All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Selena Gomez just got hitched to music producer Benny Blanco and the internet is obsessed with the singer’s bridal look.

The pair tied the knot on Saturday (Sept. 27) at Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara, Calif. surrounded by a crowd of around 170 people, including their family and close friends according to an article published by Vogue. To celebrate the monumental occasion, Gomez shared a now-viral carousel to her Instagram showcasing a few romantic snapshots from the ceremony, accompanied by a short and sweet caption marking the date the pair wed.

Blanco also posted intimate photos taken from the big day to his Instagram yesterday accompanied by the caption “i married a real life disney princess.” Gomez’s look has been the talk of the internet for the last 48 hours. The Only Murders in the Building star’s bridal style was princess-esque indeed, with the perfect hair to back it up.

The star’s secret weapon to pristine tresses was a multi-step routine from Joico. ShopBillboard has got the scoop on every product used by Joico hair artist Renato Campora to achieve and maintain Gomez’s hair from start to finish. The best part? Every Joico product used is currently on sale at Amazon. That means you won’t have to go spending a fortune to get hair like Gomez’s.

How To Get Selena Gomez's Wedding Day Hair Routine On Sale At Amazon

Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo

$38.25 $45.00 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A shampoo for color-treated hair.


How To Get Selena Gomez's Wedding Day Hair Routine On Sale At Amazon

Joico Defy Damage KBOND20 Power Masque

$33.15 $39.00 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A color-safe hair masque.


Before styling even came into play, it was important to protect her hair. Campora washed Gomez’s hair twice with Joico’s Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, available at Amazon for $38.25. The shampoo is safe to use on colored hair and works to strengthen the hair thanks to arginine, an amino acid that helps build proteins, and nourish with help from moringa seed oil. Once the hair was washed, the hair artist went in with Joico Defy Damage KBOND20 Power Masque, retailing for $33.15 on Amazon, another product that combats damage.

The masque is color-safe and deeply hydrating. Like the shampoo, the masque works to repair and strengthen keratin bonds in your hair, preventing future breakage or damage to said bonds. Both products primed Gomez’s hair, allowing the strands to absorb essential nutrients while reducing frizz, enhancing moisture, shine, strength and protecting the follicles from upcoming heat styling.

How To Get Selena Gomez's Wedding Day Hair Routine On Sale At Amazon

Joico Dream Blowout Thermal Protection Crème

$22.53 $26.50 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A heat protection crème that reduces frizz.


How To Get Selena Gomez's Wedding Day Hair Routine On Sale At Amazon

Joico JoiWhip Firm Hold Designing Foam

$19.13 $22.50 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A foam mousse that creates volume.


Gomez’s hair was then towel-dried and sectioned before receiving a healthy dose of Joico’s Dream Blowout Thermal Protection Crème from the mid-lengths to the ends. This crème currently retails for $22.53 and was used to combat frizz and static, an important step, especially for those outdoor sections of Gomez’s wedding ceremony.

Prepped and primed, the hair was then situated into a deep side part and  treated with Joico JoiWhip Design Foam, currently available for $19.13. This foam was applied from roots to ends and works to create hold and volume while enhancing shine. Once the product was applied, Campora blow-dried with a large round brush, further creating volume and pinned to set and cool, keeping the created shape in place.

How To Get Selena Gomez's Wedding Day Hair Routine On Sale At Amazon

Joico Heat Hero Glossing Thermal Protector

$20.01 $24.00 17% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A hair gloss that helps protect against humidity.


To style, the hair artist took Joico Heat Hero Glossing Thermal Protector section by section, generously coating the section before going in with a three-quarter-inch spring curling iron. As the name suggests, the spray protects the user’s hair from heat damage. It is currently on sale for $20.01 at Amazon and can withstand impressive heats up to 450° F. Plus, the spray is apple-scented, if that’s your thing. The hair artist created a Marcel wave pattern, a vintage curl pattern popularized in the 1920s, pinning each curl to cool and hold its shape. Once cooled, the curls were gently brushed out, while specific pieces were sculpted just so to frame Gomez’s face.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Miley Cyrus just teamed up with Maybelline to rewrite the brand’s iconic “Maybe It’s Maybelline” jingle. This change is certainly cause for celebration, and ShopBillboard is doing so the only way we know how: by shopping.

