“I retired from baseball and in 18 months we created the biggest artist from Texas since Beyoncé,” Crawford said. “That’s the real reason they hate. They want me to go back to baseball.” He continued by referring to himself as “Mr. Multitask” before adding, “These n**** so f****ng mad that I won with Megan Thee Stallion.”

Crawford’s comments are sparking debate online. Largely because of his complicated history with Megan. The Houston rapper signed with 1501 Certified Entertainment early in her career, but the relationship eventually deteriorated into a years-long legal battle over her recording contract and music releases. Megan accused the label of attempting to prevent her from releasing new music, while both sides publicly disputed the terms of her agreement.

“If a man gone do one thing consistently, it’s hang onto the past,” one person commented.

“He didn’t make Meg. Her talents made her & she moved around when it was obvious that success with him would be limited,” another person wrote.

Read More: J. Prince Responds To Megan Thee Stallion Label Drama

Carl Crawford Is Reliving His Accomplishments

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As HotNewHipHop previously reported, tensions between Megan Thee Stallion and 1501 Certified Entertainment began escalating in 2019. In September of that year, Megan revealed she had signed a management deal with Roc Nation, with T. Farris joining her team as road manager. That same day, Carl Crawford announced a major business move of his own, partnering with Rap-A-Lot Records founder J. Prince.

At the time, Prince praised Crawford for discovering Megan and warned anyone looking to interfere with his business dealings. Just weeks later, Crawford confirmed that he and Megan were no longer communicating, setting the stage for the lengthy legal battle that followed.

In 2023, Megan officially severed ties with 1501 after the legal dispute came to an end. Finally allowing her to move forward independently. Since then, she has continued her success with multiple chart-topping releases, major brand partnerships, and Grammy-winning projects.

Crawford’s label has also faced criticism from former artists, including Erica Banks, who previously alleged she was underpaid during her time with 1501.

Despite the controversy surrounding the label, Crawford appears to stand by his belief that he played a pivotal role in launching one of hip-hop’s biggest stars, and he isn’t shying away from taking credit for it.

Read More: Can 1501 Certified Entertainment Survive Its Drama With Megan Thee Stallion?

The post Carl Crawford Credits Himself For Megan Thee Stallion’s Rise, Says Critics Are “Mad” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The lawsuit dates back to 2020. It accuses MGA of copying the likeness, name, fashion, hairstyles, and overall aesthetic of the OMG Girlz for its wildly successful “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” doll line. The trio was originally formed by Tiny in 2009. Moreover, they became known for their colorful outfits and distinctive style, which the Harrises argued was unlawfully replicated.

While the latest decision wasn’t the outcome T.I. and Tiny were hoping for, it still leaves them with a significant courtroom victory. Their attorneys released a statement saying they were “disappointed in the verdict” regarding punitive damages. They argue that the evidence showed MGA lacked adequate policies to prevent intellectual property infringement.

“We will continue to fight for our clients’ rights and the rights of all creatives,” the statement read.

Read More: T.I. Jumps Off Stage To Defend Tiny As Trouble Unfolds Mid-Show

T.I. And Tiny Still Secure A Huge Win

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The case has taken years to resolve, spanning four separate trials. At one point, the Harrises were awarded $53 million in punitive damages, but that decision was later overturned after a judge ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to prove MGA acted with “willful infringement” or consciously disregarded the group’s intellectual property rights.

Despite that setback, the couple ultimately secured the $18 million judgment. This marks one of the more high-profile intellectual property victories involving musicians in recent years.

The ruling also arrives during a busy stretch for T.I. While the Atlanta rapper has largely stepped away from releasing music consistently, he has remained active through business ventures, acting, comedy, and legal matters alongside Tiny.

Although the courtroom battle may not have ended exactly as they envisioned, the Harrises can still walk away with a sizable win after spending years fighting to protect what they believe was the OMG Girlz brand.

Read More: T.I. & Tiny: Complete Relationship Timeline

The post T.I. & Tiny’s $18 Million Victory Stands After Jury Rejects Additional Damages In OMG Girlz Lawsuit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

According to reports, Burbank police were dispatched to a home shortly after 5:20 a.m. on June 21 after neighbors reported hearing yelling and stomping coming from inside the residence. Officers arrived to find Wade and a woman at the home, with the alleged victim reportedly suffering visible lacerations to her face and body. Paramedics evaluated the woman at the scene, though she declined transportation to a hospital.

Read More: Dwyane Wade’s Son Zaire Arrested On Suspicion Of Domestic Violence

No Official Statement From The Wades Just Yet

Investigators ultimately arrested Wade on suspicion of felony domestic violence, criminal threats, and false imprisonment. Authorities also recovered a handgun from the residence and issued an emergency protective order following the incident. Wade was later released after posting a $50,000 bond, and the case has since been forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. They will determine whether to file formal criminal charges.

The latest developments add significant detail to a case that initially became public with few confirmed facts beyond Wade’s arrest. As of now, neither Wade nor his representatives have publicly addressed the allegations. Social media users have had much to say, especially to Dwyane and his actress wife Gabrielle Union, as they, too, remain silent to address this issue privately as a family.

