We previously reported that Joy addressed Renner after clips resurfaced from a July livestream in which Renner mocked the model’s approach to being financially supported by men. Joy said she enjoys being taken care of and reciprocating that treatment, then warned Renner not to mention her again while looking like she had been “fighting dogs all night.”

Renner answered Friday (Sept. 18) with little interest in keeping things cordial. She sarcastically praised the “effort” Joy put into producing her response before turning directly to the appearance jab. “You paid a pretty penny to look like everyone but yourself,” Renner wrote. “You’re overfilled and I’m still underwhelmed.”

Moreover, Renner added that she never criticized Joy’s appearance in the original clip and argued that cosmetic enhancements were not a competition she was interested in having. “Fake on its best day will never hold a candle to natural,” she wrote, before attempting to steer the feud back toward what she says prompted the July remarks in the first place.

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Read More: Daphne Joy Issues Warning To Brittany Renner After Some Not-So-Nice Criticism

Renner Says Her Problem Is “The Grading System”

“I don’t have a problem with you. I have a problem with the grading system,” Renner stated. Her argument centered on what she views as inconsistent standards applied to women, particularly on predominantly Black media platforms. Renner questioned why Joy could receive supportive coverage while openly discussing men providing for her, then argued that Black women would be judged much more harshly for similar conversations about sex and relationships.

She also referenced the explicit footage involving Joy and Sean “Diddy” Combs that circulated online earlier this year. That episode carries an important distinction from Renner’s characterization. After the footage surfaced, Joy said she never consented to being filmed and alleged that she had been blackmailed over the recording. Complex reported in June that Joy said someone involved threatened to release the video unless she paid money.

Meanwhile, Renner went on to say her criticism is ultimately about “the picking and choosing, the glamorization of prostitution, and the patriarchy” rather than a personal grievance with Joy. She then challenged Joy to address those subjects directly if she wanted their exchange to continue. “Care to share your thoughts regarding those things specifically?” Renner asked. “I’d love to stay on topic.”

She closed with “Ruff ruff,” an unmistakable callback to Joy’s earlier “fighting dogs” insult. As of publication, Joy has not publicly responded to Renner’s latest message.

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Read More: DJ Akademiks Claims To Have Spent $83K On Daphne Joy

The post Brittany Renner Rips Daphne Joy: “You’re Overfilled & I’m Still Underwhelmed” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“Every time I see him speaking to other people, he’s just himself,” Minaj told Ingraham. “He’s very grounded. It’s easy to connect with him, it’s easy to feel like he heard you, he understands you, and I just love him.” She added, “I’m not ever going to make excuses for that, because I don’t know why I should.”

Her comments extend a relationship with the Trump administration that has become increasingly public over the past year. In January, Minaj joined Trump onstage at the Treasury Department’s Trump Accounts Summit and declared herself his “number one fan.” Fox News reported that Minaj said criticism of her political stance only motivated her to support the president more.

The admiration has gone both ways. At the premiere of the Melania documentary, Trump called Minaj “a winner” and “a terrific person.”

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Read More: Coi Leray Says Nicki Minaj’s MAGA Ties Don’t Erase Her Legacy

Minaj Heads To Trump Administration’s $1 Million Competition

Around the time of her Fox News appearance, Minaj also posted a video on X showing off her outfit with the caption “#MillionDollarPitch,” pointing toward another Trump administration-linked appearance.

Minaj is one of the judges for the Small Business Administration’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition, whose live finale is being held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18. According to the Small Business Administration, she joins entrepreneur Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia on the judging panel, with actor Dean Cain hosting. Five small-business finalists are competing for shares of a $1 million prize pool funded by Clover Network.

Minaj enthusiastically embraced the role when it was announced in August. Fox News reported that the competition is part of the administration’s Freedom 250 initiative celebrating American entrepreneurship. Her latest Fox News interview leaves little doubt about why she continues to accept opportunities connected to Trump’s administration. Whatever criticism has followed her political alignment, Minaj says she has no intention of distancing herself from the president or explaining away her support.

Read More: Peter Rosenberg Calls Nicki Minaj A “Loser”

The post Nicki Minaj Defends Trump Support: “I Just Love Him” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

BCK Online reported that Velour posed individually with DaBaby and DaniLeigh on the red carpet at Macy’s Herald Square. The former couple did not pose together. Velour wore a black-and-white ensemble with heart-shaped sunglasses and a basketball-inspired handbag as she took photos with each parent.

