Philadelphia-born, London-based artist ELUNIA releases her poignant new single “Strobe Lights,” a cinematic indie-electronic reflection on burnout, identity, and self-reconnection. Written amid the pressures of London’s recent post-production grind, the song captures the numbness of depression through ambient textures and soft electronic pulses. ELUNIA’s introspective lyrics (like the haunting line “what happened to that girl on the train?”) illuminate fleeting moments of clarity amid exhaustion and change.

Chicago-born, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter BJRNCK unveils her debut EP A Girl Like Mevia Geffen Records, a soulful, twelve-track journey through love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Blending Caribbean rhythms with gospel roots, BJRNCK channels influences like Brandy and Usher into moody, melodic R&B. With standout tracks like “Good 4 Me” and “Missing You,” the project’s raw honesty and sensual emotion cement her as one of today’s most compelling new voices.

South Korean rapper-singer-songwriter CAMO returns with her haunting new single and visual “Secret (비밀),” from her 7-track EP Secret. The minimalist R&B track thrives on mood and whispered seduction, while the cinematic video portrays raw stories of abuse, betrayal, and self-discovery. Interwoven through symbolic phone lines, CAMO offers solace through her confessions, echoing her mission to connect directly with fans and comfort those carrying their own secrets.

South African rap star Nasty C links up with Nigerian powerhouse Tiwa Savage and producer Lekaa Beats for the sleek, high-energy visual “One Time,” from Nasty and Lekaa's recent Confuse The Enemy (Reloaded) album. The video blurs Afrobeats, hip-hop, and international flair, highlighting cross-continental unity. Lekaa’s charged production sets the stage for Nasty C’s razor-sharp verses and Tiwa’s glowing hook, crafting a sultry yet commanding love track that reinforces Nasty C’s seamless navigation of the South Africa–Nigeria musical bridge.

Two years after his conviction on illegal foreign lobbying and conspiracy charges, Fugees rapper Pras Michel has been ordered to pay more than $64 million. According to Billboard, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled on October 31 that Michel “obtained proceeds in the amount of at least $64,923,226 from his offenses,” which included conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. The ruling had been delayed for months after Michel underwent emergency surgery to remove colon cancer. “They already took 100 [million] from him and now they want another 64 [million],” said Michel's spokeswoman, Erica Dumas.  Michel’s case stems from a sprawling investigation into illegal political contributions and foreign influence. Prosecutors accused him of conspiring to funnel Malaysian financier Jho Low’s money into U.S. politics and acting on behalf of China without proper registration. He faced ten counts, including conspiracy, lying to the Federal Election Commission, and witness tampering. Michel allegedly sought to connect Low and the Chinese government with officials in both the Obama and Trump administrations to advance their interests. During his trial, Michel admitted accepting $20 million from Low in 2012 to secure a photo with then-President Obama. Prosecutors said he used $800,000 of that money to make contributions to Obama’s campaign through straw donors. They also alleged that Michel advocated for the extradition of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui and lobbied the Trump administration to drop its investigation into Low’s role in the 1MDB embezzlement scandal after receiving an additional $100 million. Michel denied wrongdoing, claiming the money was for a legitimate media venture and that he merely sought legal representation for Low. The veteran rapper is scheduled for sentencing next month, and his legal team is expected to appeal both the financial ruling and his upcoming sentence.

After more than a decade of legal drama, Jay-Z’s paternity case has officially been dismissed. The lawsuit, filed by 30-year-old Rymir Satterthwaite, alleged that the rap icon fathered him during a relationship with his late mother, Wanda Satterthwaite, in the 1990s. According to Page Six, the court granted Jay-Z’s motion to dismiss the case with prejudice , meaning it cannot be reopened or re-filed in the future. The decision effectively ends years of speculation and courtroom battles over the claim. The case dates back to 2014 when Rymir first filed a civil suit in New Jersey after his mother’s earlier child support case was dismissed. In 2023, he reignited his claims, requesting that Jay-Z submit to a DNA test, vowing not to stop until “justice is served.” However, by July of this year, Rymir announced on social media that he had withdrawn the federal case, suggesting that “things were going on behind closed doors” but insisting that his fight was not over. Jay-Z’s legal team maintained that the allegations were baseless and had been “rejected in multiple courts,” calling Rymir’s repeated filings a form of “harassment.”  Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, argued that Rymir had no legal right to continue filing new claims due to an existing court injunction in New Jersey. His attorneys also noted that another man had already been confirmed and ordered to pay child support as Rymir’s legal father. Despite Rymir’s insistence that he was unaware of any such injunction, the recent ruling closes the case permanently. With the dismissal, Jay-Z can now put the long-running paternity dispute behind him as he continues his business and music ventures.

In 2000, Toni Braxton flipped the script on her signature ballad style with the release of “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” the lead single from her third studio album The Heat. Written and produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins alongside Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason Jr., the song delivered an uptempo R&B groove that showcased a sassier, more assertive side of Braxton. The hit peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reigned at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for four weeks, earning Braxton a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance . The accompanying video, starring Robin Givens and Braxton’s then-husband Keri Lewis, became a pop culture staple, perfectly capturing the song’s message of empowerment and female solidarity. Now, nearly 25 years later, Braxton is bringing that same energy to television. Her upcoming Lifetime film He Wasn’t Man Enough , set to premiere November 22 , is inspired by the very song that solidified her as one of R&B’s fiercest voices. The movie finds Braxton stepping into a leading role and executive producer chair, channeling the confidence and attitude that made the 2000 single an anthem for women everywhere. Just as “He Wasn’t Man Enough” redefined her sound at the turn of the millennium, this new adaptation promises to reintroduce Braxton’s timeless blend of strength, vulnerability, and soul to a whole new generation.

Meet Montreal supergroup Fredy V & The Foundation , led by Senegalese–Cape Verdean artist Fredy V and longtime collaborato Mel Pacifico . Known for their fusion of funk, R&B, Afrobeats, and hip-hop, the collective’s sound thrives on live instrumentation, groove, and storytelling . Their new 8-track album NO TRIBE NO I highlights this vibrant mix, with songs like “ FIND ME ,” a breezy, bossa nova–tinged reflection on saudade, and “ MAKE IT RIGHT ,” a dreamy yet grounded anthem driven by Pacifico’s commanding vocals and fearless emotional clarity.

Chicago rapper Noname returns with “ Hundred Acres ,” her first release since 2023’s Sundial and the lead single from her upcoming project Cartoon Radio. Featuring Devin Morrison and produced by Brandon Cordoba and Greg Paul , the track blends playful lyricism, fluid wordplay, and smooth R&B inflections . Directed by Daren Rabinovitch , the surreal video follows Noname’s transformation into a bird while being chased by a humanoid cat, a vivid metaphor for freedom, creativity, and the boundless imagination that defines her artistry.