When Ghost’s new studio album Skeletá debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart (dated May 10), it not only secured the band its first No. 1, but also marked the first hard rock set to reach No. 1 in over four […]
Longtime friends Mary J. Blige and Misa Hylton are at odds. Hylton recently filed a lawsuit in New York against Blige and her company, Beautiful Life Productions.
According to AllHipHop, Hylton is suing Blige for $5 million in damages for breach of contract, emotional distress and interference with business relationships. It all stems from their mutual pal and rapper Vado, who is Hylton’s client under her agency, M.I.S.A. Management. Hylton alleges that Vado engaged in shady business practices with Blige and that she attempted to poach Vado from her.
Misa Hylton’s lawyer speaks about her estrangement from Mary J Blige
Hylton’s attorney, Nicholas Ramcharitar, gave an exclusive interview with The Breakfast Club, explaining how the situation turned into a legal matter.
“It’s very unfortunate that this had to go down like this because Misa tried every possible avenue in terms of trying to amicably to resolve this with Mary directly, with Mary’s camp, but unfortunately, and it’s unbeknownst to us why Mary J. Blige and why her camp cut off Misa Hylton,” Ramcharitar said in a recording shared by The Breakfast Club via Instagram.
He also clarified that Vado isn’t the reason why they’re no longer friends.
Allegations of Mary J Blige sabotaging Vado’s career
According to court documents, Vado entered into a management agreement with M.I.S.A. on July 25, 2023, entitling the agency to 20% of his earnings, AllHipHop reported. However, just months later, on October 1, 2023, Vado signed a recording deal with Beautiful Life Productions. Blige and Vado teamed up for 2023’s “Still Believe in Love.”
By July 2024, the lyricist had completed a full album. Still, Blige allegedly halted the rollout of Vado’s project and potential performances if he stayed with M.I.S.A. Management.
As a result, Vado is said to be struggling due to being unable to earn income or repay advances tied to his record deal. Hylton and M.I.S.A. Management are seeking an injunction to prevent Blige or her company from causing further disruption to her client’s career. Blige has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
Rite Aid is closing many locations across the country as it prepares to file for bankruptcy. CEO Matthew Schroeder notified employees in a letter, saying the company is forced to close after failing to receive the additional capital it needs from lenders to continue running the business. According to Bloomberg, the company will also cut jobs at its corporate offices.
Why is Rite Aid Filing for bankruptcy?
Rite Aid is struggling to survive while facing an increasing challenge from online stores, as well as debt and a declining cash flow. Schroeder, according to Bloomberg, added that “the dramatic downturn in the economy,” exacerbated by tariffs and increasing costs from suppliers, has forced the company to make job cuts. The CEO said in his letter that Rite Aid lenders can’t cover employment-related expenses if the company retains the entirety of its workforce.
Rite Aid first filed for Chapter 11 in 2023 and cut $2 billion in debt. The retail store, which closed 850 locations at that time and transferred control of the company to lenders, bounced back from bankruptcy in September. At that time, the company said it had been revamped with “significantly less debt and additional financial resources.” Still, Rite Aid faced more than $2 billion in debt while struggling with inflation and weaker demand.
How many Rite Aid locations will be closed?
179 locations are closing right now. While closing these locations, Rite Aid still operates 1,200 stores. However, the future of the business in its entirety still remains murky, WIBX reported.
And as Bloomberg noted in their report, Schroeder “told employees that all Rite Aid stores would either be closed or sold, according to people familiar with the situation. The company is working with several regional and national buyers who might be interested in parts of the company.”
What’s happening to Rite Aid and its competitors like Walgreens and CVS?
America’s second-largest pharmacy, Walgreens, is also facing financial troubles in the current economy. The pharmacy, according to WIBX, plans to cut 1,200 locations by 2028. Private equity firm Sycamore Partners recently purchased the chain for $23.7 billion. CVS is also planning to close many of its locations.
The Food and Drug Administration is recalling two tomato brands sold in April. The tomatoes, according to the FDA, may be infected with Salmonella.
One of the recalled products is the four-count Vine Ripe tomatoes brand produced by Ray & Mascari Inc. The product is sold at Gordon Food Service Stores in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin, WRAL reported.
Williams Farms Repack LLC is also recalling tomatoes sold in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia from April 23–28, 2025, the FDA said.
Per Today.com, both companies got the tomatoes from the same supplier, Hanshaw & Capling Farms, or H&C Farms, in Immokalee, Florida.
What are the symptoms of people who get salmonella after consuming the recalled tomatoes?
People who get sick after eating the two recalled products may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, the FDA announced. Salmonella can rarely cause serious conditions such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The infection may be more serious in children or older people.
