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Jada Pinkett Smith isn’t backing down from a messy legal fight. The actress just fired back hard against a $3 million lawsuit from one of Will Smith‘s former friends.

Bilaal Salaam filed the massive lawsuit in November 2025. He claims Jada threatened his life at Will’s birthday party back in September 2021. But Jada’s legal team isn’t having any of it.

The Red Table Talk host filed a motion to dismiss the entire case this month. Her lawyers called Salaam’s claims “false, uncorroborated, and made to generate attention.” They say it’s all part of a harassment campaign against the Smith family.

Salaam describes himself as Will’s “best friend for nearly 40 years.” He alleges Jada confronted him at the Regency Calabasas Common during Will’s birthday celebration. According to the lawsuit, she told him he would “end up missing or catch a bullet” if he kept “telling her personal business” and didn’t work to help clear Will Smith’s name.

The musician also claims Jada demanded he sign a non-disclosure agreement “or else.” He says she brought seven people with her during this alleged confrontation.

Salaam’s lawsuit goes beyond just the birthday party incident. He’s suing for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” The musician claims his reputation was destroyed and his health deteriorated because of Jada’s alleged actions.

He also mentions threats from someone on Jada’s behalf. According to the lawsuit, a manager told him to “work something out” and “end this feud before you get physically hurt.” This was apparently about a memoir Salaam planned to release.

Salaam also sued Jada for denying to TMZ that she ever saw Will engage in sexual behavior with men.

That is connected to other controversial claims Salaam has made. In November 2023, he alleged he once caught Will having sex with actor Duane Martin. Will’s representatives quickly denied that story, calling it “completely fabricated.”

Jada’s legal response paints a completely different picture. Her team argues that Salaam has a “fixation” on the Smith family. They claim the incident he describes never involved him.

Jada’s motion to dismiss argues that Salaam’s lawsuit violates her First Amendment rights. Her lawyers say he’s trying to punish her for “constitutionally protected speech” about her family matters.

The actress maintains she never mentioned Salaam’s name during any public statements. Her legal team describes his allegations as part of an “ongoing public campaign of harassment.”

Jada’s legal strategy focuses on discrediting Salaam’s credibility. Her team argues that his claims lack corroboration and are designed purely for publicity.

The motion to dismiss also challenges the timeline of events. Jada’s lawyers suggest Salaam’s version of the 2021 birthday party incident doesn’t add up.

The legal battle could drag on for months if the court doesn’t grant Jada’s motion to dismiss. Both sides appear prepared for a lengthy fight.

Will Smith hasn’t publicly commented on the lawsuit or his wife’s legal response. The actor has generally stayed quiet about family controversies since the Oscar incident.f

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DJ Michael “5000” Watts was remembered in a massive memorial service that was attended by Slim Thug, Mike Jones and others.

On Monday (Feb. 16), the legendary Swisha House co-founder was laid to rest in Houston. The entire city seemingly came out for Watts’ send-off, which featured his body being carried by horse and carriage throughout the city. Hundreds of candy-painted rides filled the producer and label exec’s funeral procession and masses of people lined the streets to watch it go past. Rappers in attendance included Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Lil’ Keke and others.

DJ Michael “5000” Watts passed away at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas, at the age of 52 on Jan. 30. According to his family, Watts developed a fatal heart rhythm called Torsades de Pointes, which caused sudden cardiac death.

“It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we inform the public of our beloved Michael ‘5000’ Watts,” a statement from Watts’ family read. “We truly appreciate the love shown to Michael throughout his career and we ask for continued prayers as we navigate through this very hard journey.”

He is survived by his wife, five children and two grandchildren.

Michael “5000” Watts was instrumental in ushering in the chopped and screwed sound created by the late DJ Screw. Watts would go on to found Swishahouse record label in 1997, alongside OG Ron C, which would go on to propel the careers of artists like Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Archie Lee and others.

See Footage From DJ Michael “5000” Watts’ Memorial

Cardi B put all the rumors to rest Sunday night. The Bronx rapper confirmed her split from NFL star Stefon Diggs during her “Little Miss Drama” tour stop in Los Angeles. The confirmation came with a twist. Cardi used the moment to defend her ex from an attack by rival rapper BIA. “Let me tell […]

Cardi B put all the rumors to rest Sunday night. The Bronx rapper confirmed her split from NFL star Stefon Diggs during her “Little Miss Drama” tour stop in Los Angeles.

