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Judge blocks Trump order on transgender youth care: ACLU

Judge blocks Trump order on transgender youth care: ACLU

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of President Donald Trump's executive order restricting gender-affirming care for transgender people under the age of 19, according to...

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Tracy Oliver had different plan for season 3 of ‘Harlem’

Tracy Oliver had different plan for season 3 of ‘Harlem’

Courtesy of PrimeThe final season of Harlem is out, bringing a happy ending to the love story of Ian and Camille. The couple, played by Tyler Lepley and Meagan Good, have been in and out of a relationship since season 1, but ended up together with a baby. Creator Tracy Oliver says it’s a different ending — and different pregnant person — than the one she initially planned.”I didn’t find out until I had already written most of season 3 that it was the last season. So then I scrapped everything that we had done and I was like, ‘Oh. Well, if this is the final season then I have to completely reconceive everything,'” Tracy explains. “So the season that you saw is the new version, but there was a totally different 3 that was leading to a potential season 4. But I’m glad because I this is my favorite season, to be honest. And I think being forced to imagine what the end was made me think outside the box with the stories in a way I was not going to go in this direction at all. So it was kind of a happy accident.”With the series now over, Tracy says she’s “flattered” by its legacy and how it has helped young writers, just as scripts from Shonda Rhimes and Mara Brock Akil helped her.”A writer in their 20s who’s on the rise right now reached out to my assistant to get my scripts and to get my pitch decks and my look books that I’ve created over the years because she wanted to study them,” Tracy says. “That meant something to me because if Girlfriends didn’t exist, I wouldn’t know to create Harlem. … Harlem for her is Girlfriends. And she was like, ‘I want to create something like that.’ … It just made my heart smile.”Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Wayans family to be honored with Hall of Fame award at NAACP Image Awards

Wayans family to be honored with Hall of Fame award at NAACP Image Awards

NAACPThe NAACP will be honoring the Wayans family’s contributions to Hollywood at the 56th NAACP Image Awards, taking place Feb. 22. They are set to receive the Hall of Fame award, joining past inductees New Edition, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Murphy, Aretha Franklin and more.“For decades, the Wayans family has been at the forefront of comedy, breaking barriers and opening doors for waves of entertainers,” said NAACP President/CEO Derrick Johnson. “Their trailblazing work in television, film, and stand-up has transcended pop culture and cemented their legacy in the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. Recognizing their achievements with this induction is a celebration of a multi-generational legacy that continues to advance and uplift communities. The Wayans family has set a standard of excellence, and their influence resonates far beyond the stage and screen.””The Wayans family revolutionized comedy by blending cultural commentary and fearless humor. From In Living Color to blockbuster films, their influence spans generations, breaking barriers for Black entertainers and redefining mainstream comedy,” adds Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET. “Their ability to push boundaries while resonating with diverse audiences has left an undeniable mark on the industry. We look forward to honoring their impact by inducting the Wayans Family into the NAACP Hall of Fame live on BET, while celebrating their legacy in entertainment and culture.”The Wayans family has influenced both comedy and entertainment since 1990, when Keenen Ivory Wayans started In Living Color, launching the careers of Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez and more.Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, Craig Wayans, Gregg Wayans, Chaunte Wayans and Damien Wayans are also part of the older generation of the Wayans family; Damon Wayans Jr. represents the new generation.The award show will air live on BET and CBS at 8 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Drake and PartyNextDoor unveil track list for ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’

Drake and PartyNextDoor unveil track list for ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’

Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImageDrake and PartyNextDoor are releasing $ome $exy $ongs 4 U on Valentine’s Day — 21 tracks, to be exact.The recently unveiled track list teases “74 personal minutes by PartyNextDoor and Drake” and songs titled “CN Tower,” “$pider-Man $uperman,” “Gimme a Hug,” “Celibacy,” “When He’s Gone” and “Brian Steele,” seemingly referencing Brian Steel, Young Thug’s lawyer in his RICO case. No guest features or production credits are mentioned.The track list is the latest update for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, following the album art, which sees Drake and PND donning fur coats and standing in the snow amid two buildings identified as the Absolute Condos in Party’s hometown of Mississauga, Canada.Though the two have collaborated on songs including “Over Here,” “Recognize,” “Loyal,” “With You” and “Come and See Me,” $ome $exy $ongs 4 U will be Drake and PartyNextDoor’s first joint album.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Woman gives birth to baby girl on NYC subway train

Woman gives birth to baby girl on NYC subway train

Gary Hershorn/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- A 25-year-old woman gave birth to a baby girl on a NYC subway train Wednesday morning, according to Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials.At approximately 11:32 a.m., passengers on a southbound W train alerted the...

