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
The Dangers of Trump’s Close Relationship With Tech Billionaires

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

13 Reasons Black Folks Fear the Worst Is Already Here

13 Reasons Black Folks Fear the Worst Is Already Here

From escalating conflicts abroad and AI taking over jobs to attacks on Black history and voting access, these 13 developments show why Americans—especially Black communities—are bracing for the crises they’ve long feared …
Screenshot:  YouTube/Scoz

Biggie’s Legacy, Diddy’s Villain Era: Their Strange Friendship Through the Years, Explained

In honor of the 29th anniversary of Biggie’s death, we thought we’d take a look his musical friendship with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs …
Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

After shots were shockingly fired at Rihanna’s home on Sunday, the singer and the public finally have some good news …
Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder's Family Fights Over Disinheritance

Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder’s Family Fights Over Disinheritance

D’Wayne Wiggins passed away in March 2025 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer …
Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn't Kill Anyone

Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn’t Kill Anyone

Three decades after being sentenced for a murder he didn’t even witness, Sonny Burton is now only days away from his scheduled execution …
Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey's Star-Studded Dating Life

Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey’s Star-Studded Dating Life

With Lori Harvey and her ex-boo Damson Idris back in headlines, let’s take a look at the socialite and budding actress’ dating history! …
Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

A California pastor accused of pushing a church elder down a short flight of cement steps and out a metal gate just shared his side of the story …
How Trump's White Female Voters Got Played

How Trump’s White Female Voters Got Played

Opinion: White women thought they were winning under Trump. They did not realize they were just being used …
Here’s Everything We Know About Zendaya and Tom Holland's 'Wedding'

Here’s Everything We Know About Zendaya and Tom Holland’s ‘Wedding’

The internet is going crazy over AI-generated pictures of Zendaya and Tom Holland’s potential secret wedding. We’re laying out the facts about the private couple’s engagement …
Why Endometriosis Keeps Getting Missed in Black Women

Why Endometriosis Keeps Getting Missed in Black Women

For years, endometriosis has been known as a disease of upper-class white women, leaving Black women misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Here’s what you need to know about identifying symptoms, overcoming bias and seeking better care …
The Outrageous Reason Why a Cali. Teacher Allegedly Gave Little Children  Edibles

The Outrageous Reason Why a Cali. Teacher Allegedly Gave Little Children Edibles

California students, ages 8 to 11, required medical treatment after ingesting 20mg THC-infused gummies— allegedly given to them by a teacher …
Tamera Mowry-Housely Opens Up About Rough Time Living With Twin Sister Tia

Tamera Mowry-Housely Opens Up About Rough Time Living With Twin Sister Tia

Tia and Tamera Mowry’s fun, twin-sisterhood has recently been a hot topic for fans. And Tamera’s new revelation will no doubt be even more fodder for conversation! …
New Report Shows Lynchings in America Never Stopped... They Only Evolved

New Report Shows Lynchings in America Never Stopped… They Only Evolved

Historians have argued the last lynching happened in 1981, but a report by JULIAN suggests Black folks are still being targeted because of their skin …
As Trump Goes to War With Iran, Black Americans Will Pay the Price

As Trump Goes to War With Iran, Black Americans Will Pay the Price

On the front lines and with a strain on their household budgets, Black Americans will bear the burden for President Donald Trump’s War in Iran …
The Internet is Losing Its Mind Over Oprah's Crop Top and  Fly Looks

The Internet is Losing Its Mind Over Oprah’s Crop Top and Fly Looks

Oprah Winfrey has been spotted with bestie Gayle King at Paris Fashion Week. Now, one red carpet look has the internet talking …
Ex-Cal State University Basketball Coach Accused of Pimping and More

Ex-Cal State University Basketball Coach Accused of Pimping and More

Kevin Mays, a former assistant basketball coach at California State University-Bakersfield, was charged with multiple felony counts including human trafficking …
Trayvon Martin and Other Black People Who Were Unjustly Killed in America

Trayvon Martin and Other Black People Who Were Unjustly Killed in America

14 years after Trayvon Martin was killed, these other Black men and women were also murdered in shocking similarity …
Austin Police Release Body Cam Footage of Black Shooter at an Austin Bar

Austin Police Release Body Cam Footage of Black Shooter at an Austin Bar

Austin police are piecing together the motive behind Ndiaga Diagne, the Black man who killed three and injured over a dozen in a March 1 mass shooting …
F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Calls for a Movement to 'Take Africa Back' as He Tries to Bring Racing to the Continent

F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Calls for a Movement to ‘Take Africa Back’ as He Tries to Bring Racing to the Continent

The first and only Black driver in F1 history is empowering the people of the continent to “take Africa back” from European powers …
Jill Scott's Break From Music is Part of a Growing Trend of Black Women Pausing With Purpose

Jill Scott’s Break From Music is Part of a Growing Trend of Black Women Pausing With Purpose

Jill Scott, Beyoncé, Teyana Taylor and Simone Biles are part of a growing wave of Black women who have embraced the idea of stepping back …