“I don’t even know who she is. She can’t stop talking about me,” Akademiks began, adding that she’s not relevant enough to beef with. “You’re filling out the Melyssa Ford slot. By the way, I went over to their Reddit to see the vibe. They want me to check you since Ice and Ish won’t check you. You taking over the show, talking over people. B*tch, we don’t wanna hear the d*ke b*tch that’s a white chick, come from Philly, nothing attractive, just saying a bunch of dumb sh*t, limited knowledge, and limited vocabulary. We don’t want her taking over the podcast. Joe’s too scared to say something because you’re giving that masculine energy. So, they’re hoping, ‘Ak, you come in and simmer her down so that the cast can be a little bit more calibrated.’ I’ve done a lot of favors. I’ll do this one later. She’s just not that relevant.”

Plenty of fans have been speaking up in Mona’s defense on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the fiery clip. “I enjoy Mona. I have not gotten that vibe from Joe or any of the guys,” one user wrote. “Quite the opposite, actually. Where Ford will wilt Mona can stand with the guys and dish it back. If anything you can feel everyone lighten up now that Ford is gone. Mona hasn’t even been on the podcast that long anyway for this type of ‘read’ to even make sense.” Another added: “Nobody is hoping that. Mona is a great addition to the podcast cause she’s not a sensitive women and is funny. She can give and take jokes like the guys. Why do people make sh*t up when they beefing.”

Read More: DJ Akademiks Exposes Maino’s Worst Outfits As Beef Intensifies

Why Are DJ Akademiks & Mona Love Beefing?

Mona Love criticized DJ Akademiks as she and the rest of the Joe Budden Podcast co-hosts discussed his recent feud with Maino and Fabolous. Ak kicked that off by trolling Fabs’ fashion sense, which sparked the back and forth between him and the rest of the Let’s Rap About It podcast.

Mona addressed the drama by joking about Ak’s sex life, but eventually offered an apology if any of the co-hosts were friends with him. “I’m not a fan of people who are not in the streets at all doing all street content,” she explained. “You have to be at least adjacent to it to be able to report on it.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Gives “Moment Of The Year” To Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl

The post DJ Akademiks Goes Scorched Earth On Mona From “The Joe Budden Podcast” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“‘How is baby Liem?’ That is not his name. That’s my man’s brand, his clothing brand,” she clarified, as captured by Live Bitez on Instagram. “One day I’ll tell y’all my son’s name. It’s so cute, I love his name. But no, that’s my man’s clothing brand’s name.”

At the time of writing, it remains unclear when she plans to share the big news. It might not be for a while, however, as she didn’t announce her daughter Blossom’s name until almost a year after her birth. Cardi shares Blossom with her ex Offset, along with two other children, Kulture and Wave. The father of her youngest child is her current partner, Stefon Diggs.

Read More: Cardi B Gifts Stefon Diggs A Steamy Makeout During His Birthday Bash

Cardi B & Stefon Diggs

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Rumors about her son’s name aren’t all Cardi has had to shut down in recent days, however. Recently, rumors that Offset and Diggs got into a fight at the club also began to circulate online. According to her, this never happened, and it didn’t take the “Enough” performer long to set the record straight.

“Cardi & Stefon at Booby Trap… Offset pulls up,” commentator Alexis for GoatTVDaily tweeted over the weekend. “And Stefon’s scary a** really tried to have security block him. Like be serious. Security wasn’t even entertaining that, they let Offset in. I heard there was a lil scuffle once he got inside but nothing more than that.”

“Not true at all…,” Cardi wrote simply in an Instagram comment. For now, how exactly this rumor started remains a mystery.

Read More: Cardi B Denies Rumors Of An Offset & Stefon Diggs Fight In The Club

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The controversial nature of their friendship reached new heights in 2024 when Top5 revealed that Drake paid for his attorney’s fees to beat a murder case. The two had already built a solid rapport, but coming off the heels of his feud with Kendrick Lamar, aligning with Top 5 felt like a risky brand move at a time when the industry was seemingly turning against him. Top 5 remained rather loyal throughout, but something happened in recent months that seemingly soured their relationship. Most recently, Top 5 dissed Drake by sharing a photo of Kendrick Lamar and locking with Hitta J3, whom he previously had beef with, in light of his feud with the boy. Below, we’ll be going through the timeline of Drake and Top 5’s relationship over the years. 

