Release Date: August 21, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop / Soul

Album: The Divine Feminine (10th Anniversary)

Quotable Lyrics from Butterflies

Beauty queen, beauty queen, straight out of a movie scene,
Touchin’gon your body, I can feel you in a lucid dream,
This my imagination, ooh, you keep me fascinated,
You are a forbidden fruit, I be apple tasting

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Purple covers almost the entire shoe, running across the upper, laces, cage, midsole, and translucent outsole. That color matches Barcelona’s 2026-27 away kit, tying the design directly to the club’s current look. Black shows through underneath the side panels and around the collar, adding some depth to the build.

Gold handles the branding throughout. Kobe’s logo sits on one tongue, while the FC Barcelona crest sits on the other. That same gold finish carries over to the heel Swooshes, keeping the accents consistent across the shoe.

The shoe also blends classic Kobe design cues with newer performance upgrades. It keeps the mesh overlay pattern from the original Kobe 3, paired with modern Protro cushioning below. That mix gives it the same sculpted look collectors know, built for both on-court play and everyday wear.

Also FC Barcelona and Nike are bringing the same purple and gold theme to a Kobe Dunk Low Protro. That gives the 2026 collection 2 different shoes built around a similar color style.

Read More: Dr. Dre Gets Torn Apart For Using & Defending AI In Music

FC Barcelona x Nike Kobe 3 Low Protro

Nike and FC Barcelona first linked the Kobe brand with the club back in 2025. That original collection included the Kobe 4 Protro, an Air Force 1 Protro, a post-match slide, and matching apparel.

The partnership grew out of Kobe’s genuine connection to the sport and the club specifically. He was a longtime Barca supporter, often praising their style of play and team-first approach to
the game.

For 2026, that relationship expands into the Kobe 3 Low Protro. The purple and gold combination has become familiar territory by now, fitting a theme that’s followed Kobe’s sneakers for years.

With two more releases planned this fall, Nike shows no signs of slowing down on this collaboration. It’s quickly becoming one of the more consistent team-branded Kobe lines still running today.

Read More: New Photos Surface for the Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”

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When asked if they see artificial intelligence in music as a threat, Iovine said he sees no downside. The Interscope cofounder spoke on music potentially being “crappy,” but said that’s the reality right now and posited “gifted” creatives will make better material with AI. However, he did argue part of the reason for the backlash against AI is because tech companies have horrible public relations practices.

Then, Dre chimed in. “I don’t see [AI in music] as a threat,” he expressed, adding that “the only people that see it as a threat are the people who have trouble creating.”

Read More: What Happened To Ailea Brown? Inside The Missing Case & New Legal Developments

Dr. Dre On AI Music

“I had a discussion with a few people a few days ago,” the producer continued. “They were against AI and I’m like, ‘Okay, you sound like the person that would have been against the drum machine when it came out.’ Or synthesizers, right? It’s a new tool for creativity. Some people are afraid of learning new things. I’m embracing it. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen with this.”

Dr. Dre confirmed he’s using AI “as a tool to see what it would do with what I just did.” Also, he agreed with Jimmy Iovine’s claim that a lot of folks are “closet AI producers” who don’t want to admit to using it.

Controversies surrounding AI in music have been very prevalent this year. Fenix Flexin caught a lot of heat for “RUBBERZ,” whereas Tyga has been unabashed about his use of AI on his $TARFACE album. In both cases, fans did not respond very sympathetically.

Reactions

Of course, Dr. Dre’s billionaire status means he will always embrace new technologies, business models, and practices that are driving entrepreneurs and corporations. But as a respected hip-hop pillar, many fans are disappointed in this AI embrace, although others were more graceful. We’ll see if Dre changes his tune someday or doubles down.

Read More: Rapsody’s Growth As An Emcee, Told Through 10 Songs

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“I’m taking Drake, man,” he expressed. “Yeah, I’m f***ing with Drake [in the beef]. Drake’s new s**t’s sounding good. I’m in the clubs with it. That, ‘Teach me, baby‘ [“Janice STFU”]. That right there, that one right there? Yo, Papi, you got that off.”

