Yandy Smith-Harris has seemingly sent shots at her estranged husband, Mendeecees, who announced their split a few weeks back. On Friday (Dec.26), Smith-Harris hopped on her Instagram Story, sharing two posts that seemingly offered a peek into the Love & Hip Hop alum’s state of mind. One post read, “Now I finally understand the difference between people who love me, people who love to be around me, and people who love what I can do for them.” The second post reads, “‘You’re quieter now,’ I heard my business from people that I didn’t tell.” Awhile back, during an episode of Yung Joc And The Streetz Morning Takeover, Mendeecees addressed the couple’s estranged relationship. Rumors of infidelity on both their behalfs have often been discussed online and even on the popular reality series. He was specifically romantically linked to singer Tamar Braxton. Rumors have suggested they’ve been separated for some time and were, in fact, getting a divorce. However, according to Mendeecees, that’s not the case. “We not together. We was never legally married, so [we’re not getting divorce],” he said. instagram.com/yandysmith instagram.com/yandysmith “I didn’t do it for TV. It was Yandy’s idea,” Mendeecees Says According to Mendeecees, the elaborate wedding filmed on Love & Hip Hop was solely for show. “In the beginning, I was going through legal battles with courts and fines, and she said, ‘Let’s not sign the papers.’ I was like, all right, cool. Then it kind of just stayed that way.” He continued: “Then we got married again, and we still didn’t sign. If I look back now and see what people go through with divorce, assets, all that, we don’t got to go through none of that. You know what I’m saying? It kind of worked out.” Despite being together for over two decades, the pair just can’t seem to “get on the same page,” he says. According to him, they’ve been split up for over a year. Still, Mendeecees looks back fondly on their relationship, saying, “After 20 years, that person helped change who you are. I matured in so many ways being with Yandy. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn’t for her.” He added, “She made me look at family different. She made me look at life different. If you saw how closed off I was before, I wouldn’t even be sitting here having this conversation.”

Tyler Perry has been hit with another lawsuit from a second accuser, TMZ reports. According to the outlet, Boo! A Madea Halloween actor, Mario Rodriguez, accused Perry of making unwanted sexual advances, including groping, multiple times. On Thursday (Dec.26), Rodriguez filed the suit in a California courtroom listing Perry and Lionsgate Films as the defendants. The model and actor claims he met the director back in 2015, after a gym trainer approached him and offered to connect him with the director. Later that same day, Rodriguez says he and Perry discussed a script he was working on (which ultimately became Boo! A Madea Halloween), as well as a possible role for him. Despite noting he didn’t have acting experience, he says Perry told him, “You know, Mario, I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.” In one interaction, Rodriguez claimed that after being invited into Perry’s home, they were drinking and headed down to his home theater. While there, the actor claims Perry “rubbed his shoulders and chest while moaning sexually.” ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 02: Tyler Perry speaks onstage during the Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy Atlanta screening at Regal Atlantic Station on November 02, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Amazon) lawsuit claims Perry made several unwanted advances toward actor Not long after, Rodriguez left. On the other hand, in the lawsuit, he claims Perry was never inappropriate during production. However, once filming wrapped, he says, despite Perry initially inviting him over to discuss future roles, things took a turn, and he asked several sexually charged questions. In another startling allegation, the actor claims Perry, once again, invited him over to discuss career opportunities. Shortly after his arrival, Rodriguez claims that Perry offered him fellatio before trying to reach into his underwear and grab his penis. Following the incident, he claims Perry offered him $5,000 and an apology. There was another occasion where Rodriguez says Perry grabbed his hand and forced him to touch his penis. As he got up to leave, Perry offered him another $5,000. The model and actor are suing for “sexual assault, sexual battery, and emotional distress,” and seeks punitive damages of at least $77,000,000. Perry’s attorney, Alex Shapiro, told TMZ that Rodriguez’s account was nothing more than a “money grab.” He added, “Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago, which will also be a failed money grab.”

