Detroit Pistons Expand Partnership With Big Sean, Name Him Creative Director of Global Experience

Status Ain't Hood Staff
January 7, 2026

The Detroit Pistons announced last month an expanded partnership with multi-platinum recording artist and Detroit native Big Sean, naming him the franchise’s Creative Director of Global Experience. The move deepens the team’s commitment to creativity, cultural connection and global fan growth, and was unveiled on World Basketball Day as part of a broader effort to connect Detroit Basketball with audiences around the world.


In his expanded role, Big Sean will collaborate with the Pistons beyond product and design, working closely on community engagement initiatives and international fan development. The partnership is a key component of the franchise’s global growth strategy, which recently included an international initiative in Mexico City and will continue through cultural collaborations, events and fan-focused experiences across borders.


“Big Sean’s influence reaches far beyond music — he’s a global creative visionary who already brings Detroit wherever he goes,” said Alicia Jeffreys, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Pistons. “As Creative Director of Global Experience, he brings authenticity, reach and imagination to the Pistons brand as we introduce Detroit Basketball to the world.”

As part of the announcement, the Pistons and Big Sean launched “Creatives Across Continents,” a global creative initiative inviting designers, artists and cultural tastemakers to create original work inspired by Detroit Basketball. Selected participants will receive a creative prompt from Big Sean and develop designs for a collaborative retail collection scheduled to launch in 2026, spotlighting global creativity while amplifying Detroit’s cultural legacy.


“It’s been an honor to serve the Pistons community, and stepping into this expanded role allows me to do it on an even bigger scale,” Big Sean said. “Detroit has always been rich with talent and culture, and my mission is to keep opening doors for our city’s creatives while helping define what Detroit Basketball really means.”


Big Sean, who previously served as the Pistons’ Creative Director of Innovation, has collaborated with the team on merchandise design, in-game experiences and community activations, including special uniforms, practice jerseys and themed events at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons said additional details about future projects tied to NBA All-Star Weekend, 313 Day, retail collaborations and global creator opportunities will be announced in the coming year.

Destiny's Child - "Say My Name"

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 8, 2026
This Throwback Thursday takes us back to October 14, 1999, when Destiny’s Child released “Say My Name,” the standout single from The Writing’s on the Wall. Written by Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson and collaborators, and produced by Rodney Jerkins, the track marked a turning point for the group. While it features the original lineup on the recording, the music video famously introduced Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin, signaling a new era amid behind-the-scenes upheaval. Musically, “Say My Name” sounded unlike anything else on R&B radio at the time. Producer Rodney Jerkins has since revealed that the song was inspired by UK garage music—specifically the 2-step rhythms he heard while clubbing in London. That influence helped shape the track’s skittering drums, shifting dynamics, and futuristic bounce, even after an early version initially left Beyoncé unconvinced. The reworked mix clicked, and history followed. The results were massive. “Say My Name” became Destiny’s Child’s biggest hit to date, topping the Billboard Hot 100, winning two Grammys, and earning Video of the Year honors in R&B categories. Decades later, its blend of suspicion-filled lyrics, bold production, and global club energy still feels timeless—and remains a defining moment in pop and R&B history.

Mary J. Blige Wins Dismissal of Lawsuit Filed by Former Stylist Misa Hylton

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 7, 2026
A New York judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Mary J. Blige by her former friend and stylist Misa Hylton, issuing a sharp rebuke over the plaintiff’s failure to defend her claims. In a ruling entered Tuesday, Judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond granted Blige’s motion to dismiss after Hylton missed the deadline to respond. The judge said Hylton’s inaction amounted to an abandonment of her allegations and warned against filing high-dollar lawsuits based on inflammatory accusations only to walk away when challenged. “The court in no way condones parties filing lawsuits claiming millions in damages based on inflammatory accusations, only to have those very same parties abandon their allegations when faced with a motion to dismiss and sanctions,” Judge Perry-Bond wrote. While stopping short of imposing sanctions, the court cautioned that the written warning could weigh heavily in any future application should similar conduct continue. Hylton, who helped style Blige during the early 1990s, including the rollout of the singer’s 1992 album What’s the 411?, filed suit on April 29 accusing Blige of trying to coerce Harlem rapper Vado (born Teeyon Winfree) into leaving her management company. Hylton alleged Blige sought to move the artist to her own company, Beautiful Life Productions, and intentionally excluded Hylton from meetings held in “intimate and inappropriate” settings, ultimately sabotaging her relationship with the musician. Blige’s attorneys countered that Hylton had no viable case, arguing her company was not a valid New York corporation and that she was not a licensed talent agent. They also contended the lawsuit was filed out of personal animus and lacked legal merit. Neither Hylton, Winfree, nor their attorney responded to requests for comment following the ruling.

