The note allegedly said, “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us [drawn heart],” and was signed “Stone F.” Allegedly, Joseph proceeded to report this to both hotel security and tour management. Three days later, he was fired. Per the lawsuit, management told him that he was fired because the tour was simply “moving in a different direction.” He, on the other hand, alleges that he was fired in retaliation for reporting the hotel incident.

He additionally alleges that Smith had been “grooming and priming” him “for further sexual exploitation” since they met in 2024. Allegedly, they started spending more time alone together before the tour. Smith also allegedly told Joseph, “You and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else.”

Read More: Jada Pinkett Smith Hit With $3 Million Lawsuit For Allegedly Threatening Will’s Friend

Why Is Will Smith Being Sued?

“The sequence of events” and “circumstances of the hotel intrusion all point to a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated incident,” he alleges.

Joseph is suing Smith for alleged retaliation, wrongful termination, intimidation, and sexual harassment. He’s seeking personal and financial damages. He alleges that he suffers from psychological damage and PTSD as a result of the alleged ordeal.

At the time of writing, Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations.

Read More: Will Smith Accused Of Featuring A.I. Fans In Viral Tour Video

The post Violinist Accuses Will Smith Of Sexual Harassment In New Lawsuit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Before revealing this, the former G.O.O.D. Music artist asked his brother the question to see if he got it right. Their remarks begin at the 7:52-minute mark of the YouTube video below.

“Because of what you pulled off in seven songs, I’ma say DAYTONA,” Malice answered.

“Not true,” Pusha clarified. “I’m way more proud of It’s Almost Dry, I am. I think I pitted two of the best producers against each other, and I was better than them both. And I think coming off of how great DAYTONA was, it was hard to measure up with It’s Almost Dry. And we did, in my opinion.”

While many fans might disagree, it’s splitting hairs between fundamentally quality projects all around. Also, even if Pusha T is tighter with Pharrell these days than he is with Ye, it would be impossible not to mention either artist when looking at his solo and collaborative work. After all, as one half of The Neptunes, Skateboard P shaped Clipse’s origins, whereas the Chicago artist was consistently instrumental and connected to Push’s 2010s solo work and beyond… Up until their relationship broke down.

Read More: Pusha T Says Diss Tracks Are “Dead” To Him

Is Clipse Dropping More Music?

We’re sure fans will debate about this a lot, but beyond this solo Pusha discussion, all eyes are on Clipse right now. After Let God Sort Em Out defined hip-hop’s 2025 in many ways, Malice recently teased that they have even more new music on the way.

“Listen, we just got here, man. There’s plenty more,” he told Rolling Stone.

As for Pusha T’s fallout with Kanye West, he’s spoken about it a lot in recent years with a lot of different press runs. Folks are asking similar questions and getting similar answers. But now that the fire is a little died down, he can reflect with more grace and appreciation without having to double down on his principles.

Read More: Clipse Hilariously Refuse To Acknowledge Other Rap Songs From This Year

The post Pusha T’s Proudest Of Kanye West & Pharrell Competing On The Same Album appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Still, it seems like this has taken a huge toll on her heading into 2026. At the end of a new YouTube vlog, the content creator revealed that she’s taking a break from social media.

“I know it’s the new year. But right now, I am navigating a lot personally,” she remarked during her Thursday (January 1) upload. Alayah’s remarks appear at the 28:46-minute mark of the video below. “I want to be honest and just take the time that I need to reset. And just protect my own peace. I am incredibly grateful and thankful for everyone who has continued to show love and support. I’m going to say, I may be quiet for a little while. I will be back. And I just want you guys to know that I love you, and I will see you guys soon.”

Read More: Who Is Gigi Alayah? Kai Cenat’s Ex-Girlfriend Who Got Caught Up In NBA YoungBoy Cheating Rumors

Kai Cenat’s Breakup

Despite this being a pretty personal and private issue, some folks still targeted Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah online. For example, Adin Ross, Cuffem, and 6ix9ine blasted her as part of a diss track that also took aim at Lil Durk, Doechii, and others. Elsewhere, some folks are defending Gigi, as many rumors and narratives against her like the NBA YoungBoy rumors have no factual basis at press time.

Some clowned Gigi Alayah and Kai Cenat’s relationship to begin with. But at the end of the day, what matters is how they come to terms with the split and what they do to keep a respectful vibe with their fanbases, at the very least.

