Tupac Shakur’s family is speaking out after Duane “Keffe D” Davis was found guilty in connection with the rapper’s 1996 murder.

A Las Vegas jury convicted Davis of first-degree murder on Monday, marking the first conviction in the nearly 30-year-old case surrounding Shakur’s killing. Prosecutors alleged that Davis orchestrated the drive-by shooting as retaliation following an altercation involving his nephew and members of Shakur’s entourage earlier that night. Davis now faces the possibility of life in prison.

Following the verdict, Shakur’s family shared a statement expressing gratitude and relief over the outcome. The message paid particular tribute to Shakur’s late mother, Afeni Shakur, recognizing her decadeslong devotion to her son and his legacy.

“The family of Tupac Amaru Shakur is elated and relieved by today’s verdict,” the family said, thanking jurors for their attention to the evidence presented during the trial.

The statement also acknowledged the relatives, friends and fans who have supported Shakur’s family over the years, as well as the marshals and advocates who assisted and protected family members throughout the court proceedings.

While Monday’s verdict brought a major development in one of music’s most closely followed unsolved murder cases, the family emphasized that Shakur’s story and influence extend far beyond the trial.

“While this verdict is decades in the making, this is not the end of the story,” the statement continued. “Tupac’s legacy and impact on the world lives on and we will continue to do everything we can to keep his spirit alive.”

Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, was among the family members in the courtroom when the verdict was announced. She became emotional following the decision and later embraced members of the prosecution team.

The conviction comes three decades after Shakur was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996. He was 25 years old when he died from his injuries days later. Davis, 63, was the only person criminally charged in connection with the killing.

The family’s statement comes from Shakur’s relatives and not from his estate, which is separate from his family.

Shakur’s influence has endured on the Billboard charts, earning three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 during his lifetime. Those albums include Me Against the World and All Eyez on Me, while several posthumous releases also topped the chart.

The NAACP Image Awards have added 10 new categories to recognize the achievements of African artists. Previously, there were no dedicated African categories. The new categories are:

Here’s how the NAACP framed these new categories in a statement: “With ten new African categories, the NAACP Image Awards expands its historic mission of recognizing Black excellence, building a cultural bridge between Africa and the global Black diaspora while celebrating the continent’s growing influence across film, television and music—and establishing the Image Awards as a global standard-bearer for Black creative achievement.”

Submissions for nomination consideration in 108 categories spanning motion picture, television + streaming, recording, literature and podcasts are now open on the NAACP Image Awards website.

The 58th NAACP Image Awards will also mark the return of four daytime drama categories: outstanding daytime drama series, outstanding actor in a daytime drama series, outstanding actress in a daytime drama series and outstanding supporting actor in a daytime drama series.

Nominees will be announced on Jan. 7, 2017. That is also the date that public voting opens. Public voting closes on Feb. 1. The date of the awards ceremony will be announced later. The 2026 show, hosted by Deon Cole, was held on Feb. 28 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif.

A performance or project that occurs between Jan. 1, 2026 and Dec. 31, 2026 qualifies to be submitted this year. Information and guidelines for submitting are available on the website. 

Here’s a full list of recording categories for the 58th NAACP Image Awards:

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In an increasingly noisy world, our hearing is taking a beating, and for musicians, the loud sounds that make their work possible can also become an occupational hazard.

That risk has gained attention as BTS member V recently revealed he was receiving treatment for significant hearing loss while on tour, while DJ and producer Alesso spoke about tinnitus and its impact on his touring last year. Furthermore, Chris Martin, Dave Grohl and Neil Young are among the other artists who have opened up about the impact years of exposure to loud music has had on their ears.

While custom in-ear monitors (IEMs) can be an alternative to earplugs, they don’t suit every musician and music event. When you consider marching band performances, orchestra pits, mariachi bands, garage jam sessions and DJ sets, a good pair of earplugs is an appropriate choice, not to mention an affordable option to pricey custom IEMs.

When shopping for earplugs, you’re going to come across the term “dB” (decibels) a lot. This is the unit used to measure a sound’s loudness. To put this into perspective, the International Noise Awareness Day says the sound of normal breathing is 10 dB, while a normal conversation is 60 dB, making the dB levels below per earplug a useful indicator of how much noise they can reduce.

Loop Switch 2 offers three levels of passive noise reduction, making it useful when your surroundings change throughout the day. Its dial lets you move between quiet, engage and experience modes, with a stated 20 to 26 dB SNR range. A slimmer design and four ear-tip sizes aim to improve comfort. The set also includes a protective carrying case. Loop is a popular choice among musicians and is even Harry Styles-approved, following his collab with the brand earlier this year.

Eargasm’s high-fidelity earplugs are designed to lower loudness while keeping music and speech relatively clear. They provide up to 21 dB of noise reduction, with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 16 dB, and use filters intended to attenuate sound across frequencies. Two silicone shell sizes help with fit, while the included waterproof aluminum case makes them convenient for concerts, festivals and gigs.

The Alpine MusicSafe Pro gives musicians three interchangeable filter options rated at 16, 19 and 22 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). That makes it possible to choose different attenuation levels depending on your instrument, venue or position onstage. Its acoustic filters are designed to reduce loudness without heavily altering the character of music. The earplugs also come with a compact storage case.

