T’yanna Wallace, the daughter of the Notorious B.I.G, is bringing one of hip-hop’s most legendary legacies into the world of hospitality. Over the weekend, Wallace hosted an intimate private tasting event in Midtown Manhattan to preview dishes from the upcoming menu of Big Poppas Steakhouse, the restaurant she plans to open this fall in honor of her father, B.I.G., also known as Big Poppa. The gathering was held on March 9, 2026, the anniversary of Christopher Wallace’s passing, transforming the day into one of celebration, remembrance, and legacy. For years, Wallace carried the idea of opening a restaurant as a way to honor her father’s memory. Before his untimely death in 1997, Christopher Wallace often spoke about his dream of one day opening a restaurant of his own. Now, nearly three decades later, his daughter is bringing that vision to life. View this post on Instagram The evening featured a carefully curated team responsible for bringing the experience together. Chef Harley prepared the tasting menu, celebrity event curator Alyi V of The Alyi V Experience oversaw the event’s creative direction, celebrity publicist Chasity Cox of Chasity Cox Public Relations LLC handled media and communications, and bartender Chyna crafted signature cocktails for guests. The private tasting allowed Wallace to gather feedback from close friends and family while finalizing the signature dishes that will appear on the Big Poppas Steakhouse menu. The menu blended bold flavors with cultural homage, with several dishes referencing the music and legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. Held at an elegant Midtown Manhattan venue not far from the future restaurant location, the evening welcomed a number of notable guests including CJ Wallace, Lil’ Kim, Lil’ Cease, members of Junior M.A.F.I.A., Kazeem Famuyide, host of 7PM in Brooklyn, and more. Wallace’s mother and daughter were also in attendance, proudly standing beside her throughout the celebration. With its official opening planned for Fall 2026, Big Poppas Steakhouse aims to bring together elevated dining, storytelling, and cultural nostalgia in the heart of New York City. View this post on Instagram

Florida’s Ivanna Lisette Ortiz is accused of opening fire near the Beverly Hills-area home of rapper A$AP Rocky and singer Rihanna now faces attempted murder and multiple firearms charges, according to Los Angeles prosecutors. Authorities charged the 35-year-old woman with attempting to kill Rihanna, along with 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle. Prosecutors say the alleged gunfire occurred Sunday afternoon while the couple and their family members were on the property. Nathan Hochman said Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were together inside a trailer on the property at the time of the incident. Other relatives and staff members were inside the nearby residence. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. Law enforcement officers arrested Ortiz shortly afterward in Sherman Oaks, several miles from the residence. Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive, stating the circumstances remain under review. Ortiz appeared in court wearing blue jail attire and communicated with her attorney through a glass partition. Her lawyer, Jamarcus Bradford, initially entered a not-guilty plea but later withdrew it to postpone the arraignment until March 25. The court ordered Ortiz held on $1.8 million bail. A$AP Rocky & Rihanna Were Home With Their Children When Ortiz’s Shooting Occurred, Prosecutor Says During the hearing, Theresa McGonigle issued a protective order requiring Ortiz to stay away from Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, whose legal names are Robyn Fenty and Rakim Mayers. The order also bars Ortiz from possessing firearms or ammunition. Prosecutors said three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling relate to the main residence, a trailer on the property, and a neighboring house. Ten assault counts correspond to Rihanna, family members, staff, and individuals in the nearby residence. Hochman praised the swift law enforcement response following the reported shooting. “LA-based celebrities should not be additionally worried because of this,” Hochman said, pointing to the rapid arrest. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott will lead the prosecution. Ortiz faces a potential life sentence if convicted. Prosecutors emphasized the charges remain allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The Global Gaming League (GGL) took over Los Angeles as its highly anticipated SZN ZRO showdown brought together celebrities, athletes, creators, and gaming fans for a night where entertainment and competition collided. Held at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, California, the event featured an intense matchup between Howie Mandel and Gillie Da King & Wallo267, drawing a packed crowd eager to see the cultural crossover between gaming and mainstream entertainment. The showdown highlighted GGL’s mission to redefine entertainment by blending gaming, music, sports, fashion, celebrity rivalry, and culture into one immersive experience. The stakes were high, as the winning team secured a spot in the Global Gaming League Championship match on April 9, where they will face NE-YO and his GNTLMNS Gaming team, who previously defeated T-Pain’s Nappy Boy Gaming. The championship winner will take home the SZN ZRO title and a $50,000 cash prize. The event attracted a wide range of recognizable faces from across entertainment and sports. From UFC fighters and WWE wrestlers to musicians, influencers, and reality TV personalities, the venue was filled with industry figures and fans alike. Guests in attendance included Impractical Jokers’ Joe Gatto, actor and comedian Affion Crockett, UFC fighter Ode Osbourne, singer iS0 Kenny, boxer Chase DeMoor, Dave co-star GaTa, and Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy. Inside the arena, the energy reflected the Global Gaming League’s growing cultural impact. In an era where entertainment often lives in quick scrolling moments online, fans remained fully engaged throughout the night’s live experience. Howie Mandel brought his signature unpredictability and competitive edge to the stage, while Gillie Da King and Wallo267 energized the arena with nonstop banter and chemistry, keeping the crowd entertained throughout every round. Teams competed across multiple game formats including Tetris, Tekken, and Thrill of the Fight 2, delivering clutch moments and highlight-worthy plays that kept the audience on its feet. The crowd roasted players, debated plays, and cheered on their teams, creating a shared experience that felt more like a community gathering than a traditional esports event. Adding to the excitement, Grammy-nominated artist Travie McCoy delivered a high-energy halftime performance that had the entire arena singing along, reinforcing GGL’s vision of bringing together sports, gaming, music, and culture on one stage. With celebrity-owned teams, live audiences, and a format designed for both competition and entertainment, the Global Gaming League continues to position itself as a new kind of sports and entertainment property. Fans around the world will be able to watch the event when the SZN ZRO match premieres on YouTube on March 9, 2026 at 12 PM EST.