Yoni - Climate [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 7, 2026
Eritrean-American R&B artist Yoni’s new single “Climate,” from DOMSUPNEXT, arrives with quiet confidence, blending West Coast–inspired grooves and alternative R&B emotion. Built on a rich piano melody and a soft yet steady 808 pulse, the track feels both intimate and expansive. Directed by Dominic Bernabe, the accompanying video complements the song’s reflective mood. “Climate” explores the bittersweet reality of loving someone who must leave, choosing appreciation over heaviness. Its calm, modern production allows the emotion to linger, making it ideal for late-night drives and thoughtful R&B playlists.

A$AP Rocky - Punk Rocky [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 7, 2026
Harlem, NY rapper A$AP Rocky released a dark, surreal video for his new single “Punk Rocky,” offering a fever-dream preview of his Tim Burton–assisted album Don’t Be Dumb, due Jan. 16. The chaotic visual features actress Winona Ryder, versatile singer/songwriter Thundercat, and composer Danny Elfman, with imagery that feels distinctly Burtonesque. Ryder appears in eerie domestic scenes as Rocky dives into mosh pits, clashes with police, raps from jail, and spirals through punch-drunk romance, violence, and fantasy. The video underscores Burton’s creative influence on the album’s music, visuals, and accompanying film.

TxC feat. Al Xapo, Zlatan, Davido, Zlatan and Shoday - "Nakupenda"

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 7, 2026
South African DJ duo TxC have released a single, “Nakupenda,” meaning “I love you” in Swahili. The track unites South African artists AI Xapo and Scotts Maphuma with Nigerian stars Davido, Zlatan and Shoday, blending playful rhythms, hooks and multilingual verses. Nigerian pidgin and South African languages create a celebratory pan-African sound. Composed of Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke, "Nakupenda" has risen to the top of Nigeria's Apple music charts.

Sevyn Streeter - "97"

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 7, 2026
Sevyn Streeter taps into classic ’90s R&B on her new single “97,” delivering confident, grown-woman energy that feels inspired, not nostalgic. Marking her first release since last September's “Assumptions" single, the track finds Streeter in her Janet Jackson bag, boldly expressing desire and self-assurance. While quiet on solo releases, Sevyn’s stayed busy behind the scenes, writing for Normani and FLO and lending background vocals to Givēon’s BELOVED.

Lawsuit Accuses Gospel Star Donnie McClurkin of Years-Long Sexual Abuse

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 5, 2026
A new lawsuit alleges that Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin sexually abused a young man over several years and later sent an apology email referring to himself as a “dirty ‘old man.’” The plaintiff, Giuseppe Corletto, says he first sought out McClurkin in 2003 while struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his religious faith. According to the lawsuit, Corletto, then 21, attended an event at McClurkin’s church on Long Island after reading the singer’s autobiography, which described overcoming what McClurkin called the “curse” of homosexuality. Corletto told NBC News that McClurkin spoke at the event about being raped as a child, which resonated with him because of similar experiences. Afterward, Corletto said he was brought to meet McClurkin, who took an immediate interest in him. What initially appeared to be mentorship, Corletto now believes, was grooming. The lawsuit alleges that McClurkin molested him during “pray the gay away” spiritual sessions and that the abuse escalated over several years while Corletto worked as McClurkin’s assistant and traveled with him. The complaint says Corletto struggled to come forward because McClurkin was both his mentor and employer. McClurkin, now 66, has denied the allegations through his attorney. “At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto,” attorney Greg Lisi said in a statement, calling the claims “categorically false” and saying they mischaracterize interactions that occurred decades ago. The lawsuit also alleges that after a 2013 incident at a Niagara Falls hotel, McClurkin sent Corletto an email apologizing for his actions.

Natanya - On Ur Time [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 5, 2026
From her latest EP, Feline’s Return Act I I, British pop/soul singer Natanya unveils the visuals for her single “On Ur Time.” The video captures Natanya reflecting on a past love, artfully juxtaposing vivid memories of the relationship with moments unfolding in the present. Soulful at its core yet daring in execution, “On Ur Time” blends experimental production, genre-bending influences, and raw emotion—further cementing Natanya as one of the most promising up-and-coming artists in music today.

Brandon Banks - Sonnets [EP]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 5, 2026
Brandon Banks continues his thoughtful evolution with Sonnets, a self-produced two-track EP that distills his immersive R&B style into a hushed, introspective dreamscape. Known for blending folkloric soul with lo-fi textures, the Los Angeles singer-songwriter uses stream-of-consciousness writing to explore rest, reflection, and escape from chaos. Built from guitar and keys, Sonnets feels patient and intentional, capturing Banks at his most meditative and emotionally precise to date.

Doechii feat. SZA - "girl, get up."

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • January 5, 2026
Doechii closes out 2025 with “girl, get up.,” a defiant new single featuring SZA that channels resilience and hard-earned confidence. Produced by Jay Versace and sampling Birdman and Clipse’s “What Happened to That Boy,” the track finds the Florida rapper exhaling her haters after a breakout year. Over sharp bars, festive drums and soulful energy, Doechii directly confronts “industry plant” accusations, turning criticism into motivation alongside her longtime collaborator and TDE labelmate.
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