We will see if any other drama causes Gigi to have to come back to social media. Otherwise, she will probably enjoy a break from all the noise right now.

Read More: Blueface Calls Kai Cenat A “Cry Baby” Over Gigi Breakup & Cheating Rumors

The post Gigi Alayah Exits Social Media After Kai Cenat Split & NBA YoungBoy Rumors appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Whether or not this is the case remains a mystery, but Shields insists it’s not. When someone on Twitter/X asked her how she felt about Pap “spending Christmas with his wife and daughter,” she was quick to fire back.

“Pap spent Christmas with his mother and family,” she wrote, as captured by The Neighborhood Talk. “Not his EX wife! You are misinformed for sure.” Despite the pro boxer’s claims, many still have their doubts. Others are coming to her defense.

“Yall weird they are married with a child they gonna be together tf,” one writes. “Nobody told her to get involved in them married people’s business,” someone else says.

Read More: Claressa Shields Boots Homeless Woman & Her Kids From Her Christmas Giveaway

Did Papoose Cheat On Remy Ma?

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This isn’t the first time Shields has taken to social media to set the record straight, however. In November, a video of her showing off a diamond ring surfaced online. This, of course, led many to believe that Pap popped the big question.

According to her, however, the video was taken when she was engaged to her last partner. “Y’all are the slowest mfs ever in the comments digging up old videos. My last relationship I was engaged! PAPOOSE hasn’t proposed YET!” she wrote.

As for Pap, he did some clearing up of his own last month during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. He shut down rumors that he cheated on Remy when they were together, claiming that neither of them cheated at any point in their relationship. Both he and Shields added that they wish her “the best.”

Read More: Papoose Sets The Record Straight On Remy Ma Cheating Rumors

The post Claressa Shields Addresses Rumors That Papoose Spent Christmas With Remy Ma appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by Hollywood Unlocked on Instagram, he posted an artificial intelligence-manipulated video that imposed Pap and Claressa’s faces on the characters of Jesse Amos and Emma Mae respectively in the film Black Sister’s Revenge, originally titled after Emma Mae. In the scene, Emma confronts Jesse about not loving her back and slaps him, and Fif seemed to reference Papoose allegedly fighting a comedian over a Claressa Shields joke.

“Now you see, that’s assault!” the G-Unit mogul captioned the post. Maybe we’re missing something, but it doesn’t seem to allude to another situation. Or maybe he’s just joking about something that isn’t there. “You can’t just go around putting your hands on PEOPLE. LOL Happy New Year!”

Then, Papoose clapped back at 50 Cent with a A.I.-generated video of 50 in hoop earrings, a bra, and tight shorts dancing and twerking at a strip club. He also referenced 50 Cent’s Let’s Rap About It beef involving podcast hosts Maino, Fabolous, Dave East, and Jim Jones.

“No NO No stop deflecting Curtis,” Pap wrote. “The world is STILL waiting for ya response to Fab & them. You from southside do something? Fight or flight? Holla if you need a ghostwriter Champ… I mean Chump!”

Read More: 50 Cent Brings In The New Year With An Electric Performance In Miami

Papoose’s 50 Cent Beef

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We will see if either artist responds to this with some more trolling or an explanation of what they’re fighting over. For now, it seems relatively vague given the heft of the accusations here, but we’ll see how it goes.

For those unaware, 50 Cent and Papoose’s beef popped off on Instagram when 50 thirsted for Pap’s then-wife Remy Ma. They traded some shots and kept at it for a few days, and it seems like that bad blood continues to boil.

We’ll see if anyone else has something to say. In the meantime, we’re sure they have other opponents to focus on.

Read More: Papoose Sets The Record Straight On Remy Ma Cheating Rumors

The post 50 Cent & Papoose Go Troll For Troll With AI Videos Involving Claressa Shields appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

AllHipHop’s Grouchy Greg Watkins exclusively reports that Clare Locke has requested permission to file arguments related to the case. The law firm argues that Florida’s retraction statute protects media members who “further the free dissemination of information or disinterested and neutral commentary.” Clare Locke doesn’t believe Gramz fits that definition.

