If your name is Janice and you’ve been getting random people telling you to “STFU” ever since Drake dropped ICEMAN, you might be entitled to a little something from the 6 God himself.

On Thursday (June 25), Drake posted on his IG story that he may be sending something special for the specifically-named fans in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, and Houston.

“All my Janice’s in NY, LA, MIA, TO, HOU, look out for my invitation for Sunday,” he wrote.

Toronto was the first city to receive more information about the event. According to the invitation, the exclusive gathering will take place at Cactus Club on Sunday, June 28. There’s just one catch, you actually have to be named Janice. Guests will reportedly be required to show a valid ID at the door to prove it.

Details for the events in other cities have yet to be announced, though they’re expected to follow a similar format.

The apology parties are, or course, inspired by Drizzy’s standout ICEMAN record, “Janice STFU.” The track has become one of the album’s biggest huts, surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify while earning Drake his firt multi-week No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2018’s “In My Feelings.”

The song has also sparked plenty of conversation over who Drake may have been taking aim at.

DJ Akademiks believes the track contains shots at Jay-Z, pointing to the lyric, “You boys got big off my name, that’s big enough / We know how you OG’s rockin’ already, my n***a, the jig is up.” 

Other’s have speculated that the record is directed at Joe Budden. The podcaster addressed the theory during an episode of The Joe Budden Podcast.

“The internet has put one and four together and I’m Janice,” he said. “The record is ‘Shut the F*ck up Janice,’ and maybe I’m Janice, but he’s dissing, at least when I listen to it, I thought he was dissing everybody else in the world. I didn’t really hear a Joe Budden diss. I got to listen to it again now.”

Whether “Janice STFU” is aimed at one person or several, Drake has managed to turn his big record into a real-life fan experience.

To quote the great Stephen Strange, aka Dr. Strange, “we’re in the Endgame now.” Apple, which has claimed that it has been absorbing high memory prices, is now jacking up the price of its products.

Tim Cook kissing Donald Trump’s orange a** wasn’t enough to shield the company that Steve Jobs built from the incoming RAMpocalypse.

Apple shared that prices are increasing on a number of its products, and they are:

MacBook Neo: Increased to $699 (up from $599).
MacBook Air (512GB): Increased to $1,299 (up from $1,099).
MacBook Pro (1TB): Increased to $1,999 (up from $1,699).
iPad Air (128GB): Increased to $749 (up from $599).
iPad Mini: Increased by $100.
Apple TV 4K went up to $199 (from $129), HomePod rose to $349 (from $299), Vision Pro increased by $200 to $3,699, and M3 Ultra Mac Studio went up by $1,300. iPad Pro was originally $999 and is now $1199.

Bruh.

For now, the iPhone has been spared a price hike, but we won’t be shocked if that changes when Apple announces the new entry in its flagship smartphone lineup.

According to Polymarket, Apple lost $268,000,000,000 in market cap following the price hike announcement.

Social Media Is Not Happy About The Apple Price Hikes

As expected, the reactions are pouring in, and people are not reacting positively to the news that they will be paying more for Apple devices.

“We’re now in the timeline where hardware appreciates in value. which is pretty ridiculous,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter.)

Another person wrote, “I don’t understand how these companies are investing all this money into AI, then have the audacity to raise the prices of their products and say it’s because of memory and data storage demand. You are the one creating the problem!”

If things are beginning to sound bleak on the tech front, that’s because they are. After Apple announced its price hikes, Microsoft also announced it is raising the prices of the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles and will stop production of the 2TB model.

Console sales have also tanked with both XBOX and PS5 reporting dismal numbers, all thanks to recent price hikes.

You can see more reactions to what is going on in the tech world below.

We all love a good reality TV series. Whether it’s Love Island, Baddies, Survivor, Big Brother, The Traitors or whatever show has the group chat yelling at the screen, the appeal is usually the same: drama, chaos, plot twists, people saying things they absolutely should not have said and moments so random they feel like they were cooked up in a writers’ room.

Well, this past week, Hip-Hop apparently decided it wanted in on the action. From political figures awkwardly trying to flex rap knowledge, to Drake throwing apology parties to women named Janice, to old street stories turning into courtroom exhibits, the rap game had enough wild storylines to fill an entire season. Here are the wildest things that happened in Hip-Hop this week:

JD Vance Name-Dropped Diddy While Trying To Flex His Hip-Hop Knowledge

JD Vance somehow found himself in Hip-Hop headlines this week after trying to make a joke during a June 25 book-tour stop at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California. While discussing a chapter in his memoir titled “More Money, More Problems,” Vance called it “the wisdom of the great Christian theologian P. Diddy,” before adding that Diddy is “very much not a Christian or a theologian.” The room laughed, but the internet immediately got to work, especially because Vance appeared to fumble the reference: “Mo Money Mo Problems” is famously tied to The Notorious B.I.G., with Diddy and Mase appearing on the 1997 hit. So not only did Diddy catch a random stray during a political book tour, but Vance’s attempt at showing off his rap fluency ended up sounding like somebody’s dad trying to explain Bad Boy Records after reading one headline.

Drake Announced “Janice” Only Apology Parties

Drake turned one of the funniest running jokes from his Iceman era into an actual rollout. After his song “Janice STFU” became a major hit, Drizzy announced that he would be throwing apology parties for women actually named Janice in cities like Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston. The catch? At least for the Toronto event, guests reportedly needed a government-issued ID proving their legal first name is Janice to get in. It’s ridiculous, extremely Drake and very on-brand for an artist who can turn a meme, a diss, a lyric and a party into one marketing moment. Between the Joe Budden theories, the Jay-Z speculation and the fact that actual Janices are now part of the album cycle, this might be one of the most unserious-but-genius rollouts of the year.

