Fat Joe is looking to make waves in the liqueur industry. The legendary rapper recently celebrated the official launch of his new spirit, Sonrisa Rum. As a proud partner in the brand, Joe hosted an unforgettable night at Bleau Bar at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Along with being served signature cocktails from Joe, he gave a surprise performance of two of his classic songs, “What’s Luv?” and “All The Way Up.” Taking to Instagram, the brand shared its excitement about partnering with Joe. “Still thinking about the unforgettable time we had last week at the Bleau Bar in @fontainebleaumiamibeach with @fatjoe during Race Week. Pouring up drinks and ending the night with a surprise performance—good vibes all around,” the post read. “Three new Sonrisa Cocktails are now on the menu at Bleau Bar, and you’ve got to try them.” Aiming to be more than a premium spirit,  through its foundation, FPR FPR (From Puerto Rico, For Puerto Rico), Sonrisa Rum gives “a portion of every sale supports small businesses on the island still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic. For Fat Joe, Sonrisa is a personal commitment to community, culture, and giving back to Puerto Rico.” Along with his new liqueur venture, Joe also premiered the episode of his new podcast Joe and Jada, which he co-hosts with fellow rap legend Jadakiss. During the episode, Joe shared his thoughts on Kendrick’s unprecedented run of success over the last year, noting that no other West rapper has gotten more radio spins than K-Dot. “I was there last week. I’ve never seen nothing like that: Every single song, ‘Turn his TV off…’ What?” he continued. “It’s a fact. Kendrick Lamar gets played nine out of every 10 songs in L.A. right now. Not even Snoop Dogg, not even Tupac Shakur — nobody from L.A. has dominated the paint like this guy… If you’re from L.A., you probably think there’s only one guy on Earth, Kendrick Lamar. I’m just keeping it a buck with you,” Joe said.

After being arrested earlier on Friday (May 9) while conducting a congressional visit to a NJ ICE facility,  Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark has been released from custody. According to NBC New York, Baraka was released shortly after 8 p.m. He stepped out of an SUV and addressed his concerned  supporters:  “The reality is this: I didn’t do anything wrong,” Baraka said. Alina Habba, the current interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, said Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center.” “He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody,” Habba posted on X (formerly Twitter). View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Philadelphia Inquirer (@phillyinquirer) Leading up to his arrest, Baraka visited the facility to protest the prison being reopened. According to Baraka, the detention center is not operating legally without the proper permits. Three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman acompnanied him. “We’re at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances,” Rep. Coleman wrote in a post on X. “The agents started intimidating and putting their hands on the congresswomen. There was yelling and pushing,” Martinez added. “Then the officers swarmed Baraka. They threw one of the organizers to the ground. They put Baraka in handcuffs and put him in an unmarked car.” The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement claiming that the lawmakers were not granted permission to visit the facility, and as a bus carrying detainees was entering the facility, “a group of protestors, including two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility.” Watson Coleman said the DHS statement was not a truthful one. “Contrary to a press statement put out by DHS, we did not ‘storm’ the detention center,” she wrote. “The author of that press release was so unfamiliar with the facts on the ground that they didn’t even correctly count the number of Representatives present. We were exercising our legal oversight function as we have done at the Elizabeth Detention Center without incident.” Baraka, a Democrat, is currently running to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, whose term ends in November.

SZA recently hosted a pop-up event to promote her new beauty brand, Not Beauty. The two-day event — spanning from Thursday (May 8) to Friday (May 9)— took place in her hometown, East Rutherford, New Jersey at the American Dream Mall. Before the event, the singer shared the news with her fans via Instagram: “JERSEY and NEW YORK WE DOING IT MAJORRR . MEET ME AT AMERICAN DREAM MALL TOMORROW AND FRIDAY !! ( there’s a pathway that connects to the stadium ) . So excited to see you at our first mall pop up !!” she wrote in the post’s caption. In a huge surprise to the singer and her fans, Kendrick Lamar stopped by the event to show some support. The singer’s products are exclusively available to Grand National Tour attendees. The pair’s tour kicked off on April 19 and is expected to hit several major cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. THANK YOU KENDRICK FOR COMING TO TODAYS NOT BEAUTY POP UP !!!! SEE YALL ON STAGE !!! pic.twitter.com/tYd0sPf3AO — SZA (@sza) May 9, 2025 SZA Reveals The Inspiration Behind Her Not Beauty Brand Her first product release features a trio of lip gloss shades—ones she’s been quietly wearing for months, including during standout public moments like her appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show. Not long ago, the singer sat down with Vogue and opened up about her inspiration behind the brand. “I’m not a beauty maven, but I know lips.” “I know what I like, and I’m diligent about finding the best quality ingredients. I wanted to fill a need with something that works for me and that I use daily. Following your passion and letting it lead you, and letting the story develop itself by following the throughline of risk, trust, and willingness is literally what my entire life and career has been about.” Explaining the brand’s name, she said, “[It] was representative of a reminder of: Don’t try to be these other brands, don’t try to be anything. Don’t just make a random celebrity brand just because you can. My whole life is about being pressure-free but still trying your best, and that’s what Not is about.”

