Backlash over rapper Nelly’s controversial decision to perform at President Donald Trump‘s inauguration continues to brew amid ongoing social media debate.

The hip-hop star recently discussed the controversy on his new reality show, “We Belong Together,” with his wife Ashanti, and in a recent interview with Hot 97’s “Ebro In The Morning.”

Nelly explained to the radio show that his performance was not about being “pro-Donald Trump” but rather about “respect for office.” According to Miami rapper Trick Daddy, Nelly was purportedly paid $1.5 million for the Trump gig.

Nelly told “Ebro In The Morning” that he “plainly” said publicly, “I don’t agree with everything” regarding Trump, and dismissed the controversy, arguing he did an event with former Vice President Kamala Harris a year before the 2024 election, and “nobody ever brought it up.”

As social media debated Nelly’s comments on a post published on The Shade Room’s Instagram page, Nelly entered the comments section to continue defending his position. In it, he argues that despite the Black community’s anger with him for performing for Trump, he and Snoop Dogg–who also performed at the inauguration–“do more in the community and have been doing for over 20 + years against any of you that are just on here talking trash.”

Nelly explained, “From the black families that we employ to the black children that we help every day and all year through our nonprofits, whether we’re sending kids to schools on scholarships to HBCU or helping young black boys in la “gang central “ with his junior football programs which many players have went on to go to the NFL and live their dreams.”

The rapper also argued that he and Snoop should be seen as “inspiring” as Black men who are married to “beautiful” Black women with Black children. While doing so, Nelly took jabs at Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Trump.

“Some of y’all have a problem with [us] because the “prosecutor who has probably locked up more black men that we’ve helped woman of color with the white husband and white kids Did not win the election,” he wrote.

Nelly emphasized that he “did not campaign” for either Trump or Harris and that his decision to perform for Trump was because “I respect and love our country” and the military.

“It’s my respect for the office meaning any president that calls upon Nelly it would be a honor.. nothing to do with money,” he asserted. “Nothing to do with race but if you wanna make it about race, then let’s goooooooooooooo I find it very interesting.”

Kountry Wayne’s long-running internet soap opera just brought the heat in the latest episode: Shayla (Ishayla Vaxter) is finally experiencing a come-up for her foul behavior toward Amber (Amber Tai Hemphill).

Video will return here when scrolled back into view

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

The comments sections on TikTok and YouTube are lit up with Shayla, even though Anthony (Anthony O. Dalton) is just as foul for stepping out. The drama is all fun, but it’s also a reminder of an inconvenient truth about Black folks: A man can say “my bad,” but a woman has to come and stay outside a little while longer…or forever.

My spirit was irritated to see just how many were dragging Shayla out. There’s no question what she did was terrible , but the same ones shining a light on her bad deeds were in the next sentence excusing Anthony’s. And we’ve been here before: Remember when Sherri Shepherd popped off at Megan Thee Stallion for dressing how she wants to, only to turn around and hold Jonathan Majors’ hand through a therapy session on a talk show?

A “Free Diddy” movement has sprung up as Sean Combs is on trial for some of the most heinous allegations. Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony has been mocked, dismissed, and used against her because she didn’t leave when the abuse started. “Why did she stay?” “Why did she do this and that?” She wasn’t the perfect victim, and neither are the other women accusing Diddy.

If we saw a Black man get beat up by a white man on a hotel video, Black folks wouldn’t ask any questions about how he “put” himself there.

We can even throw it back to Jada Pinkett Smith, whom a lot of people still can’t stand to this day. Everyone knows the reasons why folks don’t care for her — from the entanglement, endless Tupac talk, and open resentment of Will Smith. But Will has admitted to his dirt. They may be in a bad marriage for life but people are still holding on tight to their anger for her while absolving Will.

There are many more examples of women who should have known better and Done better, but they’re not given the room to move past. None of their missteps rises to the level of abuse, committing crimes, and taking people’s consent away. And yet, the smoke feels more intense because they’re deemed problematic.

They’re Shaylas who need to earn the multiple chances y’all so freely give to others.

This isn’t to excuse any wrongs, fictional or otherwise. There’s enough of that going around, but maybe spread that grace around.

PHOTO : Getty Images

After weeks of jaw-dropping testimony, graphic allegations, and viral courtroom buzz, Sean “Diddy” Combs has made his final stance crystal clear—he will not be taking the stand in his ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.

👨🏽‍⚖️ Diddy Tells the Judge: “I’m Doing Great, Your Honor”

In a rare and direct address to the court on June 24, Diddy rose from his seat and formally declined the opportunity to testify. Speaking directly to Judge Arun Subramanian, the Bad Boy mogul said:

“We have discussed it thoroughly… that is my decision, I am making it.”

