Early on, authorities confirmed that no foul play was suspected. Forté’s cause of death, however, hadn’t been revealed until now. According to the Vineyard Gazette, the state medical examiner’s office has determined his cause of death to be complications from influenza A.

Reportedly, his seizure disorder also played a contributing role in his untimely passing. He had been taking medication to control his seizures since a health scare put him in the hospital over two years prior to his death.

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John Forté’s Death

News of Forté’s death resulted in an outpouring of love from his fans and peers. This included his former Fugees collaborators Wyclef Jean, Pras, and Lauryn Hill. Hill reflected on their friendship in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“I can’t remember the exact moment I met John Forte or Forte as we used to call him, but I know we became fast friends very soon after,” she wrote in part, “I loved him, my family loved him… I remember meeting his mom with her sweet voice for the first time and walking New York City streets with him in full youthful fascination mode.”

“Our generation of hip hop was young and at the ascent of its epic rise. We were both there…participating and taking it all in, full of excitement and possibility. Forte was a gentlemen and a scholar with a strong pen, deep soul, and kind heart,” Hill continued. “This loss is unexpected and surreal and my heart aches… for his family, for his wife, for his children, for his friends, and for all of us who were blessed to know him. I Love you John. Rest in peace gentle King.”

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“This is why every woman needs male homeboys. I would’ve told her from the beginning not to get too over somebody like Klay Thompson,” Charlamagne said. As the hosts countered that people can change, he added, “I’m not saying that they don’t. I’m just saying that my advice to her would’ve been, ‘Hey, just don’t get too open until he shows you otherwise. He is an NBA player. He’s still outside.’ And by the way, they not married, they didn’t have kids, they weren’t even together long. I understand her feelings might be hurt, but why are we acting like they were married for 20 years?”

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Megan Thee Stallion & Klay Thompson’s Breakup

Megan Thee Stallion initially accused Klay Thompson of being unfaithful in a post on Instagram over the weekend. “Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house… got ‘cold feet.’ 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’???? B*tch I need a REAL break after this one .. bye yall,” she wrote.

She eventually confirmed their breakup in an official statement provided to TMZ. “I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” she said. “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.”

In the wake of the news, Megan announced that she’s dropping out of her Moulin Rouge! role on Broadway. “It’s been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family and I’ve met so many amazing people in this theater! Y’all work so hard and I have so much respect for the dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort y’all put into the work!” she wrote on Instagram.

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So far, the film has been a huge hit among fans. Clips from different screenings continue to surface online, showing audience members dancing, rapping along to the music, and more. Unfortunately, however, it looks like one screening got a bit out of hand.

WRAL reports that seven juveniles were detained on Saturday (April 25) at Regal Cinemas in North Hills, North Carolina. Apparently, police were called about a large group of people who appeared to be fighting.

“Approximately 20 people fighting in the Chick-Fil-A and the movie theater,” radio traffic stated. “I guess there is a violent group that’s out here. They’re not actually fighting. One guy is acting like he has a gun.”

The seven juveniles were eventually released to their parents.

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NBA YoungBoy Documentary

News of the juveniles’ arrest comes amid reports that one movie theater shut down a screening of American YoungBoy due to noise concerns. In clips that surfaced online shortly after the ordeal, a movie theater employee is seen addressing the disgruntled crowd. The crowd didn’t hesitate to push back, making it clear that they weren’t at all happy and calling the employee a “b***h.”

News of the arrest also comes shortly after it was revealed that American YoungBoy debuted at No. 10 on this week’s box office totals. It made over $1.1 million domestically.

NBA YoungBoy, Patrick Hughes, Kyle Claiborne, and Antoine Banks produced the film. It was directed by Nico Ballesteros, who also directed the controversial 2025 Kanye West documentary, In Whose Name? In addition to concert footage, the film gives fans a peek at the rapper’s family life, home, and more.

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This marks only the fourth High OG release of the “Royal” colorway since its 1985 debut. Furthermore, the 2026 version marks the first OG leather “Royal” in nine years, making it a meaningful return for a color scheme that rarely comes around.