The Weeknd recently spoke with Fader to discuss his upcoming film, Hurry Up Tomorrow, in which he stars opposite Jenny Ortega. According to its synopsis, the film centers on an “insomniac musician [who] encounters a mysterious stranger, leading to a journey that challenges everything he knows about himself.” This project hits particularly close to home for The Weeknd and is shaped by his own personal struggle with sleep paralysis. “There are no villains in this movie…Sleep paralysis is the real antagonist.” In his opinion, sleep paralysis is one of the most “vivid” and “disorienting” experiences he’s ever had. “You’re paralyzed for what feels like a minute. Sometimes you see a dark figure in the corner. You hear voices,” he continued. That said, The Weeknd admits he no longer suffers from the sleep disorder like in the past, thanks to a change in routine: “Turn the phone off. Kill the lights. No TV. Just let your mind rest.” Hurry Up Tomorrow hit theaters on May 16. You can check out the trailer below. When The Weeknd isn’t expanding his artist portfolio, he’s breaking records with his music. Last October, he shattered his record as the artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, amassing over 120.5 million. He became the first artist to surpass 100 million listeners in February 2023 and has held the top ever since, with only a brief interruption. Taylor Swift recently joined him as the only other artist to reach over 100 million listeners, while Billie Eilish is quickly catching up. This achievement comes on the heels of The Weeknd’s latest release, “Timeless,” featuring Playboi Carti and produced by Pharrell. The track has made an impressive debut, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at #3—his highest first-week position.

Usher is known for his stellar performances, but a new segment he’s included in past years has earned the ire of many—including Sabrina Carpenter’s father. Earlier this week, the who’s who of the entertainment industry attended the annual Met Gala in New York City. However, the celebrities’ outfits weren’t the only thing that caused a stir online. Usher’s performance that night quickly took over the social media timeline after he put on his now-infamous cherry segment to which Sabrina Carpenter was the recipient. The “Espresso” singer later shared a picture of the intimate moment with her father, to which he replied, “Weird?” Not long after, Carpenter shared her dad’s response on Instagram. Usher caught wind of the post and quickly hopped into the comment to offer his apologies to the singer’s father. “My apologies, Mr. Carpenter,” he wrote. Usher comments on Sabrina Carpenter’s post featuring her father’s reaction to their photo: “Apologies Mr Carpenter ” pic.twitter.com/cYDWPd0QQR — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 8, 2025 Back in February, Usher addressed another viral incident he shared with a popular female entertainer. The Confessions singer joined Keke Palmer on her podcast to reflect on the now-infamous concert interaction that sparked a heated debate online. The moment unfolded at an Usher concert, where Palmer, dressed in a sheer black gown, joined the R&B star for a playful dance. While the exchange was lighthearted, it set off a firestorm when Palmer’s then-partner, Darius Jackson, publicly criticized her outfit. “You a mom tho…” he wrote under a post of the performance, igniting a conversation about parenting, public image, and personal freedom. Palmer’s presence at the concert had already drawn attention, but Jackson’s comment turned it into a viral spectacle. Some defended his stance, arguing that motherhood comes with certain expectations. Others saw it as an attempt to police Palmer’s choices, reinforcing outdated notions about how women, especially mothers, should present themselves.

