HotNewHipHop

DDG Calls Soulja Boy’s New Sneaker Line Trash On Social Media

Ben Atkinson — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:07:02 +0000

Rapper DDG just went off on Soulja Boy’s new sneaker line on social media. The blunt comment sparked tons of reactions across hip-hop and sneaker communities immediately. DDG simply wrote “them mfs a**” with fire emojis when he saw the release announcement.

Soulja Boy recently launched his own sneaker brand called Soulja Boy Drip Co. The line has these wild colorful designs with cartoon graphics of Soulja all over them. Prices go from $100 to $350 depending on which style you’re looking at.

DDG’s honest take didn’t sugarcoat anything about how he feels about the shoes. He clearly wasn’t feeling the designs or the whole vibe of the collection. His public criticism might actually make people think twice before buying a pair honestly.

Soulja Boy’s been trying to get into different businesses beyond music for a while now. He’s dropped gaming consoles and electronics before with results that were all over the place. This sneaker line is just his latest attempt at breaking into fashion and merchandise.

The shoes come with bright camo patterns and bold red colorways covered in Soulja Boy branding. Cartoon versions of the rapper show up all over the sneaker uppers pretty prominently. The designs seem aimed at younger fans who grew up listening to his music.

DDG’s comment brings up real questions about whether celebrity sneaker lines actually work long-term. Plenty of rappers have tried launching shoe brands with different levels of success.

Whether these celebrity shoes make it usually comes down to quality and actual design. This callout could definitely create some beef between these two artists going forward.

DDG Slams Soulja Boy

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

DDG hopped on social media and straight up said Soulja Boy’s new sneakers are trash adding fire emojis to his comment. The promotional images show Soulja Boy’s Drip Co. sneakers with these very colorful camo patterns and bright red versions that have cartoon Soulja graphics all over them.

The shoes have this super bold look with cartoon Soulja Boy characters plastered on the uppers which is definitely a unique choice for sneaker design. That camo pair has rainbow colors just going wild everywhere while the red ones are covered in repeated Soulja Boy cartoon faces and text across the whole upper.

The whole thing shows how celebrity sneaker drops can be pretty divisive with some people probably loving the wild style while others like DDG think they completely missed the mark on what makes a good sneaker.

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Ebro Roasted After Posting An Apple Music Office Tour In Response To Mero’s Hot 97 Hire

Cole Blake — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:51:18 +0000

Ebro Darden has shared a new behind-the-scenes video on social media, taking fans through the office of Apple Music. The move comes after Hot 97 announced that Mero will be taking over Ebro’s old morning time slot on Monday.

In the video, Ebro explains that he is at the office early in preparation for his radio show. He shows fans where he takes lunch and hangs out during his downtime. He also hints at discussing new music from A$AP Rocky, Pusha T, and more during the next episode.

After the clip made its way to X (formerly Twitter), fans had mixed reactions, with many describing him as jealous. “I Like EBRO But He’s Just Coming Off As A Jealous OLD UNC….” one user wrote. Another added: “This n***a sounds hurt moving like a scorned ex who tries so hard to look unbothered but crying on the inside.”

Ebro initially reacted to the Hot 97 announcement by showing love for Mero on X. “Shout to @THEKIDMERO…. This is so great!” he wrote. He had previously blamed the cancellation of Ebro in the Morning on a difference of political opinion with the station’s ownership.

Hot 97’s “Mornings With Mero” Show

Ebro shows off his office at Apple Music on the same day Hot 97 made their new announcement pic.twitter.com/lqE7lrF8QE
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) January 12, 2026

Hot 97 announced that Mornings With Mero will be taking over the 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM morning timeslot on Monday. Mero discussed his thoughts on working with the company in a press release.

“Hot 97 is the station—it’s been the voice of NYC hip-hop and culture for decades,” Mero said, according to Radio Insight. “I grew up listening to Hot 97, so to get the morning slot here isn’t just a job—it’s a responsibility to continue that legacy while bringing it into this next era of media. We’re gonna laugh, we’re gonna get into it, but it’s always gonna be real, and a real good time!”

Since being fired from Hot 97, Ebro and his co-hosts, Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez, have been hosting The Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg Show on YouTube.

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NikeSKIMS Air Rift Mesh Dropping This Month In 3 Colorways

Ben Atkinson — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:45:58 +0000

The highly anticipated Nike x SKIMS Air Rift Mesh is finally releasing later this month. Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand continues expanding into footwear with this exciting Nike collaboration.

Three colorways will drop simultaneously giving consumers multiple options to choose from initially. The collaboration brings together Nike’s iconic split-toe design with SKIMS’ minimalist aesthetic perfectly.

The Air Rift originally debuted in the 1990s and has maintained cult status. This SKIMS version features breathable mesh construction for lightweight comfort throughout wear.