If you didn’t know, the “Flowers” singer was just named Maybelline’s global spokesperson, adding a new and very impressive accolade to Cyrus’ repertoire. The reimagined jingle was shared with audiences in a new Maybelline ad set along the towering skyscrapers of New York City.

“I remember singing the Maybelline jingle as a kid and imagining it was me on the screen. Now, it is. To take something so iconic and make it mine—it’s powerful and personal,” said Cyrus in a Maybelline press release. “This partnership brings together two core parts of me. You can’t erase makeup, from music. Within music, there’s performance and honesty—makeup enhances both. It’s how I tell my truth without saying a word.”   

To celebrate this iconic partnership, we’re giving you the scoop on a few of Cyrus’ favorite Maybelline products from liquid lipsticks to mascaras. Every product can be shopped in stores where drugstore makeup is sold, on Maybelline’s official website or at Ulta Beauty. Keep reading to shop Cyrus’ Maybelline faves.

Shop Miley Cyrus' Maybelline Faves In Honor of Her Ambassadorship

Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor in Peppy

A liquid lipstick with a high-shine finish.


For her lips, Cyrus seems to be a lover of glossy products, specifically Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor in the shade Peppy. The liquid lip currently retails for $13.99 at Ulta Beauty. That vinyl namesake comes from the glossy finish this formula gives the lips. With one swipe, you get a punch of pigment that dries down comfortably on the lips.

Cyrus’ chosen shade, Preppy, is a mauvy pink that closely resembles her natural lip color. If the singer’s shade isn’t your thing, there are about 19 other shades available at Ulta to choose from varying from deep vampy reds to vibrant fuchsia pinks. The attached doe foot allows users precision when applying, creating a sleek and defined shape on the lips.

Shop Miley Cyrus' Maybelline Faves In Honor of Her Ambassadorship

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer

$9.09 $12.99 30% off

Buy Now at ulta beauty

A concealer with a sponge tip applicator.


Cyrus’ pick for brightening up the under eyes? Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer. You know her, you love her, it’s the concealer that basically broke the internet. While this product was first launched in 2010, the formula has aged rather gracefully. It’s still that same sponge-tipped product that offers users that immediate brightening effect, for an affordable price.

Right now, you can snag Cyrus’ tried and trusted concealer for just $9.09 at Ulta Beauty, 30% off its original price tag. You’ve got up to 24 shades to choose from, including two correcting hues in green and salmon to further brighten and cancel out those pesky dark circles. Age Rewind promises up to 12 hours of hydrated crease-resistant wear. No wonder it’s Cyrus’ favorite.

Shop Miley Cyrus' Maybelline Faves In Honor of Her Ambassadorship

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

$9.79 $13.99 30% off

Buy Now at ulta beauty

A lengthening mascara.


Shop Miley Cyrus' Maybelline Faves In Honor of Her Ambassadorship

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara

$7.69 $10.99 30% off

Buy Now at ulta beauty

A lengthening mascara in black.


On the mascara front, Cyrus has two favorites: the Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara and Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara. It’s no wonder the singer can’t pick, given Maybelline has a host of mascaras to choose from. It was the brand’s bread and butter, along with brow products, before venturing into creating other makeup. In fact, Maybelline is widely credited with popularizing mascara, introducing the product to a wider audience.

Enough on history for now. Both of Cyrus’ favorite Maybelline mascaras are currently on sale for 30% off at Ulta Beauty. Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara retails for $9.79, while the Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara retails for $7.69. Lash Sensational is, as the name suggests, a lengthening mascara that comes in nine different shades, although Cyrus prefers Blackest Black. The mascara is equipped with a flexible wand, giving users dexterity when coating their lashes from root to tip. The Colossal is a similar concept but focuses more on volume rather than length, giving the lashes a fluffier, fuller overall look. This formula comes in Classic Black and Glam Black.

Listen to Miley Cyrus’ rendition of the “Maybe It’s Maybelline” jingle down below.

The dismembered body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the teen girl found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd, was likely dead for weeks before being discovered, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

PEOPLE spoke with LAPD Captain Scot M. William, who confirmed that the Tesla containing Celeste’s body was parked for weeks before being towed to a yard in Hollywood.

