HotNewHipHop

Chris Brown Laughs Off Lionel Richie’s Joke About Him & Usher

Erika Marie — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:38:17 +0000

A little generational trash talk found its way into Lionel Richie’s Phoenix concert this week. While discussing the stadium tour Usher and Chris Brown are currently sharing, the 77-year-old legend joked that what the two R&B stars are doing is not quite as new as they might think. His proof was standing much closer than either man: Richie is currently touring alongside Earth, Wind & Fire.

“Usher, Chris Brown… see, they trying to do something new,” Richie told the crowd at Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday. He then pointed back to the years when the Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire were filling venues with their own blend of R&B showmanship. “Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, we were doing that back 40 years ago. Only difference is, between then and now, we didn’t go to jail!” Richie said, before adding, “We’re fine Christian men.”

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The Freaky R&B Tour

Usher and Brown’s The R&B Tour has been operating on a considerably larger scale than most R&B pairings. The co-headlining run launched in June and is scheduled for 33 stadium dates across North America, with shows continuing through December. Usher has described the tour as an argument for R&B’s ability to command stadiums rather than a competition between its two headliners.

Richie has some firsthand experience with the format he was teasing. His current Sing a Song All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire reunites two veteran acts for another joint run, following their 2023 tour together. Their Phoenix stop took place August 11.

Meanwhile, Chris Brown apparently took the ribbing exactly as it sounded. Rather than firing back, he responded beneath a circulating video with laughing emojis and wrote, “Damn, unk. We love ya paw paw.” So far, Usher has not publicly answered Richie’s joke. Brown, at least, seems content to let the elder get his jokes off.

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The Air Jordan 3 “White Cement” Is Finally Going True OG

Ben Atkinson — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:32:28 +0000

The Air Jordan 3 OG “White Cement” is officially coming back Summer 2027 for $215. Per JustFreshKicks, this version is one of the closest copies of the original 1988 pair yet.

White leather covers the upper, paired with grey elephant print at the toe and heel. Black and Fire Red accents hit the eyelets, tongue, and midsole. It keeps the same color layout that’s defined this colorway for decades.

The heel brings back Nike Air branding instead of the Jumpman logo. That’s a detail longtime collectors have wanted back for years.

There’s no aged or pre-yellowed look on this release either. Jordan Brand is going for a clean, true-to-original white upper, moving away from the vintage look used on 2023’s “Reimagined” version. That release also split opinion among collectors, and this one looks to fix that.

Further, full family sizing is expected at launch through Nike, Foot Locker, Finish Line, Shiekh, Hibbett, and DSG. With over a year still to go, more details should come out as Jordan Brand gets closer to release.

Air Jordan 3 OG “White Cement”

The Air Jordan 3 OG “White Cement” returns Summer 2027

• True to OG
• Nike Air
• $215

No pre-aged look. No yellowing. Pure white upper pic.twitter.com/hyw6OeL5IC
— JustFreshKicks (@JustFreshKicks) August 12, 2026

“White Cement” holds a special place in Jordan history thanks to the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest. Michael Jordan wore this exact pair during his free throw line dunk. Fans know it as a moment that’s become one of the most photographed in NBA history.

The Air Jordan 3 itself changed the direction of the whole line. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, it brought visible Air cushioning, elephant print, and the Jumpman logo, all for the first time on a Jordan signature shoe.

Past retros haven’t always gotten the original details right. The 2003 version swapped Nike Air for Jumpman branding, and later releases in 2011 and 2013 drifted further from the OG shape. Overall the 2018 retro fixed much of that, and 2027 looks like it’s building on that same accuracy.

Also for collectors who skipped the 2023 “Reimagined” pair over its aged finish, this release looks like the clean, true-to-OG version many have been waiting on.

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Diddy Files Counterclaims Against Lil Rod In $30M Lawsuit

Erika Marie — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:25:02 +0000

The legal fight between Sean “Diddy” Combs and Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones has taken a turn. Diddy is now accusing his former producer of having a financial motive for filing the $30 million lawsuit that has followed him since early 2024. In new counterclaims filed in Manhattan federal court, Combs alleges Jones was dealing with an unrelated sexual assault accusation and needed money for his defense when he began demanding additional payment from Love Records.