The moment was punctuated with what some are calling classic Diddy charm. Before sitting down, he added:

“I’m doing great, Your Honor. Thank you for doing an excellent job.”

His decision brought a mix of reactions from the gallery, with many noting the weight such a move carries in high-stakes federal cases like this one.

🧾 Legal Strategy: High-Risk, High-Reward

While some courtroom observers hoped to hear directly from Diddy, legal experts say the decision not to testify is unsurprising and strategic.

“Putting someone like Diddy on the stand opens the door for extensive cross-examination,” said criminal attorney Leah Malone. “That could introduce not only new damaging details but also give the prosecution an emotional edge.”

With past accusations, social media speculation, and mounting witness testimonies already dominating headlines, allowing the hip-hop mogul to testify could have introduced more risk than reward—especially in a case centered around power dynamics, control, and exploitation.

💼 What’s Next for the Trial?

As the prosecution continues presenting evidence and witnesses in the days ahead, Diddy’s legal team remains tight-lipped about their closing strategy. With multiple Jane Does, former employees, and alleged accomplices already having taken the stand, jury deliberations are expected to begin some time next week with an expected verdict being delivered as soon as Juky 2nd.

For now, Diddy’s silence is speaking volumes—and the courtroom, as well as the public, is left to draw their own conclusions.

Noir Nation, do you think Diddy’s decision to stay silent helps or hurts his case? Drop your thoughts below. ⬇️

5

The end of the road is coming, and Vin Diesel just slammed it into sixth gear. At Los Angeles’ FuelFest, the mecca for gearheads, car culture obsessives, and every ride-or-die Fast fan, Dominic Toretto himself took the stage and made three explosive announcements that sent the pavement and our hearts trembling. The Fast Saga’s grand finale, “Fast X: Part 2,” will hit theaters in April 2027, and Brian O’Connor is coming back.

And no, you didn’t misfire. You read that right. Brian O’Connor, the legendary cop-turned-outlaw played by the late Paul Walker, will reunite with Dom one last time to cross the franchise’s finish line. And yes, I cried at FuelFest. And I’m not sorry about it.

“Fast X: Part 2” Will Drop April 2027, and It’s Going Home

On stage at Irwindale Speedway in Los Angeles, Diesel dropped what might be the most emotional gearshift in Fast franchise history. Speaking like a man possessed by 25 years of legacy, loss, loyalty, and NOS, Vin Diesel stood under the spotlights of FuelFest and addressed the roaring crowd.

“The studio said to me, ‘Vin, can we please have the finale of Fast and Furious, April ’27?’” he recounted, commanding the crowd like a priest at the altar of torque.

“I said under three conditions. First, bring the franchise back to LA. Second, return to the car culture. The street racing.”

This isn’t just about plot points. This is about roots. Los Angeles birthed this franchise in 2001 with underground drag races, muscle cars, and family-first energy that could rival a V8 engine at full roar. For Vin, this isn’t a movie. It’s a love letter.

And Then Boom. “The Third Thing Was Reuniting Dom and Brian.”

Cue the collective gasp, followed by emotional engine revs echoing through the California night. Diesel turned to a videographer and smiled like he was about to drop a 10-second car on our hearts.

“They’re going to love this. The third thing was reuniting Dom Toretto and Brian O’Connor.”

@stratussco

Fuel Fest Announcement! 2 more years until we see the Finale! You heard it here first. #fastandfuriousedit #vindiesel #paulwalker #fastandfurious

♬ Tokyo Drift – Xavier Wulf

Forget the high-speed safes in Rio. Forget submarines in ice. This is the real heist. Bringing back Brian O’Connor, nearly 14 years after Paul Walker’s tragic death in a car accident, is the boldest, most beautiful promise this franchise could make. And it’s not being done lightly.

Walker’s character lived on briefly in Furious 7 through a bittersweet, groundbreaking blend of CGI and performances by Paul’s real-life brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker. Now, with Cody Walker as a co-founder of FuelFest, all signs point to a deeper collaboration, one where the O’Connor legacy is honored with care, technology, and most importantly, heart.

Fast & Furious Is Finally Shifting Back to Car Culture

Let’s be real. The Fast Saga took a turn somewhere between Fast Five and F9, when cars started behaving more like Marvel superheroes than actual vehicles. Don’t get me wrong, watching a Dodge Charger get slingshotted through a satellite was hilarious, but it wasn’t car culture. It wasn’t The Fast and the Furious.