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Questlove releases soundtrack for Sly Stone documentary

Questlove releases soundtrack for Sly Stone documentary

Epic Records/Sony Music Questlove has released the soundtrack for his documentary about funk legend Sly Stone. SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features the band’s signature hits, seven unreleased alternative versions, and three new edits by Questlove and hip-hop producer J.PERIOD.Quest also served as co-producer alongside Joseph Patel, Rob Santos and Jeff Mao, who compiled the album.The SLY LIVES! soundtrack is now on streaming services, with the documentary now out on Hulu. CD and LP editions of the album are available for preorder and dropping on May 9. SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) explores the rise and fall of Sly Stone, known for breaking down barriers in the late ‘60s and ’70s through the fusion of soul, funk, gospel, Latin and psychedelic rock heard on “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and other Top 40 hits.The film also discusses the burden of being a successful Black artist in America and features cameos from André 3000, D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Q-Tip, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and more.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Fat Joe mourns the loss of father: ‘He’s a Legend in my eyes’

Fat Joe mourns the loss of father: ‘He’s a Legend in my eyes’

DISNEY/Eric McCandlessFat Joe has announced the death of his father, Ernest Cartagena, who passed away at 79 years old. He shared the news on Instagram Wednesday alongside a carousel featuring photos of his dad.“Sad to announce the passing of my Father ‘ERNESTO AKA CUBA,’” he wrote. “papi te quero para siempre. This has been tough, I’m not looking for sympathy, just Honoring my Dad. He’s a Legend in my eyes. To my Mom, Wife, Brothers and Sisters i love you and we’ll always be united. 9/15/1935 – 2/12/2025.”Fat Joe’s tribute comes just days after he honored friend Big Pun 25 years after his death. “My brother 25 years keep protecting us,” he wrote next to two throwback photos of him and Pun. “You’ve been my angel in the sky, love you pun TS4LIFE.”Joe also recently lost his brother Angel, who passed on Thanksgiving Day 2024 and is featured on the cover of Joe’s latest album, The World Changed on Me.“My brother just passed away … and he was my mentor, my inspiration, my hero, and so I thought there would be no better way to honor than to put him on the cover of The World Changed on Me,” Joe previously told GMA3. “I got into rap trying to be like my brother.”Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Atlantis Paradise Island taps John Legend to perform, kick off 2025 Music Making Waves concert series

Atlantis Paradise Island taps John Legend to perform, kick off 2025 Music Making Waves concert series

Phil McCarten/CBSJohn Legend will be spending Memorial Day weekend at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, where he’ll perform as part of the launch of the resort’s 2025 Music Making Waves concert series.He’s slated to hit Casuarina Beach on May 24 with a set featuring intimate renditions of hits “All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” “Tonight” and more, songs from 2022’s Legend, and a few stories about his life and career.”Atlantis Paradise Island remains dedicated to bringing world-class entertainment to The Bahamas, creating extraordinary live music experiences for both visitors and the local community. We look forward to welcoming the incomparable John Legend as he kicks off our highly anticipated Music Making Waves series,” Audrey Oswell, president and managing director of Atlantis Paradise Island, said in a statement. “With his soulful voice, timeless hits, and our stunning oceanfront setting, this concert promises to be a spectacular way to start the summer.”Tickets will go on sale Thursday at atlantislive.com; fans can also call 1-800-ATLANTIS. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, which, according to the website, fosters the preservation of marine life and “their Bahamian ecosystems, through scientific research, education, and community outreach.” Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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South, Midwest and Northeast brace for yet another storm

South, Midwest and Northeast brace for yet another storm

ABC News(NEW YORK) -- A winter storm has left tornado damage along the Gulf Coast and piles of snow in the Plains and the Midwest -- and residents are now preparing for a new storm moving in this weekend.This latest storm has dropped over 11 inches of snow in Iowa, 10...

