Jermaine Dupri claims that he changed the game with his sock game at Super Bowl LVIII. Appearing on Camelo Anthony’s 7 PM In Brooklyn, a Wave original, he said that his choice of socks set off a new fashion trend. “They $1,500 socks. They sold out after I did the Super Bowl. You can’t find them socks no more…we be watching the internet and we be seeing Pharrell do Fashion Week and I be thinking like everybody following the sh*t. I seen the outfit, I’m like, sh*t, I want to rock that. That’s some fashion sh*t….I’m like, I want to wear this on the Super Bowl,” Dupri said. “Nobody ain’t said nothing about nobody else wearing it…So then I start realizing, okay, maybe everybody ain’t up on the fashion sh*t…ultimately I’m glad it happened the way it is. I made it my thing,” he continued. He also said that Usher, who headlined Super Bowl  LVIII, was upset because his socks got more press than his show. “By the way, Usher was a little upset about this… because out of his whole performance, this is what came out of—my socks got more press than damn his show,” Dupri said. Elsewhere in the interview, JD revealed how he went against Columbia Records’ advice to work with JAY-Z instead of using his song with Mariah Carey for the first single of his album Life in 1472. “He [JAY-Z] was the most prominent New York rapper. You saw where he was going, right? If he was paying attention to the clue mix tapes and all of this,” he went on. “So me saying I want my first single to be with this guy. The suits at Columbia was like, who the f**k is Jay-Z– we trying to spend this money and you talking about you want, why don’t you put this single out with Mariah? This will go straight to the top, blah blah blah. That was a conversation and they didn’t understand what it was. I was just like, I’m from Atlanta. We are looked at like we don’t know what hip hop is.”

Quavo is turning heartbreak into action. Following a wave of gun violence in Atlanta that left 49 people shot and five dead over just four days, the Migos rapper has teamed up with The Rocket Foundation to launch an “Emergency Therapy Support Fund” to help families affected by the tragedy. Two of the victims were close to Quavo personally, Aaron Hines, known in the community as “Coach Ball,” and 18-year-old Deshawn Johnson, a former participant in one of Quavo’s Rocket Foundation youth camps. Both were fatally shot, adding a deeply personal weight to the cause. The fund will offer immediate access to therapy and emotional support for grieving families, and Quavo is calling on the public to donate and help expand mental health services throughout the community. The initiative aims to address not just the physical impact of gun violence, but also the long-term emotional toll it leaves behind. The announcement comes on the heels of Quavo’s second annual Rocket Summit, held in Atlanta during Gun Violence Prevention Month. Hosted at the College Football Hall of Fame, the summit gathered community leaders, advocates, and celebrities, including All The Smoke hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, for a powerful day of conversations and workshops around intervention and systemic reform. Quavo has been on a mission since 2022, when his nephew and fellow Migos member Takeoff was shot and killed. In the time since, he’s taken his advocacy all the way to Washington, D.C., even meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris to push for stronger anti-violence measures. Through the Emergency Therapy Support Fund, Quavo and The Rocket Foundation hope to bring healing and momentum to a city that continues to feel the devastating effects of gun violence, and to honor Takeoff’s legacy with purpose.

