NEWS

Several performers have pulled out of the upcoming Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., just days after being announced as part of the event’s entertainment lineup. Organized by Freedom 250, a group backed by President Donald Trump and tasked with helping plan America’s semiquincentennial celebrations, the fair is scheduled to take place on the National Mall from June 25 through July 10. The organization promoted the event as a patriotic celebration featuring major musical acts performing throughout the fair’s run. The original lineup included artists such as Martina McBride, C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Young MC, The Commodores, Morris Day and The Time, Flo Rida, and Bret Michaels. However, within hours of the announcement, several acts publicly distanced themselves from the fair. Morris Day & The Time announced on social media that they would not participate, while Young MC said he withdrew after learning of the event’s political affiliations, stating he hoped to return to Washington for a less politically charged appearance. Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Bret Michaels later confirmed their own departures, with Michaels claiming the event had become “much more divisive” than originally presented and revealing he had already received threats over his involvement.  Confusion also surrounded the participation of C+C Music Factory and Milli Vanilli. Freedom Williams, known for his work with C+C Music Factory, said he instructed his representatives to remove him from the event after learning about it online. Meanwhile, singers associated with Milli Vanilli clarified that they were not part of the scheduled performance and described the advertised act as a tribute group with no connection to their original recordings. Despite the backlash and multiple cancellations, Fab Morvan later confirmed he still intends to appear at the Great American State Fair, saying his goal is to “entertain and unite people, not divide them.”

Ray J is recovering in a Las Vegas hospital after being knocked out during a celebrity MMA match over the weekend, reigniting ongoing concerns about the singer’s health. The “One Wish” artist was participating in streamer Adin Ross’ UFC Apex event when he took a hard punch to the face from YouTuber Supa Hot Fire during the second round of their bout. Video from the match showed Ray J collapsing to the canvas immediately after the hit before officials stopped the fight. Days later, TMZ published photos of the R&B singer in a hospital bed, reporting that he was being evaluated for a concussion and a possible heart-related issue. Despite the alarming incident, Ray J attempted to reassure fans in a Wednesday Instagram Stories post promoting his upcoming May 29 performance at the Pete Be Center in San Jose. “Getting better. I’ll see y’all on Friday,” he wrote. Following the match, the singer also hinted there may have been confusion surrounding the fight itself. In a post-fight interview shared on X, Ray J suggested things did not go according to plan, saying, “I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to get nobody in trouble, but damn… we took an L tonight.” He also expressed frustration over the financial fallout from the bout, adding, “You know how much money we lost? Wow.” The latest hospitalization comes amid months of troubling health revelations from the entertainer. In January, Ray J disclosed that he had been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and claimed doctors placed him on multiple medications due to ongoing heart complications. The singer also spoke publicly about long-term health struggles connected to past drug and alcohol use, alleging that his heart was functioning at only “25 percent.” While some of his statements have not been independently verified, his comments sparked widespread concern among fans and supporters. Representatives for Ray J have not yet publicly commented on his latest medical situation.

Rob Base, the Harlem-born rap artist best known for the iconic 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” has died following a private battle with cancer. He was 59. According to a statement posted on his official Instagram account, Base died Friday surrounded by family just days after celebrating his birthday. The tribute praised his lasting influence on music and culture, calling him “a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten.” Base rose to fame alongside longtime collaborator DJ E-Z Rock as the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. Their breakout anthem “It Takes Two” became one of hip-hop’s defining crossover records, helping bring rap music into mainstream dance clubs and pop radio. The single climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and later earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Over the years, the track was sampled by artists including Snoop Dogg and Black Eyed Peas, while also appearing in films such as The Proposal and the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Tributes from across the entertainment and sports worlds poured in following news of Base’s death. Comedian Dane Cook honored the rapper on X, writing that “Rob Base filled the airwaves with hit music,” while NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders called him “a legend.” DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney Bryce, died in 2014 from diabetes-related complications at age 56. The two artists had been friends since fourth grade and first broke onto the scene with their 1986 single “DJ Interview.” In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Base recalled that “It Takes Two” was created spontaneously after the pair discovered a sample from Lyn Collins just hours before a studio session. “We didn’t think that it would cross over and be as big as it became,” he said.

More than two decades after her death, Aaliyah continues to captivate new generations of fans, but a recent vinyl reissue of her 1994 debut album Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number has reignited controversy online. Fans noticed what appeared to be a deliberate effort to obscure R. Kelly from the album’s packaging, sparking widespread discussion across social media. Kelly heavily wrote and produced the album, which was released when Aaliyah was only 15 years old. The conversation intensified after Aaliyah’s estate shared a social media clip showing a fan playing the reissued vinyl with a sticker covering Kelly’s face on the album cover. In the video, the fan also hid his image on the back sleeve with their thumb. The estate appeared to acknowledge the gesture in the caption, writing, “We hope that y’all listened to instructions carefully while bumpin’ ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.’” Many fans interpreted the message as subtle support for hiding Kelly’s image while still celebrating Aaliyah’s early music. The renewed debate has also drawn attention to the album’s complicated legacy. Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number launched Aaliyah into mainstream success, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and producing hits such as “Back & Forth” and “At Your Best (You Are Love).” However, the project remains deeply connected to Kelly’s later abuse allegations and criminal convictions. In 2021, Kelly was convicted on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in New York, with prosecutors detailing allegations involving underage girls, including Aaliyah.