During her testimony, she called herself an “entertainer,” not a journalist.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Makes Heads Turn With Steamy Courtside Look

Tory Lanez Plans Appeal

Clare Locke says applying the law to Gramz “would compel many victims of defamation to subject themselves to more defamation as a precondition to seeking justice in court.”

This isn’t the only legal matter Meg is dealing with these days, however. Tory Lanez also recently confirmed that he plans to appeal his conviction yet again during an interview with NBC News. He was found guilty of shooting the “Hiss” performer in the foot after a party back in 2022. The following year, he was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for it.

“I’ve never been violent towards a woman. I would never hit a woman, let alone shoot a woman,” Lanez insisted during the interview. “I believe not only that I was wrongfully convicted, but the amount of new evidence that has emerged since that trial, I think, has been overwhelming.”

Read More: Tory Lanez Accuses Megan Thee Stallion Of Committing $118K Insurance Fraud

The post Megan Thee Stallion Enlists Legal Powerhouse Amid Battle With Milagro Gramz appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Although many hardcore OVO supporters hoped this comeback solo studio LP would come out last year, they are also confident in the idea that more time in the oven will yield even more filling and nourishing results. In fact, this photo dump points heavily towards a lot of studio work right now.

The post includes a picture of Drake recording at his Houston strip club studio, pics with various friends, watch flexes, TikTok memes, a mysterious picture of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in theChamber Of Secrets movie, a picture of the late and legendary Avicii, and much more. But it was the caption that really got fans excited.

Of course, there’s a trademark shady Drizzy remark that makes up most of it. “honestly, not looking @ me whn you tell me the important things is all i needed to see.” But then came the kicker. “ICESZN,” he wrote.

Read More: Drake Rings In 2026 With DJ Whoo Kid After Securing Huge Streaming Title

When Is Drake Dropping ICEMAN?

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We still don’t have an official release date for Drake’s highly anticipated ICEMAN album, and we honestly don’t expect to get one before it drops. After all, his livestreams for the project have been pretty sporadic, and we got some unexpected singles from them. We don’t even know if they’ll make the album. With this much anticipation, the Toronto superstar could drop in just a few minutes and still make the splash that other lengthy rollouts aim for.

If we do get a release date, though, it will most likely be a quick turnaround. But who knows? Previous projects like For All The Dogs and the PARTYNEXTDOOR collab album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U had build-ups with release dates, singles, and more.

However, Drake has some legal trouble to handle, too. He, Adin Ross, and Stake recently received another class action lawsuit, specifically a federal RICO. It not only accuses them of illegal gambling promotion, but of also using the “tipping” feature to mask funds used to allegedly boost the 6ix God’s music streams.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Blames Drake & Kendrick Lamar Beef For Stalling Hip-Hop’s Progress

The post Drake Proclaims It’s “ICEMAN Season” Ahead Of Highly Anticipated 2026 Album appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

According to Loren LoRosa on Twitter, the lawsuit alleges that the codefendants (along with George Nguyen) have been using Stake’s “tipping” feature to give each other money. The RICO accuses them of using that money to artificially boost Drizzy’s music streams across major distribution platforms and digital streaming services.

“In addition, through Stake’s Tipping function, Defendants have financed their combined artificial streaming (“botting”) to create fraudulent streams of Drake’s music; fabricate popularity; disparage competitors and music label executives; distort recommendation algorithms; and distribute financing for all of the foregoing, while concealing the flow of funds,” two plaintiffs reportedly alleged in the filing.

Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that the Toronto superstar knowingly and willingly allowed for his alleged coconspirators to mask encrypted transfers as “giveaways” widely unavailable to the public. In addition, it alleges one $100K tip transfer between Ross and the 6ix God in 2023. It also brought up Drake’s 2024 “Drizzmas” giveaway stream with Adin Ross as an example of the codefendants allegedly cycling through tips among themselves to fuel botting and paid engagement tactics.

Read More: Adin Ross Breaks Silence On Drake & Stake Gambling Lawsuit

Drake & Stake’s Lawsuit

Not only that, but the lawsuit reportedly mentioned a $220K car that Stake allegedly gifted to Ross days before this New Year’s Eve filing. LoRosa stated that she reached out to The Boy’s team for comment and hasn’t received a response as of writing this article.

