Sean “Diddy” Combs’ verdict sparked mixed reactions in the courtroom and on social media. Today, the jury found Combs guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. As Combs awaits the judge’s decision about being released on bail ahead of sentencing, the Bad Boy mogul and his family were seen celebrating his acquittal from the case’s more severe charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

No longer facing the possibility of life in prison, Combs reportedly dropped to his knees in the courtroom after the verdict reading. Outside the courtroom, Combs’ supporters celebrated by spraying baby oil on each other. Meanwhile, his son Christian Combs was spotted dancing and doing push-ups outside the courthouse.

Online stars like Boosie BadAzz, 50 Cent, Aubrey O’Day, Jemele Hill, and more shared their reactions to the bombshell verdict. 

Boosie Badazz 

50 Cent 

Aubrey O’Day

Former Danity Kane star Aubrey O’ Day shared her live reaction to the verdict on her Instagram story: “Oh my god. Not guilty on Cassie, not guilty on RICO. No way Jane is going to be guilty. Oh, this makes me physically ill. Cassie probably feels so horrible. I’m gonna vomit.”

“I’m still unpacking the magnitude of it all. The cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable. It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experience with Sean Combs –only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of the jury,” she continued in a separate Instagram story post. “Let’s be clear: the courtroom operates by the law, but that DOES NOT mean it delivers justice.” 

Dawn Richard

Unlike O’Day, Dawn Richard, who filed a lawsuit against Combs for sexual assault and battery, released a statement through her lawyer, Lisa Bloom. 

“Today’s split verdict is a disappointment, but the criminal charges are different than the civil claims we filed and have been fighting against Sean Combs,” the statement read, per Daily News. 

Jemele Hill

On X, Hill called out the “cringe-worthy” reactions to the verdict before sharing clips of the baby oil celebrations outside the courtroom on Instagram. 

As you’re reading this, you’re probably putting the finishing touches on the details of your Fourth of July cookout. But while your meat is marinating and your drinks are chilling, you need to be thinking about the music your guests will (hopefully) be dancing to.

Because you’ll likely have a mix of generations in one place, you’ll have to do your best to appeal to everyone from 8 to 80. If you need a little help planning your playlist, we believe there are some seriously soulful songs by white artists that should be in the mix.

Here are some of our favorite songs by white artists that are great additions to your cookout playlist this Fourth of July. Spoiler alert: There’s not one single Taylor Swift song on the list. Sorry, Swifties.

“I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” by Hall and Oates

If you only know one song by rock duo Hall & Oates, it has to be the bass-heavy “I Can’t Go For That.”

Although group member Daryl Hall recently confirmed that there is no chance he and former partner John Oates will ever perform the hit together again, some of us still have hope.

“Genius of Love” by Tom Tom Club

Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth are the husband and wife team behind the rock group Tom Tom Club. The group is best known for their 1981 single, “Genius of Love,” which made it to number 31 on Billboard’s Hot 100. If you don’t know the original, you’ve definitely heard the baseline sampled many times by artists, including Mariah Carey (“Fantasy”) and Latto (Big Energy”).

“Square Biz” by Teena Marie

Rick James protégée Teena Marie scored a major R&B hit with her 1980 chart-topper “Square Biz.” The blue-eyed soul singer wrote and produced the song, which has an unmistakeable baseline. Marie even shows off her rapping skills, dropping a verse on the song.

“Paul Revere” by The Beastie Boys

Hip-hop pioneers The Beastie Boys had a huge hit with “Paul Revere” in 1986. The song, with a simple bassline, still rocks today. In a reaction post on TikTok, Cam J gave the Boys props for a dope beat, but took off points for their outdated flow.

“They sometimes rap like math teachers,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s bad because a lot of people rapped like that back in the day.”

“Let’s Dance” by David Bowie

David Bowie had one of his biggest pop hits with 1983’s “Let’s Dance.” The British rocker co-produced the song with Chic’s Nile Rogers, and the collab was a match made in heaven. You’ll definitely want to “put on your red shoes and dance the blues” when this song comes on.

“Royals” by Lorde

Lorde’s 2013 single “Royals” isn’t just a funky hip-hop inspired track, the lyrics are also a rebuke of excess and materialism, which is one of the things that makes the song so hot.

“Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

It’s hard to have a playlist of white songs that hit hard without including Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.”