For 2026, Jordan Brand will deliver the Air Jordan 1 in its traditional High OG construction rather than the High ’85 cut, which is currently on pause. That means classic collar height, original panel proportions, and familiar Swoosh placement throughout.

Unlike the 2017 release, which used tumbled leather, the 2026 pair returns to smooth leather, putting it closer to the 1985 original. That upgrade alone makes this version the best retro of the colorway in decades.

Special packaging is also confirmed for this release, adding another layer for collectors who plan to keep their pair deadstock. Additionally, the shoe will release in full family sizing. At $185 retail, this one should move fast. Black and blue colorways on the AJ1 historically do not stick around long at retail.

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Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal”

The Air Jordan 1 “Royal” is one of the three original colorways that launched alongside Michael Jordan’s Nike debut in 1985. The shoe features a clean black leather base across the quarter panel, collar, and laces.

Royal blue covers the perforated toe box, heel panel, Swoosh, and outsole, creating a bold, instantly recognizable two-tone look. A white midsole keeps things sharp underneath.

Also the Wings logo sits on the ankle flap and Nike Air branding appears on the tongue, staying true to the original construction. Jordan Brand has kept this colorway rare by design, releasing it in OG leather form only a handful of times over 4 decades.

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“If you’re trying to make young music and you’re not young, it’s gonna be inauthentic, and people can feel that,” he explained. “You can smell it. So, the best thing anyone can do going through music is to tell their story and keep creating from that space.”

From there, he brought up Clipse and their song, “The Birds Don’t Sing,” as an example of good songwriting. “I love what the Clipse are doing right now and how it’s authentic to them, and they’re telling a story about their mom and dad who just passed away, and how deep that is with John Legend singing on the chorus and everything that they’ve been through. It’s an authentic display, a piece of classic material that could’ve come out in ’96 or 2026. It still feels the same because it’s real and authentic to who they are.”

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New York Times’ Best Living Songwriters

JAY-Z’s interview with The New York Times was for the publication’s list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters. To narrow down the selections, they weighed the opinions of over 250 insiders and six critics.

JAY’s advice mirrors the praise The New York Times gave him in explaining their decision to select him for the list. In addition to his ability to create “intricate” rhyme schemes, they also noted how his style has evolved over the years. With 4:44, the legendary rapper tackled struggles in his marriage to Beyonce as well as his own personal turmoils. The Times described the project as “far blunter and more bruised than anything he had ever recorded.”

JAY-Z wasn’t the only hip-hop artist to earn a nod, either. Young Thug, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, OutKast, Babyface, Bad Bunny, and The-Dream all landed in the piece as well.

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“Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house,” she wrote at the time. “Got ‘cold feet.’ 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’???? b***h I need a REAL break after this one .. bye yall.”

Meg ended up doubling down in a statement shared with TMZ. In it, she noted that “trust, fidelity and respect” are non-negotiables for her when it comes to relationships.

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Megan Thee Stallion & Klay Thompson Breakup

Yesterday (April 27), Meg also announced that she’ll be ending her time on Broadway a bit earlier than expected. While it’s unclear exactly why she’s decided not to complete the 8-week run, fans can’t help but speculate that her personal life has taken its toll.

“Hotties, my last performance as Zidler in @moulinrougebway will be May 1,” she declared, per The Shade Room. “It’s been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family and I’ve met so many amazing people in this theater! Y’all work so hard and I have so much respect for the dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort y’all put into the work!”

“I’m so grateful for the cast and crew that made this experience so meaningful,” Meg concluded. “And to all the Hotties that showed up or planned to attend, thank you for supporting me during this incredible journey! I LOVE YALL.”

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Release Date: April 28, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

The post Melanate It – Song by La Reezy appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

With JAY-Z, The New York Times begins by describing his iconic first studio album, Reasonable Doubt, as “one of the greatest debut albums in any genre,” adding that it’s “a testament to dazzling skills as a stylist and storyteller.” They go on to praise the “intricate configurations” of the rhyme schemes in his verses, describing the writing as “dense, full of puns and double and triple entendres.”

