliances and grievances remain part of the public narrative.

The killing of Carlos Brown, a Fayetteville rapper who performed as Filthe Rich, left a lingering sense of grief in North Carolina’s music circles when he died in May 2023. This month, a Cumberland County jury found Joshua Tashun Joyce guilty of murder in the case. Joyce, a 42-year-old Army veteran, was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison. Prosecutors said the shooting followed a dispute that began on social media. It ended on a porch along Lynn Avenue; Rich later died at a hospital. Meanwhile, many fans felt Rich deserved more recognition during his life. During the trial, jurors were shown a series of Instagram exchanges between the two men. Joyce allegedly wrote, “I’ll be up there in a few minutes,” beneath a video Rich had posted shortly before the confrontation. Testimony also described tension that escalated after Joyce reacted with a laughing emoji to a post in which Rich shared personal struggles. According to witnesses, the disagreement was tied in part to a burglary that had left Rich without his belongings. This burglary had strained their relationship as well. Above all, the community mourned Rich and the contributions he made. Rich was half of the Fayetteville duo Bomm Sheltuh, alongside Brion Unger, who performs as Nervous Reck and testified during the proceedings. Unger described his collaborator as “definitely not a violent person at all,” adding, “Given the environment he grew up in, he probably had every reason to be that type of person. But he never was.” In court, the focus often returned to Rich’s character. The aspirations he continued to pursue were noted as well. In fact, Rich’s legacy was highlighted in many testimonies. Legal Closure, But a Career Cut Short At the time of his death, Rich was facing financial hardship and living in his car after the burglary displaced him. Unger said they had plans to meet in Durham the following week to record new music. However, that work, like much of what Rich intended to create, was left unfinished. As a result, Rich’s musical impact continues to resonate with those who remember him. Bomm Sheltuh’s influence extended beyond Fayetteville. J. Cole has credited the group with inviting him to perform at open mic nights as a teenager. The group also gave him one of his earliest recorded appearances on their Fayettenam Bommuhs compilation. For those who followed Rich’s career, the verdict brings legal resolution. However, it cannot restore the momentum that was abruptly cut short.

Rihanna has not announced a new album, but a recently posted vlog has stirred familiar speculation. The video, styled as a day-in-the-life montage, shows her moving between meetings, reviewing instrumentals, and briefly stepping into a recording booth. She does not reference any upcoming project, yet the sight of her in that setting was enough to prompt conversation. In one scene, she appears to jot down notes; in another, she sways to music playing through studio speakers. For fans who have waited since 2016, those fragments carried weight. Online reactions ranged from certainty that a return to music is imminent to skepticism that the footage could relate to film work, brand collaborations, or one of her many business ventures. View this post on Instagram Why Every Rihanna Sighting Sparks Album Buzz That level of scrutiny speaks to Rihanna’s particular place in popular culture. Over the past decade, she has built a sprawling portfolio in beauty and fashion, becoming as identified with entrepreneurship as with pop music. Each public appearance, especially one involving studio equipment, tends to be interpreted as a potential signal. She is also balancing motherhood and a high-profile relationship, realities that shape how and when she works. In that context, even a brief studio stop can feel significant. Nonetheless, this vlog was a quiet tease or simply a candid look at a full schedule, it served as a reminder that anticipation for her next album remains very much alive.