Big30 Was Allegedly The One Filming During The Gucci Mane Robbery Situation

One of the more serious and shocking stories of the week came from the ongoing case involving Pooh Shiesty, Big30 and the alleged robbery and kidnapping of Gucci Mane. Prosecutors shared photos they say came from a video taken inside a Dallas recording studio, where Gucci was allegedly held at gunpoint and forced to sign a release form tied to Pooh Shiesty’s recording contract. According to XXL, prosecutors claim Big30 recorded the scene on his phone, with one photo allegedly showing a man holding an assault rifle near Gucci and another showing Pooh Shiesty standing next to Guwop. Pooh, his father, Big30 and several others are set to stand trial next February, while Pooh remains in custody and the defendants face extremely serious consequences if convicted. It’s one of those stories that sounds like a rap rumor until court documents, photos and federal filings make it very real.

Real Boston Richey Said He Quit Rap & Would Rather Trap

Real Boston Richey had fans confused this week after hopping on X and seemingly announcing that he was done with music. On June 23, the Florida rapper posted, “I quit rap. I rather trap,” before following up the next day by saying he had already accomplished things other people never would, including having a solo platinum record. The comments came a little over a month after his ex-girlfriend Tatiana Chanell made serious public allegations against him, which Richey denied, so naturally, fans tried to figure out whether the posts were frustration, trolling, a real retirement announcement or just a heat-of-the-moment rant. Either way, for an artist with real momentum, telling the world you would rather leave rap for the streets is exactly the type of chaotic update that lands you on a list like this.

JAŸ-Z’s “JAŸ-Z30” Anniversary Activations Took Over New York

JAŸ-Z also made noise this week, but in a much more calculated and legendary way. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt, Roc Nation rolled out immersive JAŸ-Z30 pop-up experiences across New York City, including activations in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood and Manhattan. The events were built as a public celebration of Hov’s debut album, complete with culture-archive-style displays, time-capsule elements, limited-edition merchandise and nods to both Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. For most artists, an album anniversary might mean a deluxe reissue or a social media post. For JAŸ-Z, it became a full citywide museum-level flex, reminding everybody that three decades after his debut, he can still make New York stop and pay attention.

RELATED: JAŸ-Z Documentary Coming To HBO This Fall

Microsoft is not moving consoles, but that’s not stopping the company from raising the prices of the Xbox Series X and Series S…AGAIN.

Yup, you read that correctly: after current XBOX CEO Asha Sharma openly admitted that the current consoles cost too much, XBOX is jacking up the price of its current consoles so much that it ccan’teven sell them at the moment.

In a blog post, XBOX announced an increase of “$100 for 512 GB models and US $150 for 1 TB models.” he company also announced it will be “sunsetting “the 2 TB model.

The reasoning for the price hike: the RAM shortage due to the AI boom.

Per Xbox Wire:

Last October, we increased XBOX console price by $20-$70 in the U.S. We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make.

XBOX Announced New Financial Programs To Help You Secure A Console Without Going Broke

Knowing that consoles now cost too damn much, XBOX did share financial programs to help you secure an XBOX, that’s if you still want one.

• Buy Now, Pay Later: We’ve made it easier for players to use Buy Now, Pay Later options on eligible XBOX hardware purchases at Microsoft Stores, allowing you to break up your payment into predictable, short-term, interest-free installments.
• Interest-Free Financing: We are working with partners to let players purchase eligible XBOX hardware at 0% APR financing for up to 12 months, giving players more flexibility with lower monthly payments and more budgeting control.

• Previously Played Consoles: We are working with retail partners on new programs to provide previously played consoles at lower prices. Players who are ready to upgrade or no longer use their console will be able to trade it in with participating retail partners for cash or store credit. Those consoles will then be made available at lower prices for players.
• Certified Refurbished Consoles: XBOX Certified Refurbished Consoles are available at Microsoft Stores for up to US$100 off MSRP.

The Asha Sharma Honeymoon At XBOX Is Over

When Asha Sharma took over as XBOX CEO, she hit the ground running, announcing a slew of changes, including that XBOX Game Pass was too expensive and would get a price cut. She got rid of “Xbox Gaming” and resurrected the original XBOX branding.

The goodwill has come to a screeching halt following the XBOX Games Showcase, which, looking back now, seemed like an upfront for the company.

Sharma and co. announced a return to console exclusivity by snatching back Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, keeping both titles off the PS5 console.

Then, in another strange move, Senua, a new game from Ninja Theory, was announced while knowing it was actively trying to find a way to unload the studio without having to shutter it completely.

Combine this with the news of price hikes, XBOX hardware sales falling to the lowest level ever recorded for the month, it’s a rough time to be an Xbox fan.

You can see reactions to the Series X and Series S price going up again below.

After several delays, T.I. has officially released his long-awaited album, Kill The King. 

While the Atlanta legend has said this could be his final album, plenty of fans are calling cap and believe TIP still has more music left in the tank. Either way, Kill The King has finally arrived.

The rollout gained momentum with the success of “Let ‘Em Know,” a record many fans crowned as the “Unc Anthem.” TIP stayed on the gas promoting the single, and the effort paid off as the track went on to earn Gold certification.

He followed it up with “Mr. Him,” which quickly built its own buzz and helped set the stage for the full project. Now that the album is here, fans are already sharing their early reactions.

Kill The King features an all-star lineup of guests, including The Dream, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Usher, and many more. One of the biggest surprises was T.I. linking up with NBA YoungBoy.

A TIP and YB record definitely wasn’t on our bingo card, but it’s one of the standout moments that has listeners talking online as they dive into the project. 

Check out the full reactions to T.I.’s album, Kill The King below.