Swizz Beatz, the legendary producer, is debuting his latest jewelry collection, ARA x MR DEAN—a striking assortment of pieces that includes brooches, cufflinks, necklaces, chain bracelets, and bold two-finger rings. In collaboration with renowned Brazilian jeweler Ara Vartanian, the collection is described as “an exploration of structure, boldness, and a shared creative language.” Crafted for everyday wear, it seamlessly blends sophistication with practicality. With a vibrant mix of rubellites and emeralds, the collection reflects Swizz Beatz’s signature style, fusing luxury with contemporary flair. As reported by Something About Rocks, the inaugural collection will center on men’s jewelry, with plans to eventually explore designs that defy traditional gender norms. Ara Vartanian expressed his excitement about the collaboration, remarking, “Swizz possesses an extraordinary creative presence. From the beginning, he engaged deeply in the process—offering ideas, references, and artistic insights. His capacity for attentive listening, combined with clear proposals, made the collaboration both dynamic and intense. It’s rare to find someone so committed to their craft—someone who views jewelry as a form of communication and cultural representation.” The ARA x MR DEAN collection is now available for online purchase, with exclusive editions set to release later this month at Ara Vartanian’s flagship store and select retail locations. In a related update, Swizz Beatz teased the return of Verzuz, the music battle series he co-founded with Timbaland. Following a divisive partnership with Elon Musk’s platform X last summer, Beatz sparked excitement on Instagram with a mysterious post showcasing new Verzuz merchandise, captioned: “2025 Loading.” Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz Partners with X, Sparking Mixed Reactions In June, the partnership was revealed through a joint social media post, where Swizz expressed his excitement about teaming up with X. “We are extremely excited to have found the ideal partner for Verzuz,” he said. “Not only are we eager to bring Verzuz to X, but we also look forward to helping X become the largest entertainment company in the world. I am grateful to Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brett Weitz, Mitchell Smith, and the entire X team for their faith in the Verzuz vision. We are ready to embark on this journey.” Timbaland expressed his excitement, emphasizing the potential of the groundbreaking platform. “We are delighted to partner with X, the most groundbreaking platform globally. Our goal has always been to elevate Verzuz to new heights, which we can now achieve.” Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, shared her thoughts on the collaboration, stating, “X is proud to collaborate with pioneering creators, artists, and entrepreneurs like Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Our platform leads in innovation, and Verzuz exemplifies an engaging content experience.” While the partnership has generated significant attention, some fans have questioned its authenticity, labeling it a “sellout” and suggesting other platforms might be more suited to the duo.

A$AP Rocky gave a rare peek into his growing family’s future as he and Rihanna prepare for baby number three. During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, seated next to fashion icon Anna Wintour, the rapper was pressed about their children’s names. With Riot and RZA already setting an ‘R’ theme, Meyers asked whether the couple plans to keep the streak going with their next child. Rocky answered without pause—“For sure,” he said—suggesting their next child’s name might follow the same ‘R’ tradition. But that choice could clash with a lighthearted request from his attorney, Joe Tacopina, who’s been campaigning for the name A$AP Joe. After securing Rocky’s acquittal in a widely publicized shooting case, Tacopina quipped, “They grabbed me and they said, ‘Listen, our next baby is A$AP Joe.’” He’s since joked that he plans to hold them to it. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Reveal Baby No. 3 at the Met Gala Rihanna debuted her pregnancy with trademark flair at the Met Gala on May 5, making a late entrance in a sweeping, head-turning look that subtly emphasized her growing bump. Without a word to the press, she posed with calm confidence, gently cradling her stomach as cameras snapped away. A$AP Rocky, serving as the evening’s co-chair, took a moment on the red carpet to speak on their growing family. “It is time to just show the people what we were cooking up,” he said. “I’m glad everybody’s happy for us because we’re definitely happy.” The news of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky expecting their third child sparked instant excitement, underscored by the singer’s long-standing admiration for Rocky’s role as a father. In an interview with Access Hollywood, she expressed, “I love him differently as a dad. This is major, major like — it’s a turn on. It’s just like, ‘Wow! What a leader, what a great, patient, loving [dad].’” She spoke warmly about the deep connection their children share with Rocky, who often becomes the center of their world, while joking that she’s happily taken on the role of the quiet anchor in the background. The couple is about to welcome their newest addition, and with it, the next ‘R’ name that will carry forward a tradition now firmly rooted in their family’s legacy.