All three colorways embrace neutral earth tones that align with SKIMS’ signature palette. Black offers a versatile option that works with virtually any outfit combination. Archaeo Brown provides a lighter neutral perfect for spring and summer seasons. Velvet Brown sits between the two offering a rich mid-tone option.

The split-toe design remains one of Nike’s most distinctive and polarizing features ever. Some love the unique look while others find it unconventional for everyday wear. The SKIMS collaboration introduces this silhouette to a new generation of fashion-forward consumers.

NikeSKIMS Air Rift Mesh Retail Price

Image via Nike

The Nike x SKIMS Air Rift Mesh features that iconic split-toe design that separates the big toe from the rest creating a distinctive look. The breathable mesh upper comes in three neutral colorways including sleek black, lighter archaeo brown, and rich velvet brown tones.

Each version has this really smooth minimalist aesthetic with a velcro strap running across the midfoot for easy adjustment. The strap has subtle SKIMS branding embossed which adds that collaborative touch without being too loud or obvious.

The neutral earth-tone palette across all three colorways makes these incredibly versatile for pairing with SKIMS bodysuits or casual fits. The special SKIMS x Nike co-branded box adds to the premium collaborative feel of this whole release package.

Also the retail price of these will be $150.

How To Buy NikeSKIMS Air Rift Mesh

These are expected to release via Nike and other Nike retailers.

This release represents SKIMS’ growing influence beyond apparel into the footwear market. The collaboration sold out instantly during previous limited releases in select markets. Later this month’s wider release gives more consumers access to this coveted style.

Mark your calendars because these won’t last long when they finally drop.

Image via Nike

DJ Akademiks Warns Offset’s Alleged Gambling Addiction Could Destroy His Career

Caroline Fisher — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:44:17 +0000

It’s just a couple of weeks into the new year, yet Offset is already at the center of some nasty rumors. During a recent livestream, for example, DJ Akademiks alleged that the former Migos member is struggling with a serious gambling addiction. According to him, the situation has allegedly gotten so bad that Offset could lose everything if he doesn’t get the help he needs.

“Offset needs possible rehab for his gambling addiction,” he alleged, as captured by @onlydubsX. “I’ll leave it there. You can’t be this much of a degenerative gambler that you have turned to the likes of Celina Powell. Not saying there’s nothing inherently wrong with her, but you’re putting yourself in positions that actually you’re forgetting who you are. Like you’re still Offset, right?”

“Some of these other things that are your vices [are] becoming so controlling that now you’re putting yourself in positions, around people that not only will make you look crazy if they want to, but might compromise you and definitely your initiatives of your family,” Ak continued.

Why Does Lil Tjay Have Beef With Offset?

Akademiks says Offset needs rehab, claiming his gambling addiction is so bad it’s about to ruin his entire career and image, especially after the Cardi B and Celina Powell situations pic.twitter.com/D36Lpllca7
— Dubs⛧ (@onlydubsX) January 13, 2026

At the time of writing, Offset has not publicly addressed Akademiks’ latest allegations. This isn’t the first time he’s been accused of having a gambling addiction, however. Last January, Lil Tjay took to social media to unveil a series of fiery DMs the two of them exchanged. At the time, he also alleged that Offset owed him $10K.

Allegedly, he lent this money to the Georgia-born performer at a casino one night when he was desperate to keep gambling.

“Why I diss Offset? Offset broke,” he alleged. “I’ll tell y’all a true story, I seen the n***a in the casino. He was popped, he was panicking. He was asking random people for cash apps, he was broke. I don’t know why but nobody was answering his phone call.”

The rapper later denied being broke, referring to the $10K in question as “lunch money.” It’s unclear whether or not the dispute has been settled.

The post DJ Akademiks Warns Offset’s Alleged Gambling Addiction Could Destroy His Career appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Lena The Plug Makes Things Worse For Adam22 Ahead Of Jason Luv Fight

Alexander Cole — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:51:29 +0000

Lena The Plug is the genesis of the feud between Adam22 and Jason Luv. Years ago, Lena did an adult scene with Jason Luv, and Adam consented to all of it. However, following the scene, Luv continued to taunt Adam, and now, they are both gearing up for a boxing match against one another.

There is a lot going on here when you get into the subtext of it all. As you can imagine, onlookers believe Adam needs to win this fight; otherwise, Lena will never look at him the same. That said, when you look at the size difference between the two fighters, it’s clear that Luv has the obvious advantage.

For the most part, Lena The Plug hasn’t had much to say about the fight. However, that recently changed as the model was seen cutting a promotional video for the fight. In this promo video, Lena jokes about how she is going to have sex with the winner.