JAŸ-Z has been more visible in 2026 than he has in years, culminating in an upcoming run of shows and a stellar performance at the Roots Picnic. Now, JAŸ-Z’s story will be told in a new documentary helmed by Rick Rubin, which comes later this year.

JAŸ-Z IN 8 is the title of the eight-part series with Rick Rubin in the director’s chair in partnership with HBO Documentary Films. According to a post on the Warner Bros. Discovery press page, the series will debut this fall and stream on HBO Max.

A teaser clip shows Hov and Rubin, who produced the Brooklyn veteran’s “99 Problems” from his The Black Album full-length from 2004. Rubin previously worked on the one-on-one series, McCartney 3, 2, 1, featuring singer, songwriter, and famed The Beatles legend, Paul McCartney.

The synopsis of the documentary is that Rubin will discuss JAŸ’s musical career, lyrical breakdowns, his early days in Brooklyn, and how he approaches creating music and managing his business endeavors.  

JAŸ-Z IN 8 is part of HBO Documentary Films’ slate and is a Tetragrammaton. Executive producers include Daniel Kaluuya, Rick Rubin, and JAŸ himself. Producers of the series include Leila Mattimore and David Rohde.

Check out the teaser clip below.

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Photo: Screenshot/YouTube

JAŸ-Z’s debut album is getting a celebration worthy of its New York legacy. Thirty years after Reasonable Doubt introduced Shawn Carter to the world, Roc Nation is turning the city into a living tribute to one of Hip-Hop’s most important catalogs.

Following the New York Knicks historic Championship run in the 2026 NBA playoffs, team owner and proud Trump supporter James Dolan made it clear that the organization had accepted Donald Trump’s invitation to visit the White House and would indeed be heading to Washington to visit his dear friend regardless of how the fan base (and most of America) feels about the wannabe dictator-in-chief.

While many reminded the Knicks team that they are not obliged to follow through with the owner’s intentions, team captain and King of New York, Jalen Brunson doesn’t seem like he needs any reminding of that fact.

According to New York Mag, it seems like James Dolan might’ve jumped the gun or might’ve just been speaking for himself when he made the statement as King Brunson threw some doubt on the players meeting with Donald Trump in Washington. In an interview with The Intelligencer, Jalen Brunson was asked about the traditional championship winning sports team visiting the White House, the NBA Finals MVP didn’t exactly go along with Jame Dolan’s plans.

Per New York Mag:

Dolan publicly accepted the president’s invitation, which would make the Knicks the first NBA champion to visit while Trump is in office. Hours before Dolan’s announcement, Brunson appeared noncommittal when I asked about a White House trip. “We haven’t discussed it,” Brunson said. “But as a team, we’ll discuss it and we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

With reports circulating that Donald Trump is the only person in America taking the experimental drug, Retatrutide to keep him from kicking the bucket, the Knick’s might be able to “run out the clock” and avoid even having to have that conversation, but knowing James Dolan he might press the issue because as we all know, he loves his President and knows he’s living on borrowed time.

The majority of Knicks fans meanwhile hope the team declines the invitation as it would only mar their championship legacy as they’d become thee only NBA team to visit the White House while Donald Trump was in office. Now that’s a title that no NBA team wants. Just sayin.’

What do y’all think about Jalen Brunson’s response to visiting The White House? Let us know in the comments section below.

Lil Durk’s remains behind bars as he continues fighting his federal murder-for-hire case.

During Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival, Durk’s attorney, Drew Findling, caught up with Dometi Pongo and provided an update on the Chicago rapper’s legal battle. According to Findling, he’s been working around the clock to secure Durk’s release and says support for the rapper has come from unexpected places.

“I have people coming up to me all the time saying ‘Free Durk,’ I even have law enforcement officers coming up to me saying ‘Free Durk.’”

The veteran defense attorney also highlighted Durk’s impact outside of music, pointing to his community work in Chicago as a reflection of his character.

“Durk comes from Chicago, he’s self-made, he was a Grammy Award winner, and was deeply involved in community service right here in your city [Chicago]. He had local politicians supporting him, people in the community supporting him.”

During the interview, Pongo asked Findling how confident he was about eventually seeing Smurk walk free. Findling made it clear he’s doing everything possible to make that happen.

“Everybody that I fought for, for years and years and years, everyone knows I’m 24/7 man. You can call me at 3 in the morning, I’m at the police station. So, that’s not me, I’m in it to win it, and we’re going to win it.”

Lil Durk is currently facing federal murder-for-hire charges and could receive a life sentence if convicted. His trial remains one of the most closely watched legal cases in Hip-Hop.

August Alsina is speaking out after Young Thug’s comments about sexuality didn’t sit well with him.

The R&B singer, who has been open about his sexuality in recent years, shared his disappointment with remarks Thug made regarding people who “turn gay.” During a new video on his social media, Alsina questioned why sexuality continues to be such a focal point for some people, especially given everything happening in the world. 

“Maybe that was about a month or so ago. I can’t even remember. There was a comment that I seen Young Thug make randomly saying like, ‘Oh, I can’t respect n*ggas who just turn gay or some wild sh*t like that. It’s very strange to me when n*ggas got all type of sh*t going on in the world in their life, but a gay be the conversation.”

He went on to argue that discussions surrounding sexuality have long been a point of contention within the Black community.

“Nothing keeps the Black community in a chokehold with a conversation like the gay conversation. It always has had y’all in a chokehold, and it unfortunately always will.”

Alsina also recalled a time when Thugger publicly showed him support by posting him on Instagram, making the comments even more surprising to the New Orleans artist.

The singer’s rant stems from remarks Thug made during an appearance on Big Bank’s podcast, where he discussed two things he believes a man cannot come back from.

“Once you rat, or once you turn gay and I don’t got nothing against gay people I love y’all, I can’t look at you the same. I’ma just look at you like you broke a man code.”