Fat Joe believes that no other West Coast rapper dominated the game like Kendrick Lamar has over the past year. On the premiere episode of Joe and Jada, his new podcast series that he co-hosts with fellow rap legend Jadakiss, Joe shared his thoughts on Kendrick’s unprecedented run of success. Jada started the conversation by stating he was amazed that it’s been a year since Kendrick took on Drake.  “One year since the Kendrick and Drake discrepancy. What they like to call it ‘beef’ in the media world,” Jada replied. “Thank God nothing really happened to anybody, physically. Personally, I thought it was about four or five months ago. I can’t believe it’s already been a year.” “How is it a year?” Joe said. “But what I can tell you is, boy, that Kendrick Lamar gets some spins on LA radio…” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe & Jada (@joeandjada) Jadakiss noted that every L.A. artist gets spins on the local radio, but Joe argued that Kendrick’s run was the greatest that he’s ever seen. “I was there last week. I’ve never seen nothing like that: Every single song, ‘Turn his TV off…’ What?” he continued. “It’s a fact. Kendrick Lamar gets played nine out of every 10 songs in L.A. right now. Not even Snoop Dogg, not even Tupac Shakur — nobody from L.A. has dominated the paint like this guy… If you’re from L.A., you probably think there’s only one guy on Earth, Kendrick Lamar. I’m just keeping it a buck with you,” Joe said. While Jadakiss acknowledged that K-Dot and “a helluva career,” he said that today’s rap beefs were “getting out of hand.” “It’s always good as long as it stays on wax,” Jada said. “Now, when it first started, somebody say something about you, you gotta go to the studio, you gotta immediately work on getting one back at there… Now, as the technology evolved, it turns into movie skits, animations, retrieving fake information… It got a little wacky for me. I like it to be beats and rhymes, and keep it like that. Once it got out of my pay grade, it’s a little bit of disinterest to me… I just wanna see rhymes and song and hip-hop shit.”

Vic Mensa is throwing his support behind Kehlani for her stance on the war on Gaze. Taking to Instagram, Mensa lauded Kehlani for her bold support of Palestine following two of her shows being cancelled. “Few artists, and even fewer at your level of success, have chosen to center humanity and courage as boldly and uncompromisingly as you have, let alone at the peak of their popularity,” Mensa wrote in an open letter to Kehlani. “Although newer to religion, I have a deep-seated belief that god, or the universe, or however you categorize the all-powerful presence of the divine, is taking note of every selfless action, of every sacrifice, of every time we [jeopardize] our security to do what’s right. I toe the line with you.” Mensa went on to say that he remained silent on the issue because of financial concerns and his growing family. In February,  he announced the birth of his son Mansa Musa Mensa. “I’ve been awe-inspired by the way you’ve stood up,” he wrote. “Especially at a time when I fell back. and I asked myself, ‘although I need to feed my son, what kind of man do I want to inspire him to be?’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vic Mensa (@vicmensa) In April, Kehlani was slated to perform today at the annual Slope Day concert at Cornell University, but the show was canceled because Michael I. Kotlikoff, the university’s president, said the decision to have her perform “injected division and discord.” In the aftermath of the cancellation at Cornell, Kehlani released a statement clarifying that her views are not antisemitic. “I’m not antisemitic or anti-Jew,” the singer said. “I’m anti-genocide, anti-actions of the Israeli government, anti-extermination of entire people, anti-bombing of innocent children, men, and women. That’s what I’m anti.” On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced that Kehlani’s SummerStage concert has been canceled because of security concerns, due to her pro-Palestine views.

Chris Gotti, Irv Gotti’s brother, is not feeling  Ashanti. The Murder Inc. co-founder says she is lying about not being in a relationship with his brother in the early 2000s. During an interview on the Lets Keep it 100 Podcast, Chris shared why he believes the former “Princess of Murder Inc” has not been honest about her past with Irv. “For her to act like it ain’t Murder Inc. that made her is f**king bullsh*t—or Irv made her, it’s crazy,” Chris explained. “Like, something with y’all chemistry worked out! Respect it. That’s all. Not saying you have to talk about the n***a, but respect the magic that was made. That’s all I said.” Chris went on to say that he will always defend his brother’s honor and will not allow anyone to deny the contributions that he made. “I’m not gonna let no one talk about my brother, [we’re] gonna have a problem, simple and plain. Especially someone who he made that career. Like, I was there. He made you sing records the way you sang them ‘cause you would’ve never sang it that way if it was up to you,” he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LETS KEEP IT PODCAST (@letskeepit100podcast) He also said that the two were an item, a claim that Ashanti had denied on numerous occasions. “She says they weren’t in a relationship. They was in a relationship,” Chris stated. “I was they therapist. Like come on now, don’t do that. But at the end of the day that’s what makes what went on with them so real.” At 50 years old on February 5, 2025, Irv passed away after sustaining a hemorrhagic stroke. In March, Ashanti addressed her complicated relationship with Irv and revealed it was “a lot to process” following the news of his death. She adds, “It was a lot of different feelings and emotions. I think, honestly, what I said is how I feel. Ashanti had been referring to an Instagram post she shared in honor of his memory. “I was really sad…and I’m still sad it ended like this. Because there was a time when everything was just like amazing.” The John Tucker Must Die actress says “in her heart” she always desired to squash the tension between her and the former Murder Inc. CEO before his untimely death. “I wished peace for him…I prayed for him to be at peace.”