That said, on their Netflix podcast, the two ride hard for Drake. In the eyes of some, this runs counter to Jay-Z, who dissed the Canadian megastar during his Roots Picnic freestyle.

On Monday, Tasha K found herself stirring the pot, claiming that Hov kicked Rory & Mal out of his Roots Picnic section. Tasha K then went on to claim that the podcast duo is signed to Roc Nation.

“WHOA! Just got word that Jayz allegedly KICKED Rory & Mall out of his section at the Roots Picnic! He allegedly told them I thought you both were Drake FANS! Then proceeded to kick them out! This is bad news considering they are Roc Nation Talent! Signed to him,” Tasha K wrote. “Everything is allegedly! Even my name is allegedly!”

As you can imagine, Rory & Mal got wind of this report and offered up a response.

Read More: It’s About Time Lil Wayne Retires “Tha Carter” Series

Rory & Mal Respond

As Mal hilariously explains, he was at home watching Game 7 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, Rory mocked the notion that Jay would seek him out just to call him out for being a Drake fan.

Subsequently, Rory & Mal made it crystal clear that they are not signed to Roc Nation, nor have they ever been. They then said that they can understand why Tasha K is constantly dealing with lawsuits, given just how dubious her reporting is here.

So there you have it, Rory & Mal were not kicked out of the Roots Picnic. Whether or not Tasha K will respond to the refutation remains to be seen.

Read More: The Villains Of Hip Hop: Power, Chaos, Scandal, & Survival

The post Rory & Mal Respond To Tasha K’s Report That Jay-Z Kicked Them Out Of The Roots Picnic appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Since that time, Joy has confirmed that the woman on the tape is indeed her. However, she also alleged that the tape was filmed without her consent. She also says the leak was part of a larger extortion plot in which someone demanded her to pay money to stop the video from coming out.

In the aftermath of all of this, Joy is now facing some criticism. On X, DJ Vlad revealed that Joy is currently promoting her OnlyFans at an 85 percent discount. Some feel as though this is in poor taste, especially given the model’s recent statement on the matter.

For instance, Ben Baller responded to Vlad, saying, “This bih is so full of shit. For the 16+ years I’ve known her , her entire persona has been opportunity and marketing her sexuality to get ahead. She shouldn’t have even addressed it.”

Read More: It’s About Time Lil Wayne Retires “Tha Carter” Series

Daphne Joy Reacts To Sex Tape Leak

As we mentioned previously, Joy posted and deleted a statement on Monday morning in relation to the sex tape leak. It was here where she alleged that the video was non-consensual. She also states that she was in love with Diddy at the time and was willing to do anything to satisfy him. However, she now realizes that the relationship was allegedly abusive and that she can never let herself be in that spot again.

At this time, Joy’s statement on the matter remains absent from her Instagram.

Read More: The Villains Of Hip Hop: Power, Chaos, Scandal, & Survival

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Given Jay’s history with Drake, there has been this prevailing notion that a rap beef is about to begin. The expectation is that Drake is going to level some kind of response. With rumors of a Scary Hours 4 release coming soon, it feels as though a response is certainly possible. However, there is no guarantee that this escalates further.

On the latest episode of Rory & Mal, Mal was able to offer some insight into Drake’s current psyche. In fact, Mal reveals Drake reached out to him following Jay-Z’s performance. However, instead of commenting on the bars, Drizzy had one thing in mind. “Yo, but what’s up with the hair?” Drake exclaimed.

Read More: It’s About Time Lil Wayne Retires “Tha Carter” Series

Drake Reacts To Jay-Z

Jay-Z’s new hairstyle certainly grabbed some attention over the weekend. However, the real story should be the bars, and the fact that Jay appears ready for whatever response comes his way. Whether that be Drake, Nicki, or even Tory.

Elsewhere in the episode, Mal revealed that Jermaine Dupri called him to demand that he pick a side in the Drake and Jay situation. Of course, Mal has family ties to Jay, yet has chosen Drake every step of the way. Ten years ago, that would not have been the case. As it turns out, Dupri isn’t happy with Mal’s decision to go Team OVO. “Pick a side of the family,” Dupri allegedly said.

If Kendrick Lamar and Drake caused a rap civil war, then Jay-Z and Drake could create something way bigger. However, fans are simply going to have to be patient. Based on what Mal recently said, Drake appears to be in no rush to make a hasty decision.