“Minute by Minute” by The Doobie Brothers

If you close your eyes and listen to The Doobie Brothers, you’d swear Michael McDonald was a Black man. His vocals sound especially smooth on the downtempo track “Minute by Minute.” Fans agree, this man can sing anything.

“This guy could sing the phone book and make it sound like a classic,” wrote someone on YouTube.

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics

Heavy on the synthesizer and electronic drums, The Eurythmics’ 1983 classic “Sweet Dreams” is a cookout playlist must.

Although the song debuted decades ago, it’s still a fan favorite. Popular TikTok music reviewers @twinsthenewtrend endorsed the song the first time they heard it, giving it a “yessir” as soon as they heard the opening bars.

“Don’t You Want Me?” by The Human League

British synth-pop was everything in the 80s, and The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me?” is definitely a crowd favorite.

“Everything She Wants” by Wham!

Regardless of race, it’s hard to find a Gen Xer who wasn’t bumping the music of British pop duo Wham! back in the 1980s. Although their 1984 hit “Everything She Wants” is based on a fictional character in a loveless marriage, lead singer George Michael does a great job of selling it.

“I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” by Robert Palmer

Don’t get us wrong, Cherelle’s 1984 track “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” is fire with a capital F, but if you haven’t listened to Robert Palmer’s cover of the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis song, you don’t know what you’re missing.

“Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake

We don’t know if it’s the Timbaland produced track, Jay-Z’s verse, or Justin Timberlake’s soulful falsetto, but “Suit & Tie” is hands down one of the hottest songs on his third album, “The 20/20 Experience.”

President Donald Trump‘s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which extends $3.8 trillion tax cuts and slashes more than $1 trillion in Medicaid and SNAP benefits, would’ve died on a legislative vine had JD Vance, his vice president, not cast his tie-breaking 51-50 U.S. Senate vote.

While Trump and his party are currently praising Vance’s role in advancing the unpopular and potentially controversial bill, Democrats hope to use Vance’s consequential vote against him should he decide to run for president, as he is expected to. A CPAC straw poll found that Vance is an overwhelming favorite to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2028.

Republicans did it to former Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2024 presidential campaign. Trump and Republicans repeatedly (some argue effectively) called out Harris’ tie-breaking votes and tethered them to what they described as President Joe Biden’s inflationary policies that drove up the cost of living.

“Kamala cast the tie-breaking vote that gave us the worst inflation in American history,” Trump said during a campaign stop in August 2024. While many pundits and analysts continue to dissect the outcome of the 2024 election, it is clear Harris’ ties to the Biden administration played a significant role in her defeat.

Considering President Trump is essentially a lame duck president and will leave office after his term ends on Jan. 20, 2029, Democrats see an opportunity to return the favor in the upcoming election cycles, using Vance’s tie-breaking vote—and his own words—against him and the Republican Party writ large.

“JD Vance owns the big, ugly bill with his tie-breaking vote, unequivocally,” said Reecie Colbert, a Democratic strategist and host of Sirius XM’s “The Reecie Colbert Show.”

Colbert told theGrio, “He cast the deciding vote on the most detrimental blow to the social safety net this country has ever seen, and it will come back to haunt him.”

Most Americans, including 57% of those polled by Data for Progress, say they oppose the provisions of the “Big Beautiful Bill.” In a post on X, Vance dismissed concerns about as many as 17 million Americans potentially losing their health insurance if the legislation becomes law, calling it “immaterial.”

“That is the easiest sound bite for Democrats to run with,” said Colbert.

Democrats tell theGrio that Vance’s tie-breaking vote for the BBB doesn’t compare to those cast by Vice President Harris, who was the deciding vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which included historic climate investments, and to advance the American Rescue Plan that helped the country recover from the destabilizing COVID-19 pandemic. Harris also holds the record for most tie-breaking votes by any U.S. vice president in history, with a total 33.

Democratic strategist Joel Payne said Harris’ tie-breaking votes created jobs and boosted industries, all while being paid for, unlike the Big Beautiful Bill, which is estimated to add close to $4 trillion to the national debt.

“What JD Vance and Republicans are doing is like an unpaid-for wealth transfer from working-class people to the wealthy…it’s just not the same,” Payne told theGrio. However, he acknowledged, “Republicans were able to weaponize [tie-breaking votes] against Kamala Harris.”