“We know for sure that Celeste Rivas Hernandez died and someone placed her body in the front trunk area of David Burke’s [D4vd’s] Tesla,” William said. “We know that the Tesla had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, so it is very likely Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been dead for several weeks prior to her body being discovered.”

A cause of death for Rivas has yet to be ruled, and D4vd hasn’t been publicly named a suspect in the case of the 15-year-old’s murder as the investigation remains ongoing.

“The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not determined a cause or manner of her death, so we don’t know for sure if anyone has any criminal culpability for her death beyond the concealment of her dead body,” William added.

A body was found on Sept. 8 after police officers responded to a call of a “foul odor” coming from an impounded Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard. Just over a week later, Celeste Rivas was identified as the individual in D4vd’s trunk, who had previously been reported missing since April 2024.

During this time, D4vd was on the road for his Withered World Tour. On Sept. 20, the singer ended up canceling the rest of his North American leg as well as the upcoming European dates of his tour without any explanation.

“As far as their relationship, it would be premature for me to say anything,” officer William stated of the connection between the 20-year-old singer and Celeste Rivas. “We are looking into everything.”

Billboard has reached out to the LAPD for comment.

After Ariana Grande slammed Donald Trump’s administration on her Instagram Stories Sunday (Sept. 29), a spokesperson for the president fired back at the Grammy-winning singer.

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In a statement provided to TMZ, White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai responded to Grande’s post, attempting to refute the points she shared about the Trump administration’s actions during the president’s second term.

“Save your tears, Ariana, because President Trump’s actions ended Joe Biden’s inflation crisis and are bringing in trillions in new investments,” Desai claimed. “He even signed an executive order just like magic that paved the way for the FTC to crack down on Ticketmaster for ripping off Ariana Grande’s concert-going fans. Get well soon, Ariana!”

While Desai claims that the president “ended” the inflation crisis, a report earlier this month from the U.S. Department of Labor showed that inflation increased to 2.9% in August, marking the biggest increase to consumer prices since January. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission did announce a lawsuit aimed at Live Nation and Ticketmaster for misleading consumers about resale ticket prices.

In her original post, Grande reshared a recent infographic from activist Matt Bernstein, who questioned Trump voters over the current state of political affairs. “It’s been 250 days. now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all — has your life gotten better?” the post asked. “Has the widespread suffering of others paid off for you in the way he promised it would, or are you still waiting?”


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Two months after launching their celebratory JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown tour, the Jonas Brothers are adding dates to their anniversary outing. On Monday (Sept. 29), Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas revealed 18 more North American dates for the tour, with newly revealed shows in Newark, Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Ottawa, Montreal, Baltimore and Brooklyn.

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Tickets for the new shows will go on sale on Thursday (Oct. 2) at 10 a.m. local time here.

The list of fresh stops also two one-offs that are not part of the arena tour, including an Oct. 31 stop dubbed DNCE Halloween, seemingly in honor of Joe’s side dance project, as well the Nick Jonas Sunday Best Brunch on Nov. 30 coinciding with a show that night at Maverik Center in Salt Lake City.

After joining them for surprise appearances on earlier dates, Jesse McCartney has signed on the tour as the opening act in some of the new markets. Since launching the tour on Aug. 10 with a show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. with guests Demi Lovato, Switchfoot and Dean Lewis, the JoBros have been criss-crossing North America with a show that has featured guest performers including: 5 Seconds of Summer, Alessia Cara, All Time Low, Cartel, Chord Overstreet, Christina Perri, Dashboard Confessional, Fifth Harmony, Hanson, Hoobastank, Jack’s Mannequin, Jason Mraz, John Legend, JoJo, JP Saxe, Kelsea Ballerini, Machine Gun Kelly, Neon Trees, Paul Russell, Phantom Planet, Plain White T’s, Russell Dickerson, Ryan Cabrera, Simple Plan and Sum 41, among others.

Fans who can’t make it to one of the shows can stream the tour live from Milwaukee on Oct. 12, Orlando on Oct. 26 and Buffalo on Nov. 9 on Samsung TV Plus.

Check out the new JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown 2025 North American dates and tour poster below.

