Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has accused producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones of voluntarily using drugs and hiring sex workers. In an exclusive report by AllHipHop’s Greg Watkins over the weekend, the allegations surfaced in Combs’ Aug. 11 amended answer and counterclaims. The filing responds to Jones’ $30 million federal lawsuit against Combs. Jones sued the music mogul in February 2024, alleging sexual assault, drugging and coercion. View this post on Instagram Combs denies Jones’ allegations and challenges his account of their work on “The Love Album: Off the Grid.” The filing also disputes Jones’ description of recruiting women in Miami. Jones previously said Combs and his associates directed him to bring women to a residence. He also alleged that Combs supplied him with a Bad Boy hat for that purpose. Combs denies issuing those instructions. “Mr. Combs never told Mr. Jones to ‘recruit[] sex workers,’” the amended filing states. The defense also denies instructing Jones to wear the Bad Boy hat while recruiting women. Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs Alleges Hip-Hop Producer Lil Rod Hired Sex Workers For Himself & Took Drugs Willingly Instead, Combs alleges Jones independently hired sex workers for his own purposes. “Upon information and belief, Mr. Jones had a personal proclivity for sleeping with sex workers,” the filing states. Combs’ attorneys also dispute Jones’ allegations about drug use. The defense claims Jones voluntarily consumed drugs and alcohol while working on the album. “Mr. Jones voluntarily consumed drugs and alcohol while working on the Album,” the filing states. The filing further calls Jones’ allegation that Combs drugged him “positively false.” Combs contends Jones knew the allegation was false because the alleged conduct never occurred. Jones has maintained the opposite account. His complaint alleges Combs forced him to solicit sex workers and repeatedly drugged him without consent. A March 2025 ruling allowed several of Jones’ claims to proceed. Those claims include allegations involving sexual assault and sex trafficking. Combs’ latest accusations remain unproven allegations in his court filing. They do not independently establish Jones’ alleged conduct. Jones had not publicly responded to the amended counterclaims. The case remains pending before U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken in Manhattan federal court.

Deijae Devon Jester, convicted in the killing of late hip-hop star Pop Smoke, received a four-year Los Angeles County jail sentence Thursday. The new sentence stems from a fentanyl case involving his time in juvenile detention. Jester, 21, pleaded no contest in June to felony counts involving controlled substances and jail contraband. Prosecutors accused him of possessing fentanyl for sale and introducing contraband into detention facilities. View this post on Instagram The case adds another legal consequence to Jester’s involvement in Pop Smoke’s 2020 killing. Jester was 15 when the Brooklyn-born rapper was fatally shot during a home invasion in Los Angeles. Jester admitted a first-degree murder charge in 2023. He also admitted personally and intentionally discharging a firearm during the crime. A home-invasion robbery count formed part of the case. Because Jester was a juvenile at the time, he proceeded through the juvenile justice system. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said that process provided Jester an opportunity for rehabilitation. Deijae Devon Jester, Killer of Hip-Hop Star Pop Smoke, Sentence To 4 Years After Smuggling Fentanyl Into Los Angeles Juvenile Hall “Deijae Jester committed a devastating crime when he took the life of Pop Smoke,” Hochman said. “Because he was a juvenile, the law afforded him an opportunity for redemption.” Hochman said Jester instead trafficked fentanyl while detained. The district attorney warned that continued criminal conduct would bring further accountability. Jester’s mother, Nickia Tyonia Randall, faces related felony allegations. Prosecutors accuse her of attempting to deliver fentanyl pills to her son during a December 2025 visit. Authorities said Randall brought two latex balls to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar. Investigators recovered one ball containing 25 fentanyl pills, prosecutors said. Pop Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Jackson, died Feb. 19, 2020. He was staying at a rented Hollywood Hills home during a Los Angeles trip. Authorities said attackers obtained the address through a social media post. A detective testified that the robbers stole Jackson’s diamond-studded Rolex and sold it for $2,000. Pop Smoke broke through in 2018 with “Welcome to the Party.” His posthumous album, “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon,” cemented his influence after his death.