The confirmation came with a twist. Cardi used the moment to defend her ex from an attack by rival rapper BIA.

“Let me tell you something, just because I ain’t f###### with my baby daddy doesn’t mean you get to talk about my baby daddy, b####!” Cardi told the crowd at KIA Forum. “This for you, b####!”

She then launched into her BIA diss track “Pretty & Petty.”

The drama started on Thursday when BIA returned shots at Diggs on social media. The “Whole Lotta Money” rapper wrote, “Can u name someone with more baby mamas than receiving yards? I can! and I know that… ykwnvm.”

She was responding to Cardi B’s initial “Mute Challenge” diss at the first stop of her “Little Miss Drama” tour, where she asked fans to name five Bia songs.

Fans had been speculating about the couple’s status since Super Bowl weekend. The Patriots’ wide receiver suffered a crushing 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Cardi’s behavior that day raised eyebrows.

An ESPN reporter asked Cardi for an inspiring message for Diggs before kickoff. She gave a cold “Good luck” and walked away. The brief exchange went viral immediately.

Cardi also left the stadium early after appearing in Bad Bunny’s halftime show. She didn’t stick around to watch the Patriots’ defeat. Her Instagram posts focused on her halftime performance, not the game.

The couple welcomed their first child together in November 2025. Their son arrived just months after they went public with their relationship in May 2025.

But their relationship faced pressure from the start. Diggs has five other children with different women, including one born shortly after he went public with Cardi. Cardi has three kids with her estranged husband, Offset.

Cardi’s tour continues this week with stops in Portland and other cities. She’s been performing “Pretty & Petty” at every show, complete with a moment of silence.

The breakup ends a whirlwind year for both stars. Cardi dealt with her ongoing divorce from Offset while building a new relationship. Diggs faced his own family drama with multiple paternity cases and lawsuits.

Now they’ll co-parent their son while pursuing separate paths.

Sheff G shares a new rap from behind bars.

On Monday (Feb. 16), the incarcerated New York rapper shared a post on Instagram, which shows a recording of a jail call with Sheff. In the call, Sheff is rapping the words to a new song a capella about his time in prison.

“This jail time got em forgetting the wins that I led/So many lies out the mouths of backstabbers I fed,” he raps. “They said they’ll be there for me that was just words being said/Same ones went fleeing, disappeared once they siezed me instead/But I’ll be back like Arnold Schwarzenegger/Take off all my toes, still catch me standing tall regardless/Cuz i won’t quit or forfeit huh.”

Last October, Sheff G was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy charges. He has since been active on social media. He has shared multiple screenshots showing that he has wired his girlfriend thousands of dollars since his incarceration.

In November, he shared a message saying he is being treated inhumanely.

“Marcy Correctional Facility is holding me and kicking me out of general population and putting me in the handicap dorm,” he typed. “It’s against my rights and they threatening me about being a rapper.”

Last month, Sheff revealed he would not get credit for time served, as he was previously told by his attorney, and must serve his entire sentence.

Listen to Sheff’s G Rap From Prison

Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday morning at his Chicago home. He was 84. Jackson’s family confirmed his death. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his […]

Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday morning at his Chicago home. He was 84. Jackson’s family confirmed his death.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family,” the statement said.

“Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions.”

The civil rights icon battled progressive supranuclear palsy for over a decade. The disease affects walking and swallowing. Jackson was hospitalized in November before returning home.

Jackson’s voice became the backbone of Hip-Hop’s political awakening. His famous “I Am Somebody” speech got sampled countless times by rap’s biggest names. Public Enemy built their sound around Jackson’s words.

Chuck D used Jackson’s speeches as the foundation for tracks like “Rebel Without a Pause,” from the group’s groundbreaking second album, 1988’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.

“Jesse Jackson was our CNN before we had CNN,” Chuck D said in past interviews. The rapper credited Jackson with teaching Hip-Hop how to speak truth to power.

A Tribe Called Quest sampled Jackson’s voice on “Oh My God.” The Clipse used Jackson’s speech on “Inglorious Bastards” and newer artists like Kendrick Lamar have also referenced Jackson’s civil rights work.

