NBA YoungBoy is pulling back the curtain on the thinking behind MASA, his latest project, during a recent interview with Complex. The title—short for Make America Slime Again—signals a philosophy rooted more in authority and allegiance than traditional politics. Asked to explain it, the Baton Rouge rapper put it plainly: “Follow whatever Trump applying. Enforce whatever Trump’s applying.” At just 26, and coming off a year where he was widely hailed as Best Rapper Alive, NBA YoungBoy continues to position himself as both a musical force and a cultural lightning rod. Pressed further about any personal ties to President Donald Trump, he chose not to go there. Still, the sentiment has appeared before in his music, and it functions more as symbolism than policy. Earlier this year, on the track “XXX,” he rapped, “Whatever Trump doin’, b*tch it’s good for the youngins (All Hail Trump).” The lyric fits within a broader pattern in his work. Therefore, power, loyalty, and survival are recurring themes rather than ideological endorsements. NBA YoungBoy explains his “Make America Slime Again” album title: “Follow whatever Trump applying… In every way… Enforce whatever Trump’s applying. That’s it.” (via @jrosethereturn / @ComplexMusic) pic.twitter.com/5Y9PnLzcm1 — Kurrco (@Kurrco) January 20, 2026 NBA YoungBoy Expands Into Film with Documentary Debut The conversation arrives as NBA YoungBoy widens his creative footprint beyond music. He recently launched a production company, 38 Films, marking a deliberate move into film and long-form storytelling. The company’s first project is a documentary developed with Foundation Media Partners that will chronicle his life and career. It is directed by Nico Ballesteros, who is known for In Whose Name?. The film aims to capture the artist outside the confines of headlines and chart positions. Patrick Hughes, the chief executive of Foundation Media Partners, framed the project succinctly: “NBA YoungBoy is not just an artist; he’s a cultural force.” The documentary, Hughes said, is intended to present an unfiltered look at that influence. The film follows the release of Slime Cry, YoungBoy’s ninth studio album, which kept his momentum firmly intact. With new ventures taking shape, his next chapter appears poised to extend well beyond music alone.

A$AP Rocky is set to hit the road worldwide in support of his newly released album, Don’t Be Dumb. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he shared the story behind collaborating with iconic filmmaker Tim Burton on the album’s cover, giving fans a glimpse into the creative process behind the visuals. Rocky recounted the persistence it took to secure Burton’s involvement, joking that he had to “stalk and harass” the director over several years. Reflecting on their meeting, he said, “I reached out to him and said, ‘I’d love to hang out and share some vibes.’ After hitting him up in Malibu during his break, I played him an early version of the album. He seemed to really connect with it.” Rocky ultimately asked Burton to illustrate the cover, and while the director agreed, his work on projects like Wednesday and Beetlejuice 2 meant the timeline would stretch. A particularly touching moment occurred when Rocky noticed a half-finished sketch on Burton’s table. Burton explained that he engages in this creative practice with his daughter every morning, blending artistry with family bonding. Rocky described the gesture as meaningful, viewing it as a symbol of care, creativity, and mentorship. A$AP Rocky speaks on how he got Tim Burton to do the album cover for ‘DON’T BE DUMB’: “I had to basically stalk and harass him for a few years.” (via The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) pic.twitter.com/WHqi6aGiW5 — Kurrco (@Kurrco) January 20, 2026 Music Videos and Tour Announcement In tandem with these insights, Rocky released a dual music video for “WHISKEY” and “BLACK DEMARCO,” featuring Burton’s illustrations and artistic influence. The video’s release coincided with the announcement of the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour, which will span 42 dates across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom in 2026. The tour marks a major chapter in Rocky’s career, offering fans the chance to experience his latest work live. With anticipation building, the series of performances promises to blend music, storytelling, and visual artistry, solidifying Rocky’s reputation as both a musical innovator and a cultural force.