Payne predicts Vance will have a harder time recovering from his vice presidency under Trump than Harris should he seek higher office.

Unlike President Trump, who Payne described as a “skilled communicator” with “100% name ID,” Vance is relatively unknown to Americans. He explained, “It’s another thing where people don’t know who you are, and this is one of the first things that they will learn about you.”

Given the blind loyalty to Trump that Vance and Republicans must have in their party, Payne predicted, “JD Vance is going to have a hard time both claiming ownership and also distancing himself from the worst parts of this piece of legislation.”

Hyma Moore, a former Democratic National Committee chief of staff to former chairman Jaime Harrison, told theGrio the political fallout for Vance depends on the public’s reaction and the Republican Party’s performance in the 2026 midterm elections.

“Democrats are going to spend a whole lot of time and a whole lot of money making sure that, all of 2027, people are reminded that he cast this vote that took away their Medicaid or lessened their SNAP benefits,” said Moore. However, he stoically warned, “I don’t think it’s going to be as big of an issue right now, for JD Vance, as it could be if enough people die.”

While he’s unsure whether or not Vance will feel any political blowback for his tie-breaking vote, he does see this moment as an opportunity to rehabilitate Kamala Harris’ record as vice president, which included “some of the most significant tie-breaking votes in the history of the Senate.”

“Had we not passed those bills at that time, in that way, the country would look a lot different now,” he argued. “A lot more people would not be alive. We would likely be in a recession. Big American companies would’ve closed. Small businesses would’ve closed. City governments would be in default. The crime rate would not have gone down.”

Unlike Trump, who is arguably a master at selling his ideas or perceived accomplishments, Moore said Democrats’ “biggest failure” was “not celebrating those bills in real time the way they should have.” He said Democrats must keep that in mind as they look ahead.

“This battle that we’re in right now. We’ve lost this one, and we’re now turning the pace to the new battle,” said Moore. “We’ve got to prepare not just for this battle that’s happening tomorrow, but for the battle for next month, the battle for the fall, and then for 2026.”

In the meantime, Democrats are hitting the airwaves and the pavements to get their message out to the public about what they say are tax and budget cuts that will cost lives.

“They have the capacity to do that, but they have to be relentless,” said Colbert, who said that while Vance may be the target in 2028, Democrats must also keep the focus on President Trump.

“It’s important to remind people that this is a promise broken by Donald Trump,” she said. “He said that he did not want to touch Medicaid. He said that he did not want to touch these programs, and this is exactly what they’re doing–they’re gutting it.”

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The British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan has been denied entry to the United States after sparking international controversy with a fiery and politically charged performance at the Glastonbury Music Festival on Saturday. The band, known for their outspoken social activism and anti-establishment lyrics, led thousands of festivalgoers in pro-Palestinian chants, including “Free, free Palestine” and the incendiary “Death, death to the IDF,” in reference to Israel’s military.

The performance prompted an immediate backlash, culminating Monday in the revocation of the group’s U.S. visas just days before they were scheduled to begin a 20-city North American tour.

“Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” wrote Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on X, formerly Twitter. “The State Department has revoked the U.S. visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.”

The move comes amid rising global tensions over the Israel-Palestine conflict, and as debates around the limits of protest and free expression reignite on both sides of the Atlantic.

“I Said What I Said”: Bob Vylan Responds

The London-based duo, vocalist Bobby Vylan (Pascal Robinson-Foster) and drummer Bobbie Vylan, formed in 2017 and have since built a cult following with their unfiltered punk-rap fusion and revolutionary messaging. But their Glastonbury appearance has catapulted them from underground heroes to the center of a transatlantic diplomatic and cultural firestorm.

On stage, Bobby Vylan declared:

“Hell yeah, from the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free.”

He also incited the crowd to chant “Death to the IDF” a moment that many in the media and government have since labeled incitement to violence.

In an Instagram statement posted Sunday, Bobby doubled down on his stance:

“I said what I said,” he wrote. “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.”

“Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change,” he added, referencing both the war in Gaza and his daughter’s school meal choices.

BBC Under Fire for Airing the Set Uncensored

The BBC, which aired Glastonbury live, broadcast Bob Vylan’s set in its entirety, a decision now under intense scrutiny. The broadcaster later issued a statement Monday admitting regret:

“The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.”