Lena The Plug Talks Adam22 Vs. Jason Luv

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A post shared by No Jumper (@nojumper)

Lena also goes on to say that she wants to give Adam “the best lovemaking of his life.” However, everyone seems to be focused on the comments about sleeping with Jason Luv. Sure, Lena wants Adam to win, but her comments are certainly not helping her husband’s case here.

Now, there is going to be increased pressure for Adam to win. Otherwise, the public is going to make all sorts of assumptions. It’s the kind of thing that most men would have nightmares about. However, Adam appears to be co-signing all of this, so you have to wonder what he’s really thinking.

At the end of the day, these kinds of boxing events are a farce. If you think Adam and Jason Luv are going to put on a show, you’re mistaken. For many, the only entertainment value here is the Lena The Plug angle and the history between Luv and Adam.

For Adin Ross and BrandRisk Promotions, this is a home run. Only time will tell if fans feel the same.

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Who Knows – Song by Hit-Boy

Alexander Cole — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:15:54 +0000

Last week, Hit-Boy dropped the freestyles “Crow Bars” and “High Speed Chase” following a robbery at his studio. These freestyles had dope bars and solid beats that really showcased the artist’s hunger for a big 2026. Today, Hit-Boy came right back, this time with a 58-second track called “Who Knows.” Once again, this song is structured like a freestyle. We get some awesome production, while Hit-Boy puts in work with his bars. It’s a great listen, although a bit too short for our liking. We would love to hear a full song of this. Hit-Boy is clearly working very hard right now, so perhaps that is still a possibility.

Release Date: January 13, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

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DJ Akademiks Boldly Labels Drake’s “For All The Dogs” A Classic

Zachary Horvath — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:11:44 +0000

Drake’s artistry has caught and still catches a lot of flak despite having true classic albums under his belt. Projects such as Take Care, Nothing Was The Same, and If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late come to mind for most. However, the reason that The Boy’s standing in hip-hop is controversial is because the rest of his large catalog still receives a lot of hype despite the quality maybe not being up to snuff.

As a result, it’s led to a lot of intense debates online as to how many records of his are really timeless. But one fan of Drake’s that will always stick up for him is DJ Akademiks. The hip-hop reporter has been a die-hard for years and has developed a fairly trustworthy rapport with the rapper.

But with that being said, his takes, which would be arguably blasphemous for some, are generally colder than ice. So, hearing him dub a relatively new or okay project of Drake’s as a classic is not shocking. Over the weekend, he claimed that the Toronto icon’s 2023 release, For All The Dogs, is at that supreme level.

Akademiks says For All The Dogs is a CLASSIC and says it’s one of the greatest breakup albums ever pic.twitter.com/wGGyJoCkjJ
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) January 12, 2026

In the clip caught by secondary account, Akademiks TV, he also goes on to say it’s one of the best breakup albums ever.

What Has DJ Akademiks Said About ICEMAN?

ICEMAN SO SOON! MY GOAT ALWAYS DELIVERS! pic.twitter.com/DneOt2u3AA
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) January 11, 2026

Speaking like a true unwavering supporter, Akademiks gasses him up to G.O.A.T. status after lip-syncing to “Virginia Beach.” “This why Drake the greatest. It’s like the n**** know me gang!” He adds that since 2009, he’s made a song that’s spoken to him.

Overall, there’s nothing much more powerful than an artist who you feel like you can relate to. But given how Ak’s viewed, many will and are clowning him for this opinion.

While putting FATD on this pedestal, though, Ak says that when Drizzy drops again, “he’ll be the G.O.A.T. even more!” On top of that, he recently tweeted out that ICEMAN, his next album, is coming very soon. “ICEMAN SO SOON! MY GOAT ALWAYS DELIVERS!”

He’s been sending out multiple posts like this on Twitter in recent weeks, drumming up excitement to higher levels. We still don’t have an official release date from Drake, but it sounds like it could be out during these colder months.

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Lizzo Settles Lawsuit Over Her Song Joking About Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad

Cole Blake — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:53:22 +0000

Lizzo has already settled a lawsuit over her unreleased track, “I’m Going Til October.” She originally shared it on social media to poke fun at Sydney Sweeney’s viral American Eagle ad last year. The plaintiff, GRC Trust, accused Lizzo of alleged copyright infringement. They claimed she profited off an unlicensed sample of Sam Dees’ song, “Win or Lose (We Tried).”

In a new court filing obtained by Billboard, the two sides said that a “settlement in principle to resolve all claims at issue in the action has been reached.” Neither party disclosed specific details of the settlement agreement.

Lizzo’s team previously described the lawsuit as a “surprise,” considering she never released “I’m Going Til October” as an official track. In turn, it would have been much harder to prove she truly profited from it. “We are surprised that The GRC Trust filed this lawsuit,” Lizzo’s team told Billboard in a statement at the time. “To be clear, the song has never been commercially released or monetized, and no decision has been made at this time regarding any future commercial release of the song.”