  • Oct 31. –  DNCE HALLOWEEN
  • Nov. 16: Newark, N.J. @ Prudential Center+*
  • Nov 22: Cincinnati, Ohio @ Heritage Bank Center^*
  • Nov. 23: Detroit, Mich. @ Little Caesar’s Arena^*
  • Nov. 29: Las Vegas, Nev. @ MGM Grand Garden Arena*
  • Nov. 30: Nick Jonas Sunday Best Brunch
  • Nov. 30: Salt Lake City, Utah @ Maverik Center*
  • Dec. 3: Wichita, Kan. @ INTRUST Bank Arena^*
  • Dec. 4: Fort Worth, Texas @ Dickies Arena^*
  • Dec. 6: New Orleans, La. @ Smoothie King Center^*
  • Dec. 9: North Little Rock, Ark. @ Simmons Bank Arena^*
  • Dec. 11: Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena^*
  • Dec. 12: Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena^*
  • Dec. 14: Hamilton, ON @ TD Coliseum^*
  • Dec. 15: Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre^*
  • Dec. 17: Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre^*
  • Dec. 18: Manchester, N.H. @ SNHU Arena^*
  • Dec 20: Baltimore, Md. @ CFG Bank Arena^*
  • Dec. 21: Belmont Park, N.Y. @ UBS Arena^*
  • Dec 22: Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Barclays Center^*

+With The All American Rejects
^With Jesse McCartney

*With Franklin Jonas


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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Are you searching for the perfect pop culture costumes ahead of Halloween, but don’t want to spend a fortune? Well, you’re in the right place.

Here at ShopBillboard, we believe in a bargain. There’s no sense in emptying your pockets for a costume you might only wear once. In the spirit of frugality and with Halloween almost upon us, we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up a few costumes for both men and women that reference some of the most influential pop culture moments of 2025, in our humble opinion.

We’re talking Wicked, Wednesday, Squid Game and so much more. These costumes are not only affordable, but high-quality to boot with multiple four-to-five star ratings and hundreds of reviews. Keep reading to shop our picks for pop culture Halloween costumes for $50 and under below.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Wednesday Addams Nevermore Academy Rave’n Dance Costume for Women

A black women’s Wednesday costume.


You couldn’t possibly go anywhere without seeing some kind of Wednesday media, especially this year. While you’re waiting for the show’s third season to premiere, why not shop this Wednesday Addams costume via Walmart? The costume currently retails for $47.74 and makes reference to Addams’ iconic dance scene to “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps in the show’s first season. The costume is a multi-tiered dress in black with voluminous sleeves and a collared neckline. Sizing for this costume ranges from 4 to 6 through 16 to 18.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Spirit Halloween Squid Game Adult Doll Costume 

A Squid Game doll costume.


Ready to play red light, green light? If you were just as gripped by season three of Squid Game as we were, then you’ll love this Adult Doll Costume from $49.99 from Amazon. The costume comes with a dress, knee-high socks and, of course, that creepy doll-like half mask. Sizing ranges from small to XL. Shoes are the only accessory item that doesn’t come with this costume, however that allows wearers to get a little creative.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Lilo & Stitch Adult Stitch Dress Costume

A Stitch costume for women.


The live-action Lilo & Stitch film was a hit this year, re-imagining the classic animated film. Now, you can dress like everyone’s favorite lively alien for just $39.99 at Spirit Halloween. The women’s costume consists of a long-sleeve blue hooded dress affixed with a set of ears and Stitch’s face on top. The garment is simple and super comfortable for those who don’t want to do too much this Halloween. Sizing ranges from XS to XL.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Adult Squid Game Player Costume

A male Squid Game Player costume.


Ready to take on deadly challenges like Tug of War, Marbles and Hopscotch? Then snag this Squid Game 456 player costume for just $49.99 at Spirit Halloween. The men’s costume consists of a green and white two-piece tracksuit with the number 456 on the front, along with a blue patch. Spirit Halloween also has a women’s version of this same costume, also for $49.99. This is another one of those easy and comfortable costumes that get the point across with little to no effort.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Women’s ‘M3gan’ Costume

A women’s M3gan costume.