The statement followed pressure from Ofcom, the UK’s broadcast regulator, which said the BBC “clearly has questions to answer.”

A BBC spokesperson further labeled the on-stage statements as “antisemitic sentiments” and “utterly unacceptable,”confirming the performance will not be available on its streaming service, iPlayer.

Glastonbury Organizers “Appalled,” Advocacy Groups Applaud Ban

Organizers of Glastonbury distanced themselves from the controversy in a statement reported by several outlets:

“We were appalled by the comments, which crossed a line. While we encourage artists to speak freely, hate speech is not welcome on our stages.”

In the U.S., advocacy groups like StopAntisemitism quickly mobilized, lobbying the government to act before the band could enter the country for their Inertia Tour, which included planned stops in Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

“This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded – his hate is not welcome here,” the group tweeted, naming Bobby Vylan specifically.

The U.S. government’s swift response was widely praised by pro-Israel groups and conservative commentators, while free speech advocates and pro-Palestinian organizations decried the visa ban as an infringement on artistic and political expression.

Police Investigate, Legal Questions Loom

Meanwhile, UK police confirmed on Sunday they are reviewing footage from the West Holts stage to determine whether any laws were broken during the performance.

“Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation,” police said in a public statement.

Under British law, incitement to violence and hate speech are criminal offenses, though prosecutions for political speech remain rare and contentious.

Kneecap’s Pro-Palestinian Performance Censored by BBC

Ironically, while Bob Vylan’s performance aired live, Irish rap group Kneecap, who also expressed solidarity with Palestine on stage at Glastonbury, was not broadcast by the BBC, citing editorial guidelines.

During their set, several Palestinian flags waved across the crowd as Kneecap member Liam O’Hanna wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh fired shots at newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer:

“The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f**k Keir Starmer.”

O’Hanna, who faces trial in August under the UK’s Terrorism Act for holding a Hezbollah flag at a previous concert in London, also praised Palestine Action, a UK-based activist group that the government has moved to ban.

Glastonbury’s Radical Legacy Meets 2025’s Global Divides

Founded in the early 1970s with roots in hippie counterculture and political dissent, Glastonbury has long prided itself on platforming voices outside the mainstream. The Left Field Tent, a mainstay of the festival, hosted talks this year including “Confronting the Rise of the Far Right” and “Saving the Planet but Not Leaving Workers Behind.”

But as global tensions over Gaza deepen and scrutiny of protest speech intensifies, the line between activism and incitement, between freedom of expression and hate, is being redrawn in real time.

Bob Vylan’s saga poses an urgent question for the cultural world in 2025:

Who gets to speak truth to power, and where does the truth become punishable?

Related

The world practically stopped moving when the jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial announced he was not guilty on three of five felony counts. But while the outside world has been mixed with reactions to the news, it’s his reaction inside the courtroom that paints a vivid picture.

Before the verdicts came out, a BBC reporter shared there was tension on both sides of the court room. While Diddy’s family, including his children and mother, sat behind him praying for good news, surely folks on the other side were hoping for the opposite to rain down.

Throughout the two-month trial, reporters noted Diddy’s distinct and sometimes scary facial expressions. He’s been caught give death stares to journalists and even throwing up heart symbols with his hands to his children. But on Tuesday (July 1), Diddy’s stern demeanor took a celebratory turn.

A huge sigh of relief was heard from Diddy’s side of the room after the heaviest count, racketeering conspiracy, came back not guilty, TMZ reported. As the rest of the decision was announced, he clearly eased up. After hearing “not guilty” on Count 4– sex trafficking of his ex-girlfriend Jane Doe– Diddy even fist-pumped the air from his seat.

He then fell to his knees after all verdicts were read, obviously thankful of the possibility that he might return home. Drawings from inside the room show the Bad Boy founder under the court desk, with his head buried in his chair, according to courtroom artist Elizabeth Williams. Before this, Diddy had been facing life in prison. Now, he’s looking at a maximum 10-year bid for each prostitution count.

BBC also reported the 55-year-old mouthed the words “I’m coming home” to his family following the news. Ironically, these words also reference his 2013 pop hit featuring Skylar Grey. A judge is now deciding if Diddy should go free until his sentencing date.