Jackson’s relationship with Hip-Hop wasn’t always smooth. He criticized rap music in the 1990s for explicit content. Jackson called some lyrics “degrading” to Black women and communities.

But Hip-Hop artists respected Jackson’s civil rights legacy. They understood that his concerns came from wanting the best for Black youth.

Jackson ran for president twice in the 1980s. His campaigns inspired a generation of Black political leaders. Hip-Hop artists saw Jackson as proof that Black voices could reach the highest levels.

Born in South Carolina in 1941, Jackson worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He founded Operation PUSH in 1971 to fight economic inequality. The organization became Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 1996.

Jackson’s “I Am Somebody” chant became Hip-Hop’s unofficial anthem. The call-and-response format matched rap’s energy perfectly. Artists used Jackson’s cadence to build their own political messages.

The reverend understood Hip-Hop’s power early. He appeared at rap concerts and spoke at Hip-Hop events. Jackson saw the culture as a way to reach young people.

Jackson’s family includes five children. His son Jesse Jackson Jr. served in Congress. His daughter, Santita Jackson, works in the media.

Hip-Hop artists posted tributes Tuesday morning. Many shared memories of meeting Jackson at events.

Fans can watch Jackson’s musical legacy in *Save the Children* on Netflix. The 1972 concert film features Jackson alongside the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye and other soul legends. The documentary was recently restored after being lost for 50 years.

A woman went to Twin Peaks for the very first time, only to be surprised by a great experience. TikTok content creator Eleanor (@eleanorcaps) didn’t know what to expect when going to the restaurant chain on a double date. Recognizing that she wasn’t the restaurant’s “target audience,” she felt a bit apprehensive. But she ended up loving the restaurant’s theme, her waitress, and the food. 

“I’m not their target audience,” Eleanor said. “Considering that, I had a great time. … The service was great. … It being like a lodge was also super cool.  I understand why people like Twin Peaks.”

Eleanor’s Experience at Twin Peaks

When Eleanor went into Twin Peaks, she immediately recognized that she wasn’t part of the restaurant’s core demographic. She and three others headed inside the restaurant as part of a double date, and she quickly realized that the experience was more welcoming than she thought. 

For one, her waitress was incredibly kind and accommodating. Eleanor said that she loved their table, creating a more positive experience overall. She also said that the food and general decor were both amazing, specifically adding that the food was “fire.” 

She seemingly still felt a bit out of place as a straight woman going to Twin Peaks, but she added that she’d “highly recommend” the restaurant. 

Do a Lot of Women Go to Twin Peaks?

Eleanor may have seemed surprised to be welcomed at Twin Peaks, but other people weren’t. That’s because many women actually enjoy going to the restaurant chain. The food is apparently much better than that of other similar chains, and many of the restaurant’s locations have high reviews. 

“There are a lot of straight girls that go to Twin Peaks FYI. The food is actually good,” said one commenter. “And then factoring women going with men, my wife and every female we know has no issue going there.”

Other commenters echoed the sentiment, saying that food options like the cinnamon toast cheesecake and the double-stacked brisket nachos were worth stopping by for. Not everyone who goes to Twin Peaks does so to ogle the waitresses, then. Others are stopping by for food, beers, or a consistent location. 

What Is a ‘Safe Table’?

Some commenters referred to Eleanor and her friends as a “safe table,” which is one reason why they had such a positive experience. But what does it mean to be a safe table?

Based on the context clues left in the post, a “safe table” is a table that is less likely to be boisterous, rowdy, or overall unsafe for servers. In essence, it’s a table that a server might feel more comfortable serving.

While many customers don’t go to Twin Peaks because of the waitresses’ uniforms, there are many who do. Restaurants like Twin Peaks do have internal policies to protect their staff from customer-employee harassment, which can practically assist with safety. But servers at Twin Peaks have come out saying that they were demeaned, harassed, and forced into their uniforms, adding that they had negative experiences working for the restaurant chain. 

Some servers enjoy their experience at Twin Peaks, but others don’t. The experience can vary from location to location. But there are tables that can make servers in general feel extremely safe and comfortable just by ordering normally and enjoying the restaurant’s “vibes” rather than acting in ways that create negative experiences. 

AllHipHop reached out to Eleanor via TikTok direct message and Twin Peaks via email for comment. We’ll let you know if either party responds. 

