Author: Wamala Sipirian
Nelly and Ashanti Host Annual Charity Ball in St. Louis, Honoring a Cause and Celebrating Music A host of A-list celebrities gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, to support Nelly’s annual Black & White Charity Ball. Co-hosted by Nelly and his partner Ashanti, the glamorous event raised funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which works to fulfill dreams for children facing critical illnesses. This year, 14-year-old Max Del Rosario, diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in February, received an early Christmas surprise. The Make-A-Wish Missouri Foundation, with Nelly’s support, gifted Max a brand-new home theater system, bringing joy to…
Cardi B has once again ignited controversy in her tumultuous relationship with Offset, sharing explicit text messages from her estranged husband over the weekend. The Bronx rapper posted a screenshot on X (formerly Twitter) of a private exchange in which Offset appears to plead for reconciliation, despite their ongoing divorce proceedings. In the leaked messages, Offset implored Cardi to “come over,” only to receive a firm rejection. “I told you. You’re never getting this p**** again. And I mean that,” Cardi fired back. Undeterred, Offset continued his advances, writing, “I want to f***. Why u being like dat to me.…
Playboi Carti gave Rolling Loud Miami fans a glimpse of his highly anticipated album I AM MUSIC during his headlining performance on Sunday, December 15—but it left many wanting more. The Atlanta rapper had promised to debut the long-awaited project during the festival’s 10th-anniversary celebration. While he previewed several tracks, including collaborations with F1LTHY, Mike Dean, and Metro Boomin, fans hoping for a full album reveal walked away craving something more substantial. A Night of Teasers Carti’s set featured an exciting lineup of unreleased material, including a track with The Weeknd and a closing song titled “Drugs Got Me Numb.”…
The family of OG Maco, known for his breakout hit “U Guessed It,” has issued an official statement addressing his condition after reports surfaced of a suicide attempt. On December 12, the 31-year-old rapper was hospitalized in critical condition at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after being found unresponsive. Reports suggest a firearm was recovered at the scene, and Maco underwent emergency surgery upon arrival. https://instagram.com/tag/ogmaco Contrary to rumors circulating online, OG Maco is alive and fighting for recovery. His manager and family have refuted false reports claiming the artist had passed away, urging fans to await official updates.…
Andrew Schulz has ignited controversy once again, taking aim at Kendrick Lamar during the December 14 episode of The Brilliant Idiots podcast. The comedian likened the Compton-born rapper to “Hip Hop’s Taylor Swift,” accusing Lamar of adopting a “victim” narrative despite his immense success. “Kendrick really is the Taylor Swift of Hip Hop,” Schulz claimed. “No matter what he does, he’s still the victim. Taylor is the biggest name in music history, yet she’s a victim—whether it’s her label, Scooter Braun, or her boyfriends. Kendrick’s the same. Somehow, he’s always the victim.” Backlash Over Provocative Comments This isn’t the first…
JT (Jatavia Johnson), one half of the iconic rap duo City Girls, took the Rolling Loud stage for the first time as a solo artist, marking a major milestone in her career. The Miami native, affectionately known as the “City Cinderella,” delivered an electrifying performance that had fans chanting along to hits like “Okay” and “No Bars.” Overcome with emotion at the crowd’s energy and support, JT powered through to deliver a show-stopping set. The performance comes on the heels of JT’s debut solo mixtape, City Cinderella, which dropped on July 19. The 16-track project chronicles her journey from humble…
On Saturday, December 14, Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation hosted its highly anticipated annual toy drive at the Pfizer Building in Brooklyn. The event, which ran from noon to 4 p.m., brought holiday joy to children aged 0 to 18 by distributing toys, bikes, electronics, beauty products, and more. Established in December 2003, the Shawn Carter Foundation’s holiday toy drive has become a cherished tradition. According to the Foundation’s website, the initiative aims to “celebrate the December holiday season by distributing toys or meals to youth and families residing in underserved Brooklyn communities.” Adding to the family’s philanthropic efforts, Jay-Z’s wife,…
Charli XCX has made 2024 her year, with her album Brat sparking a cultural wildfire that’s far more than just a hit record. The British singer-songwriter’s latest release, which dropped last June, has created a massive, far-reaching cultural phenomenon—affectionately dubbed “Brat Summer”—that continues to grow as we head into 2025. Although Brat may not have birthed one singular breakout hit, its influence is undeniable, as memes, catchphrases, and “Night of 1,000 Charlis” events have flooded social media, and even Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris incorporated Charli’s tweet “Kamala is brat” into her campaign messaging. Charli’s approach to music in 2024…
As 2024 draws to a close, the year in music has been nothing short of extraordinary, with an impressive lineup of albums that have redefined genres, delivered unforgettable hits, and showcased some of the most innovative artists in the industry. Each of Variety’s staff music writers had no shortage of material to choose from when compiling their lists of the best albums of the year. The upcoming 2025 Grammys are already generating massive anticipation, and many of the top contenders featured on these lists are sure to make a splash during the ceremony. A key theme in 2024’s music scene…
Despite high hopes, Kraven the Hunter, Sony’s latest superhero spinoff, has failed to make a significant impact at the box office. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the notorious Spider-Man villain, the film opened with a disappointing $11 million from 3,211 theaters, landing at No. 3 behind already-established hits. This marks a low point for Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters, which has struggled to gain momentum with audiences. The film’s reception has been lackluster, scoring just 15% on Rotten Tomatoes and a “C” grade on CinemaScore, signaling that Kraven may not experience a significant box office rebound during the holiday season. Kraven…