#MAGFAB: Jonathan McReynolds is the cover star for Rolling Out Magazine.
There are artists who sing about God, and then there are artists who carry Him into the room. Jonathan McReynolds is the latter. Since emerging from the South Side of Chicago with a guitar, a theology degree, and a lyrical precision that felt almost unfair, McReynolds has spent more than a decade becoming one of the most important voices in gospel music. Not by chasing the spotlight, but by refusing to.
In an exclusive conversation with Rolling Out, McReynolds opens up about his Chicago roots, his faith, and his new album Closer, a project that is rawer, more soulful, and more spiritually urgent than anything he has released before.
Chicago made you Jonathan. Chicago is one of the most spiritually complex cities in America, a place of profound faith and profound pain existing side by side. How did growing up on the south side of Chicago shape not just who you are, but how you deliver the message of God through your music?
Chicago does have a pretty stark dichotomy. We’re definitely known for a lot of great things: food, sports, faith. But then there is some level of pain and fatigue and drain that’s in Chicago as well.
One thing that Chicago taught me to be was straightforward. This is not a place of fluff. It’s not a place of a lot of just extra. It’s a lot of grays, a lot of browns, a lot of blacks. It’s a lot of just straightforward: this is what’s necessary.
When it comes to my lyricism, I try my best to keep it front and center. Not too many distractions. I want to get the point across. I wanted to be very understood where I’m at. That level of stoicism, that level of minimalism, that level of directness is definitely a Chicago concept.
Music is medicine. There’s a growing conversation in wellness and mental health communities about the healing properties of gospel music, not just spiritually, but psychologically and emotionally. From your experience as an artist and a believer, how do you understand gospel music as a form of divine therapy for a broken world?
I see gospel music as divine therapy because I believe the guy behind it is a divine therapist. We think of God, we think of gospel, we think of a lot of things surrounding the church as simply a spiritual thing. But God cares about the whole you.
Don’t be surprised when there are straight-up psychological, medical, physical, and financial aspects to this benefits package. Everybody’s always thinking it’s going to be something way up there: that’s the only place God moves, the only place he cares about, the only place he works. No.
In the Bible, there are two creation stories. First, he creates man and woman in the spiritual realm, in the heavens, in his image. But then it cuts to when he’s actually down in the dirt forming us as man. He cares about you as a person, as a body, as a mind. We probably shouldn’t be as surprised as we are when we realize the stuff that he asked us to do is not just a spiritual status thing. It’s a mental health thing. It’s a physical well-being thing. He thought all of that.
We are embodied. We’re not just spiritual creatures. We’re also encased in a body with a nervous system. He cares about all of that. A lot of the things he asked us to do, a lot of things he’s inspired his people to say and create, they have a legit effect on us as full humans, not just the spiritual part of us.
The giants who came before gospel have a rich and towering legacy. Do you think about the artists whose shoulders you stand on, those iconic voices and visionaries who moved mountains long before you stepped into a studio? Who are the three that shaped your soul the most, and what specifically did they give you?
When I think about the gospel greats of the past, of course there are the Mahalias and the James Clevelands. You’ve got the Andraé Crouch who shifted the way we write songs. But I always want to give flowers to the people that directly passed me the baton. They passed it to somebody, they passed it to somebody, and then they passed it to me. And I’ve got to pass it to somebody.
People that passed it to me were people like Smokie Norful, people like Fred Hammond, people like Kirk Franklin. I always want to give them their flowers. They got it from somebody and were influenced by a lot of people. But I was influenced by them. Whatever they figured out, whatever they took from Richard Smallwood, whatever they got from James Cleveland, I took it from them.
The four I would shout out would be Smokie Norful, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and Israel Houghton.
Artists are watching you very closely, dreaming of carrying this message the way you do. If you could give three essential truths to someone just entering the gospel music industry, not just about the craft, but about navigating the business with their faith intact, what would those three things be?
One would be: enjoy your time under the radar. We try to rush to the top, rush to public life, rush to the spotlight. It’s really more fun outside of it. You really progress more as a person under the radar. Your character gets built faster, your craft accelerates, everything moves more and faster before the spotlight or outside of the spotlight. Please don’t rush out of it just because you want to be famous. That is a complete falsehood that public life is the more fun way to live. Do not take for granted your time under the radar.
Number two: do your best to not make people your God. Do your best to not make people the indication of what he likes and doesn’t like, because people will lie to you. They might be clapping and God might be frowning. They might be frowning and God might be clapping. You always have to look for where God is. Am I doing what I’m supposed to do? I know that they are tripping, but am I doing what I’m supposed to do? If you can maintain that relationship, you’ll be straight.
And lastly: never forget that God did not call us to greatness nearly as much as he called us to goodness. We have our idea of great: billboards, statues, number ones, Grammys, awards. But if you look in the Bible, you’re not going to find a whole bunch of special scriptures on how to be great. You will find a lot on how to be good, how to be patient, how to have joy, how to have peace, how to be kind to people, how to have temperance. When the world tries to get you to compromise your goodness as you aim for greatness, if you have to choose one or the other in a moment, choose the good. Because the stuff that God called good is lasting way longer than the stuff we call great.
When you think about the time that will come for you to pass the baton to the next generation, what do you think you’ll be looking for in that next person?
Throughout history, the people that have made the most impact, the people who have the best stories, are often the ones who didn’t want it so much. The ones who spent the most time practicing are the ones who enjoyed the substance, the craft, the pursuit, and the messaging. They enjoyed something deeper.
If you primarily enjoy being rich and famous, if you primarily enjoy being applauded or celebrated, I’m not that interested. David wasn’t even one of the people they expected. They had to go find him somewhere playing with animals, being a shepherd out in the field. He wasn’t the one being groomed for this.
I’m glad to be here. There are a lot of pros and perks that come with having a public life and being accepted and respected in this thing. But I know a lot of people who ask me how to be a singer, and in their head, they’re not talking about being good at vocalizing. They’re talking about being famous. It’s just a bad thing to aim for. Not because being famous is a bad thing, but because it’s a bad thing to aim for.
Just be good. Be great. Be excellent. Be undeniable. Have substance. Have a foundation. Have identity. Be unshakable. Be strong. Make your mama proud. Treat her well. Date well. Make music about it, the ups and the downs of it all.
I wouldn’t have had the songs I have if I didn’t make a lot of mistakes and walk through cycles and lessons and everything else. But I can honestly say I didn’t want this. I didn’t position my life to pursue it. I spent time getting good at the craft. So by the time it was time for me to get up on somebody’s stage, it all just worked out. It was kind of wax on, wax off. I’m good at this. I don’t know how, but I am. And that’s just because I invested in being good, not in promoting myself.
DOE, who’s on my label, I signed her five years ago. She’s now an acclaimed artist with a growing global audience, charting songs, and a strong fan base. She didn’t want to be famous. She just wanted to be good, to be used, to be impactful. She could absolutely not be famous and be happy. And so could I. I like those types of people.