Read More: The Villains Of Hip Hop: Power, Chaos, Scandal, & Survival

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Release Date: June 1, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Cry Baby

Quotable Lyrics from Cotton

Where I come from, you can’t be soft
These young street punks might knock you off
When Jesus died upon that cross
He left us lost, singin’ the same old song

The post Cotton – Song by Vince Staples appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said, according to ESPN. “Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”

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Read More: Serena Williams Compared To Beyoncé’s “Alien Superstar” After U.S. Open Win

The Women’s Tennis Association Welcomes Serena Back With Open Arms

“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all-time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo stated. “Her return is an expression of her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players.” She added, “Serena is not just a great champion. She’s a successful entrepreneur, a powerful advocate for the issues that matter — and one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”

Any return from Serena carries significance beyond wins and losses. She remains one of the most decorated athletes in tennis history, with 23 major singles titles, four Olympic gold medals, and more than 300 weeks at the top of the world rankings. Whether this comeback leads to a larger return or proves to be a one-off appearance, Williams has once again managed to command the attention of the sporting world, a reminder that some athletes never truly leave the conversation, no matter how long they’ve been away.

The post Serena Williams Returns To Tennis After 4 Years appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

One can’t imagine how difficult recent years have been for Lashawnda Woodard. While watching her son Lil Durk become one of Chicago’s biggest Rap stars, she has also witnessed a staggering amount of loss. In 2021, Durk’s older brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks Jr., was shot and killed outside a suburban Chicago nightclub. It was a tragedy that devastated the family and added to the long list of loved ones the rapper has mourned publicly throughout his career.

Today, Woodard faces another painful chapter as her son remains behind bars awaiting trial on federal murder-for-hire charges. Durk has been locked up since October 2024 after prosecutors accused him of involvement in a plot connected to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, the cousin of rapper Quando Rondo. He has pleaded not guilty and continues fighting the charges. For a mother who has already buried one son, the uncertainty surrounding Lil Durk’s future adds another layer of heartbreak. During a recent sitdown with the Victim or Villain podcast, she gave updates on how she’s maintained throughout this ordeal.

Read More: Lil Durk Says He’s “Working On Peace” Amid Trial Delay, Shares Song Snippet For 33rd Birthday

Durk’s Mom Shares How She Found Out About His Charges

“It’s like I lost another child,” Woodard began. “It hurts. It hurts, like—I couldn’t believe it. And, I knew something [was wrong] because I kept calling his phone, and he don’t answer. And then I called his sisters, ‘Have you heard from him?’ They like, nah. I text him but…so, finally I got the call. And I’m like, ‘Oh my god.'” She added that it was Durk who rang her line to inform her about his legal situation.

At the time, the rapper was in Florida, and Woodard said that it took a “couple of days” for her Durk to call her. The host went on to call Durk one of the kindest celebrities she’s ever met. She also said that he loves his kids and cares about giving back to the community that raised him.

“Every time I talk to him, it’s never serious. So, he’s doing pretty good,” Woodard replied. When asked if Durk cut off his locs, his mother confirmed that “he did.” Check out the full episode of Lashawnda Woodard on the Victim or Villain podcast below.

The post Lil Durk’s Mom Says He Cut His Locks & Is “Doing Pretty Good” Behind Bars appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The filing comes just weeks after Lanez pursued a $100 million lawsuit connected to a violent prison attack in 2025 that left him hospitalized with multiple stab wounds and two collapsed lungs. His legal team claims a staff member at his current facility referenced that near-fatal assault while discussing the possibility of moving him to a different housing unit, raising concerns that he could be placed in an environment where his safety would be at greater risk.

Read More: Jay-Z Mocks Tory Lanez’s Jail Time In Roots Picnic Freestyle

Tory Lanez’s Attorney Says He’s “At Risk”

Lanez’s team argue the situation has escalated beyond routine prison disputes and now presents an immediate threat that requires court intervention. “The retaliation, threats, and interference with [Lanez]’s access to the courts are ongoing, immediate, andescalating, and they place [Lanez] at risk of further injury before the Court can hear the matter on full notice,” Crystal Morgan, the singer’s attorney, shared in the court documents, according to USA Today. “The conduct at issue is an ongoing threat to [Lanez]’s safety. Such a harm cannot be undone by a later judgment or through money damages.”

Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, is currently serving a 10-year sentence following his conviction in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. His attorneys continue challenging aspects of his incarceration. In addition to limiting contact with the officer named in the complaint, Lanez is also seeking protections against potential retaliation and requesting that prison officials preserve records that could become relevant as the legal battle unfolds.

