#MAGFAB: Isaac Hayes III Talks Fanbase with Rolling Out Magazine
For Isaac Hayes III, the fight for creator equity isn’t just business – it’s personal. Watching his legendary father lose the rights to his music catalog, Hayes learned early lessons about ownership that would later shape his vision for social media’s future. Now, as the founder of Fanbase, he’s turned those lessons into action, raising an unprecedented $18.5 million through equity crowdfunding and building the platform to a $50 million valuation. His mission: transforming how creators monetize their content by focusing on true fans rather than viral fame.
For Isaac Hayes III, the fight for creator equity isn’t just business – it’s personal. Watching his legendary father lose the rights to his music catalog, Hayes learned early lessons about ownership that would later shape his vision for social media’s future. Now, as the founder of Fanbase, he’s turned those lessons into action, raising an unprecedented $18.5 million through equity crowdfunding and building the platform to a $50 million valuation. His mission: transforming how creators monetize their content by focusing on true fans rather than viral fame.
While competitors burn through venture capital with splashy influencer parties and marketing stunts, Hayes is solving a fundamental problem in social media’s ecosystem. Fanbase’s groundbreaking peer-to-peer subscription model is challenging the industry’s status quo, where content creators – particularly from marginalized communities – often see their viral trends generate massive value for platforms without receiving equitable compensation. For the son of soul icon Isaac Hayes, this innovative approach to creator monetization isn’t just disrupting social media; it’s ensuring the next generation of creators owns their success.
What specific market observations led you to create Fanbase, and how does your platform address these gaps differently than existing social media platforms?
The reason I built Fanbase is because I saw an inequity between the Black community and the white community from a creator perspective. Typically, on platforms like TikTok, Black creators will create a trend, and that trend will go viral to an extent. Then, a white creator will take that same trend, and the trend will go super viral. A lot of brand opportunities and stuff like that will happen for the other creator.
I don’t have a problem with any of that at all. I think the whole platform is designed so that one person does a trend, and another person does a trend. But when brands are involved, it behooves the platforms to have famous white creators because white creators advertise to all people, as opposed to what a brand thinks a Black creator would advertise for.
So it benefits the platform to say, “Okay, if this person has the viral dance, they can work with MAC Cosmetics, Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, XYZ,” whereas a Black creator might not be able to have that many ads.
That was one thing. And then two, I just felt like these platforms play with your visibility. They don’t allow you to reach your full audience, and buried within that audience is what I call your fan base. If 95% of the people that follow you are mildly interested in you, they’re nosy, or they’re haters, the remaining 5% of people that follow you are your true fan base.
So if you have 100,000 followers on social media, you’ve got 5,000 fans. If you monetize those 5,000 people, let’s say to the tune of $2.50 a month, that’s $12,500 a month. That’s $150,000 a year. That’s more than 96% of Americans make. People are underutilizing their audience—their fan base—by not monetizing the people who really want to see them.
Share three key insights from your experience raising over $18.5 million through equity crowdfunding, and how this approach differed from traditional venture capitalism.
The first key insight, in my opinion, what benefited us—the product already existed. It wasn’t me taking a PDF of some slides and trying to say, “Hey, can I build this?” It was something that already existed in the marketplace. So one thing is, have something that is readily available for the public to use if you’re going to raise capital for it. It’s harder to raise off an idea than it is off a prototype. If you can get to the prototype phase, it’s easier to raise money.
There’s a segment in building your product where you, yourself, might have to fund your business. That’s one.
Two, raising capital is like running for office. You’re campaigning, and it never stops. If you don’t treat it like that, you won’t be able to hit your goals. I know plenty of people who have tried to raise capital while doing other things at the same time and have failed miserably. You have to commit yourself to the process 24/7. That’s why I always have my phone with me and am always letting people know how much money we’re raising.
And three, you’ve got to have your business together. Getting your business in order is crucial. Only 2% of people who apply for equity crowdfunding, regardless of age, race, or gender, actually get accepted. Imagine getting through that process, and then there’s still a percentage of people who don’t make it through the compliance process to even raise capital.
It’s not like you can just call up an equity crowdfunding site and raise money. You really have to have your business together before you do that.
If you don’t mind me asking, what is the compliance process?
That means, are your financials in order? They do a “bad actor” check. You have to go through the SEC, and the platform you raise with has to approve you to raise capital.
There’s a lot you have to submit. You have to validate your valuation, complete all your risk factors, and put in all the information that describes your business. You can’t have any misleading information in there. You can’t assume or say things that aren’t true, like, “This is going to be the biggest app of all time.” You can’t say that.
You have to go off the facts and raise capital in a true, factual fashion.
How has the power of Black economic collaboration and community support contributed to Fanbase’s growth trajectory?
I want to make sure I say this correctly. There are six Black people who were responsible for Fanbase getting to the place where I was able to raise capital. Their names are Justin Dawkins, Jewel Burks, Barry Givens, Angela Benton, Monique Idlett, and Dawn Dixon.
The first three I mentioned are the founders of Collab Capital. They were all successful in the tech space in their own right. I met them at The Gathering Spot, and they answered a lot of my questions. They were my tech senseis—my mentors in learning the tech business. I was coming from the music industry, and I didn’t know about tech.
I had to sit with them, bother them, and sometimes be a pest, but I asked the necessary questions. I appreciate them for lending their information, wisdom, and knowledge so I could get to this point and understand the business side of things.
The last three—Monique Idlett, Angela Benton, and Dawn Dixon—helped me in different ways. Monique, as a VC, recommended that I try equity crowdfunding to raise capital for my business. Angela had successfully raised capital for her business, and she made the introduction to the platform I use today, which is StartEngine.
Dawn Dixon was the first Black woman to raise a million dollars in equity crowdfunding for her company. I remember even taking a course with Dawn, sitting with her for an hour or so, and learning the process for raising capital through equity crowdfunding.
So the Black community directly helped me raise capital. That’s why I always tell people how to raise capital and do the same thing—I always pay it forward.
Can you walk us through your funding journey, from your initial seed round to your current position, and what each stage taught you?
My initial funding journey started with me putting my own money into the business. That’s very significant because, typically, when you’re raising seed rounds, those are the most advantageous times for angels and VCs to get large chunks of your company. At that time, I spent about $200,000 of my own money investing in the business. It was a risk. It was money I did not have at the time. It was probably meant to go other places, but I had to decide whether to spend it on other things or try to build this business. Fortunately, it worked out the right way—betting on myself probably saved me about 20% of equity in the company.
When you’re spending your own money, you maintain ownership. Sometimes, people give away 10%, 15%, or even 20% of their business for $50,000, $100,000, or even $150,000. Coming from the music industry gave me a lot of insight and perspective on ownership. Just like a song—if I could keep 20% more of the publishing by spending my own money on it, then I have a larger share of the pie. For me, it has always been about ownership. That’s my generational trauma—everything about me is, “How can I own it? How can I maintain control?”
Do you feel like Black entrepreneurs seeking crowdfunding or investment capital are taken advantage of? Do you think they give up too much equity?
I don’t think it has anything to do with race at that stage. A VC is looking to get the best deal possible—it’s just business. Coming from the music industry, I can say nothing is more cutthroat and underhanded than the music business. So, to me, tech is like kindergarten compared to music. I’ve seen every trick, every tactic. I’ve had people try to do the same things to me in the music industry or try it with my father. I can see those moves coming a mile away.
A VC or angel investor will always try to get the best deal. But some deals can be predatory, depending on how your business is structured. That’s the biggest mistake most founders make. When I built Fanbase, I structured it to retain ownership even if I accepted capital. I created two types of security—common stock and voting stock. In most companies, the board controls the CEO. If the board decides the CEO must go, then they fire the CEO. This happens in publicly traded companies all the time.
What happens a lot, especially with Black founders, is that they take capital and trade that for board seats. Then, those board members may not share their vision and can end up voting them out of their own companies. I have friends who were voted out of their companies. Even Steve Jobs got voted out of Apple. I wanted to ensure that never happened to me, so I structured Fanbase with two classes of stock. I hold all the voting stock, so there is no board that can remove me. It’s a privately held company, and I control it.