Ski Mask The Slump God promises always to remember his late best friend and fellow Members Only rapper XXXTentacion’s legacy, whether fans like it or not. On Jan. 17, 2026, the Florida rapper took to his Instagram Story to address criticism from fans who claim he leans too heavily on XXXTentacion’s music during his live shows. The comments struck a nerve, prompting Ski to clarify his setlists, defend his performance record, and explain why honoring his late friend remains central to his shows. “N***as talking about I only play X at my shows,” Ski wrote, opening with a blunt rebuttal. Ski Mask the Slump God goes off on fans complaining that he only plays XXXTENTACION’s music at his shows “N****s talking about I only play X at my shows n***a if you was informed you would know I play 100 of my songs before that, my bad my best friend who I made the most music… pic.twitter.com/V9dBkghSA3 — Wost (@mosthiphop) January 19, 2026 He quickly challenged that perception. “If you was informed you would known I play 100 of my songs before that,” he added, suggesting critics were speaking without firsthand knowledge. According to Ski, the narrative ignores the breadth of his catalog and the structure of his performances. Ski Mask The Slump God has released two full-length studio albums. The most emotional moment came when he addressed XXXTentacion’s death. “My bad my best friend who I made the most music with passed and I want to keep his name alive,” Ski wrote. Ski Mask The Slump God Rips Fans Complaining About His Members Only Friend XXXTentacion Tribute Before His Shows The statement underscored the bond between the two artists, who rose together as core members of the Members Only collective. For Ski, performing X’s music functions as tribute, not dependence, and reflects a shared history that shaped both careers. Ski also responded to claims questioning his live show credibility. “I also seen someone say someone saved me from performing at Rolling Loud,” he wrote, before firing back, “show me one Rolling Loud set that I don’t have the whole crowd jumping.” He framed crowd reaction as the real metric, not online chatter. XXXTentacion and Ski Mask The Slump God frequently toured together early in their career. He further rejected claims that his popularity has declined. “I sell out all my solo tours 3 to 4k people buddy,” Ski said, dismissing talk of smaller venues. “They said I probably do 500 people venues,” he added, calling the idea disconnected from reality. Ski closed with a wider point about taste and respect. “Music is subjective,” he wrote, comparing fan bias to dismissing artists like Taylor Swift despite clear success. His final line, “When I drop all year. I don’t want to hear you cop pleas either,” signaled confidence going forward. The message blended frustration with loyalty, showing Ski Mask defending his present while preserving XXXTentacion’s legacy.

Nicki Minaj had some choice words for Don Lemon, following his reporting on an anti-ICE protest in a Minnesota church. On Sunday (Jan.18), protestors stormed a Minnesota church after it was revealed that its pastor had alleged ties to the federal agency. Don Lemon, who had been reporting via his livestream, confronted that pastor about his connections to the group. Not long after the clip began to circulate online, it somehow reached Nicki Minaj’s timeline, and she slammed the long-time journalist. Minaj called Lemon a disgusting “c*cksucker” and demanded he be thrown in jail. “DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU?” she wrote in an X post. I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!” Lemon told TMZ he’s not “surprised” about Nicki’s actions. “[She] does not understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity.” DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!! pic.twitter.com/xoQBl9KDJY — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 19, 2026 Nicki Minaj Slams Gavin Newsom At Turning Point Event This isn’t the first time Nicki Minaj has used her platform to defend her beliefs. The rapper recently slammed Gov.Gavin Newsom during her appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest. Throughout her conversation with Erica Kirk, the wife of late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, Nicki Minaj discussed her ongoing beef with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Minaj specifically commented on Newsom’s support for gender affirming care for transgender youth. Not long ago, during an appearance on The Ezra Klein Show, Newsom said, “I want to see trans kids…I have a trans godson. There’s no governor who has signed more pro-trans legislation than I have. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBTQ community.” During the event, Minaj decided to re-read one of her X posts where she criticized Newsom. “Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids, haha, not even a trans adult would run on that,” she read. “Normal adults wake up and think they want to see healthy, safe, happy kids — not Gav.”