Safaree’s night out at Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX tour in Miami quickly turned into social media drama after his ex-wife Erica Mena put him on blast. While the artist appeared carefree and hyped in the crowd, Erica wasn’t feeling the vibe, and she made that known from thousands of miles away. Currently vacationing in Greece, Erica caught wind of Safaree’s antics and lit up Instagram Stories with harsh criticism. She called his behavior embarrassing and accused him of neglecting their children. “They need your love too!!!” she wrote, expressing her frustration over what she sees as his absence in their lives. This isn’t just about a concert, though. The former couple has been locked in a heated custody and child support battle all summer, with ongoing disputes over visitation and finances. Erica claims Safaree has been dishonest about his income in court, painting a very different picture than the one fans saw in Miami. Rather than address her accusations directly, Safaree seemingly shrugged it off with a slick Fashion Nova promo, posting a picture with the caption “not pressed but highly blessed.” It was a subtle jab that suggests he’s more focused on business than beef. Their marriage officially ended in 2022, but tensions have remained high ever since. Public jabs, legal filings, and online shade have kept their co-parenting dynamic rocky at best. Despite their time apart, it’s clear their drama is far from over—and now it’s playing out for the world to see once again. While Safaree enjoys the tour life, Erica’s message was simple: the spotlight means nothing if your kids don’t feel your presence.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is facing serious legal trouble after being indicted in connection with an illegal gambling ring based in Southern California. According to federal prosecutors, Arenas and several others allegedly ran underground poker games out of his Encino mansion, turning the property into a high-end venue for high-stakes gambling between late 2021 and mid-2022. Authorities say the operation went far beyond casual games. Arenas is accused of working with others to organize and profit from the events, which reportedly featured hired staff, including servers, chefs, valets, and security. Prosecutors also claim that Arenas brought in a 51-year-old associate to help manage the setup and collect rent from the players. The alleged gambling ring was discovered during a raid in 2022, when LAPD officers and federal agents found more than two dozen players and a dozen staff members at Arenas’ home. Officials believe the group was earning money by taking a portion from each pot played during the games. “Gilbert Arenas was arrested in Southern California on Wednesday after authorities say he ran an illegal gambling business,” according to court records obtained by NBC. In total, Arenas and five other individuals are facing two charges each: conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and operating an illegal gambling business. Each charge carries a possible five-year prison sentence. In addition, Arenas has been hit with a separate charge for allegedly lying to federal investigators during the probe. The 43-year-old former Washington Wizards player is currently in custody and was scheduled to appear in court later on Wednesday. The case is still developing, with more information expected to emerge in the coming days as the investigation continues.

Shannon Sharpe has reportedly parted ways with ESPN following the settlement of a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit filed earlier this year. According to reports, the former NFL star and television personality is no longer with the network after quietly reaching a confidential settlement in a $50 million lawsuit brought by Gabriella Zuniga in April 2025. The lawsuit, filed in Nevada, alleged multiple incidents of sexual assault, rape, and emotional distress. Sharpe denied all allegations. Though neither ESPN nor Sharpe has publicly confirmed the separation, sources say the split was finalized in the wake of the settlement, which was reached on July 18 and led to the dismissal of the case with prejudice—meaning it cannot be refiled. ESPN reportedly opted not to bring Sharpe back to First Take, where he had been a marquee guest debater alongside Stephen A. Smith since joining the show in August 2023. Sharpe had stepped away from his ESPN duties shortly after the lawsuit became public, with his last appearance airing in late April. At the time, he stated that he intended to return once the legal matter was resolved. In the meantime, Sharpe has remained active in the media space through his independently operated podcasts, Club Shay Shay and Nightcap, which have maintained strong followings on platforms like YouTube and social media. The case adds to a pattern of legal scrutiny surrounding Sharpe’s media career. Reports resurfaced earlier this year of a 2021 incident during his time at FS1’s Undisputed, in which a former production assistant accused him of choking her during an altercation. That matter was reportedly settled out of court, and Sharpe has also denied any wrongdoing in that case. Though ESPN has not issued a formal statement, multiple sources confirmed the network’s decision not to reinstate Sharpe after the lawsuit’s resolution. As of now, no replacement for his role on First Take has been announced.