For now, the flashy mogul is celebrating the potential return to his life filled with all-white parties and music making. Meanwhile, his victims, like Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura and Dawn Richard, have expressed heartbreak over the verdict.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., America’s first and only Gen Z member of Congress, caused quite the stir during a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, where he called out what he sees as hypocrisy among Republicans who claim to be “pro-life” but won’t seriously address the nation’s gun violence.

While debating an amendment to restore a gun rights provision of President Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” during a House Rules Committee hearing, Frost called out his Republican colleagues for saying their care about the life of children as a moral issue when it comes to abortion, but not when it comes to gun violence.

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., would eliminate regulations on gun silencers and short-barreled firearms, which gun violence prevention advocates argue would make it easier for such guns to get into the wrong hands. The U.S. Senate removed the amendment before passing it and sent it back to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Frost, who began his political career almost exclusively to end gun violence and its impact on American youth, attended Tuesday’s hearing as a witness. When asked about the gun violence epidemic that has left tens of thousands dead each year, Frost did not mince his words.

“They have no problems with more people dying, as long as they can sell more guns,” said the 28-year-old Florida congressman, who accused Republicans and the National Rifle Association of prioritizing the needs of gun manufacturers and not everyday citizens impacted by gun violence.

Frost added, “It’s despicable that the gun industry, the gun lobby, wants to push forth amendments like this that would result in more people dying.”

He also praised his party for working with former President Joe Biden to pass the Safer Communities Act, which made major investments in public safety measures that he said reduced gun violence in America to historic levels.

Affirming his support of the Second Amendment, Frost said, “We are for rights, but we’re also for making sure that the right to live is preserved.”

The “right to live” is a phrase often used by conservatives in their opposition to abortion. However, Frost and Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Hernandez of New Mexico pointed out the contradiction of Republicans’ claims about being “pro-life” as they continue to support gun lobbyists and vote in favor of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which experts warn will result in millions losing their health insurance.

“They say they’re pro-life because they want the baby to be born, go to school, and get shot in the school,” said Frost, adding, “die in the school, die on the streets.”

Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., immediately hit her gavel and joined another Republican member to call for Frost’s comments to be stricken from public record.

“You are not going to come into this room and impugn our integrity,” said Foxx, adding, “We are pro-life people from conception to natural death…Don’t you dare come up in here and say we want to preserve life so we can get shot.”

Frost replied, “That’s what I’ve seen.”

Foxx eventually allowed for Frost’s remarks to remain on record, telling him, “That’s how you feel.”

Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones praised Frost’s remarks, telling theGrio, “Congressman Frost told no lies.”

“He exposed the hypocrisy of those who claim to be ‘pro-life’ while refusing to protect lives outside the womb — especially when it comes to preventing gun violence in our schools, streets, and communities,” said Jones, who has worked on legislation that would create a new commission to study gun violence in urban communities.

Jones criticized Republicans who “chose to perform outrage” over Frost’s comments instead of “engaging in the substance of what he said.”

“This wasn’t a ‘gotcha’ moment. It was an honest, emotional response in a hearing where lives are literally at stake,” he said. “Maxwell spoke for millions of Americans who are tired of empty words and deadly inaction. He didn’t go over a cliff — he stood on principle. I stand with him.”

7

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been acquitted of the most serious charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking, but was still found guilty of two federal offenses that could land him in prison for the next two decades.

The jury’s decision, handed down Wednesday in a Manhattan federal court after nearly two months of explosive testimony and graphic allegations, means Combs avoided a life sentence. But with two felony convictions now on his record, the Bad Boy Records founder is far from free.

The Verdict: A Partial Win With Serious Consequences

Combs, 54, was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, a charge under Title 18 of the U.S. Code that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years per count. In total, Combs faces up to 20 years in prison, though sentencing guidelines and judicial discretion could make that number even higher.

If convicted on the racketeering conspiracy charge, which was prosecuted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, Combs would have faced a potential life sentence. The same applied to the two dismissed counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, which carried mandatory minimums of 15 years each.

The jury, composed of eight men and four women, found Combs not guilty on those three top charges, effectively ruling that prosecutors had failed to meet the standard of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Still, the guilty verdicts on the prostitution-related counts ensure the hip-hop titan will likely serve significant prison time.