In 2025, music producers are no longer confined to studios, cities, or even genres. The modern producer is global, independent, tech-savvy, and culturally fluent- shaping sounds that move effortlessly from TikTok to radio to international charts. As music as a whole continues to evolve, Producer WorldWideFresh is calling attention to the 2025 trends that drove the culture forward. Photo Credit: WorldWideFresh Akil King, professionally known as WorldWideFresh—or simply Fresh—is a 16-time Grammy-nominated, four-time Grammy-winning songwriter and producer whose impact reaches far beyond his Brooklyn roots. Raised in Brownsville, Fresh turned humble beginnings into a global career, amassing over 100 million records sold, more than 5 billion streams, and 944 songwriting and production credits to date. View this post on Instagram Fresh has contributed to No. 1 albums and singles across nearly every major global genre, including R&B, pop, hip-hop, Afrobeats, reggae, K-pop, country, and Latin music. His pen and production have shaped defining moments in modern culture—from Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning “Black Parade” to Coi Leray’s global hit “Players,” and Doechii’s viral smash “What It Is.” Fresh talks 2025 music trends: How would you describe the sound of 2025?  The sound of 2025 can be summed up in one word: R&B. It was the year the genre fully re-centered itself as the emotional and creative backbone of music again. What textures, rhythms, or creative approaches defined this year for you?  This year was about getting back to the core of music authenticity, originality, and intention. Creating from the heart, for the art, rather than chasing money, metrics, or popularity. The focus shifted back to feeling. What was the biggest production trend you noticed in 2025, and how did it influence your own work? Music returning to the core root of the late 90s early to mid 2000s feel. It’s like music went ahead just to come back again. Pretty much history repeating itself.  Did you see any unexpected sonic shifts this year sounds, genres, or techniques that suddenly took off?  The unexpected sonic shifts that I noticed this year was the ability to blend edgy hip hop drums over melodic R&B rhythms. Which leads to the genre that took off unexpectedly, R&B music. The 2 main acts the helped restore & rebirth that was Leon Thomas and Kehlani. Which artist or project did you work on this year that best represents where music is headed?  There were a number of projects I worked on that best represented where Music is headed today wine, Honey Bxby’s “Raw Honey”, 2. Elmiene “Heat the Streets” 3. 4batz “Still Shining” 4. Josh Levy “Hydraulic” which is showing that there was going to be a huge explosion in R&B music in 2026. And these four artists are all young R&B trailblazers in their own right, that are setting the stage for a huge explosion in R&B music in 2026.  View this post on Instagram 
How did regional sounds—NY drill, Jersey club, Afro-fusion, ATL trap, West Coast bounce—evolve in your opinion?  I believe New York drill has evolved since Cash Cobain has put his spin on it and develop sexy drill. I think jersey club music has evolved since the birth of Zeddy Will he makes Jersey club music fun again and makes people wanna dance and enjoy themselves carefree like they used to.  Afro fusion has evolved because now different genres of artist are putting their spin on afro beat music. Which is making it more popular to the masses.  Atl trap music has evolved since Metro Boomin. Who’s one of my favorite producers has returned ATL trap music back to its regional space. Helping new acts break to top 40 heights such as YKNiece With record like “take me through there”.  West Coast bounce has evolved since the return of Kendrick Lamar helping to not just evolve the music but evolve, new artist and producers simultaneously.  View this post on Instagram Has AI-assisted production or new plugins change your workflow? If so, how? Yes, AI production and plugins helped with workflow when I was able to go to the studio create a song for an artist that I love and instead of waiting for the particular artist to record the record use an AI plug-in to take the likeness of that artist and allow me to hear what it would sounds like with The Artists voice.  Were there any creative risks you took this year that felt different from previous years? The creative risk I took this year was not chasing the more established artist and investing my time in artist developing and helping to build and break new acts such as Honey Bxby, Zeddy Will, and Wesley Franklin.  How have TikTok, Reels, or short-form platforms influenced how producers approach making records in 2025?  I believe it has influenced producers on their approach of making music in 2025. It is simply the the greatest tool to measure & gauge what the kids are into. I believe it’s a direct indicator to what children love the most about music and most times believe it or not TikTok actually trends with great music that people like and not just trendy music sound bites or click bait.  What sounds or trends do you think will dominate and re-emerge in 2026? The sounds that will dominate in 2026 is R&B music and hip-hop music will make a comeback. K-pop music is going to get bigger and I believe we are going to see more boy and girl bands in 2026. I also believe Hip Hop is going to make a come back because it is in the reset phase. I think we’ll see the return of Drake dominating, more great music from future, 21 savage and also new acts like JID & BIG Xthe plug.  Heading into 2026, my focus is on creative dominance and legacy. WorldwideFresh is positioned to become one of the top five leading producers in the industry, with a strong presence across radio and streaming platforms. At the same time, I’m building Money Well Spent Records alongside