They also note how his style has evolved over the years. With 4:44, the legendary rapper released a candid project, “far blunter and more bruised than anything he had ever recorded.” The album tackled struggles in JAY’s marriage to Beyonce as well as his own personal turmoils.

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As for Young Thug, the publication describes him as a “poststructural dissenter” who has been “dismantling” the norms of the genre with “his fully improvisational approach to song construction.” Additionally, Kendrick Lamar earns praise for his ability to blend genres. The New York Times highlights his To Pimp A Butterfly single, “i,” in particular for its use of “pop, rock, soul, funk, crunk, street-corner church, bounce, and quiet storm.” Other artists to earn nods include OutKast, Missy Elliott, Babyface, Bad Bunny, and The-Dream.

Did Drake Make The List?

When Kurrco shared the full list on X (formerly Twitter), many fans felt there were several noteworthy snubs. Despite him being Canadian, many brought up Drake. “No Drake, no pnd, no Bryson tiller, no swae lee, no future, no Jcole. We live in a era of media where if you can’t tell the difference between paid media propaganda & real journalism than your cooked,” one user argued. Another wrote: “No eminem no drake?? Top 5 rappers of all time not in the list that babyface and missy elliot are in.”

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The post JAY-Z, Missy Elliott, Kendrick Lamar, & More Rappers Named Among Best Living Songwriters appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The doc centers on YB’s “Make America Slime Again (MASA)” tour. It grossed almost $70 million in 2025, marking one of the most successful solo rap tours ever.

In addition to NBA YoungBoy, Patrick Hughes, Kyle Claiborne, and Antoine Banks are producers. It was directed by Nico Ballesteros, the same mind behind the controversial 2025 Kanye West documentary, In Whose Name?

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NBA YoungBoy Documentary Screening Shut Down

The film features concert footage, plus gives viewers a look at the rapper’s family life, home, and more. While it’s been a massive success so far, the screenings haven’t exactly gone off without a hitch. Over the weekend, one movie theater tried to shut down a screening because staff thought fans were being a bit too rowdy.

A clip from the evening eventually surfaced online, showing a movie theater employee addressing the disgruntled crowd. The crowd made it clear that they weren’t happy with what they were hearing, even calling the employee a “b***h.”

Other clips from screenings around the country show audience members dancing, rapping along to the YB’s lyrics, and overall having a blast. Some people ended up getting kicked out, and police were even called to one theater. Seven teenagers were also arrested near a movie theater in North Hills, North Carolina, this weekend. Police had received several calls about an alleged brawl at both the cinema and a local Chick-Fil-A.

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The post NBA YoungBoy Documentary Grosses Over $1 Million In First Week appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In addition to politics, he is also someone who comments on matters pertaining to pop culture. He doesn’t mind rolling up his sleeves and getting into the gossip world. In fact, it sometimes feels as though he enjoys it. We could imagine Smith someday being the host of Entertainment Tonight or perhaps some sort of similar show on E!

On Monday, Smith decided to talk about the Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson situation on his show, Straight Shooter. Meg took to Instagram over the weekend to reveal that the two had broken up. She subsequently accused Thompson of infidelity. She also claimed that Thompson had wild mood swings and took his frustrations out on her.

Smith decided that this was a worthy story to comment on, and he did not hide his feelings. In the clip below, he went off on Megan Thee Stallion, claiming that her public comments were completely unnecessary.

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Stephen A. Smith Gives His Take

Smith argues that because the two were not married, she shouldn’t be online complaining about cheating. While Thompson’s actions aren’t honorable, Stephen A. doesn’t believe they needed to be broadcasted to the internet in such a dramatic fashion.

Smith feels as though many of these private matters need to be left behind closed doors. Otherwise, it can get completely out of hand. It’s a take that isn’t out of the ordinary for Smith. In fact, it is pretty consistent with his worldview.

The Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson situation has garnered quite a few reactions over the past few days. Online discourse has ramped up, with some saying that no one knew who Klay was prior to them dating. Of course, these kinds of hot takes are silly and should probably disregarded.

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