According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez met Perry through a mutual connection in 2015 and later developed a professional relationship with the entertainment executive. He alleges Perry repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances while offering mentorship and discussing future acting opportunities. Perry has denied the allegations through attorney Alex Spiro, who has characterized the lawsuit as a “money grab” and argued that evidence in the case undermines Rodriguez’s claims.

Read More: Tyler Perry Accuser Breaks Silence On “Cordial” Texts Amid Lawsuit

Update On The Case

In a recent report by TMZ, Rodriguez allegedly said the filmmaker won’t “sit for a deposition unless there’s a guarantee Tyler won’t be asked about his sexual orientation.” However, Perry’s attorneys claim that’s not the case. The outlet has reportedly obtained court documents indicating that Rodriguez has been trying to have Perry sanctioned for failing to appear for a deposition. Rodriguez alleged that Perry’s “lawyer told him Tyler would only appear if they agreed not to ask Tyler whether he is, or has been, sexually attracted to men.” The accuser also noted that Perry has previously been accused of similar conduct.

TMZ further stated that Perry’s legal team believes that implications about his sexuality can turn into an irrelevant “witch hunt.” The mogul’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, told the outlet, “As we said from the outset, this is a shakedown and now a shakedown and a frivolous motion. Tyler did not fail to appear for a deposition nor refuse any line of questioning. We will seek sanctions.”

We’ll keep you updated on the case.

The post Tyler Perry’s Sexual Assault Accuser Says He Won’t Sit For Deposition appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Between January 2007 and the album’s September release, the sneaker world was moving fast, with Jordan retros, Nike SB collabs, and underground hip-hop tie-ins all landing within months of each other.

Some of these shoes have a direct line back to Kanye himself. Others simply capture what was on feet across hip-hop at the time, from old-school Reebok and Puma collabs to the Jordans and Nikes that never left rotation.

Together, they tell the story of a moment when sneaker culture and rap were moving, right as Kanye was about to change both for good. Here are the 10 sneakers that defined that era.

Read More: Kanye West Fails To Drop “BULLY” Deluxe And Divides The Fanbase

10. Air Jordan 3 “Fire Red”

The Air Jordan 3 had history on its side long before Graduation ever came out. The “Fire Red” colorway made its retro debut in March 2007, months ahead of the album’s September release.

Its white leather upper, dark elephant print, and loud red trim made it impossible to miss on sight. By the time Kanye’s rollout kicked into gear that summer, the shoe was already everywhere.

It set the tone for a year packed with retros, hype, and rotation. Simple, sharp, and built on decades of Jordan Brand history. That’s why the Fire Red opens this list at #10.

9. Nike Air Max 95 “Neon”

The Air Max 95 “Neon” wasn’t tied to one moment, but it never left the conversation either. Its grey gradient upper and that blast of neon yellow made it stand out from anything else on shelves.

By the late 2000s, it had already become a hip-hop and streetwear staple on both sides of the Atlantic. Rappers wore it, grime artists wore it, and sneaker culture in general couldn’t get enough. A 2008 retro brought it back right as Kanye’s Graduation era was winding down.

It fit the bigger story of this list: a shoe built on attitude as much as design. Loud, recognizable, and impossible to ignore. That’s the Neon Am95.

8. Reebok S. Carter Classic

The Reebok S. Carter Classic carried weight beyond just being a signature shoe. It belonged to Jay-Z, and by extension, to Roc-A-Fella, the label Kanye came up under.

Its clean white leather and that signature script on the tongue gave it an understated look next to flashier releases. Still, it held real cultural value in hip-hop circles throughout the mid-to-late 2000s.

The shoe also set the stage for what came next: Kanye’s own Reebok ties a year later. It’s a direct link in the chain that runs through this list. Overall, it’s quiet, sharp, and deeply rooted in Roc-A-Fella history.

7. Nike Air Force 1 Lux ’07 “Crocodile”

The Air Force 1 had already been a hip-hop staple for over two decades by the time 2007 came around. To mark the shoe’s 25th anniversary, Nike went a different direction entirely.

