Eminem and Hip-Hop mourned the passing of his DJ and longtime radio host, DJ Lord Sear, who passed away on Wednesday at 52. The culture flooded social media with prayers, condolences, and tributes to the DJ and his family. Sear was a regular on Shade 45, the Eminem-owned radio station, for over two decades. His years of commitment to the culture wouldn’t go unseen following his passing. Before Shade 45, Sear appeared on the legendary The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show and collaborated with rapper Kurious. Lord Sear is best remembered as Eminem’s touring DJ for the legendary Anger Management Tour. “Sear was one of the greatest people to be around,” Eminem wrote. “I will never forget how he made me laugh on our tour together.” View this post on Instagram “Our time on @Shade45 together was always some of my favorite interviews,” he added. “He made the world a better place and I’m gonna seriously miss that. Rest in peace Lil Trey.” In the clip, the Detroit MC explained that he sometimes produced his own beats while giving credit to mentor Dr. Dre for encouraging his creativity. “Based off how we’re talking now, I would never just come out and say, ‘Yo, I did the beat for this,’” Eminem said during the exchange. DJ Lord Sear Remembered By Eminem & Hip-Hop After Death At 52 SiriusXM later released a statement honoring the late broadcaster’s influence. “He was more than a voice on the radio,” the company said. “He was a force, a friend, and family.” Artists including E-40, Hit-Boy, Fat Joe, Rapsody, and Tony Yayo also paid tribute online. Hip-hop reacts to Lord Sear’s passing. pic.twitter.com/Elg58EjGrp — XXL Magazine (@XXL) March 12, 2026 “God bless,” Fat Joe wrote. “I know him my whole career. Love you Sear.”

Earlier this week, Eminem’s maternal grandmother, Betty, passed away at her home in Missouri, according to TMZ. She had been battling complications from breast cancer, and the rapper was reportedly not present during her final moments. Their relationship, marked by both love and tension, had long been complicated. In a 2000 interview with London’s Mirror, Betty spoke candidly about her discomfort with Eminem’s explicit lyrics. “When I hear his vile disgusting lyrics I can’t believe this is my Marshall,” she said. “The same boy who used to come and sit on my lap.” Yet she contextualized his work within the broader music landscape. “He’s no worse than the rest of them. I don’t like some of the lyrics myself, but this is what the people want to hear,” she explained. “If they’re going to criticise my grandson, criticise the rest of them. What about Limp Bizkit? And Ozzy Osbourne, who used to eat live bats on stage.” Betty lamented the scrutiny directed at her grandson: “They seem to be singling my grandson out. They’re picking on him.” Despite their disagreements, she conveyed deep affection: “He’s my first grandchild, I was there then he opened his eyes, I love that boy. I want to stop this war between us because life’s too short – I want him to hang in there, because everything’s going to be okay.” Eminem Faces Family Loss a Year After Becoming a Grandfather Eminem has not yet publicly commented on her passing. The news comes almost a year after he became a grandfather, following the birth of his daughter Hailie Jade’s son, Elliot Marshall McClintock, last April. Hailie’s pregnancy was revealed in Eminem’s October 2024 music video for “Temporary.” The track contains lyrics addressed to her, crafted as a message she might one day hear, blending personal reflection with his enduring connection to family and legacy.

