Coi Leray is revisiting her 2023 tension with fellow rapper Latto, revealing that the situation eventually turned physical. During an interview on The Jason Lee Show, Leray discussed Latto’s “Put It on Da Floor,” which included a reference to her name. Leray said she disliked being pulled into what she viewed as an online rap beef, explaining that she did not want her name used for “clickbait” or clout. According to Leray, the conflict later escalated into a physical altercation with Latto’s sister, Brooklyn. Leray said the two eventually exchanged blows during an encounter behind the scenes, claiming she refractured her knee during the incident. She described the confrontation as a situation in which both women swung at each other. Leray’s comments provide new details about a feud that had previously played out largely through music and social media.  Meanwhile, Leray appears to be preparing for her next album. In a cinematic social-media video styled as a press conference, reporters ask the rapper what comes next, prompting her to respond simply, “My album.” She did not reveal a title, release date, tracklist or featured artists. The project would mark her first full-length album since Coi, released in June 2023, following her Lemon Cars and What Happened to Forever? EPs.

Jill Scott has postponed the final four U.S. dates of her To Whom This May Concern tour after testing positive for COVID-19. The Grammy-winning singer announced the news August 30, explaining that what doctors initially believed was a minor virus had developed into COVID-19. Although Scott said she felt OK, she decided to reschedule the performances out of concern for the health and safety of fans, crew and others.  Scott later reflected on her celebrated career during Billboard’s 2026 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players celebration on September 9. During a panel at Billboard House moderated by Kyle Denis, she discussed co-writing The Roots’ “You Got Me,” lessons from her landmark debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, and the challenges of touring in 2026 behind To Whom This May Concern. She also discussed the newly released third installment of the Why Did I Get Married? film franchise. The celebration culminated with Scott’s induction into Billboard’s R&B Hall of Fame later that evening. Reflecting on the honor, she described feeling shocked, grateful and excited, adding that she never takes recognition for her music for granted. Scott also recalled touring with The Roots early in her career, saying the group helped teach her what she wanted (and did not want) from life on the road.

Atlanta radio personality Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan is set to return to V-103 after prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges stemming from a domestic dispute involving his estranged wife, Alicia Brown. Station officials confirmed that Morgan will resume hosting The Big Tigger Morning Show alongside Francesca Amiker, weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. He is expected to return to the airwaves Monday, Sept. 14, following a months-long absence. Morgan was arrested by Sandy Springs police in June following a May dispute. Brown accused him of pushing her into a door and causing a facial injury, resulting in initial charges of aggravated battery and third-degree cruelty to children. Morgan denied the allegations, and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office later declined to prosecute the case.  The legal dispute continued beyond Morgan’s case, with Brown later arrested in Hart County after authorities discovered an active warrant. She subsequently filed a federal lawsuit against Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, alleging her arrest was unlawful and raising questions about communications between Morgan and law enforcement. Amiker also filed a separate federal defamation lawsuit against Brown. V-103 has not disclosed details about the internal discussions or Human Resources decisions that preceded Morgan’s return.

Chris Brown responded Tuesday after Texas state Rep. Venton Jones, a Democrat representing Dallas, apologized for honoring the singer and dancer during a recent concert in Arlington. Brown and Usher performed in the city over the weekend, where Jones and Rep. Jasmine Crockett presented the two artists with Congressional Record recognitions. The gesture drew criticism because of Brown’s history of domestic violence. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend, Rihanna. Jones issued a statement apologizing to constituents and survivors of domestic and sexual violence who were hurt by his decision. He explained that the recognition was part of an effort to encourage concertgoers to vote ahead of the consequential midterm election. “I extend my sincerest apology for the hurt, frustration, and pain my choices caused,” Jones said. Crockett has not publicly commented on the controversy.  Following Jones’ statement and an appearance on CNN with Don Lemon, Brown addressed the situation in an Instagram Story. “I ain’t ask to be honored,” he wrote, claiming the lawmakers approached him about the recognition. Brown also criticized Jones for allegedly “tap dancing” to avoid losing voters. In a previous post, Brown shared a photo of himself embracing Crockett and apologized for any backlash she might face.

Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case accusing him of orchestrating a revenge killing targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo. Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, was accused of ordering and financing a 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles gas station near the Beverly Center. Prosecutors alleged that Banks put a bounty on Rondo, born Tyquian Bowman, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Banks’ close friend and fellow rapper Dayvon “King Von” Bennett outside an Atlanta nightclub. The alleged hit, however, resulted in the death of Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, who prosecutors said was mistakenly targeted. Two co-defendants, Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey, were acquitted of murder-for-hire-related charges but convicted of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking with a dangerous weapon and stalking resulting in death. Banks was found not guilty on those charges as well. Prosecutors had portrayed the 33-year-old rapper as the leader of a violent criminal organization connected to his music label, Only the Family, alleging that its associates were involved in robbery, murder and drug trafficking. Banks, who won the 2024 Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “All My Life,” was arrested at a Florida airport in October 2024 after five other suspects were charged. He has maintained his innocence, while his defense argued that a former personal assistant independently arranged the attack in an effort to impress him. Despite Friday’s acquittal, Banks will remain in federal custody and faces another trial scheduled for October 5 on separate murder-related racketeering and weapons charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Wilson and Lindsey are also expected to face trial on those counts. The former assistant and two other associates who were initially indicted alongside Banks reached plea agreements and testified for the prosecution during the case. Following the verdict, supporters of the Chicago-born rapper gathered outside the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse, celebrating his acquittal.

Chicago drill rapper Bloodhound Q50, a 22-year-old artist also known as Q50 on social media, was killed after being shot early Sunday morning in Chicago’s Fuller Park neighborhood, according to police. Authorities said Q50 was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in the 4200 block of South Wentworth Avenue when two vehicles pulled alongside him and occupants opened fire. The victim suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and shoulder and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said more than 50 rounds were fired, with at least six individuals believed to have participated in the attack. Investigators said the suspected getaway vehicles were a black Acura sedan and a silver Honda Accord, both of which fled toward the Dan Ryan Expressway. Police have not publicly confirmed the victim’s identity, and a medical examiner’s report had not yet been released. Social media posts connected to the shooting identified the rapper as Mikquale Cooper, born August 6, 2004. No arrests have been announced, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting while asking anyone with information to come forward. Cooper had been building a profile within Chicago’s drill scene and released his album Get Back or Die Trying on his 22nd birthday last month. The project featured Bloodhound Lil Jeff, another Chicago drill artist who was killed last year. Q50 also performed at Rolling Loud in Orlando this year and was interviewed by DJ Vlad in 2025, who described him as one of the most media-trained young artists he had spoken with. A false report claiming Q50 had been killed in St. Louis circulated in August 2025, but the rapper later confirmed on social media that he was unharmed.