You’ve stood on that Stellar Award stage and been recognized among the greatest in gospel. But beyond the trophy, beyond the applause, how has that recognition actually moved your career forward? And more importantly, has it deepened your responsibility to the culture and the congregation?
My responsibility has not shifted with the awards. My responsibility has shifted with who I’m becoming. God might give me a few winks along the way, a few “that was good, here’s an award, here’s some people.” But God’s ultimate purpose is to shape you. That comes from losses and wins. Losses shape me. I don’t know if the wins shape me nearly as much as not winning, not being seen at all, or getting so close and not actually making it. Those shape me just as much.
I’ve got to make sure those trophies don’t replace what I was supposed to do in the first place. What I was supposed to do is what I was supposed to do, and everything else happens the way it’s supposed to happen.
I try my best to fight against changing because the industry told me so, or because of awards, or because people told me so. They’ll crucify you one day and Hosanna the next. It’s weird out there. You can win awards when you don’t deserve it and lose them when you deserve to win. Nothing’s objective in that industry. I’ve just tried to say: who am I in this season? What am I supposed to accomplish? Did I accomplish it? And be a little disconnected from the results.
In an exclusive conversation with Rolling Out, McReynolds opens up about his Chicago roots, his faith, and his new album Closer, a project that is rawer, more soulful, and more spiritually urgent than anything he has released before.
Chicago made you Jonathan. Chicago is one of the most spiritually complex cities in America, a place of profound faith and profound pain existing side by side. How did growing up on the south side of Chicago shape not just who you are, but how you deliver the message of God through your music?
Chicago does have a pretty stark dichotomy. We’re definitely known for a lot of great things: food, sports, faith. But then there is some level of pain and fatigue and drain that’s in Chicago as well.
One thing that Chicago taught me to be was straightforward. This is not a place of fluff. It’s not a place of a lot of just extra. It’s a lot of grays, a lot of browns, a lot of blacks. It’s a lot of just straightforward: this is what’s necessary.
When it comes to my lyricism, I try my best to keep it front and center. Not too many distractions. I want to get the point across. I wanted to be very understood where I’m at. That level of stoicism, that level of minimalism, that level of directness is definitely a Chicago concept.
Music is medicine. There’s a growing conversation in wellness and mental health communities about the healing properties of gospel music, not just spiritually, but psychologically and emotionally. From your experience as an artist and a believer, how do you understand gospel music as a form of divine therapy for a broken world?
I see gospel music as divine therapy because I believe the guy behind it is a divine therapist. We think of God, we think of gospel, we think of a lot of things surrounding the church as simply a spiritual thing. But God cares about the whole you.
Don’t be surprised when there are straight-up psychological, medical, physical, and financial aspects to this benefits package. Everybody’s always thinking it’s going to be something way up there: that’s the only place God moves, the only place he cares about, the only place he works. No.
In the Bible, there are two creation stories. First, he creates man and woman in the spiritual realm, in the heavens, in his image. But then it cuts to when he’s actually down in the dirt forming us as man. He cares about you as a person, as a body, as a mind. We probably shouldn’t be as surprised as we are when we realize the stuff that he asked us to do is not just a spiritual status thing. It’s a mental health thing. It’s a physical well-being thing. He thought all of that.
We are embodied. We’re not just spiritual creatures. We’re also encased in a body with a nervous system. He cares about all of that. A lot of the things he asked us to do, a lot of things he’s inspired his people to say and create, they have a legit effect on us as full humans, not just the spiritual part of us.
The giants who came before gospel have a rich and towering legacy. Do you think about the artists whose shoulders you stand on, those iconic voices and visionaries who moved mountains long before you stepped into a studio? Who are the three that shaped your soul the most, and what specifically did they give you?
When I think about the gospel greats of the past, of course there are the Mahalias and the James Clevelands. You’ve got the Andraé Crouch who shifted the way we write songs. But I always want to give flowers to the people that directly passed me the baton. They passed it to somebody, they passed it to somebody, and then they passed it to me. And I’ve got to pass it to somebody.
People that passed it to me were people like Smokie Norful, people like Fred Hammond, people like Kirk Franklin. I always want to give them their flowers. They got it from somebody and were influenced by a lot of people. But I was influenced by them. Whatever they figured out, whatever they took from Richard Smallwood, whatever they got from James Cleveland, I took it from them.
The four I would shout out would be Smokie Norful, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and Israel Houghton.
Artists are watching you very closely, dreaming of carrying this message the way you do. If you could give three essential truths to someone just entering the gospel music industry, not just about the craft, but about navigating the business with their faith intact, what would those three things be?
One would be: enjoy your time under the radar. We try to rush to the top, rush to public life, rush to the spotlight. It’s really more fun outside of it. You really progress more as a person under the radar. Your character gets built faster, your craft accelerates, everything moves more and faster before the spotlight or outside of the spotlight. Please don’t rush out of it just because you want to be famous. That is a complete falsehood that public life is the more fun way to live. Do not take for granted your time under the radar.
Number two: do your best to not make people your God. Do your best to not make people the indication of what he likes and doesn’t like, because people will lie to you. They might be clapping and God might be frowning. They might be frowning and God might be clapping. You always have to look for where God is. Am I doing what I’m supposed to do? I know that they are tripping, but am I doing what I’m supposed to do? If you can maintain that relationship, you’ll be straight.
And lastly: never forget that God did not call us to greatness nearly as much as he called us to goodness. We have our idea of great: billboards, statues, number ones, Grammys, awards. But if you look in the Bible, you’re not going to find a whole bunch of special scriptures on how to be great. You will find a lot on how to be good, how to be patient, how to have joy, how to have peace, how to be kind to people, how to have temperance. When the world tries to get you to compromise your goodness as you aim for greatness, if you have to choose one or the other in a moment, choose the good. Because the stuff that God called good is lasting way longer than the stuff we call great.
When you think about the time that will come for you to pass the baton to the next generation, what do you think you’ll be looking for in that next person?
Throughout history, the people that have made the most impact, the people who have the best stories, are often the ones who didn’t want it so much. The ones who spent the most time practicing are the ones who enjoyed the substance, the craft, the pursuit, and the messaging. They enjoyed something deeper.
If you primarily enjoy being rich and famous, if you primarily enjoy being applauded or celebrated, I’m not that interested. David wasn’t even one of the people they expected. They had to go find him somewhere playing with animals, being a shepherd out in the field. He wasn’t the one being groomed for this.
I’m glad to be here. There are a lot of pros and perks that come with having a public life and being accepted and respected in this thing. But I know a lot of people who ask me how to be a singer, and in their head, they’re not talking about being good at vocalizing. They’re talking about being famous. It’s just a bad thing to aim for. Not because being famous is a bad thing, but because it’s a bad thing to aim for.