A Legal Breakdown: What the Charges Mean

According to prosecutors, Combs was accused of orchestrating a years-long criminal network involving sexual abuse, illicit drug use, coercion, and violent intimidation. Central to their case were so-called “Freak Offs,” bizarre, choreographed sex events that multiple witnesses, including Combs’ former partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, testified were designed to control and exploit young women.

At one point, Ventura gave a statement that could sum up most of her testimony in this first of what is expected to be several days: “Every freak-off was directed by Sean.”

Despite the graphic nature of the testimony, the jury ultimately determined that the government failed to prove racketeering and sex trafficking charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

But for the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, the evidence stuck.

Prosecutors said Combs used his vast resources to transport women across state lines for paid sex, sometimes under duress. According to federal law, this crime is separate from trafficking; it doesn’t require coercion, just the intent to engage in commercial sex.

Sentencing Looms: Combs Could Still Serve a Long Term

Former federal prosecutor David Weinstein told NewsNation that while Combs may have dodged a life sentence, he is by no means walking free.

“He’s looking at 15-plus years under the sentencing guideline on each count, and he gets a multiplier for multiple victims,” Weinstein said.

“The judge can run them consecutively, and he might, with an additional multiplying factor, find himself bumping up against 10 on each count,” Weinstein added. “So, for people to say or think that he’s going to get credit time served and walk out of here, I think that’s a pipe dream for the defense.”

In other words, even though the maximum sentence is 10 years per count, the guideline ranges and aggravating factors, such as the number of victims and the severity of the conduct, could lead a judge to impose harsher penalties within the permissible bounds.

Combs’ sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, but legal experts anticipate it will take place within the next 90 days. Until then, Combs remains in federal custody.

Cassie’s Lawyer Speaks Out

Following Wednesday’s verdict, a spokesperson for Casandra Ventura issued a short but pointed statement, saying the former singer was “pleased” that Combs would still face “substantial jail time” despite being acquitted on the most serious counts.

Cassie’s lawsuit last year, which was quietly settled within 24 hours of filing, reopened years-old whispers in the music industry about Combs’ alleged behavior behind closed doors. Her willingness to testify publicly was widely seen as a watershed moment, both for her and for alleged victims of abuse within the entertainment business.

Related

In a case seen as a challenge to American free-speech principles, Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump over the editing of CBS’ “ 60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October.

Paramount, which owns CBS, said the money will go to Trump’s future presidential library, not to the Republican president himself. It said the settlement did not involve an apology.

Trump’s lawyer said Trump had suffered “mental anguish” over the editing of the interview by CBS News, while Paramount and CBS rejected his contention that it was edited to enhance how Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, sounded. They had called Trump’s case “completely without merit” and tried to have it dismissed, even while involved in settlement negotiations.

The case was widely discussed and was being seen as a referendum on how far organizations would go to curry favor with Trump. Paramount is simultaneously seeking approval from his administration for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.

In a meeting with shareholders on Wednesday, Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks said companies often settle litigation to avoid high legal costs and the unpredictability of a trial. Settlement allows a company to focus on its objectives “rather than being mired in uncertainty and distraction,” Cheeks said.

A spokesman for Trump’s legal team said that with the settlement, Trump “delivers another win for the American people.”

Paramount agreed that ‘60 Minutes’ transcripts will be released

In early February, “60 Minutes” released a full, unedited transcript of the Harris interview.

Under the settlement reached with help of a mediator, Paramount agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews of presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concerns,” CBS News cited the statement as saying.

Trump, who did not agree to be interviewed by “60 Minutes” during the campaign, protested editing where Harris is seen giving two different answers to a question by the show’s Bill Whitaker in separate clips aired on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation” earlier in the day. CBS said each reply came within Harris’ long-winded answer to Whitaker, but was edited to be more succinct.

“This settlement is a cowardly capitulation by the corporate leaders of Paramount, and a fundamental betrayal of ‘60 Minutes’ and CBS News,” said Rome Hartman, a producer of the Harris interview for the show. “The story that was the subject of this lawsuit was edited by the book and in accordance with CBS News standards.”

Correspondents had worried of a settlement with ‘wrongdoing’ implications

In a letter to Paramount’s leadership in early May, “60 Minutes” correspondents said they were troubled by reports that Paramount might settle the case “in a way that acknowledges some sort of wrongdoing on our part.”