@eleanorcaps The food was bomb #twinpeaksrestaurant #yapping #cubing ♬ Gymnopédie No.1 / Erik Satie(884659) – BPProject

Snoop Dogg gifted five Olympic tickets to an Italian family after his credit card was declined at their Livigno restaurant last week.

Snoop Dogg turned an awkward payment situation into pure magic for one Italian family.

The 54-year-old rapper was grabbing takeout from Cronox bar in Livigno when his credit card got declined. Sofia Valmadre and her parents own the spot where Snoop ordered his usual comfort food spread.

“Snoop Dog ordered a cheeseburger and chicken wings and chicken nuggets and French fries,” Sofia told NBC News. “He sent his staff to take it and pay, but they couldn’t pay.”

“I don’t know why, but it wasn’t going,” Sofia said about the payment issue. “So my mother told him that it was okay without paying. Today, he sent us five tickets to see the final.”

The family didn’t sweat it. Sofia’s mom told the Hip-Hop legend to take the food anyway. No big deal, right? Wrong. Snoop had other plans.

The next day, five Olympic tickets showed up for the men’s snowboard halfpipe final. The family couldn’t believe it.

Snoop’s been living his best life at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. NBC brought him on as their correspondent and Team USA made him their first-ever honorary coach back in December.

The Long Beach native has been everywhere. He tried snowboarding with Shaun White, crashed a few times, but kept going. He compared it to surfing, then joked he can’t surf either.

Bobsledding? Not his thing. “I would never do bobsledding again,” he told the Today show. “That’s just not me. I look good in there, but I’m not going down that hill.”

Curling was more his speed. He even went down a hill on a plastic trash can because why not?

Snoop’s been bonding with athletes like figure skater Ilia Malinin and speed skater Jordan Stolz. He was in the stands when Lindsey Vonn had her scary crash on Feb. 8.

The rapper met up with Stanley Tucci at a bar, too. Tucci sipped a martini while Snoop ordered gin and juice. Classic.

“I am the love vessel right now, and I love that I am the peace messenger,” Snoop said on Today. “That’s what the Olympics is about. It’s about bringing the world together to celebrate sports and unity.”

The Cronox family story shows exactly what he means. A simple act of kindness by Sofia’s mom led to Olympic dreams coming true.

The 2026 Winter Olympics continue through February 23, with Snoop covering events for NBC and spreading good vibes across Italy.

Taiwanese-American designer ONCH is auctioning off Nicki Minaj’s famous pink fried chicken necklace in protest.

The designer behind Nicki Minaj‘s most talked-about jewelry piece is cutting ties with the rapper over her political shift.

ONCH, the Taiwanese-American artist who created Minaj’s pink-fried-chicken necklace, announced that he’s auctioning the original piece to protest her embrace of the MAGA movement.

The one-of-a-kind necklace will hit the auction block on February 24 via the shopping app Palmstreet, with a minimum bid of $30,000. The auction represents the first time the signed, original necklace has been made available to the public.

“As an artist of color, it matters to me how my work is remembered,” ONCH told Page Six. “Redirecting this moment toward giving back allows the design to carry new meaning beyond the current spectacle.”

The Los Angeles-based designer created the pink chicken-wing piece, which became a cultural phenomenon when Minaj wore it at the 2011 iHeartRadio Music Festival.

When Nicki Minaj first wore the piece in 2011, critics questioned whether it played into harmful stereotypes about Black people and fried chicken.

But the necklace also represented artistic boldness in a male-dominated industry. Designer Marco Marco, who worked with Nicki Minaj on other projects, praised her “flair for creating unapologetic, iconic moments” and her willingness to “push her own boundaries.”

ONCH’s decision comes after Minaj’s dramatic political transformation over the past few months.

The “Anaconda” rapper appeared at conservative events and declared herself Donald Trump‘s “number one fan” at the Trump Accounts Summit in January.

Her political shift has drawn criticism from across the entertainment industry. At this year’s Grammy Awards, host Trevor Noah earned cheers from the audience when he clowned Nicki Minaj and celebrated her absence from the ceremony.

The comment triggered another social media rant from Minaj, who called the awards show a “ritual” and claimed it would “backfire.”

ONCH built his reputation creating food-inspired jewelry pieces for Hollywood’s biggest names.