The public dispute between 50 Cent and T.I. has expanded to include the next generation. This week, T.I.’s son Domani released a track titled “Ms. Jackson.” He adds his voice to a conflict that has largely played out through social media posts and diss records. The song appeared on YouTube and quickly circulated online. As a result, it drew attention not only for its lyrics but also for its imagery. The cover art depicts a house in flames, an apparent reference to long-standing allegations involving Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and a fire at a residence connected to his former partner and child. The title gestures toward Domani’s mother. It also recalls Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson,” a song about family tension and accountability. In doing so, Domani places the current feud within a broader narrative about legacy and personal history. That history continues to be shaped by the involvement of 50 as a central figure. In the opening verse, he raps, “I want to have a one on one convo about the man you sacrificed your life for so the world could see his talent. He’s a legend now, I guess it worked out, but I need some answers / Are you happy with the way he been holding your family name? / I need to know ’cause I can’t sleep at night thinking you died in vain / I think it got to them, people won’t tell him because he pay them / The emperor’s new clothes, a tale we need to tell.” The lines blend grievance and reflection. They shift the focus from rivalry to questions of responsibility and memory. This is especially relevant as 50 Cent’s legacy is discussed. When Rap Beef Turns Personal King Harris, Domani’s brother, has also weighed in online. At times, he references Jackson’s late mother, Sabrina Jackson. She died in an apartment fire when he was eight, a tragedy that remains unsolved and has long been part of his personal story. The mention of her name has added a more sensitive dimension to what began as a dispute over a proposed Verzuz battle and years of intermittent tension. This all happens within the context of the ongoing 50 Cent controversy. For now, the exchange continues to unfold in music and on social platforms. Whether 50 Cent chooses to respond directly to Domani’s track remains to be seen. What is clear is that a rivalry once contained to two established artists has evolved into something more layered. It now touches on family, history and the weight of public reputation that surrounds 50 as well.

Anthony Edwards’ pockets are just a tad bit lighter today. ​In a statement, the NBA officially announced that Edwards was being docked 25 grand for throwing the basketball into the stands. ​“Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands. “It was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the statement read. During halftime of the Timberwolves’ 124-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. After the second-quarter buzzer sounded, Edwards grabbed a loose ball and launched it the full length of the court toward the opposite hoop. Eventually, the ball struck an arena staff member. adidas responds to Edwards’ fine When news of the fine went public, adidas revealed a perfectly timed marketing response. Just minutes after the fine was announced, the brand released a new ad for the Anthony Edwards 2 featuring an “accountant” character. In the spot, the account explains that he has set aside $430,000 for the season to cover Edwards’ various “mishaps, disagreements, or slips of the tongue.” View this post on Instagram In the ad, which Adidas captioned on social media with a cheeky “Good thing we saved for times like this… Believe That,” referenced the fact that Edwards had racked up over $420,000 in league fines the previous year. Cleverly, adidas turned the fine into a viral brand moment and a promotional tool for his popular signature sneaker. Edwards is having the best season of his career Outside of the fine,  Edwards is putting together a career-best campaign in the 2025-26 season. Currently, he is the league’s third-leading scorer with an average of 29.6 points per game. He’s also shooting a career-high 49.3% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range. Edwards also earned his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and won the 2026 NBA All-Star Game MVP award.

Bow Wow is hinting at a shakeup for the upcoming B2K’s Boys 4 Life Tour. On Friday morning, the rapper jumped into conversations on X, formerly Twitter, responding directly to fan critiques about the tour’s crowded lineup. The highly anticipated run features Omarion, B2K, Pretty Ricky, Waka Flocka Flame, Jeremih and Amerie, among others. One user complained that “Chris Brown doing more promotion for the Boys 4 Life Tour along with @smoss and B2K than the rest of the acts on the tour … i got my tickets but i need to feel some energy.” line up change is coming i told yall im not playing… https://t.co/36yKbYG6X4 — Bow Wow (@smoss) February 27, 2026 Another added, “it’s definitely too many acts.” A third suggested trimming the bill entirely: “We don’t need that many ppl Pretty Ricky, B2K, then Bow ends the show…Maybe one more small opener b4 Pretty Ricky THAT’S IT.” Bow Wow did not dodge the criticism. Retweeting the concerns, he replied, “line up change is coming i told yall im not playing…” Bow Wow Claims A Change In Lineup For B2K’s Boys 4 Life Tour Is Coming The statement immediately fueled speculation that the tour’s supporting roster could be reduced. Previous Bow Wow and B2K tours included Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Mario. In a second response, he revealed frustration from the performer’s side. “hate that shit! niggas be taking time from us doing songs. then our shit be short. yall be wanting to hear songs and we cant cuz they bill it like a damn radio show!” hate that shit! niggas be taking time from us doing songs. then our shit be short. yall be wanting to hear songs and we cant cuz they bill it like a damn radio show! https://t.co/Mo5CV2edMc — Bow Wow (@smoss) February 27, 2026 The comment suggests that a packed lineup limits set times, forcing headliners to shorten fan-favorite records to accommodate multiple acts. Bow Wow closed the thread with reassurance: “I got yall TRUST ME! news dropping today!” i got yall TRUST ME! news dropping today! https://t.co/F3zyp3oscu — Bow Wow (@smoss) February 27, 2026 His tone signals urgency and control. While official changes had not yet been announced, Bow Wow’s tweets indicate that adjustments are imminent. For fans hoping for longer sets and tighter curation, the rapper appears ready to recalibrate the Boys 4 Life Tour experience.

Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Burger is coming to New York City’s Times Square — according to Nip The Great’s brother Blacc Sam. In the latest episode of the Scottie & Friends Podcast, released on Thursday (Feb. 26), Blacc Sam confirmed that The Marathon Burger is officially heading to New York City — specifically to the bright lights of Times Square. The forthcoming location marks the brand’s first expansion outside of Los Angeles, where three original storefronts have operated successfully for years. “Yeap, we got a New York location locked and loaded, Times Square,” Sam said. “So I think that’s going to be huge. It’s under renovation now. Gotta do it.” Blacc Sam announces The Marathon Burger Is Coming to Times Square, New York pic.twitter.com/jNYMYnsPmV — SBRBN LOS ANGELES (@Sbrbnla) February 26, 2026 For Sam, the move is more than strategic growth. It is deeply personal and rooted in the vision of his late brother, Nipsey Hussle. “Hussle loved New York,” he shared. “Hussle went out there and was living out there when he was doing his mixtapes, when he first got signed. New York embraced him.” That early embrace left a lasting impact on Nipsey’s outlook and ambition. According to Sam, the rapper often pushed the idea of planting roots in the city. Blacc Sam Announces Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Burger Coming To New York City’s Times Square “He would always be very vocal with us, like ‘I love New York, you gotta get to New York,’” Sam recalled. The connection to the city is woven into family history. “My first time in New York was with bro,” Sam added. “We got a lot of love for New York because of that. And because it always showed Hussle so much love and the brand so much love.” Positioning The Marathon Burger in Times Square signals scale and symbolism. “I know that Times Square is going to just go crazy,” Sam said. With renovations underway, the expansion stands as both business evolution and homage — a testament to Nipsey’s enduring blueprint.

T.I.’s son and rapper King Harris takes a moment in his ongoing feud with mogul 50 Cent to speak to 50’s oldest son Marquise Jackson, offering a chance to talk. On Thursday (Feb. 26), King posted on Instagram Stories a direct message to Marquise, who also has long-standing issues with 50 Cent, after days of escalating tension between their camps. King and 50’s beef stems from the mogul’s post about the rapper’s mother, Tiny Harris, amid his reignited beef with T.I. “2 Marquis, what I said was out of emotion & ain’t have to be said u got nun to do wit it,” King wrote, punctuating the statement with a salute emoji. He followed with, “As a man I was wrong. Let’s chop it up,” adding a crown emoji to signal respect. King Harris reached out to 50 Cent’s son Marquise Jackson saying what he said was outta emotion and he wants to chop it up man-to-man Should they link up and dead the drama or stay out 50’s beef? pic.twitter.com/9Lkw3e2Mpy — Traps N Trunks (@trapsntrunks) February 26, 2026 The apology arrives after a heated back-and-forth that saw King, Tip and his brother Domani fire shots at 50. The friction intensified when 50 posted content referencing Tiny Harris, King’s mother and T.I.’s wife. From there, the exchange spiraled. During the online barrage, 50’s late mother, Sabrina Jackson, was mentioned — a move many fans called out as crossing a line. King’s original diss asked 50 to explicitly exhume his late mother’s grave. T.I.’s Son King Harris Wants To Speak To 50 Cent’s Son Marquise Jackson Over Comments About Grandmother Sabrina Jackson King’s latest message suggests reflection. “What I said was out of emotion & ain’t have to be said,” he admitted, owning the heat-of-the-moment reaction. Adding “u got nun to do wit it,” it’s clear Marquise shouldn’t be pulled into a dispute. “As a man I was wrong” stands out in a culture where pride often fuels prolonged beef. “Let’s chop it up” hints at a private conversation instead of public sparring. Whether 50 responds remains to be seen. For now, King appears focused on accountability. He attempts to separate the sons from the smoke while the OGs handle their differences.