The FDA has stated there haven’t been any illnesses reported from the recalled tomatoes so far. However, the agency urges consumers to throw the tomatoes out or return them to the store if they haven’t been opened yet.
How can consumers identify the recalled products?
The Vine-Ripe tomatoes are sold in a package of clamshell containers, per USA Today. The package shows a label of VINE RIPE TOMATOES Packed by Ray & Mascari Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46204, with a UPC number of 7 96553 20062.
Meanwhile, the Williams Farms Repack LLC recall affects nine different package sizes, per Today.com. The recalled packages include three Williams Farms Repack labels and H&C Farms labels. The Williams Farms Repack labels are marked as 4×5 two layer, lot code R4467; 60 count two layer, lot code R4467; and 3 count trays, lot code R4467. The H&C Farms labels are marked as 5×6 25 pound, lot code R4467, and 6×6 25 pound, lot codes R4467 and R4470. The remaining packages are labeled as Combo 25 pound, lot code R4467; 4×4 two layer, lot code R4467; 60ct 18-pound loose, lot codes R4467 and R4470; and XL 18-pound loose, lot code R4467.
2025 Teacher Apprecation Week deals, freebies and discounts:If your favorite educators enjoy food, travel, or activities, here’s a list of perfect gift ideas to help make them feel even more appreciated this week:
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant:
Teachers and school staff can enjoy 20% off their entire bill at all locations on May 6.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
The establishment offers teachers up to 90 yearly certificates through its Awesome Achievement Program to reward standout students. Students who present a certificate can receive a free Snickers Pizookie, a bracelet, and special recognition from the restaurant manager during their visit.
Box Tops for Education
The fundraising program, run by General Mills, allows families to earn money for their school by scanning receipts from participating products. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Month, Box Tops is offering a $5 bonus to your chosen school when you download the app and scan your first receipt in May. Use the code TEACHER to claim the bonus.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Teachers with valid IDs can save 20% at Buffalo Wild Wings between May 5-11 when dining in or ordering call-in or walk-in orders.
Chipotle
The popular fast-food chain is giving away $1 million in free food as a “thank you” to teachers and healthcare workers in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurse Appreciation Week.
Through May 13, educators and healthcare workers can sign up online for a chance to win a free burrito as part of the giveaway. A total of 100,000 individuals in each profession will be randomly selected. Those chosen will receive an email to verify their employment status through ID.me and, once verified within 48 hours, will receive a free burrito e-card.
According to Chipotle, it has given $16 million in free food to teachers and healthcare professionals since 2016.
Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton
Teachers can score summer travel deals at six Florida hotels, including locations in Miami (code: PK5), Miami Beach (code: P1), Deerfield Beach (code: PL5), Fort Lauderdale (code: PL5) and Tampa (code: TEAP) and Tampa (convention center code: TEP).
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
Show your ID to get a free burger with the purchase of one on May 7. The offer is valid in-store at participating locations and is limited to one per customer.
Museum of Illusions
During Teacher Appreciation Week, educators can enjoy free admission to any of the 29 Museum of Illusions locations across the U.S. They can also register with their work email for a chance to win one of three Museum of Illusions goodie bags in a raffle.
Staples
During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-10), teachers can save 20% on in-store purchases with a valid teacher ID. They can also access a coupon in the Staples app (one per customer) to receive a free 12-pack of Tru Red Stick Pens while supplies last, according to the website and TODAY.com.
Smoothie King
Teachers can enjoy 20% off their order at Smoothie King between May 6-8 by showing a valid ID in-store.
Sonic Drive-In
For Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), Sonic is offering three exclusive deals for members of the Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program: a free snack or side with purchase, buy one Sonic Blast, get one free, and a $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger. To join, download the Sonic app, create an account, and select “I’m a Teacher” in Settings.
Fat Joe and Jadakiss have joined forces to launch their Joe & Jada podcast. Produced by Colin Cowherd’s The Volume and Roc Nation, the podcast will tackle all things music, sports and culture.
Starting this week, two episodes will be released weekly on YouTube and all major audio platforms. The pair of New York rap titans wear their hearts on their sleeves and are as authentic as they come in the music world. But their in-depth knowledge and respect span plenty of industries outside of the music game, so it only made sense to bring their brash commentary and expertise to the podcasting world.
“My brother Jadakiss and I will be delivering a podcast experience like none other,” Fat Joe said in a statement. “We’re both passionate and opinionated about music, sports, entertainment and culture, so you can definitely expect to get unfiltered analysis, versatile interviews and untold stories. We’re coming to shake up the podcast game and set a new blueprint.”
Trending on Billboard
Fans can expect plenty of special guests to join the pair of diehard New York Knicks fans, with athletes, actors and celebrities from all walks of life sitting down for interviews and embracing debate.