Jason Lee asked the New York MC if he feels like folks counted the 6ix God out too early. Max agreed and said, “But that’s how the game is,” comparing it to Kobe Bryant and the backlash he faced after sexual assault allegations against him emerged in 2003.

“All he got to do is sit back and make his music,” he argued. “It’s the equivalent of Kobe. Kobe caught the rape case some time back. Everybody was on him. Everybody wanted to boycott him out the NBA and all that. When he went out there, won two titles. And you never heard about that s**t no more. That’s what bro just did. Went out there, made them records, made them hit waves… [“Janice STFU”] is my s**t…”

Read More: What Happened To Ailea Brown? Inside The Missing Case & New Legal Developments

Kendrick Lamar & Drake Beef

The latest chapter in the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef saga concerns Kendrick’s Compton colleague, The Game. Drizzy just featured on the Los Angeles MC’s new album The Documentary III, which added even more fuel to the speculative fire around Game’s tensions with Lamar, TDE, and other West Coast artists.

Still, he’s made it clear that he has no static with K.Dot but is still loyal to the OVO mogul. Whether it’s fans reaching too deeply or Game giving mixed signals, the debate between the “Poetic Justice” collaborators rages on.

Elsewhere, Max B is enjoying his career’s comeback, whether it’s defending his place in New York hip-hop or dropping new material. We’ll see if that new Drizzy collab ever comes out.

Read More: Rapsody’s Growth As An Emcee, Told Through 10 Songs

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Black covers most of the upper, paired with a patent leather toe and heel. Royal blue detailing hits the Jumpman on the ankle, matching the branding from the shoe’s original 2000 release. A white midsole and icy translucent outsole round out the classic build underneath.

A few details set this version apart from the last retro in 2016. The number 23 replaces 45 on the heel this time around. “Jumpman Jam” text also returns to the tongue, pulling straight from the original packaging and design. That swap brings the shoe closer to its earliest release rather than the more recent version.

Full family sizing will be available at launch. Adult pairs are priced at $235, with grade school, little kids, and toddler sizing priced separately. Also the shoes will be dropping via through Nike, Foot Locker, Champs, Finish Line, and other Jordan Brand retailers.

Overall, given how iconic this colorway is, expect a highly competitive release once December is actually here.

Read More: SLAM x Nike Zoom Hyperflight “Starfish” Drops In Two Days

Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”

The black and blue color blocking became known as “Space Jam” thanks to the 1996 film. Michael Jordan wore the pair throughout the movie, essentially giving it its place in pop culture.

That connection helped turn the shoe into one of the most requested colorways in Air Jordan history. It didn’t get its first retail release until 2000, years after the film’s original run.

Since then, the “Space Jam” 11 has returned twice more, in 2009 and again in 2016. Each version brought slight tweaks while keeping the same core color story intact, giving longtime collectors a reason to grab it every time.

This December’s release isn’t the only movie tie-in either. A “Monstars” colorway is also expected around the same window, giving fans another way to celebrate the film’s anniversary.

Read More: Julian Newman Defends Sister Jaden’s Leaks After Winning Boxing Match

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In clips caught by DrakeAligned on Twitter, you can see the 6ix God sing along, laugh, and smile while the Alabama singer-songwriter performed her mega-hit, “Choosin’ Texas.” This is the track that led to Drake and Ella Langley’s Billboard Hot 100 face-off. Upon the release of his ICEMAN trilogy, “Janice STFU” was the track to end Langley’s long-running streak at the top of that chart.

Some fans expressed shock at this appearance, but Drizzy has shown a lot of love to country artists in the past. Maybe they will collaborate in the near future, as they have two of the biggest songs of the year so far.