Akademiks believes that the rap industry’s fixation with high streaming numbers has given way to the internet streamer boom. During a recent stream, the podcaster shared his views on why he thinks “rappers are competing with streamers.” Streamers such as Kai Cenat, Adin Ross, and N3on, have all had rappers on their platforms. “Rappers made a huge mistake in the last two years,” Akademiks said. “When they were chasing numbers, they all went to streamers. You’ve got to understand, the rapper collab with the streamers is what got these guys to record levels of clout.” Akademiks went on to say that Tory Lanez appeared on Adin Ross’ livestream in 2021, two years before he was sentenced to a decade in prison. “These streamers on their way to whatever clout level they get to. They collaborate with rappers, but overall the end result is that it helped the streamers more than they help the rappers,” he continued. Ak also believes that hip-hop artists have “handed their audience over to discover these streamers.” “I do believe that streamers have done a great job to extract the attention of potential fans away from the rappers,” Ak said. “Now to the fact that the rapper have to show up to the streamers’ bedroom to try to get the attention back, expect, fans are making a hard choice.” “We’re buying into personality over this coolness factor and music that is hit-or-miss,” he concluded.

Nicki Minaj is planning to keep a low profile in 2026. Following her surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, Minaj has deactivated her Instagram account. Walking out with Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Minaj lauded President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance as “role models” for young men. ​“This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them. Our vice president makes me … well, I love both of them,” Minaj said. “Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.” “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president. I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope,” Minaj continued. Minaj said she decided to follow Trump because she “got tired of being pushed around.” “I have something inside of me that’s stronger than what’s out there. So when you’ve had enough, you realize, ‘Wait a minute, why do I even care about these people and what they think? Who are they?’ They don’t even know who they are,” Minaj continued.  “So I’m not going to back down anymore. I’m not going to back down ever again.” Minaj also mocked California Gov. Gavin Newsom, calling him “New-scum”, a nickname Trump gave the California governor. But it wasn’t long before Minaj made a major gaffe, calling Vance an “assassin.” “You have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president,” Minaj said before realizing her choice of words. Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University in September. She covered her mouth with her palm, showing her embarrassment. “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman,” said Erika Kirk, coming to Minaj’s defense. “Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard, so you’re fine… I love you. You have to laugh about it truly,” Kirk told Minaj. “You say what you want to say, because I know your heart and I will not judge that.”

Tyrese Gibson prepares for 2026 with a message rooted in faith, reflection, and spiritual intention. On December 24, the R&B singer and actor shared a lengthy post on X, formerly Twitter, that read more like a prayer than a typical social media update. The message arrived just days after his emotional, widely circulated interview with famed pastor T.D. Jakes, offering deeper insight into where Gibson says his heart and spirit are headed. “Dear Heavenly Father, as I stand at the doorway of 2026, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ,” Gibson wrote, immediately framing the upcoming year as a moment of transition. Dear Heavenly Father, as I stand at the doorway of 2026, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ. Before this new year fully unfolds, I place my life, my family, my work, and my future into Your hands. Go before me, and destroy every plan of darkness set against my life.… — Tyrese Gibson (@Tyrese) December 25, 2025 By placing himself at the “doorway” of 2026, he positioned the future as a reset rather than a continuation of past struggles. He went on to offer “my life, my family, my work, and my future” to God, signaling a desire for wholeness and alignment after years marked by public scrutiny and personal challenges. Throughout the post, Gibson leaned into language of spiritual protection and release. He asked God to “destroy every plan of darkness set against my life” and declared that “every curse that tried to follow me from previous years is stopped here.” He continued, “Every negative word, every repeated pattern, every hidden plan meant to delay my progress or steal my peace is cancelled now,” framing past pain as something he refuses to carry forward. Tyrese Gibson Delivers A Prayer For His Enemies Before 2026 One of the most striking lines, “What was sent to weaken me will not enter 2026 with me,” reads as a clear boundary. The sentiment echoes themes Gibson discussed with Jakes, including endurance, faith, and surviving judgment without losing oneself. Rather than naming specific people or moments, he used spiritual language to address what he later described as “the enemy.” Gibson’s declarations for the year ahead carried that same clarity. “I declare that 2026 will not be marked by struggle, but by direction; not by heaviness, but by freedom; not by curses, but by the blessing of God,” he wrote, emphasizing intention over reaction. He closed with an invitation: “Type ‘God is great’ to disappoint the enemy!” The call transformed the prayer into a shared moment, inviting followers into collective affirmation. Gibson’s post reflected renewal, not retaliation. It was a statement of faith, peace, and resolve, offering a reminder that healing can be both personal and communal.