Egypt Criss, the daughter of Treach and Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton speaks out losing a recent boxing match. Criss was knocked out by Olympic boxer Jade Jones during their bout at the Misfits Duel 2. Criss shared a video via Instagram assuring her fans that all is well. She also addresses her father’s claims that she’s being “brainwashed.” Captioning the video, “Your girl’s still good! Coming back Stronger than Ever! My Fire is Fueled..” View this post on Instagram As previously reported, Egypt’s father, Treach shared an open letter to his daughter following the fight. In a post titled “To My Darling Daughter Egypt Pt. 1,” the Treach rapper wrote, “When you marry a clout-chasing clown who brainwashes you into taking care of him and lets him train you and set you up like this, what did you expect? I love you.” He continued by calling out those around her, writing, “As far as him and the team around you — y’all put my daughter in harm’s way. Karma comes back quick. You reap what you sow.” Hip-hop legend Treach goes off on his ‘clout-chasing’ son-in-law after witnessing his daughter get knocked out cold by an Olympic gold medalist in her boxing debut. He also accuses the son-in-law of living off his daughter.” https://t.co/DikGeQEYSk pic.twitter.com/IYbM6bPVGJ — Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) March 8, 2026 50 Cent also reacted to the knockout on Instagram. Sharing the clip of the fight, he wrote, “Damn, get the strap… that’s Treach and Pepa’s baby, Egypt. Don’t be sending me stuff like this because I’m going to post it.” View this post on Instagram

Residents of Jacksonville’s Eastside gathered at City Hall this week to honor late rapper Lil Poppa and ask city leaders to recognize his legacy with an official day of remembrance. Community members urged officials to designate March 18 — Lil Poppa’s birthday — as “Lil Poppa Day.” Supporters said the recognition would celebrate the rapper’s influence on local youth and acknowledge his impact on Jacksonville’s music culture. The request comes nearly a month after the rapper’s death shocked fans across the city and the wider hip-hop community. Residents who spoke at the meeting said the rapper represented perseverance and honesty about personal struggles. Felicia Jackson addressed the council and emphasized Poppa’s openness about mental health challenges. “Lil Poppa stood for a lot of things,” Jackson said. “But the main thing he stood for is mental health.” Jackson said many young people in the neighborhood saw Wheeler as proof that success remained possible despite hardship. She described the rapper as someone who achieved national attention while staying connected to his community. Lil Poppa Day Being Considered For March 18 In Jacksonville, Florida “It’s very important for the kids to see that we can make it out, regardless of the things we go through in our neighborhood,” Jackson said. Other residents echoed similar sentiments. Gavin Boykin told council members the moment could encourage young people to embrace empathy and reflection. He described Poppa as an artist who avoided spreading hostility online. Boykin said honoring the rapper could inspire “troubled youth” to choose compassion and understanding. Latavia Harris also supported the proposal. She said recognizing Poppa would help preserve the culture and stories that shape Jacksonville’s identity. During the meeting, Councilman Rahman Johnson offered condolences to Poppa’s family and praised the rapper’s achievements. “[Wheeler] is known throughout the music industry for the great work he’s done,” Johnson said. “He’s brought so much notoriety back to Jacksonville. We can use this opportunity to talk about someone who always recognized our city.” The city is preparing a proclamation honoring Wheeler, which officials hope to finalize soon. Poppa was signed to Collective Music Group. His 2021 album Blessed, I Guess expanded his audience. He recently released the single Out of Town Bae and had planned a performance in New Orleans later this month.