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Judge allows Trump to proceed with federal buyout

Judge allows Trump to proceed with federal buyout

(ftwitty/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge in Boston said he denied the request to block the buyout offer because the federal unions who brought the case lacked standing to sue and because the District Court lacks jurisdiction to review the case.Three...

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Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt,’ Luther Vandross’ ‘Never Too Much’ to be inducted into 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame

Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt,’ Luther Vandross’ ‘Never Too Much’ to be inducted into 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame

Roc-A-Fella RecordsRecordings by Jay-Z and Luther Vandross will soon be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jay’s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt, and Luther’s Never Too Much have been announced as two of the eight albums entering the 2025 class at an induction gala taking place in the spring.Albums by J.D. Crowe & The New South, Santana, Cat Stevens, Emmylou Harris and Fela Kuti & Africa 70 will also be inducted, as well as singles from Clara Ward, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, Geeshie Wiley, Eddie Floyd and Linda Martell, who Beyoncé featured on her Cowboy Carter album.The recordings all meet the requirement of exhibiting qualitative or historical significance and being at least 25 years old. “It’s a privilege to recognize these eclectic recordings as the 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement. “Music has the unique power to shape culture and mark moments in time. Each inducted recording reflects that spirit, and we’re excited to celebrate these impactful works, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire generations to come.”“The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and present, honoring recordings that have left a lasting mark on our cultural landscape,” adds Michael Sticka, president/CEO of the Grammy Museum. “We’re proud to preserve and share these influential works at the annual GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala this spring.”The gala will take place May 15 in Beverly Hills.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Will Smith to perform musical hits at Las Vegas show: ‘It’s gonna be a memorable night’

Will Smith to perform musical hits at Las Vegas show: ‘It’s gonna be a memorable night’

Courtesy of KF PublicityWill Smith will take fans from the past to the present in a special show taking place at House of Blues in Las Vegas. He detailed what fans can expect in a post announcing the news on Instagram.”we’re gonna sing. we’re gonna dance. we’re gonna put our lights up,” he wrote alongside a video giving fans a visual example of what they’ll see at the upcoming show. “I’m gonna tell some stories. I’m gonna perform some new stuff. I’m gonna perform some classics. I’m gonna sign your stuff. It’s gonna be a memorable night.”Tickets for An Evening with Will Smith: A Live Journey Through His Musical Hits will first become available via an artist presale starting Thursday at 10 a.m. PT. That will be followed by additional presales and the general sale, taking place Friday at 10 a.m. PT.Fans can visit HouseofBlues.com/LasVegas, MandalayBay.com, Ticketmaster.com or call 702-632-7600 for more information.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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R. Kelly loses appeal of sex trafficking and racketeering case

R. Kelly loses appeal of sex trafficking and racketeering case

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty ImagesR&B singer R. Kelly lost an appeal of his conviction Wednesday after a federal appeals court rejected his claim that the evidence against him was insufficient.Kelly challenged evidence that showed he would isolate women and girls from friends and family, control nearly every aspect of their lives and abuse them verbally, physically and sexually. He’d been convicted in Brooklyn, New York, in 2021 of racketeering, sex trafficking and other charges, and in 2022 of child sex charges, including charges of producing images of child sexual abuse in Chicago.“We conclude that the evidence was sufficient as to all counts,” the opinion from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said. “There is also overwhelming evidence that Kelly was further enabled to gain access to his victims because of his fame as a renowned singer and performer, a reputation his associates helped him maintain. Indeed, the evidence indicates that Kelly principally relied on his reputation to entice young girls into his orbit — he dangled his influence and clout in the industry to reach his victims.”The appeals court said it was “neither arbitrary nor irrational” that multiple people were allowed to testify that Kelly gave them herpes without disclosing his diagnosis, according to The Associated Press. They add it was not prejudicial that seven accusers who were minors when Kelly abused them were allowed to testify and that the trial judge allowed jurors to view graphic videos. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is known for work including “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Trapped in the Closet.”Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Erykah Badu, GloRilla, Muni Long and Tyla to be honored at ‘Billboard”s Women in Music event