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Read More: DaBaby Settles With DaniLeigh’s Brother In Bowling Alley Fight Lawsuit

DaBaby & DaniLeigh Continue Showing Up For Velour

That was also the case when Velour graduated from preschool in 2025. Both parents celebrated the milestone as she prepared to move on to “big kid school.” They have also marked Velour’s birthdays and other occasions separately while remaining present in her life.

Their current co-parenting dynamic follows a far more contentious public history. DaBaby and DaniLeigh’s relationship ended in 2021 after an argument at his home spilled onto Instagram Live. Rolling Stone reported at the time that police responded to two incidents and DaniLeigh was charged with two counts of simple assault after DaBaby told officers she had assaulted him. Much of the dispute unfolded publicly while their daughter was still an infant.

Years later, their Fashion Week appearance looked considerably different. They made no suggestion of a romantic reconciliation and offered no joint couple pose for cameras. Instead, both parents shared the red carpet, continuing a pattern of setting aside their history when it comes time to show up for their daughter.

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Read More: DaniLeigh Is Heartbreakingly Honest About DaBaby Drama On New Single, “Dead To Me”

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A reported source close to Jay-Z and the NFL told the Daily Mail that organizers are “having a hard time locking anyone down” for the February 2027 show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The source suggested that could lead to multiple performers sharing the stage, with Jay-Z himself potentially stepping in alongside several guests if another headliner cannot be secured.

According to the insider, the reluctance is not simply about the workload attached to one of television’s biggest performances. Artists are also weighing the political fallout that can follow a Super Bowl appearance, particularly after Bad Bunny’s 2026 halftime set became a target for President Donald Trump. Reuters reported that Trump called the performance “absolutely terrible” after previously criticizing Bad Bunny’s selection.

Read More: Ed Sheeran Faces Backlash As Tour Openers Quit After Macklemore’s Removal

The Daily Mail source also pointed to the current controversy surrounding Macklemore, Ed Sheeran, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft as another reason artists may be wary of stepping into the NFL spotlight. Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian statements during performances at MetLife Stadium. Macklemore claimed Kraft rallied other NFL stadium owners against his participation. Kraft later confirmed that he would not permit Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as the rapper’s “recent actions” and history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, according to Rolling Stone.

Sheeran has maintained that removing Macklemore was not his decision. As Variety reported, the singer said he participated in talks with Kraft and others to reach a resolution, but the venues and promoter ultimately made the call. Finneas, Lukas Graham, and other opening performers in the U.S. subsequently dropped out of the tour in protest.

The Announcement Could Be Pushed Into November

Since partnering with the NFL in 2019, Roc Nation has advised on talent selection for major league performances, including the Super Bowl. The NFL originally described Roc Nation’s role as helping select artists for major performances while also participating in the league’s social justice initiatives.

The halftime show also does not come with the kind of performance fee its enormous audience might suggest. The NFL covers production costs and expenses, but performers traditionally are not paid a major appearance fee. The Daily Mail source argued that the combination of no substantial paycheck and the possibility of becoming engulfed in political controversy is making the proposition less attractive to some artists being approached.

The source also said organizers had hoped to reveal the 2027 performer by the end of September, but an announcement could reportedly be pushed as far as November if an agreement is not reached. The NFL has not publicly confirmed that its search is experiencing difficulty. Meanwhile, Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium.

Read More: Colin Kaepernick Says Jay-Z Became NFL’s “Black Face”

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“I believe everybody deserves a defense,” Cohen told DJ Vlad. “I don’t believe everybody deserves a Brad Cohen defense.”

Cohen stopped short of making any judgment about D4vd’s guilt, stressing that he has not reviewed the evidence closely enough to reach conclusions about the prosecution’s case.

“The allegations are what the allegations are. I don’t know what the evidence is yet,” he explained. “I’ve come across cases where people were like, ‘Hey, this is a horrible case and here are the allegations.’ Then, all of a sudden, I get involved in the case and it’s like, the allegations don’t match what I actually know.”

This case has generated intense attention since D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was charged in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez in 2025 before her remains were discovered months later inside a Tesla registered to him. He has pleaded not guilty. Cohen said he does not take allegations at face value, but that skepticism does not mean he is interested in taking every case that lands in the headlines.

Read More: Tupac, D4vd & Feeding The Conspiracies That Never Die

d4vd Is Now Represented By A Public Defender

The question of who will defend D4vd has become particularly relevant in recent weeks. The Los Angeles Times reported that his private attorneys withdrew from the case on August 31, leaving the Los Angeles County public defender’s office to take over his representation. DJ Vlad made his own preference clear during his conversation with Cohen, personally asking the attorney not to become D4vd’s next lawyer. The request drew laughs from both men.

