Radio

Gunner Stahl/Essence Monica launched her music career as a preteen, and at 42 years old, she remains booked and busy. The star, who graces the cover of Essence‘s July/August digital issue, credits the love and support she gets from her fans to her honesty and vulnerability. “When I’ve made mistakes in my life, I created music about it. […]

Cardi B shared a fun fact about the single that catapulted her into mainstream fame. “I spend ten thousand dollars on the ‘Bodak yellow’ music video,” she tweeted Tuesday. Nia Long is releasing a memoir with 13A, an imprint of Gallery Books. In a statement, she says readers will find “truth and transparency in the storytelling, sprinkled with 90s nostalgia.” While […]

Brandon Hickman/E! DJ Khaled is sharing another set of keys, and this time, it’s the ones that led to his success. As Variety‘s latest cover star, he discussed some of those keys, which include handling financial matters on his own. “I don’t let nobody pay nothing for me,” says Khaled, who watched his parents’ business fail because of a […]

ABC/Randy Holmes Watch out, rappers! There’s some new freshmen in town. XXL has unveiled the members of their 2023 Freshman Class, a list of emcees the publication suggests the world should look out for. Included in this year’s class are GloRilla, Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49 and Fridayy. 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC The Don have also made the cut. Interviews with each artist will be […]

Stewart Cook/CBS LL Cool J and Ice-T are learning the stories behind some Hip-Hop Treasures. In their new A&E show, the veteran rappers hunt for some of the genre’s most iconic and sought-after memorabilia alongside field collectors Cipha Sounds and Yo-Yo, and the Universal Hip Hop Museum’s Paradise Gray and Pete Nice. Treasures include Flavor Flav‘s clock, The Notorious B.I.G.’s jersey from the “Juicy” video and more. DMC, Fat […]

Johnny Nunez/WireImage Rapper and podcaster Taxstone was sentenced June 20 for the fatal shooting of rapper Troy Ave‘s bodyguard during a 2016 T.I. concert at Irving Plaza. Billboard reports he was sentenced to 35 years in prison on charges of manslaughter in the first degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree and two counts of criminal […]

Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images Pharrell made his Louis Vuitton debut at a star-studded show that took place Tuesday, June 20, during Paris Men’s Fashion Week. As men’s creative director for the brand, the producer displayed his Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection with help from a choir, an orchestra and his frequent collaborator Jay-Z. Hov joined him onstage to close out […]

Derek Blanks The video for Missy Elliott‘s 1997 hit “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” has been praised as futuristic and innovative, but that was far from the rapper’s mind when she was on set filming. As the cover star of Essence‘s July/August Music print issue, she says she was simply “having fun when doing the videos.” “I never even […]

ABC/Craig Sjodin Latto is a family-oriented person who is particularly close with her mom and sister. Speaking to Cosmopolitan, she says doesn’t “know what I would do without” them. “That’s probably my biggest fear—not having them with me. I go to them when I have any problems,” she says. “I don’t trust other people. So it’s like they’re […]

Yung Miami seemingly responded to backlash regarding a lyric in her teased “Put It On Da Floor” remix. “So I said ‘h** RAP FOR WHAT? this p**** pay the bills!!!” she tweeted. “Cause y’all always saying I can’t rap but I ain’t even gotta rap tho!! LIFE IS GREAT b**** do you see how I’m living??? I ain’t […]