16

In a powerful and unexpected statement, Kanye West has thrown his full support behind Drake amid the Toronto rapper’s high-profile legal battle against Universal Music Group (UMG). Describing the moment as historic, West praised Drake’s move as a breakthrough for artist rights and solidarity in the music industry.

Kanye West: “Team Drake 100%”

Kanye West, who has had a tumultuous history with both Drake and the major label system, took to social media to express solidarity with his former rival, along with Kendrick Lamar, who is also at the center of the ongoing controversy.

“I’m so happy… UMG, Drake, Kendrick situation… This is the biggest victory in music history right here,” West said in a now-viral video. “I’m never finna call Drake out his name. I’m Team Drake 100% and Team Kendrick and Team all of us… Everything is worth everything for a moment like this, where we stop going at each other and we go at the slavemasters.”

His use of the term “slavemasters” echoes long-standing criticism within the industry regarding exploitative record deals and lack of creative control afforded to artists by major labels.

Drake’s Lawsuit: Defamation, Harassment, and Industry Power Plays

On April 17, 2025, Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group and several affiliated parties, accusing them of defamation, harassment, and negligence. The complaint centers on Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, “Not Like Us,” which was released under Lamar’s pgLang imprint in partnership with Interscope and Universal Music Group (UMG).

The track, which implies Drake is a pedophile, was performed during two of the most visible music events of the year, the Super Bowl halftime show and the 2025 Grammy Awards, reaching a global audience of more than 130 million people.

Drake argues that UMG’s distribution and aggressive promotion of the song directly contributed to real-world threats against his safety and that of his family, including a drive-by shooting at his Toronto residence and multiple attempted break-ins. The lawsuit suggests that the label turned a blind eye to the real-life consequences of boosting a record with such serious allegations.

UMG Responds: Defending Artistic Freedom

Universal Music Group has swiftly denied any wrongdoing, calling Drake’s claims “baseless” and defending their support of Kendrick Lamar’s performance as an exercise of artistic expression. In an official statement, UMG said:

“This is a misguided attack on the principles of free expression and artistry. We support our artists in making bold, provocative work, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

UMG also hinted that Drake’s legal advisors may be fueling the controversy for strategic gain, framing the lawsuit as part of a broader power struggle within the label-artist dynamic.

A Shift in Tone for Kanye West

West’s endorsement of both Drake and Kendrick marks a significant shift in tone. Known for his previous feuds with both artists, especially Drake, the Yeezy founder is now calling for unity among musicians against what he sees as systemic exploitation in the industry.

West has long been vocal about the inequities artists face under traditional record contracts. In 2020, he publicly posted his contracts with Universal and declared war on music publishers and label executives, saying he wanted to “free all artists.”

With this latest statement, West positions himself not as an adversary, but as an advocate for solidarity and reform.

Industry Reactions: A Watershed Moment?

West’s comments have already sparked discussion across the music world. Independent artists, label executives, and fans are watching closely as this legal and cultural drama unfolds.

Many are calling this a potential watershed moment in the fight for artist empowerment. While diss tracks and public feuds have long been a part of hip-hop culture, the real-world implications of these disputes, especially when amplified by billion-dollar media companies, are now being examined through a legal and ethical lens.

If successful, Drake’s lawsuit could challenge how labels navigate their responsibilities amid artist feuds and potentially set new precedents for artist protection, defamation, and label liability.

A New Era of Unity?

Kanye West’s statement may mark a rare moment of unity in an industry often fueled by competition and rivalry. As he put it, the focus should now be on dismantling systemic oppression within the industry rather than tearing each other down:

“Everything is worth everything for a moment like this, where we stop going at each other and we go at the slavemasters.”

Whether Drake’s lawsuit against UMG succeeds or not, the conversation it has sparked, along with West’s unexpected show of support, has already made an indelible mark on the music industry.

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The 20-year-old son of a sheriff’s deputy opened fire Thursday at Florida State University with his mother’s former service weapon, killing two people and wounding at least six others, investigators said.