The Lux ’07 “Crocodile” launched in January 2007, handcrafted in Italy with real crocodile skin and gold-tone hardware. Only 200 pairs existed, and it carried a $2,000 price tag, a number nobody expected from Nike at the time.

It showed a different side of the AF1 story, one built on exclusivity instead of everyday wear. The timing lined up right as Kanye’s own fashion-forward instincts were starting to take over his public image. Luxury materials, limited numbers, and a shoe built to be talked about more than worn.

6. Air Jordan 8 “Aqua”

The Air Jordan 8 “Aqua” landed at almost the exact same moment as Graduation itself. The retro released September 22, 2007, just eleven days after the album hit shelves.

Its black upper, paired with that bright purple and aqua midsole, made it one of the boldest Jordan releases of the year. It arrived right as streetwear was rising into mainstream fashion, the same shift Kanye was helping push forward at the time.

Sneakerheads lined up for it, and the pairs sold out quickly once they hit stores. A loud, colorful shoe dropping in sync with one of the most important albums of Kanye’s career.

5. Puma BDK Big Daddy Kane Suede

The Puma Suede has always carried serious hip-hop weight, and this release leaned all the way into that history. Released in September 2007, the BDK Big Daddy Kane edition came as part of the Yo! MTV Raps collaboration series.

Its black suede upper and gold chain detail across the side paid direct tribute to one of golden-era rap’s most stylish figures. The timing lined up almost exactly with Graduation‘s release that same month.

It connected two eras of hip-hop fashion in one shoe: the old-school pioneers and the new generation taking over. A reminder that the culture surrounding Kanye’s rise was never separate from the one that came before it.

4. MF DOOM x Nike Dunk High Pro SB

The MF DOOM Dunk High is still one of the most respected hip-hop sneaker collabs ever made. It released in July 2007, right as Kanye was deep in the Graduation recording process.

Its all-black build, mismatched panels, and the masked “DOOM” branding on the side gave it an identity unlike anything else on shelves that year. The shoe represented a different lane of hip-hop entirely, underground and built on mystery rather than mainstream exposure.

Still, it carried just as much weight in sneaker circles at the time. Nike SB had fully tapped into hip-hop culture by this point, and this release proved it. A grail then, and still one now.

3. Air Jordan 3 “Black Cat”

The Air Jordan 3 “Black Cat” retroed in June 2007, a few months ahead of Graduation‘s release that September. All black from top to bottom, with the elephant print and patent leather hits visible only on close inspection, it stood apart from the louder colorways dropping that year.

The design fit a sneaker market shifting toward darker, more minimal palettes. It also fit a broader hip-hop moment, one where stealth wear carried just as much weight as flash.

The shoe sold out fast and quickly built a reputation as one of the better Jordan 3 releases of the decade. By the time Kanye’s album dropped that fall, the Black Cat was already a fixture in rotation.

2. Nike Air Force 1 “Triple White”

The Nike Air Force 1 “Triple White” never needed a specific moment to matter. By 2007, it had already been the default sneaker in hip-hop for over two decades, worn across every region and every style.

Kanye himself was rocking Air Force 1s constantly in the years before his own album cycles took off, the same way most of the genre did. Its all-white build made it the easiest shoe to dress up or down, fitting equally well with a suit or jeans and a hoodie.

While flashier releases came and went throughout the Graduation era, the Triple White stayed in constant rotation underneath all of it. It’s less a single release and more the baseline every other shoe on this list got compared to. A true hip-hop constant.

1. Bape Bapesta x Kanye West “College Dropout”

The Bape Bapesta x Kanye West “College Dropout” earns the top spot for a simple reason: it’s the shoe that started everything. Released in January 2007, this was Kanye’s first-ever sneaker collaboration, built on Bape’s flagship Bapesta silhouette rather than a brand new design.

The colorway pulled directly from his debut album’s artwork, repping the bear logo that paid dues to that era’s visual identity. That bear didn’t disappear after College Dropout. It evolved into Dropout Bear, the mascot that fronted Graduation’s cover art just months later.