North West didn’t just celebrate Christmas this year. She set the internet off. The 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West shared photos and video showing off custom diamond grillz, instantly pulling hip-hop culture, celebrity parenting, and youth expression into the same frame. The top-row grillz came courtesy of Houston legend Johnny Dang, the jeweler whose work has long defined rap luxury aesthetics. #NorthWest got a iced out grill by Johnny Dang for Christmas pic.twitter.com/lD7HzgAHT3 — TeaWithTia (@RealTeaWithTia) December 26, 2025 In the images, North posed with teal-dyed hair, long acrylic nails, and the kind of confidence usually reserved for artists twice her age. A short dancing clip put the diamonds front and center, letting them catch the light as the post traveled fast across social media. Fans flooded the comments praising her self-assurance, creativity, and fearless visual identity. Supporters framed the moment as a young star experimenting with style while growing up inside one of the most famous families on the planet. Many described the look as playful and expressive. Others pointed out that North has spent her entire life in public view, making performance feel second nature. Not everyone was on board. Critics questioned whether diamond grillz were appropriate for a 12-year-old. North West Receives New Grill By Johnny Dang For Christmas Some comments shifted focus toward Kardashian and West’s parenting choices. Others raised concerns about dental health, citing potential gum irritation and enamel damage. Several voices called for more privacy for celebrity kids navigating adulthood in real time. The reaction echoed familiar debates around North’s public image. Previous appearances featuring temporary grillz, bleached eyebrows, and fake tattoos sparked similar conversations. Each moment split audiences between admiration and discomfort. Creativity versus exposure remains the core tension. Kim Kardashian has addressed those criticisms in the past, describing North’s fashion experiments as harmless self-expression. She has repeatedly said creativity is encouraged at home, with parental supervision and boundaries in place. Still, the court of public opinion stays loud. Johnny Dang’s involvement amplified the conversation. Known as the “King of Bling,” Dang has crafted grillz for hip-hop’s biggest names. His work carries cultural weight, rooted in Southern rap history. Seeing his designs on a celebrity child pushed the moment beyond aesthetics. For some, North’s grillz honored that lineage. For others, age overshadowed cultural context. That tension is unavoidable when fame arrives before adolescence. North West continues to grow up under a global microscope. Holiday moments become cultural debates. Style choices become statements. Her Christmas post proved that once again. Whether viewed as bold expression or premature spectacle, the image stuck. It wasn’t just about diamonds. It was about how hip-hop culture, fame, and youth collide in real time.

Florida rapper and Rick Ross protege Nino Breeze is free on bond after surrendering to federal authorities on a marijuana conspiracy charge, allowing him to spend the holiday season at home while the case proceeds, according to statements from his attorneys. View this post on Instagram Nino Breeze, a Tampa native, turned himself in Monday to U.S. Marshals at the federal courthouse in Tampa. Federal prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, a felony offense that carries potential prison exposure if proven at trial. The surrender occurred days before Christmas. Defense attorneys Bradford Cohen and Mark Rankin confirmed that Nino Breeze appeared before a federal judge later the same day. Following the hearing, the court authorized his release on bond. The judge ordered a $100,000 cash bond and required an additional $100,000 in property as collateral to secure his release. During the hearing, the judge addressed the defendant directly, referencing his growing music career and public profile. The court encouraged him to continue pursuing his profession while complying with all court conditions as the case moves forward. The ruling allowed Nino Breeze to return home ahead of the holidays rather than remain in pretrial detention. His attorneys framed the decision as an important step while they prepare their defense. Rick Ross Protege Nino Breeze Arrested In Florida On Marijuana Possession “Nino will be home for Christmas,” Cohen and Rankin said in a statement. “We look forward to examining the evidence and reaching a fruitful resolution through trial.” The charge arrives as Nino Breeze continues to build momentum within the music industry. He is currently signed to Maybach Music Group, the record label founded by rapper Rick Ross. The label released Nino Breeze’s most recent EP earlier this summer, marking a notable milestone in his career. Rick Ross has not commented publicly on the federal case. However, the artist and his label remain central to Nino Breeze’s professional trajectory. The signing positioned the rapper as an emerging figure within Florida’s hip-hop scene. Earlier this year, Nino Breeze and Ross appeared together in a widely circulated interview unrelated to the case. The appearance highlighted their professional relationship amid growing attention around the artist. Federal marijuana conspiracy cases typically turn on evidence of coordination, intent, and distribution activity. Prosecutors must establish participation in an agreement to distribute controlled substances. Defense strategies often focus on challenging the scope of the alleged conspiracy and the reliability of government evidence. Nino Breeze has not issued a public statement regarding the charge. His legal team has remained focused on court proceedings rather than media commentary. For now, the rapper remains free under court supervision. The case remains pending in federal court in Florida.

