by Mitti Hicks

January 2, 2026

Trump Defends Health Amid Concerns and Speculation Over Hand Bruising, Leg Swelling

Trump is the oldest U.S. president to be inaugurated.

President Donald Trump is defending his health following increased speculation and concern about his health during his second term. Since taking office, there has been noticeable swelling in his ankles and consistent bruising on his hands, which he has covered with makeup. He was even caught falling asleep during a recent cabinet meeting.

Yet, during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump defended his health and said that he regrets undergoing advanced imaging on his heart and abdomen at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

“In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,” Trump said. “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong.”

Growing Speculation Over Trump’s Health

The president’s doctor, Navy. Capt. Sean Barbabella, said in a memo that the White House released in December that he had “advanced imaging as a preventive screening for men his age.”

As the Associated Press reported, Trump initially said he had an MRI but was unsure of what part of his body was scanned. Turns out, the president had a CT scan to rule out any cardiovascular issues, according to The Journal. Barabella said he took the exam in October because people “in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health,” even though he had already undergone an annual physical in April.

"President Donald J. Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health."

– Captain Sean P. Barbabella, D.O.
Physician to the President pic.twitter.com/BfBsJTUOGh
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 11, 2025

“The purpose of this imaging was preventive: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function,” Barbabella said, according to MedPage Today.

At 79, Trump, who became the oldest president to take the oath of office in 2025, has been sensitive to questions about his health, despite having questioned and criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, over his health and fitness in office. Trump repeatedly referred to Biden as “Sleepy Joe.”

The White House has said the president had been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). According to the Cleveland Clinic, CVI occurs when leg veins become damaged, preventing them from properly carrying blood back to the heart. This causes blood to pool in your legs, increasing pressure in the leg veins and leading to common symptoms like swelling and ulcers.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 2, 2026

A New York State Of Mind: Mayor Mamdani Invokes Jadakiss During Inauguration

'In the words of Jason Terrance Phillips, better known as Jadakiss or J to the Muah, be outside'

A new era has emerged in New York City with the swearing in of its new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who may be the first New York City mayor in recent history to reference a popular New York hip-hop artist, Jadakiss of the trio The Lox, in his inauguration speech.

During the Jan. 1 speech at the new mayor’s inauguration, Mamdami, who labels himself a “Democratic Socialist,” has revitalized city dwellers’ hopes with his plans for the city. The surprise candidate, who took the city by storm and sparked interest among New Yorkers and people around the country who are accustomed to the tired rhetoric of politicians on both sides of the aisle, is already making strides as the city’s first Muslim mayor.

His reference to a rapper known for his lyrical abilities, who spits lyrics that capture the essence of a gritty New York, has brought even more attention to the 112th mayor of the “Big Apple.”

In his speech, much to the surprise of those listening, the mention of one of hip-hop’s “Top 5, dead or alive” brought cheers from the crowd. Out of everything the mayor had mentioned in his speech, this was, by far, the one that stood out the most, especially among hip-hop fans and native New Yorkers. The man even called Jadakiss by his given name.

As his speech was winding down, Mamdani said:

“We will strive each day to ensure that no New Yorker is priced out of any one of those basic necessities. And throughout it all, we will, in the words of Jason Terrance Phillips, better known as Jadakiss or J to the Muah, “be outside” — because this is a government of New York, by New York, and for New York.

“Before I end, I want to ask all of you, if you are able, whether you are here today or anywhere watching, to stand with me.”

Drake, rapper, drake curse, super bowl bets, betting, gambling

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 2, 2026

Drake Named In Civil RICO Lawsuit For Alleged Promotion Of Illegal Gambling To Boost Music Streams

Drake and streamer Adin Ross are named in a federal RICO lawsuit alleging they promoted the Stake gambling platform to artificially boost Drake’s music streams.

Drake is finding himself back in the legal hot seat after being named in a federal class-action RICO lawsuit that accuses him, streamer Adin Ross, and the online gambling platform Stake, of using the site’s tipping feature to artificially inflate streams of his music.

According to a series of tweets from Breakfast Club host Loren LoRosa, the lawsuit claims the defendants used Stake’s “tipping” feature to send each other money, then allegedly funneled those funds to artificially boost Drake’s streams across major music platforms and digital streaming services.