Without this shoe, there’s no clear bridge between Kanye’s first chapter and the one that followed. It also marked his real entry point into Japanese streetwear, a relationship that would shape his style for years.

Every other entry on this list exists somewhere in that orbit. The Bapesta isn’t just first because of the date. It’s first because everything after it built on what this shoe started.

Read More: Fivio Foreign Reacts To Alicia Keys & Yung Miami Performing At Knicks Parade

The post The 10 Sneakers That Defined Kanye’s “Graduation” Album Era appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Wembanyama is still facing jokes online following that Finals loss. AND1 leaned into that moment with its own lighthearted jab. The brand’s connection to the post goes beyond just timing. Alvarado wore AND1’s Mad Game Pro player exclusives throughout the Knicks’ playoff run.

The first image shows Alvarado rising for a contested jumper. Wembanyama reaches up beside him, unable to fully close the gap. The second photo shows Alvarado standing over Wembanyama after a different play. Both moments highlight the height gap between the two players clearly.

Alvarado’s deal with AND1 turns these posts into useful marketing for the brand. Pairing real game footage with humor tends to perform well online. It also reinforces Alvarado’s connection to the brand during a championship run. Meanwhile, Wembanyama has plenty of rebuilding ahead after a rough series.

The posts didn’t reveal new information, but they captured a notable moment. A smaller guard got the better of one of the league’s tallest players. That contrast made for an easy and lighthearted social media moment.

Read More: Cam Newton Helps DJ Akademiks Get A Date With Daphne Joy

AND1 Disses Victor Wembanyama

Alvarado has built a reputation around physical, high-energy defense throughout his career. That style sometimes leads to him matching up against much taller players.

Going at a seven-footer like Wembanyama only adds to that reputation. Wearing AND1’s Mad Game Pro shoes throughout the playoffs gave the brand built-in visibility. Posting these specific images afterward extends that exposure even further.

The caption itself leans into a joke fans have made before. Height alone hasn’t always translated to results for Wembanyama in big moments. That gap between size and outcome is part of why fans found the post funny.

For AND1, pairing a title run with playful trolling makes for an easy marketing win. It blends real basketball moments with humor that spreads quickly online.

Read More: Kanye Rocks Vintage Avirex Jacket He Reportedly Bought On eBay

The post AND1 Hilariously Trolls Victor Wembanyama After Knicks Finals Win appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As Ak shared on his Instagram page, Newton asked Joy about the commentator on his Funky Friday podcast with her. “So Brehs… 8 pm sharp or na??” he captioned his post.

“Would you go on a date with DJ Akademiks?” Newton asked. “Oh, yes,” she remarked, which led to Cam going “Mm” and her laughing. “Is that a possibly yes, a maybe yes, or a hell yes?” he followed up. “It’s an, ‘I’m ready at 8PM right now,'” Daphne answered with another chuckle.

“Wow… My boy! My man!” the former NFL star replied. “Okay, what would you want the expectations of that night or that date to look like? Akademiks, my n***a, I got you. I got us. I’m trying to get you game. Go to your Notes app, unlock it, and get ready to type… Take notes.”

“If me and DJ Akademiks went on a date, or if he finally asked me out on a date, I actually share that with him, too,” Daphne Joy remarked. “I’m just like, ‘Show me what you got.’ It’s the effort and energy that’s so attractive to me. ‘Oh my God, you did this for me?’ So that would get me.

Cam Newton asked if this was realistic. “Akademiks don’t look like… I’m just saying.”

Read More: Juneteenth 2026: 15 Hip Hop & Soul Classics That Celebrate Black Joy & Pride

Cam Newton Interviews Daphne Joy

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A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

“It’s not about the looks. It’s about how someone makes you feel,” Joy remarked. “In a really crazy time, he interviewed me at one of my most emotionally vulnerable times. And he made me laugh. He made me laugh laugh…”

“Akademiks, just tickle her, bro. You got her,” Newton said. “I’m not ticklish. I like mental stimulation,” she expressed. “What we’ve seen… If you had a type, he just didn’t…” he continued. “Do you have a type? [Daphne Joy’s answer was no].”

