Dutch singer Natalie La Rose returns with her empowering new single “Not Nice,” featuring Benjamin Fayah and SHAYE. Dedicated to her motherland Suriname in celebration of 50 years of independence, the track reflects her journey of self-discovery and cultural pride. Heavily promoted across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, “Not Nice” marks a bold new chapter following her 2015 breakout hit “Somebody,” uniting listeners through heritage and strength. 

Rising Nigerian singer Ayo Maff delivers inspiration on his new single “God Is Working,” a heartfelt anthem about faith, patience, and perseverance. Blending relatable storytelling with warm, uplifting production, the track reflects on the challenges he has faced while expressing gratitude for his growth. With confident vocals and hopeful lyrics, Ayo Maff reminds listeners that even in difficult seasons, progress is happening behind the scenes and, in time, everything will settle.

After a five-year wait following his last full-length project The Melodic Blue, West-coast rapper/producer Baby Keem returns with CA$INO, an 11-track statement defined by focus and emotional honesty. Shedding excess, he favors precision over sprawl, crafting tightly wound songs that each inhabit their own sonic universe, from glitchy 8-bit textures to smooth West Coast funk. The album dives deep into personal trauma, grief, poverty, racism, and fractured family ties, most strikingly on “I Am Not a Lyricist.” Yet it balances heaviness with charisma on “Circus Circus Free$tyle” and “$ex Appeal.” Standout cut “Good Flirts” pairs Keem with Kendrick Lamar and Momo Boyd of Infinity Song, blending razor-sharp bars with luminous harmonies for a dynamic, memorable collaboration.

Killer Mike unveils the official video for “Spying Eyes (Smiling Faces)” featuring Lena Byrd Miles, taken from the forthcoming The Gray House soundtrack. The stirring visual incorporates dramatic clips from the Civil War-era series, deepening the song’s themes of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. A longtime politically conscious rapper from Atlanta, Killer Mike trades his usual high-octane delivery for a measured, introspective flow, reflecting on justice and unseen battles. Produced by Cozmo, Max Perry, and Vidal Garcia, the track pairs soulful melodies and gospel-tinged pianos with Miles’ soaring vocals, creating a powerful fusion of hip-hop and gospel.

The long-simmering social media feud between 50 Cent and T.I. intensified over the weekend, drawing in Tip’s son, King Harris, and pushing the dispute into deeply personal territory. The latest flare-up began Sunday (Feb. 22) when 50 shared a controversial Instagram post featuring a performance photo of T.I.’s wife, Tiny Harris. Captioning the image with a pointed message — “I keep saying keep my name out ya mouth” — the mogul reignited tensions that had already been brewing between the two rap veterans. While T.I. has yet to publicly respond to this latest jab, King quickly stepped in to defend his family. King Harris wasted no time firing back in the comments, referencing 50’s late mother, Sabrina Jackson, in a remark that immediately escalated the situation. He then took to Instagram with a series of posts and Stories directly targeting 50, including one that featured an image referencing the mogul’s mother alongside an inflammatory caption. In multiple video clips, King delivered an emotional and profanity-laced defense of Tiny, making it clear he would not tolerate perceived disrespect toward his mother. The posts quickly circulated across social media platforms, with fans and critics weighing in as the war of words grew increasingly hostile and personal. This marks the second time 50 Cent has found himself publicly feuding with a fellow rapper’s son. Earlier in 2026, he sparred online with Christian “King Combs” Combs, son of Diddy. As tensions between the G-Unit mogul and the Harris family continue to mount, it remains unclear whether the dispute will stay confined to social media or spill into something more significant within the hip-hop community.

Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Brian McKnight has filed a defamation of character lawsuit against The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, its ownership, and North Carolina radio host Karen Clark, alleging they amplified false and damaging claims about his family life. The lawsuit centers on recent on-air discussions regarding McKnight’s strained relationship with his children, which the singer contends have harmed his reputation and career. According to YouTuber Pam the Law Intelect, McKnight is specifically suing the Rickey Smiley Morning Show for broadcasting a clip of his son, Brian McKnight Jr., who claimed that McKnight refused to tell his late son Niko that he loved him before he died. The comments, which circulated widely online, sparked renewed public scrutiny of the singer’s personal life. McKnight argues that airing the clip without proper context contributed to what he describes in the lawsuit as defamatory narratives. The singer is also taking legal action against Clark, a host on Foxy 107.1/104.3, over an interview she conducted with his ex-wife, Julie McKnight. According to the complaint, McKnight alleges Clark asked “leading questions” that encouraged defamatory statements to be made and broadcast. McKnight maintains that the radio station, its parent company, and the hosts involved bear responsibility for disseminating claims he says are false and damaging. Representatives for the defendants have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.

Up-n-coming Southern rapper Trim drops her catchy new single "Guapo", an unapologetic anthem dedicated to money, lust, materialism and the glam life. The track (which also features rappers Bankroll Ni, Bri3 & Thickney) serves as a tease for Trim's upcoming EP. Pass the Tiara as the 19yo Charleston native and so-called "girl's girl of rap' continues to place all bets on herself and her rising stardom.

Veteran rapper Yung Miami returns with the surprise release of her bold new video for “News Flash,” a bass-heavy anthem produced by Quay Global. The sharp-tongued track finds the platinum-selling star addressing critics while celebrating her wins and stepping confidently into her solo era. Calling the song personal and unapologetic, Yung Miami declares she’s standing in her truth — unbothered, unstoppable, and firmly in control of her narrative.

Mary J. Blige celebrates Valentine’s Day with her heartfelt new single, “More Than A Lover,” released via Beautiful Life Productions. Produced by Camper, the transcendent track finds the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul basking in deep, enduring romance. It marks her first release since her 15th album, Gratitude (2024), reflecting the thankfulness she says defines this chapter of her life.