“Spend Dat” rapper Yung Miami is not ruling out the road but wants to do it like Beyoncé. The Uptown Records signee says she still plans to tour behind her forthcoming solo debut. She just wants the moment to feel right. Speaking on “Way Up With Angela Yee,” Miami, born Caresha Brownlee, addressed her recent departure from BossMan Dlow’s tour. The decision left some fans disappointed. Yet Miami suggested the setback has not changed her ambitions. “I do want to go on tour, but I just think it needs to be the right tour at the right time,” she said. Yung Miami says She’s coming like Beyoncé on her next Tour …. pic.twitter.com/wQPUMP76fB — CELIA (@CELIAYONCE) August 14, 2026 For Miami, the next tour must offer more than a string of dates. She is preparing to make her live show a defining part of her solo era. That preparation includes spending time in the gym. “That’s why I’m in the gym working out,” Miami said. “I want to make sure that I put on a show.” Then came the benchmark. Rapper Yung Miami On Next Music Tour: “I’m Coming Like Beyoncé” “I’m coming like Beyoncé,” she said. “I want to give it my all.” Invoking Beyoncé places Miami’s touring ambitions against one of pop’s most demanding live standards. Beyoncé’s performances have long fused choreography, production and vocal precision into large-scale spectacles. Miami appears determined to bring that same intensity to her own stage. Her plans arrive as “Spend Dat” continues building momentum. The track has become an important early marker in Miami’s solo career. It also offers a glimpse of the musical identity she is developing beyond City Girls. Miami and JT helped define a new generation of Southern rap through the duo’s unapologetic style. Now, Miami is carving out a separate lane. A solo tour could become a crucial step in that evolution. For now, though, the rapper has not announced dates or confirmed her debut album’s release date. The wait leaves Miami with one clear objective: when she returns to the stage, she wants audiences to remember the performance. And if her Beyoncé-sized promise is any indication, she intends to leave nothing behind.

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods are officially husband and wife. The couple exchanged vows in Malibu, California, over the weekend. Their celebration brought together Towns’ Knicks teammates, Hollywood stars and longtime friends. View this post on Instagram Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart were among the Knicks players reportedly attending. Their presence highlighted Towns’ bond with the team following his move to New York. The guest list reached far beyond the basketball world. Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Michael B. Jordan were reportedly among those at the wedding. Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber were also linked to the Malibu festivities. New York Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns & Jordyn Woods Get Married In Malibu The celebration included several personal touches inspired by Towns’ NBA career. Guests reportedly received hoodies featuring the phrase “Married in 5.” The design referenced Towns’ No. 5 jersey and his recent NBA Finals triumph with the Knicks. According to reports, attendees also received Fanatics gift bags and In-N-Out cups. The details brought a distinctly California flavor to the star-studded celebration. For Towns and Woods, the wedding marks the latest chapter in a relationship spanning more than five years. Towns proposed to Woods on Christmas Day last year in New York City. Woods has built her own profile through fashion, entrepreneurship and social media. She also became widely known through her former friendship with members of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Towns has established himself as one of basketball’s most recognizable stars. His arrival in New York added another dimension to the couple’s public profile. The Malibu wedding also showcased the growing intersection between professional sports and celebrity culture. Still, the weekend centered on a more intimate milestone for the couple. Towns and Woods have not publicly shared every detail from their ceremony. Their reported guest list, however, offered a glimpse into their expansive social circle. After years together, the NBA star and entrepreneur have officially begun their next chapter as a married couple. For Towns and Woods, the celebration was more than a celebrity event. It marked the start of their life together as husband and wife.

Prayers up! Hayden Panettiere, the versatile actress who captivated television audiences as a superpowered cheerleader and a country music star, has died. She was 36 years old. Representatives for the actress confirmed her passing late Sunday evening. While details regarding the cause of death have not been immediately released, the news has prompted an outpouring of grief from former co-stars and fans. View this post on Instagram Panettiere first rose to international prominence in 2006 on the NBC sci-fi hit “Heroes.” Playing Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with regenerative healing abilities, she became the face of the show’s popular marketing mantra: “Save the cheerleader, save the world.” The role earned her multiple awards and established her as a household name before she had even reached the age of 20. Following the success of “Heroes,” Panettiere transitioned to a more mature role in the ABC musical drama “Nashville.” Starting in 2012, she portrayed Juliette Barnes, a talented but troubled country music sensation. A golden globe nominee: Her performance, which included performing her own vocals for the show’s soundtrack, earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film. In addition to her television success, Panettiere was a significant figure in the horror genre. She starred as Kirby Reed in “Scream 4” in 2011, a character so beloved by fans that she was brought back for the franchise’s sixth installment in 2023. Her return to the big screen was celebrated as a triumphant comeback for both the actress and the character. Beyond her acting credits, which began with daytime soap operas “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light,” Panettiere was known for her environmental activism. She frequently campaigned against commercial whaling and worked with various animal welfare organizations throughout her life. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time. May she rest peacefully.

