Def Jam Executive Accused of Sexual Assault, Diddy’s Mother Sued for Fraud, Lil Baby Called ‘Cowardly,’ Drake Adds Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime show to Lawsuit, and More Music News

Catching you up with all the the music news this week.

Graphic: Images: Aaron J. Thornton, Michael Tran/FilmMagic, Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for FIREAID, Cole Burston // Gregory Shamus

What?? Def Jam Executive Kevin Liles Sued for Sexual Assault, Here’s What We Know

Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton

The Hip-Hip community is taking a hit after music executive Kevin Liles is now facing serious allegations. According to a lawsuit filed on Thursday (Feb. 27), the former Def Jam president is being sued for alleged sexual assault during his time as president. — Phenix S Halley

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
New York County Ballot Lawsuit Sparks Election Integrity Firestorm on Social Media

Read More

Diddy’s Mother Joins Her Son in Legal Battles After She’s Hit With a Lawsuit. Here Are the Details

Photo: Getty Images Michael Tran/FilmMagic Photo: Getty Images Michael Tran/FilmMagic

Sean “Diddy” Combs isn’t the only one dealing with legal issues. The hip-hop mogul’s mother, Janice Combs, is also having to fight serious allegations after one of the co-founders of Bad Boy Entertainment is accusing the 84-year-old of fraud. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Lil Baby Described as ‘Cowardly’ by Atlanta Police. Here’s Why

Lil Baby is facing the heat from the Atlanta Police Department (APD) after the death of two teenagers. Officers went as far as to call the “WHAM” rapper “cowardly” for his actions. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

How Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Made Drake Step His Lawsuit Game Up

Drake has seemingly been minding his business and not been paying too much attention to Kendrick Lamar’s moves. However, his legal team appears to be speaking for him. They recently mentioned Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance in response to a claim made by Universal Music Group (UMG). — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Iconic and Obscure Songs That Kendrick Lamar Has Sampled in His Music

Photo: Getty Images Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service Photo: Getty Images Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service

One of the things that makes Kendrick Lamar’s catalog so enjoyable is his ability to infuse jazz, R&B, and so many other genres into his music. He did it on his legendary diss track, “Not Like Us,” and has done so on several other songs throughout his career. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Tyler, the Creator Claps Back at ‘Weird’ Fan Behavior in Social Media Rant

Tyler, the Creator is never afraid to let his supporters know how they annoy him, even if they are among hip-hop’s most loyal fans. Recently, on social media, the Los Angeles MC expressed his frustration over the fans who have had the special opportunity to meet him in person. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Celebs Showing How They Looked in the 90s Is Taking Over the Internet

Black Celebs Showing How They Looked in the 90s Is Taking Over the Internet

From Halle Berry to Morris Chestnut, Black stars are hopping onto this 90s trend on TikTok. Let’s take a look at the best ones! …
The Worst Oscars Red Carpet Trainwrecks Over the Years

The Worst Oscars Red Carpet Trainwrecks Over the Years

With the 2026 Oscars just days away, let’s take a look at Black celebs who’ve had some fashion misses on the famous red carpet! …
S.C. Rep. Jim Clyburn's Run for an 18th Congressional Term Has Black America Divided

S.C. Rep. Jim Clyburn’s Run for an 18th Congressional Term Has Black America Divided

After 85-year-old Rep. Jim Clyburn announced his run for an 18th term, Black folks online shared plenty of thoughts …
Why Oscar-Nominated Film 'The Alabama Solution,' is More Than Just a Prison Documentary

Why Oscar-Nominated Film ‘The Alabama Solution,’ is More Than Just a Prison Documentary

“The Alabama Solution” is what happens when you let inmates tell the unapologetic truth about their living conditions and the abuse allegedly at the hands of correctional officers …
Pastor Goes Viral for Demanding Congregants’ Tax Returns—And The Internet Is Gagging

Pastor Goes Viral for Demanding Congregants’ Tax Returns—And The Internet Is Gagging

The viral pastor told church members to bring copies of their tax returns, saying he’s tired of congregants “playing in his face” when it comes time for tithes and offerings …
Psychology Behind the Internet's Obsession With Punch, the Abandoned Monkey While Immigrant Kids Are Stripped From Their Parents