Officers quickly arrived and shot and wounded the shooter after he refused to comply with commands, said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell.

Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting, which began around lunchtime just outside the student union, sending students and frightened parents hiding for cover in a bowling alley and a freight elevator inside the building.

The shooter, identified by police as Phoenix Ikner, is believed to be a Florida State student, investigators said. The two people who died were not students, said Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower, adding that he would not release additional information about the victims.

The shooter obtained access to a weapon that belongs to his mother, who has been with the sheriff’s office for over 18 years and has been a model employee, said Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil. Police said they believed Ikner shot the victims using his mother’s former service handgun.

The alleged shooter was a long-standing member of the sheriff’s office’s youth advisory council, the sheriff said.

“He has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family, engaged in a number of training programs that we have,” McNeil said. “So it’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons.”

Witness says the suspect’s shotgun jammed

Ambulances, fire trucks and patrol vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies raced toward the campus just west of Florida’s capital after the university issued an active shooter alert.

Aidan Stickney, a 21-year-old studying business management, was running late to class when he said he saw a man get out of a car with a shotgun and aim at another man in a white polo shirt.

The gun jammed, Stickney said, and the shooter rushed back to his car and emerged with a handgun, opening fire on a woman. Stickney ran, warning others as he called 911.

“I got lucky today. I really did. I really, really did,” he said.

Trumbower said investigators have no evidence that anyone was shot with the shotgun.

Shots sent students scattering

Ryan Cedergren, a 21-year-old communications student, said he and about 30 others hid in the bowling alley in the union’s lower level after seeing students running from a nearby bar.

“In that moment, it was survival,” he said.

Chris Pento said he and his twins were getting lunch at the student union during a campus tour when they heard gunshots. “It was surreal. And people just started running,” he told WCTV in Tallahassee.

They crammed into a service elevator after encountering locked doors at the end of a hallway. “That was probably the scariest point because we didn’t know. It could get worse, right?” he said. “The doors opened and two officers were there, guns drawn.”

Dozens of patrol vehicles, including a forensics van, were parked outside the student union hours after the shooting. Officers blocked off the area with crime scene tape.

Students and staff who left behind phones, keys and other items in the rush to evacuate waited in the shade and prayed for the victims.

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital confirmed it was treating six people wounded in the shooting, one in critical condition.

Shooting shocks campus and the nation

President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office that he had been fully briefed on the shooting. “It’s a horrible thing. It’s horrible that things like this take place,” he said.

But Trump also suggested that he would not be advocating for any new gun legislation, saying, “The gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do.”

After receiving warnings of an active shooter, students and faculty took cover and waited in classrooms, offices and dorms across campus.

The first thing you think of is just, ‘This can’t be true,’ right?” said Kai McGalla, a sophomore who spoke by phone while locked down at a campus testing center.

Junior Joshua Sirmans, 20, was in the main library when alarms went off. Law enforcement officers escorted him and other students from the library with their hands over their heads, he said.

University President Richard McCullough said he was heartbroken by the violence. “Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Another shooting a decade ago at Florida State

Florida State is one of Florida’s 12 public universities, with its main campus in Tallahassee. About 44,000 students are enrolled in the university, per the school’s 2024 fact sheet.

In 2014, the main library was the site of a shooting that wounded three people. Officers shot and killed the gunman, 31-year-old Myron May.

The university canceled classes for the rest of the week and canceled home athletic events through Sunday.

Sinners is a masterpiece. Ryan Coogler makes a movie that features vampires, but it is not just a horror movie. It is more.

The film tells the story of Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack”, twin brothers played by Michael B. Jordan who left rural Mississippi and fought in World War One. They then made a name for themselves in Chicago working with Al Capone, but return home to open a juke joint because “Chicago is like Mississippi, just with taller buildings.” On the night they open the joint, vampires show up and chaos ensues.

Now, if you have not seen the movie, stop reading here and go watch it. It is a movie to be seen on the biggest screen possible. What’s more, Delroy Lindo steals every scene he is in, so he better get some Oscars love next March or Black folks will riot in the streets.