Serena Williams expressed her congratulations to Venus on her recent marriage to Andrea Preti. Taking to Instagram, Serena shared her love for her sister and new brother-in-law. “My sister’s keeper,” Serena began the lengthy caption. “Venus, where do I even begin?” “From the backyard courts to the biggest stages in the world, you’ve always led with grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy. Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise. Steady, powerful, and full of promise,” Serena continued. View this post on Instagram She went on to describe Venus as her best friend. “You’ve been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose. Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant. It means everything to me. To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day. I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always.” Venus and Andrea Preti have officially said their “I do’s” in two separate weddings. The couple met at a Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week in 2024 and became engaged in early 2025. They first exchanged vows in an intimate, non-legally binding ceremony on September 18 in Ischia, Italy.  “We didn’t have enough time to do the paperwork,” Williams told  Vogue.“Because I’m a foreigner, it can take about eight months. So we decided to have a second wedding.” To finalize their union legally, they hosted a lavish five-day celebration in mid-December 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. The festivities kicked off on Monday with a luxurious yacht day, a gift from Serena. “We were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other,” Venus shared. The week included a boudoir-style bridal shower, an Asian fusion dinner, and a Beyoncé-filled dance party. Then they set off for Miami for an intimate Italian dinner followed by a sports day featuring tennis, volleyball, dodgeball, and pickleball.

It appears that Joe Budden and Nicki Minaj’s long-time association has come to an end following Minaj’s appearance at the latest Turning Point USA event with Erika Kirk. Budden announced the decision on a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast after clips of the event began circulating online. The New Jersey rapper’s co-hosts would agree with the decision. Minaj appeared onstage at the conservative conference alongside Erika Kirk, the wife of the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The appearance quickly drew attention across hip-hop and political spaces, prompting debate about Minaj’s increasingly visible alignment with MAGA-affiliated figures. Budden said he received multiple phone calls alerting him to Minaj’s participation before he watched the footage himself. After seeing the clips, he said his response was final. “I’m out. I’m done. That was it,” Budden said. He described the moment as “the last candle on the cake,” signaling the end of any public support or personal engagement. Joe Budden says he is cutting all ties with Nicki Minaj after she appeared on stage with Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest pic.twitter.com/lxV8f8zlt7 — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) December 24, 2025 Budden emphasized that his reaction was not impulsive. He said Minaj had time to consider the implications of appearing at the event and how it would be received by her audience. According to Budden, the optics alone made the decision difficult to reconcile. He also criticized Turning Point USA directly, arguing that its political positions conflict with the values historically associated with Minaj’s music and fan base. “I don’t even know how much of this conversation I could have,” Budden said. “They’re so anti-transgender, which is confusing to me because I’ve been to the Nicki concert.” Joe Budden Says He’s Done With Nicki Minaj After Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest With Erika Kirk Budden said the disconnect between Minaj’s past messaging and the event’s ideology felt impossible to ignore. He described his reaction as disappointment rather than surprise. “Sometimes how y’all move out there does affect how I view you,” he said, adding that he would be “a fool” to believe Minaj had not anticipated backlash. He went further, labeling the appearance “anti-Black” and saying it felt chaotic and out of step with hip-hop culture. Budden framed his decision as a matter of principle rather than publicity. The comments come as Minaj faces growing scrutiny for her recent political signaling. She has not publicly responded to Budden’s remarks or addressed the AmericaFest appearance. As debate continues, the episode underscores broader tensions within hip-hop over politics, identity, and public alignment.