“I just gravitate to whoever makes me feel really good inside, makes me feel safe, happy, keeps me laughing, makes me feel protected,” Daphne replied. “Would you entertain DJ Akademiks if he was broke? You’re lying,” Cam clapped back after she said yes.

“What he offers is somebody who makes me laugh, talks to me, has sincerity,” Joy continued. “Listen, we only had that one interview. I’m not trying to make this a huge big deal. I guess we really had chemistry. The chemistry was all people could talk about. I do read the comments… I was just being myself. There’s no masterclass or way about me. That was just straight ping-pong conversation. That’s just who I am… A friend zone? You can laugh some of these panties off, you never know.”

Read More: Daphne Joy’s Complicated History With 50 Cent & Diddy: Co-Parenting To Courtroom Rumors

The post Cam Newton Helps DJ Akademiks Get A Date With Daphne Joy appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The Philly MC posited that Jay is jealous of Drizzy’s success with ICEMAN and how he took the spotlight. He also spoke about holding the Brooklyn legend to a high regard concerning his lyrical ability, which is why he’s more critical of the freestyle in addition to dismissing the disses.

“I think he rushed [the freestyle], was in his feelings…” Oschino remarked. “I think he wanted the spotlight. He’s not used to not having the spotlight. Drake got the spotlight. He’s salty about that. Drake came at him a little bit when he said something about ‘F**k having dinner with him.’ N***as can say what they want about that freestyle I did. Motherf***ers loved it. More people loved it than not. People, they got to say that about Jay-Z. They’re scared of him. Joe Budden’s scared of Jay-Z. He said I need to get help or something like that. How I need to heal, but you butt-naked ringing people’s doorbells? […] Imagine what Joe Budden would’ve said about me if he heard I was butt-naked ringing people’s doorbells… So it be funny when I hear him talking about me. You have no legs to stand on… I’ma pray for him.”

Read More: Drake Turned Into JAŸ-Z—And Became The Version He Once Mocked

Jay-Z’s Roots Picnic Freestyle

Elsewhere during Jay-Z’s Roots Picnic freestyle, he also dissed the likes of Dame Dash, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Tony Buzbee, Tory Lanez, and Jaguar Wright. It already died down a little in the timeline, but with Hov’s upcoming concerts, we’re sure there will be more debate.

Meanwhile, we’ll see whether or not the 6ix God or Budden react to these comments or other discussions about Jay. It’s been a doozy to see the back-and-forths so far, but many folks are still waiting on a main event.

Read More: Juneteenth 2026: 15 Hip Hop & Soul Classics That Celebrate Black Joy & Pride

The post Oschino Claims Jay-Z’s Jealous Of Drake & Joe Budden’s Scared Of Hov appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The account sharing the photos also posted a matching eBay listing. That listing showed the same jacket style in a similar worn, beige tone. It was categorized as an A-2 flight jacket as well. Posting both images together suggested a direct connection between the two.

There’s no confirmation that West actually purchased that specific listing. Still, the side by side comparison made the link feel obvious. Vintage and military style jackets have shown up in his wardrobe before. The A-2 silhouette specifically has a long history within both fashion and streetwear.

Censori wore a fitted, neutral colored bodysuit paired with platform heels. Her look stayed close to the same beige and tan color family. Together, their outfits leaned toward a more muted, coordinated palette. That choice has become a familiar pattern in their public appearances, for better or for worse.

Whether sourced secondhand or otherwise, the jacket drew attention almost immediately. Pairing it with a matching listing only added more interest. For now, the exact purchase details remain unverified either way.

Read More: Drake’s OVO Reportedly Hit With Lawsuit While Operating At A Major Loss

Kanye’s Vintage Avirex Jacket

Avirex built its reputation around reproducing authentic military flight jacket designs. The A-2 specifically traces back to U.S. Army Air Corps uniforms. Pilots originally wore the style during missions in the 1930s and 1940s.

Decades later, the jacket crossed over into streetwear and hip hop fashion. That history is part of why the style still circulates through resale markets today. The structured collar, snap closures, and ribbed cuffs have stayed largely consistent over time.