With Sinners, Ryan Coogler had more on his mind than a simple horror movie. There are five things that leap off the screen they contain so much symbolism, but I’m going to spoil some elements of the film…so read at your own risk.

The Guitar

Miles Canton plays Sammie, a gifted musician whose music attracts the malevolent otherworldly beings. Everywhere he goes, Sammie carries with him a beautiful guitar that Stack tells him once belonged to Charley Patton, father of the Delta blues. There is a scene halfway through the film where Coogler visually connects Black music across generations as he shows us Black people singing and dancing in the 1930s, but while the camera drifts we then see Black people in African clothes dancing, a DJ spinning on a turn table, and a man playing the electric guitar dressed in clothes that brings George Clinton and Funkadelic to mind.

The guitar is symbolic of the power of Black music. Coogler is saying that it has the power to sooth us, but it can also attract those who are unwanted.

The Vampires

It is not by mistake that the horror begins right after the scene that showcases Black music. The vampires are white people who are attracted to the power of Black music. Remmick, the chief vampire, is willing to let everyone live if the people inside the club would hand over Sammie. He is the key.

The vampires are colonizers. They want to own our music, so by extension, they want Black culture. Coogler uses the language of horror to show us the real threat of the film: whiteness.

The Sawmill

The place that Smoke and Stack buy from a white landowner was once a killing floor where white supremists ended the lives of an untold number of Black people. The reality of what the building was used for was hinted early in the film when one of the brothers noticed a stain that looked like blood on the floor, but it is said explicitly in the final act. The building is stained doubly by Black blood. First by white supremists, then by the vampires.

Scars

Sammie is hurt at the end of the film. We see him scarred as the film opens, but it is not clear until the end what hurts him. They are like the blood that stained the floor of the sawmill. Those scars are a reminder of what he has seen.

The Church

The movie opens and closes at the church. (Hopefully you stayed for the post credit scene.) The movie is about Sammie wrestling with his calling to play music. He wants to play it wherever he wishes, but his father calls him a sinner because he loves the blues. In the end the church is a both a place of salvation and damnation. It is almost as if Coogler is saying that he respects the church, but he does not want Black music to be chained there.

Sinners is Ryan Coogler’s best film. It is not a horror film about vampires. Whiteness is the evil that lurks outside the door.

15

Actress, activist, and advocate Olivia Munn will be honored with the prestigious “Courage Award” at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s marquee fundraising gala, An Unforgettable Evening, taking place Monday, April 28, at the Beverly Hilton. The annual star-studded affair celebrates strength, survivorship, and scientific breakthroughs in the fight against women’s cancers, while raising vital funds for life-saving research.

This year’s gala will feature a performance by country music superstars and three-time Grammy Award winners Little Big Town, with acclaimed comedian and writer Whitney Cummings set to host the evening. The gala will be chaired by WCRF Co-Founder Jamie Tisch, alongside Quinn Ezralow and Laurie Feltheimer, with an esteemed list of Co-Chairs and Honorary Chairs including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Tom Ford, Wallis Annenberg, Martin Short, Steve Tisch, and more.

A Personal Story That Sparked a National Movement

Olivia Munn, known for her versatility on screen and her candid, courageous voice off screen, revealed in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in April 2023. What began as a routine checkup led to the discovery of an aggressive form of the disease at stage 1. Over the past year, Munn has undergone five surgeries, including a double mastectomy, lymph node dissection, and a hysterectomy. Despite the deeply personal and painful nature of her experience, Munn chose to share her story with the world.

In doing so, she ignited a critical national conversation about breast cancer screenings and proactive healthcare. Her heartfelt and transparent advocacy inspired thousands of women to take charge of their health particularly in understanding the tools available to assess personal cancer risk.

