A$AP Rocky avoids prison after being found not guilty in shooting felony trial.
American rapper and fashion enthusiast, A$AP Rocky (Rakim Mayers) was found not guilty on all charges by a Los Angeles jury, concluding a three-week trial. He had been accused of shooting at his former friend, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), during a confrontation on Hollywood Boulevard on November 6, 2021. Ephron claimed a bullet grazed his knuckles, but Mayers denied the allegations, asserting the gun was a prop and that Ephron fabricated the incident to extort him through a $30 million lawsuit. Rocky, who faced up to 24 years in prison, refused a plea deal of 180 days in jail. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, dismissed Ephron’s injuries as minor. As the verdict was read, the courtroom erupted in cheers. Rocky, emotional, embraced Rihanna and their two sons, RZA and Riot. The two were part of the A$AP Mob, a rap collective founded in 2006 by A$AP Yams, blending music, fashion, and culture.
A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty. pic.twitter.com/Y1dnKodOjd
— chart data (@chartdata) February 19, 2025
Burna Boy previews a new single as fans anticipate his upcoming studio album.
Afro-fusion star, Burna Boy is building anticipation for his upcoming 2025 project by offering fans a glimpse of his unreleased music. A recent Instagram video captioned “Update Tomorrow” quickly went viral, featuring a preview of a new track that highlights his signature Afro-fusion style. This marks the second time in recent weeks that Burna Boy has teased new music, following the introduction of another unreleased song, Empty Chairs, further fuelling excitement for his next album. Adding to the buzz, the Grammy-winning artist recently released Bundle, a single that debuted last year. His rumoured album, No Sign of Weakness, is expected to follow I Told Them (2023), which featured collaborations with J. Cole and 21 Savage. While details about the track list and guest artists remain undisclosed, fans eagerly await how Burna Boy will continue evolving his sound and expanding his global influence.
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BURNA BOY PREVIEWS NEW SINGLE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wKW0vqwSyH— 49th. (@the49thstreet) February 18, 2025
Ayra Starr makes history; wins the best international act at the MOBO Awards.
Nigerian music sensation, Ayra Starr made history at the 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle, UK, by winning two major categories. She became the first African female artist to claim the Best International Act award, surpassing global stars like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar. She also secured the Best African Act title, triumphing over top artists including Tems, Asake, Rema, Tyla, Shallipopi, and OdumoduBlvck. With her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, and a string of hit songs, Ayra Starr has solidified her place among Afrobeats’ elite. She now joins Wizkid and Burna Boy as Nigerian artists who have won the prestigious British award. The Mavin Records star continues to dominate the charts, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. Following her historic win, fans flooded social media to celebrate the “Sability” hitmaker, hailing her as one of the leading voices in African music.
Ayra Starr beats Asake, Kendrick Lamar, Glorilla, Nicki Minaj, Tems, Tyla, to win the 2025 MOBO Awards “Best International Act” award 🇳🇬🏆 pic.twitter.com/t8tZntQLwi
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) February 18, 2025
Tyla talks on the debate concerning her identity in new British Vogue interview.
South African singer, Tyla has found herself at the centre of a racial identity debate amid her rising global fame. In a recent British Vogue cover story, the Water hitmaker, 23, addressed the backlash she faced for identifying as both Black and “coloured.” The controversy stemmed from a resurfaced 2020 TikTok video in which she referred to herself as a “colored South African,” a term historically used in her country to classify people of mixed heritage. Some critics, particularly in the U.S., viewed the term as offensive due to its past derogatory use against Black people. Tyla expressed frustration over the misunderstanding, explaining that in South Africa, racial classifications were imposed during apartheid. While she initially avoided discussing the topic, she now embraces both identities. “I know I’m a Black woman and a colored woman, and you can be both,” she stated. Despite ongoing criticism, she remains focused on educating those willing to listen.
Tyla talks about the debate surrounding her identify to @BritishVogue:
“You know that even if you give the best explanation, people will still choose not to understand. But I’m at a point where I know who I am. I know I’m a Black woman and I know I’m a coloured woman as well and… pic.twitter.com/xFvXaJhoXC
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 18, 2025
Tems thrills the crowd with a beautiful performance Aston Martin at the #F175Live.
Aston Martin unveiled its striking new livery at Formula 1’s special launch event at The O2 Arena in London, with Nigerian superstar Tems making a memorable entrance. The Grammy-winning singer introduced the team’s 2025 racing green challenger with a soulful performance of “Higher”, her 2022 hit from the For Broken Ears EP. The song, which gained international fame after being sampled in Drake and Future’s “Wait For U,” was accompanied by a live ensemble of violinists, trumpeters, and saxophonists. As the car was slowly revealed, Tems captivated the audience before being joined on stage by Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. The event also marked the unveiling of all ten Formula 1 teams’ liveries for the new season. Among the highlights, Ferrari generated buzz as newly signed Lewis Hamilton appeared alongside Charles Leclerc, presenting their latest challenger to the world ahead of the highly anticipated season.
Tems performing at Aston Martin’s livery unveiling for the 2025 F1 season #F175
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) February 18, 2025