The lawsuit appeared in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, according to Casino Beats. It accuses the codefendants of promoting an illegal gambling operation and seeks $5 million in damages. The report also identifies the plaintiffs as allegedly being LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, or “Stake.us users within the United States” in the filing.

Drake received similar lawsuits last year in New Mexico and in Missouri. He did a stream giving away part of his Stake earning mere days ago.

Read More: Drake & Adin Ross Sued Over Stake Involvement: Everything We Know

The post Drake, Adin Ross & Stake Hit With Another Class Action Gambling RICO Lawsuit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“I am not suicidal. I do not want to kill myself,” he clarified. “I’m literally going in there for 90 days. I didn’t hang myself. Clip this. I did not hang myself. Nothing. I’m not suicidal. I’m nothing. And I’m going to be very cautious.”

Clearly, 6ix9ine has some serious concerns going into this, and fans hope everything goes smoothly. After hearing the warning, Ross offered to drop him off to begin serving the sentence. He even promised to spoil him once he gets out.

“I’m going to get you a really f*cking nice gift when you get out. When you’re free. Oh my god. I’m going to get you a nice gift,” he said.

Read More: 6ix9ine Accuses Lil Durk Of Being A Fake Muslim In New Diss Track

6ix9ine Home Invasion

It’s been a rough couple of months for 6ix9ine, as in addition to receiving his sentence, his home was broken into a few weeks back. Apparently, the perpetrators waited until he was away to strike.

“I wanna make this video to clear up all the fake news and rumors,” he announced at the time. “The world knows this, it’s a fact: I’m on house arrest, I’ve been on house arrest. I think everyone in America and everyone across the world knows that I’m on house arrest.”

“Yesterday, they allowed me to leave for work. People saw that I was on livestream with Jack Doherty,” he continued. “They took that opportunity to f*cking do some p*ssy sh*t. It’s me, so I get it. The rules are different for me. If it was your favorite artist, your favorite actor and that was done, they don’t get no cool points for that. My mom is 60 years old. Y’all know I’m supposed to come home. Y’all know I’m home all the time. I’m on house arrest. So, y’all take the opportunity that I’m not home and y’all see me on livestream with Jack Doherty in Miami and y’all do that. That’s p*ssy sh*t.”

Read More: 6ix9ine Responds After Being Compared To Jeffrey Epstein

The post 6ix9ine Issues Cryptic Warning Ahead Of Prison Sentence appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Per Hip Hop All Day, Kendrick boasts 2.98 billion streams with GNX and Carti garnered 2.16 billion streams via MUSIC. Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA is at number three, followed by Kanye West’s Graduation, K.Dot’s DAMN., Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal, and Travis Scott’s UTOPIA. Drake comes in at number eight with Views, Travis again with ASTROWORLD, and Metro Boomin rounds out the top ten with HEROES & VILLAINS. Other notable albums in the top 50 (that actually released this year) include Central Cee’s Can’t Rush Greatness, Lil Tecca’s DOPAMINE, and Lil Baby’s WHAM.

According to other reports, Ye’s Graduation was the most streamed rap album in 2025 when taking into account most, if not all, streaming platforms. Drake was Spotify’s most streamed rapper in 2025, adding an 11th consecutive achievement in this category.

Read More: We Now Know Why Playboi Carti’s “BABY BOI” Didn’t Come Out This Year

Most Streamed Hip-Hop Music Of 2025

Drake also secured that title for Apple Music. As for his rival, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was Apple Music’s most streamed rap song in 2025. Beyond this binary and close-minded interpretation of these numbers, though, there are a lot of other narratives to consider.

One of them is the relative lack of new albums on this list, although folks would have to bring up previous year-end numbers to really make a point. Still, it speaks to the resonance of earlier classics and the difficulty in making a big hit these days, which is by no means a hip-hop-exclusive issue.

Still, 2026 could be a big year that counters this presumption. After all, Drizzy and King Vamp have new solo albums to drop, as well as highly anticipated releases from folks like Don Toliver. He landed on this 2025 list multiple times as well.

Will next year represent similar results or are we in for some more true blockbusters? We’ll just have to wait and see…

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Works On “GNX” In Never-Before-Seen Footage Shared By Sounwave

The post Kendrick Lamar & Playboi Carti Lead Spotify’s Most Streamed Rap Albums In 2025 appeared first on HotNewHipHop.