Just be good. Be great. Be excellent. Be undeniable. Have substance. Have a foundation. Have identity. Be unshakable. Be strong. Make your mama proud. Treat her well. Date well. Make music about it, the ups and the downs of it all.
I wouldn’t have had the songs I have if I didn’t make a lot of mistakes and walk through cycles and lessons and everything else. But I can honestly say I didn’t want this. I didn’t position my life to pursue it. I spent time getting good at the craft. So by the time it was time for me to get up on somebody’s stage, it all just worked out. It was kind of wax on, wax off. I’m good at this. I don’t know how, but I am. And that’s just because I invested in being good, not in promoting myself.
DOE, who’s on my label, I signed her five years ago. She’s now an acclaimed artist with a growing global audience, charting songs, and a strong fan base. She didn’t want to be famous. She just wanted to be good, to be used, to be impactful. She could absolutely not be famous and be happy. And so could I. I like those types of people.
You’ve stood on that Stellar Award stage and been recognized among the greatest in gospel. But beyond the trophy, beyond the applause, how has that recognition actually moved your career forward? And more importantly, has it deepened your responsibility to the culture and the congregation?
My responsibility has not shifted with the awards. My responsibility has shifted with who I’m becoming. God might give me a few winks along the way, a few “that was good, here’s an award, here’s some people.” But God’s ultimate purpose is to shape you. That comes from losses and wins. Losses shape me. I don’t know if the wins shape me nearly as much as not winning, not being seen at all, or getting so close and not actually making it. Those shape me just as much.
I’ve got to make sure those trophies don’t replace what I was supposed to do in the first place. What I was supposed to do is what I was supposed to do, and everything else happens the way it’s supposed to happen.
I try my best to fight against changing because the industry told me so, or because of awards, or because people told me so. They’ll crucify you one day and Hosanna the next. It’s weird out there. You can win awards when you don’t deserve it and lose them when you deserve to win. Nothing’s objective in that industry. I’ve just tried to say: who am I in this season? What am I supposed to accomplish? Did I accomplish it? And be a little disconnected from the results.
Get more here: https://rollingout.com/2026/04/23/jonathan-mcreynolds-is-closer-than-ever/
#RHOA: Drew Sidora Accuses Ex Ralph Pittman of Beating Son; He Denies the Attack
Divorce is nearly always fraught with emotion, especially when there are children involved. But when Real Housewives of Atlanta star Drew Sidora accused her estranged husband Ralph Pittman of child abuse, things got exponentially worse.
As previously reported, Drew recently lost primary custody of their two children to Ralph. Allegedly, there was a complaint that the children were missing too much school under their mother’s care. At that time, Drew was ordered to leave their home and the court named Ralph as the primary caregiver
According to TMZ, Drew petitioned the judge to reconsider the order for her to move by May 31. The actress/singer claimed that she didn’t have the funds to move and would be homeless. Previously filed court documents show that Drew earns over $12k a month from her acting gigs, music career and her role on RHOA.
Additionally, she submitted “a video in which [Ralph] could be heard severely beating the parties’ son.” Drew claimed that Ralph admitted the beating, but later denied it in court.
Furthermore, the RHOA star reported that Ralph admitted to being $25k behind on the mortgage payments. Prior to the court order for her to leave the home, Ralph had been relegated to the basement, though he was occasionally allowed to come upstairs and visit.
Meanwhile, Drew questioned why the court would rule in Ralph’s favor when he has a “documented history of physically abusing the parties’ son.”
Media has reached out to Ralph’s rep, who had no comment on the situation. The court has yet to rule on her request.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock.
As previously reported, Drew recently lost primary custody of their two children to Ralph. Allegedly, there was a complaint that the children were missing too much school under their mother’s care. At that time, Drew was ordered to leave their home and the court named Ralph as the primary caregiver
According to TMZ, Drew petitioned the judge to reconsider the order for her to move by May 31. The actress/singer claimed that she didn’t have the funds to move and would be homeless. Previously filed court documents show that Drew earns over $12k a month from her acting gigs, music career and her role on RHOA.
Additionally, she submitted “a video in which [Ralph] could be heard severely beating the parties’ son.” Drew claimed that Ralph admitted the beating, but later denied it in court.
Furthermore, the RHOA star reported that Ralph admitted to being $25k behind on the mortgage payments. Prior to the court order for her to leave the home, Ralph had been relegated to the basement, though he was occasionally allowed to come upstairs and visit.
Meanwhile, Drew questioned why the court would rule in Ralph’s favor when he has a “documented history of physically abusing the parties’ son.”
Media has reached out to Ralph’s rep, who had no comment on the situation. The court has yet to rule on her request.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock.
#MusicNews: Usher + Chris Brown add seven new dates to The R&B Tour
Just a day after the Citi card presale launched, the two R&B powerhouses announced that they would be adding seven more shows to the insanely popular tour. They didn't add any new locations, but several cities got second and third dates, including Chicago, San Francisco and Houston. The new dates extend the tour by a day as well, it no longer ends on Dec. 11, with a second show being added to Tampa, Fla. for Saturday, Dec. 12.
Usher & Chris Brown add seven new dates to the upcoming R&B tour
Due to an overwhelming demand for tickets, Usher and Chris Brown have already announced SEVEN new dates added to The R&B Tour. Brown teased this announcement shortly after the tour was announced on social media, adding "MORE DATES WILL BE ADDED! so don't get to complaining twin." Here's a look at the seven dates and locations:
July 18 - Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC - Get tickets starting at $148
Aug. 22 - Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. - Get tickets starting at $200
Aug. 29 - Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $208
Oct. 10 - NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Get tickets starting at $165
Nov. 10 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $157
Nov. 15 - SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $201
Dec. 12 - Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $115
Usher & Chris Brown The R&B Tour concert tickets
Usher & Chris Brown The R&B tour full US schedule
June 26 - Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. - Get tickets starting at $133
June 30 - U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. - Get tickets starting at $92
July 2 - Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. - Get tickets starting at $147
July 3 - Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. - Get tickets starting at $165
July 7 - Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio - Get tickets starting at $158
July 10 - Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C. - Get tickets starting at $193
July 11 - Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C. - Get tickets starting at $203
July 17 - Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC - Get tickets starting at $212
July 18 - Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC - Get tickets starting at $148
July 21 - The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Mo. - Get tickets starting at $107
July 25 - Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. - Get tickets starting at $166
July 28 - Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. - Get tickets starting at $150
Aug. 1 - JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY - Get tickets starting at $158
Aug. 7 - MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ - Get tickets starting at $233
Aug. 8 - MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ - Get tickets starting at $263
Aug. 17 - Gillette Stadium in Boston, Mass. - Get tickets starting at $137
Aug. 21 - Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. - Get tickets starting at $223
Aug. 22 - Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. - Get tickets starting at $200
Aug. 28 - Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $216
Aug. 29 - Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $208
Sept. 5 - Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. - Get tickets starting at $197
Sept. 6 - Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. - Get tickets starting at $160
Sept. 10 - AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas - Get tickets starting at $166
Sept. 25 - SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $189
Sept. 26 - SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $204
Sept. 29 - State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. - Get tickets starting at $129
Oct. 3 - Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas - Get tickets starting at $155
Oct. 5 - Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas - Get tickets starting at $107
Oct. 9 - NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Get tickets starting at $170
Oct. 10 - NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Get tickets starting at $165
Nov. 7 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $303
Nov. 8 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $210
Nov. 10 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $157
Nov. 15 - SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $201
Nov. 20 - Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. - Get tickets starting at $145
Dec. 3 - Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $171
Dec. 11 - Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $131
Dec. 12 - Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $115
Just a day after the Citi card presale launched, the two R&B powerhouses announced that they would be adding seven more shows to the insanely popular tour. They didn't add any new locations, but several cities got second and third dates, including Chicago, San Francisco and Houston. The new dates extend the tour by a day as well, it no longer ends on Dec. 11, with a second show being added to Tampa, Fla. for Saturday, Dec. 12.