Common is never shy when it comes to sharing his love for his partner, Jennifer Hudson. Appearing on the July 28 episode of the podcast Mama, I Made It!, Common described their relationship as one of his “greatest blessings” and among one of the most “important things” to him. “The friendship, the partnership, the life partnership, just the connection, it’s one of those things where you don’t know truly what true partnership and relationship is until you get there,” Common told host Samantha Chatman. After being in high-profile relationships with Erykah Badu, Sernea Williams, and Tiffany Haddish, the legendary rapper acknowledged that he needed to grow to get to a place to be in the right relationships with Hudson. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha Chatman (@samantha.chatman) “It’s like those things you pray for and you don’t get them until you’re ready,” he said about their relationship. “Whatever growing I had to do, it was the divine time in alignment when Jennifer and I started like being interested in each other.” Common also noted that he had  “been around each other” and “worked together before,” as the two starred in Breathe, which came out in 2024. “But this was the time when we just felt and got to see each other in that way,” he continued. “It’s inspiring to have somebody who’s as talented and just soulful and gifted and can do all these different things and is one of the greatestvocalists of all time.” According to Common, he and Hudson are “equally yoked” and with her, he’s learned so much about “partnership and love.” When you get there, you recognize what it is. And I hold her up high and God willing, I keep praying for that–we just continue to be at our best with each other,” he said.

ONE Musicfest, “the nation’s largest Black-owned, open-air, multi-stage music festival,” will make its highly anticipated return to Atlanta’s Piedmont Park on Oct. 25 and 26.  Presented by P&G and co-produced by Live Nation, Urban festival is known as “the South’s biggest cultural celebration.” In alphabetical order, this year’s performers include, 803 Fresh, Ari Lennox, Bankroll Ni, Bobby V, Boosie, Busta Rhymes, Carl Thomas, Case, Chief Keef, Clipse, Cupid, DJ Smooth, Flippa T, FLO, Greg Street & Friends (Plies, Project Pat, Rich Kidz, Trinidad James, Trick Daddy), Havoc of Mobb Deep, Jagged Edge, Jazmine Sullivan, KenTheMan, Kehlani, Leon Thomas, Lloyd, Marvin Sapp, Mike Clark Jr., Odeal,  Organized Noize, Pleasure P, Rasheeda, Ray J, Ray Vaughn, Sammie, Tonio Armani, Trick Daddy, Trinidad James, Tweet, Wale, Yakiyn. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Musicfest (@onemusicfest) Jason “J.” Carter, Founder of ONE Musicfest, released a statement about this year’s extravaganza. “Atlanta is our home, and this year we’re celebrating it in the biggest way possible — with Future, Ludacris, and a historic Dungeon Family Reunion honoring the life and legacy of Rico Wade, a true giant in hip hop,” Carter said. “ONE Musicfest has always been about uniting legends, elevating new voices, and creating unforgettable cultural moments. While we’re paying tribute to Atlanta’s legacy, this year’s lineup reflects the richness and diversity of Black music and culture from across the globe.” Since its launch, the One Music Festival has had a significant annual economic impact of more than $61 million and employs more than  5,000 people annually, comprising event staff, production crews, security personnel, hospitality staff, vendors, and artists. OMF powers Atlanta’s creative economy, supports Black-owned businesses, and fosters partnerships that last beyond festival weekend. It’s more than a festival — it’s a cultural engine for Atlanta and the global community.” For more information, check out www.onemusicfest.com.