Beige and tan colorways often carry heavier visible wear after decades of use. That aging tends to appeal to collectors searching for genuine vintage pieces.

Finding an exact match secondhand isn’t always simple or guaranteed. That difficulty is likely why the matching listing caught attention so quickly online.

Read More: An Early Unboxing Just Leaked The Air Jordan 4 “Comic”

The post Kanye Rocks Vintage Avirex Jacket He Reportedly Bought On eBay appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Per the outlet, the suit over multiple loan payment defaults comes from A.R.I. OVO Growth Capital I, LLC (A.R.I.) against the OVO ULC in British Columbia, Canada. The 6ix God cofounded OVO alongside Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib, expanding its musical borders to lifestyle, investment, and other consumer products and initiatives.

A.R.I. reportedly seeks at least $4.6 million in addition to default interest, legal fees, and other accruing amounts under financing arrangements. The lawsuit claims OVO generated $72 million in revenue in 2024 and almost $400 million between 2019 and 2024 while operating at a loss, reportedly losing $8 million in that timeframe and $12 million from 2022 to 2024.

The lawsuit reportedly claims A.R.I. provided OVO with various financing transition plans in 2025. However, it claims the company defaulted under Convertible Promissory Notes of over $5 million, failing to make the proper payments and breaching other elements of the financing agreements. OVO reportedly entered a formal Forbearance Agreement in March of this year.

Read More: Drake Turned Into JAŸ-Z—And Became The Version He Once Mocked

OVO Lawsuit

But A.R.I. claims they only partially paid the money they were supposed to, refusing and disputing alleged obligations to comply with other contractual amounts. As such, we will see if this lawsuit leads to a win for OVO or a deeper financial hole.

This follows the news of Drake’s OVO potentially experiencing a sale. There are reportedly conversations about selling 50 percent of the company to Authentic Brands Group, one of the largest licensors in the business space. Some fans believe this sale might be a way to mitigate these debt issues, or it could be a separate matter.

Amid other unrelated and unverified allegations concerning OVO, we will see if the Toronto superstar himself speaks out about any of this. None of this has slowed down his success. But it does provide more discussion and debate for an already hot topic.

Read More: Juneteenth 2026: 15 Hip Hop & Soul Classics That Celebrate Black Joy & Pride

The post Drake’s OVO Reportedly Hit With Lawsuit While Operating At A Major Loss appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Design highlights include comic-styled shaped eyelets in place of the usual wing design. The Nike Air branding on the heel uses a comic style font. An orange to pink gradient covers the mesh netting underneath. The decal sheet matches those same comic inspired details closely. It includes small graphics reading “Nike Air” and “Air Jordan” in bold lettering.

The timing lines up directly with San Diego Comic-Con week. That overlap fits the shoe’s theme in an obvious way.

It also places the “Comic” alongside other Air Jordan 4 releases this summer. Those include the “Flight Club” and other heritage focused colorways.

The Air Jordan 4 has become Jordan Brand’s most popular model in recent years. Leaning into comic book art keeps that momentum going. A matching t-shirt is also expected to release alongside the shoe.

Overall, this pair takes on a fun and punchy colorway. The pair will certainly resonate with comic fans, but will also catch the eyes of true sneakerheads as well.

Read More: Sexyy Red Mourns Tay Keith Amid Accusations That She Owed Him Money

Air Jordan 4 “Comic”

The shoe uses an off white upper paired with a gray suede. Grey detailing rounds out most of the base color story.

Beyond color, the pair includes several small nods to comic book pages. Those details go further than just the eyelets and heel branding. The patterns throughout represent graphic novel artwork. Even the Swoosh on this pair looks intentionally hand drawn.

Recent Air Jordan 4 releases have leaned into unique storytelling themes overall. Past examples include Nigel Sylvester’s “Brick by Brick” and the “Somos Eternos” colorway. The “Comic” continues that pattern with its own specific angle.

Jordan Brand built the design around illustrated nostalgia rather than a licensed superhero property. That choice keeps the release tied closely to Michael Jordan’s own history.