One of the most significant impacts of her advocacy was a 4,000% surge in use of the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool following her public story. Munn credited the little-known Tyrer-Cuzick Breast Cancer Risk Assessment test, developed by BCRF researcher Dr. Jack Cuzick, with saving her life. The tool evaluates comprehensive family history to assess a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and prompted early detection in Munn’s case.

A Gala of Inspiration and Hope

“For over 25 years, An Unforgettable Evening has been a powerful celebration of hope, progress, and community,” said Jamie Tisch, WCRF Co-Founder and Gala Chair. “This year, we are incredibly proud to honor Olivia Munn, whose bravery and openness have sparked transformative change and underscored the urgency of early detection. Olivia embodies the very essence of courage.”

This year’s program will include moving tributes to cancer survivors and those lost to the disease, shining a spotlight on the importance of continued research and support. Past honorees have included Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Kate Hudson, Christina Applegate, Renée Zellweger, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Hudson, and Sir Elton John.

The Women’s Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), a program of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), directs funds raised from the gala to world-renowned research institutions across the U.S., accelerating groundbreaking research in tumor biology, treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, prevention, and metastatic modeling systems. With breast cancer diagnoses on the rise especially among women under 40 the need for urgent, cutting-edge research is more critical than ever.

A Star-Studded Evening with a Purpose

Country music powerhouse Little Big Town will bring their electrifying energy to the stage as the evening’s musical guests. The quartet Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook has amassed over 45 major award nominations and 20 wins, including Grammy, CMA, ACM, and American Music Awards. Their chart-topping singles like “Pontoon,” “Girl Crush,” and “Day Drinking” have cemented their place in country music history, and they’re set to hit the road again this summer with their highly anticipated “Little Big Town Summer Tour ’25.”

Hosting the event is Whitney Cummings, one of comedy’s most distinct and influential voices. Known for her fearless humor and cultural candor, Cummings is the creator of NBC’s Whitney and co-creator of the Emmy Award-winning CBS hit 2 Broke Girls. She continues to reach global audiences through her popular podcast Good for You and is currently touring North America with her Big Baby stand-up tour.

Olivia Munn: A Life of Impact On and Off the Screen

Olivia Munn rose to prominence in the early 2000s as the breakout host of G4’s Attack of the Show, eventually becoming the first East Asian correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. She later starred in HBO’s acclaimed series The Newsroom and blockbuster films including Magic Mike, X-Men: Apocalypse, and The Predator. Her latest project, the Apple TV+ drama Your Friends & Neighbors opposite Jon Hamm is now streaming to critical acclaim.

Beyond her film and television work, Munn has long used her platform to champion underrepresented voices, animal rights, and mental health awareness. Her breast cancer journey has added a deeply personal dimension to her activism. In recognition of her influence and advocacy, Munn was named one of TIME’s 2025 Women of the Year and featured on TIME’s 2024 100 Most Influential People in Health list.

Munn currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, comedian John Mulaney, their three-year-old son, and their four-month-old daughter.

Advancing a Future Without Breast Cancer

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. With increasing rates of diagnosis among women under 40, the mission of WCRF and its collaborators at BCRF has never been more urgent. An Unforgettable Evening raises critical funds to fuel discoveries that save lives and to honor those, like Olivia Munn, who turn personal hardship into powerful purpose.

For tickets, donations, and more information about the gala and the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, visit www.wcrfcure.org.

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The mother of Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old suspect in a fatal stabbing at a track meet earlier this month in Frisco, Texas, is speaking out amid the harassment the family is facing.

On Thursday afternoon, April 17, during a press conference, the boy’s mother, Kala Hayes, pleaded with the public through tears to leave her family alone as they continue to navigate this difficult time.

“Three years ago, my family moved to North Texas, searching for a better life,” she began. “Like so many other families, we wanted to give our children the future we did not have. My husband works hard every single day to provide for us, to make sure we [are] in the best financial position possible. As a stay-at-home mom, I made it my life’s mission to ensure our children are loved, nurtured, and supported every step of the way. In the wake of this tragic incident, our family has been under attack.”