Vin Diesel agrees.

“It’s not just about action. It’s about culture. Family. Brotherhood. Street racing. The scene,” he declared on stage.

And just like that, we’re heading back to the source. Los Angeles. Think late-night drag races, neon-lit backstreets, tuned imports, stanced JDMs, and old-school American muscle glinting under palm trees. Think of Letty in her leather. Think Dom in a tank top telling someone he lives his life a quarter mile at a time. This is what we’ve missed.

FuelFest Was the Perfect Pit Stop for the Announcement

There was no better place to make this announcement than FuelFest, the auto-obsessed celebration created in part by Cody Walker himself. More than just a car show, it’s a full-blown festival of speed and cinema where enthusiasts from around the world gather to show off their rides and their passion.

With pit stops across the country and one in Tokyo, because, of course, FuelFest isn’t just an event. It’s a shrine to everything Fast & Furious stands for. It also serves as a real-world extension of Paul Walker’s legacy, with proceeds going to his charity, Reach Out Worldwide.

And this year’s FuelFest LA was turbo-charged by Diesel’s unexpected arrival. Phones went up. Tears came down. And somewhere in the heavens, we can only imagine Paul smiling.

Related

In a peace signing ceremony between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda at the White House on Friday, President Donald Trump openly flirted with Angolan reporter Hariana Veras.

In the exchange, Trump is seen sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office talking about how beautiful Veras is. 

“I shouldn’t say this because it’s politically incorrect: She’s beautiful,” Trump said. “And you are beautiful.” 

He then proceeded to joke that he may not be allowed to say that because it could end his political career.

The conversation went on with Trump saying he wished he had “more reporters like you,” and then asking Veras how long she has covered the African continent. 

Veras mentioned being a journalist in Africa for over ten years, adding that she covered the first Trump administration.

“I didn’t know that. That’s great,” Trump said, while shaking Veras’ hand. “So nice. And I appreciate it.”

Later on in the ceremony, Trump gave out challenge coins to recognize the peace between the nations. One of the coins was given to Veras. 

“Darling, that’s for you, okay?” said Trump. 

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Rwanda’s and the Congo’s foreign ministers for a peace agreement signing. A conflict between the two countries that stems from a rebel group called M23, supported by Rwanda, which regained popularity in 2022 with various attacks on the Congo. 

Trump previously said the agreement includes helping the U.S. government and companies access critical minerals in the area. At the ceremony, Trump signed letters to the leaders of Rwanda and the Congo inviting them to Washington in July to finalize the peace agreement.

Did Trump flirt with a stunning Black reporter he invited to the White House? It sure looked like it and Black Twitter agreed.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Let’s break down what happened this week. During a peace deal signing ceremony with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt invited reporter Hariana Veras to share what she witnessed on the ground in the DRC following news of the agreement.

“I saw hope. They have hope now for a better day in Congo,” she said, noting that Congo’s President Felix Tshiseked wanted to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Rather than addressing Veras’ comments, Trump directed his attention toward her appearance.

“So beautifully stated,” Trump said, before telling Veras she was also “beautiful”.

“I’m not allowed to say that,” he joked. “You know that could be the end of my political career, but you are beautiful—and you’re beautiful inside. I wish I had more reporters like you.”

Although Veras seemed undeterred by the president’s comments, proceeding to ask another question, Trump continued on with the awkward compliments, joking the white house correspondent should receive a white house coin for her efforts.

“I think your reporter from Africa should get one. What do you think? Darling, that’s for you. You did a fantastic job,” Trump emphasized.

As you can guess, Black Twitter had much to say about the encounter. X user @Shampoo91786765 described it as a double standard, arguing that the only reason white people are supporting Trump’s ‘beautiful’ remarks is because they are MAGA supporters themselves.

“White people and racist people gonna call black women ugly all day and day, but let Donald Trump say one is beautiful than all of a sudden not all black women are ugly…bye.” the X user said.

A TikTok user went as far as to compare Veras’ looks to those of Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, highlighting his fixation on appearance.

Another Black TikTok user highlighted the clip by pointing out that Trump wasn’t lying about her beauty.

Other X user’s framed it as yet another example of Trump letting looks cloud his judgment during serious matters.

“Trump reducing a strong black woman to her appearance. Maybe one day white folk with see past they skin color,” @CountryMusicKi1 stated.

The deal formalizes an agreement between Rwanda and the DRC after decades of fighting. It has been thought as an important step forward in the Central African nation of Congo, where conflict has killed millions of people since the 1990s.

