Author: info@rapgriot.com
Two months after Sean “Diddy” Combs, CEO of Bad Boy Entertainment, was found guilty of violating the Mann Act—while being acquitted of the more serious charges of human trafficking and racketeering—his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, has sent an emotional letter to the court urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence. Ahead of Combs’ sentencing, Cassie submitted a three-page victim impact statement to a New York court on Monday, September 29, and obtained by Rolling Stone, pleading with Judge Arun Subramanian to hand down a sentence that reflects “the reality of the evidence and my lived experience as a victim.” The…
J.I.DInterview: Vanessa SattenEditor’s Note: This story appears in the Fall 2025 issue of XXL Magazine, on newsstands now and available for sale on the XXL website.”I want a BET nomination,” J.I.D says when asked about his bucket list. It’s not far-fetched. He already has three Grammy nods and with the way he’s been dropping music, a BET trophy seems feasible. Born Destin Choice Route, the Atlanta native is cemented as one of hip-hop’s premier lyricists, sharpening his pen with every project.Across mixtapes, collabs, EPs and four acclaimed albums—The Never Story (2017), DiCaprio 2 (2018), The Forever Story (2022) and this year’s God Does…
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Mass Appeal has partnered with Marvel to release Legend Has It…, a limited edition comic book series that transforms Hip Hop icons into superhero legends. Inspired by the Legend Has It… album series, the comic pays tribute to seven of New York’s most influential artists: Nas & DJ Premier, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, Big L, De La Soul, and Slick Rick. Written by Brandon Thomas (Black Lightning) and illustrated by Sanford Greene (Doom, Bitter Root), the series blends Marvel’s signature storytelling with Mass Appeal’s deep cultural roots. Each artist is reimagined as a larger-than-life figure…
Diddy and Miles Guo, two high-profile inmates at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, are collaborating on an AI platform to support at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals, according to a letter submitted to the court ahead of Diddy’s sentencing. The unlikely partnership between the Hip-Hop mogul and the convicted Chinese billionaire—also known as Ho Wan Kwok—emerged from shared conversations behind bars, according to a letter Guo sent to the judge presiding over Diddy’s case. The project, as described, would serve young people, ex-offenders, and musicians seeking guidance and a sense of community. “We have spoke about creating programs to take the…
Clipse have unveiled the official video for “The Birds Don’t Sing,” the third release from their acclaimed album Let God Sort Em Out. Directed by Brendan O’Connor, the deeply personal visual was filmed at the Thornton brothers’ family home in Virginia Beach and blends performance with archival footage. The clip begins with Pusha T’s son Nigel placing flowers at his grandparents’ gravesite, setting the tone for a heartfelt tribute. Childhood home videos and family photos are woven together with new footage of Pusha and Malice performing in their family’s living room. The song itself was written as an homage to…
Hip-hop is most distinguished by its lyricism, which has become the most vital aspect of a rapper’s craft. Without it, the classic albums, celebrated songs and innovative wordplay that have been cherished in the culture for decades would not exist.Over time, the art of lyricism has evolved alongside the genre and its artists, but many proven lyricists have remained at the forefront. While there have been countless complaints lately that the MCs who still pride themselves on serving immaculate bars of substance are not getting the proper spotlight and respect they deserve, lyricism is still thriving. In an era of…
Kevin Hart, Kai Cenat, and Druski are officially bringing their comedic chemistry to the big screen with Livestream From Hell, a new horror-comedy announced last night. The reveal came during Kai’s Mafiathon 3 Twitch event, where Hart and Druski surprised fans by appearing live to drop the first look teaser. The announcement drew more than 550,000 live viewers, making it one of the most-watched reveals on Twitch this year. The film follows Hart, Cenat, and Druski as a 24-hour livestream from Hart’s mansion devolves into chaos, turning into a high-stakes murder mystery filled with laughs and suspense. The trio’s partnership…
MARCO PLUS has officially released his viral Mafiathon freestyle to all streaming platforms, giving fans the chance to relive one of the most talked-about moments in recent rap culture. The freestyle first took off during Kai Cenat’s Mafiathon stream in collaboration with On The Radar, instantly becoming a cultural moment. The internet erupted with reactions, as viewers flooded the chat with “Ws” and clips spread across social media. Over a booming beat, MARCO PLUS delivered bars that had the livestream in a frenzy, spitting lines like, “I’m known to be a threat, I’m known to be the best. I’m top…
Bad Bunny is set to electrify the Super Bowl LX halftime stage in Santa Clara, but his headlining gig has drawn a controversial response from the Trump administration, which plans to deploy ICE agents at the event in what it calls a crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Corey Lewandowski, senior adviser at the Department of Homeland Security and longtime Trump ally, confirmed the move during a recent appearance on “The Benny Show,” citing the administration’s aggressive immigration policy as the reason for the operation. “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not…
Xfinity and Unrivaled have announced a landmark multi-year partnership designed to bring smarter access, deeper engagement, and unforgettable experiences to basketball fans nationwide. The collaboration marks Xfinity’s first league-wide partnership in women’s sports, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, connectivity, and the future of fan engagement. Unrivaled, the groundbreaking player-founded and owned league, has quickly become a force in sports by spotlighting athletes and reimagining how fans connect with the game. For Xfinity, the move reflects its dedication to supporting the long-term growth of women’s basketball and women’s sports at large. “As a brand committed to delivering the ultimate experience for…