Rihanna has joined the chat and wants to let people know she’s riding behind her man, A$AP Rocky. The FENTY Beauty founder recently commented under a post of the rapper performing his new song, “STOLE YA FLOW,” where he supposedly takes shots at Drake. Rocky had recently headlined Amazon Music’s new live docu-performance series, Songline. Judging by Ri’s comment, she is in full support of the track. “I meaaaannnn….!!!!” she wrote. “First you stole my flow, so I stole yo’ b*tch,” Rocky raps. “I can’t trust a soul, just my pole and my kids/Swear to never lie, cross my heart, hope to die, uh/Then I sold the switch, then I hit it with a kiss, mwah.” Following the release of his long-awaited album Don’t Be Dumb, fans quickly zeroed in on the track, with many interpreting certain lyrics as a possible shot at the Toronto rapper. However, Rocky has now made it clear that the song was not intended as a diss. In a recent interview, the Harlem rapper explained that “Stole Ya Flow” isn’t about Drake specifically. When asked if it can be confirmed he was dissing Drake, Rocky explained, “It’s for whoever feels like it’s about them.” Rihanna post a comment on A$AP Rocky’s diss track “STOLE YA FLOW” “I meaaaannnn….!!!!” pic.twitter.com/2ie13n1Bgs — DailyRapFacts (@DailyRapFacts) January 17, 2026 A$AP Rocky Calls Himself Rihanna’s Husband; Fans Can’t Get Enough In other news, during a recent interview with Perfect, Rocky details where his happiness lies these days. “I think peace really makes me happy. Being a father and a partner and a loving husband in my family is what makes me really, really happy. I hope this doesn’t sound cliché, and I would hate if it does, because that’s what honestly does get me going.” He continues, “Being able to express myself creatively, being able to be a family man, and being able to be an artisan. It doesn’t matter what hat I wear that day, it’s just about being able to give it my all and do these things.” This isn’t the first time Rocky hinted at potential wedding bells between the two. During a previous interview with Elle Magazine, Rocky asked the reporter, “How do you know I’m not already a husband? I’m still not gonna confirm it,” which left fans wondering.

On Monday (Jan. 19), Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino brand, passed away at the age of 93. TMZ reports the news was confirmed by the designer’s foundation, which shared an official statement via Instagram. According to the post, Garavani died, surrounded by family in his residence in Rome, Italy. A formal “lying in state” or viewing will take place at the PM23 on both Wednesday, Jan. 21st, and Thursday, Jan. 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd, at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome, at 11 a.m. Born in the Italian province of Pavia in 1932, Garavani’s interest in fashion began early. His love only grew after he became an apprentice for his aunt, a local designer. He would go on to found one of the most prominent fashion houses in Italy and later the world in 1960. View this post on Instagram “Since I was a child, I loved the way a dress looks,” Garavani said in an interview During an interview, he spoke about being a young designer in Paris and revealed that while he thought his designs were “quite good,” he never thought he’d reach the level of stardom he did. “My dear, when you start it’s quite difficult to dream for everybody. But of course you have aspirations. I did a very important collection in 1968 and I realized that I was quite good. All the magazines and everybody came to visit me. I became quite well known for my glamour and my femininity and women started to love my clothes.” He also spoke about how much “beauty” inspired him as a creator. “Beauty is the most important. Since I was a child I loved the way a dress looks, I admired a great face, a lovely body. I enjoy the beauty in a woman, in a man, in a child, in a painting. Beautiful things are important and make life important. Since I was a kid I’ve been encouraging myself to appreciate beauty.”