Read More: Zaire Wade Defends Brother Zion, Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union Co-Sign

The post Zaire Wade’s Neighbors Allegedly Heard Screaming, Stomping Before Arrest appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“Enjoyed having Lil Wayne in the office yesterday!” Rittenhouse wrote in the caption. Almost immediately, people claimed that this was an AI-generated image. In a follow-up post, Rittenhouse added “A Milli” lyrics: “‘He’s a beast, he’s a dog, he’s a mother ** problem Okay, you’re a goon, but what’s a goon to a goblin?’ A milli on the post. .” Then he seemingly confirmed that the photo was AI-generated in his comment section.

Read More: Kyle Rittenhouse Says He’s Not Racist, Supports BLM In New Interview

The Killer Who Was Found Not Guilty

Rittenhouse became a national figure in 2020 after fatally shooting two men and injuring another during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. They erupted after police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, multiple times. Rittenhouse argued he acted in self-defense, and a Wisconsin jury ultimately acquitted him of all criminal charges in 2021. The verdict immediately divided public opinion.

Supporters viewed him as someone who lawfully defended himself, while critics argued he never should have been armed or present at the demonstrations in the first place. Since then, Rittenhouse has embraced a public role within conservative political circles, appearing alongside Republican figures and speaking at events centered on gun rights and conservative causes.

Meanwhile, Wayne’s own relationship with politics has long been complicated. The New Orleans legend has repeatedly rejected the idea that he’s an activist, drawing criticism after dismissing the Black Lives Matter movement in a widely discussed interview and saying he judges people as individuals rather than through political movements.

In 2020, he met with Donald Trump days before the presidential election and publicly praised the administration’s criminal justice proposals, a decision that sparked backlash across Hip Hop before Trump later issued Wayne a presidential pardon in a federal firearms case. Check out the photo and a few reactions below.

The post Kyle Rittenhouse Trolls Social Media With Lil Wayne Photo appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

India.Arie made the remarks while responding to a discussion in which she called the “mass acceptance” of “Spend Dat” a “crystal clear sign” of a broader problem. “I finally realized that not EVERYBODY wants to get free,” she stated. “And it was a very, very, very rude awakening. smh. because the mass acceptance of this song is a crystal clear sign of this much bigger truth.”

Read More: Yung Miami Receives Huge Standing Ovation At The BET Awards As Crowd Sings “Spend Dat”

J. White Did It Claps Back In His Own Way

After some interpreted her comments as support for a boycott, Arie clarified that she wasn’t telling anyone what to stream. Instead, she said people are free to make their own choices, even if she personally disagrees with what the song represents. As the conversation surrounding India.Arie’s comments and clarifying updates continue, “Spend Dat” producer J. White Did It has emerged. In a clip, he’s seen hinting at a remix to Yung Miami’s latest hit, adding Arie’s Grammy-nominated classic hit, “Video.”

The City Girls star was made aware of the video and reposted it with a series of eyeball emojis. Some took to social media to argue that J. White Did It is only proving Arie’s point, while others called it disrespectful. Meanwhile, Yung Miami’s defenders think that people are blowing this all out of proportion.

Check it out below.

The post ‘Spend Dat’ Producer Mixes Yung Miami Hit With India.Arie’s “Video” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

There was a time when LeBron James and Drake seemed inseparable. The NBA superstar and Toronto icon regularly celebrated each other’s victories, appeared together at games and events, spoke openly about their mutual respect, and even donated to families together. That longtime friendship, however, has appeared noticeably strained over the past year. This has led fans to wonder whether one of the industry’s most recognizable relationships had quietly run its course. Tristan Thompson now says he’s hoping to help change that.

“We come with a chip on our shoulder. So, obviously, Drake has led the way in [the] entertainment and music industry, doing his thing. So, Hip Hop needed him. You see, he dropped three albums,” said Thompson during his recent visit to Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast.

Read More: Drake Links With LeBron James, Michael B. Jordan, & More For Epic Meet-Up

Tristan Thompson Shows More Love To Drake

Sharpe suggested that Thompson may need to be the bridge that brings James and Drizzy back together. “I would love to—listen,” Thompson began before laughing. “I’m trying, man. I’m trying.” He also said, “Drake is my brother. I’ve known him since I was 17. That’s family. Always going to ride with him. He was there when my mom passed away. We’re close.”

Neither LeBron nor Drake has publicly explained what may have created distance between them. Yet, fans began speculating after LeBron appeared alongside Kendrick Lamar at his Pop Out concert in Los Angeles amid Kendrick’s highly publicized feud with Drake. The Lakers star later showed love to Lamar over his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show and was seen enjoying performances of “Not Like Us.”

This only fueled even more discussion about where his relationship with Drake stood. Although neither man has addressed the speculation directly, Thompson’s comments suggest there may still be hope that one of Hip Hop and basketball’s most influential friendships can eventually find its way back.

Check out the clip below.

