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3 days ago
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YoungBoy Never Broke Again Pardoned by President Trump: ‘Thank You to Everyone Who Believed in Me'
Donald Trump has pardoned YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the rapper confirmed on Wednesday (May 28). The news was first reported by CNN's Jasmine Wright on X. 'President Trump has also issued a full pardon to rapper NBA YoungBoy, one of the most streamed rappers, who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon,' she wrote. 'He was released from prison earlier this year.' More from Billboard Donald Trump Commutes Life Sentence of Former Chicago Gang Leader Larry Hoover Kid Cudi Reflects on 'Stressful' Testimony in Diddy Trial: 'I'm Glad It's Behind Me' Kid Cudi Expected to Testify in Diddy Trial Later This Week NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell Gaulden, confirmed the report by releasing a statement on his Instagram Story. 'I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist,' he wrote. 'This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this. Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and my lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for being in my corner and all your hard work to make this possible. And thank you to everyone who believed in me.' YoungBoy added: 'I'm grateful. I'm focused. I'm ready.' The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper was released in April after being sentenced to 23 months in December on federal gun charges. Earlier this month, he announced his first headlining tour. Also on Wednesday, Trump commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, the former Chicago gang leader of the Gangster Disciples for whom Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Drake performed a 'Free Larry Hoover' concert in 2021. Best of Billboard Diddy Judge Rejects Claim That Prosecutors Leaked Surveillance Tape of Cassie Assault Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kid Cudi Reflects on ‘Stressful' Testimony in Diddy Trial: ‘I'm Glad It's Behind Me'
Kid Cudi took the stand as a witness in Diddy's sex trafficking and racketeering trial on Thursday (May 22). Following his hours-long testimony surrounding his brief romance with Cassie in 2011, Cudi took to X to reflect on his time in court and thanked his fans for their support along the way. 'I've been seeing all the love and support and I just want to say thank you so much, man,' Cudi said. 'People been hitting me up the past week just checking in and even today, it really means a lot to me, man. You guys are the best. I love y'all.' More from Billboard Diddy Trial Recap: Ex-Assistant Discusses Freak-Offs & Psychologist Explains Abusive Relationships Kid Cudi Expected to Testify in Diddy Trial Later This Week Post Malone Fights Ex's Custody Petition, Says Daughter Belongs in Utah The Cleveland native continued: 'This is a stressful situation. I'm glad it's behind me. Yeah, I love y'all.' Producer BNYX and Cudi's fans showed their appreciation in his replies on X for taking the stand. 'You did great Scott! Glad it's over and done with,' one person wrote. While another added: 'I'm so proud of you baby!!!!! Take time for yourself , you did that.' The 'Day 'n' Nite' rapper was questioned on the stand Thursday about his short stint dating Cassie in the early 2010s, and Cudi opened up about Diddy allegedly setting his Porsche on fire with a Molotov cocktail. Cudi also recounted a break-in of his home around the time of his relationship with Cassie, which he tied to Diddy. Cassie's initial bombshell 2023 lawsuit against Combs accused Diddy of blowing up Kid Cudi's car in his driveway after repeatedly threatening Cudder. 'Too much danger, too much uncertainty of what could happen if we continued to see each other,' she reportedly said of why she ended things romantically with Cudi during her emotional testimony last week. '[Diddy] said he wanted Scott's friends to see Scott's car blown up,' Cassie recalled. 'We met, [Diddy], [Kid Cudi] and me. [Kid Cudi] said, 'What about my vehicle?' And [Diddy] said, 'What vehicle?' And that was the end of the meeting.' The Bad Boy mogul could be sentenced to life in prison if found guilty on all counts of sex trafficking and racketeering. Diddy's trial is expected to last into July. Watch Cudi's full statement on his experience at the Diddy trial below: Best of Billboard Diddy Judge Rejects Claim That Prosecutors Leaked Surveillance Tape of Cassie Assault Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
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Suge Knight Believes President Trump May Pardon Diddy If the Music Mogul Is Convicted
Suge Knight has an interesting theory when it comes to Diddy and President Donald Trump. When talking on the phone from prison with Chris Cuomo on the journalist's News Nation show CUOMO in an interview that was posted Wednesday (May 14), Knight suggested Diddy has enough power and influence to warrant a possible pardon from the president if convicted on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. 'I think he's got some favors with the government. I think they're gonna show him a little leeway,' he suggested. 'It might not seem like it when it's all said and done, but I don't think he has nothing to worry about, and I don't think he's worried because he's gonna be federal, and if he gets convicted, Trump's gonna pardon him.' More from Billboard Styles P Says He & Jim Jones 'Ain't in the Same League' When Asked About Verzuz Battle Gerardo Coronel Breaks Through to No. 1 on Latin Airplay Chart With 'No Se Dice' Bruce Springsteen Slams 'Incompetent & Treasonous' Trump Administration at Tour Kickoff Earlier in the interview, he also floated the theory that Diddy and his team may try to tamper with jurors. 'I still feel that Puffy is going to be all right and have a fair shot at it,' the Death Row founder proclaimed. 