Read More: What Happened To Ailea Brown? Inside The Missing Case & New Legal Developments

Ella Langley & Drake

Drake’s respect for Ella Langley runs deep, as he recently declared she has a “Goated Pen.” He left that comment under one of her recent Instagram posts, so his fandom coming to life at the Little Rock show should come as no surprise.

Few artists this year have been as commercially dominant as those two, so a link-up celebrating their successes might yield even more great things to come in the future. But we’ll see what happens, as the Toronto superstar might hunker down to work on whatever the aforementioned “FOMO” tease is.

As for his pick for “Goated Pen,” Ella Langley’s crossed over into hip-hop before. As such, hitting the studio with someone like The Boy would be just another chapter in that saga.

Whether or not that’s actually on the cards remains to be seen, as this could just be a simple concert pop-out and nothing more. In any case, you’ll have a hard time escaping either of these artists for the rest of the year.

Read More: Rapsody’s Growth As An Emcee, Told Through 10 Songs

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Glossy orange patent leather covers most of the upper, giving it a shine similar to a magazine cover. That detail pulls straight from SLAM’s own branding, tying the design directly to the outlet’s look. Grey panels wrap the collar and heel, while black detailing runs through the tongue and lacing area. White accents show up on the Swoosh and outsole, keeping the palette from feeling one note.

An embroidered “S” sits on the heel, marking the SLAM branding in a subtle way. The shoe also keeps its Zoom Air forefoot cushioning intact, staying true to the model’s original build from the early 2000s. The style code is listed as IV6130-800.

This drop follows an early heel preview that surfaced back in February. A pair of on-foot photos followed a few months later, giving fans a better sense of the colorway ahead of its full reveal.

Read More: Julian Newman Defends Sister Jaden’s Leaks After Winning Boxing Match

SLAM x Nike Zoom Hyperflight “Starfish”

Also this won’t be the only shoe tied to the collaboration. Additional releases are expected to include the Nike GT Cut 4, Sabrina 3, and Ja 4, expanding the partnership across current performance models too.

SLAM has covered basketball since launching back in 1994, blending hoops coverage with sneakers, music, and street culture. That history makes the Hyperflight a natural starting point, given how closely tied the model is to that same era.

The Zoom Hyperflight itself dates back to Nike’s 2001 basketball archive. It’s built around a sleek, exoskeletal upper structure, unlike anything else in Nike’s current lineup.

Bringing it back through SLAM gives the silhouette a fresh audience, while still keeping its throwback appeal intact. Overall with more releases expected across the collection, this “Starfish” pair looks like just the beginning.

Read More: Jury For Lil Durk’s Murder-For-Hire Trial Has Reportedly Been Seated

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Julian fought Internet personality Thiirty at Adin Ross’ Brand Risk 15 event in Miami, and he actually came out on top. FearBuck caught a clip of the fight on Twitter, which included Newman celebrating the unanimous decision by defending his sister’s leaks.

“Biggest shoutout, thank God,” he expressed to BenDaDonnn. “Shout out my parents. Anybody that got something to say about my sister, suck my d**k. We on top of the world. F**k y’all. The next Kim K, like I said, b***h-a** n***as.”

Then, Jaden Newman took the mic. “Like I told y’all, all y’all was trying to play him. Look at him now,” she exclaimed. Jamie Newman, who’s been odd concerning Jaden, also had something to say.

Read More: What Happened To Ailea Brown? Inside The Missing Case & New Legal Developments

Julian Newman Fight

Elsewhere, Kick HQ caught a clip on Twitter of BenDaDonnn interviewing Jaden Newman. He asked Newman if the family was “in on this” and supporting her amid the leaks.

“Well, obviously, what happened was not… I got leaked unfortunately, so it had nothing to do with us,” she replied. “So obviously, we have no control of anything. Obviously, we’re just rocking out with whatever. ‘Cause we have no control of anything.” Ben joked that Ray J, who was in attendance, could give some pointers.