“In addition, through Stake’s Tipping function, Defendants have financed their combined artificial streaming (“botting”) to create fraudulent streams of Drake’s music; fabricate popularity; disparage competitors and music label executives; distort recommendation algorithms; and distribute financing for all of the foregoing, while concealing the flow of funds,” the lawsuit states.

https://twitter.com/LorenLorosa/status/2006803566724276355

The class-action lawsuit, filed in federal court in Virginia by LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, alleges that Drake, Adin Ross, and Australian national George Nguyen worked with Stake to “prey on consumers,” exposing them to the serious risks of gambling addiction and threatening their financial stability. The plaintiffs claim they were persuaded to participate in Stake’s “predatory gambling environment” after watching Drake’s paid promotions for the platform, including livestreamed gambling sessions and giveaways.

The lawsuit claims the defendants used Stake’s user-to-user “tipping” feature to transfer money directly among themselves, describing the system as an “unlimited and completely unregulated money transmitter” operating outside financial oversight. It further alleges that those funds were then used to bankroll fraudulent music streams for Drake and launch “amplification campaigns” that at times pushed disparaging content about competitors.

The plaintiffs also accuse Drake of using the same botting tactics he recently alleged in his own lawsuit against Spotify over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” claiming that “At the heart of the scheme, Drake — acting directly and through willing and knowledgeable co-conspirators — has deployed automated bots and streaming farms to artificially inflate play counts of his music across major platforms, such as Spotify.”

“This manipulation has suppressed authentic artists and narrowed consumers’ access to legitimate content by undermining the integrity of curated experiences,” the suit states.

The lawsuit claims the scheme began in 2022 and “remains an ongoing and imminent threat of racketeering activity.” It accuses Drake of knowingly allowing his alleged co-conspirators to disguise encrypted transfers as giveaways that weren’t actually available to the public. The filing cites a $100,000 tip exchanged between Ross and Drake in 2023, along with Drake’s 2024 “Drizzmas” giveaway stream with Adin Ross, as examples of the defendants allegedly cycling tips among themselves to fuel botting and paid-engagement tactics.

The lawsuit aims to represent Virginia residents who lost money gambling with Stake Cash over the past three years, alleging violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and a racketeering scheme under federal RICO law.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 1, 2026

TikTok Creator Sparks Interest In Dr. Pepper With Her Viral Jingle

After watching the clip, you'll be hooked.

A young content creator’s TikTok video has gone viral after she recorded an ode to Dr. Pepper, simply singing, “Dr. Pepper, baby, is good and nice.”

The creator, @romeosshow, begins the clip by announcing, “I have a theme song for Dr. Pepper, and it goes like this,” then sings a short verse while looking into the camera. Short and sweet, it caught viewers’ attention, with nearly two million likes and the Daily Dot reporting over 12 million views.

The clip was posted Dec. 23 and has caused many reactions. The TikToker, who has over 206,000 followers, tagged the soft drink company in the clip, asking Dr. Pepper to get back to her “with a proposition” so they can collaborate and make money together.

@romeosshow
@Dr Pepper please get back to me with a proposition we can make thousands together. #drpepper #soda #beverage
♬ original sound – Romeo

@romeosshow @Dr Pepper please get back to me with a proposition we can make thousands together. #drpepper #soda #beverage ♬ original sound – Romeo

The comments lit up with many appreciative posters letting Romeo know their thoughts and reactions.

One user joined her by backing her vocals with five clips of five different instruments, spliced into the video with her video standing out in the middle. The person using the screen name, thereiscoredit, replied to her video by writing, “Replying to @Dr Pepper what do we think, doc? #drpepper #soda #beverage #themesong #foryoupage @Romeo”

@thereiscoredit Replying to @Dr Pepper what do we think, doc? #drpepper #soda #beverage #themesong #foryoupage @Romeo ♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

The amazing thing is that many people did follow-up clips themselves using Romeo’s vocals and thereiscoredit’s instrumental to join in the fun.

TikToker lowrider.mama0 added an animation featuring a dachshund to provide input on the trending clip.

@lowrider.mama0
This has been stuck in my head #drpepper #dachshunds #weineedog #weinerdog
♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

@lowrider.mama0 This has been stuck in my head #drpepper #dachshunds #weineedog #weinerdog ♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

TikToker monicajeffery4 encourages Dr. Pepper to sign the young lady to its label, forecasting that their sales would go up if they do so.