“I don’t predict myself taking on the D4vd case,” Cohen replied.

Cohen has represented several high-profile artists, including Kodak Black, and has discussed his work involving Lil Wayne, Drake, and other celebrity clients during his latest VladTV interview series. He also previously worked on YNW Melly’s murder case before leaving that defense team after several months.

Read More: Trap Lore Ross Breaks Down In Tears While Describing Horrific D4vd-Celeste Rivas Details

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“I also wanna be clear, whatever Ebro said is not the words that came out of my mouth,” Cudi wrote on X. “And that was the biggest issue. Thats what got me the most upset.” Cudi also pushed back against the impression that he had been privately sharing details about his relationship with Ye. “People want to know details about me and Ye, I get it, but im not runnin my mouth about personal things to strangers,” he continued. “Everything we spoke about was stuff the public already knows.”

The clarification adds another layer to Cudi’s initial criticism of Ebro. As we previously reported, Cudi said the two happened to be seated next to one another during a dinner and that he believed they were simply having a private conversation. After Ebro later discussed parts of the exchange on The Ebro, Laura & Rosenberg Show, Cudi called him “thirsty” and “classless” for turning it into public content.

Cudi Says The Damage Was Already Done

Ebro had told listeners that Cudi described publicly reconnecting with Ye as “tough,” while also discussing Cudi’s feelings toward his longtime collaborator. According to Complex, Ebro said Cudi emphasized that Ye remains his “brother” and someone he wants to love.

Cudi’s latest statement suggests his objection wasn’t simply that the conversation became public, but that Ebro’s retelling put words or phrasing on him that he doesn’t recognize as his own. However, the two men have already spoken privately since the dispute erupted. Cudi previously said Ebro offered a sincere apology, which he accepted, and declared that things were “all good.” Still, his follow-up made clear that resolving the disagreement did not erase his concern about what had already circulated.

“I squashed it w Ebro, but it seems the damage is done,” Cudi wrote. He added that moving forward, fans should take anything attributed to him “with a grain of salt” unless they hear it directly from him.

Read More: Kid Cudi Calls Ebro “Thirsty” Over Private Conversation, Then Accepts Apology

The post Kid Cudi Says He Wasn’t “Runnin [His] Mouth” About Ye To Ebro appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The image features Karina of K-pop group aespa standing in an oversized white skirt while holding a pair of Converse sneakers at her side. A pointed section of light cuts across the white fabric, which critics compared to a KKK hood. Because Karina’s arm is largely obscured by shadow, the shoes hanging from her hand also appeared to some viewers like two feet suspended above the ground.

The reaction spread rapidly across social media, with users questioning how the image survived the layers of approval involved in a major advertising campaign. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown was among those responding publicly. TheGrio reported that Brown reposted the image on Threads and wrote, “That’s a lynching, yes?” before adding, “AND a Klan robe. Damn, Converse.”

The controversy also brought renewed attention to another Converse campaign image featuring shoes hanging from a tree. The Washington Post reported that users circulated the separate photo while arguing that it made the imagery in the Karina advertisement even more disturbing.

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Read More: Kodak Black Says He, Kendrick Lamar, And Kanye West Form The “KKK”

Converse Says It “Got This Wrong”

The mounting backlash prompted the sneaker company to apologize. Footwear News, via WWD, reported that it contacted Converse about the controversy and received a statement acknowledging the criticism.

“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,” the company said. “We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened, and we will do better.”

Converse had already started pulling the image from several platforms by Friday (Sept. 18). Further, Footwear News also reported that the image was still live on Converse’s Threads account when its story was published, despite the company saying it was working to remove the campaign everywhere it appeared.

Check out a few reactions to the Converse ad below.

The post Converse Apologizes After Ad Draws KKK & Lynching Comparisons appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

This marks the classic colorway’s first comeback since 2017. The black and blue design goes all the way back to 1985, making it one of the original Jordan 1 looks ever released. Only a few of the retros have followed since then.

Black leather covers most of the shoe, with royal blue hitting the toe, heel, and Swoosh. A white midsole and matching white detailing on the tongue round out the classic look. Nike Air branding sits on the tongue tag, keeping things true to the original build.

This version skips the ’85 cut some fans expected. Instead, it uses the newer High OG shape that’s shown up on other recent retros. The leaked footage gives an early look at texture and stitching before official images ever dropped.