Read More: Teyana Taylor’s Rocks A Spike Lee Jumpman Shirt At Knicks Parade

The post An Early Unboxing Just Leaked The Air Jordan 4 “Comic” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by The Jasmine Brand on Instagram, Sexyy posted a clip of a music video of hers featuring the producer with a prayer hands emoji and a cat hands emoji. “BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT WE BROTHERS BUT NOT RELATED,” she wrote in another tribute post on her IG. “I LOVE YOU BRUDDAAA @taykeith STILL DA BEST DUO US 5LIFE.”

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TJB caught some comments from the femcee’s posts from fans claiming she owed Keith money. Some blamed her directly, whereas others placed responsibility for an alleged lack of royalties, payment, and other factors on her label and other industry forces. It’s important to note neither party publicly spoke out about this in the past, and Red hasn’t addressed this backlash at press time.

Also, as of writing this article, no official reports or other testimonies have verified or confirmed these allegations. So it seems like it’s just an online rumor that spiraled out of control following the beatsmith’s sudden passing. This speculation pointed to an alleged financial dispute in which Tay Keith sought due royalties for his work with Sexyy Red.

Read More: Juneteenth 2026: 15 Hip Hop & Soul Classics That Celebrate Black Joy & Pride

Tay Keith’s Relationship With Sexyy Red

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Previously, Tay Keith spoke glowingly of Sexyy Red, praising their dynamic and flaunting their chemistry. In fact, he told Billboard about the backlash he faced for collaborating with Sexyy, backlash he had absolutely no problem disproving and ridiculing.

“People were trolling the s**t out of me,” the late producer had remarked. “They were real-deal trolling me. It wasn’t much good feedback. It was coming from even people around me, ‘What you doing?’ I saw the potential. That’s as simple as it was, me believing in her. I think people doubted me working with her. Because they didn’t see the reason to do it. I definitely seen the potential. I tell people all the time how long I was watching Sexyy Red’s music before she blew up.”

For those unaware, Tay Keith tragically passed away yesterday (Thursday, June 18) due to unknown causes at press time. Police in Nashville reportedly found him yesterday afternoon during a welfare check.

Rest In Peace to the Memphis creative.

Read More: Vince Staples, “Cry Baby,” & The Expectations We Place On Rappers

The post Sexyy Red Mourns Tay Keith Amid Accusations That She Owed Him Money appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Taylor wore a white shirt featuring a custom Jumpman style graphic. The image shows a man in a pinstripe suit and bucket hat. He’s leaping with a basketball, echoing the classic Jordan logo pose. The figure closely resembles Spike Lee in his “Mars Blackmon” persona. Faded orange and blue skyline graphics sit behind the design.

Lee has long been considered the most recognizable celebrity Knicks fan. He’s repped the team publicly for decades, especially courtside at Madison Square Garden. A shirt referencing him fits naturally within the day’s overall theme. The graphic blends two pieces of New York culture together.

She was one of several big names who have been seen throughout the parade. She joined other artists like Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, and even the Wu-Tang Clan. Other celebrities at the parade included Timothee Chalamet (of course), Chris Rock, and Ben Stiller. Lee himself also attended, riding alongside Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.

The parade brought together sports, fashion, and music in one stretch of Manhattan. Taylor’s shirt became one small piece of that larger celebration.

Read More: Tyler, The Creator Calls For The Death Of AI Data Centers

Teyana Taylor’s Spike Lee Jumpman Shirt

The shirt’s design plays on a well known piece of basketball history. The original Jumpman logo comes from a 1984 photo of Michael Jordan. Swapping Jordan for a Spike Lee style figure flips that reference playfully.

The pinstripe suit nods to Lee’s signature courtside style over the years. Meanwhile, the skyline graphic ties the design back to New York directly. Faded orange and blue colors keep it tied to Knicks branding throughout.

Those same colors showed up across countless parade outfits that day. The shirt stood out among a sea of jerseys and custom fan gear. It captured something specific about Knicks culture rather than generic team pride. Pairing humor with history made it a fitting choice for that day.

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The post Teyana Taylor’s Rocks A Spike Lee Jumpman Shirt At Knicks Parade appeared first on HotNewHipHop.