Bentley Bugz, a New York rapper whose legal name is Jimmy Francois, is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn on a six-count indictment accusing him of sex trafficking a minor and related offenses, according to federal prosecutors. The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charges Francois with sex trafficking of a minor through force, fraud and coercion, coercion and enticement of a minor, sexual exploitation of a child, and interstate prostitution. Authorities say the charges stem from allegations that Francois trafficked a 16-year-old girl, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, between June and August 2024. New York rap artist Jimmy Francois aka Bentley Bugz was arraigned on a six-count CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING indictment March 6 following a multiagency investigation that included ICE HSI. Francois allegedly sex trafficked a 16-year-old girl throughout multiple states — forcing her… pic.twitter.com/oWlTNWbLP7 — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) March 10, 2026 Prosecutors allege Francois transported the teenager across several states, including locations in Queens, New York, and forced her to engage in commercial sex acts with multiple clients each day. Investigators say he maintained control through physical assaults and threats, sometimes attacking other women in the victim’s presence to intimidate her. According to the indictment, Francois also produced sexually explicit images of the minor and used some of those photographs in online advertisements promoting prostitution. New York City Rapper Bentley Bugz Indicted on 6-Courts Of Child Sex Trafficking In Brooklyn Court Law enforcement officials say they recovered a video in which Francois allegedly assaulted the victim and issued degrading statements. Prosecutors say he told the teenager, “You learned and understand that me and you are not equal.” He also instructed her, “You speak when you’re spoken to.” The recording also allegedly captured threats of violence. Statements such as, “I’mma violate you … you gonna have broken bones … in your hotel room. No hospital, no nothing,” and “I will personally break your bones.” Authorities arrested Francois on Jan. 29 in Miami. The United States Marshals Service transported him to New York earlier this week. His initial appearance is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said the case involves alleged exploitation of a minor for profit. “As alleged, the defendant preyed on a vulnerable child and sold her body for his own profit, while subjecting her to physical violence and threats,” Nocella said. Francois is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and could receive life imprisonment.

A financial dispute involving mogul Jay-Z has surfaced in federal court filings tied to the whiskey company Uncle Nearest and agricultural lender Farm Credit Mid-America. Documents filed in March 2026 reference a $20 million loan issued through Jay-Z’s venture capital firm, MarcyPen. The investment group launched in late 2024 and includes Jay-Z along with business partners Jay Brown, Larry Marcus, Robbie Robinson and D’Rita Robinson. View this post on Instagram According to court records, MarcyPen provided the funding to Uncle Nearest during a period of financial strain for the whiskey brand. However, Farm Credit Mid-America claims the company failed to disclose the true source of the loan. The lender alleges that Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver told the bank the $20 million came from Grant Sidney, a company she controls. The bank contends the money instead originated from MarcyPen. Jay-Z’s MarcyPen Named In Uncle Nearest Court Case Involving $20M Loan In court filings, attorneys for the lender described the transfer as intentional. “Ms. Weaver, who exercises complete control over Uncle Nearest and Grant Sidney, moved the proceeds from Uncle Nearest to Grant Sidney to make sure that $20 million coming in could not be snatched by FCMA,” the bank wrote. The disagreement forms part of a broader legal conflict between the whiskey brand and its lender. Farm Credit Mid-America filed a lawsuit in July 2025 alleging Uncle Nearest owed more than $108 million across several loans. The bank also claims the company submitted inaccurate inventory reports involving its whiskey barrels. According to the lender, those reports overstated the value of stored barrels by approximately $21 million. Attorneys further allege the company sold barrels to cover other financial obligations. A federal judge appointed a receiver for Uncle Nearest in August 2025 after repeated loan defaults. Court records indicate the company defaulted on loan agreements about twenty times. The receiver and the bank now estimate the brand’s total debt could approach $200 million. Weaver and her legal team dispute those claims and maintain the company remains financially viable. Uncle Nearest also rejects the allegations tied to the MarcyPen transaction. In a filing, attorneys for the company stated, “No fraud by Grant Sidney has been alleged with the particularity required for a federal pleading.”