Erykah Badu, GloRilla, Muni Long and Tyla to be honored at ‘Billboard”s Women in Music event

ABC/Randy HolmesBillboard has announced the artists who will be celebrated at the 2025 Women in Music event, naming Erykah Badu, GloRilla, Muni Long and Tyla as honorees.Erykah is set to receive the Icon Award, while Big Glo will get the Powerhouse Award. As for Muni, she’ll be honored with the Rising Star Award. Tyla will be the recipient of the Impact Award.“The 2025 Billboard Women in Music celebrates the incredible women who continue to drive innovation, inspire change, and reshape the future of music,” said Dana Droppo, Billboard’s chief brand officer.“From rising stars to legendary icons, this year’s honorees are redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in the industry. We’re honored to highlight their outstanding achievements and contributions through unforgettable performances, powerful tributes, and an evening that will truly shine a spotlight on their impact,” added Billboard‘s editor-in-chief, Hannah Karp. “It’s a privilege to continue Billboard’s tradition of recognizing the women who are pushing the boundaries of music and culture, and we can’t wait to share this incredible night with our global audience.”The 2025 Billboard Women in Music event, hosted by Laverne Cox, is set for March 29 at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park. Also being honored are recipients aespa, Ángela Aguilar, Gracie Abrams, JENNIE, Megan Moroney and Meghan Trainor.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Beyoncé soar on ‘Billboard’ charts following Grammy wins

Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Beyoncé soar on ‘Billboard’ charts following Grammy wins

Francis Specker/CBSKendrick Lamar and Doechii have made waves on the Billboard charts following their wins at the 2025 Grammy Awards.On the Billboard 200, Kendrick saw a 9% increase in units earned for his album GNX in the week ending Feb. 6, Luminate reports. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City went from #31 to #27 following an 11% increase, and DAMN soared from #36 to #29, up 9%. His 2015 project, To Pimp a Butterfly, also jumped up, going up 9% from #196 to #167, and Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers made its way back onto the list, reentering at #185.K. Dot also made moves on the Hot 100 with “Not Like Us,” which earned 19.2 million U.S. streams and jumped from #29 to #15.As for Doechii, her Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape earned 31,000 units, boosting it from #62 to #14 on the Billboard 200 and becoming her first top-20 album. “Denial Is a River” jumped up 66% from #55 to #27 on the Hot 100, thanks to its 13.8 million streams. The song, which she performed at the Grammy Awards, is now her highest rank on the chart.Also seeing post-Grammy gains is Beyoncé’s album of the year, Cowboy Carter. It reentered the chart at #19 after earning 25,000 units, up 254% in streams.At the Grammys, Kendrick swept all five awards that “Not Like Us” was nominated for, including record and song of the Year. Doechii won best rap album and performed a medley of “Denial is a River” and “Catfish,” and Bey picked up for album of the year and best country album for Cowboy Carter, plus best country duo/group performance for “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Trump says he spoke with Putin about ending war in Ukraine

Trump says he spoke with Putin about ending war in Ukraine

Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, which started three years ago when Putin’s forces launched a full-scale invasion."I just had a lengthy...

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Alicia Keys leading roster for 2025 Love Rocks NYC

Alicia Keys leading roster for 2025 Love Rocks NYC

Phil McCarten/CBSlicia Keys is among the artists headlining Love Rocks NYC, the annual concert fundraiser for God’s Love We Deliver, a New York-based nonprofit that cooks nutritious meals for those in need and delivers it to their homes.She’ll be headlining alongside Beck and Cher with the help of music director and bandleader Will Lee. The bill also hypes performances from artists including Mavis Staples, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Peter Frampton, The War and Treaty and Kate Hudson, as well as appearances from Tracy Morgan, Alex Edelman, Amy Schumer and Susie Essman.The Love Rocks NYC concert will take place March 6 at the Beacon Theatre. Tickets go on sale Valentine’s Day at 10 a.m. ET via ticketmaster.com, following a presale starting Thursday at 10 a.m. ET. This year’s event will benefit those affected by the California wildfires via Project Angel Food in LA.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Tyler Lepley says he’ll miss ‘family aspect’ of ‘Harlem’ set: ‘We really gelled and ended up being like a family’