Lawyers for GRC Trust countered: “It is antiquated to claim that a song is not ‘released’ when it is streamed through TikTok – one of the largest musical platforms in the world – to the public.”

Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Campaign

On Lizzo’s unreleased song, she raps: “No kizzy, he ain’t got no business being with me. Fat ass pretty face with the titties. Bitch, I got good jeans like I’m Sydney.” The line is a reference to Sweeney promoting American Eagle jeans. In doing so, she used a play on the words “jeans” and “genes.” The campaign caused a ton of controversy when advertisements began airing in 2025.

In other news, the “I’m Going Til October” lawsuit came shortly after Lizzo had criticized copyright laws around sampling during an appearance on Gillie and Wallo’s Million Dollaz Worth Of Game podcast.

“I just feel like the theft of it all, putting theft on Black culture, that’s the part that kind of turns me off,” she said on the show. “Hip-hop’s medium was sampling. Sampling is a Black art that bred hip-hop. Hip-hop was born from sampling. And now sampling is synonymous with theft.”

The post Lizzo Settles Lawsuit Over Her Song Joking About Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Juelz Santana Posts Bloody Seflie After Alleged Car Crash

Zachary Horvath — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:24:58 +0000

Juelz Santana has been minding his own business as of late and living life. However, the Diplomat rapper is worrying his fans after posting a distressing selfie recently. Caught by The Shade Room, Juelz, 43, shared that he’s not doing the greatest as his face is covered in dark red scabs, with perspiration under his eyes and around his nose.

Making things more frightening is that these thankfully minor injuries were accrued via an alleged car accident. The only reason we know this is because the Instagram Story post, which went up late Sunday/early Monday, is captioned “Car Crash.”

While we can’t see Juelz Santana from the chest down, it seems that this was the extent of what happened to him physically. The rapper included praying hands and hands raised emojis, signaling that he’s doing okay all things allegedly considered.

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A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Unfortunately, there isn’t much else to share. We don’t know exactly when or where this alleged accident occurred. We are also left to wonder if anyone else was hurt or otherwise.

Juelz Santana Speaks After Alleged Car Crash

Image via Juelz Santana on Instagram

However, fans of Juelz did see clips circulating online yesterday of him at a New York City strip club prior, per The Source.

He was accompanied by other rap stars including Future, Lil Baby, his former Dipset co-star Jim Jones, and Baby Swag.

We also have obtained extra posts following the bloody selfie from Juelz. He shared two, with both not adding much context to the situation. One reads, “People Forget Soooo Fast.” The other says “tables turn faster than you think.”

Overall, this leaves the media and fans to speculate if this relates to the alleged car collision at all. These could suggest that he’s talking about someone or a handful of people. However, as of late, we haven’t heard much any potential beefs brewing with Juelz.

All in all, we are wishing him well as he recovers physically, mentally, and emotionally from this.

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Mary J Blige Announces “My Life, My Story” Las Vegas Residency

Cole Blake — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:11:58 +0000

Mary J Blige will be kicking off a Las Vegas residency in spring 2026 at Park MGM. The Mary J. Blige: My Life, My Story The Las Vegas Residency shows will begin May 1 and feature a total of 10 performances through July 18. Blige announced the residency in a post on social media on Monday.

In response to the post, fans showed plenty of excitement for the idea. “Omg I’ve been saying MJB needs a Vegas Residency!!!!! You already know I’m there!!! Awesome birthday surprise!!” one user commented. Another added: “God is just blessing my girl and I am here for IT.”

“I’ve been so excited to announce this Vegas residency,” Blige said in a press release. “Creating a show like this has been something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a chance to get my fans together from all over – different cities, states, and countries – to experience something together. My Life, My Story will be just that – with some surprises for my fans that have been there through it all. See you in May!”

Where To Get Tickets For Mary J Blige’s Residency?

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A post shared by Mary J Blige (@therealmaryjblige)

Fans will be able to purchase tickets to Mary J. Blige’s My Life, My Story The Las Vegas Residency through Ticketmaster on Friday, January 16 at 1:00 PM, ET. Citi / AAdvantage cardmembers will get access to the earliest presale tickets on the prior Tuesday, with artist fans getting access on Wednesday. On Thursday, members of both MGM Rewards and MGM Resorts’ loyalty rewards program, as well as both Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers, will have a chance to buy tickets.

Blige discussed what fans can expect from My Life, My Story The Las Vegas Residency during an appearance on the Today Show on Monday. “It’s going to be done more theatrically,” she revealed, as caught by Rolling Stone. “It’s still going to have the music, it’s still going to be fun — but it’s a story, so there’s going to be actors and actresses. So the music tells the story. I have so many songs that I haven’t performed yet for my fans… The actors are going to narrate the music, but you’re still going to have a good time.”

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