Duane “Keefe D” Davis has rejected a plea deal ahead of his scheduled trial in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, continuing to maintain that he is innocent. Davis’ decision comes as jury selection is set to begin August 10, 2026, in one of hip-hop’s most closely watched criminal cases. Prosecutors have alleged that Davis was involved in the drive-by shooting that claimed Shakur’s life, but the longtime suspect has repeatedly denied committing any crime. In a recent interview with 8News Now, Davis said he sees no reason to accept a deal that could potentially send him to prison for decades. The 63-year-old cited his age and health issues, including a past battle with cancer and three heart stents, while explaining why he rejected the reported offer. Davis also maintained that other individuals were responsible for the shooting and insisted that he is an innocent man. Shakur was shot multiple times after attending the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon heavyweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. The rapper remained hospitalized for six days before dying from his injuries at age 25. The case remained unsolved for more than two decades before Davis was arrested in 2023 in connection with the shooting. His upcoming trial is expected to bring renewed attention to one of music history’s most enduring mysteries.

Chris Brown is pushing back against efforts by his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, to collect nearly $13 million awarded to her in a lawsuit stemming from a 2020 dog attack. Brown has filed court documents objecting to Avila’s attempt to have his current and future income, including earnings from his tour with Usher and music royalties, assigned toward the judgment until the debt is paid.  Avila was awarded the multimillion-dollar judgment following a trial over an incident at Brown’s Los Angeles mansion. She alleged that Brown’s dog attacked her, leaving her with severe injuries. Brown denied wrongdoing and argued that Avila had provoked the animal, but a jury ultimately sided with her. Avila has since told the court that Brown has made no effort to satisfy the judgment, prompting her to pursue additional collection measures. In his latest filing, Brown argues that Avila’s attempt to claim all of his present and future income is overly broad and exceeds what she is legally entitled to collect. The dispute comes as Brown and Usher continue their nationwide stadium tour, which includes 33 scheduled performances between June and December. The tour’s proceeds and Brown’s other income streams could become a significant focus of the ongoing legal battle.

Rihanna could be preparing to end her decade-long album hiatus, according to her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky. During an appearance on The Jason Lee Podcast on Wednesday, Rocky revealed that the Barbados-born singer is currently working in the studio. “She in the studio right now,” he said, later adding, “She cooking,” while offering few details about the project.  Rocky also addressed speculation that he and Rihanna could join forces for a collaborative double album, firmly denying that possibility. When host Jason Lee jokingly asked whether Rocky was responsible for the delay in Rihanna’s next album, pointing to the couple’s three children and busy travel schedules, the rapper rejected the idea and reiterated that Rihanna is actively making new music. Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, has not released a full-length album since 2016’s Anti, which became one of the defining projects of her career. Rocky appeared aware that his comments could spark major fan excitement, joking that he would “get in trouble” for revealing the studio update. While no release date or additional details have been announced, his comments offer the strongest recent indication that new Rihanna music could be on the way.

Kandi Burruss is making it clear that there is no reconciliation on the horizon with Tamar Braxton. During a recent episode of her Speak On It podcast, the singer, songwriter, and television personality addressed an awkward encounter between the two at the Black Women in Music ceremony during Essence Festival in July. Burruss revealed that she intentionally declined Braxton's attempt to shake her hand, explaining that she had no interest in pretending to be friendly with someone she believes has repeatedly spoken negatively about her. Burruss did not hold back while discussing the incident, stating that she refuses to be fake for appearances. She also recalled another recent encounter at an event in Atlanta, alleging that Braxton walked past her and called her an insulting name without any provocation. According to Burruss, the exchange reinforced her belief that the tension between them remains unresolved. The latest comments add another chapter to the pair's long-running feud, which dates back to their early years in the music industry. While the two have exchanged public criticisms over the years, Burruss suggested she is no longer surprised by Braxton's behavior, claiming the singer often generates attention by speaking negatively about others. Based on her latest remarks, the longtime rivalry shows no signs of cooling down.

K. Michelle's debut country album 'Jesus & Whiskey' drops on October 16. Explore her journey and passion for country music!

Nicki Minaj has sparked debate online after introducing a paid subscription service on her X account, giving fans access to exclusive content for $10. The rapper announced the feature over the weekend, inviting subscribers to join her for exclusive posts and Spaces. In her announcement, Minaj described the subscription as a place for fans to "have fun, think deeper, grow, learn, laugh, cry" and promised exclusive content for those who signed up. The new offering quickly divided social media users. Many of Minaj's supporters praised the idea and said they were eager to subscribe for behind-the-scenes content and closer interaction with the artist. Others, however, questioned the decision to charge fans for access, with critics arguing that the subscription model felt unnecessary given the rapper's financial success. The contrasting reactions fueled widespread discussion across X throughout the weekend.  The subscription launch comes as Minaj remains embroiled in a legal dispute with a concert event production company that claims she owes approximately $275,000. The rapper has denied the allegations, maintaining that she was not personally involved in the contract at the center of the dispute. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Minaj's new subscription service has become the latest topic generating buzz among fans and critics alike.