@monicajeffery4 Yassss, that even feels right🤭#fyp #fy #foryourpage #trend @Romeo I like the vibe young lady🤗@Dr Pepper ♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

Soon after, Romeo dropped a theme song for Hyundai. That video has garnered over 2.5 million views. Seems this young creator might be on to something.

https://www.tiktok.com/@romeosshow/video/7589455829334641933

Missy Elliott ,Six Consecutive Platinum Albums

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 1, 2026

Missy Elliott Looks Back On Historic 6 Consecutive Platinum Albums

She and her mother, Patricia Elliott, also donated $50,000 to Portsmouth Volunteers For The Homeless in Virginia.

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott reacted (again) to a resurfaced announcement that she was the first female rapper to have six consecutive platinum-certified albums.

On Dec. 28, the “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” rapper acknowledged the feat, which actually occurred in January 2022, in response to a tweet sent by Claude G.

🙏🏾🫶🏾🚀🙌🏾 So Grateful for every1 who supported each album😌🙏🏾 https://t.co/YC5cxduyOv
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) December 28, 2025

Revolt noted that Missy, who became the first female Hip-Hop artist in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, responded after the news was initially announced on social media more than five years ago when chart data had informed its audience of the feat on its social media account.

She called it a “HUGE MILESTONE.”

This is a HUGE MILESTONE!🎉No matter how long it took to get here I am here & I AM HUMBLYGRATEFUL💜🙏🏾To all my SISTERS in HIPHOP yall keep doing yall thang & SHINING🙌🏾 https://t.co/R4FpHVAaqQ
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) January 29, 2022

A day after Missy, who became the first female Hip-Hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, responded to Claude G.’s post, she and her mother, Patricia Elliott, donated $50,000 to Portsmouth Volunteers For The Homeless in Virginia. The organization posted a message from Elliott in recognition of the funds she donated. Missy hails from Portsmouth.

WRIC reported that the organization will use the money to provide food, shelter, and housing for those in need.

This took place at the Joe B. Fleming Building, where free lunch was provided to attendees in partnership with Third Baptist Church.

“Life is so short,” Patricia Elliott said. “You can be up today, and down tomorrow. But it doesn’t mean that you stay down, ’cause we were almost there, and that’s why it’s very sensitive to us that we give and we give back to the community.”

Trump, protections, South Sudan, Migrants

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 1, 2026

Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration Move, Keeps Protections For South Sudan Migrants

The judgment will protect close to 200 migrants from returning to South Sudan—for now.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is banned from stripping Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections away from close to 200 migrants from South Sudan on a temporary basis thanks to a ruling from a federal judge, The Hill reports.

The goal of the ruling from U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley of Massachusetts is to make sure migrants can stay stateside until the judge considers the case more fully.

“Because of the serious consequences at stake, both for the Plaintiffs and the Defendants, the Court finds an administrative stay appropriate, as it would ‘minimize harm,’ while allowing the assigned District Court Judge the time this case deserves,” Kelley wrote.

Kelley will issue a new decision after receiving written briefing through Jan. 13, The Hill reports.

The TPS program, which permits migrants to stay in the U.S. and receive work authorization if they come from a country experiencing turmoil, has been at the forefront of conversation since the Biden administration. South Sudan falls in that category. Africa’s youngest country has been so riddled with violence that the U.S. State Department issued an advisory against Americans traveling there.

Despite the travel advisory, in November, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced after a review of the country’s conditions, its TPS status would end after Jan. 5.

South Sudan, which joined the program in 2011 after gaining its independence, has close to 232 TPS recipients. According to Fox News, there are approximately 73 migrants from the country with pending applications, putting them at risk for deportation. The ruling, as a result of a lawsuit presented by African Communities Together and several South Sudanese TPS holders, claim without TPS, South Sudanese migrants would be ridded of their lawful status.

If deported to South Sudan, the group would be at risk of receiving irreversible harm.

The Biden appointee labeled the issues as “legally complex” and touched on the “serious, long-term consequences, including the risk of deadly harm.” The Trump administration felt the judge should deny the plaintiff’s request, arguing the group shouldn’t have waited more than six weeks after the announcement to sue. “It should not serve to directly enjoin Executive agency action, which is what Plaintiffs’ requested administrative stay would accomplish,” Trump’s DOJ said.

Kelley, instead, rejected the administration’s arguments saying the government’s proposed approach could result in individual deportations.