The agreement has been named the Washington Accord, although Trump joked that it should have been dubbed the “Trump Accord.” Another instance of the president not being able to control his tongue.

Fat Joe is standing ten toes down as he faces a serious storm of allegations. The Bronx-born rap legend has officially broken his silence after being hit with a $20 million lawsuit filed by his former hype-man—who’s accusing him of sexual coercion and misconduct during their time on the road together.

And Joe? He’s not here for any of it. 

💬 “THESE ARE DISGUSTING LIES.”

In a passionate and emotional statement shared online, Joe made it crystal clear: he’s not folding, not now—not ever.

“I’ve been tested the last few months – I’ve lost my big brother, my father, my mother,” he said. “And now I’m fighting against these disgusting lies. But please know I will not break and I will NEVER back down.”

The post comes just days after court documents went public, alleging a pattern of coercion and assault from a longtime member of Joe’s inner circle. But Joe is categorically denying all of it—calling the lawsuit “a cash grab built on lies.”

🧑🏽‍⚖️ THE LEGAL LOWDOWN

According to reports, the accuser is a former hype-man who claims he endured “unwanted advances and inappropriate pressure” while traveling and working with Joe over several years.

The lawsuit seeks $20 million in damages, citing emotional trauma, manipulation, and breach of trust. Joe’s legal team has not yet filed a formal response, but his public statement signals an aggressive pushback is coming.

🔥 NO STRANGER TO ADVERSITY

Fat Joe is no stranger to loss or controversy—but this moment hits different. In the past few months alone, he’s suffered the deaths of multiple close family members and is now forced to defend both his name and legacy in the court of law and public opinion.

But his tone remains unwavering: “I’m built for this,” he wrote.

🧠 THE NOIR TAKE

In today’s social climate, allegations of this nature demand serious reflection—but so does the danger of public trials-by-Instagram. Whether Fat Joe is being wrongly accused or facing long-overdue scrutiny, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the hip-hop world is watching closely.

🗣️ NOIR NATION, SOUND OFF:

Do you believe this is a money grab—or a moment of truth? 👀

Should celebs speak out before court cases unfold?

Let us know below ⬇️🖤

Before Zohran Mamdani took New York City’s mayoral race by storm and secured the Democratic ticket, his mother was artfully portraying Black and brown love on screen. 

Mamdani’s mother, award-winning film director Mira Nair, is the creative force behind several top films, including one of Denzel Washington’s best films, 1991’s “Mississippi Masala.” 

The indie flick, which starred Washington as a carpet cleaner named Demetrius alongside Sarita Choudhury as Mina, who relocates to Mississippi with her family from Uganda, was Nair’s second film after her Oscar-nominated film “Salaam Bombay!”. 

The romance chronicles what happens after Mina’s family is ousted from Uganda and relocates to Mississippi. There, she eventually meets and falls in love with Demetrius. However, their love is warned against by their different communities and ultimately tested as those communities become embroiled in a feud.

“Mississippi Masala” is a tender love story with an over 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also launched the career of Choudhury (who now stars in “And Just Like That”); Washington had just won his first Oscar for his role in 1989’s “Glory.”

Discussing the movie with Slate after it was finally made available to watch again through the Criterion Collection in 2022, Nair said she made the film while she was in a “stupor” of love.

“I had fallen in love for the first time, and I just knew what it was feeling like,” she said.

Of Washington and Choudhury’s undeniable chemistry in the movie, she said, “Their chemistry, it did reflect the slow-growing affection that allowed them to find each other. And the great courtesy that I felt in the South. The great courtesy of ‘may I kiss you.’ It’s none of that movie-style smashing into each other.”

Other films Nair has directed include 2004’s “Vanity Fair,” 2006’s “The Namesake,” and 2016’s “Queen of Katwe,” the latter two of which Mamdani had a hand in. 

According to Nair it was her son who convinced her to make “The Namesake.” At the time she had been tapped by Warner Bros. to potentially direct the 5th “Harry Potter” film, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” As she was debating which film to take on she asked Mamdani for his opinion. 

“He said to me, ‘Mama, many good directors can make ‘Harry Potter,’ but only you can make ‘The Namesake,’” she said during an appearance at the 2018 Juniper Literature Festival. 

If Mamdani’s political career does not fully pan out, he may have one waiting for him in the film industry. Starring Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, and Lupita Nyong’o, “Queen of Katwe” also featured Mamdani behind and in front of the camera. He worked on the Disney film as third assistant director and also played the role of Bookie Student. 

“Mississippi Masala” is currently available to stream on Max. 

Buying a car or a phone? Here’s what to know about tariffs in 2025, according to Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams.