RIHANNA APOLOGIZES FOR USING ISLAMIC VERSUS DURING SAVAGE X FENTY LINGERIE SHOW: Rihanna took to Instagram to apologize for playing a song that included a Hadith, which is a collection of written accounts of the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad during her Savage x Fenty fashion show. The song is called “Doom” and it is by CouCou Chloe. RiRi wrote, “I’d like to thank the Muslim community for pointing out a huge oversight that was unintentionally offensive in our Savage X Fenty show.” She continued, “I would more importantly like to apologize to you for this honest, yet careless mistake. We understand that we have hurt many of our Muslim brothers and sisters, and I’m incredibly dishearted sic by this! I do not play with any kind of disrespect toward God or any religion and therefore the use of the song in the project was completely irresponsible!” She added, “Moving forward we will make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Thank you for your forgiveness and understanding, Rih.” Coucou also shared an apology, noting that she was “not aware” the song included a Hadith.
BRYSON TILLER REVEALS HOW HE SECURED A COLLABORATION WITH DRAKE: Bryson Tiller has revealed how he scored “Outta Time,” a collaboration with Drake on his Anniversary project. In an interview with Genuis' For The Record series, Tiller said that Drizzy was supposed to appear on his debut Trapsoul but plans fell through. He explained, “We didn't get to make that happen, obviously, but this is dope to come back five years later—full circle—and do it.” He continued, “About eight, nine months ago—me and him have always, like, sent each other ideas, or whatever. I was supposed to be on More Life; at that time, I was just in a terrible mental space. I really couldn't deliver the proper Bryson Tiller verse for a Drake album … it just wasn't there at all. So I ended up not getting on the project. Anyway, we still kept in contact over the years.”
NORMANI OPENS UP ABOUT APPEARING IN 'WAP': In an interview with Teen Vogue, Normani opened up about appearing in Cardi B's “WAP” video. She said, “The ‘WAP’ video I was really, really excited to be a part of, just because I feel like we’re in a time in music where women — and Black women — are really on top, which is something I feel like we haven’t seen in a very, very long time.” She continued, “Where I come from, we were all about female empowerment. The fact that I could be a part of such a special moment embracing our sexuality, in which I definitely think there’s a double standard, was exciting to be a part of it.”
PRETTY RICK'S BABY BLUE CHARGED FOR ALLEGED $24 MILLION COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME: Pretty Ricky's Baby Blue has been charged for his alleged involvement in a COVID relief fund scam. According to The Shade Room, a press release from the Department of Justice revealed that Baby Blue has been charged with wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud due to his alleged involvement in a scam to file more then $24 million in fraudulent COVID relief applications. Baby Blue, along with another man, allegedly “conspired with others to obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent PPP loans.” It is being alleged that Baby Blue obtained a PPP loan for over $400,000 for his company, Throwbackjersey.com LLC through the use of falsified documents. After getting that loan, he filed for a loan of over $700,000 for his other company, Blue star Records LLC. He also allegedly paid almost $100K on a Ferrari, which authorities seized once he was arrested.