Earasers are designed for musicians who want to reduce loud sound without losing the detail between different instruments. The manufacturer lists up to 19 dB of reduction at peak frequency, with an SNR of 14 and average attenuation figures that vary across frequencies. They use soft silicone and an ear-shaped design intended for extended comfort. A case and one-year warranty are included.

The Etymotic ER20XS uses a tuned resonator and acoustic resistor to reduce sound more evenly while retaining speech and musical detail. The manufacturer rates them for up to 20 dB of sound reduction. Their low-profile, stemless design sits discreetly in the outer ear and can work under hats or other headgear. Each pair includes a neck cord and a carrying case.

Decibullz takes a different approach by using heat-moldable thermoplastic pieces that can be shaped to your ears. With the included foam tips, the manufacturer lists a maximum 31 dB NRR, making these useful when stronger attenuation is needed. They can be reheated and remolded if the first fit is imperfect. The package includes multiple tip options and a carrying pouch.

ZovGemy’s reusable silicone earplugs are built more for general noise reduction than specifically for preserving musical detail. They claim up to 33 dB of noise reduction and come with four ear-tip sizes to help create a secure seal. Soft silicone is intended for extended wear, while washable tips and a snap-close case make them practical for traveling.

How We Chose the Best Earplugs for Musicians

To choose the best earplugs for musicians, we compared several popular models with at least a 4-star rating and/or a significant number of positive reviews from customers. We looked for noise reduction, sound quality, fit, comfort and features that matter when performing or listening to loud music. We reviewed each manufacturer’s stated noise reduction rating (NRR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while keeping in mind that these ratings measure noise reduction differently. We also looked at features such as interchangeable or adjustable filters, multiple ear-tip sizes, low-profile designs and custom molds that can help create a better fit.

Since musicians need to protect their hearing without losing important musical details, we focused on earplugs designed to lower loud sounds while keeping music clear. We also compared practical details, including carrying cases, reusable or washable parts, warranties and included accessories.

Sophie Dunne is an e-commerce writer at Penske Media Corporation, writing across Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, WWD, and Footwear News. Originally from Ireland and based in Los Angeles, she previously worked at Static Media as a writer and editor, covering entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, and travel. Her bylines have appeared in Women’s Health, The List, Women.com, Islands, Grunge, WebMD, and more. Before beginning her writing career in 2019, Sophie lived in Dubai for four years working as an Emirates cabin crew member. Having traveled to 71 countries with the airline, she began writing for an LA-based publication as a travel writer during her final year. Sophie has a degree in Humanities from Carlow College, St. Patrick’s (now South East Technological University) in her native Ireland. She studied English, history, philosophy, and psychology. Sophie mostly reports on entertainment merchandise and celebrity brand partnerships.

While there’s no question Dolly Parton was popular, she had no intention of “going pop” throughout her 60-plus-year career.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are chatting about the relationship Parton — who died on Aug. 25 at age 80 — had with pop music, from her crossover hits to collaborating with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. In a 1977 interview with Country Music magazine — the same year she released one of her poppiest hits, “Here You Come Again” — Parton addressed the genre question head-on. “I never considered the fact that I was going pop,” she said at the time. “I will go pop, as far as crossing over, sooner or later. But I will go there as me. I will go there with my own music, not by trying to be something different than I am.

“If my music has to have a label, I will call it country, mainly because I am country,” the Tennessee native added. “You cannot leave what you are. But I really prefer to call it Dolly Parton music.”

Listen to the full conversation below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” gets a 20th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the most weeks atop the list among non-holiday songs. Plus, on the Billboard 200 albums chart, ENHYPEN gets its first No. 1, while Parton re-enters the chart at No. 5 with the best-of set Ultimate Dolly Parton.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

BigXthaPlug has received six months of deferred adjudication in connection with a 2025 unlawful weapon case in Dallas County, according to court documents.

The Texas rapper, whose legal name is Xavier Landum, appeared in Dallas County Criminal Court No. 4 on Friday (Aug. 28) on a Class A misdemeanor charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon. The charge stemmed from an alleged offense on Aug. 21, 2025.

The court’s decision comes shortly after BigXThaPlug made headlines for a separate arrest earlier this month. As previously reported by Billboard, the rapper was taken into custody on Aug. 21, 2026, on charges including driving while intoxicated, marijuana possession and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The two cases are separate. The deferred adjudication judgment entered Friday relates specifically to the unlawful carrying of a weapon charge stemming from the 2025 incident.

According to Friday’s judgment, Landum entered a plea of nolo contendere, or no contest, to the charge. The court found that the evidence substantiated his guilt but deferred further proceedings without entering an adjudication of guilt, placing him instead on community supervision.

Under the terms of the negotiated plea agreement, Landum will serve six months of probation. The judgment lists no fine and credits him with three days of time served. His community supervision is scheduled to end on Feb. 28, 2027.

The case dates back to Landum’s August 2025 arrest in Dallas. The rapper was taken into custody following a traffic stop and faced allegations involving marijuana and a firearm.

BigXthaPlug has not publicly commented on the court’s latest ruling.

The country-tinged hip-hop star broke through to the mainstream last year thanks in part to his Bailey Zimmerman-featuring hit “All the Way,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Country Songs chart.