Also, Jaden had some awkward moments with Charleston White, Adin Ross, and Rampage Jackson at Brand Risk 15. White said folks can find the leaks on Twitter, which upset Newman and Ross, as caught by Killa on Twitter. midaqih also caught Jaden pushing back on Kim Kardashian comparisons on Twitter.

As folks continue to debate the Julian and Jaden Newman situation and clash with them, the family is showing that they will continue to stick together and support each other through everything. It’s a very bizarre situation, but they don’t mind the engagement.

Read More: Rapsody’s Growth As An Emcee, Told Through 10 Songs

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This brought an end to an unexpectedly complicated jury selection in Lil Durk’s trial in Los Angeles. One of around 80 prospective jurors said Durk and his codefendants looked guilty, and the process slowed down. Elsewhere, prospective jurors answered questions from lawyers about their thoughts on gangster rap and the drill music the Chicago rapper made a name for himself through.

One woman reportedly said the music is suggestive of “violence,” another woman said the genre could affect her impartiality, and a man admitted to having “negative connotations” associated to rap. Another prospective juror said he had no right “to judge whether rap is good or bad,” instead being there to determine criminal guilt.

In addition, a defense attorney reportedly asked potential jurors for their thoughts on music “that’s not Peter, Paul and Mary or Karen Carpenter” with lyrics that are hard to understand. More specifically, the lawyer asked if these thoughts would impact fairness. One potential juror said she would appreciate “subtitles or captions” for the music.

Read More: What Happened To Ailea Brown? Inside The Missing Case & New Legal Developments

Lil Durk’s Music As Evidence

These conversations about the music Durk makes are important because it will be evidence in the Lil Durk trial. Judge Fitzgerald approved the prosecution’s presentation of various lyrics, music videos, and other material, including the 2021 “Pissed Me Off” visual. Also, there are other debates about evidence proposals regarding cell phones and other material, with the judge largely siding with the prosecution on some of these matters.

Lil Durk’s supporters also caught the court’s attention, but for negative reasons. The judge scolded a group of supporters for passing out “Free Durk” postcards in the courtroom. He warned of potential prosecution for contempt of court. Given how high-profile this case is and all the media debate surrounding it, the impartiality of the jury is key.

Read More: Rapsody’s Growth As An Emcee, Told Through 10 Songs

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The video begins with Fif smoking a cigar while wearing the new kicks. As for the audio in the background, it’s a clip from his Rap Life Review interview on Apple Music with Darden and Nadeska Alexis. In it, the G-Unit mogul speaks on the difference between the South and New York, arguing the numbers fall in the latter’s favor.

The clip also held 50 Cent’s jab at Ebro over New York hip-hop. The two had clashed over its decline, with 50 claiming the broadcaster has done a poor job supporting and influencing New York artists and Ebro claiming 50 divided the city too much.

Then, 50 Cent’s Rick Ross feud was the next item of business. “Sold out, fat boy,” Fif told the camera before laughing and showing off the new sneakers.

Elsewhere in the video, he also included other Rap Life Review highlights, such as him turning his back on Ebro and teasing Tyrese. Also, the video showed 50’s Verzuz appearance at the Joe and Donnell Jones matchup, which saw him link up with YG as well.

Read More: What Happened To Ailea Brown? Inside The Missing Case & New Legal Developments

50 Cent’s G-Unit Sneakers

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

The G-Unit x Reebok G6 launched this week, over 20 years after its original debut. It reportedly sold out within two hours, and the NYC MC spoke to Footwear News about this success.

“It was authentic,” he expressed about the sneaker. “I wasn’t just putting my name on somebody else’s shoe and calling it mine. I was involved. The design, the marketing, the way we presented it. It all felt like me and G-Unit. People can tell when something is real, and I think that’s why it connected the way it did… Look at the response now. We sold out within two hours, and our design held up. That tells you we got it right the first time.”

Read More: Rapsody’s Growth As An Emcee, Told Through 10 Songs

The post 50 Cent Trolls Rick Ross & Ebro With The G-Unit Reebok’s Sold-Out Launch appeared first on HotNewHipHop.