Get more at Rolling Out HERE!
#RHOA: Phaedra Parks’ Ex-Husband Apollo Nida Accused of Adultery as Wife Sherien Files For Divorce
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks’ ex-husband, Apollo Nida, was hit with divorce papers by his current wife, Sherien Copes, who accused him of adultery and cruel treatment, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Sherien filed for divorce from Apollo, 46, on February 7.
In her filing, she listed the date of marriage as October 14, 2022, and the date of separation as November 1, 2023.
Sherien said she was not asking for alimony from Apollo. In her filing, she claimed the marriage was irretrievably broken “and there is no hope that we can get back together.”
In addition, she claimed Apollo subjected her to cruel treatment in that he had sexual intercourse with someone during their marriage and that he has “intentionally and continually deserted me for at least a year.”
She wrote, “[Apollo] has committed adultery multiple times throughout our relationship. [Apollo] refused to seek professional help with his mental health issues and instead he emotionally and physically abused me and brought great emotional abuse to his stepdaughter.”
In her filing, she asked the court to grant her a divorce, divide up the marital property and debts.
On the same day, Sherien filed an alleged settlement agreement she reached with Apollo, that was signed in October.
The alleged deal read, “The parties shall continue to live in marital home and each one shall be free from all interference and control by the other, as fully as if unmarried, and each may reside at such place until both parties find a suitable home and all asset division has been agreed upon.”
Apollo also waived his right to collect spousal support, per the deal. The exes said they did not have any joint debt to handle.
The alleged settlement agreement included a permanent restraining order requiring Apollo not to harass or stalk his ex-wife.
The alleged deal also stated, “By consenting to this, [Apollo], in no way admits that such acts were ever done in the past, but agrees not to engage in such acts in the future.”
The deal appeared to be signed by both parties in October 2024, but was not submitted in court until this week.
When contacted for comment on Sherien’s allegations, Apollo told In Touch, “I did not agree to anything we [will] have to have our day in court. A lot of that language is false. ”
As first reported, back in March 2024, Apollo was arrested over alleged simple assault following an incident with Sherien.
The drama started after Sherien called police claiming Apollo had gotten physical with her. The police report said Sherien told officers she came home after a night out with a friend.
Apollo and Sherien both accused the other of cheating when she got home, according to the police report.
Sherien claimed Apollo showed her a video of her kissing another man, which led to him pulling her hair and pushing her against a refrigerator.
She said they got into a “scuffle” and she ran outside for help. She claimed she went back inside to get her phone and Apollo was gone
According to the report, Sherien showed officers surveillance video of the verbal altercation but none of the alleged physical altercation was on the footage.
Apollo told officers that he tried to take Sherien’s phone during an argument. He said she balled up on the ground to protect her phone, but he was still able to retrieve the device. He said his then-wife ran outside for help, but he ran after her to give her the phone. Officers noted that neither party had any marks or bruises. Apollo was taken to the local jail and booked on a charge of simple assault. He was released on $3,000 bond. Prosecutors officially charged him with one misdemeanor count of simple battery/family violence against Apollo.
The prosecutors’ charging document read, “APOLLO EDWARD NIDA with the offense of SIMPLE BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE, a misdemeanor, for that said accused in the County of Fulton, State of Georgia, on or about March 11, 2024 did intentionally make physical contact of an insulting and provoking nature with the person of Sherien Copes, who is the present spouse of accused, by pulling her by the hair and pushing her.”
At the time, Sherien told In Touch, “It was a huge blow out between a married couple that has brought us much closer since then. We have worked through our issues and have been going to couples therapy. The end.” Sherien also denied the accusations she cheated.
Apollo’s criminal case has had no movement in months. Apollo was on federal probation as part of a separate case over bank fraud and identity theft.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2014. Phaedra, who will be returning to Real Housewives of Atlanta this season, and Apollo were married from 2009 to 2014. The exes share two kids: Ayden and Dylan.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Sherien filed for divorce from Apollo, 46, on February 7.
In her filing, she listed the date of marriage as October 14, 2022, and the date of separation as November 1, 2023.
Sherien said she was not asking for alimony from Apollo. In her filing, she claimed the marriage was irretrievably broken “and there is no hope that we can get back together.”
In addition, she claimed Apollo subjected her to cruel treatment in that he had sexual intercourse with someone during their marriage and that he has “intentionally and continually deserted me for at least a year.”
She wrote, “[Apollo] has committed adultery multiple times throughout our relationship. [Apollo] refused to seek professional help with his mental health issues and instead he emotionally and physically abused me and brought great emotional abuse to his stepdaughter.”
In her filing, she asked the court to grant her a divorce, divide up the marital property and debts.
On the same day, Sherien filed an alleged settlement agreement she reached with Apollo, that was signed in October.
The alleged deal read, “The parties shall continue to live in marital home and each one shall be free from all interference and control by the other, as fully as if unmarried, and each may reside at such place until both parties find a suitable home and all asset division has been agreed upon.”
Apollo also waived his right to collect spousal support, per the deal. The exes said they did not have any joint debt to handle.
The alleged settlement agreement included a permanent restraining order requiring Apollo not to harass or stalk his ex-wife.
The alleged deal also stated, “By consenting to this, [Apollo], in no way admits that such acts were ever done in the past, but agrees not to engage in such acts in the future.”
The deal appeared to be signed by both parties in October 2024, but was not submitted in court until this week.
When contacted for comment on Sherien’s allegations, Apollo told In Touch, “I did not agree to anything we [will] have to have our day in court. A lot of that language is false. ”
As first reported, back in March 2024, Apollo was arrested over alleged simple assault following an incident with Sherien.
The drama started after Sherien called police claiming Apollo had gotten physical with her. The police report said Sherien told officers she came home after a night out with a friend.
Apollo and Sherien both accused the other of cheating when she got home, according to the police report.
Sherien claimed Apollo showed her a video of her kissing another man, which led to him pulling her hair and pushing her against a refrigerator.
She said they got into a “scuffle” and she ran outside for help. She claimed she went back inside to get her phone and Apollo was gone
According to the report, Sherien showed officers surveillance video of the verbal altercation but none of the alleged physical altercation was on the footage.
Apollo told officers that he tried to take Sherien’s phone during an argument. He said she balled up on the ground to protect her phone, but he was still able to retrieve the device. He said his then-wife ran outside for help, but he ran after her to give her the phone. Officers noted that neither party had any marks or bruises. Apollo was taken to the local jail and booked on a charge of simple assault. He was released on $3,000 bond. Prosecutors officially charged him with one misdemeanor count of simple battery/family violence against Apollo.
The prosecutors’ charging document read, “APOLLO EDWARD NIDA with the offense of SIMPLE BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE, a misdemeanor, for that said accused in the County of Fulton, State of Georgia, on or about March 11, 2024 did intentionally make physical contact of an insulting and provoking nature with the person of Sherien Copes, who is the present spouse of accused, by pulling her by the hair and pushing her.”
At the time, Sherien told In Touch, “It was a huge blow out between a married couple that has brought us much closer since then. We have worked through our issues and have been going to couples therapy. The end.” Sherien also denied the accusations she cheated.
Apollo’s criminal case has had no movement in months. Apollo was on federal probation as part of a separate case over bank fraud and identity theft.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2014. Phaedra, who will be returning to Real Housewives of Atlanta this season, and Apollo were married from 2009 to 2014. The exes share two kids: Ayden and Dylan.
#NewMusic from Melanie Fiona Releases New Single “Mona Lisa Smile”
R&B powerhouse Melanie Fiona continues her triumphant return to new music with the release of new single “Mona Lisa Smile”.
The project will be included on her upcoming EP “Say Yes” which is coming soon.
Grammy Award-winning R&B powerhouse Melanie Fiona continues her triumphant return with the release of “Mona Lisa Smile”, the latest single from her forthcoming EP Say Yes, coming soon.