“I’m looking forward to teaming up with Joe on this podcast and showing another side of my personality,” Jadakiss added. “We’ve been friends for a long time, so we have the right chemistry and foundation to make this a really special show. Everyone is finally going to get to hear what we debate and discuss all the time behind the scenes.”
Joey Crack and Jada are no strangers to collaborating. They represented the Big Apple on Ja Rule’s “New York” anthem in 2004, which peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Fat Joe and Jadakiss are legends. Joe & Jada is everything we aim to do at The Volume — bring together strong, authentic voices to create conversations that connect with fans,” said Logan Swaim, who serves as chief content officer at The Volume.
The Bronx native has hosted his show Fat Joe Talks on Starz, but Joe & Jada is the first podcast venture for the duo. Look for the first episode to drop later this week and follow the pod’s official Instagram here.
The upcoming 2025 American Music Awards show is partnering with Easy Day Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to assisting veterans in their transition back to civilian life, the foundation and Dick Clark Productions announced Monday morning (May 5).
According to the announcement, viewers will see “several special in-show moments that celebrate veterans while raising funds for a variety of national and local organizations” during the telecast of the AMAs on May 26. The fan-voted awards show, for which Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s nominations, airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT; Jennifer Lopez is hosting.
Easy Day’s collaboration with the American Music Awards is a well-timed effort, as May 26 is Memorial Day and May is Military Appreciation Month. There will be two performances to help honor those who’ve served, plus a presentation of a special award “honoring a marquee talent who uses their platform to make meaningful contributions to the Veteran community,” the team reveals. Stories from active-duty service members and veterans are expected to be heard during the event, which will have seating in the audience reserved for veterans to attend this year’s awards show.
Trending on Billboard
“PMC and Dick Clark Productions are deeply honored to spotlight our nation’s heroes through this meaningful partnership with Easy Day Foundation and the most preeminent organizations supporting our nation’s heroes,” says Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Penske Media Corporation and a Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran. “The transition from service to civilian life isn’t easy and these special moments during the AMAs shine a much-needed light on the real challenges Veterans face and the critical support systems required to help them navigate life after service.”
Money raised from in-show fundraising moments will benefit a number of veteran service organizations: Bob Woodruff Foundation, Boot Campaign, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Fisher House, the Folded Flag Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Team Rubicon and UNLV’s Military and Veteran Services Center. Additionally, a portion of ticket sales is being allocated to the Easy Day Foundation and its partners.
The Easy Day Foundation, co-founded by Frank Fertitta IV and Landon Gyulay and based in Las Vegas — the city where the AMAs take place this year — assists veterans with critical needs, such as mental health care, job training and placement, and family support services in their return to civilian life.
“Our goal at this year’s American Music Awards is to not only honor the memory of our fallen heroes but to spotlight the ongoing needs of millions of veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life,” Fertitta says. “We’re proud to be part of an iconic award show like the American Music Awards that has the power to raise awareness, inspire compassion and drive real change.”
Gyulay adds, “Partnering with the AMAs gives us a powerful platform to elevate the stories of our veterans and amplify the mission of Easy Day. These brave men and women have given their all for our freedom and our AMAs partnership allows us to turn national attention into national action on their behalf.”
The American Music Awards engages music fans to vote in its awards categories. Nominees (see the full list here) are based on key fan interactions — as reflected on the Billboard charts — including streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and tour grosses. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and Luminate, and cover the data tracking eligibility period of March 22, 2024 through March 20, 2025. Fan voting for the 2025 AMAs is now open via VoteAMAs.com and the @AMAs Instagram profile.
The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
DeLeón Tequila has announced a new initiative aimed at supporting emerging DJs with mentorship, visibility and access to industry resources. Called the DeLeón Tequila Opening Acts Pledge, the campaign builds on the brand’s Bold Spirits, Rise platform launched last year, which centers creatives who pursue their vision and inspire others through their craft.
The Opening Acts Pledge opens a national opportunity for DJs ages 25 and older to compete for a chance to perform live on the red carpet at the 2025 BET Awards, scheduled for June 9. In addition to the performance slot, the selected DJ will take part in an exclusive content shoot to share their story and gain national exposure.
Partnerships with Link Up and UnitedMasters extend campaign reach
To bring the campaign to life, DeLeón has teamed up with Link Up, a music collective founded by Andre Power. Kicking off in Houston on March 16, the Link Up tour will also stop in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. At each event, up-and-coming DJs will be given opportunities to perform, connect with new audiences, and receive mentorship from Power directly.
In addition, DeLeón has partnered with UnitedMasters to offer 1,000 music distribution subscriptions, 500 hours of studio time, and mentorship opportunities to help DJs refine their sound and grow their audience.