A jury has determined that Kanye West must pay $140,000 to a former employee over disputes tied to renovations at his former Malibu mansion. The case centers on Tony Saxton, who said he was hired as a project manager during the extensive work on West’s oceanfront property. Saxton alleged the conditions were unsafe. He also claimed he was dismissed after only a few weeks on the job. Court filings indicate that Saxton was brought in to help oversee work on the multimillion-dollar home. However, he received just one paycheck before his termination roughly seven weeks later. He initially sought more than $1.7 million in damages, citing lost wages and medical expenses tied to the alleged hazards. After reviewing testimony, jurors found West responsible for a portion of the claims. Ultimately, they awarded far less than Saxton had requested. The final judgment requires West to cover about $140,000 in unpaid wages and medical costs. West’s Limited Recall Marks End of Malibu Renovation Dispute West testified during the proceedings, acknowledging that he had limited recollection of Saxton or the circumstances surrounding his hiring. He reportedly expressed uncertainty about who formally brought Saxton onto the project. His wife, Bianca Censori, also appeared in court. She explained that while she interacted with Saxton during the renovation, their time working together was brief. The verdict closes a contentious chapter in the saga of West’s Malibu property. It highlights the legal and logistical challenges that can arise during large-scale celebrity construction projects. Though the ruling resolves this particular dispute, it also provides a glimpse into the complex dynamics of managing high-profile real estate renovations.

Brooklyn rapper Maino has fired back at 50 Cent with a new diss track titled “Bleed Like Us,” adding fuel to the ongoing tension between the two New York artists. The song arrives shortly after 50 Cent released a track and video alongside Max B, where he appeared to take jabs at several rappers, including Maino.On “Bleed Like Us,” Maino doesn’t hold back. View this post on Instagram The Brooklyn MC takes direct shots at the G-Unit mogul, referencing 50 Cent’s past controversies, personal history, and his well-known habit of trolling rivals on social media. The track’s title appears to echo themes of vulnerability and rivalry, suggesting that even hip-hop’s most powerful figures are not untouchable. The diss comes as tensions between the two have been brewing online for months. Much of the back-and-forth has played out on social media, where 50 Cent frequently comments on industry drama and publicly calls out other artists. Maino’s response marks a shift from online exchanges to a lyrical confrontation. While 50 Cent has not yet responded directly to the diss track, fans are already watching closely to see whether the Queens rapper will address the record either on social media or with music of his own. View this post on Instagram

Along the Malibu shoreline, Dr. Dre has quietly closed the sale of a long-held beachfront property, marking the end of a chapter that stretches back more than two decades. Public real estate records indicate the home changed hands on March 3 for $16.5 million. The producer originally bought the property in 2000 for $4.8 million, making the sale a substantial return on the investment. The house had previously appeared on the market in 2022 with an asking price of $20 million, according to Zillow. The transaction reflects the continued strength of Malibu’s luxury housing market. The residence sits along Carbon Beach, a stretch of coastline sometimes referred to as “Billionaire’s Beach.” Spread across three levels, the property was designed to take full advantage of its oceanfront setting. The layout includes six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, along with spaces intended for both work and recreation. Among the amenities are a private gym, a studio, a large deck overlooking the Pacific, and a home office. Additional features include a wood-burning fireplace, a sauna, and several areas designed for entertaining guests. The home sale surfaced at roughly the same moment that Dr. Dre reached a notable financial benchmark. Forbes released its updated ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals on March 10, and the producer appeared on the list for the first time. The publication estimated his net worth at $1 billion, placing him at No. 3,332 globally. The ranking reflects the breadth of Dre’s career, which spans decades in music as well as ventures in technology and business. A Billion-Dollar Legacy — and New Music Still in the Works Within hip-hop, that figure places him among the genre’s wealthiest figures, behind Jay-Z, who remains the richest artist in the field. The Forbes list includes only a small number of musicians overall, with Beyoncé also appearing among the names. Much of Dre’s fortune is tied to his recording legacy, entrepreneurial ventures such as his influential headphone brand, and a portfolio of investments that extends beyond music. Industry observers often point to those ventures as evidence of how artists have expanded into broader business arenas. Even with those milestones, Dre’s focus on music continues. Moreover, T.I. recently spoke about an upcoming collaboration while discussing new projects with AllHipHop. “Dr. Dre blessed me with a record,” T.I. said. “It happens to have Anderson .Paak on it and a young lady by the name of Stallone. It’s a dope record. It’s called ‘Where I’m From.’ Dope record.”