Usher & Chris Brown add seven new dates to the upcoming R&B tour
Due to an overwhelming demand for tickets, Usher and Chris Brown have already announced SEVEN new dates added to The R&B Tour. Brown teased this announcement shortly after the tour was announced on social media, adding "MORE DATES WILL BE ADDED! so don't get to complaining twin." Here's a look at the seven dates and locations:
July 18 - Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC - Get tickets starting at $148
Aug. 22 - Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. - Get tickets starting at $200
Aug. 29 - Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $208
Oct. 10 - NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Get tickets starting at $165
Nov. 10 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $157
Nov. 15 - SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $201
Dec. 12 - Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $115
Usher & Chris Brown The R&B Tour concert tickets
Usher & Chris Brown The R&B tour full US schedule
June 26 - Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. - Get tickets starting at $133
June 30 - U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. - Get tickets starting at $92
July 2 - Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. - Get tickets starting at $147
July 3 - Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. - Get tickets starting at $165
July 7 - Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio - Get tickets starting at $158
July 10 - Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C. - Get tickets starting at $193
July 11 - Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C. - Get tickets starting at $203
July 17 - Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC - Get tickets starting at $212
July 18 - Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC - Get tickets starting at $148
July 21 - The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Mo. - Get tickets starting at $107
July 25 - Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. - Get tickets starting at $166
July 28 - Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. - Get tickets starting at $150
Aug. 1 - JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY - Get tickets starting at $158
Aug. 7 - MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ - Get tickets starting at $233
Aug. 8 - MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ - Get tickets starting at $263
Aug. 17 - Gillette Stadium in Boston, Mass. - Get tickets starting at $137
Aug. 21 - Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. - Get tickets starting at $223
Aug. 22 - Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. - Get tickets starting at $200
Aug. 28 - Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $216
Aug. 29 - Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $208
Sept. 5 - Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. - Get tickets starting at $197
Sept. 6 - Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. - Get tickets starting at $160
Sept. 10 - AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas - Get tickets starting at $166
Sept. 25 - SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $189
Sept. 26 - SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $204
Sept. 29 - State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. - Get tickets starting at $129
Oct. 3 - Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas - Get tickets starting at $155
Oct. 5 - Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas - Get tickets starting at $107
Oct. 9 - NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Get tickets starting at $170
Oct. 10 - NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Get tickets starting at $165
Nov. 7 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $303
Nov. 8 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $210
Nov. 10 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. - Get tickets starting at $157
Nov. 15 - SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. - Get tickets starting at $201
Nov. 20 - Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. - Get tickets starting at $145
Dec. 3 - Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $171
Dec. 11 - Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $131
Dec. 12 - Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. - Get tickets starting at $115
What is the set list for the Usher & Chris Brown tour?
There has been no set list announcement made for the Usher and Chris Brown tour. Both have dozens of hits dating back to the 90's for Usher and 2006 for Chris Brown.
#HipHopNews: Young M.A Announces First Studio Album Since 2017 and Drops New “FDO” Freestyle
Brooklyn’s finest is officially back to claim the throne. Multi-platinum emcee Young M.A has announced the upcoming release of her new album, Kween, set to drop on May 29th. The project marks a major milestone in her illustrious career, serving as her first full-length release since 2021 and her first proper studio album since the 2017 landmark HERstory.
The title Kween—a clever portmanteau of “king” and “queen”—is a nod to M.A.’s dual-energy dominance first showcased in a viral 2017 freestyle and the namesake of her charitable KWEENZ Foundation. After a period of hiatus focused on personal growth, sobriety, and conquering inner demons, the “OOOUUU” rapper is recharged and ready to dominate the summer.
To set the stage for the album, M.A. has delivered a “dazzling” freestyle over the instrumental of Pooh Shiesty’s Billboard Top 20 hit, “FDO.” In typical M.A. fashion, the track is a masterclass in “street poetry,” delivered with the unbothered, laid-back tone that Pitchfork once described as moving “at a slow pace like she’s giving a sermon.”
The freestyle is as much a testimony as it is a flex. M.A. gets candid about her journey to health, spitting:
“Man, I love being sober / Buying bottles of water, that 40 pack out of Kroger / Still protecting my piece, still keep my head on my shoulders / Still usin’ God as a weapon, don’t let the Devil approach you.”
The visual for the “FDO” freestyle serves as a fierce reminder that despite her time away from the spotlight, her pen remains one of the sharpest in the industry. As she warns her peers toward the end of the track: “It’s a rap for you n**s when the album out.”
While Kween is the official “next chapter,” M.A. has been keeping the streets hot for months. Her 2025 emergence was marked by a viral appearance during Kai Cenat’s “Mafiathon,” where her “Went Legit” freestyle racked up over 6.8 million views. She followed that momentum with heavy-hitting singles like “Aura,” “Thumperz,” and February’s “Lasagna,” which is already nearing the 2-million-view mark.
With over 3 billion career streams and a catalog that includes the 4x Platinum “OOOUUU,” M.A. is proving that her indie status is her greatest strength. “And yeah I’m still indie, count the numbers, how y’all gon count me out,” she rhymes on the new freestyle, highlighting a decade of staying power without the need for a major label machine.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the Kween in her element. Accompanying the album announcement is a 5-date Northeast run of shows, culminating in a massive hometown performance in Brooklyn just one day before the album hits platforms.
“Kween Tour” Dates:
May 26th: Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents
May 27: Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
May 28: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
May 30: Albany, NY @ Empire Underground
May 31: Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
Tickets are available now at youngmamusic.com.
Brooklyn’s finest is officially back to claim the throne. Multi-platinum emcee Young M.A has announced the upcoming release of her new album, Kween, set to drop on May 29th. The project marks a major milestone in her illustrious career, serving as her first full-length release since 2021 and her first proper studio album since the 2017 landmark HERstory.