The soulful and deeply introspective track is an ode to resilience. “Mona Lisa Smile” explores the quiet strength of those who wear a brave face despite life’s hardships. Fiona adds about the song:
“This song is an homage to all the brave, broken, beautiful works of art—the women, the wives, the mothers—truly, anyone holding it together despite wanting to fall apart. The ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ is the armor we all wear to protect our pain.”
The song was produced by Dre Harris.
R&B powerhouse Melanie Fiona continues her triumphant return to new music with the release of new single “Mona Lisa Smile”.
The project will be included on her upcoming EP “Say Yes” which is coming soon.
Grammy Award-winning R&B powerhouse Melanie Fiona continues her triumphant return with the release of “Mona Lisa Smile”, the latest single from her forthcoming EP Say Yes, coming soon.
The soulful and deeply introspective track is an ode to resilience. “Mona Lisa Smile” explores the quiet strength of those who wear a brave face despite life’s hardships. Fiona adds about the song:
“This song is an homage to all the brave, broken, beautiful works of art—the women, the wives, the mothers—truly, anyone holding it together despite wanting to fall apart. The ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ is the armor we all wear to protect our pain.”
The song was produced by Dre Harris.
LISTEN HERE:
“Mona Lisa Smile” follows the success of Fiona’s recently released singles “I Choose You” and “Say Yes”.
With her upcoming EP, Fiona is set to deliver a collection of songs that explore love, empowerment, and self-discovery. Marking her first EP in over a decade, the project reintroduces Fiona at her most vulnerable and self-assured, embracing both the highs and the heartbreaks of life with a sound that is rich, raw, and unmistakably hers.Fans can expect an EP that not only reaffirms Melanie Fiona’s legacy but also showcases her evolution as an artist, storyteller, and woman.
#HipHopNews: Doechii Hits New Heights On The Billboard Charts After Grammys Success
Doechii‘s star continues to rise following her major win and electrifying performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
At the ceremony on February 2, the TDE rapper became just the third female artist to win Best Rap Album following Lauryn Hill in 1997 (as part of the Fugees) and Cardi B in 2019. She also delivered one of the standout performances of the night, running through a medley of “Catfish” and “Denial Is A River” that further showcased her electric stage presence and theatrical, finely-tuned choreography.
Now in the first full sales week following the show, the album, ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL, has shot up to the No. 14 spot on the Billboard 200 with sales of 31k – becoming her first-ever top 20 album.
The effort more than doubled in weekly sales.
At the ceremony on February 2, the TDE rapper became just the third female artist to win Best Rap Album following Lauryn Hill in 1997 (as part of the Fugees) and Cardi B in 2019. She also delivered one of the standout performances of the night, running through a medley of “Catfish” and “Denial Is A River” that further showcased her electric stage presence and theatrical, finely-tuned choreography.
Now in the first full sales week following the show, the album, ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL, has shot up to the No. 14 spot on the Billboard 200 with sales of 31k – becoming her first-ever top 20 album.
The effort more than doubled in weekly sales.
NYC mayor faces backlash over Trump immigration stance
In a significant policy pivot, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has instructed his administration to adopt a more cooperative stance toward federal immigration enforcement efforts, sparking intense debate among city officials and community leaders. The directive, delivered during a closed-door meeting at the Municipal Building, marks a notable departure from the city’s traditionally resistant approach to federal immigration operations.
The timing of Adams’ new position has raised questions across the political spectrum, coinciding with the dismissal of fraud charges against him. During the extensive meeting with his leadership team, Adams emphasized protecting federal funding streams as a key priority for New York City, suggesting that maintaining positive relations with federal authorities could help secure crucial resources for city programs.
Adams’ instruction to his commissioners to avoid criticizing former President Donald Trump represents a calculated shift in the city’s political positioning. The mayor’s emphasis on cooperation rather than confrontation reflects a pragmatic approach to federal-municipal relations, though critics argue it may compromise New York’s values and autonomy.
The new directive has created uncertainty among city employees regarding their interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. While Adams maintains that this guidance aims to streamline cooperation and protect city interests, some department heads have expressed reservations about its practical implementation and potential effects on community trust.
When faced with concerns from his officials about the new guidance, Adams took a firm stance, directing them to focus on their duties rather than question the administration’s approach. This management style has generated internal tension, with some department leaders worried about balancing federal compliance with local community needs.
In a significant policy pivot, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has instructed his administration to adopt a more cooperative stance toward federal immigration enforcement efforts, sparking intense debate among city officials and community leaders. The directive, delivered during a closed-door meeting at the Municipal Building, marks a notable departure from the city’s traditionally resistant approach to federal immigration operations.
The timing of Adams’ new position has raised questions across the political spectrum, coinciding with the dismissal of fraud charges against him. During the extensive meeting with his leadership team, Adams emphasized protecting federal funding streams as a key priority for New York City, suggesting that maintaining positive relations with federal authorities could help secure crucial resources for city programs.
Adams’ instruction to his commissioners to avoid criticizing former President Donald Trump represents a calculated shift in the city’s political positioning. The mayor’s emphasis on cooperation rather than confrontation reflects a pragmatic approach to federal-municipal relations, though critics argue it may compromise New York’s values and autonomy.
The new directive has created uncertainty among city employees regarding their interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. While Adams maintains that this guidance aims to streamline cooperation and protect city interests, some department heads have expressed reservations about its practical implementation and potential effects on community trust.
When faced with concerns from his officials about the new guidance, Adams took a firm stance, directing them to focus on their duties rather than question the administration’s approach. This management style has generated internal tension, with some department leaders worried about balancing federal compliance with local community needs.
The mayor’s repositioning has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including City Comptroller Brad Lander, who suggested Adams might be prioritizing personal political considerations over the city’s best interests. Community advocates have expressed concern that the new approach could erode trust between city government and immigrant communities.
The policy shift raises fundamental questions about New York City’s role in the national immigration debate. As one of the country’s most prominent sanctuary cities, New York’s changing stance under Adams could influence how other municipalities approach their relationships with federal immigration authorities.
Adams‘ new direction suggests a broader reassessment of how major cities interact with federal authorities on immigration matters. This evolving dynamic could reshape the traditional boundaries between local and federal law enforcement, potentially establishing new precedents for city-federal cooperation.
The mayor’s approach represents a significant departure from New York City’s historical positioning on immigration enforcement. While Adams frames the shift as necessary for protecting city interests, particularly federal funding, critics argue it could undermine the city’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities.
As this policy continues to unfold, its effects will likely reverberate beyond New York City’s borders, potentially influencing how other urban centers balance their relationships with federal authorities against local community interests. The outcome of this strategic shift could reshape the landscape of immigration enforcement in major cities across the United States.
The controversy surrounding Adams’ new stance highlights the complex challenges facing urban leaders as they navigate relationships with federal authorities while maintaining community trust. As cities continue to grapple with immigration issues, the impact of Adams’ approach will likely influence policy discussions well beyond his administration.
This evolving situation underscores the delicate balance between securing federal resources and maintaining local autonomy. As New York City adapts to this new approach, the consequences for community relations, law enforcement cooperation, and municipal governance will continue to unfold, potentially reshaping the national conversation around immigration enforcement in urban areas.
Diddy Accused Of 'Violent Sexual Assault' On Male Singer In New Lawsuit
In the suit, the man, who was a street performer, claims that the mogul “used an employee of Bad Boy Records to lure [John] Doe, a musician, to a party with promises of a potential recording contract.”
It alleges that Diddy then “drugged and forcefully raped” the plaintiff.
The accuser, who is represented by Tony Buzbee, the attorney behind a large number of legal actions against Diddy, claims the incident occurred in Los Angeles in 2022.
He says that he was performing outside of a club when he “was approached by a man dressed in dark clothing and wearing sunglasses and a Bad Boy Records hat. The man complimented [him] on his talent and beautiful signing [sic] voice.”
