“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

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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.

Social media let its feelings be known about the video, with many claiming that this does not bode well for Pooh Shiesty. However, there are others who feel quite differently. Among them is Shiesty’s former lawyer, Bradford Cohen.

When Cohen left the case in April, he made it clear that it had nothing to do with the viability of Pooh Shiesty’s defense. Instead, he revealed that he believes the prosecution has holes in its case and that the artist could certainly come out victorious.

As for the release of this video, Cohen’s is remaining steadfast in his support of Pooh Shiesty. He called the video “nasty work,” noting how it doesn’t prove the federal kidnapping charge.

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

Pooh Shiesty Video Leads To Debate

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Cohen’s argument is simple. He believes this shouldn’t be a federal case to begin with. According to the lawyer, this doesn’t meet the Commerce Clause. Moreover, he says the lack of cellphone evidence is enough to take this out of federal jurisdiction.

The lawyer then went on to say that this is just one big dirty trick to try and win favor over the long haul. However, Cohen states that one of the big allegations in the case is that Pooh Shiesty was wielding an AK-47. In the leaked video, the artist cannot be seen with the aforementioned weapon.

Cohen uses these three elements as proof that the video isn’t going to change whether or not Pooh Shiesty will be convicted. Only time will tell if he is proven correct.

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

The post Pooh Shiesty’s Former Lawyer Bradford Cohen Calls Leaked Gucci Mane Video “Nasty Work” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

While 2 Chainz arrived to open for Wayne, the legendary MC never showed up, and fans were told to go home. Wayne eventually took to social media and apologized for what went down, although he never gave an explanation.

“My Maine fans I’m so sorry,” Wayne said. “The show is being rescheduled to July 28. Please hold on to your tickets, they will be honored for the rescheduled date. More information will be emailed directly to ticket holders. I ain’t s–t without you. I can’t wait to come back and give you the show you deserve.”

Earlier today, TMZ reported that Wayne was attending Michael Rubin’s white party on Wednesday in the Hamptons. Given the timing, this has proven to be a bit of a bad look.

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

Lil Wayne Attends White Party

Following Wayne’s missed show, numerous fans showcased their disappointment to the media. One even said that they drove six hours from Canada.

“I came here for Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz and it was the most terrible experience. We drove over six hours to be here,” Rita Sack, a fan from Nova Scotia told WABI. “Never mind the money. It’s like, moments in life and that was going to be a moment. [My friend] left her six-month baby for the first time. Like, it’s people’s time. Just don’t waste people’s time. We paid for Lil Wayne. Like, the least you can do is come out for a minute, apologize, you know? Like, just take the moment and be like, hey guys, sorry, not feeling it, feeling a little sick.”

If there is one thing for sure here, it is that you can’t get anything past TMZ.

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

The post Lil Wayne Appears At Michael Rubin’s White Party Just One Day After Canceling Maine Show appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

However, in recent years, André 3000 has been dropping music in different lanes. For instance, just a couple of years ago, he came through with New Blue Sun. He subsequently came through with 7 Piano Sketches last year. This album even got its very own short film, which debuted on Mubi back on June 19th.

Recently, the artist held a Q&A for this new short film, and it was here that he was asked about new music. The legendary MC then revealed that he and Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo have been recording music together. Based on his answer, it seems like the music is coming soon, according to Pigeons & Planes.

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

André 3000 x Lee Ranaldo

This is obviously great news for all of the fans out there. However, there is no telling what the genre is going to be. With New Blue Sun, we got some lengthy jazz flute freestyles. Meanwhile, 7 Piano Sketches was André 3000 showcasing his talents on the keys. Alongside Lee Ranaldo, there is no telling where his musical appetites lie.

Regardless, fans should always be excited about the prospect of new André 3000 music. He is a legendary artist who has given us classics over the years. Ultimately, he has earned our ears, regardless of what genre he finds himself diving into.

Hopefully, we will find out more about this upcoming endeavor, sooner rather than later.

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

The post André 3000 Confirms He Has New Music Dropping Soon appeared first on HotNewHipHop.