The title Kween—a clever portmanteau of “king” and “queen”—is a nod to M.A.’s dual-energy dominance first showcased in a viral 2017 freestyle and the namesake of her charitable KWEENZ Foundation. After a period of hiatus focused on personal growth, sobriety, and conquering inner demons, the “OOOUUU” rapper is recharged and ready to dominate the summer.
To set the stage for the album, M.A. has delivered a “dazzling” freestyle over the instrumental of Pooh Shiesty’s Billboard Top 20 hit, “FDO.” In typical M.A. fashion, the track is a masterclass in “street poetry,” delivered with the unbothered, laid-back tone that Pitchfork once described as moving “at a slow pace like she’s giving a sermon.”
The freestyle is as much a testimony as it is a flex. M.A. gets candid about her journey to health, spitting:
“Man, I love being sober / Buying bottles of water, that 40 pack out of Kroger / Still protecting my piece, still keep my head on my shoulders / Still usin’ God as a weapon, don’t let the Devil approach you.”
The visual for the “FDO” freestyle serves as a fierce reminder that despite her time away from the spotlight, her pen remains one of the sharpest in the industry. As she warns her peers toward the end of the track: “It’s a rap for you n**s when the album out.”
While Kween is the official “next chapter,” M.A. has been keeping the streets hot for months. Her 2025 emergence was marked by a viral appearance during Kai Cenat’s “Mafiathon,” where her “Went Legit” freestyle racked up over 6.8 million views. She followed that momentum with heavy-hitting singles like “Aura,” “Thumperz,” and February’s “Lasagna,” which is already nearing the 2-million-view mark.
With over 3 billion career streams and a catalog that includes the 4x Platinum “OOOUUU,” M.A. is proving that her indie status is her greatest strength. “And yeah I’m still indie, count the numbers, how y’all gon count me out,” she rhymes on the new freestyle, highlighting a decade of staying power without the need for a major label machine.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the Kween in her element. Accompanying the album announcement is a 5-date Northeast run of shows, culminating in a massive hometown performance in Brooklyn just one day before the album hits platforms.
“Kween Tour” Dates:
May 26th: Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents
May 27: Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
May 28: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
May 30: Albany, NY @ Empire Underground
May 31: Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
Tickets are available now at youngmamusic.com.
Michael Jackson reportedly forgave father Joe Jackson before death
For decades, the story of Michael Jackson has been told through extremes — unparalleled fame, artistic genius, and a childhood often described as deeply troubled. Central to that narrative is his father, Joseph Jackson, whose strict and controversial management of the Jackson 5 (then The Jacksons) has long drawn scrutiny.
But according to author and longtime family confidant J. Randy Taraborrelli, the King of Pop’s feelings about his father evolved in profound ways before his death in 2009.
Michael Jackson himself publicly addressed his upbringing in the 2003 documentary, “Living with Michael Jackson,” describing a home environment governed by discipline and fear.
Yet, as Taraborrelli reveals in a recent interview with PEOPLE, time — and fatherhood — reshaped that perspective.
“It’s really easy to paint Joseph Jackson as a villain because he gives you so much to work with,” Taraborrelli explains. “But as flawed as he was as a father … it was for all the right reasons.”
Becoming a parent to Prince, Paris, and Bigi marked a pivotal shift in Michael Jackson’s emotional landscape. According to Taraborrelli, it was in those years that empathy began to replace resentment.
“[Forgiveness] was not easy to come to, but once Michael Jackson had children of his own, that’s when he really began to understand Joseph,” he says.
And ultimately, that understanding led to something deeper.
“Michael told me, ‘I totally, totally forgive him.’”
Even as he came to terms with his past, Michael remained resolute about the kind of father he wanted to be.
“To this day, I won’t lay a finger on my children,” he once said, according to PEOPLE. “I don’t want them to ever feel that way about me.”
It was a statement that underscored both the pain he carried and the conscious effort to ensure it would not be passed on.
The complex bond between father and son is once again in focus with the release of Michael, a record-breaking biographical film exploring the many layers of Jackson’s life — both on and off the stage.
In revisiting these relationships, the narrative becomes less about blame and more about transformation: a son grappling with his past, a father evolving with time, and a fragile but meaningful reconciliation that came before the final curtain.
Michael Jackson’s story has often been reduced to headlines and spectacle. But within it lies something quieter and more human — a journey toward forgiveness that reflects the complicated nature of family, memory, and growth.
And in that space, the music icon becomes something else entirely: not just a legend, but a son who, in the end, chose understanding over anger.
But according to author and longtime family confidant J. Randy Taraborrelli, the King of Pop’s feelings about his father evolved in profound ways before his death in 2009.
Michael Jackson himself publicly addressed his upbringing in the 2003 documentary, “Living with Michael Jackson,” describing a home environment governed by discipline and fear.
Yet, as Taraborrelli reveals in a recent interview with PEOPLE, time — and fatherhood — reshaped that perspective.
“It’s really easy to paint Joseph Jackson as a villain because he gives you so much to work with,” Taraborrelli explains. “But as flawed as he was as a father … it was for all the right reasons.”
Becoming a parent to Prince, Paris, and Bigi marked a pivotal shift in Michael Jackson’s emotional landscape. According to Taraborrelli, it was in those years that empathy began to replace resentment.
“[Forgiveness] was not easy to come to, but once Michael Jackson had children of his own, that’s when he really began to understand Joseph,” he says.
And ultimately, that understanding led to something deeper.
“Michael told me, ‘I totally, totally forgive him.’”
Even as he came to terms with his past, Michael remained resolute about the kind of father he wanted to be.
“To this day, I won’t lay a finger on my children,” he once said, according to PEOPLE. “I don’t want them to ever feel that way about me.”
It was a statement that underscored both the pain he carried and the conscious effort to ensure it would not be passed on.
The complex bond between father and son is once again in focus with the release of Michael, a record-breaking biographical film exploring the many layers of Jackson’s life — both on and off the stage.
In revisiting these relationships, the narrative becomes less about blame and more about transformation: a son grappling with his past, a father evolving with time, and a fragile but meaningful reconciliation that came before the final curtain.
Michael Jackson’s story has often been reduced to headlines and spectacle. But within it lies something quieter and more human — a journey toward forgiveness that reflects the complicated nature of family, memory, and growth.
And in that space, the music icon becomes something else entirely: not just a legend, but a son who, in the end, chose understanding over anger.
Los Angeles judge dismisses Smokey Robinson's defamation claim in countersuit of former workers
A judge dismissed Smokey Robinson's defamation claim in a countersuit filed by the Motown legend after former domestic workers employed by Robinson and his wife filed a lawsuit against the couple, claiming state Labor Code violations and sexual abuse allegations.
The decision came after the judge said there is no evidence that the ex-employees acted with malice in "the clear and convincing standard."
In the May 2025 filed complaint against Robinson, four women identified as Jane Does, alleged that he repeatedly sexually assaulted them at his Chatsworth home. They also accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, of failing to take action to prevent the allegations. The complaint seeks $50 million in damages.