As of now, Young Thug has not responded to Alsina’s criticism. 

We are very sure no one had Hunter Biden providing much-needed advice to the Democrat party on their bingo cards after incumbents suffered shocking primary defeats to Mayor Zohran Mamdani-backed DSA candidates.

The internet was absolutely stunned when former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his observations about the New York City primary elections.

In his post, Biden urged the Democrats to take lessons from the stunning outcomes that saw incumbents who were backed by establishment Dems like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Governor Kathy Hochul telling them, “the country is tired of being managed. People want to be led.”

“I’m not running for office. But if I were, these are some of the lessons I’d take away from what happened in NY yesterday,” Biden continued, before he dived into his talking points.

Social Media Praised Hunter Biden For His Insight On The DSA’s Primary Wins In NYC

Biden’s post was met with shock and plenty of praise, as no one envisioned the former president’s son would be the voice of reason on such a matter. Even Mehdi Hassan, a known critic of the Biden administration due to its handling of the Israel/Palestine war, was impressed.

In a quote repost of Hunter Biden’s original post, Hasan wrote, “Did Democrats try and run the wrong Biden in 2024?”

Another post referenced Biden’s past drug use writing, “How is it that that the dude who once used crack “every 20 minutes or so” understands modern politics better than nearly every mainstream Democratic Party analyst?”

Of course, there were haters as well, with some accusing Biden of using AI (artificial intelligence) to craft his list.

But even if that were the case, the consensus remains that Hunter Biden was spitting, and if the Democrats hope to regain power and keep it, they should definitely listen to him.

You can see more reactions to Hunter Biden dropping political knowledge below.

Big Tigger put out a statement in the wake of his arrest last weekend on battery and cruelty to children charges. In the statement, Big Tigger denied all the charges and said more will come as he continues to cooperate with the authorities.

Taking to IG, Big Tigger shared the following statement on Wednesday (June 24):

unequivocally deny every allegation that has been made against me.

For the past 30+ years, I have built my life around relationships and community. Those who know me know the man, father, husband, and friend I have been throughout my life.

Because this is an active legal matter, I am limited in what I can say. What I can say is that I have complete confidence in the facts and in the legal process. I will continue to cooperate fully and trust that the truth will come to light.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and encouragement. My family and I are deeply grateful.

According to a TMZ report, more details about the May incident involving Tigger’s wife, Alicia Brown, emerged. According to that report, Brown allegedly confronted Big Tigger, whose real name is Darian Morgan, about texts he had exchanged with a co-worker. According to Brown, Tigger attempted to wrestle his phone from his wife’s hand after he began recording her.

From there, a struggle ensued, which presumably led to Brown’s injuries, which she shared in a now-deleted social media post. To her credit, Brown didn’t explicitly say Tigger was responsible for her injuries but implied that he knew how they happened.

However, Tigger received the battery charge and Brown would go on to say her husband slammed her head into a door. Their son was reportedly home during this dustup, hence the cruelty to children charge, but it doesn’t appear that the boy was physically harmed.

On the same day of Tigger’s statement, a judge granted Brown a temporary restraining order against her husband, stating he must remain away from his wife and children.

A hearing is set for July 13.

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Photo: Getty/Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

From teaming up with Walmart to opening a brick-and-mortar store in New York City, StockX is doing everything it can to remain in the sneaker game and get that resale paper. The brand is now looking to expand its products by letting resellers buy and sell used sneakers and vintage attire on its platform.

According to Complex, StockX is ditching its day-one rule of all its merchandise having to be brand new and have made the decision to let used sneakers and clothing be moved on its website. Using an AI-powered photo analysis and auto-matching technology to help users upload their used attire on to the site in seconds, StockX is seemingly hoping to generate more sales as the sneaker community continues to give it the side-eye for its history of letting bootleg sneakers make it past its once-respected authentication system.

While StockX is offering customers its “Buyer Promise” and even an option to purchase an additional verification process to ensure they’re getting legit goods, StockX still isn’t guaranteeing authenticity as they once did before customers and even Nike exposed it for selling counterfeit goods.

Still, the show must go on and StockX will continue to mush on regardless of the allegations.

Per Complex:

“When we started StockX, the idea was simple: create a marketplace built on trust, data, and transparency. That core hasn’t changed but we’ll now be able to provide our customers with a wider selection of the products they love, and the ability to sell products they’ve previously purchased faster than ever before,” StockX CEO Greg Schwartz said. “We’re using AI-powered photo analysis to streamline the listing process so customers can sell used sneakers, vintage apparel and other unique products with ease. This, coupled with the upcoming rollout of StockX Live, moves us into a new chapter and ensures we’re able to meet our community where they are today.”

StockX Listings will be available to a select group of sellers and all US-based buyers on iOS starting today. The platform is expected to expand to all US-based sellers and have a global rollout in the coming months.

They’re desperate, b.

What do y’all think about StockX letting people sell used merchandise on its website? Will you be buying and selling through the platform? Sound off in the comments section below.

A New York Knicks fan who went viral for snatching up a Knicks-themed garbage can from a city street is still paying for it, as she’s been hit with multiple fines for the act – shortly after losing her job over the incident.

According to reports, the New York City Department of Sanitation confirmed that the orange-and-blue trash can had been returned with a post on X, formerly Twitter showing the can with the caption reading, “Welcome Back!” and “We Missed You!” 

GTA 6’s November 19 launch date is locked in, and preorders for the game are live, but there is plenty of hoopla surrounding what is easily one of the most anticipated games of all time.

When the preorder and price information for GTA 6 dropped, there were two major reactions: The game costing $80 for the standard edition and $100 for the ultimate edition. What also had gamers chirping was that they would be spending that much money on a video game that would not have a physical disc at launch.