50 Cent returned to social media this week with a new music video for his collaboration with Max B, titled “No More Tricks, No More Tries.” The visuals appear to rely heavily on artificial-intelligence effects, creating digitally rendered scenes that frame the song’s confrontational tone. Throughout the clip, the artist delivers pointed lines directed at several figures he has sparred with publicly, including Jim Jones, Maino, Fabolous, and Dave East. In one sequence, a stylized image places Jones inside what looks like an interrogation room as the lyric lands: “Snitching you better not.” The moment reflects the track’s mix of satire, commentary, and competitive bravado. After 50 Cent posted the video on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, audience reaction unfolded quickly. Some listeners expressed disappointment with the use of A.I. imagery and the song’s approach. One critic wrote, “N***a talk about how rich he is and come and deliver AI slop & music slop! Stay behind the camera and off microphones homey.” Another user responded with surprise, saying, “Dang I checked if this was a fake account three times. What happened to you 50? This is week af. This is not the same person who disrupted the industry with a diss track. I’m calling Jim Carrey on this one.” Other fans approached the release with a lighter tone. Some pointed to moments they found humorous within the lyrics. “Best part of this whole song is him telling Dave East he don’t even count,” one listener commented, adding laughing emojis. Another wrote, “The masses won’t like this but I’m not like them lol this is [fire emoji].” The range of responses illustrates how quickly new music from a veteran artist can spark debate across online platforms. Yall thought I was talking about the Cosby’s. I’ll deal with Bill later. I am the algorithm • https://t.co/WtNREs32V0 pic.twitter.com/fZPuHIUBY2 — 50cent (@50cent) March 10, 2026 50 Cent reignites tensions after Jim Jones criticizes his Diddy docuseries The caption accompanying the video included another message from 50 Cent, suggesting the conversation may not end with this song. Referencing T.I. and people around him, the rapper wrote, “Yall thought I was talking about the Cosby’s. I’ll deal with Bill later. I am the algorithm.” The comment hinted at ongoing friction that has surfaced periodically in recent months. Some of that tension traces back to remarks made on the Let’s Rap About It podcast, where hosts discussed 50 Cent’s Netflix docuseries “Sean Combs: The Reckoning.” During the conversation, Jim Jones, who appears on the show, criticized the project’s tone. “You don’t want nobody doing a documentary trying to make your whole character look weak. That’s petty behavior … It’s really not a documentary; it’s more like a mockumentary,” Jones said. The exchange later spilled onto social media, where both sides traded comments before the podcast crew released a freestyle titled “Squatter’s Rights.”

Music mogul Ye issued a blunt message to the press this week, telling media outlets that the time has come to fully recognize his legal name. The advisory arrived March 10, shortly after Ye delivered nearly three hours of testimony in a workplace violations lawsuit filed by former employee Tony Saxon during a hearing at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The memo reads as a call-out to the media companies that still refer to the rapper by his former name. Ye reminded outlets that his identity change was announced years ago and formally approved by a California court. “MEDIA ADVISORY IT HAS BEEN SEVEN YEARS SINCE THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS KANYE WEST ANNOUNCED THAT HENCEFORWARD HIS NAME WOULD BE YE,” the statement says. Ye got tired of people still calling him Kanye and put out this media statement after court. pic.twitter.com/aZq2mZBtou — Sneaker Legal® | Trademark & IP Lawyers (@SneakerLegal) March 11, 2026 Ye legally changed his name from Kanye West to Ye in 2021. His team argues that the media ecosystem has had plenty of time to update credits, archives, and databases. “THIS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME FOR MEDIA COMPANIES, SEARCH ENGINES, RECORD LABELS, DSPS, RETAILERS, LYRICS WEBSITES, PUBLISHERS AND OTHERS TO UPDATE THEIR RECORDS AND SYSTEMS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGE,” the memo continues. The statement also frames the issue as one tied to identity and respect. Ye’s representatives emphasize the artist’s global visibility and say the name change should be treated as permanent. Ye To The Media: “Stop Calling Me Kanye West” “YE IS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, ON PAR WITH PRESIDENTS AND POPES. THIS CHANGE WAS MADE FULLY, LEGALLY, AND PERMANENTLY. THIS IS WHO HE IS NOW. HIS NAME IS YE.” The advisory ends with a warning directed at outlets that continue using his former name. Representatives for Yeezy LLC say cooperation may end if the directive is ignored. “YEEZY LLC WILL NO LONGER CO-OPERATE WITH OR PROVIDE COMMENT OR CONFIRMATION TO MEDIA OUTLETS THAT REFUSE TO USE HIS LEGAL NAME,” the memo states. He continued: “A DELIBERATE AFFRONT, A RACIST OFFENSE AND A DENIAL OF YE’S AGENCY AND SELF-DETERMINATION.” The message signals a stricter media policy from Ye’s camp as the artist navigates both legal scrutiny and public perception.