The damages listed in the lawsuit include sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and several workplace violations. Robinson's lawyers described the lawsuit as an "extortionate plan." Two newer plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 5 and John Doe 1, joined the case in November 2025.
Within the same month the lawsuit was filed, Robinson filed a $500 million countersuit accusing the former housekeepers of defamation, false light, financial elder abuse, conversion, and invasion of privacy.
Part of Robinson's defamation countersuit involves a press conference where the original four plaintiffs called him a "serial rapist," according to court documents.
"Here, the subject statements relate to a matter of public interest because they pertain to sexual assault by a legendary musician," according to the judge.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile finalized a plaintiff's anti-SLAPP motion in which he did not dismiss the Robinson countersuit in its entirety as requested by the former employees, but did toss all of its defamation aspects because the statements at issue are protected activity.
Court records state, "There is evidence supporting the Robinsons, including inconsistencies and unusual circumstances, like encouraging a sister to work after the assaults. However, the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard."
Brazile said Robinson's allegations of emotional distress and financial elder abuse can move forward to the extent they are not based on defamation. He also let stand the singer's claims for conversion, invasion of privacy and a violation of the Penal Code.
A judge dismissed Smokey Robinson's defamation claim in a countersuit filed by the Motown legend after former domestic workers employed by Robinson and his wife filed a lawsuit against the couple, claiming state Labor Code violations and sexual abuse allegations.
The decision came after the judge said there is no evidence that the ex-employees acted with malice in "the clear and convincing standard."
In the May 2025 filed complaint against Robinson, four women identified as Jane Does, alleged that he repeatedly sexually assaulted them at his Chatsworth home. They also accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, of failing to take action to prevent the allegations. The complaint seeks $50 million in damages.
The damages listed in the lawsuit include sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and several workplace violations. Robinson's lawyers described the lawsuit as an "extortionate plan." Two newer plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 5 and John Doe 1, joined the case in November 2025.
Within the same month the lawsuit was filed, Robinson filed a $500 million countersuit accusing the former housekeepers of defamation, false light, financial elder abuse, conversion, and invasion of privacy.
Part of Robinson's defamation countersuit involves a press conference where the original four plaintiffs called him a "serial rapist," according to court documents.
"Here, the subject statements relate to a matter of public interest because they pertain to sexual assault by a legendary musician," according to the judge.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile finalized a plaintiff's anti-SLAPP motion in which he did not dismiss the Robinson countersuit in its entirety as requested by the former employees, but did toss all of its defamation aspects because the statements at issue are protected activity.
Court records state, "There is evidence supporting the Robinsons, including inconsistencies and unusual circumstances, like encouraging a sister to work after the assaults. However, the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard."
Brazile said Robinson's allegations of emotional distress and financial elder abuse can move forward to the extent they are not based on defamation. He also let stand the singer's claims for conversion, invasion of privacy and a violation of the Penal Code.
Atlanta Podcaster Jonathan Dupiton, Host Of The “Rich &Unemployed” Podcast, Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For $3.8 Million Unemployment Fraud Scheme
An Atlanta podcaster known for promoting a flashy lifestyle is now headed back to prison after being sentenced in a multi-million-dollar federal fraud case.
“Rich and Unemployed” podcast host Jonathan Dupiton, 36, received seven years behind bars followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, along with aggravated identity theft. According to prosecutors, Dupiton orchestrated a scheme during the #COVID-19 pandemic that targeted California’s unemployment insurance program. While living in a halfway house for a prior fraud conviction, he allegedly used stolen identities to file hundreds of fraudulent claims, routing debit cards to addresses in North Georgia and withdrawing the money from ATMs around #metroAtlanta.
Authorities say the scheme pulled in about $3.8 million, with roughly $2 million successfully withdrawn. Responding to the case, investigators emphasized the impact of the crime, with one official noting Dupiton “orchestrated a brazen scheme” and exploited “a critical safety net for personal gain.” Another warned, “we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.” Dupiton will also have to pay restitution in an amount which has not been revealed.
An Atlanta podcaster known for promoting a flashy lifestyle is now headed back to prison after being sentenced in a multi-million-dollar federal fraud case.
“Rich and Unemployed” podcast host Jonathan Dupiton, 36, received seven years behind bars followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, along with aggravated identity theft. According to prosecutors, Dupiton orchestrated a scheme during the #COVID-19 pandemic that targeted California’s unemployment insurance program. While living in a halfway house for a prior fraud conviction, he allegedly used stolen identities to file hundreds of fraudulent claims, routing debit cards to addresses in North Georgia and withdrawing the money from ATMs around #metroAtlanta.
Authorities say the scheme pulled in about $3.8 million, with roughly $2 million successfully withdrawn. Responding to the case, investigators emphasized the impact of the crime, with one official noting Dupiton “orchestrated a brazen scheme” and exploited “a critical safety net for personal gain.” Another warned, “we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.” Dupiton will also have to pay restitution in an amount which has not been revealed.
Heated Rivalry Season 2 Update Promises April 2027 Premiere And More Drama
Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney recently shared key updates about the highly anticipated second season of the popular Canadian series. Speaking alongside executive producer Brendan Brady on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tierney revealed that the writing process for Season 2 is already underway, with filming scheduled to commence this August.
The pair also announced that the new season is expected to premiere in April 2027. Tierney assured fans that the series will return “as soon as humanly possible,” emphasizing the team’s eagerness to bring more of the beloved story back to viewers.
Brady encouraged audiences to “enjoy the yearn” as they await the continuation of the hit show, which quickly became an international sensation after debuting on HBO Max last fall. The Crave Original series stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who gained widespread recognition for their roles in the show’s first season.
The initial season followed the secret relationship between professional hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Williams) of the fictional Montreal Metros and Ilya Rozanov (played by Storrie) of the fictional Boston Raiders. Their covert romance and struggles with privacy and identity captivated audiences worldwide.
Season 2 will adapt The Long Game, the sequel romance novel by author Rachel Reid, continuing the story of Shane and Ilya. Reid has also announced a third book titled Unrivaled, focusing on the same characters, although its release has been delayed until 2027.
During the CBS Mornings interview, Tierney emphasized the show’s fidelity to its source material, noting its Canadian origins and the production team’s commitment to authenticity. “This was a Canadian book. We’re Canadian producers,” he said, highlighting the series’ roots.
Although fans are eager for Season 2, speculation about a third season is already circulating. According to a recent GQ article, both lead actors have signed contracts for three seasons, suggesting that Unrivaled may also be adapted for television in the future.
Currently, Heated Rivalry is available for streaming on HBO Max, where new viewers can catch up on the first season before the next chapter arrives in 2027.
The pair also announced that the new season is expected to premiere in April 2027. Tierney assured fans that the series will return “as soon as humanly possible,” emphasizing the team’s eagerness to bring more of the beloved story back to viewers.