His client list includes Rihanna, Kate Moss, Ariana Grande, and Kim Kardashian. The designer’s work has been featured in major publications like Vogue and Vanity Fair, and pieces have been displayed at The Met.

Jeffrey Epstein referenced Kanye West’s “Power” in a 2011 email while discussing control, calling the lyrics “funny” and “resonant.”

A bone-chilling detail buried in Jeffrey Epstein’s newly released emails reveals the dead financier casually quoting Kanye West‘s “Power” while orchestrating yet another act of control over someone’s digital life.

The 2011 exchange shows Epstein corresponding with an associate named Melanie about seizing control of a website called “Mother’s Army.”

The brand was launched by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. They buddied up on the brand just days after he served a 13-month prison sentence for solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18.

Mother’s Army was supposed to “help amplify the voices of mothers all over the world to tackle some of the tougher issues facing young people and families.”

Ferguson was the face of the brand, but the convicted pedophile owned the controlling shares of the business, which would have made money on children’s TV shows and books.

After the public started catching on, Ferguson tried to get the brand and the domain back from Epstein, who agreed, but only if the Duchess would sign a letter of support.

But then came the truly disturbing part. In the same breath as approving this manipulation, Epstein made a casual reference that now reads like a confession.

“it’s interesting we were talking about ‘power’ – have you heard the kanye west rap song ‘power’ – some funny lyrics that might resonate.”

The song he referenced contains one of Hip-Hop’s most prophetic warnings: “No one man should have all that power.”

West crafted those lyrics as a meditation on fame’s dark side and the corruption that comes with unchecked influence. Epstein found it “funny.” He thought it would “resonate.”

By 2011, the financier had already been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. Yet here he was, still pulling strings, still controlling people’s digital assets, still finding dark humor in songs about power’s corruption.

Epstein was living proof of that warning. The latest document release from the U.S. Department of Justice spans millions of pages.

It includes emails, call records and photos that expose how Epstein weaponized his network of billionaires, politicians, academics and celebrities.

By the time of his 2019 jailhouse death, ruled a suicide, Epstein had become the ultimate example of what happens when someone accumulates unchecked influence.

Cardi B confirms her split from Stefon Diggs while also clapping back at her rap rival Bia on her Little Miss Drama Tour.

On Sunday (Feb. 15), during her Los Angeles stop of her Little Miss Drama Tour, Cardi B called out Bia while confirming that she and New England Patriots footballer Stefon Diggs are no longer a couple. While performing her Bia diss track, “Pretty & Petty,” the Grammy-winning rapper addressed the breakup while defending the NFL star.

“Let me tell you something, just because I ain’t f**kin’ with my baby daddy doesn’t mean you get to talk about my baby daddy,” she said in a fan-captured viral video, which can be viewed below. “This is for you, bi**h!”

Cardi is referring to Bia’s response on Feb. 12 to a fan on X who posted a clip of Cardi B’s performance of “Pretty & Petty” at her show. During the song, Cardi raps the line, “Name five Bia songs, gun pointed to your head.” This makes the crowd to remain quiet before Cardi ends the moment of silence with the subsequent lyric, “Bow! I’m dead.”

In response, Bia wrote, “Can u name someone with more bms than receiving yards? I can! and I know that…ykwnvm,” referring to Diggs who is the father of six children, including a son with Cardi, whom they welcomed in November of 2025.

Cardi and Bia’s feud erupted in 2024, when fans suggested that Cardi was copying Bia’s swag with her “Like What Freestyle,” which samples Missy Elliott’s “She’s a B***h.” Bia had used the same sample on her track “I’m That B***h” before the Bronx rapper. Their beef further escalated when Bia clapped back at Cardi who she felt threw shade at her on GloRilla’s “Wanna Be (Remix).”

Bia then released a diss track called “Suu Me” aimed at Cardi B, after Bardi went on IG Live and threatened to sue Bia for allegedly spreading rumors that she had cheated on her estranged husband Offset.

See Cardi B Confirm Split With Ex-Boyfriend Stefon Diggs and Take a Shot at Bia

See Bia’s Comment in Response to Cardi B’s Performance of Her Bia Diss Track “Pretty & Petty”

See Every Hip-Hop Artist With Diamond Certification