Metro Boomin is finally giving fans what they’ve been waiting for. His new mixtape, A Futuristic Summa, originally expected on July 22, is now officially slated for release on August 1. The delay only seems to have heightened anticipation, especially with the St. Louis producer dropping teasers in the days leading up to the announcement. The rollout began with a trailer shared by Kurrco on X, featuring Metro previewing scenes from what looks like the “Slide” music video—a track that enlists Roscoe Dash. Since the July 4 announcement, Metro has also released a visualizer for “Slide,” giving fans a first taste of the project’s sonic palette. Hints at the full roster followed soon after. Quavo was the first major name revealed, but the lineup has grown. Short clips and cheeky voicemails posted by Metro confirmed appearances by Future, Lil Baby, and Gucci Mane. Longtime Southern staples like T.I., 2 Chainz, Waka Flocka Flame, and Young Dro are also expected to appear, rounding out a lineup that bridges past and present trap. Metro Boomin reinvents the mixtape with new voices and retro flair Metro has signaled a creative shift with A Futuristic Summa, noting in response to a fan on X that he’d be switching things up. “New cast,” he replied, emphasizing that the project won’t just rely on familiar names but will introduce a broader range of collaborators. In keeping with the nostalgic tone, the mixtape is accompanied by a Myspace-style website—an homage to early internet culture and mixtape-era digital rollouts. Sonically, “Slide” taps into a retro trap bounce, nodding to the roots of the genre while pushing it forward. As August 1 approaches, A Futuristic Summa is shaping up to be a carefully curated blend of classic Southern trap and forward-thinking production. For Metro Boomin, it’s not just another tape—it’s a statement. METRO BOOMIN A FUTURISTIC SUMMA(MIXTAPE) FRIDAY FUTURE LIL BABY QUAVO T.I. 2CHAINZ WAKA FLOCKA FLAME TRAVIS PORTER YOUNG DRO ROSCOE DASH JMONEY RICH KIDZ MORE pic.twitter.com/CUf9dwlrnd — Kurrco (@Kurrco) July 29, 2025

Draya Michele claps back at a TikTok user who called her out over her relationship with Jalen Green. Tiktoker Boujeebrownskin took to his page to react to a recent appearance on Whistle’s “Home Team” relationship quiz, where the couple playfully tested how well they know each other.. Brownskin says Michele and Green relationship is seemingly one of a “mother/son” rather than a romantic one.  “It’s the fact that you are aware that he is significantly younger than you, and you think that it’s a joke,” Boujeebrownskin said in the video. “It’s clear you are leaning into this intentional age gap that y’all have, and I think that’s pretty f***ing weird.” Michele caught wind of the video and shared her sentiments. “One more thing … this is AGEIST !! No different from being homophobic — you can’t be woke about one thing, babe and not the other,” Michele commented on the video. “Discrimination is discrimination. Imagine if somebody told you couldn’t love who you wanted to because they felt like it was ‘wrong.’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk) As previously reported, while on Whistle’s “Home Team” relationship quiz, one of the lighthearted questions asked was who slid into whose DMs first, and without hesitation, Green owned up to it: he was the one who initiated contact. Despite the scrutiny their relationship has faced—particularly due to their 17-year age gap—the couple seems unfazed. In fact, Draya has leaned into the humor of their dynamic as when the couple was asked who is the better driver between the two- Draya says she’s had a “drivers license [his] whole life.”

Doja Cat has sparked a viral moment after mocking Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle campaign, adding fuel to a growing wave of criticism surrounding the ad. In a TikTok video, Doja used an exaggerated Southern accent to imitate Sweeney’s delivery from the commercial, where the Euphoria star says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color… my jeans are blue.” What was meant to be a playful pun didn’t sit well with many, and Doja’s parody highlighted how absurd some viewers found it. The ad quickly came under fire online, with users accusing American Eagle of pushing outdated and harmful beauty ideals by spotlighting Sweeney’s blue eyes and blonde hair. Some even went so far as to draw comparisons to propaganda promoting selective traits—criticizing the message as tone-deaf in today’s cultural climate. Doja’s post only amplified the backlash. Her sarcastic tone struck a chord with viewers who were already questioning the campaign’s direction and messaging. While some defended the ad as harmless wordplay, others found it to be a careless attempt at blending science, fashion, and identity. American Eagle initially promoted several clips featuring Sweeney across social media, but the specific “blue genes” spot has since been taken down. Neither the brand nor Sweeney has publicly responded to the controversy, despite the growing discourse. Billboard has reached out to both parties for comment, but as of now, the silence continues. Meanwhile, the internet keeps the conversation going—thanks in part to Doja Cat’s viral takedown.