Styles P, one-third of the Grammy-winning Hip-Hop group The Lox, held a private listening party this week to preview the Yonkers rapper’s three-part final album, titled Ghost of the Past, Present, and Future. The first installment is expected this fall. Styles played the 11-track project for guests inside the dispensary’s downstairs lounge, celebrating its one-year anniversary of his Strains For Life dispensary. The album features production from AraabMuzik, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Rsonist of The Heatmakerz. View this post on Instagram Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, his LOX collaborators, also appear on the project. The album confronts aging, accountability, legacy and the competing identities Styles has carried throughout his career. “They saying lyrics is dead, fuck it, I’m resurrecting ’em,” he raps on one track. The album’s title reflects a spiritual framework Styles has developed over decades. “In a spiritual sense, you’re always dealing with three different you’s,” he said. “The past is what you’re dealing with, what you came up with.” The present, he explained, represents awareness and appreciation for life. The future remains uncertain, but Styles imagines himself becoming “even more elevated.” The Lox’s Styles P Announces Three-Part Final Album “Ghost of The Past, Present, & Future” He has already begun recording the second installment. The third remains unwritten. Styles also has a clear idea of how he wants hip-hop to remember him. “What I would hope my impact would be,” he said, “is for those who have received my impact is to say, ‘He was genuine, he was honest, and he was raw and authentic.’” That commitment extends beyond music. Styles has spent years building businesses centered on wellness, including Juices For Life and Farmacy For Life. Strains For Life continues that philosophy through cannabis education and community programming. “My fanbase knows I eat and smoke plants,” Styles said. “Strains For Life is for those who do the same.”

Ray J is publicly pleading for a reconciliation with his estranged wife, Princess Love, marking their 10-year anniversary by declaring his refusal to proceed with their pending divorce. The singer and reality television star took to social media Wednesday to express his continued devotion despite a tumultuous four-year period defined by legal filings and domestic disputes. In a heartfelt post featuring a photo of Love, the “Sexy Can I” singer reflected on their decade-long journey, which began when the couple first met in 2013. Ray J acknowledged the public nature of their struggles, noting that their connection remains intact regardless of outside opinions. He emphasized that the pair has learned to love one another “without conditions” through both prosperous and difficult seasons. “I’m grateful I can still talk to you, be your friend—stand beside you and protect the family we created,” Ray J wrote. Directing his comments toward their ongoing legal separation, he added, “I told you I don’t wanna get a divorce! We will get it right—Happy 10 years.” View this post on Instagram The couple, who became staples of the “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” cast, married in 2016 and share two children. Their relationship has been a recurring fixture in tabloid headlines since May 2020, when Love first filed for divorce. Over the last four years, the couple has cycled through four separate divorce filings, frequently reconciling before the legal proceedings were finalized. The most recent filing occurred in 2024, when Love issued a statement saying the pair had come to the “difficult realization” that their paths had diverged. At the time, she stated the decision was made with mutual respect and a commitment to co-parenting. However, Ray J’s recent anniversary message suggests he is not ready to close the chapter on their marriage. The road to this anniversary has not been without significant controversy. In 2025, Ray J faced legal trouble following an incident where he was arrested after allegedly brandishing a firearm during a livestream involving Love. As of Thursday morning, Love has not publicly responded to Ray J’s anniversary tribute or his plea to halt the divorce proceedings.

After a diss from Doja Cat and Pitchfork’s lowest rating ever, rapper Tyga is taking his $TARFACE era from streaming platforms to the stage with a L.A. and New York tour this September. The Los Angeles rapper will debut his ’80s-inspired $TARFACE persona Sept. 10 at The Roxy in Los Angeles. Two days later, he will bring the concept to Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg. View this post on Instagram The Sept. 12 show currently stands as the tour’s final announced date. With only two performances scheduled, fans have limited opportunities to experience $TARFACE live. Tyga built the project around a distinct character and an aesthetic rooted in 1980s culture. The album blends rap with pop, R&B, synth-wave, dance, funk and soul. The upcoming shows will expand that world through music, fashion, visuals and immersive production. Rather than presenting a traditional rap concert, Tyga appears ready to stage $TARFACE as a complete creative universe. Tyga Unveils $tarface Tour Coming To New York After Doja Cat & Pitchfork Disses The project has also attracted controversy over Tyga’s use of artificial intelligence. The rapper previously compared his use of A.I. technology to Auto-Tune. Doja Cat, however, offered a much harsher assessment during a livestream Wednesday. “Tyga is a penis for making an A.I. album,” Doja said. She acknowledged that nobody had asked her about Tyga before offering the unsolicited criticism. Her comments added another chapter to the artists’ history as collaborators. Doja and Tyga first connected musically on the 2019 remix of “Juicy.” They later reunited for “Freaky Deaky” in 2022. The criticism also follows a brutal reception from Pitchfork. The publication reportedly gave $TARFACE a 0/10 rating and condemned the project’s existence. Despite the backlash, Tyga is moving forward with the $TARFACE era. The tour will give him an opportunity to demonstrate how the controversial concept translates into a live setting. The Los Angeles performance will introduce the persona to audiences first. Brooklyn will follow with the second and final announced show. For now, there is no indication of additional dates. That scarcity could make the $TARFACE TOUR a notable moment for fans watching Tyga experiment with a new creative identity.