Psychology Behind the Internet’s Obsession With Punch, the Abandoned Monkey While Immigrant Kids Are Stripped From Their Parents

We explore the dark truth of why the internet rallies more around a zoo monkey than detained kids separated from their immigrant parents …
Professor: Why Black Men Are Upset By Black Boys Wearing Bonnets

Professor: Why Black Men Are Upset By Black Boys Wearing Bonnets

Black boys are not trying to look feminine. They are just taking care of the hair they actually have …
All the Fly Looks Oprah Winfrey Served at Paris Fashion Week 2026

All the Fly Looks Oprah Winfrey Served at Paris Fashion Week 2026

Oprah Winfrey deserves her flowers for these show-stopping looks that set the streets of Paris on fire during fashion week. Let’s take a look at what she wore …
Bam Adebayo's Historic 83-Point Night Becomes a 'Love & Basketball' Moment With WNBA Star A'ja Wilson

Bam Adebayo’s Historic 83-Point Night Becomes a ‘Love & Basketball’ Moment With WNBA Star A’ja Wilson

Bam Adebayo made history with an 83-point performance that broke Kobe Bryant’s legendary record. But his heartfelt postgame moment with girlfriend A’ja Wilson quickly stole the spotlight …
Brian McKnight Is Not Happy With Rickey Smiley

Brian McKnight Is Not Happy With Rickey Smiley

The R&B singer is suing the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, host Karen Clark, and Urban One, claiming they defamed him amid ongoing family disputes with his ex-wife and estranged children …
Get To Know the Dream Team Behind Michelle Obama's Gorgeous Braided Looks

Get To Know the Dream Team Behind Michelle Obama’s Gorgeous Braided Looks

Have you ever wondered who the women are behind Michelle Obama’s gorgeous hairstyles? We’ll fill you in …
The Chilling Details of the Houston Man Who Allegedly Kept Disabled Wife Captive for Years in a House Full of People

The Chilling Details of the Houston Man Who Allegedly Kept Disabled Wife Captive for Years in a House Full of People

Police say James Earl Johnson held his 46-year-old disabled wife captive in a bedroom under lock and key, with no phone access, for five years in Houston …
Thousands of Black Kidney Transplant Patients Get Justice After Racial Bias Is Found in Decades-Old Test

Thousands of Black Kidney Transplant Patients Get Justice After Racial Bias Is Found in Decades-Old Test

Researchers are reporting success after a new effort to reverse racial bias against Black kidney patients is paying off …
Why This Black British TikToker Is Being Dragged Online

Why This Black British TikToker Is Being Dragged Online

Here’s why this Black British TikToker is being dragged by American folks after speaking on American politics …
5 Black Comedians Who Should Host The Next Oscar Awards

5 Black Comedians Who Should Host The Next Oscar Awards

These Black comedic voices would bring the funny to the Oscars stage …
All the Black History That Could be Made at 2026 Oscars

All the Black History That Could be Made at 2026 Oscars

The 2026 Oscars is shaping up to be a hella Black affair is all goes right, let’s take a look at the history that could potentially be made! …
Why Ari Lennox Admitting She Chose the Toxic Man Over the Good Guy Has the Internet in Shambles

Why Ari Lennox Admitting She Chose the Toxic Man Over the Good Guy Has the Internet in Shambles

Singer Ari Lennox’s latest dating revelation has social media in an uproar. Let’s break down why! …
Terrence Howard Claims He Passed on Beyoncé—And the Internet Reacted Exactly How You Expected

Terrence Howard Claims He Passed on Beyoncé—And the Internet Reacted Exactly How You Expected

“Hustle & Flow” star Terrence Howard says he once had a chance with Beyoncé in during her days of Destiny’s Child—but chose a short-lived, “blue-eyed” bandmate instead, sparking some thoughts online …
The 400-Day Target Boycott Was More Effective Than You Think

The 400-Day Target Boycott Was More Effective Than You Think

According to Pastor Jamal Bryant, Target has met three of four of the boycott’s original demands. Here’s exactly what that means …
Misty Copeland Drags Timothée Chalamet For Comments About Ballet and Opera

Misty Copeland Drags Timothée Chalamet For Comments About Ballet and Opera

American Ballet Theater dancer Misty Copeland has entered the chat and is calling out Timothée Chalamet over his recent negative words about the art form …