It was later revealed that Rockstar Games would be launching with a physical case, but when you opened up the box, you wouldn’t be greeted by a game disc, but by a paper featuring a download code for the game.

As expected, many gamers were not feeling that way, while there were many who couldn’t care less. But, still, that’s very wild.

Well, according to insider Graczdari, who writes for Polish site PPE.pl, who initially claimed that GTA 6 would not launch with a physical release to prevent leaks as well as leaking the correct release dates for Oblivion: Remastered physical copies, the Switch 2 port of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and the PS5 port of Microsoft Flight Simulator, is now claiming that a physical version of GTA 6 will arrive in December.

Two Stores Will Not Be Selling GTA 6 At Launch

Rockstar Games’ decision to delay the physical release of GTA 6 as a security measure to prevent the game’s story from being spoiled has led two video game retailers to decline to sell it.

Video Games Plus, a retailer based in Canada, and Loot Box Gaming, an independent game retailer, have both announced they will not be selling the game, citing the lack of a physical release.

“For nearly 40 years, VGP has been committed to supporting physical media and preserving the value of physical game ownership,” reads a statement from VGP. “As part of that commitment, our company policy is that we do not carry physical products for video game consoles that contain only a digital download code. Based on the information currently available, the physical release of Grand Theft Auto 6 for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is expected to be a code-in-box product. As a result, VGP will not be offering it for sale under our current company policy.”

“When we started LBG, it was out of a love for our favorite form of media, gaming, as-well as the preservation of said media,” Loot Box Gaming said. “If a product can’t honor the people who pay their hard-earned money to purchase it, then we have no business trying to sell it to our customers, whom we value above anything else.”

We are sure this won’t hurt Rockstar Games’ bottom line in the least bit, as preorders are moving and, at one point, were sold out on Amazon.

You can see more reactions below.

The family of Takeoff is reportedly involved in a dispute over the settlement stemming from the late rapper’s wrongful death lawsuit.

According to reports, Takeoff’s mother, Titania Davenport, originally filed the wrongful death lawsuit following her son’s tragic passing in 2022. The family ultimately secured a settlement, though the exact amount has not been publicly disclosed. 

Now, Takeoff’s father, Kenneth Ball, is reportedly seeking half of the settlement proceeds. Davenport has pushed back against the request, arguing that Ball should not be entitled to an equal share. 

In court filings, Davenport reportedly claims that Ball was largely absent throughout Takeoff’s life and provided little financial or emotional support while she raised the Migos rapper.

She alleges that Ball offered only “negligible financial support and effectively no emotional support to his son.”

Despite those claims, Ball reportedly believes he is entitled to half of the settlement regardless of his level of involvement in Takeoff’s upbringing. 

Takeoff was fatally shot in Houston in November 2022. Patrick Xavier Clark, the man accused of killing the Atlanta rapper, is expected to begin trial later this year.

Since Takeoff’s death, Quavo and Offset have slowly begun reconnecting. The two have recently been spotted together in the studio, fueling speculation that new music could be on the way. Rumors have even circulated that the Migos members may revisit the group’s popular Culture series.

As the legal battle over the settlement continues, the dispute adds another difficult chapter to the aftermath of Takeoff’s untimely death.

The XXL Freshman Class of 2026 has officially arrived, and we got the full breakdown for the people.

Last year’s class had its highs, and it definitely had its lows. Gelo caught lightning in a bottle with his viral hit, “Tweaker.” What started as a song previewed on a livestream quickly turned into one of the biggest records of the year, leading him to put the basketball down, pick up a mic, and sign with Def Jam Records.

Loe Shimmy may have had the steadiest rise out of last year’s class, continuing to build momentum and even landing a spot on Drake’s HABIBTY album. Meanwhile, both BabyChiefDoIt and Ian have carved out dedicated fanbases in the underground rap scene.

Now it’s time for the Class of 2026.

This year’s lineup features names like LaReezy, Trap Dickey, Belly Gang Kush, Skrilla, and several other artists who have already begun making serious noise. In fact, nearly half of the class entered the list with strong hype and growing fan bases.

Representing Atlanta, YKNiece has already proven herself to be a hitmaker. She burst onto the scene with the breakout record “Whim Whammiee” before delivering what many fans consider verse on “Take Me Thru Dere.”

Then there’s Trap Dickey, the newest signee to Top Dawg Entertainment. Enough said, TDE doesn’t hand out deal to just anybody.

Miles Minnick has been making a major impact in the Christian Hip-Hop space. Alongside Trendsetter Sense, he has helped introduce Christian rap to a new audience. During a recent appearance on Chosen Journey, Minnick reflected on his campaign to make the XXL Freshman Class.

“When I was worship, I felt like God said, ‘I’m putting it in your hands, XXL and new property.’”

Shortly after, Minnick learned that he had been nominated to be on the XXL Freshman Class of 2026.

With so much talent on this year’s list, some people are still asking the same question: “Who are these rappers?”

Don’t worry, we got you.

To help the old heads catch up, we’re comparing every artist from the XXL Freshman Class of 2026 to an established rapper in the game. Check out the full list below, and you’re welcome in advance.

Donald Trump’s struggle Freedom 250 MAGA Rally/concert has found its musical act: none other than Kash Patel’s girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins.

Yup, you read that correctly: DEI Hire FBI Director Kash Patel’s MAGA girlfriend will be bringing her “Musical talents” to Trump’s great MAGA Rally, which is now the replacement for his now-dead Freedom 250 Music Festival.

Wilkins announced on X (formerly Twitter) that she will be the “featured performer” at the June 24 kick-off rally for the Great American State Fair.

Of course, the internet has been having a field day with the announcement, pointing to how unethical and ridiculous Wilkin’s performance at the Trump event is.