Read More: Drake Affiliate Top5 Gets Yelled At By Russell Westbrook During Heated Raptors Game

2013: The Spark at OVO Bounce

Drake’s association with Top5’s neighborhood, referred to as “The Jungle” (sharing the same name as the song from If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late), has been well documented over the years. In 2013, Drake and Top5 linked up for a photo op at OVO Bounce, marking their second time actually crossing paths. But according to Top5, Drake was already familiar with his persona.

“He knew me. He was asking ‘who is that kid with his shirt off?,’” he said, explaining that he had taken his shirt off to pose for a photo with Brandon Jennings. “Then I went to a signing and we got to know each other and the friendship started. From then on we kept hitting each other up. He’s always been supportive of my hood and has friends there. He puts people up on Instagram from my hood and from that day on he’s been into my music. I’m also close with OB O’Brien.”

August–December 2014: The Viral Co-Sign That Launched Top5

Top5 dropped his breakout track “Shirt Off Shawty” on August 12, 2014, a raw and energetic banger that captured life in the Jungle. It quickly turned into a viral song in the city, but a co-sign from Drake transformed it from local buzz to viral glory. Drake shared a photo of the music video to “Shirt Off Shawty” on his Instagram with the caption reading, “Back in the 6ix word to Top Five.” It certainly marked a shift in Top 5’s career, and the subtle nod ultimately generated a surge in YouTube views overnight. It was one of the earliest instances where Drake utilized his global platform to uplift the underground rap scene in Toronto that wasn’t directly signed to OVO.

Read More: Top5 Facing Legal Trouble For Music Video Shot From Jail

2015–2021: Quiet Brotherhood & Rising Tensions

Post-co-sign, Top5’s career gained steam with tracks like “Hall of Fame” (featuring Robin Banks), outpacing his debut hit. He and Drake maintained a low-profile friendship, occasionally linking at events or via mutual OVO connections. Ultimately, Top5 continued to level up as a viral entity in Toronto’s rap scene. However, it felt like his later music wasn’t really outpacing the success of his early singles without contentious antics. Drake continued his support, even dedicating a string of bars on Views song “Grammys” to Top5.

“Hall of fame, hall of fame
Like I’m shirt off, like I’m shirt off
Like I’m shirt off shorty
Whole city goin’ crazy
Whole city goin’ crazy
Top five, no debatin’
Top five, top five, top five”

Tragedy struck on January 31, 2021, when 20-year-old Hashim Omar Hashi was fatally shot in a Toronto parking garage. Top5 was arrested weeks later as an accessory after the fact, later upgraded to first-degree murder charges tied to alleged gang orders. His story became international news, as he cut off his ankle bracelet and fled to America with alleged false documents. During that time, Top5 made the rounds across cities like Los Angeles where he connected with other prominent rappers in the scene. In February 2022, he was extradited back to Canada, where he remained in custody as he awaited trial. 

Fall 2024: Legal Lifeline & Freedom

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In September 2024, Ontario Superior Court Justice stayed the charges, ruling social media posts inadmissible as evidence. Top5 walked free after three years behind bars. Hours later, Top5 posted on Instagram thanking his lawyer Gary Grill and Drake (@champagnepapi) “for the lawyer fees,” though he quickly edited out the Drake mention amid backlash. Though it remained unclear why Drake went as far as allegedly funding Top5’s legal fees, the association became the cornerstone of Top5’s comeback in the media, and one that seemed motivated by Drake’s recent loss to Kendrick Lamar. 

However, this didn’t come without blowback for Drake. A family member of Hashi called out Drake and OVO for supporting Top5. “Thank you @champagnepapi your version of justice means Hashim’s sister had to watch her brother’s murderer celebrating on TV,” they continued against Drake. “He insisted if that tells you anything about the [caliber] of people we’re dealing with here – during her honeymoon. When I came back from Portland, they told me @ovo40 was one of the good guys, he was really tryna find a solution for what’s going on in the city. THIS IS THE SOLUTION?! Any and everything he does hereafter, every mom that has to hear him sing abt murdering their kid — THAT’S ON YALL!! The blood is on your hands.”