Luigi Mangione is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Manhattan federal court, potentially reshaping his separate New York murder prosecution. A federal hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT. The proceeding appeared on the court calendar earlier this week without advance public notice. Mangione, 28, faces two federal stalking-related counts resulting in death. Each charge carries a potential life sentence. He initially pleaded not guilty to the federal allegations. Multiple news outlets reported Thursday that Mangione is expected to plead guilty. His attorneys have not publicly confirmed the reported plea. The potential agreement could have major implications for Mangione’s pending state case. His attorneys could argue that double-jeopardy protections bar New York prosecutors from pursuing the state charges. New York law generally prohibits successive prosecutions for the same offense. However, exceptions permit separate cases involving distinct elements or conduct. New York’s Luigi Mangione Could Enter Guilty Plea In Federal Court Mangione’s state prosecution includes second-degree murder and weapons charges. Prosecutors could argue those allegations differ materially from the federal stalking counts. “It is incredibly complicated,” defense attorney Paul Shechtman told The New York Times earlier this month. State prosecutors have already signaled concern about a potential federal resolution. Assistant District Attorney Joel J. Seidemann addressed the issue in a July letter. Seidemann wrote that prosecutors could alert the federal court if a plea would undermine “a just outcome” in the state prosecution. He also urged the federal judge to consider that potential consequence. The plea negotiations could still collapse before Friday’s proceeding. Previous discussions reportedly broke down in June. Mangione’s state trial remains scheduled to begin with jury selection Sept. 8. His federal trial is scheduled for January if prosecutors and defense attorneys fail to reach an agreement. The cases stem from the Dec. 2, 2024, shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. Authorities arrested Mangione days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Investigators allegedly recovered writings criticizing corporate power and the U.S. health care system. Federal prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Mangione. A judge later dismissed the federal murder charges, eliminating that potential punishment. A guilty plea could now become a pivotal development in determining whether Mangione faces trial in state court.

Cardi B reignites her ongoing feud with fellow rapper BIA, bringing BIA’s reported relationship with NBA player Cam Whitmore into the conversation. During an X Spaces session Thursday (Aug. 13), Cardi appeared to reference the 13-year age difference between BIA, 35, and Whitmore, 22. The Washington Wizards forward has been linked to BIA since 2025. “You gotta date n****s half your age, bitch,” Cardi said. Cardi B is once again on spaces ranting about BIA for the 100th time this week. The anger from her single flopping seems to be getting to her. She might be the only rapper that runs to the internet, instead of running to the booth. It’s tiring. pic.twitter.com/BjyYcaYdpM — Unpopular Opinions (@UnpopularAngles) August 13, 2026 She continued by making another pointed comment about the pair’s age difference. “You had your period when your n**** was born,” Cardi said. “When your n**** was born, bitch, you was already getting your menstrual.” BIA appeared to confirm her relationship with Whitmore in October 2025. She shared a video featuring the pair on her Instagram Stories, using her song “+44” as the soundtrack. Two months later, BIA posted footage of herself sitting courtside during a Wizards game. The posts fueled public interest in their reported romance. Rapper Cardi B Disses BIA Over Age Gap In Her Relationship With NBA Star Cam Whitmore Cardi also revisited an earlier disagreement involving her former husband, Offset. She accused BIA of telling one of Offset’s friends that Cardi had been unfaithful during their relationship. “Let’s talk about how months later your dumb ass told one of my ex-husband friend that I was cheating on him,” Cardi said. The Grammy-winning rapper strongly denied the allegation. “When you said that shit, I never flirted with a n****,” Cardi said. “I never kissed a n****. I never had a DM with a n****.” The latest comments followed a social media exchange involving BIA’s music. BIA recently responded to a commenter criticizing her song “Sue Meee?,” which has been viewed as a diss track aimed at Cardi. “Can we talk about this and how awful it is?” the commenter wrote alongside a preview of the track. BIA’s response came before Cardi addressed their feud on X Spaces. The latest exchange shows that tensions between the rappers remain unresolved. It also brings the Boston rapper’s reported relationship with Whitmore into a dispute that has continued to attract public attention.