“Is this parody or are they actually letting the Israeli honeypot perform?” one person wrote on X.

Another user pointed out that the Babylon Bibi, a satirical website, accurately called Wilkins a performer.

Another reaction said, “America’s 250th anniversary and the best they could do is Kash Patel’s girlfriend… Smh.”

“Kash Patel’s country-singer girlfriend will be performing on the National Mall, apparently at the concert that Martina McBride and Milli Vanilli dropped out of,” said another user on X.

Another social media user wrote, “@FBIDirectorKash’s girlfriend is the FEATURED performer for this Freedom 250 event, huh? They couldn’t even get a D-list artist?”

Trump’s failure to secure actual musical talent for the Freedom 250 Concert was put on blast after Former President Barack Obama had everyone and their mama at the opening of his presidential library on Chicago’s South Side.

Welp.

You can see more reactions below.

Talib Kweli stands on strong principles that, according to some, might come across as determined to justify his stances while fiercely calling out critics. One fan who used social media to goad Talib Kweli into a boxing match got on the Brooklyn rapper’s bad side, this after he suggested the man was racist and homophobic.

On Talib Kweli’s Facebook fan page, the rapper issued a missive towards Jay Artem, a white man who is firing back with memes and accusations of his own.

From Kweli’s page:

Meet Jay Artem he is a white nationalist. Some would say that’s no different from being a nazi. He hates Black people. He hates gay people. He loves violence.

All the nazi knows is violence. Nazis are fascists who hate free speech, so when Black people say things the nazi doesn’t like, he wants to fight, like a caveman would.

I am stating for the record that I do not agree to participate in a contest of physical dominance with this creepy racist weirdo. So I take this post as a threat. Me and my people don’t take kindly to threats. Racists should know that the quickest way to lose the use of their hands is to try to place one on me. My community got my back because I defend them daily. I can tell Jay here ain’t got no friends. He gonna learn today.

Artem hasn’t backed down and has used his Facebook page to suggest that Kweli was connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs and also shared on the page that fans of Kweli are threatening him.

“Sitting here taking a huge dump, laughing at 100 people in my messages threatening me because I dissed a rapper they don’t even know personally. Can yall stop sending me friend request,” Artem wrote. He also seemed to be amused that music outlets are writing about the row between him and Talib Kweli.

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Photo: Getty

Big Tigger was arrested last weekend in Georgia on battery and 3rd degree cruelty to children charges, and has already bonded out. The longtime radio personality was the center of controversy after his wife, Alicia Brown, seemed to allege instances of domestic violence in the couple’s home.

TMZ reports that Big Tigger, whose real name is Darian Morgan, was arrested and placed in the Fulton County Jail last Saturday (June 20) on the aforementioned charges. It isn’t being reported whether those current charges are related to the video and images that Brown alleges took place in May, and seemingly suggested Big Tigger had a hand in it.

The outlet reported that Tigger was released after posting surety bonds totaling $10,000. This includes $9,000 connected to the battery charge and $1,000 connected to the cruelty to children charge.

Tigger has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Brown’s disturbing video, where she showed off injuries to her face and said in the clip that people should ask her husband how they happened.

When the news of the video first went wide, Tigger issued a statement that partly read, “I appreciate the support and concern that so many people have shown. I want to say categorically that these allegations and accusations that have been circulating are false.”

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Photo: Getty

Muni Long is opening up about a serious health battle that nearly cost her life.

During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, the Grammy-winning singer revealed that complications from lupus became so severe that she ultimately underwent a double lung transplant.

Long explained that her health struggles grew while she still performed on The Boy Is Mine Tour, forcing her to cut tour dates short. Looking back, she admitted that taking the tour may not have been the best decision given her condition at the time.

“I should have never taken that tour, but there was so much going on in my life that I had to do it. About midway through, we’re up in the north east, it’s really cold, and with autoimmune, the cold is really not your friend. I got really sick, I got pneumonia.”

As her condition worsened, Long was forced to temporarily step away from the tour in an effort to recover. However, she said returning to the stage too soon only made things difficult.

“I had to step away for a few dates. But I’m like, this is not it, I got to go back. I went back, and I think maybe about five or six dates in, I was like, this is not… I couldn’t even get out of bed to make my call time for the stage. And the last show, I just barely made it; I was only able to do two songs. My team and my family were like, you just need to come home and rest.”

Thankfully, the singer shared she is doing much better these days and remains focused on her recovery. 

It’s happening, it’s really happening, GTA 6 has a price, and no surprise Rockstar Games is pushing the price up.

Rockstar Games announced that the standard edition of GTA 6, easily the most anticipated video game of all time, will cost $79.99 when preorders for both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S begin at midnight on June 25.

For those looking for something on the more premium side, the Ultimate Edition will cost $99.99, and yes, the game will be launching on November 19, 2026.

Yup, that’s right, $100.

But wait, there’s more: for those looking to land physical copies of the game, we have some bad news on that end.

Yes, you will get a case, but in that case, it will be a download code, not a physical CD, which is not really sitting well with gamers, specifically those who love to collect games. It’s understandable, why wouldn’t you want a physical edition of one of the biggest games ever?

There is a bright side to that news, those physical editions will ship on November 12, allowing players to pre-install the game ahead of its November 19 release.

Of course, besides the game, your preorder before November 20 will also get you some exclusive in-game content like a Vintage Vice City Pack, an homage to 2002’s Vice City, which includes a ’55 Vapid Stanier sedan and garage, outfits and hairstyles, and a weapon skin.

A digital preorder will also give you a free month of Rockstar’s GTA Plus subscription.

PS5 Is The Preferred Platform To Play GTA VI

Also, while the game is coming to Xbox Series X/S, it seems the PS5 and PS5 Pro will be the best platforms to play it, which isn’t a surprise, as that’s what many analysts predicted would be the case.