The street performer claims that he was soon taken to a party hosted by Diddy, who made “numerous promises about helping [the man] secure a major recording contract.”
According to the lawsuit, Puffy then led the man “to a private room elsewhere in the house,” at which point he “noticed that he felt drowsy and slightly euphoric,” later realizing he had been drugged.
The suit then details the alleged assault: “Combs bluntly asked Plaintiff, ‘Have you ever sucked a dick before?’ Shocked, Doe said no, to which Combs responded, ‘You should try it,’ while pulling out his penis.”
It continues: “He grabbed Doe’s face and forcefully inserted his penis into Doe’s mouth. Doe felt trapped, and had become more incapacitated from the drugs Combs had given him.
“After orally raping Doe, Combs undressed him and assaulted him anally before leaving the room. Doe was left largely incapacitated on the edge of the bed.”
The lawsuit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for what it describes as a “violent sexual assault.”
A representative for Diddy hit back at the allegations, saying: “Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially [sic] ridiculous or demonstrably false.
“Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor.”
Diddy, 55, is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution — all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.
His trial is scheduled to begin on May 5.
Serena Williams' Husband Defends Her Crip Walking Cameo In Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Show
Serena Williams’ husband, entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, is hitting back at anyone who had something negative to say about his wife’s appearance during Kendrick Lamar‘s record-breaking Super Bowl halftime show.
The Compton-bred tennis star could be seen Crip Walking on an elevated stage during Kendrick’s Drake diss “Not Like Us”on Sunday night (February 9). This was, of course, an additional dig at Drizzy as the pair reportedly dated in 2011.
As is par for the course, some people had negative things to say about Serena’s choice of dance moves and her cameo in general – and Alexis was quick to come to his wife’s defense.
“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…. This is bigger than the music,” he wrote in a post to X.
Serena herself referenced Wimbledon in a video to her Instagram Story immediately after her performance, saying, “Man I did not Crip walk like that at Wimbledon. I woulda been FINEDDDD! It was all love.”
She also posted about the experience to her Instagram feed.
She wrote: “When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal.’ I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious? When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a superbowl? (Never) let’s do it!
“I knew my winning dance after the @olympics would pay off one day. End of story.”
This isn’t the first time Serena Williams threw some shade Drake’s way with the help of Kendrick Lamar.
The tennis legend hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards back in July, and in her opening monologue, unexpectedly mentioned the high-profile feud.
“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us — not a single one of us, not even me — should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar,” Williams joked.
The Compton native then Crip Walked to “Not Like Us” as the hit diss song began playing, with Williams adding: “He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re gonna Forrest Gump him. Seats taken!”
Drake and Serena are rumored to have dated in 2011, with the Canadian rapper seen at many of her tennis matches around this time.
Marlon Wayans & Soulja Boy’s Feud Continues, DMs Reveal Soulja Boy Asked Marlon Wayans For A Movie Role
Marlon Wayans and Soulja Boy are still going at it on X (formerly Twitter), trading insults and receipts.
It all started when Soulja Boy called out Marlon Wayans’s comedy, tweeting,
“Marlon Wayans you a b*tch and u not funny. Shut up n*gga. Keep selling ur soul and sucking the higher up d*cks.”
Marlon Wayans clapped back with a serious accusation, saying,
“You molest*d lil boy. Go sit your lil a$$ down on some uncle lap and stfu.”
Soulja Boy wasted no time firing back, writing,
“Molest*d? A n*gga ever touch me they gone d*e. I don’t play that gay sh*t. You sucked d*ck for ur movie roles. I got my sh*t out the mud by myself no help just the internet.”
Marlon then posted a photo of Soulja being grabbed by a man, captioning it, “I’m sorry, @souljaboy said what now? Lookin’ like you give up anything for some meth.”
The DMs are where things got even messier. Marlon shared screenshots of Soulja previously asking him to put him in a movie, while Soulja exposed his own receipts—showing a DM from Marlon asking him to repost his movie poster.
Marlon responded, “Oh that’s from when you semi relevant. Before you was dead dead.”
There were plenty of other tweets exchanged between the two, but one thing is clear—they’re both making sure the internet has a front-row seat to their feud.
It all started when Soulja Boy called out Marlon Wayans’s comedy, tweeting,
“Marlon Wayans you a b*tch and u not funny. Shut up n*gga. Keep selling ur soul and sucking the higher up d*cks.”
Marlon Wayans clapped back with a serious accusation, saying,
“You molest*d lil boy. Go sit your lil a$$ down on some uncle lap and stfu.”
Soulja Boy wasted no time firing back, writing,
“Molest*d? A n*gga ever touch me they gone d*e. I don’t play that gay sh*t. You sucked d*ck for ur movie roles. I got my sh*t out the mud by myself no help just the internet.”
Marlon then posted a photo of Soulja being grabbed by a man, captioning it, “I’m sorry, @souljaboy said what now? Lookin’ like you give up anything for some meth.”
The DMs are where things got even messier. Marlon shared screenshots of Soulja previously asking him to put him in a movie, while Soulja exposed his own receipts—showing a DM from Marlon asking him to repost his movie poster.
Marlon responded, “Oh that’s from when you semi relevant. Before you was dead dead.”
There were plenty of other tweets exchanged between the two, but one thing is clear—they’re both making sure the internet has a front-row seat to their feud.
Mortal Kombat 2 Drops First Look At Karl Urban As Johnny Cage, And I'm Loving The Puns That Came With It
April will mark the four-year anniversary of when the Mortal Kombat reboot was released simultaneously in theaters and to those who have a Max subscription. Six months after that, the long-awaited Mortal Kombat 2 will arrive on the 2025 movies schedule, and among the many new faces who’ll be taking part in the sequel is Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, who was teased at the end of the first movie. We finally have our first look at Urban as this popular Mortal Kombat poster, and I’m loving that this was accompanied by a couple of A+ puns.
Just like his video game counterpart, Urban’s Johnny Cage will be a Hollywood star, so it’s only fitting that our first look at this incarnation of the character comes in the form of a movie poster officially released by Warner Bros. Pictures. Check out how Urban looks all Cage-d up, and take note of the movies listed on the advertisement.
In addition to being one of Tinsel Town’s most sought-after performers in the Mortal Kombat universe, Johnny Cage is also a full-blown narcissist… which can be said about a lot of Hollywood actors, but that’s a separate conversation. The point being, I’m getting a kick out of Johnny starting in movies called Rebel Without A Cage and Uncaged Fury. I can almost picture him demanding that the titles be changed to be plays on his last name.
I’m also amused at the thought of someone who doesn’t know anything about Mortal Kombat seeing this poster at their theater and thinking it’s a real movie, only to later learn it was just some clever marketing for Mortal Kombat 2. As for Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage look, it’s basically what I expected. The slicked-back hair, the sunglasses, the leather jacket, it’s all nicely in keeping with how the character is usually depicted in the video games. Now I just need to hear how Urban will sound as Cage.
Ideally that will come in the first Mortal Kombat 2 trailer, which ideally will be released in the next few months. The sequel wrapped filming in January 2024, so there should be more than enough footage that’s been polished during postproduction that can be stitched together into an enticing teaser. Other newcomers joining Karl Urban in Mortal Kombat 2 include Tati Gabrielle as Jade, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, among others. Some of the returning faces include Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Ludi Lin as Liu Kong, Mehcad Brooks as Jax Briggs and Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion.
Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, Mortal Kombat 2 opens in theaters on October 24. We’ll continue passing along other first looks and significant details concerning the sequel as they come in.
April will mark the four-year anniversary of when the Mortal Kombat reboot was released simultaneously in theaters and to those who have a Max subscription. Six months after that, the long-awaited Mortal Kombat 2 will arrive on the 2025 movies schedule, and among the many new faces who’ll be taking part in the sequel is Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, who was teased at the end of the first movie. We finally have our first look at Urban as this popular Mortal Kombat poster, and I’m loving that this was accompanied by a couple of A+ puns.