That allegation comes entirely from Combs’ filing, reports AllHipHop. It does not identify an accuser or include a police report supporting the claim. Combs’ attorneys state only that, “upon information and belief,” Jones had been accused of sexual assault sometime during the period he was working on The Love Album: Off the Grid and “needed money to defend against legal troubles.”

Combs is using that claim to advance a larger argument about why Jones sued him. According to the counterclaims, Jones sought more money from Love Records after his work on the album was completed. Combs alleges that once those demands were rejected, Jones retaliated by filing a lawsuit filled with false allegations intended to damage his reputation. Jones has maintained that his case is based on misconduct he says occurred while working closely with Combs.

Inside Lil Rod’s Lawsuit

The producer filed his lawsuit in February 2024, accusing Combs of sexual assault and alleging that he was drugged during their time working together. He also claimed he was improperly compensated for his work on The Love Album. Diddy has denied Jones’ allegations from the beginning and previously characterized the case as an attempt to generate publicity and pull a settlement.

The court has already narrowed Jones’ case, but it did not eliminate it. In March 2025, a judge dismissed his RICO claims and his breach-of-contract theory. Claims for emotional distress were also thrown out. However, the judge allowed Jones’ sexual assault claim against Diddy to continue after finding that his complaint contained enough factual allegations to survive the dismissal stage.

The counterclaims extend beyond the dispute over money. Combs also accuses Jones of taking computer drives containing footage recorded for a documentary about Combs. Jones allegedly accessed a videographer’s workstation while the group was in St. Barths and later provided footage to Netflix. Some of that material allegedly appeared in Sean Combs: The Reckoning, the documentary series that was executive-produced by 50 Cent. Jones is also being accused of defamation over statements he made in the series.

Nike Designer Hints At An Air Worm NDestrukt Return

Ben Atkinson — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:57:08 +0000

Nike designer Frank Cooke is at it again, sharing another vague preview that has fans wondering about a possible retro return. This time, the pair in question is Dennis Rodman’s Air Worm NDestrukt, teased with a single caption reading “Twist.”

Cooke got his hands on a vintage pair in black, white, and red, matching the colorway Rodman wore during his Bulls days. The shoe shows some wear after sitting in storage for over two decades, though the zipper-front design still holds up structurally.

This isn’t the first time Cooke has stirred up speculation with a low-key Instagram post. He recently did something similar with the Nike Air Max 180, captioning that preview “It’s time to get busy again.” Like that post, it’s unclear whether this new teaser is hinting at an actual retro or simply celebrating a forgotten grail.

As of now, the Air Worm NDestrukt isn’t listed anywhere on Nike’s official release schedule. That doesn’t rule out a future return, but it does mean fans shouldn’t expect anything official anytime soon.

Nike Air Worm NDestrukt Retro

WORM RETURN: Nike designer Frank Cooke hints at the return of Dennis Rodman’s Air Worm NDestrukt—with a twist of some sort pic.twitter.com/wkjo6xbYW7
— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) August 12, 2026

The Air Worm NDestrukt has stayed pretty quiet since Rodman’s playing days, never receiving the kind of retro treatment plenty of other 90s basketball shoes have gotten over the years. Its zipper closure and bold design made it one of the more distinctive signature shoes of that era.

Cooke’s history of previews adds some weight to these teasers, even without confirmation. His past posts have occasionally lined up with pairs that eventually moved toward some form of
return.

Given how long retro projects typically take to appear, even an early tease like this could represent the first step toward something real. Nike has definitely leaned into 90s nostalgia across its basketball archive, making a shoe like this a real possibility eventually.

For now, fans will have to treat this one as speculation. Whether “Twist” ends up meaning a real comeback or just a nod to sneaker history remains to be seen.