On April 2, it’s alleged that Anthony stabbed Austin Metcalf, also 17, during an intense encounter between the two as their rival teams waited out a rain delay during the event at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. Anthony, who admitted to the stabbing and has maintained he was acting in self-defense, was charged with murder.

In the aftermath of that “rainy and awful day,” Hayes said her family has been experiencing widespread harassment, including rumors, death threats, the leaking of both their home address and the address of her husband’s former employer, and discrimination.

“Whatever you think … happened between Karmelo and the Metcalf boys, my three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” she said.

Some of the conversation stems from misinformation surrounding the funds from an online fundraiser that was launched for the family and Anthony’s legal fees. While some online have claimed the family is using the funds to buy a new house, the mother cleared the air, stating the claims are “completely false,” as they have yet to received any money from the fundraiser. The family has expressed in court that they are only considering a move to avoid harassment.

“The lies and false accusations that have been said about us, especially over the past week, [have] been overwhelming,” she explained. “The lies and their amplification put my family in danger, as well as everyone in our community, everyone involved in the investigation, from the police, the attorneys, and the court staff.”

Hayes said her 13-year-old daughter is afraid to sleep in her own bedroom because she fears what could happen to her. Her husband, whose mental health she said is deteriorating “day by day,” had to take a leave of absence from work for the same reason.

“I don’t know why we are being targeted and discriminated against before our fair trial, our son deserves the same rights under the law that everyone is afforded,” Hayes said during the press conference as tears rolled down her face.

She explained that Anthony was raised in a two-parent household with structure, stability and love.

“We put God first in everything that we do,” she continued. “We believe in the Constitution. We believe in the laws of this state, but those laws must apply to all of us, not just some of us.”

She also addressed the Metcalf family, stating, “My heart truly goes out to you.”

“To those who have supported my family, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. We ask for your continued support, patience, and prayers as we navigate this difficult process,” she concluded.

The statement arrives after Anthony was released on a $250,000 bond after a successful bond hearing to lower it from the original $1 million. The case will soon be brought before a grand jury for consideration on whether or not to indict him and whether he will stand trial. 

7

Peacock is turning up the heat once again with the announcement of LOVE ISLAND: BEYOND THE VILLA (WT), a brand-new spinoff series that dives headfirst into what happens after the final fire pit. Set to premiere in Summer 2025, the docuseries will follow some of Season 6’s most unforgettable Islanders as they take on life outside the iconic villa, this time under the bright lights of Los Angeles.

Produced by ITV America, in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment, the series marks a bold new direction for the Love Island USA franchise. It shifts from sun-kissed flirtations to real-life decisions, career moves, and the very real pressures that come with fame, followers, and figuring it all out after the villa.

Meet the Cast: Your Season 6 Favorites Are Back

If you couldn’t get enough of the Love Island USA Season 6 cast, don’t worry, neither could we. Beyond the Villa brings back ten of the season’s most buzzed-about Islanders, offering fans a front-row seat to their next chapter. The cast includes:

• JaNa Craig






• Aaron Evans






• Miguel Harichi






• Leah Kateb






• Kaylor Martin






• Connor Newsum






• Serena Page






• Kenny Rodriguez






• Olivia Walker






• Kendall Washington

These familiar faces, along with a few surprise appearances from other Love Island alums, will navigate everything from blossoming romances and rocky reunions to career struggles and social media fame. From collaborations and content to contracts and conflict, Beyond the Villa promises to give fans everything they’ve been craving, with no filter.

From Reality Stars to Real Life

Season 6 of LOVE ISLAND USA wasn’t just a summer fling. It was a cultural moment. The series became Summer 2024’s #1 reality show in the U.S. and Peacock’s most-watched original reality competition series in history. Now, Beyond the Villa flips the script and reveals what life looks like when the 24/7 surveillance ends and the stakes get even higher.

Expect intense emotional moments, juicy drama, and the kind of unfiltered realness that Love Island fans live for. Whether it’s building a brand, moving in with a partner, healing from heartbreak, or figuring out what’s next, the Islanders’ post-villa journeys are only just beginning.