Just like his video game counterpart, Urban’s Johnny Cage will be a Hollywood star, so it’s only fitting that our first look at this incarnation of the character comes in the form of a movie poster officially released by Warner Bros. Pictures. Check out how Urban looks all Cage-d up, and take note of the movies listed on the advertisement.
In addition to being one of Tinsel Town’s most sought-after performers in the Mortal Kombat universe, Johnny Cage is also a full-blown narcissist… which can be said about a lot of Hollywood actors, but that’s a separate conversation. The point being, I’m getting a kick out of Johnny starting in movies called Rebel Without A Cage and Uncaged Fury. I can almost picture him demanding that the titles be changed to be plays on his last name.
I’m also amused at the thought of someone who doesn’t know anything about Mortal Kombat seeing this poster at their theater and thinking it’s a real movie, only to later learn it was just some clever marketing for Mortal Kombat 2. As for Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage look, it’s basically what I expected. The slicked-back hair, the sunglasses, the leather jacket, it’s all nicely in keeping with how the character is usually depicted in the video games. Now I just need to hear how Urban will sound as Cage.
Ideally that will come in the first Mortal Kombat 2 trailer, which ideally will be released in the next few months. The sequel wrapped filming in January 2024, so there should be more than enough footage that’s been polished during postproduction that can be stitched together into an enticing teaser. Other newcomers joining Karl Urban in Mortal Kombat 2 include Tati Gabrielle as Jade, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, among others. Some of the returning faces include Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Ludi Lin as Liu Kong, Mehcad Brooks as Jax Briggs and Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion.
Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, Mortal Kombat 2 opens in theaters on October 24. We’ll continue passing along other first looks and significant details concerning the sequel as they come in.
Deiondra Sanders Drags Dej Loaf & Jacquees’ Mom As Spat Gets Messy
Deiondra Sanders is continuing to vent online about her fiancé Jacquees, who she accused of faking a relationship with longtime collaborator Dej Loaf. Earlier this week, Deiondra, the daughter of Hall of Fame football player and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, claimed she was being sidelined while Jacquees and his musical partner “fake” a […]
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Deiondra Sanders is continuing to vent online about her fiancé Jacquees, who she accused of faking a relationship with longtime collaborator Dej Loaf.
Earlier this week, Deiondra, the daughter of Hall of Fame football player and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, claimed she was being sidelined while Jacquees and his musical partner “fake” a romance to promote their upcoming album in a heated social media rant.
Dej Loaf seemingly responded, sharing an Instagram carousel captioned “Doing Press> Being Pressed.”
On Tuesday (February 11), Deiondra hopped in the comments, firing back at Dej Loaf, accusing her of lusting after Jacquees despite him being taken.
“Being pressed is telling his momma Ms. Rosie how you still want him,” she began. “Telling his momma u wish it was you. You and yo momma mad cause he proposed to me. You waited to see what que would do before u came out with yo girlfriend. Waiting around year after year and never choose. Dej keep it cute before I air all yo s### out!!!”
Deiondra then switched her target to Jacquees’ mom, who wrote “dummy” on a clip from a blog discussing the recent drama. Taking the gloves off, Deiondra accused her of stealing from her famous son.
“Ms Rosie better stop playing with me,” Deiondra warned. “Nobody off limits now. Now go be with yo husband and keep stealing and hiding yo son money.”
She continued to vent on X (Twitter) before apologizing for airing out her drama.
“I may talk a-lot and spaz but one thing they won’t say is imma liar. Everything I say be the truth,” she declared. “Now i’m done for real. I can’t keep embarrassing my family like this. Sorry yall. Back to the regular program. We have a surprise for you all today.”
Despite the mounting tension, Jacquees and Deiondra Sanders then shared the first photos of their baby son, Snow.
Since 1998, AllHipHop.com has pioneered delivering Hip-Hop news. Get our daily email for exclusive, breaking news, and weekly digests, all curated for the true Hip-Hop enthusiast. Stay connected and informed with the heartbeat of Hip-Hop culture. Subscribe now!
Deiondra Sanders is continuing to vent online about her fiancé Jacquees, who she accused of faking a relationship with longtime collaborator Dej Loaf.
Earlier this week, Deiondra, the daughter of Hall of Fame football player and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, claimed she was being sidelined while Jacquees and his musical partner “fake” a romance to promote their upcoming album in a heated social media rant.
Dej Loaf seemingly responded, sharing an Instagram carousel captioned “Doing Press> Being Pressed.”
On Tuesday (February 11), Deiondra hopped in the comments, firing back at Dej Loaf, accusing her of lusting after Jacquees despite him being taken.
“Being pressed is telling his momma Ms. Rosie how you still want him,” she began. “Telling his momma u wish it was you. You and yo momma mad cause he proposed to me. You waited to see what que would do before u came out with yo girlfriend. Waiting around year after year and never choose. Dej keep it cute before I air all yo s### out!!!”
Deiondra then switched her target to Jacquees’ mom, who wrote “dummy” on a clip from a blog discussing the recent drama. Taking the gloves off, Deiondra accused her of stealing from her famous son.
“Ms Rosie better stop playing with me,” Deiondra warned. “Nobody off limits now. Now go be with yo husband and keep stealing and hiding yo son money.”
She continued to vent on X (Twitter) before apologizing for airing out her drama.
“I may talk a-lot and spaz but one thing they won’t say is imma liar. Everything I say be the truth,” she declared. “Now i’m done for real. I can’t keep embarrassing my family like this. Sorry yall. Back to the regular program. We have a surprise for you all today.”
Despite the mounting tension, Jacquees and Deiondra Sanders then shared the first photos of their baby son, Snow.
Matt James Removes Rachael Kirkconnell Breakup Announcement
Recent actions by former "The Bachelor" lead Matt James have left fans puzzled. The 33-year-old deleted his Instagram post announcing his breakup with longtime girlfriend Rachael Kirkconnell, just over two weeks after initially sharing the news.
The original post, made on January 16, was a heartfelt plea for strength and peace amidst their decision to part ways. "Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding..." James had written.
The pair first met during Matt's tenure as the Bachelor in 2021. Despite not ending the season with an engagement, they chose to continue their relationship off-screen. However, their journey was marred by controversy, especially surrounding resurfaced photos of Rachael at a racially insensitive event. The scandal led to their brief split before they reconciled three months later.
James' recent decision to delete the breakup announcement comes after much backlash and speculation. Rachael revealed in a recent episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that Matt posted the breakup announcement merely hours after they decided to end things.
She felt blindsided, noting she had no opportunity to inform her friends and family prior to the public post. "He didn't even text me to give me a warning," she remarked. "It just hurt to know that's how my friends found out and my family and my little sister."
She also opened up about a date that had gone wrong. Without explaining what exactly happened at the restaurant, she recalled having a meltdown because the place didn't live up to her expectations. When James confronted her, she told him she felt guilty because he's a food blogger and she had chosen a bad place. He assured her it's not a big deal, but it did little to appease her.
While fans speculated the possibility of reconciliation, Rachael confirmed she has no plans of rekindling the romance. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she discussed the difficulty of adjusting to life after the split but was steadfast in her decision to move on.
"It's only been a few weeks, but I'm definitely in that phase of just, like, still trying to grasp everything… Breakups are normal; they happen to everyone," she said resolutely. Adding further, she stated, "There's just no way I'm letting myself" consider a reunion with James.
As for Matt, he seems to be focusing on new adventures, sharing updates of his travels to Kenya on social media. His account, while scrubbed of recent posts with Rachael, continues to give followers a glimpse into his current life, hinting that he is determined to move forward. Amid all the drama, one thing remains clear: both Matt and Rachael are seeking healing and a new start apart from each other.
The original post, made on January 16, was a heartfelt plea for strength and peace amidst their decision to part ways. "Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding..." James had written.
The pair first met during Matt's tenure as the Bachelor in 2021. Despite not ending the season with an engagement, they chose to continue their relationship off-screen. However, their journey was marred by controversy, especially surrounding resurfaced photos of Rachael at a racially insensitive event. The scandal led to their brief split before they reconciled three months later.