The post Nike Designer Hints At An Air Worm NDestrukt Return appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Talk Ya Shit – Song by Busta Rhymes & J Dilla featuring Lil Wayne

Alexander Cole — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:39:30 +0000

Busta Rhymes is dropping Dillagence 2, a posthumous release for J Dilla later this month. Fans are extremely excited to hear Busta on more Dilla beats. The release of the single “Spazzz” led to lots of excitement, and today, we got another song, this time featuring Lil Wayne. This track is called “Talk Ya Shit,” and it has everything you would want from a collaboration between these three. Dilla’s production is simply magical, while Busta and Lil Wayne bounce off one another. It’s cool to hear some Dilla music again, and we’re excited for the new project.

Release Date: August 13, 2026

Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Dillagence 2

Quotable Lyrics from Talk Ya Shit

Look, my money bag heavy in every town I lock up
Like loaves of bread jumpin’ out the toaster when I pop up
Again, because my stocks up
These bitches get they rocks up

The post Talk Ya Shit – Song by Busta Rhymes & J Dilla featuring Lil Wayne appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Doja Cat Calls Tyga A Penis For AI Album

Aron A. — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:19:16 +0000

Tyga’s comeback hasn’t gone in the direction he hoped. Following Fenix Flexin’s “Rubberz,” which has now been confirmed as having AI elements to it, Tyga seemed to want to dabble in that direction, too. The reactions since the release of $TARFACE haven’t been favorable, either. Pitchfork gave Tyga the first 0.0 rating in two decades, and now, Doja Cat has her own thoughts on the matter.

“Nobody asked me anything about Tyga, but I felt like saying this: Tyga is a penis for making an AI album,” she said.

Doja Cat comments on the recent controversy of Tyga using AI for his new album:

“Tyga is a p*nis for making an AI album.” pic.twitter.com/vWdgPMYyPJ
— Doja HQ (@DojaHQs) August 13, 2026

It’s a pretty harsh criticism but one that probably isn’t too far from how most working musicians view the AI ecosystem. Doja Cat and plenty of other artists have criticized platforms like Suno, which are basically being trained by being fed the work of actual artists.

Tyga Defends AI Use

Still, Tyga’s approach to AI is something that he’s defended. In fact, he’s suggested that the AI takeover is inevitable, and his attempt to use it for his latest project merely reflects the direction the industry is going in.

“I’ve never spoken on this with anybody because I always felt like it’s similar to a magician explaining how he does his tricks. Like why are people overexplaining how they make sh*t that’s good?” Tyga told VIBE. “If you like it, you like it; if you don’t, you don’t. I don’t care. It’s supposed to give you an experience and a feeling. But we definitely used AI as a [tool]. And I know people are going to be mad about me saying this, but it’s where technology is going. It’s no different than when Auto-Tune came out. Some people were opposed to it, but real artists took it and used it.”

What are your thoughts on Tyga’s new album? Sound off in the comment section below.

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DJ Akademiks Responds To NBA YoungBoy Calling Him Out

Alexander Cole — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:45:31 +0000

DJ Akademiks and NBA YoungBoy have had a good working relationship over the years. However, that relationship was threatened this week after a situation involving YB’s mom, Sherhonda Gaulden.

YoungBoy told Funny Marco that he was never going to speak to his mom again. Gaulden eventually spoke out, saying that YB was lying about her, and that she doesn’t appreciate false narratives being spread online.

DJ Akademiks posted this video on his platform. However, YoungBoy did not appreciate this. While streaming with Funny Marco, YoungBoy stated just how upset he was about Akademiks’ post.

This prompted Ak to respond on his most recent live stream. The commentator is looking to keep his relationship with YB intact, which ultimately led to some damage control.

DJ Akademiks Reacts

Akademiks reacts to YB calling him out https://t.co/sA8HzY2qHK pic.twitter.com/FVWNYcXjeX
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) August 13, 2026

As Akademiks explains, the video Gaulden posted was public. Furthermore, he knows the relationship YB has with his mom behind the scenes, especially during his recent tour. Therefore, he didn’t feel like it was necessary to ask YB for any kind of permission.

However, Akademiks noted that he never wants to comment on the relationship between a mother and son. He noted that he loves YB as an artist and as a friend, and that he would never want to jeopardize their relationship.