Expect this one to draw plenty of attention once it hits shelves, especially from longtime collectors who missed the last release.

Read More: The New York Yankees Allegedly Made Lil Wayne Change Young Money Logo

Air Jordan 1 “Royal”

Unlike some Jordan 1 colorways that return every year or two, “Royal” has stayed rare by comparison. It’s only come back a few times since the original 1985 release, landing again in 2001, 2013, and 2017.

A suede “Reimagined” version also dropped in 2023, but that one split opinion among collectors. Many preferred the smooth leather build used on earlier releases, which is exactly what’s returning this time around.

That spacing is part of what makes “Royal” feel different from Jordan Brand’s usual retro cycle. Fans have waited nearly a decade for this specific leather version to come back.

Leaked unboxing videos ahead of a release has become more common in sneaker culture. It gives fans a preview of build quality and materials before retailers post anything official.

With its clean color-blocking and real ties to Jordan’s early career, this pair should land as one of the bigger Jordan 1 releases of the fall season.

Read More: CEO Grip Of CMG Passes Away, Hip-Hop Pays Tribute

The post Unboxing Video Leaks The Air Jordan 1 “Royal” Early appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“[The door] was a gift… Before the Yankees sued me,” he joked. “I had a ‘YM.’ They thought it looked too much like the Yankees. They just sent cease and [desist]. I had to stop using it… I just changed my logo. They’re legends. I respected it. I felt more cooler getting a letter from the Yankees.”

It seems like the “Special Ops” lyricist took it in stride and wasn’t pressed about the Yankees scolding him over the logo. In case you have somehow never seen the logo in question, MyMixtapez shared it on Twitter. Even after the change, it remains an iconic visual element of hip-hop history from the Cash Money offshoot’s inception and their meteoric rise.

Read More: Lil Durk’s Racketeering Charges, Explained

Lil Wayne’s Yankees Threat

This New York Yankees situation is a bit unexpected and ironic because, usually, Lil Wayne’s sports fandom and moves operate outside of the MLB. Sadly for him, it’s not going too well in the NFL for his beloved Green Bay Packers.

After the Packers blew a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Tunechi went on a Twitter rant and claimed he was done with the league. But as any sports fan knows, one’s favorite team always lures them back in, so we doubt he’s fully renouncing his fandom.

“Refs in Minnesota game pure p***y,” Wayne ranted. “Fake af I can’t respect the game when the refs can’t ref the game. I’m out on the NFL this year. Wish for it to be an amazing season for all. My Dik too big for short comings and this sux.”

Maybe he should become a Yankees fan instead. Then, we can get a full merch collab line and this logo debacle can find a surprising reconciliation.

Read More: Jhené Aiko & Kendrick Lamar’s Collaborations, Revisited

The post The New York Yankees Allegedly Made Lil Wayne Change Young Money Logo appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Per TJB, an official cause of death hasn’t been publicly announced at press time, despite rumors circulating online. Also, Gotti and CMG haven’t issued a public statement on the matter as of writing this article. CEO Grip received tributes from many fans, admirers, peers, and loved ones who praised his legacy as a key fixture in the Memphis scene and a driving behind-the-scenes force behind CMG’s success.

Under Grip’s IG account’s last post at press time, many tributes flooded in from colleagues and friends tied to CMG and beyond. Moneybagg Yo, for example, posted a broken heart emoji, an open hands emoji, and a dove emoji in the comments section. YFN Lucci wrote “Damn big dawg” alongside various broken heart emojis and a dove emoji, whereas 42 Dugg posted three broken heart emojis and wrote, “damn big bra.”

The Jasmine Brand also shared Boosie Badazz’s social media video paying tribute to CEO Grip. “I want to say RIP to my n***a Grip, man,” Boosie remarked. “Me and Grip go way back, bro. Rest in peace, my n***a.”

Read More: Lil Durk’s Racketeering Charges, Explained

RIP CEO Grip

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Elsewhere on social media, fans and peers shared pictures, videos, and memories of CEO Grip to pay tribute to his memory and mourn his loss. CMG has sadly faced heartbreaking moments like these before, as have other hip-hop collectives and labels. It’s a sad time, and an unfortunate way through which those unaware of his impact have now learned about what he left behind.

We will see if more information comes out about the CMG affiliate’s passing, whether from the label itself, from family, or other official sources. During this mournful time, fans and peers are looking back at what he gave us with gratitude. The Memphis world and beyond will continue to honor his legacy.

Read More: Jhené Aiko & Kendrick Lamar’s Collaborations, Revisited

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