James' recent decision to delete the breakup announcement comes after much backlash and speculation. Rachael revealed in a recent episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that Matt posted the breakup announcement merely hours after they decided to end things.
She felt blindsided, noting she had no opportunity to inform her friends and family prior to the public post. "He didn't even text me to give me a warning," she remarked. "It just hurt to know that's how my friends found out and my family and my little sister."
She also opened up about a date that had gone wrong. Without explaining what exactly happened at the restaurant, she recalled having a meltdown because the place didn't live up to her expectations. When James confronted her, she told him she felt guilty because he's a food blogger and she had chosen a bad place. He assured her it's not a big deal, but it did little to appease her.
While fans speculated the possibility of reconciliation, Rachael confirmed she has no plans of rekindling the romance. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she discussed the difficulty of adjusting to life after the split but was steadfast in her decision to move on.
"It's only been a few weeks, but I'm definitely in that phase of just, like, still trying to grasp everything… Breakups are normal; they happen to everyone," she said resolutely. Adding further, she stated, "There's just no way I'm letting myself" consider a reunion with James.
As for Matt, he seems to be focusing on new adventures, sharing updates of his travels to Kenya on social media. His account, while scrubbed of recent posts with Rachael, continues to give followers a glimpse into his current life, hinting that he is determined to move forward. Amid all the drama, one thing remains clear: both Matt and Rachael are seeking healing and a new start apart from each other.
Chiefs' Travis Kelce Addresses Retirement in Post-Super Bowl Loss Reaction
There have been rumors floating around for the past couple of seasons relating to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce contemplating retirement. There was the belief that he would step away from the game following a Super Bowl victory.
That was not the case, as Kelce and the Chiefs were trounced by the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX with a final score of 40-22. Though some players spoke about the loss, including Patrick Mahomes, everyone was waiting to hear what Kelce had to say considering he has one of the most popular podcasts.
That has finally happened, as Travis and Jason spoke about the Super Bowl on their "New Heights" podcast. Travis naturally goes into the feelings of losing the big game and surprisingly goes into a bit more about potentially retiring.
When speaking to Jason, Travis spoke in length about the mental and physical toll that the game has taken on him. That has especially been true since the Chiefs have been involved in the playoffs and Super Bowl for the past seven years with Mahomes leading the way.
"It's gonna sting. I know everybody wants to know if I'm playing next year. Right now I'm just kicking everything down the road. Kicking every can I can down the road. I'm not making any crazy decisions. Right now, the biggest thing is being there for my teammates, being there for my coaches, and understanding that there is a lot that goes into this thing.
I've been fortunate over the past five, six years, I've played more football than anybody. That's because of the people that are in that building. The fact that we have been going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls. That means I am playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. That's a lot of wear and tear on your body, and a lot of time spent in that building. Focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand, every challenge that you set up for yourself.
And that process can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better, or it can drive you crazy at the same time. Right now, it was one of those things where it was kinda driving me crazy this year..."
Travis was honest about the impact that playing in the playoffs and Super Bowl has taken on him. It's understandable that he would want to reassess and is still considering retirement.
Travis has spent 11 seasons in the NFL, all of which he has been playing at a high level. He is one of the best tight ends the league has ever seen.
Should Travis walk away from football he will be ranked among the best at the position. He sits at No. 6 all-time in touchdowns with 80, No. 3 all-time in receiving yards with 12,151, and No. 3 all-time in receptions with 1,004.
It sounds like Travis will consider his decision greatly before he formally retires from the game of football. For now, it sounds like he plans to take some time off to truly decide if he will return in 2025.
That was not the case, as Kelce and the Chiefs were trounced by the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX with a final score of 40-22. Though some players spoke about the loss, including Patrick Mahomes, everyone was waiting to hear what Kelce had to say considering he has one of the most popular podcasts.
That has finally happened, as Travis and Jason spoke about the Super Bowl on their "New Heights" podcast. Travis naturally goes into the feelings of losing the big game and surprisingly goes into a bit more about potentially retiring.
When speaking to Jason, Travis spoke in length about the mental and physical toll that the game has taken on him. That has especially been true since the Chiefs have been involved in the playoffs and Super Bowl for the past seven years with Mahomes leading the way.
"It's gonna sting. I know everybody wants to know if I'm playing next year. Right now I'm just kicking everything down the road. Kicking every can I can down the road. I'm not making any crazy decisions. Right now, the biggest thing is being there for my teammates, being there for my coaches, and understanding that there is a lot that goes into this thing.
I've been fortunate over the past five, six years, I've played more football than anybody. That's because of the people that are in that building. The fact that we have been going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls. That means I am playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. That's a lot of wear and tear on your body, and a lot of time spent in that building. Focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand, every challenge that you set up for yourself.
And that process can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better, or it can drive you crazy at the same time. Right now, it was one of those things where it was kinda driving me crazy this year..."
Travis was honest about the impact that playing in the playoffs and Super Bowl has taken on him. It's understandable that he would want to reassess and is still considering retirement.
Travis has spent 11 seasons in the NFL, all of which he has been playing at a high level. He is one of the best tight ends the league has ever seen.
Should Travis walk away from football he will be ranked among the best at the position. He sits at No. 6 all-time in touchdowns with 80, No. 3 all-time in receiving yards with 12,151, and No. 3 all-time in receptions with 1,004.
It sounds like Travis will consider his decision greatly before he formally retires from the game of football. For now, it sounds like he plans to take some time off to truly decide if he will return in 2025.
Lauren Boebert And Kid Rock Raised Eyebrows After Being Seen Entering A Cab Together At 2 AM
Rep. Lauren Boebert has raised eyebrows after being spotted getting into a cab with musician Kid Rock at 2 am.
The pair had previously caused a stir online after it was reported that the congresswoman couldn't stop "fangirling" over Rock at Donald Trump's inaugural party.
This comes two years after Lauren Boebert divorced her ex-husband, Jayson Boebert, after 20 years together.
According to Page Six, Boebert was spotted entering the same cab with Kid Rock at 2:30 am in Washington, D.C.
While it's unclear why the pair were together, they have certainly set tongues wagging due to their early morning sighting.
Rock and Boebert are known to share some similarities as they're both staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and are enthusiastic gun-toters.
The duo met at one of Trump's inaugural parties. TMZ reported that they were pictured having a lighthearted conversation and that the politician seemed to be in awe of the singer.
"Lauren was totally transfixed by the rock star, yapping away, doing a little dance, and clapping like she was front row at his concert — basically giving Kid Rock all the hype he needed,” a source told the news outlet.
The source also noted that Boebert was "fangirling" hard over rock at the event. However, despite these encounters between the pair, it's not clear if Kid Rock and Boebert are involved in any way.
The singer has reportedly been engaged to his partner Audrey Berry since 2017, while Boebert got divorced in 2023.
Rep. Lauren Boebert has raised eyebrows after being spotted getting into a cab with musician Kid Rock at 2 am.
The pair had previously caused a stir online after it was reported that the congresswoman couldn't stop "fangirling" over Rock at Donald Trump's inaugural party.
This comes two years after Lauren Boebert divorced her ex-husband, Jayson Boebert, after 20 years together.
According to Page Six, Boebert was spotted entering the same cab with Kid Rock at 2:30 am in Washington, D.C.
While it's unclear why the pair were together, they have certainly set tongues wagging due to their early morning sighting.
Rock and Boebert are known to share some similarities as they're both staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and are enthusiastic gun-toters.
The duo met at one of Trump's inaugural parties. TMZ reported that they were pictured having a lighthearted conversation and that the politician seemed to be in awe of the singer.
"Lauren was totally transfixed by the rock star, yapping away, doing a little dance, and clapping like she was front row at his concert — basically giving Kid Rock all the hype he needed,” a source told the news outlet.
The source also noted that Boebert was "fangirling" hard over rock at the event. However, despite these encounters between the pair, it's not clear if Kid Rock and Boebert are involved in any way.