Similar to protections for Haitians, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said TPS protections were “never designed to be permanent” and described the ruling as yet “another lawless and activist order from the federal judiciary who continues to usurp the President’s constitutional authority.” The Biden administration’s use of TPS, McLaughlin added in a statement, allowed “violent terrorists, criminals, and national security threats into our nation.”

Since 2013, battles have continued between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, which have caused thousands of deaths and nearly 2 million displacements. A February rift between the groups put residents, with a focus on women and children, at extreme risk, after reports of conflict-related sexual violence, killings and kidnappings flooded in.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 1, 2026

Legendary Choir Director Dr. S. Carver Davenport Celebrates 50 Years At Dillard University

Davenport has served as the associate professor of music and director of concert choir for the New Orleans-based HBCU since 1975.

There has been a bold and vibrant sound from Dillard University over the last 50 years. It comes from the direction of Dr. S. Carver Davenport, the longest-serving HBCU choral director.

Davenport has been the associate professor of music and director of concert choir for the New Orleans-based HBCU since arriving there in 1975, Essence reports. Davenport worked with past Dillard leadership to set a fundamental foundation that helped save music education in NOLA.

The Hampton University graduate came to Dillard after studying with his mentor, critically acclaimed composer Dr. Roland M. Carter.

https://www.tiktok.com/@illustriousducc/video/7444678447068089646?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581490668024481335

Davenport’s former students admit there was a better understanding of his teachings during his first years at Dillard, which came as Black America was trying to find its way in a newly desegregated country.

“We still had parts of our parents’ experiences from the Civil Rights Movement. While singing, we represented the children of the future,” said Courtney Carter, a student in the 1980s, highlighting that many of her classmates were second and third generation Bleu Devils.

Dr. Valerie Anne Jones Francis, a 1979 choir member, remembered how the choir “exceeded the standard” under Davenport’s leadership.

“We learned classical music and understood the importance of singing negro spirituals in its original dialect,” the award-winning vocalist said.

Davenport’s sound took the choir—and his career—to high and low places, including Houston, Memphis, and Chicago and serving as a sound of hope as New Orleans went through Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The choir performed for U.S. presidents such as Gerald Ford and Barack Obama and Davenport was the music director for the 1990 Super Bowl halftime show, the “Salute to New Orleans.”

Davenport’s recognition comes when HBCU choirs are performing on world stages and going viral for their distinct Black sound. In June 2025, Florida Memorial University’s Ambassador Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall, according to HBCU Game Day.

The Fellowship Gospel Choir of North Carolina A&T State University set another standard on social media after its outstanding rendition of Rickey Dillard’s “More Abundantly” went viral on social media.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ncatgospelchoir/video/7570507974192532750?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581490668024481335

Texas College choir earned the 2025 University Choir of the Year at the annual Sound Awards in March, its first time receiving the award. Director Charles Shaw started the group with six members in 2022. It is now an ensemble of 70.

Dame Dash Says He's ‘Like a Proud Broke' and Has Actually Been 'Losing Money for Years’

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 1, 2026

All About the Benjamin: Damon Dash’s Production Company Sold At Auction For $100—Yes, $100

Actually, $100.50.

The misfortunes of former Roc-A-Fella Records CEO Damon Dash continue.

This time an auction of his film company, Poppington Inc., ended with an embarrassing bid to offset a $1 million judgment from his defamation lawsuits.

According to The New York Post, one of Dash’s debtors, Mike Muntaser, CEO of Muddy Water Motion Pictures, placed the winning bid. It only took $100.50 to obtain Dash’s now-former property.

This is the second auction held in New York for property owned by Dash.

On Nov. 14, an anonymous Albany representative purchased Dash’s one-third share of Roc-A-Fella Records (the other two shares belong to Jay-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke) by placing a bid of $1 million.

The State of New York intends to resell its stake to recoup some of the funds spent, without taking on any additional risk, to recover the $8.7 million owed by Dash.

The latest auction was held after Dash refused (or did not have money) to pay the millions he owed to several debtors, including $973,000 to Muntaser after he lost a trio of civil lawsuits.

Muntaser, along with filmmaker Josh Webber, won a defamation and copyright infringement lawsuit against Dash after a dispute over the 2016 film Dear Frank.

Now, the CEO of Muddy Waters is the owner of Poppington LLC. The company was responsible for and held the rights to several of Dash’s projects made there, including Honor Up, which featured Dash, his cousin Stacey Dash of Clueless fame, and rapper-podcaster Cam’ron.