However, for the remainder of the year, Top5’s comeback was marked by his undying loyalty to Drake and made that clear as he antagonized Kendrick Lamar on social media, including making threats to Kendrick Lamar over his concerts in Toronto.

Read More: The 40 Best Rap Albums Of 2025

Early 2025: Drake & Top5 Pop Out

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Things seemingly began panning out for Top5 at the beginning of the year as his relationship with Akademiks strengthened and he forged a relationship with Pressa and the BFR clique that has since collapsed. 

Drake and Top5 made a few public appearances together at the top of the year. First, it was at the Raptors game where the Toronto team faced off against the Golden State Warriors. The moment bred a lot of criticism for both Drake and Top5, though not enough to really impact either of their careers in any capacity. But what happened afterward seemingly suggested that Top5 might have been taking his newfound freedom for granted. Just 10 days later, on January 24, Top5 faced fresh arrest on six weapons charges. 

Spring 2025: The Two Reconnect While Tensions Seem To Rise Between Top5 & Pressa

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In April, Top5 shared a photo of himself and Drake in an Instagram carousel that continued to suggest that their bond remained strong. However, the image of Drake, which wasn’t necessarily the most flattering, turned the Canadian superstar into a punchline across the timeline. Other videos in the carousel showed the two hanging out in a public setting together and catching a vibe.

However, in the month that followed, Top5 continued to elevate his viral brand and managed to connect with Kanye West and actually link with him in person. Unfortunately, as he managed to salvage one industry relationship, he sabotaged another. Pressa, who was once a close associate, called Top5 a rat on the internet, and the two of them began throwing shots at each other, which clearly caused a rift between mutual friends. We’ll get to that later. 

June-July 2025: Kendrick Lamar Concert & Wireless Festival Goes Left

Since his release, Top5 made a concerted effort to try and put people on notice about Kendrick Lamar’s anticipated and contentious concerts in Toronto as part of the Grand National tour. As the days came and went in June–two sold out shows at the Rogers Centre–Top5 shared photos of himself allegedly outside of the hotel where Kendrick Lamar was stayving. And even with all the tough talk leading up to the Kendrick concert, nothing actually happened and the Compton MC made history on enemy turf.

The following month, Drake performed at London’s Wireless Festival for three back-to-back headlining shows. And while it was a success for Drake and all the artists involved, the trip to the UK didn’t end well for Top5. The rapper was mobbed and stabbed in the neck while talking to fans. He eventually received medical help and has recovered. 

December 2025: The End Of An Era–Top5 Disses Drake

Remember when Top5 and Pressa fell out earlier? Well, that has turned into the catalyst that made Top5 and Drake drift apart as well. Over the weekend, Drake shared Pressa’s new album on his Instagram Story–a move that led Top5 to switch to team Kendrick. Top5 shared a photo of Kendrick with his Grammys, along with “Not Like Us” playing. 

In a conversation with Akademiks, Top5 explained that he felt betrayed that Drake posted his opp’s music, explaining that the OVO boss is completely aware of the friction between the two artists. “Pressa was supposed to perform at Wireless, and I told Drake if he lets this guy perform, it’s a problem. So, Drake pulled him out last minute,” he said. Top5 also explained that he expressed his issues with Drake already. “When I said this guy’s my opp, he wrote… ‘I’m trying to make Toronto look good.’ I said, ‘I’m gonna make L.A. look good tonight.”

What’s worse is that Top5 seems keen on making amends with everyone that he was beefing with on Drake’s behalf in the past. The chances of us seeing Top5 and Kendrick Lamar ever linking up seem slim to impossible but Top5 has managed to turn up in unexpected places, so it shouldn’t be ruled out. 

The post Drake & Top5 Beef? A Brief History Of Their Relationship appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

This pair was part of Virgil’s continued push on the AJ1 after the massive success of the Off-White “Chicago” and “UNC.” It never made it into The Ten, but it always felt like a design he wanted out in the world.