The singer has reportedly been engaged to his partner Audrey Berry since 2017, while Boebert got divorced in 2023.
Kanye West dropped by talent agent after Yeezy site ‘shuts down’ over Swastika merch followed by antisemitic rant
Kanye West has been dropped by his talent agent following his antisemitic remarks and controversial merchandise on his Yeezy website. Daniel McCartney, an agent at 33&West, announced the decision via Instagram, stating that the agency could not stand by West’s "harmful and hateful remarks."
“Effective immediately, I'm no longer representing Ye (F/K/A Kanye West) due to his recent hateful and harmful remarks that myself not 33&West can stand for,” McCartney wrote before signing off with “Peace and Love to all.”
West’s troubles deepened as he posted dozens of antisemitic messages on X (formerly Twitter), including claims such as “IM A NAZI” and "I will never apologize for my Jewish comments." In addition, a Jewish former employee of Yeezy filed a lawsuit against him in California, alleging workplace harassment.
The ex-employee, a marketer at Yeezy, claimed she was subjected to antisemitic remarks, including a text that read, "Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler." She also alleged she received pornographic material and harassing messages from West.
Earlier the visitors to Yeezy.com were met with a blank screen and the message, "Something went wrong. This store is unavailable." Shopify, the platform hosting Yeezy’s e-commerce site, confirmed that it had removed the store due to violations of its policies. "All merchants are responsible for following the rules of our platform. This merchant did not engage in authentic commerce practices and violated our terms," Shopify said in a statement.
The controversy escalated when West aired a Super Bowl ad in the Los Angeles area promoting Yeezy.com, where a $20 white T-shirt featuring a black swastika was the only product available for sale. The ad, filmed on an iPhone, showed West sitting in a dentist’s chair, claiming he had spent all his money on dental work and had to film the ad himself.
After a weekend of incendiary posts, West’s X account was deleted. His final post read, "I’m logging out of Twitter. I appreciate Elon for allowing me to vent. It has been very cathartic to use the world as a sounding board."
X’s owner, Elon Musk, later confirmed West’s account was removed due to policy violations. Responding to a conservative podcaster calling for West’s ban, Musk stated, "Given what he has posted, his account is now classified as NSFW. You should not be seeing that anymore."
This is not the first time West has faced backlash for antisemitic comments. In 2022, he lost multiple brand partnerships over similar remarks, only to later issue an apology, which he has now rescinded.
“Effective immediately, I'm no longer representing Ye (F/K/A Kanye West) due to his recent hateful and harmful remarks that myself not 33&West can stand for,” McCartney wrote before signing off with “Peace and Love to all.”
West’s troubles deepened as he posted dozens of antisemitic messages on X (formerly Twitter), including claims such as “IM A NAZI” and "I will never apologize for my Jewish comments." In addition, a Jewish former employee of Yeezy filed a lawsuit against him in California, alleging workplace harassment.
The ex-employee, a marketer at Yeezy, claimed she was subjected to antisemitic remarks, including a text that read, "Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler." She also alleged she received pornographic material and harassing messages from West.
Earlier the visitors to Yeezy.com were met with a blank screen and the message, "Something went wrong. This store is unavailable." Shopify, the platform hosting Yeezy’s e-commerce site, confirmed that it had removed the store due to violations of its policies. "All merchants are responsible for following the rules of our platform. This merchant did not engage in authentic commerce practices and violated our terms," Shopify said in a statement.
The controversy escalated when West aired a Super Bowl ad in the Los Angeles area promoting Yeezy.com, where a $20 white T-shirt featuring a black swastika was the only product available for sale. The ad, filmed on an iPhone, showed West sitting in a dentist’s chair, claiming he had spent all his money on dental work and had to film the ad himself.
After a weekend of incendiary posts, West’s X account was deleted. His final post read, "I’m logging out of Twitter. I appreciate Elon for allowing me to vent. It has been very cathartic to use the world as a sounding board."
X’s owner, Elon Musk, later confirmed West’s account was removed due to policy violations. Responding to a conservative podcaster calling for West’s ban, Musk stated, "Given what he has posted, his account is now classified as NSFW. You should not be seeing that anymore."
This is not the first time West has faced backlash for antisemitic comments. In 2022, he lost multiple brand partnerships over similar remarks, only to later issue an apology, which he has now rescinded.
Patrick Mahomes Sr. and Former Baseball Player John Rocker Nearly Came to Blows in New Orleans
Patrick Mahomes Sr., father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has once again found himself at the center of controversy, this time with former baseball star John Rocker.
The incident, caught on video, shows the two exchanging intense words, seemingly on the verge of a physical altercation before the situation was defused in New Orleans shortly after the Super Bowl. In the clip, it appears that Rocker tries to shake Mahomes Sr.’s hand. However, the former athlete slaps it away and their argument ensues.
The situation spilled over online Tuesday night, with both men taking shots at one another on Twitter. Rocker called Mahomes Sr. “a f**king loser” that “can’t take a d**n joke.” It’s still unclear what he initially said to set Mahomes Sr. off.
“Wish I laid him out right there and ruined his bulls**t weekend even more,” he added.
The elder Mahomes fired back, “You really haven’t changed one bit in the last 25 years
Patrick Mahomes Sr., father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has once again found himself at the center of controversy, this time with former baseball star John Rocker.
The incident, caught on video, shows the two exchanging intense words, seemingly on the verge of a physical altercation before the situation was defused in New Orleans shortly after the Super Bowl. In the clip, it appears that Rocker tries to shake Mahomes Sr.’s hand. However, the former athlete slaps it away and their argument ensues.
The situation spilled over online Tuesday night, with both men taking shots at one another on Twitter. Rocker called Mahomes Sr. “a f**king loser” that “can’t take a d**n joke.” It’s still unclear what he initially said to set Mahomes Sr. off.
“Wish I laid him out right there and ruined his bulls**t weekend even more,” he added.
The elder Mahomes fired back, “You really haven’t changed one bit in the last 25 years
$500 Million in Food Stuck at Ports After Trump and Musk Cut USAID, Leaving U.S. Farmers Unpaid and Millions at Risk of Starvation
A government watchdog report has revealed that nearly $489 million worth of U.S. food aid is currently stuck at ports, in transit, or in warehouses, at risk of spoilage due to a funding halt ordered by the Trump administration. The food, originally intended for humanitarian relief in more than 100 countries, remains in limbo as the administration conducts a review of U.S. foreign aid programs, according to AP.
The Feb. 10 report from USAID’s inspector general warns that an additional 500,000 metric tons of food—including wheat, soybeans, sorghum, and split peas—is stranded on ships or waiting to be shipped overseas. Without immediate action, millions of people relying on U.S. assistance could face severe food shortages.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the largest providers of global humanitarian aid, typically sourcing 40% of international food assistance from American farmers and manufacturers. However, the agency’s future is uncertain after Trump and Elon Musk, the newly appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ordered a review of all foreign aid spending.
Musk, who has been vocal about his desire to shut down USAID, called the agency “beyond repair.” The funding freeze has already sparked concerns among U.S. farmers, particularly Kansas sorghum producers, who rely on USAID purchases to sustain their businesses.
The funding freeze is already affecting major humanitarian organizations. The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the largest aid groups, called the U.S. cutoff the most devastating in its 79-year history. The organization says it will be forced to suspend life-saving programs in 20 countries.
“The impact of this will be felt severely by the most vulnerable,” the group said in a statement. It highlighted the situation in:
Burkina Faso, where USAID funds provide clean water to 300,000 people trapped in a blockaded city.
Sudan, where nearly 500 bakeries in Darfur rely on U.S. aid to supply subsidized bread to thousands of families facing hunger.
As the Trump administration continues its review, a federal judge temporarily blocked an order to place 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave. However, reports indicate that many staff members still do not have access to essential resources, further stalling aid efforts.