“I think he’s a fool, man,” said Muntaser.

Muntaser said since they are “grown men,” he and Dash could have hashed out their problems instead of dragging it out for years.

“He’s just a problem,” Muntaser said. “He has an ego. I think he’s just bitter [coming] from where he was to where he is, and he just blames everybody else and doesn’t look at himself in the mirror.”

The new owner of Poppington wonders what happened.

“For him being on a big stage with like Jay-Z and [Ye],” Muntaser said, “why are your peers doing good, [being] constructive and you’re just playing games with others? May God guide him.”

Chance the Rapper, Chicago, New Year's Eve

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 31, 2025

Chance The Rapper To Headline New Year’s Rockin’ Eve In Chicago

New York City hosted the event for more than 50 years before Chicago got the nod.

Chance the Rapper is set to represent his city as the headliner for the Chicago debut of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, which, for the first time ever, will ring in midnight live from the Windy City.

“I feel like there’s a huge responsibility when you’re showing off a city anyway,” he told ABC 7 Chicago. “And so we’ve been on a bunch of production calls, trying to make sure that there’s just like moments for all parts of Chicago to shine, to get to introduce this global city to the world. And also, like I said, I just want to have fun. I’m gonna be lit. It’s gonna be a great time.”

Chance the Rapper will be joined by a lineup of Chicago music heavyweights, including DJ Mike Dunn, DJ Mike P, J. Ivy, and Shemekia Copeland, performing on the main stage at the corner of West Wacker Drive and North Franklin Street in the Loop, starting at 9 p.m.

“I think our Chicago performers and our crowd out there is going to be excited. It’s the world stage, all the cameras pointed at Chicago,” Chance said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chance The Rapper ⭐️ (@chancetherapper)

Beyond the music, Chicago will showcase its beauty and charm with a custom audio-visual display projected from ART on THE MART starting at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET). Between performing and co-hosting alongside Seacrest, Chance the Rapper is set to keep busy all night. Chance The Rapper’s performance will be at 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET)

“I’m going to have my host hat on most of the night. I’m going to be interacting with my other co-host and just showing the city to the world,” he said. “But at the end of the night, I’m going to be performing the song called ‘No More Old Men.’ I truly believe it’s probably the most important song that I’ve written. I think it encapsulates childhood in a way that I haven’t really been able to get across and also manhood in a way that I don’t think it expressed a lot in music.”

Before Chicago got the nod, Times Square was the regular spot for New Year’s Rockin’ Eve since 1972.

by Mitti Hicks

December 31, 2025

SNAP Ban On Candy, Soda, And ‘Junk Foods’ Goes Into Effect Jan. 1

The first five state bans will impact about 1.4 million people.

The New Year is bringing new restrictions and bans for Americans living in five states who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, people living in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia will not be able to purchase soda, candy, or other “junk food” items.

These states are the first five of at least 18 states that have enacted waivers prohibiting certain foods for SNAP recipients. According to the Associated Press, it’s part of a push by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to eliminate what they deem as unhealthy foods from those who receive benefits on the federal program.

“We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create,” Kennedy said in a statement in December.

In Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, the health secretary, who has no formal medical or public health training, says this effort will help reduce chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes associated with sweetened drinks and foods.

But industry experts, including retail and health policy leaders, say banning certain foods will not solve these problems.

“Broadening restrictions essentially tells these families they can’t be trusted to make their own food choices, which is both demeaning and, according to the evidence, ineffective at improving nutrition behaviors,” said Kate Bauer, associate professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, in a statement. “We all deserve dignity.”

Even more concerning is that a report from the National Grocers Association and other trade groups estimates the restrictions would cost U.S. retailers $1.6 billion initially and an additional $759 million every year after.

The first five state waivers will impact about 1.4 million people. Utah and West Virginia will reportedly ban SNAP benefits from being used to buy soda and other soft drinks. Recipients in Nebraska will prohibit the sale of soda and energy drinks. In Indiana, soft drinks and candy cannot be purchased.

Iowa has the most restrictive rules. SNAP restrictions target taxable foods, including soda, candy, and certain prepared foods. Since 2008, under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, SNAP benefits could be used for “any food or food product intended for human consumption.” The only exceptions were alcohol, ready-to-eat hot foods, and tobacco.

The new ban will last for at least two years. States will have the option to extend them for an additional three. Each state will be required to assess the impact of the changes.