The “Alaska” theme leans into a cold, frosted look. Icy blue tones, soft cream panels, light translucency, and all the Off-White details are here. You get exposed foam, deconstructed construction, floating Swooshes, Helvetica text, and the familiar zip tie.

It’s a calmer, cleaner take on a silhouette that helped define modern sneaker collaborations. People have been waiting a long time for this shoe to move from rumor to reality. Now that a date is set, hype is guaranteed.

Overall, any Virgil Jordan release arrives with weight, but this one hits differently because it felt like it might never surface. The “Alaska” AJ1 finally steps out of the samples and into a real drop, and there’s no question it’s going to move fast.

Read More: Teyana Taylor’s Air Jordan 3 “A Rose From Harlem” Gets Release Date

Off White Air Jordan 1 “Alaska” Release Date

The Air Jordan 1 “Alaska” features a light, icy color palette with soft blue and cream tones. The upper mixes smooth leather, mesh, and exposed foam details.

Also the Swoosh appears detached in classic Off-White style. Helvetica text sits on the medial side in black. The midsole uses a subtle aged tint for a vintage feel. Blue stitching and a matching zip tie add contrast.

Further the tongue is padded and unfinished, giving the shoe a raw look and the design blends Virgil’s deconstructed approach with a winter-inspired theme. It feels simple at first but reveals more details the longer you look.

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 High OG “Alaska” will be released in the spring of 2026. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $195 when they drop.

Read More: Rumored Release Date For The Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4

The post Virgil Abloh’s Air Jordan 1 “Alaska” Gets A Release Date appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: December 9, 2025

Genre: Hip-Hop

Tracklist for A Quest to Self-Mythologize

1. Self-Medicated
2. Grail Anthem
3. Painnnn ft. Child Actor
4. Manifest Destiny
5. Rhizomatic

The post A Quest to Self-Mythologize – EP by Ghais Guevara appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Wayans explained his issues with the project during an appearance on REAL 92.3 LA. “You can create any narrative as a producer and as a storyteller,” he explained when asked about the documentary. “I can create any narrative… It doesn’t mean it’s true. I can get interview. I can do this, I can get footage, and I could make you think this about that person. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. 50 and Puff have a long term beef. It’s personal. It’s between him and Puff but before it’s between the both of them, it’s between them and God. Puff’s down on his luck, and 50’s kicking a man when he’s down. If luck ever turns on 50, you gotta be careful what you put out. There’s a karma to every action.”

Read More: Gene Deal Claps Back At Misa Hylton For Calling Him Out Over New Diddy Documentary

Netflix’s “Sean Combs: The Reckoning”

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Netflix released Sean Combs: The Reckoning, last week, and it’s been getting tons of attention. 50 Cent served as the executive producer, while Alex Stapleton directed the series. It features tons of celebrity appearances from Mark Curry, Al. B Sure, Aubrey O’Day, and more.

Diddy’s team has already responded to the allegations presented in Sean Combs: The Reckoning. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, they called into question Netflix’s decision to work with 50 Cent, considering his long-standing beef with Diddy.

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They wrote: “50 Cent is a longtime public adversary who has mocked Mr. Combs for decades, posted fabricated accusations, and publicly celebrated his legal challenges. Even Mr. Jackson has admitted he was ‘shocked’ Sean ever filmed some of these moments, which underscores that the footage is being exploited for entertainment rather than presented with fairness or context.”

Read More: Diddy’s Ex Bodyguard Makes Bold Claim About 50 Cent’s Documentary Footage

The post 50 Cent Issues A Stern Warning For Marlon Wayans Over Diddy Doc Criticism appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

He has also been ordered to complete both a drug treatment program and a mental health program. Hopefully, this will reduce any risk of him breaking the law in the future.

6ix9ine admitted to violating the terms of his probation in September of this year. According to him, he assaulted a man at a gym after being taunted over his infamous snitching scandal. “Me and another individual hit a person and it was wrong,” he stated at the time.

Read More: 6ix9ine Shares Surprising Weight Loss Plans For Three-Month Prison Sentence

6ix9ine Sentencing

Before that, 6ix9ine pled guilty to two drug possession charges. The charges in question are linked to MDMA and cocaine that was allegedly discovered at his Florida home during a raid earlier this year. He was sentenced to three to nine months for the violations.

