At a recent Chris Brown concert, 13-year-old fan Gabby and her mother were surprised with a VIP experience arranged by Brown and TikTok influencer MDMotivator, which included $10,000 in cash and a brand-new car. After buying mystery tickets from MDMotivator, Gabby, a dancer inspired by Brown, met the R&B superstar and received encouragement from him to keep pursuing her passion. “You said you dance? Don’t stop, go harder and harder,” Brown said. “Always be yourself. I love you guys.” The emotional moment, captured on video and shared by Brown, showed Gabby’s excitement and Brown’s praise for MDMotivator’s charitable efforts, with the surprise ending in the gift of a new Ford. The act of generosity has drawn widespread praise from the likes of Tony Yayo, Kelly Rowland, and actor Omari Hardwick. Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX Tour continues with upcoming shows at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey and Rogers Stadium in Toronto. (Billboard)

After retiring from music in 2024 and earning substantial income through OnlyFans, Iggy Azalea has reinvented herself as a crypto entrepreneur. The former pop star has launched a meme coin called Mother, which is inspired by her experience raising her son, Onyx, who was born in 2020 while Azalea was with her ex, Playboi Carti. Following the success of hits like her 2014 collaboration with Charli XCX, "Fancy," Azalea spent years feeling adrift in the music industry. “I think a big part of the last ten years of my life, honestly, have been about getting that control back for me: To be able to navigate my own ship in those ways. It feels really good to be able to do it,” she said in a new interview with ABC’s Nightline. Azalea’s business ventures, including co-founding wireless provider Unreal Mobile, were funded in large part by her OnlyFans earnings, though she refuted the exaggerated claims that she made $48 million on the site in 2024. (Consequence of Sound)

Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album "The Life Of A Showgirl," set for an October 13th, 2025 release. Pre-orders for vinyl, CD, and cassette versions are now available. The pop superstar will promote the album by appearing on the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce on August 13th at 7:00 p.m. ET. They released a short video yesterday in which Swift reveals the album cover and title to Jason as they record the episode. Swift's previous album "The Tortured Poets Department" was released in April 2024. Pre-orders for the new album are now available on TaylorSwift.com. (COS)

Ariana Grande brightened the day of 9-year-old cancer patient and social media influencer, Brie Bird, by sending her a Wicked-themed care package on Thursday (August 7). The surprise gift was filled with various plush toys and other film-related goodies, as well as Grande’s own branded nail polish, makeup, and perfume. Grande also included a personal video message expressing admiration for Brie’s courage and explaining her inspiration to create the package after learning of Brie’s love for Wicked and Glinda. "I've seen your videos and I think you are the most amazing, most inspiring little light beam in this universe. You're just so incredible, so thank you for being you," Grande said. "I'm sending you so much love and many, many, many virtual hugs. I hope this makes you smile, and I'll speak to you soon. Love you." Grateful for the thoughtful gesture, Brie and her family shared their deep appreciation, calling it a “wish come true” and praising Grande for her kindness and support during Brie’s challenging health journey. (People)

Kehlani is expressing gratitude to her fans for the support of her latest single, "Folded," by offering free laundry services to mothers across the country. The singer, who understands the challenges single mothers face, is paying it forward through a partnership with the nonprofit organization Current Initiatives and their Laundry Project. In a post on Instagram, Kehlani wrote, "growing up i knew how hard it was for all the single mamas in my family to get the tasks done on top of it all. clean clothes is a basic necessity. i got yall." The song "Folded" details the peaceful end of a relationship, and it has gained popularity on TikTok. The free laundry services will take place on Saturday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to noon local time at participating laundromats in several cities, including Long Beach, Oakland, Charlotte, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and New York City. Kehlani  will not be present at the events. (Complex)