What to Expect in Beyond the Villa

Set against the glittering and often gritty backdrop of Los Angeles, Love Island: Beyond the Villa (WT) will spotlight the ups and downs of post-show fame. Expect to see:

• New career moves in entertainment, fashion, fitness, and entrepreneurship






• Romantic evolutions including unexpected reunions, breakups, and maybe even engagements






• Emotional growth as Islanders reflect on their villa experience and what it means to move forward






• Group dynamics that shift and clash in dramatic, heartfelt, and hilarious ways






• Surprise guest appearances from other Islanders fans didn’t expect to see

From heart-to-hearts to headline-making drama, this spinoff is the perfect blend of relatable and wild. Just like the original series, only with more freedom and fewer rules.

The Team Behind the Scenes

Delivering this next-level spinoff is a powerhouse team of executive producers, including:

• David George






• Adam Sher






• Sarah Howell






• Richard Bye






• Richard Foster






• Chet Fenster

Together, these producers are bringing years of reality storytelling expertise to the table. They promise a docuseries that is as binge-worthy and emotionally raw as its predecessor, but with a fresh format and a bigger lens on life outside the island bubble.

Stream the OG Drama on Peacock

Need a refresher before the new series hits your screen? All episodes of LOVE ISLAND USA Season 6 are currently available to stream exclusively on Peacock. Relive every recoupling, every bombshell arrival, and every jaw-dropping twist at peacocktv.com/stream-tv/love-island.

Love Never Really Ends, It Just Evolves

Love Island: Beyond the Villa (WT) is more than a spinoff. It’s a continuation of the stories that captivated millions. It’s a look at how fame, love, and friendships evolve when the cameras follow you beyond the sun-drenched set and into real-world challenges.

The villa was just the beginning. This summer, love and drama go beyond.

For updates and more information, visit Peacock’s official Love Island hub.

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Republican members of the Tennessee State Assembly are catching backlash after taking photographs with whips in what harkens back to the violent horrors that African Americans endured during U.S. slavery, particularly in the South.

Last week, six members of the House Republican Caucus in Nashville were appointed as deputy whips–leadership roles that involve counting House votes and communicating with members to advance their party’s legislative agenda. However, the appointments were overshadowed by the lawmakers being awarded frames of literal whips.

While the controversial strips of leather have existed for centuries, dating back to Egyptian times, and have served primarily as tools to manage livestock like horses and cattle, they have also been used to punish and harm others, most notably enslaved Black Americans in the United States.

State Rep. Jesse Chism, the chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus, condemned his Republican colleagues for having a “lack of awareness” about the troubling reference, reports WKRN.

“I urge that my colleagues consider the perspectives and emotions of those around them, especially our African-American members,” Chism said in a statement.

I’m honored to – along with several of my colleagues – be appointed a Deputy Whip in the TN House GOP Caucus of the 114th General Assembly! pic.twitter.com/GwyhbikEWl

— Lee Reeves (@LeeReevesTN) April 11, 2025

The Democratic lawmaker said African Americans have contributed to the “foundation and progress” of Tennessee for generations. He also slammed the Republican Party for proposing legislation to dismantle programs that promote DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs. Chism said DEI policies are “designed to address long-standing inequities,” and attempts to end them reveal a “troubling disregard for our shared humanity.”

“To pair this with imagery of legislators holding whips only deepens the trauma, evoking a dark and painful chapter in our state’s history,” said the Democrat. “This Assembly must become more aware of the weight our actions carry and the messages they convey. It is our duty to lead with integrity and a sincere willingness to understand one another that has too often been absent from our deliberations.”

The Black Caucus chair said his Republican colleagues have “caused distress” and “disregarded the dignity” of Black members of the State House. He urged Republicans to publicly “take accountability”– not privately.

“It should be done in a manner that is equal to the visibility as the offense itself. That is how we can begin to move forward with honesty and purpose, grounded in mutual respect,” said Chism.