“Mr. Hernandez recidivated almost immediately,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Rebold wrote in a filing. “A sentence of imprisonment is necessary to reflect the seriousness of the defendant’s violations and to promote respect for the law.”

The sentencing took place a few weeks later than it was initially scheduled to, as shortly before 6ix9ine’s original sentencing date, his home was broken into. Multiple masked gunmen were involved in the home invasion, which took place when the performer was away creating content with Jack Doherty.

“They took that opportunity to f*cking do some p*ssy sh*t,” 6ix9ine said of the ordeal in a video shared on social media. “It’s me, so I get it. The rules are different for me.”

Read More: 6ix9ine Receives Three-Month Prison Sentence For Probation Violations

The post 6ix9ine Labeled A “Dumpster Fire” By Judge During Sentencing appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: December 9, 2025

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: 30 for 30 “Vision: A Portrait of Stuart Scott”

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Early mockups already have the sneaker world buzzing, especially because of one wild detail. The pair is expected to come with removable plastic rose thorns that wrap around the shoe, a nod to her 2018 song “Rose in Harlem.”

It’s an idea that sounds risky on paper, but perfectly on-brand for Teyana’s creative style. The base design uses a clean black leather upper paired with classic elephant print and bright red accents. Green hits on the eyelets and gum detailing on the outsole round out the look.

Even without the thorn accessory, the shoe would stand on its own as a solid AJ3 release. With the thorns, it becomes a statement piece. Right now, what we’re seeing is still just a mockup, but the general direction feels locked in.

A release date is already set. Expect plenty of attention when these drop. Teyana has never been afraid to push things forward, and this pair proves she’s not stopping now.

Read More: Rumored Release Date For The Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4

Teyana Taylor’s Air Jordan 3

The Air Jordan 3 “A Rose From Harlem” features a black leather upper with classic elephant print panels. Red accents hit the heel branding and lining. Green eyelets add a sharp contrast to the dark build.

Also the outsole uses a gum finish that pairs cleanly with the midsole. The mockup shows removable plastic rose thorns wrapping around the shoe and they sit across the upper and heel for a dramatic look.

Further, the design blends classic Jordan DNA with Teyana’s bold style. Even without the thorns, the color blocking looks strong. With them, the shoe stands out instantly.

@zsneakerheadz reports that Teyana Taylor’s Air Jordan 3 “A Rose From Harlem” is going to drop on March 4th, 2026. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $215 when they are released.

Read More: Kevin Durant Rocks Exclusive Travis Scott Air Jordan 1 Low “Texas Longhorns”

The post Teyana Taylor’s Air Jordan 3 “A Rose From Harlem” Gets Release Date appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Per the outlet, an officer decided to pull her over after noticing a tinted tag covering the license plate of the vehicle she was in. They soon realized that the vehicle had dealer plates. Upon running them, they learned the vehicle had allegedly been marked as stolen.

She was then searched, along with the driver of the vehicle, Amani Dirton. Allegedly, several ecstasy pills were discovered in Banks’ purse, and marijuana was found on Dirton. They were both taken into custody and have since been released.

Read More: Erica Banks Claims Carl Crawford Did Not Pay For Her BBL

Erica Banks Arrest

This isn’t the only legal trouble Banks has dealt with in recent months, either. Back in August, the femcee was arrested yet again. That time around, she was reportedly trying to fly from Atlanta to Houston when she allegedly got caught with a stolen gun at the airport.

She was booked into the Clayton County Jail, though fortunately for her, she didn’t stay for long. She was released just over an hour into her stay. Shortly after the arrest, Banks’ team released a statement, insisting that the “Buss It” performer was innocent.

“It is our contention that when she was caught with this weapon, she had no idea it was stolen,” the statement began. “So she is not guilty of any offense. And once we get to court on this case, my job is to make sure this never becomes a part of her criminal history and to have these charges dismissed.” 

Read More: Erica Banks Arrested For Allegedly Bringing Stolen Gun To Airport

The post Erica Banks Arrested For Alleged Intent To Distribute Ecstasy appeared first on HotNewHipHop.