'He's not a not a dummy. And I'm quite sure somebody going to talk to those jurors and convince one or two of them that's all you need, is one.' Billboard has reached out to both Diddy's team and the White House press office for comment. Suge called into the news outlet after being mentioned during Cassie Ventura's testimony at Diddy's trial on Tuesday (May 13.) While on the stand, Ventura recalled a time when Diddy once left his home in L.A. abruptly to allegedly confront Knight, who was said to be at a nearby diner by one of the embattled mogul's bodyguards. 'I don't think Cassie is in a situation where she has to lie,' he said of his name being brought up during her testimony. 'I don't think she's in a situation where she's got to worry anymore. I think she's in a great place with another baby on the way.' Watch Suge's interview with Chris Cuomo below: Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joey Bada$$ Says Jay-Z Wanted to Manage Him Early in His Career
Joey Badass sat down with Red Bull for a story published Tuesday (May 13), during which he talked about almost signing with Jay-Z's Roc Nation and his relationship with 50 Cent. When he talked about almost signing with Roc Nation back in 2010, Joey blamed it on an old manager and a lack of communication because Jay-Z didn't want to sign him to a label deal, he actually wanted to manage the up-and-coming Brooklyn rapper. 'It was a chain of communication that I didn't have any part in,' he revealed. 'Jay is my favorite rapper, even to this day, and within a year of being in the game, he wanted to sign me. But he didn't want to sign me as an artist, he wanted to manage me. I had a manager at the time and I always wonder if that's how it got botched.' More from Billboard Queens of the Stone Age Announce 'Alive in the Catacombs' Concert Film, Album Amyl and the Sniffers, Royel Otis Lead Finalists for 2025 AIR Awards El Alfa Confirms Retirement With El Último Baile 2025 Farewell Tour Dates Billboard reached out to Roc Nation for comment. He then talked about his role as Unique on Power Book III: Raising Kanan and what he's learned working with the show's executive producer 50 Cent. 'He's a very interesting individual; he surprised me,' Joey said of the Queens mogul. 'Not that I didn't think he was smart, but I think he's much smarter than people may think. His mind is very interesting and very multidimensional. He reminds me a lot of myself, like, how he thinks. It was really dope to have some one-on-one time with him to understand his level of thought.' When it comes to playing Unique — a rival drug dealer to Kanan and his mother Raquel — he says he's in character as soon as he puts on his vintage early '90s clothes on. 'As soon as I land on set and I put them clothes on, it's just time, you know? I'm in there. I'm in that mindset, I'm in that mode. I'm in that frame of thought.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kelly Clarkson Doesn't Care What HR Says, She's Totally Open to Comments on Her Weight Loss: ‘I Want You to Say ‘Damn!'
Kelly Clarkson has a simple message to her human resources department: she's happier than ever and quit telling her to shut up about it. According to People, during her show at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, NJ on Saturday (May 10), the singer took a moment during the gig to chat with an audience member who praised her 'sexy' appearance. Clarkson, 43, said she appreciated the compliment, but noted that she has had a hard time complimenting other people's looks on the set of her eponymous NBC daytime talk show because HR keeps telling her it's not appropriate. More from Billboard Twenty One Pilots Fans Jumped Into Veronica Mars Mode After Someone Took Off With One of Josh Dun's Bespoke Drums Palm Tree Festival to Debut in St. Tropez With Headliners A$AP Rocky & Swedish House Mafia Ed Sheeran Sets Up Pink 'Play' Phone Booths Around Europe Previewing Upcoming Album 'Every time I go to an HR meeting, I'm like, 'How have I not been fired?' I grew up on the road at 19 years old, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, 'Oh, that is inappropriate. I would never,'' she said of the conversations. Last May on her show, Clarkson and Whoopi Goldberg bonded over their use of the prescription medication Ozempic for weight loss, with Kelly saying she's lost a 'lot' of weight on the drug. 'But they also say you're not allowed to say someone looks attractive, and I say f–k that,' Clarkson told the crowd. 'Because some of those b–ches are out here working, and we're trying, and I want every motherf–ker that passes me to go, 'Damn. Well done.'' To be fair, Clarkson added, she doesn't think there is anything wrong with anyone's bodies, whatever shape, telling her fans that she felt 'very confident' at her previous weight. 'I felt fine both ways, but I'm just saying it's a lot more fun with clothes now. And I've been working on it,' she said. According to People, she thanked the fan for the compliment and quipped that she will 'not be calling HR' about their interaction. 'It is not a joke. I know HR is not a joke, but it is really funny some of the things they talk about,' she said. 'And we're like, 'Oh no. We would never.'' The Saturday show was one of two she played in Atlantic City, where, during the Friday night gig she lamented to the audience that she is bummed she can't tour like she used to due to the schedule of her TV show. 'We haven't done a show in a while, y'all, 'cause I have a talk show. It's like a whole other job,' said Clarkson, who has not mounted a full tour since 2019. 'We are bummed 'cause we love doing shows, and it's hard to fit it in, so it's cool when it does work out with the schedule. And it's cool to get to see your faces and feed off y'all. Thank you so much for having so much energy.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