A post on the PlayStation Blog shared all the info about the game, including what features PS5 and PS5 Pro owners can look forward to when the game drops.

Per The PlayStation Blog:

Thanks to the close partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto VI will play best on PS5 by taking advantage of PS5’s immersive features to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience when it launches on November 19. 

PS5 puts you in the center of the game world with the DualSense wireless controller reacting to your actions and bringing the sights, sounds, and sensations of Jason and Lucia’s story into the palm of your hands. The controller’s haptic feedback offers responsive vibrations, while its adaptive triggers provide dynamic resistance. The controller’s integrated speaker also adds another dimension to key moments and interactions, with sound effects from the controller enhanced by haptic feedback. 

With Tempest 3D AudioTech, you can surround yourself in the distinct soundscapes of Leonida. From the streets of Vice City to the moments that unfold all across the state, this highly accurate audio positioning enhances your perception, helping to bring this world to life around you in unmatched ways. Grand Theft Auto VI also leverages the PS5’s ultra-high speed SSD, enabling you to experience the expansive world of Leonida with near-instant load times.

Is There A Third Trailer Coming?

This is the latest news surrounding the game following the official cover art reveal. We are still waiting on that third trailer, which will hopefully give us more insight into the game’s two protagonists, Lucia and Jason.

Until the third trailer arrives, gamers have been sharing their thoughts on GTA VI’s price and the release of the physical edition.

You can see those reactions below.

We are just a year and a half into Donald Trump’s second term as president, and already, it feels like we’re witnessing the fall of the American empire, akin to the Romans of the 1400s.

Still, Donald Trump loves a spectacle and to keep himself and his supporters appeased, so he threw himself a “star-studded extravaganza” with the UFC “Freedom 250” on the White House lawn on June 14. Needless to say, it was the hot mess we’d expect it to be with MAGA supporters duking it out on the White House lawn, used condoms being left behind, and of course, uncalled-for slander against Michelle Obama.

Though the likes of Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams swore up and down that the White House’s UFC event was just as good, if not better than the now classic NBA Finals that saw the Knicks make history on nearly a game-by-game basis, non-Trump supporters like Larry David saw this event for what it was: “a travesty.” America went from the envy of the world to a cruel joke that runs on fascist ideology on its way to becoming a third-world country, and Larry David for one voiced how most Americans feel following that train wreck of an event and administration.

According to Variety, Larry David was not impressed by the White House’s UFC event and even went so far to say that it embarrassed him to live in a country where such things happen on government property saying, “What else can you say about it? It was embarrassing. I was embarrassed to be an American.”

We all are, Larry. We all are. Also don’t be surprised if James Dolan bans you from Madison Square Garden for speaking ill of his bestie’s party.

The comment came as Larry David was asked about the event at the premier of his new HBO sketch show Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, which revolves around satirizing key points in U.S. history. Judging from what we hear, this is really going to be an actual star-studded extravaganza.

Variety reports:

The series features a slew of celebrity guests, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, Sean Hayes, Joe Manganiello, Jane Krakowski, Greg Kinnear, Alan Tudyk, Rita Wilson, Jerry and David Seinfeld. Vince Vaughn also guest stars, as do “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alumni Jeff Garlin, J.B. Smoove and Susie Essman as Susan B. Anthony.

Barack Obama also acts in one of the skits. His and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is producing the series.

Dissing Donald Trump’s UFC event while promoting a show that involves the Obamas? Larry David might end up in the crosshairs of his highly politicized FCC a la Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Just sayin’.

What do y’all think about Larry David’s statement about Donald Trump’s UFC “Freedom 250” event? Sound off in the comments section below.

The debacle of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool continues to get worse, with President Donald Trump claiming that vandals have damaged the pool’s recently installed $16.4 million paint liner.

Trump made the claim to reporters at the White House on Monday (June 22), saying a “350-foot slit” was made through the lining with a “boxcutter or knife of some kind.” He doubled down, adding, “I saw it. They cut it. They cut it very violently. The same thing with the floor. They cut it and then they lifted it. They pulled it. And that’s what it is.”  

When asked for evidence, Trump didn’t offer any but directed reporters to the Department of the Interior. “14 police reports have been filed for vandalism, including the crime described in the President’s Truth Social post,” a statement from the agency said. “The U.S. Park Police will continue to carry out their number one duty of upholding law and order in our nation’s capital.”

Those 14 people consisted of apparent passersby, including David Carter Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist. Hearn claimed he stopped by the edge of the pool out of curiosity, touching a piece of the peeling “American flag blue” paint. He was arrested by U.S. Park Police and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property.

The problems with the pool since the no-bid renovation – a source of extreme controversy since Trump claimed it would only cost $2 million – occurred almost immediately, as algae began to form on the bottom. While Trump claimed that “fertilizer” was the cause, scientists state that it is a natural occurrence, especially given the weather conditions in the Washington, D.C., area.

But another issue has arose – the smell. A freelance photographer shared a photo of the pool being drained in a post on X, formerly Twitter, calling it out.

Tech trillionaire Elon Musk has sparked some controversy after declaring that he intends to sue Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and that he should be jailed in relation to cuts to USAID made by Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk began his tirade on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday (June 22) in response to an appearance by Khanna on the I’ve Had It podcast by Jennifer Welch the previous Saturday (June 20). The progressive politician stated, using cited data from the Lancet medical journal, that the cuts that DOGE made to USAID could potentially be “a death sentence” for 4.5 million people.

Khanna also called Musk to appear before the House Oversight Committee and testify under oath about his decisions. Musk took offense, threatening to sue in the first of many X posts directed at Khanna in response to a post by the New York Post.