The post Tristan Thompson Admits He’s Trying To Mend LeBron James & Drake’s Friendship appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

That scrutiny reached another level after ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the Lakers’ new core. Rather than focusing solely on fit or production, Smith questioned whether a team led by Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and newly acquired Walker Kessler could realistically compete for a championship, repeatedly emphasizing that the Lakers were relying on what he described as “three white dudes.”

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Read More: LeBron James Is Officially Leaving The Los Angeles Lakers

Smith Has An Interesting Take

He doubled down on the point, saying, “Where the hell do the Los Angeles Lakers think they are going with a bunch of white dudes?… This is basketball. In NBA history, when have you seen your three most prominent players on the basketball team all be white, and what takes you to the promised land?”

Smith insisted he wasn’t complaining, but making what he viewed as an honest basketball observation. The comments nevertheless sparked immediate backlash online, with many fans arguing that race has little to do with a roster’s ability to win. Others pointed to the league’s increasingly international makeup, noting that today’s NBA is shaped as much by global talent as it is by American stars. Whether Smith intended to provoke debate or simply voice an unpopular opinion, the conversation quickly shifted away from the Lakers’ offseason moves and toward the role race should play in evaluating professional athletes.

Check out the clip below.

The post Stephen A. Smith Sparks Backlash With “3 White Dudes” Take On Lakers appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

This has subsequently led to speculation about Ross and his real net worth. On TMZ Sports, Ross made it abundantly clear that the net worth is doing just fine. Although he made the point in a particularly subtle way.

During the interview, Ross revealed that he would love to be part of the Miami Dolphins’ ownership group. Stephen Ross is the current majority owner of the team, and Rozay believes he’s doing a great job in his role. That said, the rap legend believes he can contribute uniquely.

Read More: The 25 Best Rap Albums Of 2026 So Far

Rick Ross Wants To Be Part Of The Dolphins

Ross states that he would love to be the one who bridges the gap between the franchise and the fans. While there is already a huge fanbase for the Dolphins, he believes the team could be doing more to bring in the community. Essentially, Ross wants the team to have a family environment.

Bringing in Ross would be a smart move. He is a celebrity who could market the team and help put fans in the seats. Given the changes the franchise has made this season, they probably won’t be very good, and they need some kind of saving grace.

It’s also good to have owners with ties to the city. Ross is a Miami legend, and he would rep the Dolphins colors with pride.

Read More: Clive Davis Was Behind The Legendary Careers Of These 10 Music Icons

The post Rick Ross Makes A Case For Being Part Of Miami Dolphins Ownership appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

According to photos circulating on social media this afternoon, it is being reported that Ice Spice and Maguire were spotted kissing at the White Party. In the tweet below, you can see that the image on the left showcases Ice Spice leaning in, while Maguire grabs her arm. However, you can’t see for sure that the two were kissing.

Meanwhile, in the image on the right, the two just seem to be striking up a normal conversation. These are the kinds of photos that would go ultra-viral on social media, especially given the names involved. No one would have predicted the OG Spider-Man kissing Ice Spice.

Read More: The 25 Best Rap Albums Of 2026 So Far

Ice Spice & Tobey Maguire In The Hamptons

Maguire is 51 years old, while Ice Spice is 26. If you are doing the math at home, that is a 25-year age gap between these two. In the past, Maguire has been criticised for the age gaps in his relationships. Given this latest photo with Ice Spice, we would not be surprised if those same criticisms resurface.

Whatever the case may be, there is still quite a bit to unpack here. Aside from the images going viral on social media, there isn’t much to go off of right now. What we can confirm is that earlier today, Page Six confirmed that both Ice Spice and Maguire were in attendance.

This remains a developing story that we will be sure to keep you updated on.

Read More: Clive Davis Was Behind The Legendary Careers Of These 10 Music Icons

The post Ice Spice Allegedly Spotted “Kissing” Tobey Maguire At Michael Rubin’s White Party appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Despite the compliments, Twitter Stans couldn’t get past the last part. Lupe’s assertion that he is a better lyricist led to a large-scale debate on social media. This subsequently led to the accusation that Lupe Fiasco is somehow obsessed and wants to start a rap beef. The truth is, Lupe is only talking about Kendrick because he keeps getting asked about it.

This week, Lupe spoke with Culture United about the Stan wars that broke out following his comments. As you can imagine, he isn’t too happy with how the conversation has been steered, and he would rather just disengage entirely.

Read More: The 25 Best Rap Albums Of 2026 So Far

Lupe Fiasco Puts His Foot Down

The legendary MC revealed that you won’t be seeing him for a while. The last couple of days have left him with a couple of realizations, and none of them are particularly flattering. Ultimately, music conversations on social media have become outrageously toxic, and Lupe is done with it.

He went on to say that the fans can find him at his shows, which he is excited about. Outside of that, you probably won’t see him doing any interviews, at least until all of this dies down.

It’s sad to see such a storied MC have to go through this. At the end of the day, it’s indicative of the way music and interviews are consumed these days.

You can find Lupe’s entire appearance on Culture United below.

Read More: Clive Davis Was Behind The Legendary Careers Of These 10 Music Icons

The post Lupe Fiasco Says You Won’t Be Seeing Him For A While Following Kendrick Lamar Debate appeared first on HotNewHipHop.