Tyler Lepley says he’ll miss ‘family aspect’ of ‘Harlem’ set: ‘We really gelled and ended up being like a family’

Courtesy of PrimeTwo episodes of Harlem premiered on Prime Video Thursday, bringing the third and final season to an end. Having been on the show since the start, Tyler Lepley thinks the trajectory of his character, Ian, has been great.”I feel like … each season … enlightened us with a different layer of who Ian was,” he tells ABC Audio. “At first I really saw the fire in him, the passion in him when he was chasing his purpose as a chef. You know, he left Harlem, went to Paris, came back, opened up the restaurant. …. Then we got to see what he was like when we … took a look into his heart in terms of his love life and saw how he cared for Camille, how he was unapologetic about that and how he chased that and tried to … reel that in for himself.”He continues, “And then even when that didn’t work out, he’s still himself … in this fatherhood that he was chasing … then, you know, to go through that whole entire whirlwind and then …. hit the landing strip at the end of season 3 and he’s there with the love of his life as a father, which is what he’s always wanted … it was a beautiful way to see sometimes we get exactly what we want. It’s just not how we plan.”Tyler says he’ll miss playing “someone who’s eager to figure out what he’s doing here in life and then also honor … what his heart feels” and being on set with the entire cast and crew, who he says “really gelled and ended up being like a family.”Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Trans youth care ban vetoed by Kansas governor again

Trans youth care ban vetoed by Kansas governor again

Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images(TOPEKA, Kan.) -- Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed Senate Bill 63, which would have restricted gender-affirming care for transgender youth.“Right now, the legislature should be focused on ways to...

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Outkast, Mariah Carey nominated for 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Outkast, Mariah Carey nominated for 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Courtesy of Rock & Roll Hall of FameThe nominees for the 2025 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been revealed, and among them are Outkast and Mariah Carey.Outkast is one of eight nominees to debut on the ballot, alongside The Black Crowes, Bad Company, Billy Idol, Phish, Joe Cocker, Chubby Checker and Mexican band Maná.Others nominated for the RRHOF include Soundgarden, garage rock duo The White Stripes, Oasis, Joy Division and New Order and Cyndi Lauper.”These remarkable nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever evolving sounds and continued growth of Rock & Roll,” says John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.To be eligible for nomination, an artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago.The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in April, with the induction ceremony taking place this fall in Los Angeles.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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A$AP Rocky’s defense team rests in alleged 2021 shooting case

A$AP Rocky’s defense team rests in alleged 2021 shooting case

Deena Zaru and Abigail ShalawyloA$AP Rocky’s defense team rested their case on Tuesday morning as the rapper faces two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm for allegedly firing a gun at a former friend during an incident in Hollywood on Nov. 6, 2021.The rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, did not take the witness stand. Both the defense and the prosecution are expected to deliver their closing arguments to the jury starting on Thursday.Mayers was charged on Aug. 15, 2022, with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm for allegedly firing a handgun in the direction of Terrell Ephron during a confrontation.He pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.Mayers and Ephron, whose professional name is A$AP Relli, were childhood friends and both part of the Harlem-based rap collective A$AP Mob.Ephron, the prosecution’s star witness, accused Mayers of firing a gun at him during a confrontation in his three days on the witness stand.”[Rocky] turned around and then it was, like, BOOM!” Ephron said as he recounted the alleged shooting. “The whole thing was like a movie, he kind of like pointed down and he shot the first shot.”Ephron said his hand was “grazed” by a bullet and felt “hot.” He said that he then grabbed one of their friends and stood behind him for cover, then Mayers allegedly fired again before leaving the scene.The gun, which was never recovered by authorities, has been a focal point in this trial, with prosecutors arguing that the gun was real and showing the jury videos that appear to show the rapper holding a gun at the time of the incident.A$AP Twelvyy, whose legal name is Jamel Da’Shawn Phillips, was also part of the A$AP Mob collective and testified in Mayers’ defense Friday.”He walked around with a prop, like a starter pistol,” Phillips said, according to a Friday Associated Press report from the courtroom. “I seen it on several occasions.”Phillips suggested during his testimony that Ephron knew the gun wasn’t real and claimed that Mayers shot it to stop Ephron from attacking A$AP Illz, a fourth member of A$AP Mob who was also on the scene during the incident.”Can you explain to me how pulling out a prop gun that Relli knew was fake was going to act as a deterrent to anything?” Deputy District Attorney John Lewin asked Phillips, according to the AP.”The sound,” Phillips said. “It’s so loud that you would think it was a real gunshot and move away.”Meanwhile, Ephron testified on Jan. 29 that the gun was “real” as prosecutors showed a photo of his left hand with red marks on three middle fingers, claiming that he was grazed by a bullet.”Oh it was a real gun … I mean I was hit,” Ephron said.Ahead of the jury selection in this case, Mayers turned down a plea deal that was offered to him by prosecutors, the rapper’s lead attorney Joe Tacopina confirmed to ABC News, which included a 180-day jail term.”Yes, he was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is actually innocent,” Tacopina said.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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NBA to pay tribute to Bay Area and its musical culture during All-Star 2025 weekend