One of the four men convicted in the murder of Julio Foolio is speaking out with a message for the next generation in Florida.

Isiah Chance, along with Sean Gathright, Davion Murphy, and Rashad Murphy, was found guilty in connection with the Jacksonville rapper’s 2024 killing. During his sentencing, Chance took a moment to address young people in his hometown, warning them about the consequences of street violence.

“To my city, man, it ain’t worth it, boy, like, it ain’t worth it. Like, me being a rapper from my city and Foolio being a rapper from our city, it ain’t worth it. The dissing, the beefing, the shooting, like, for what?”

He went on to describe the reality of life behind bars, saying that incarceration quickly reveals who is truly in your corner.

“When you sitting in your cell alone, cold, it’s lonely. Everybody leave you. Like, nobody here for you. Like, the ones that’s your ride or die, your girlfriends, whoever you love, the only person there for you is your mother.”

All four men convicted in the case are expected to face life in prison. Chance also reflected on how quickly his life changed following his arrest, noting that he had little interaction with police before the case.

“I was 21 years old, facing the death penalty. My only interactions with law enforcement was traffic tickets. Wake up next morning, I’m facing the death penalty. That’s how quick life can change. It ain’t worth it, bro. That’s all.”

The sentencing closes another chapter in the murder of Julio Foolio.

Black women, you are the visual. The annual Culture Creators returns for it’s 10th year anniversary, this BET Awards weekend, with an immersive exhibition that spotlights Black women’s impact on the culture and Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop Beauty is an exhibition and highly anticipated experience taking place June 25-29, 2026 at The Beverly Hilton.

Sponsored by HelloBeautiful and Hip-Hop Wired in partnership with Hip-Hop Beauty Circa 1973, Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, THEBO, and Mshaka Media, this curated collection of pieces will feature never-before seen works from legendary photographer Keith Major, emerging artist Mazi Smazi, and celebrity hairstylist/visual artist Stacy Gray.

Hip-Hop Beauty was created by author Thembisa S. Mshaka and celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, co-founders of Circa 1973.

“Hip-Hop Beauty is a visual arts and culture experience dedicated to centering and celebrating the attitude, energy and presentation of beauty through the lens of the Hip-Hop aesthetic,” said Mshaka in an official press release. “For too long, this aspect of our contributions to Black and American history have been subject to erasure. Our exhibition sets the record straight.”

For Sheriff, the event “is the untold foundation of modern beauty. Born from lack of shades, access and representation, women like Thembisa and I were forced to innovate; that innovation reshaped the industry and the culture.”

Think Salt N’ Pepper’s asymmetrical cut or Janet Jackson wearing box braids in Poetic Justice as she starred alongside Tupac. Lil’ Kim’s colorful wigs and Missy Elliott’s eccentric approach to music videos. Hip-Hop may be about lyrics and bravado, but it’s also about the imagery. And Black women have greatly contributed to the genre’s identity. From the way we wear our hair to the way we line our lips, and the pride we take in our dress, trends begin in our imagination.

This year, that beauty will be on display and HB is proud to be apart of it. Celebrity stylist and hair care line founder Kiyah Wright will be on-site to offer hair touchups (for non-braided hair) and award-winning journalist Aliya S. King will moderate a panel at the experience.

Make sure you follow our social media account for updates from the event.

Dropping off some new visuals to “Mr. Him,” T.I. shows how large he’s living as he pulls out the yacht that comes equipped with a gang of thick women who seem to “enjoy” each other’s company before he hits a restaurant and enjoys some fancy drinks and grub after a long day of balling outta control. It can get tiresome apparently.

Elsewhere Conway The Machine shows a little love to our 2026 NBA Champions, New York Knicks and for his clip to “The Long Kiss,” the Buffalo bully takes in the night life in the Big Apple alongside DJ Whoo Kid and blazes some chronic while riding around the city iced out and hitting some hoods to show love and establish his glistening presence.

Check out the rest of today’s drops and some joints you might’ve missed over the weekend including work from The Game featuring Cali Dream, Chloe and Timbaland, and more.

T.I. – “MR. HIM”

CONWAY THE MACHINE – “THE LONG KISS”

RAPSODY, KARABO YA MORENA – “GOD GOTTA AFRO”

THE GAME FT. CALI DREAM – “LIKE FATHER LIKE DAUGHTER”

CHLOE & TIMBALAND – “TALKING DIRTY”

TYLA – “IS IT LOVE”

VADO FT. RON BROWZ – “VADO ANTHEM”

JACQUEES FT. JUVENILE – “LICK BACK”

38 SPESH & CURTIS COKE – “GREAT WALL”

It’s safe to say T.I. won’t be stepping into a Verzuz battle anytime soon.

Months after challenging 50 Cent to a friendly showdown, the Atlanta rapper appears to have had a change of heart. During a recent appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, TIP revealed that he’s no longer interested in participating in the popular battle series.

“I don’t want to indulge in that side of life no more. I ain’t even interested, bruh. Ain’t no money over there in that sh*t bruh. That sh*t poor people activity. I’m 45, what I’m doing going back-and-forth with a n*gga man? Like, for what, bro?”

Joe Budden and his co-hosts respectfully pushed back on the idea, arguing that Verzuz is more of a celebration of two artists’ catalogs than a competition. However, the King of the South maintained his stance, adding that he’d only consider it if the money made sense.

At the same time, TIP admitted if there was one Verzuz matchup he would have liked to see, it would have been against Jeezy, given their history and relationship within Atlanta Hip-Hop.

For now, TIP appears to be focused on new music. His long awaited album, Kill The King, is scheduled to drop on Friday, June 26, and his unc anthem, “Let Em’ Kno,” is already making noise.

With a new album on deck and his attention locked in on his final project, T.I. is not entertaining a Verzuz battle at this very moment.