The correspondents, in the letter obtained by The Associated Press, said that “if our parent company caves in to his pressure and lies, it will leave a shameful stain and undermine the First Amendment.” It was signed by Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Cecilia Vega.

Trump’s lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the interview caused confusion and “mental anguish,” misleading voters and causing them to pay less attention to Trump and his Truth Social online platform.

Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking the settlement with Trump. CBS News President and CEO Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who both opposed a settlement, resigned in recent weeks.

The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a media advocacy group that says it is a Paramount shareholder, has said that it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.

In December, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight. Meta reportedly paid $25 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

If you’ve been following “The Cowboy Carter” tour or Fashion week in Paris, you’ve seen Jay-Z looking casual and cool in everything he wore. Since the late 1990s, hip-hop has done more than influence fashion — it forged a lane for Black entrepreneurship and monetize, with moguls like Jay-Z as the blueprint. With every album Jay-Z released, signified his elevation as a rapper and a fashion influencer.

From baggy denim jeans that sagged perfectly to rocking the crispy white Nike “Air Force One” sneakers, artists like Jay-Z was instrumental in the streetwear culture. It’s practically impossible to discuss the evolution of urban fashion without giving credit to him. So, let’s take a look back on how “The Blueprint” rapper set trends and influenced the urban fashion culture.

The Emergence

During this period, the young artist was seen in rap videos sporting the quintessential 90s swagger, often featuring popular brands like Karl Kani and Cross Colors. These brands were renowned for their vibrant and bold designs, establishing themselves as trendsetters within the Black community.

Reasonable Doubt

Maintaining the New York street style, Young Hov will keep his style simple with a polo shirt and loose-fitted jeans. Often, the outfit will be topped with chains to give him a more rapper appeal.

The Creation of Rocawear

In the late 1990s, Jay-Z partnered with fellow music mogul Dame Dash to launch the iconic line, Rocawear. In an archived MTV interview, Jay-Z shared how he grew tired of promoting other brands for free — name-dropping luxury labels in his lyrics while receiving no financial benefits. After launching the clothing line, it quickly became a staple in the urban fashion culture.

Vol.2: Life and Times of S.Carter

Rocawear became more than streetwear; it became highly influential while offering a sense of ownership. It made the “rapper” look more accessible to everyday consumers, allowing fans to emulate their style without having compete with high-end designers. The success of the clothing line helped catapult the “Big Pimpin” artist from rapper to business mogul.

The “Blueprint” Of Urban Fashion

Beyond his allegiance to Rocawear, Jay-Z’s love for the authentic throwback jerseys sparked a major trend among fans. With the emergence of the classic brand Mitchell & Ness, it caused a widespread movement, not only being influential to consumers but also fellow artists like Nelly & The St. Lunatics, Fabolous, Dipset, and others to integrate jerseys into their wardrobes.

Blueprint II

In videos like “Excuse Me Miss,” Jay-Z popularized a relaxed, leisure look by wearing velour tracksuits, baggy denims jeans, puffer jackets and vest, topped with his signature “Roc” logo and chains. Men of this era will look to the Brooklyn rapper’s style as a benchmark of style acceptance.

From Throwback Jerseys To Button-Up Shirts

Through his popular record, Jay-Z famously laid out the direction of his fashion style:

” And I don’t wear jerseys (uh-uh), I’m 30-plus/Give me a crisp pair of jeans, nigga, button-ups.”

This signified Hov’s transition from trading in sports jerseys to a more dressy, casual style that inspired men to adopt an elevated yet urban approach to fashion. This album signifies his mogul status while departing from his earlier “young Jigga” persona.

The American Gangster

Following the release of “American Gangster,” Jay-Z dropped the video for his hit single “Roc Boys.” This video was more than just a visual; it signaled hip-hop culture’s emergence into a higher level of sophistication. Much like fellow mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z successfully showcased a luxurious lifestyle thorugh tailored suits and expensive Cristal champagne. The Roc-A-Fella artist empowered consumers to see this lifestyle as both accessible and achievable.

On The Run II

During the popular “On The Run II” tour, the 55-year old rapper made monochromatic and neutrals, with a focus of earth tones,his signature look. According to He Tells Stories, the fashion look was more than just a style — it was intentional, designed to convey confidence, power and quiet luxury.