With $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian funds now under scrutiny, the fate of USAID’s global relief efforts remains uncertain. Aid groups warn that without immediate intervention, millions could face extreme food insecurity in the coming months.
The Feb. 10 report from USAID’s inspector general warns that an additional 500,000 metric tons of food—including wheat, soybeans, sorghum, and split peas—is stranded on ships or waiting to be shipped overseas. Without immediate action, millions of people relying on U.S. assistance could face severe food shortages.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the largest providers of global humanitarian aid, typically sourcing 40% of international food assistance from American farmers and manufacturers. However, the agency’s future is uncertain after Trump and Elon Musk, the newly appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ordered a review of all foreign aid spending.
Musk, who has been vocal about his desire to shut down USAID, called the agency “beyond repair.” The funding freeze has already sparked concerns among U.S. farmers, particularly Kansas sorghum producers, who rely on USAID purchases to sustain their businesses.
The funding freeze is already affecting major humanitarian organizations. The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the largest aid groups, called the U.S. cutoff the most devastating in its 79-year history. The organization says it will be forced to suspend life-saving programs in 20 countries.
“The impact of this will be felt severely by the most vulnerable,” the group said in a statement. It highlighted the situation in:
Burkina Faso, where USAID funds provide clean water to 300,000 people trapped in a blockaded city.
Sudan, where nearly 500 bakeries in Darfur rely on U.S. aid to supply subsidized bread to thousands of families facing hunger.
As the Trump administration continues its review, a federal judge temporarily blocked an order to place 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave. However, reports indicate that many staff members still do not have access to essential resources, further stalling aid efforts.
With $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian funds now under scrutiny, the fate of USAID’s global relief efforts remains uncertain. Aid groups warn that without immediate intervention, millions could face extreme food insecurity in the coming months.
Wendy Williams Reveals She’s Been Outside Twice In 30 Days Amid Guardianship
Wendy Williams is shedding light on her highly restricted life in a new TMZ documentary.
The former TV host describes her life in a New York City assisted living facility as “isolating” and she’s been confined to a room on the 5th floor.
According to the documentary, Wendy can only leave with permission from staff and has been outside twice in the past 30 days, both times for dentist appointments. Visitors are almost completely restricted, and she has no internet access
While filming the documentary, Harvey Levin and others spent hours on the phone with Wendy, and they say she’s lucid, engaging, and fully herself again.
Wendy has been under court-ordered guardianship since May 2022 due to reported health issues. While her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has called her “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” Wendy’s family and friends have challenged these claims and hired legal counsel to fight the guardianship.
TMZ Presents: Saving Wendy is available now on Tubi.
Wendy Williams is shedding light on her highly restricted life in a new TMZ documentary.
The former TV host describes her life in a New York City assisted living facility as “isolating” and she’s been confined to a room on the 5th floor.
According to the documentary, Wendy can only leave with permission from staff and has been outside twice in the past 30 days, both times for dentist appointments. Visitors are almost completely restricted, and she has no internet access
While filming the documentary, Harvey Levin and others spent hours on the phone with Wendy, and they say she’s lucid, engaging, and fully herself again.
Wendy has been under court-ordered guardianship since May 2022 due to reported health issues. While her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has called her “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” Wendy’s family and friends have challenged these claims and hired legal counsel to fight the guardianship.
TMZ Presents: Saving Wendy is available now on Tubi.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 nominees include Oasis, Mariah Carey and Billy Idol
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is taking its name more literally than the last few years with the 2025 nominees.
Among the 14 hopefuls to gain entry into the storied institution are eight first-timers, most of them with rock as their musical anchor. To be eligible for a nomination, the artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination.
Here are the 2025 nominees:
Bad Company
The Black Crowes
Mariah Carey
Chubby Checker
Joe Cocker
Billy Idol
Joy Division/New Order
Cyndi Lauper
Maná
Oasis
Outkast
Phish
Soundgarden
The White Stripes
The artists making the list for the first time are Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, Outkast and Phish.
Carey and Oasis were nominated last year. Lauper, Soundgarden and The White Stripes returned to the ballot after first appearing in 2023, as did Joy Division/New Order.
Inductees will be announced in late April, after an international panel of over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals cast their vote. The selection criteria include an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their work, innovation and excellence in technique.
The artists honored in three special nominee categories – musical influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award – will also be announced in April
This year’s ceremony will take place in the fall in Los Angeles, with ticket and location details to be announced.
Among the 14 hopefuls to gain entry into the storied institution are eight first-timers, most of them with rock as their musical anchor. To be eligible for a nomination, the artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination.
Here are the 2025 nominees:
Bad Company
The Black Crowes
Mariah Carey
Chubby Checker
Joe Cocker
Billy Idol
Joy Division/New Order
Cyndi Lauper
Maná
Oasis
Outkast
Phish
Soundgarden
The White Stripes
The artists making the list for the first time are Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, Outkast and Phish.
Carey and Oasis were nominated last year. Lauper, Soundgarden and The White Stripes returned to the ballot after first appearing in 2023, as did Joy Division/New Order.
Inductees will be announced in late April, after an international panel of over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals cast their vote. The selection criteria include an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their work, innovation and excellence in technique.
The artists honored in three special nominee categories – musical influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award – will also be announced in April
This year’s ceremony will take place in the fall in Los Angeles, with ticket and location details to be announced.
Big Meech Denies Allegations of Cooperating with Authorities for Reduced Sentence
*Big Meech responded to 50 Cent’s accusations that he cooperated with the FBI to lessen his sentence, denying claims that he colluded with authorities.
In a statement shared on social media on February 10, Meech emphasized his loyalty, saying, “I wasn’t going to address this because I’m not trying to let nobody trick me off the streets,” he said. “But I never fold, never told never will.”
We reported earlier on a recent social media post that 50 Cent referred to Big Meech as a “rat,” igniting a firestorm of speculation about their relationship and what it could mean for the hit series “BMF,” which chronicles Meech’s life and influence. 50’s comments were triggered after Big Meech appeared in a promotional video with Rick Ross for a “Welcome Back” concert. Due to his ongoing feud with Ross, 50 Cent shared an Instagram post with a rat image, implying that Meech collaborated with federal authorities in exchange for a reduced sentence.
50’s beef with Big Meech highlights unresolved tensions, sparking online buzz, though the details of their conflict remain unclear. In his “rat” post, he referenced Meech’s former associate, Tammy Cowins, who allegedly worked with the FBI.
Big Meech, founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), will host the ‘Welcome Back’ concert in Sunrise, Florida, on February 13. The event, featuring performances by Rick Ross, 21 Savage, Sexyy Red, and Lil Baby, celebrates his return after serving 17 years in prison for running a $250 million drug operation.
*Big Meech responded to 50 Cent’s accusations that he cooperated with the FBI to lessen his sentence, denying claims that he colluded with authorities.
In a statement shared on social media on February 10, Meech emphasized his loyalty, saying, “I wasn’t going to address this because I’m not trying to let nobody trick me off the streets,” he said. “But I never fold, never told never will.”
We reported earlier on a recent social media post that 50 Cent referred to Big Meech as a “rat,” igniting a firestorm of speculation about their relationship and what it could mean for the hit series “BMF,” which chronicles Meech’s life and influence. 50’s comments were triggered after Big Meech appeared in a promotional video with Rick Ross for a “Welcome Back” concert. Due to his ongoing feud with Ross, 50 Cent shared an Instagram post with a rat image, implying that Meech collaborated with federal authorities in exchange for a reduced sentence.
50’s beef with Big Meech highlights unresolved tensions, sparking online buzz, though the details of their conflict remain unclear. In his “rat” post, he referenced Meech’s former associate, Tammy Cowins, who allegedly worked with the FBI.
Big Meech, founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), will host the ‘Welcome Back’ concert in Sunrise, Florida, on February 13. The event, featuring performances by Rick Ross, 21 Savage, Sexyy Red, and Lil Baby, celebrates his return after serving 17 years in prison for running a $250 million drug operation.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
JUST CHILLING
Having a seat
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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