The post Tory Lanez Wants Restraining Order Against Prison Guard appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Despite walking away from day-to-day operations, Marcus confirmed that he will retain the Trophy Room trademark and intellectual property. The brand will also transition into an online-only experience going forward.

That matters because it means Trophy Room is not disappearing entirely, just evolving into something different. What that looks like in practice remains to be seen.

Trophy Room and Jordan Brand first collaborated back in 2016 to celebrate the store’s opening. The partnership produced some genuinely memorable releases over the years, including recent Air Jordan 1 Low collabs inspired by Michael Jordan’s iconic 1986 rookie card. Those drops connected the store’s identity directly to Jordan Brand history in a meaningful way.

Marcus built something real with Trophy Room, and that does not disappear just because he is stepping back. The sneaker community built a connection with the brand over the years. Closing that chapter is significant no matter how you look at it.

Read More: Drake Finally Breaks His 2020s Slump As “Janice STFU” Earns A Second Week At Number One

Marcus Jordan Walking Away From Trophy Room

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Trophy Room launched as a brick-and-mortar store and quickly became more than just a retail location. The Jordan Brand collaborations gave it a legitimacy that most boutiques never achieve.

Each collab felt personal rather than commercial, which is a hard thing to pull off when your last name is Jordan. The 2016 Air Jordan 23 collaboration set the tone early and signaled that Trophy Room was going to be taken seriously as a creative partner.

Marcus stepping away from operations while keeping the trademark suggests he sees a future for Trophy Room beyond his own involvement. What that future looks like will be one of the more interesting stories to follow in sneaker culture this year.

Read More: A$AP Rocky Kisses Rihanna’s Hand During Toronto Concert

The post Marcus Jordan Announces He Is Leaving Trophy Room appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

It has been proven that Drake’s hitmaking has slowed down a bit. Overall, it had been eight years since Drake had a song stay at the top of the charts for multiple weeks. Of course, that song was “In My Feelings” off Scorpion.

Last week, “Janice STFU” officially went number one as ICEMAN sold 465K first week. This is easily the biggest song on the album, so it made sense. However, since that time, fans have been waiting to see if Drake could break his 2020s slump with a multi-week number one hit.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the curse is broken. Once again, “Janice STFU” conquered the charts for a second straight week.

Read More: It’s About Time Lil Wayne Retires “Tha Carter” Series

Drake Is Winning With “Janice STFU”

This is obviously great news for Drake, who remains one of the biggest artists in the world. While some were ready to count him out, it remains clear that the artist is capable of delivering some massive hits. Whether or not “Janice STFU” will continue to sustain this success is something that remains to be seen.

For now, ICEMAN remains the biggest commercial success of the year for hip-hop. It has put the genre back at the top of the charts, and there is no denying that this is great to see. Overall, it had been a long time since hip-hop earned a number one hit, and it was about time the streak was broken.

Read More: The Villains Of Hip Hop: Power, Chaos, Scandal, & Survival

The post Drake Finally Breaks His 2020s Slump As “Janice STFU” Earns A Second Week At Number One appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Rocky’s last album before Don’t Be Dumb was 2018’s Testing. With that being said, the fans were waiting a long time for new music, and they waited a long time for this kind of tour. Throughout the next few months, Rocky will be going all over North America before heading overseas for the International leg of the tour.

Tonight, Rocky is performing in Montreal. On Sunday, Rocky was in Toronto, which is the home city of his current nemesis, Drake. Rocky’s fans showed up and showed out at the concert, and once again, Rihanna was there by his side.

In fact, there was a very sweet moment between the two as Rocky stopped his show to kiss Rihanna on the hand. It was a cool moment, and one that sends a very clear message.

Read More: It’s About Time Lil Wayne Retires “Tha Carter” Series

A$AP Rocky x Rihanna

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On ICEMAN, Drake noted how Rihanna failed to promote Rocky’s new album. Of course, this led to a very particular narrative on social media. It was a narrative that Drake fans could rally behind.

However, throughout the course of this tour, Rihanna and Rocky have proven that Drake’s narratives aren’t entirely correct. Social media clips like these continue to go viral, and it is clear that the couple is, in fact, supportive of one another.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see if Rihanna continues to show up to tour dates. If anything, this additional star power has excited fans.

Read More: The Villains Of Hip Hop: Power, Chaos, Scandal, & Survival

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