MC Hammer is facing a lawsuit from JPMorgan Chase Bank over an unpaid car loan. The bank claims that Hammer and his company, U Can't Touch This LLC, still owe $76,732.79 on a $114,376.90 loan used to purchase a Land Rover in 2023. Despite the bank's demand for the vehicle's return, Hammer has allegedly refused to surrender the car. This is not the first time Hammer has faced financial difficulties. In 1996, the rapper, known for hits like "U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit 2 Quit," filed for federal bankruptcy protection, claiming only $1 million in assets to pay over $10 million in debts. The bankruptcy case dragged on for years, with a judge in 2002 refusing to discharge Hammer's debts due to his alleged failure to comply with the settlement. In 2013, the IRS sued Hammer, claiming he owed nearly $800,000 in unpaid taxes from 1996 and 1997, which the feds later won a ruling to collect in 2015. (Billboard)

2025 VMAs NOMINEES:

Chappell Roan, who recently released a new single titled "The Subway," will be taking her time when it comes to creating a second album. In an interview with Vogue, Roan revealed that her "second project doesn't exist yet." Roan released her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in September 2023, and has since won a Grammy for best new artist and released three singles. However, the artist told Vogue, "There is no album. There is no collection of songs." Roan explained that it took her five years to write her first album, and she expects the next one to take at least as long. "I'm not that type of writer that can pump it out," she said, adding that she doesn't believe she makes "good music whenever I force myself to do anything." The artist also shared that her latest single, "The Subway," "took an annoying amount of time to get just right" because she "wasn't ready to put it out yet." (Variety)

Rapper Soulja Boy, also known as DeAndre Cortez Way, found himself in legal trouble after being arrested as a passenger in a car that was pulled over in Los Angeles early Sunday morning. According to the LAPD, the vehicle was stopped at Melrose and Genesee around 2:35 am, and a firearm was spotted inside, leading to Soulja Boy's arrest for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Soulja Boy, best known for his singles "Crank That," "Turn My Swag On," and "Kiss Me Thru the Phone," has faced more legal issues than musical successes this year -- including being ordered to pay $4 million after a sexual assault case in April. In a 2021 interview with Paper, Soulja Boy expressed his indifference towards his standing in the rap community, stating, "I don't care about my place bro... I know where my place in hip hop is. I know what I did for the culture. I know how lit I am." (Variety)

Justin Timberlake has just revealed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease during his just-completed Forget Tomorrow World Tour. The ten-time Grammy-winning singer shared his health update in a series of Instagram Stories that coincided with the final show of his tour in Istanbul on Wednesday (July 30), disclosing that nerve pain and severe fatigue affected his recent performances. “I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme Disease–which I don’t say so you feel bad for me – but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” he wrote. “Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.” Timberlake contemplated pausing the tour in order to focus on his health, but ultimately he “decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.” Timberlake launched his tour in April 2023, traveling throughout the world while promoting his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was. (Variety)

Busta Rhymes will be honored by receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony set to take place on Friday afternoon (August 1) in Los Angeles. The event will feature guest speakers LL Cool J, Chris Rock, and Chuck D, with radio host Big Boy emceeing. Reflecting on his illustrious hip-hop career in an interview segment on CBS Mornings on Monday (July 28), Busta called the recognition “divine timing,” while adding, “Thirty-five years of professional recording is a long earning of my rite to passage. I’m just glad they decided it’s time for me.” Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said Busta’s star “will stand as a testament to his lasting impact on hip-hop music and how important it is to the American culture.” Alongside this recognition, Busta is preparing to release his 12th studio album, Vengeance, this September, and stars in the upcoming The Naked Gun reboot. (Billboard)

Lil Baby and his nonprofit, The Jones Project, hosted their fifth annual Back to School Fest in Atlanta’s West End Production Park on Saturday (July 26). The event provided free school supplies, uniforms, and fun activities like carnival rides, games, and hair services to over 4,000 students and their families. Supported by various local partners and city leaders, the event emphasized the importance of giving back, with Lil Baby expressing how lack of school essentials can negatively affect kids’ lives. “It means a lot to be able to come back and give back, because I know so much comes behind not having shoes and school utensils and stuff for school — because that be a lot of kids’ reason to steer off,” Baby told The Atlanta Voice. Launched in 2021 to uplift his hometown youth, the initiative earned praise from attendees for Lil Baby’s genuine involvement and personal commitment beyond financial support. (Billboard)