Ari Lennox recently had a candid conversation with the Effective Immediately podcast about her dating history. According to the “Shea Butter Baby” singer, she spent too much of her early years giving toxic men attention. While Ari acknowledged that she still struggles with being attracted to “toxic energy,” she’s much more cognizant than in years past. She also expressed regret for not paying the “sweet energies” the attention they deserved. “I think I have a thing for toxic energy,” Ari says. “Because when I look back on all of these energies, it’s a shame I gave them so much time, and there were sweet energies that I didn’t. Now, I see those sweet energies getting married and starting families, [and] I’m just like, ‘dang that could’ve been me,’ if I had recognized the security in those individuals at the time.” Ari Lennox says she regrets giving toxic men attention and not the sweet ones, now that she’s older and not married. “It’s a shame I gave the toxic ones so much energy instead of the sweet ones. I see the sweet ones getting married and starting families I’m like, that could’ve… pic.twitter.com/p7tL3G8hvY — stan (@wyd_stan) March 10, 2026

Wale is not one for the online shenanigans. So when a troll took a shot at him in a recent X post, he offered quite the clapback. “A female told me I rap like Wale and I got so f*cking offended cuz no the fuck I don’t,” an X user named NFTMansa wrote on March 10. The Maryland native responded less than 10 minutes later, writing, “Nobody believes a female talked to u today, gang.” The rapper’s comment section seemed quite amused by the brief back-and-forth. “All I ever known was beautiful women listening to Wale,” one person commented. “That mf gets no cat. He told on himself.” Another X User wrote, ” ‘a female’ – first and only indication of a n*gga having no b*tches .” That said, not all the comments were on his side. One X user implied that Wale only responded to gain attention. “Ik a n*gga tryna trick us into listening to that bullsh*t when I see it.. shouldn’t even have gave him the reply. n*gga over there excited this happened,” they wrote. Nobody believes a female talked to u today gang https://t.co/FLT8vdB25S — Wale (@Wale) March 11, 2026 Wale Clarifies His Relationship With Solange In other news, speculation about a past romance between Wale and Solange Knowles has circulated quietly for years, fueled more by curiosity than confirmation. During a recent appearance on Club Shay Shay, the rapper addressed the rumors directly, leaving little room for ambiguity. “No, we were really good friends,” he said, describing a relationship grounded in trust and creative alignment rather than romance. The remark brought a definitive close to a narrative that had long existed without his voice. Wale spoke warmly about Solange’s influence during a formative period of his career, particularly outside the studio. He credited her with expanding his worldview, including an introduction to fashion circles like Givenchy. “If anyone knows Solo, they understand that she’s always ahead of the curve. She recognized my potential before many others did,” he said, framing her as an early believer rather than a romantic partner. Wale noted that he is currently single, while Solange was previously married to director Alan Ferguson before their separation in 2019.

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