Photo: DeLeón Tequila
What Andre Power says about the initiative
“Link Up was created to build community and celebrate culture through sound and this partnership with DeLeón Tequila is an opportunity to take that mission even further,” Power said. “Through the DeLeón Tequila Opening Acts Pledge, we’re giving rising DJs across the country the platform, exposure, and mentorship they need to be seen, and more importantly, heard. I’m excited I get to partner with a similar-minded brand to help shape the next wave of talent and bring their voices to the forefront.”
The campaign first launched on March 18.
Brian McKnight is suing Jaguar Wright for disparaging comments she made concerning him and his ex-wife, Julie McKnight. According to TMZ, the R&B singer recently filed a lawsuit against Wright for defamation over claims he says are completely false.
Per court records, TMZ reported that two things triggered the lawsuit: Wright alleged on her social media platforms that Julie was a victim of verbal assault and domestic violence at the hands of McKnight and that he paid sex workers just to hurt them physically during sexual intercourse. On top of that, she says Julie is her cousin.
Brian McKnight shuts down accusations of abuse toward ex-wife
McKnight has denied all accusations and noted that he’s unaware of any family connection Wright says she supposedly has with his ex. McKnight was married to Julie from 1990 to 2003. They share two sons, Brian Jr. and Niko, and a daughter, Briana, People reported.
Jaguar Wright’s long history of false claims about celebrities
This incident wouldn’t be the first time Wright has been on the hot seat for spilling dark secrets and stories she’s professed about different artists, executives, producers and many others within the music industry.
As Blavity reported, she has alleged that Common raped her, and in 2024, she was a guest on the Piers Morgan Uncensored TV show. During her appearance, she claimed that Beyoncé and Jay-Z have “held people against their will,” among other serious allegations.
“I’ve talked to hundreds [of victims] that I deal with still myself,” she told Morgan, according to VIBE. “I have three victims right now who are willing to give testimonies about not only what Mr. Carter has done to them, but his wife as well.”
Morgan was forced to make an on-air apology to Beyoncé and Jay-Z , clarifying that Wright’s claims were unproven.
“Jaguar, unexpectedly, made several serious allegations about Jay-Z and Beyoncé during that interview,” Morgan explained in a show following Wright’s episode, per VIBE. “As I said in the moment, they were not present to respond or defend themselves, but now they have. Their lawyers contacted us to say that those claims were ‘totally false’ and have no basis in fact, and we’ve therefore complied with a legal request to cut them from the original interview.”
A Las Vegas entertainment company is sending a cease and desist letter to Beyoncé after taking issue with the singer’s visual interlude created for her Cowboy Carter tour. In the visual interlude, Beyoncé towers over Las Vegas like a giant and walks across the city’s iconic sites before crouching down to pick up the popular venue known as the Sphere. Sphere Entertainment Group has now ordered Beyoncé to stop depicting the Sphere during her tour.
Why did Sphere Entertainment Group issue a cease and desist letter to Beyoncé?
Many of Beyoncé’s supporters are taking to social media to slam Sphere Entertainment Group CEO James Dolan, saying that he remains bitter after the singer declined to perform at the venue during her Cowboy Carter tour.
“Imagine being mad that you can’t get Beyoncé so you sue her company for picking up a sphere,” one person wrote on X. “EMBARRASSING!”
Imagine being mad that you can’t get Beyoncé so you sue her company for picking up a sphereEMBARRASSING! pic.twitter.com/CSE9K5KCtw— ★ I SAW MUVA TWICE ★ (@Asmr_Unique) May 3, 2025
However, Sphere Entertainment Group said in a statement that Beyoncé needed to get permission to depict the Sphere.
“(Sphere Entertainment Group) is sure that multiple aspects of the interlude video, including other brands, clips and music, were duly cleared by the tour with rights permissions from the rights holders whose works were used in the video, as is common practice,” the company stated, per The Daily Beast. “SEG, however, was never asked, and the prominent appearance and manipulation of SEG’s Sphere venue in the video is unauthorized.”
What is the order Sphere Entertainment Group is giving to Beyoncé?
The company has addressed the letter to Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s production company, telling the Grammy-winning artist to stop using the brief clip from her concert, which she already held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Beyoncé is also told to “refrain from using this imagery on any merchandise, promotional or marketing materials, or in tour movies, etc.,” Billboard reported.
“Should you fail to do so, SEG reserves all rights to take further action as SEG deems appropriate without notice to you,” the company stated.
After declining to perform at the Sphere for her Cowboy Carter tour, Beyoncé decided to instead play at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 25 and 26. Beyoncé has not yet commented on the cease and desist letter.
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