Brady encouraged audiences to “enjoy the yearn” as they await the continuation of the hit show, which quickly became an international sensation after debuting on HBO Max last fall. The Crave Original series stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who gained widespread recognition for their roles in the show’s first season.
The initial season followed the secret relationship between professional hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Williams) of the fictional Montreal Metros and Ilya Rozanov (played by Storrie) of the fictional Boston Raiders. Their covert romance and struggles with privacy and identity captivated audiences worldwide.
Season 2 will adapt The Long Game, the sequel romance novel by author Rachel Reid, continuing the story of Shane and Ilya. Reid has also announced a third book titled Unrivaled, focusing on the same characters, although its release has been delayed until 2027.
During the CBS Mornings interview, Tierney emphasized the show’s fidelity to its source material, noting its Canadian origins and the production team’s commitment to authenticity. “This was a Canadian book. We’re Canadian producers,” he said, highlighting the series’ roots.
Although fans are eager for Season 2, speculation about a third season is already circulating. According to a recent GQ article, both lead actors have signed contracts for three seasons, suggesting that Unrivaled may also be adapted for television in the future.
Currently, Heated Rivalry is available for streaming on HBO Max, where new viewers can catch up on the first season before the next chapter arrives in 2027.
Tamela Mann Matches Kirk Franklin’s Record For Most Gospel No. 1s
Tamela Mann has achieved a significant milestone by securing her 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart with her song "Live Breathe Fight," maintaining the top position for two consecutive weeks on March 28 and April 4. This feat ties her with Kirk Franklin for the most No. 1s on this chart, marking the highest number ever for a female artist and the joint highest overall.
Tamela Mann has now scored seven consecutive No. 1 hits, demonstrating remarkable consistency in gospel music radio airplay. She expressed her amazement at the achievement, saying, "Thirteen No. 1s on Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart - this is amazing. To be tied with my brother Kirk Franklin, both of us from Fort Worth, Texas, it's just incredible. I'm just as grateful now as I was for my first No. 1."
Mann first topped the chart in 2012 with "Take Me to the King," which held the No. 1 spot for 25 weeks. Since then, she has remained a prominent figure on the chart with other No. 1 hits including 2017’s "Change Me," which was number one for 14 weeks, 2016’s "God Provides," and her 2013 cover of MercyMe’s "I Can Only Imagine," both topping the chart for 13 weeks.
Kirk Franklin, who most recently reached No. 1 with "Do It Again" in November, shares this record with Mann. Other notable artists on the Gospel Airplay chart include James Fortune & FIYA and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, each with 10 No. 1s, followed by Jekalyn Carr with nine, and Zacardi Cortez with eight.
Tamela Mann credits the success of her latest No. 1 to the song’s meaningful connection with listeners. She explained, "What makes a gospel song work on radio today is the message. Speaking to what people are going through and encouraging them ... I really believe it's the words that connect and help songs become No. 1s."
Reflecting on her journey, Mann acknowledged the influence of gospel legends who inspired her, saying, "I think about the people who came before me - the Hawkins family, Andraé Crouch, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Clark Sisters. Those are the voices I grew up listening to and learning from."
Tamela Mann has now scored seven consecutive No. 1 hits, demonstrating remarkable consistency in gospel music radio airplay. She expressed her amazement at the achievement, saying, "Thirteen No. 1s on Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart - this is amazing. To be tied with my brother Kirk Franklin, both of us from Fort Worth, Texas, it's just incredible. I'm just as grateful now as I was for my first No. 1."
Mann first topped the chart in 2012 with "Take Me to the King," which held the No. 1 spot for 25 weeks. Since then, she has remained a prominent figure on the chart with other No. 1 hits including 2017’s "Change Me," which was number one for 14 weeks, 2016’s "God Provides," and her 2013 cover of MercyMe’s "I Can Only Imagine," both topping the chart for 13 weeks.
Kirk Franklin, who most recently reached No. 1 with "Do It Again" in November, shares this record with Mann. Other notable artists on the Gospel Airplay chart include James Fortune & FIYA and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, each with 10 No. 1s, followed by Jekalyn Carr with nine, and Zacardi Cortez with eight.
Tamela Mann credits the success of her latest No. 1 to the song’s meaningful connection with listeners. She explained, "What makes a gospel song work on radio today is the message. Speaking to what people are going through and encouraging them ... I really believe it's the words that connect and help songs become No. 1s."
Reflecting on her journey, Mann acknowledged the influence of gospel legends who inspired her, saying, "I think about the people who came before me - the Hawkins family, Andraé Crouch, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Clark Sisters. Those are the voices I grew up listening to and learning from."
Megan Thee Stallion Confirms Split from Klay Thompson, Accuses Him of Cheating On Her
Megan Thee Stallion has confirmed via her rep that she and Klay Thompson are done. She published a post on her Instagram Stories accusing him of cheating.
The 31-year-old rapper posted to her social media on Saturday (April 25) saying, “Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house.”
“Got ‘cold feet,’ ” she continued. “Holding you down through all your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season now you don’t know if you can be ‘monogamous’ ????”
Klay is an NBA champ and player for the Dallas Mavericks.
“b—h I need a REAL break after this one .. bye yall,” Megan concluded.
“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay. Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity,” said her rep in a statement to TMZ.
Megan and the 35-year-old athlete made their red carpet debut in July 2025 after weeks of teasing their relationship on social media.
Before going public, Klay had appeared in the background of some of her videos and social media photos.
The “Savage” rapper is currently performing in Moulin Rouge! The Musical as her Broadway debut in New York and had to be rushed to the hospital mid-performance at the end of March. Her rep later released a statement explaining what happened.
The 31-year-old rapper posted to her social media on Saturday (April 25) saying, “Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house.”
“Got ‘cold feet,’ ” she continued. “Holding you down through all your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season now you don’t know if you can be ‘monogamous’ ????”
Klay is an NBA champ and player for the Dallas Mavericks.
“b—h I need a REAL break after this one .. bye yall,” Megan concluded.
“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay. Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity,” said her rep in a statement to TMZ.
Megan and the 35-year-old athlete made their red carpet debut in July 2025 after weeks of teasing their relationship on social media.
Before going public, Klay had appeared in the background of some of her videos and social media photos.
The “Savage” rapper is currently performing in Moulin Rouge! The Musical as her Broadway debut in New York and had to be rushed to the hospital mid-performance at the end of March. Her rep later released a statement explaining what happened.
Billy Porter Reveals He Has Not Been Invited Back to Met Gala Since 2019
*Billy Porter is speaking candidly about his long absence from the Met Gala, revealing that he has not been invited back since his only appearance in 2019.
The Broadway star shared the update while appearing on Bevvi Smith’s podcast, where he reflected on his experience with the high-profile fashion event and his evolving perspective on recognition. Porter explained that his sole Met Gala appearance also marked his only invitation. He said, “I haven’t been invited back since 2019.” He added, “That’s the only time I’ve ever gone and the only time I’ve ever been invited and I was invited by Ryan Murphy that year.”