NBA to pay tribute to Bay Area and its musical culture during All-Star 2025 weekend

Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty ImagesWith NBA All-Star 2025 making its way to San Francisco’s Chase Center Friday, the National Basketball Association has decided to pay tribute to the Bay Area and its contribution to music. It has tapped DJ Cassidy for a special Pass The Mic Live! that will feature E-40, Too $hort, Saweetie and En Vogue. The tribute is set to take place on All-Star Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV and Max.Also performing that day is Raphael Saadiq, who will introduce fans to the competitors before tip-off with the help of a live 14-piece band. Kevin Hart will also be in the building, making history as the game’s first “on-court emcee.” Here’s a list of other artists taking part in All-Star weekend:- H.E.R., a native of the Bay Area, will join National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Andre Iguodala in welcoming fans to State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, where LiAngelo “Gelo” Ball will perform “Tweaker.” His televised debut will go down before the Starry 3-Point Contest.- LaRussell, also from the Bay Area, will introduce the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars on Friday with an original song.- PJ Morton and Goapele will sing the national anthem and Black national anthem, respectively, at the fourth annual NBA HBCU Classic.- 2 Chainz is also part of the lineup, performing at Pier 48 for the NBA All-Star Concert Series. The NBA All-Star game will also pay tribute to those affected by the LA wildfires.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Usher reminisces about time on ‘Moesha’: ‘They came up with some really … cool roles for me

Usher reminisces about time on ‘Moesha’: ‘They came up with some really … cool roles for me

DISNEY/John ArguetaUsher often reflects on his music career, but in an episode of Baby, This is Keke Palmer, he looks back at his time on Moesha. The singer made his acting debut on the ’90s sitcom, where he appeared in four episodes alongside Brandy and Countess Vaughn, with whom he remembers singing.“Whenever I would go on there — because I had a little guest role — we would always be on set singing and riffing with each other,” he recalled, before crediting the show for allowing singers like him to make a name for themselves in Hollywood. “LA in itself was kind of becoming something major for all of us. And Moesha was an opportunity for us to be a part of the culture in LA but also to have something that was relevant for us on TV. … They came up with some really, really cool roles for me.”The conversation brought Keke’s mind to Usher’s “Slow Jam” song with Monica, which she began to sing on the spot. Usher joined in on the moment, completing the impromptu duet.Keke and Usher also discussed how him serenading her led to drama in her then-relationship, his new Audible special, The Last Showman, and more on the full episode of Baby, This is Keke Palmer, now available to watch on YouTube.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Drake and PartyNextDoor unveil cover art for ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’

Drake and PartyNextDoor unveil cover art for ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’

Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImageDrake’s plan to release $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PartyNextDoor continues. He shared the cover art to the  album Tuesday, which sees him and PND in the snow, standing in between two buildings with the hoods of their fur coats covering their faces. The post comes hours after they released a video featuring comedians and fellow Canadians Jermaine and Trevaunn “Trey” Richards intended to promote the album. The clip captures Trey as he seeks his brother’s help when rehearsing a speech he plans to say to his girlfriend. Despite advice that he should say the words “I love you,” he struggles to get the words out. Drake and PND also shared a snippet of “Crying in Chanel,” a song featured on the album and arriving on Valentine’s Day.“It’s called $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, but it’s some turned up songs for you on there, too,” he said during a tour stop in Australia. “And there’s some personal feelings on there for you. So hopefully whoever you’re with on Valentine’s Day, hopefully y’all can share that experience together.”Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Chris Brown becomes second artist to reach 100 weeks at #1 on ‘Billboard”s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart

Chris Brown becomes second artist to reach 100 weeks at #1 on ‘Billboard”s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart

Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty ImagesChris Brown has made Billboard history, securing his 100th week at #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. His song “Residuals” helped him achieve the feat, as it landed the #1 spot for the first time in its 27 weeks on the chart. He’s now the second artist, following Drake, to reach 100 weeks on top, doing so across 11 songs in his career.Those include “No Guidance” featuring Drake, which topped the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for 27 weeks in 2019 and 2020, and “Go Crazy” featuring Young Thug, which dominated for 29 weeks in 2020 and 2021.”Say Goodbye” tracked six weeks, “Deuces” featuring Tyga and Kevin McCall dominated for nine, and “Look at Me Now” featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes topped the chart for a total of eight weeks. Other songs that helped Chris reach the 100-week milestone are “Loyal,” featuring Lil Wayne and French Montana or Too $hort or Tyga; “New Flame” featuring Usher and Rick Ross; “Hold You Down” by DJ Khaled feat. Chris, August Alsina, Future and Jeremih; Meek Mill’s “All Eyes on You” also featuring Nicki Minaj; and “Under the Influence.”Chris’ new accomplishment follows his Grammy win for best R&B album, 11:11 (Deluxe), home of “Residuals.”Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Serena Williams explains cameo at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show

Serena Williams explains cameo at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc NationSerena Williams is setting the record straight about her appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show.Alongside a video capturing behind-the-scenes moments ahead of the show, she explained she was called to join K.Dot because of her victory dance at the 2012 Olympics.”When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal,'” she wrote. “I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious? When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a superbowl? (Never) let’s do it!”Serena added, “I knew my winning dance after the @olympics would pay off one day. End of story.”During Sunday’s halftime show, Serena came out crip-walking to the Drake diss “Not Like Us,” which some interpreted as a diss of her own. The two were said to have dated in the past, and she was mentioned in songs like “Worst Behavior.” In 2017 Serena married Alexis Ohanian, who Drake called a groupie in his 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean.” Alexis responded, “The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter.”In response to a comment suggesting Serena should apologize for her Super Bowl performance, Alexis said,  “Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows.”As of Monday, per Variety, Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” has seen a 430% increase in streams on Spotify. Nine other songs also saw a streaming increase, with “Humble” soaring over 300% and “All The Stars” with SZA going up 290%.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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New Music Friday: Burna Boy, Lucky Daye, Offset and more

Megan Thee Stallion is not the only one with new releases this season. Here’s some of the latest and greatest to hit the culture:JT told us she was “Okay,” but Jeezy apparently is too. He appears on the “Okay Remix,” on which the now divorced…

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Shark attacks man while he’s fishing in Florida

Getty Images – STOCK(YULEE, Fla.) — A man was fishing in Florida when a shark bit him, severely injuring his arm, officials said.The man, who is in his 40s, was on a boat at the time of the attack, which unfolded around 11 a.m. Friday at West Rock nea…

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Severe weather moving east this weekend: Latest forecast

ABC News(NEW YORK) — Severe storms ravaged the country from Montana to Florida on Thursday, with winds gusting to 91 mph in South Dakota and hail as large as golf balls in Montana.In Melbourne, Florida, a tornado ripped through a neighborhood, damagin…

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Did CNN’s Biden-Trump presidential debate format work?

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump participate in the CNN Presidential Debate, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) — The nation watched as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squar…

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Fact checking the Biden-Trump presidential debate

Henrik5000/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump met for a showdown over policy and their records, but not everything claimed by the candidates onstage was factual.Inflation rates, border crossings, Jan. 6, abo…

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