​ Wilt Chamberlain. Bam Adebeyo. Kobe Bryant. ​To say that Bam Adebayo had a great game would be the understatement of the NBA season. The Miami Heat star forward exploded for 83 points in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. The scoring output was the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history  behindWilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point performance in 1962. Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant, who scored 81 in 2006 In total, Adebayo went 20-of-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from 3-point range, and 36-of-43 at the free throw line. According to ESPN Research, Adebayo and Chamberlain are the only players in NBA history to make 20 field goals and 25 free throws in a single game. ​ 83 POINTS FOR BAM ADEBAYO. THE SECOND-MOST EVER. Wilt: 100Bam: 83Kobe: 81 pic.twitter.com/5AxI6j8m35 — NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026 ​ Before the game, Adebayo’s season high was 32 points, and his career high was 41. By the time the first quarter ended, he outscored the entire Wizards team in the first quarter, 31-29. ​After the game, Adebayo reflected on his enormous accomplishment and shared what he thought Bryant would think about his milestone. ​ “I wonder what he would say, to be 83 and pass him, my mind is like, what would he say to me? ‘Cause I always wanted to have a conversation with him … he would probably tell me to do it again,” Adebayo said. “Just a surreal moment to be in the company of somebody you idolized growing up.” To reach the scoring mark, Adebayo had some assistance. Heat players purposely fouled the Wizards players to give him more opportunities to score in the fourth quarter. “The last six minutes of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter, I was a fan,” said Heat coach ErikSpoelstra. “This one came out of nowhere. This one snuck up on us. It snuck up on all of us. Once it kept on going, we knew we could be part of something special.” ​“You’re caught up in the moment like everyone else,” Spoelstra continued. “And I didn’t want to get in the way. And I damn for sure wasn’t going to take him out.”

NLE Choppa has issued a public apology to Chrisean Rock after remarks he made about her young son during a dispute involving Blueface. The Memphis rapper addressed the situation during a livestream on March 9, acknowledging that his comments had crossed a personal boundary. His statement was directed toward Rock and her child, Chrisean Jr., whose parentage has been publicly debated in recent weeks. Choppa said he regretted allowing frustration to shape his response. Speaking candidly during the broadcast, the rapper said he felt compelled to address the issue directly. “I genuinely apologize for what I said about your beautiful baby boy,” Choppa said. “It was not right in no way, shape, or form, and I can’t believe I let my emotions get me that far. … You didn’t deserve that, your baby didn’t deserve it.” His comments suggested a shift in tone from earlier exchanges that had played out across social media. Choppa also used the moment to acknowledge what he described as Rock’s efforts to focus on family and personal growth. The rapper told viewers he had noticed her attempts to navigate public attention while raising her child. “I see you trying your best to be great, I see you trying, and I salute you,” he said. “I feel like I was like a test on your spirit in that moment, and you passed it with grace.” View this post on Instagram NLE Choppa Walks Back Comments About Blueface’s Son The apology followed an earlier message Choppa directed to Blueface, who has been involved in a long-running conflict with him online. In that previous statement, Choppa said bringing the child into their dispute had been inappropriate. “Last time we had words he apologized for bringing my mom in stuff I owe you the same respect,” Choppa wrote. “I apologize for what I said about your son @bluefasebabyy. From the heart.” The dispute between the two artists has unfolded publicly for months. Earlier this year, a widely shared video captured Choppa rejecting the idea of a physical confrontation while referencing their children. “Take your son and stand him beside my son and let’s see which one of them know how to operate,” he said. “Put your son beside my son and let’s see them box!” Although the apology suggested a desire to cool tensions, the broader rivalry appears unresolved. Only days later, Choppa revived the dispute by proposing a fight with Blueface in an “octagon,” indicating the conflict may still continue despite his attempt to clarify his earlier remarks.

A 12-year-old middle school student in Georgia has died after an after-school fight with another student, prompting an ongoing police investigation and raising concerns about bullying and student safety. The girl, identified as Jada West, was a student at Mason Creek Middle School in Villa Rica, Georgia. According to reports, the incident began with an argument on a school bus that escalated into a physical fight after the students got off in a neighborhood near her home. Witness videos circulating online show the two girls fighting in the street in front of other students. After the altercation, West reportedly walked away from the scene but collapsed shortly afterward. She was rushed to a hospital and later fell into a coma. Doctors determined she had suffered a severe brain injury, and she died several days later. Family members say the 12-year-old had recently transferred schools and had been dealing with bullying, though authorities have not yet confirmed what led to the fight. “We have to teach our children. I’m angry. What happened to the love? We lost our love, people. Teach your children to love,” Jada’s mom said following the tragic incident. The Douglas County School System, which includes Mason Creek Middle School, released a statement as well. “Any situation that results in harm to a child is one we take with the highest level of urgency. This incident did not occur on school property or during school hours, and there is nothing to indicate that this is related to any on-campus activity. Therefore, this matter is under the jurisdiction of the Villa Rica Police Department. To protect the privacy of the student and her family, we are not able to share additional details at this time,” the school district statement said.