That said, Ak said he was deleting the video, and that he would not touch this topic ever again. It is a noble decision, and one that demonstrates just how much Ak cares about the relationship he has with YB.

Only time will tell whether or not YB forgives Ak for all of this. YB certainly has a lot going on right now, especially with his move to South Korea. Regardless, this is a saga fans didn’t exactly see coming.

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Chris Brown’s Performance Takes A Freaky Turn In Toronto

Aron A. — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:20:10 +0000

Usher and Chris Brown’s co-headlining R&B Tour has undoubtedly been one of the most talked-about tours of the year. And while much of it surrounded the celebration of two R&B icons from two different generations joining each other on stage together, the sex appeal of their music physically manifested in ways that have made for incredibly viral moments.

The latest involves Chris Brown’s show in Toronto when things reached NSFW levels. The steamy moment saw Chris Brown practically simulating a sex scene while pulling on a woman’s hair and dry humping her, all while “Take You Down” played. Of course, this wasn’t exclusive to his show at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, as he’s been bringing women up on stage at each show. But this time, it was caught on video and raised eyebrows for anyone who hasn’t seen this portion of the show on their timeline.

This ultimately seems like a pattern during these shows. Usher had a viral moment a few weeks ago involving another fan that he brought up on stage. However, unlike the one Chris Brown had in Toronto, Usher had to get a woman removed from the stage when she looked visibly uncomfortable by his routine.

Chris Brown’s NSFW Performance In Toronto

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A post shared by 2097 Media (@2097media)

The tour kicked off in late June in Denver, CO, and continues until December. After their second Toronto show on August 12th, the duo is heading to Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco to wrap up the month. Considering that they have plenty more shows on the docket after the summer, we can imagine there will be even more viral moments to come. Have you been to any of their shows yet? Check out the clip above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments below.

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Lionel Richie Had Some Harsh Words For Chris Brown & Usher

Alexander Cole — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:39:38 +0000

Lionel Richie has found himself at odds with Chris Brown and Usher, who are currently headlining The R&B Tour, all across North America.

Richie is on a tour of his own. In fact, he performed in Phoenix, Arizona last night. During this performance, he delivered a rant to the crowd, and it was aimed specifically at Usher and CB. Richie noted that joint tours are nothing new, as the Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire did it 40 years ago. Subsequently, he said that they were able to tour without going to jail.

“Usher and Chris Brown, see, they trying to do something new,” Richie began. “Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, we were doing that back 40 years ago. Only difference is, between then and now, we didn’t go to jail!”

Lionel Richie Makes His Thoughts Crystal Clear

@sunny1043az
Last night Lionel Richie performed in Phoenix, AZ in between songs he compared Chris Brown and Usher to The Commodores over forty years… Were shots fired or is he just speaking the truth? Sharing with our friends at @Mega 99.3
♬ original sound – Sunny 104.3

It was an obvious dig at Chris Brown, who has had his fair share of legal issues over the years. More recently, he pleaded guilty to a nightclub incident in London, which could land him three years in prison overseas.

Meanwhile, Richie says that he and his peers were “fine Christian men” who didn’t have social media, and didn’t need it.

“We’re fine Christian men, fine Christian men. Fine Christian men, that’s right,” Richie continued. “See, we didn’t have that Instagram and that TikTok and that go out and tell a lie and they go and post it.”

These are some spirited comments, and you have to wonder how long Richie had been holding that in. As for Usher and Chris Brown, they have yet to respond. Seeing as though they are also on tour, they might be too busy to.

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Free Agent – Album by BlocBoy JB

Alexander Cole — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:15:08 +0000

BlocBoy JB has been grinding for a decade, and he still has that hit-making ability fans fell in love with him for. His latest album, Free Agent, was unfortunately made under some heartbreaking circumstances. BlocBoy’s best friend and producer Tay Keith passed away. On the new album, there is even a song called “LLTK,” which is an official tribute. However, one can say that BlocBoy JB honored his friend’s memory in the best way possible. He crafted a project that is filled with dope tracks. It’s some of BlocBoy’s most focused work, and fans definitely should support.

Release Date: August 7, 2026