Porter also pointed to last year’s Met Gala theme, noting his absence despite its cultural focus. “Last year was Black dandyism and I was not invited, I’m just going to throw that out there,” he said.
Porter emphasized that he no longer feels the need to attend events where he is not welcomed. “I don’t go to places where I’m not welcome,” he said.
This year’s gala will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The theme, “Costume Art,” curated by Andrew Bolton, will examine the connection between clothing and the human body.
Bolton explained the concept, saying, “I wanted to focus on the centrality of the dressed body within the museum, connecting artistic representations of the body with fashion as an embodied art form.”
He added, “Rather than prioritizing fashion’s visuality, which often comes at the expense of the corporeal, ‘Costume Art’ privileges its materiality and the indivisible connection between our bodies and the clothes we wear.”
The exhibition will open on May 10, 2026, and run through January 10, 2027.
*Billy Porter is speaking candidly about his long absence from the Met Gala, revealing that he has not been invited back since his only appearance in 2019.
The Broadway star shared the update while appearing on Bevvi Smith’s podcast, where he reflected on his experience with the high-profile fashion event and his evolving perspective on recognition. Porter explained that his sole Met Gala appearance also marked his only invitation. He said, “I haven’t been invited back since 2019.” He added, “That’s the only time I’ve ever gone and the only time I’ve ever been invited and I was invited by Ryan Murphy that year.”
Porter also pointed to last year’s Met Gala theme, noting his absence despite its cultural focus. “Last year was Black dandyism and I was not invited, I’m just going to throw that out there,” he said.
Porter emphasized that he no longer feels the need to attend events where he is not welcomed. “I don’t go to places where I’m not welcome,” he said.
This year’s gala will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The theme, “Costume Art,” curated by Andrew Bolton, will examine the connection between clothing and the human body.
Bolton explained the concept, saying, “I wanted to focus on the centrality of the dressed body within the museum, connecting artistic representations of the body with fashion as an embodied art form.”
He added, “Rather than prioritizing fashion’s visuality, which often comes at the expense of the corporeal, ‘Costume Art’ privileges its materiality and the indivisible connection between our bodies and the clothes we wear.”
The exhibition will open on May 10, 2026, and run through January 10, 2027.
Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz Are Engaged After Dating 8 Months
Singer Harry Styles and actress Zoe Kravitz are engaged after dating 8 months. The blogs went into overdrive when Zoe stepped out in London with a sizable diamond ring on that finger.
Page Six reported Zoe and Harry were spotted out in London, and Zoe didn’t try to hide her massive ring. Harry is a native of England and maintains a residence there. Zoe was born in Los Angeles to singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet.
A source tells Page Six that Harry, 32, “is completely smitten” with 37-year-old Zoe. “He would jump off a cliff for her,” while Zoe “is on cloud nine.”
The source said “no one in their circle is surprised” by their engagement. Harry and Zoe have dated multiple partners before finding true love.
The couple took their relationship public in August 2025 when they were seen walking hand-in-hand in Rome.
A source told The Daily Mail that “Harry is interested in seeing where this goes. It is very easy to fall for Zoë. She is beautiful and so unique a person that you just want to know more and more about her, and that is mesmerizing for everyone who meets her. In so many of her past relationships, men fell in love with her very fast, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Harry finds himself in the same situation.”
Harry is best known as a member of the British boy band One Direction. He went solo in 2016. The “As it Was” singer previously dated Taylor Russell, Kendall Jenner, Olivia Wilde, and Taylor Swift.
Harry’s relationship with Taylor Russell marked the first time he dated a Black woman.
Harry and Zoe tried to keep their interracial romance under wraps for 8 months. But that was impossible.
“It’s so hard to date as a celebrity … Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoe if it wasn’t anything,” an insider said. Zoe told friends that Harry is “her soulmate.”
Zoe previously dated actors Ezra Miller, Penn Badgley and Channing Tatum. She married actor Karl Glusman at her grandfather’s home in Paris, France on June 29, 2019. Their divorce was finalized in June 2021.
She began dating Channing in 2021 and they were engaged in 2023. They split up the following year.
Page Six reported Zoe and Harry were spotted out in London, and Zoe didn’t try to hide her massive ring. Harry is a native of England and maintains a residence there. Zoe was born in Los Angeles to singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet.
A source tells Page Six that Harry, 32, “is completely smitten” with 37-year-old Zoe. “He would jump off a cliff for her,” while Zoe “is on cloud nine.”
The source said “no one in their circle is surprised” by their engagement. Harry and Zoe have dated multiple partners before finding true love.
The couple took their relationship public in August 2025 when they were seen walking hand-in-hand in Rome.
A source told The Daily Mail that “Harry is interested in seeing where this goes. It is very easy to fall for Zoë. She is beautiful and so unique a person that you just want to know more and more about her, and that is mesmerizing for everyone who meets her. In so many of her past relationships, men fell in love with her very fast, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Harry finds himself in the same situation.”
Harry is best known as a member of the British boy band One Direction. He went solo in 2016. The “As it Was” singer previously dated Taylor Russell, Kendall Jenner, Olivia Wilde, and Taylor Swift.
Harry’s relationship with Taylor Russell marked the first time he dated a Black woman.
Harry and Zoe tried to keep their interracial romance under wraps for 8 months. But that was impossible.
“It’s so hard to date as a celebrity … Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoe if it wasn’t anything,” an insider said. Zoe told friends that Harry is “her soulmate.”
Zoe previously dated actors Ezra Miller, Penn Badgley and Channing Tatum. She married actor Karl Glusman at her grandfather’s home in Paris, France on June 29, 2019. Their divorce was finalized in June 2021.
She began dating Channing in 2021 and they were engaged in 2023. They split up the following year.
Suspect in custody after shots fired at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Shooting incident: President Donald Trump was rushed off stage unhurt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, after shots were fired. An attacker “armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives” charged through a security checkpoint, police said.
Suspect in custody: Authorities have identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN. He will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.
FBI search: FBI agents assembled overnight outside a home linked to Allen in Torrance, a Los Angeles suburb. Police tape was put up along part of the street and a spotlight was shone on the property.
Officer shot: A US Secret Service officer, who was shot in their protective gear has since been released from the hospital, according to USSS Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi.
Shooting incident: President Donald Trump was rushed off stage unhurt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, after shots were fired. An attacker “armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives” charged through a security checkpoint, police said.
Suspect in custody: Authorities have identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN. He will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.
FBI search: FBI agents assembled overnight outside a home linked to Allen in Torrance, a Los Angeles suburb. Police tape was put up along part of the street and a spotlight was shone on the property.
Officer shot: A US Secret Service officer, who was shot in their protective gear has since been released from the hospital, according to USSS Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
Basket-case gymnast at the Walmart Olympics.
When I saw basket case, I immediately thought of green day
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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