Gervonta “Tank” Davis has been stripped of his World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title following the issuance of an arrest warrant tied to an alleged domestic violence incident, according to multiple reports. The WBA announced that Davis has been removed from his status as active champion and reclassified as “Champion in Recess” after authorities in Miami Gardens, Florida, issued a warrant for his arrest. The decision effectively vacates the title as the boxing organization assesses next steps, which could include ordering a fight between top contenders to crown a new champion. The arrest warrant stems from allegations made by a woman identified in court filings as Davis’s former girlfriend. She accused the undefeated boxer of assaulting her during an incident at a Miami-area venue in October 2025. The charges listed in the warrant reportedly include battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping. Law enforcement officials have stated that efforts are ongoing to locate Davis. Davis has not publicly addressed the warrant or the allegations as of this writing. His legal team has also not issued a formal statement. The legal developments have already had significant ramifications for Davis’s boxing career. A high-profile exhibition bout scheduled for later this year was reportedly canceled following the emergence of the allegations and subsequent criminal investigation. Widely regarded as one of boxing’s most explosive stars, Davis has held multiple world titles across different weight classes and entered the situation with an unblemished professional record. However, the uncertainty surrounding his legal status now places his future in the sport in question. The WBA stated that further action regarding the lightweight division will be determined as the case progresses.

This is not a drill. After nearly five years, T.I. is back. Not only is he sporting a new look, but he’s also ready to drop new music. On Sunday (Jan.18), T.I. shared a clip to his social media accounts of him in the barbershop, getting his locks cut off. “It’s time,” he says in the clip. The rapper is then seen sporting his iconic low fade haircut. The video then cuts to a shot of him rapping while standing up in a moving car, before the screen cuts to black and reads “T.I. IS BACK.” The new track, which appears to be called “Let Em’ Know,” has no official release date as of yet. According to Vice Magazine, Pharrell Williams is behind the production. Judging by the comment section, fans are more than excited to hear the Atlanta native return to his Trap Muzik roots. “YOU GOT THIS KING! LETSSSS GOOOO!” one fan wrote on X. He’s Baaaaaaack!!!!!!#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/CzRWypDDzG — T.I. (@Tip) January 18, 2026 T.I. Previews New Track, “Let Em’ Know” Another fan jokingly reminded T.I. that if he’s going to bring back the old T.I., he needs to complete his signature look by tipping a hat to the side of his head. “Now hang that hat off the side of your head…” they wrote. One person noted that while they were a fan of his comedy, they were happy to see him return to music. “I f*cked with your comedy TIP. I still wanna see you do comedy. But I’m glad you’re back in the booth… Rap needs you nigga. It’s terrible out here! Can’t wait to hear that HEAT!!!” they commented. The rapper’s last project, The L.I.B.R.A., was released in October 2020. Guest appearances on the project ranged from 21 Savage and Benny the Butcher to Killer Mike and comedian Ms. Pat. Following its release, it landed in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 at No.18. It also cracked the top 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at No.9. The new single, “Let Em’ Know,” is expected to appear on his upcoming album, Kill the King, which is expected to drop later this year.

Kianna Underwood, who starred in both Nickelodeon’s All That series and Little Bill, was reportedly killed in a horrific hit-and-run, according to NYPD officials. Sources close to the situation told TMZ that Kianna was left “motionless” in the street after being dragged under a vehicle for nearly two blocks. According to the outlet, the call went out early Friday (Jan.16). When EMS and police officials arrived, the former actress was announced dead on the scene. Underwood was only 33 years old at the time of her death. Back in 2023, a video posted to social media showed a former co-star of Underwood’s revealing that the actress had been homeless for quite some time. While she never called out anyone by name, she accused Nickelodeon and other castmates of not helping the star despite portraying “one big family.” Jonathan Lipnicki and Kianna Underwood during Hairspray Opening Night Los Angeles – After Party at Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) Kianna Underwood’s Father Speaks Out: “Did anyone try to comfort my baby?” No arrests have been made so far. NBC News recently reported that Underwood had been crossing the street in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn. NYPD officials say she was initially hit by a black SUV, then struck again by a black-and-gray sedan. “The operators of the vehicles did not remain on scene,” said the NYPD in a recent statement. The late actress’ father hopped on Facebook, questioning if she had been left to “die in the street alone.” He added, “Did anyone try to comfort my baby…or did they just stand around with their phones?” The post was only shared with close family and friends. So far, no other family members have spoken up about the horrific incident. The NY Post obtained footage of the moment where a car can be seen traveling nearly a block before Underwood’s body tumbles from underneath.