Jay-Z Today

Today, you can find Mr. Carter effortlessly pairing his signature freeform locks with high-end designer attire, a testament to his ever-evolving style. From board meetings to European fashion shows, Carter is the epitome of billionaire casual-chic with a touch of luxury.

Throughout his career, Jay-Z has consistently maintained an aesthetic that’s never flashy, but perfectly aligned with his chilled, laid-back persona.

21

The Indiana Fever just made franchise history, but all eyes were on Sophie Cunningham’s postgame celebration.

After the Fever’s stunning 74–59 win over the Minnesota Lynx in the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup final, Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham decided to cap the night with some dance-floor flair. As her teammates rejoiced on the court and posed with the hardware, Cunningham turned her back to the camera, dropped low, and gave the lockeroom and Instagram Live a twerk, a brief but instantly viral moment that ignited a social media firestorm.

Some fans were all for it. Others, not so much.

The Game: A Statement Win Without Caitlin Clark

Indiana’s win was dominant and, more importantly, gritty.

With All-Star point guard Caitlin Clark sitting out her third straight game due to a groin ailment, the Fever trailed by 13 early in the second quarter. Instead of collapsing, they flipped the switch. The Fever closed the first half on a merciless 18–0 run, turning a 27–14 deficit into a 32–27 lead at halftime and silencing the Minnesota home fans.

From there, it was the Fever’s game. The Fever’s lead grew to 14 in the third quarter, and Minnesota was able to get no closer than six points of catching up again. Indiana’s defense stifled the Lynx, holding them to 34.9% shooting and forcing 16 turnovers.

Seasoned Indiana forward Natasha Howard was the unanimous Cup final MVP with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. All-Star center Aliyah Boston was similarly effective at 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Cunningham started hot off the bench to provide a clutch jolt: 13 points, seven rebounds, and three threes.

“Sophie for the Culture!”: Social Media Reacts to Celebration Heard ‘Round the Timeline

But for many fans watching the game or catching the highlights online, the storyline pivoted from gritty defense to cheeky dancing.

Sophie Cunningham’s postgame twerk didn’t last more than a few seconds, but it was long enough for the internet to divide into camps.

On X (formerly Twitter), one fan gushed,

“Sophie so cute.”

Another simply wrote,

“Sophie Cunningham. That’s the tweet.”

And of course, someone threw their support behind her completely:

“My fav WNBA player.”

Yet the celebration had its fair share of detractors and skeptics.

One unimpressed viewer wrote:

“ZERO motion back there. Embarrassing for an athlete.”

Another took issue with the entire concept:

“Why is this the go-to for so many women? I don’t get it. No matter what happens they have to do this dumb shit.”

Another tweet, dripping with sarcasm, read:

“Was the twerking in the room with us..”

Still, others were more playful:

“That little thing moving.”

And of course, no social media moment is complete without someone shooting their shot:

“I would treat her so well man.”

But the sentiment that seemed to dominate the viral moment?

“Sophie for the culture!”

What This Means for the Fever and Cunningham’s Brand

Though the Commissioner’s Cup is technically a midseason competition and doesn’t affect regular-season standings, the win and the $500,000 prize pool that came with it signal a culture shift for Indiana. The Fever are no longer the rebuilding team anchored solely by Caitlin Clark’s spotlight. They are a unit.Deep.Versatile.Dangerous.

As for Sophie Cunningham, the 28-year-old Missouri alum might not have led the team in scoring, but she certainly led the postgame conversation. The seven-year WNBA veteran has always brought energy and edge to the court, and now, apparently, to the dance floor too.

The Fever Keep It Moving

Head coach Stephanie White was all business postgame.

“We have a resilient group,” White told reporters. “They’re tough – mentally, physically.They pull for one another… It’s nice to take a trophy home, but this isn’t the ultimate goal. It’s a goal. And we’ve got to continue to get better.”

The Fever turn their attention back to the regular season now. They begin a five-game home stand on Thursday by hosting the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Attendance will be watched closely, both for the game itself and the postgame celebration.

Sophie Cunningham’s twerking viral moment may have divided folks, but here’s something that’s not debatable: in a league still fighting for relevance in the mainstream, she made sure the Fever’s win was not overlooked.

And in 2025, half the game at times.

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