If you’re a fan of the M3GAN franchise, you’ll want to grab this $24.99 costume following the 2025 sequel’s success. The costume is available on Halloweencostumes.com and comes in sizes small to plus. The creepy doll-esque costume consists of a dress with a zipper down the center back accompanied by striped sleeves, decorative buttons, a pleated skirt and large bow sewn on the front, all true to the campy character.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Woman Invisible Woman Cosplay Costume Adult Women

A jumpsuit in blue and white for the Invisible Woman.


Any superhero fans out there? If you were a big fan of Fantastic Four: First Steps, then you’ll love this Invisible Woman, aka Sue Storm, costume available on Amazon for just $39.99. The costume is basically a printed form-fitted jumpsuit with a zipper up the back. Sizing ranges from XS to XXL. The costume is extremely detailed and is made of stretchy fabric that comfortably hugs the frame. If you’re looking to cosplay the superwoman for Halloween, or at your next comic convention, this jumpsuit is for you.

Where To Shop Hot Pop Culture Costumes For Just $50 And Under Now

Five Piece Elphaba Cosplay Kit

$14.99 $22.99 35% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A five-piece costume set for Elphaba from Wicked.


Everyone loves Wicked. The film’s first half was a major hit and it’s likely the second half, coming to theaters Nov. 21, will do the same. If you’re more of an Elphaba, rather than a Glinda, Amazon has a starter kit to easily channel your inner witch retailing for $14.99. The five-piece set comes with green gloves attached to nails along with glasses with circular frames, green face paint, a witch’s hat and a sponge to apply the face paint. If you want more from your costume game, you can get all this plus an Elphaba-esque wig for $29.99.

On Sunday night (Sept. 28), Cardi B landed her second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Am I The Drama?, moving 200,000 equivalent album units. After a seven-year gap — marred by delays and high-profile marital drama — Cardi’s sophomore rollout became a masterclass in execution, turning chaos into fuel and proving how rewarding it can be for her to lean fully into her own drama.

Following June’s announcement of a September release, Cardi handled the controversy with Jeter-like precision. She stood firm, brazenly defending her decision to slot 2020 smashes “WAP” and “Up” onto the project five years later, using Spaces on X as her battleground and firing back at anyone questioning her motives. And while her second single, “Imaginary Playaz,” fizzled on the Hot 100 with a No. 70 debut, Cardi stuck to her blueprint, stepping “Outside” this summer to rally her base and keep the rollout momentum alive.

She hosted WWE SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium in August, bridging her love for wrestling with a mainstream audience and brilliantly teasing “Hello” as her entrance theme. Then came her assault trial — a must-see spectacle where Cardi’s comedic wit and reactions stumped attorneys and flooded social media timelines. Within days, her hairstyles and jaw-dropping one-liners became viral gold. That wave became the spark her campaign needed: after being found not guilty, she announced “The Courtroom Edition” of Drama, doubling down by hawking CDs on the streets of L.A. and the subways of New York with her trademark charisma. Cardi turned memes into marketing plans and became the topic of conversation this latter half of the summer with her epic rollout to release week. 

Her push carried over to the media circuit. Following her viral Billboard cover, Cardi hit radio, TV, and podcasts including The Breakfast Club, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and Call Her Daddy. She did in-store signings and meet-and-greets — while pregnant — a grassroots move virtually unheard of for someone at her level. Every play she made was an instant reminder to fans why she’s the People’s Champ. She mobilized her fanbase, and tapped into their allegiance more than ever by interacting with them in-person and online. While today’s artists largely lean on the internet, Cardi literally took it back to the streets, shaking hands, kissing babies and jumping on car roofs like we’re back in the ‘90s and ‘00s.

Could she have landed another No. 1 without this extra grind and motivation? Probably. But instead of a routine 115–125K debut, her surprise performances with Apple Music, A+ street-level hustle and perfectly timed pregnancy reveal with NFL star Stefon Diggs, pushed Drama into a full-fledged cultural moment. It echoed her 2018 Invasion rollout playbook, but with even more savvy and grit. 

Most importantly, the music delivered. That’s what made this album cycle more than theatrics. She wasn’t overly reliant on features: Megan Thee Stallion on “WAP” is a legacy holdover, Janet Jackson’s appearance via sample on “Principal” plays as homage and Summer Walker’s appearances on “Dead” and “Shower Tears” are legitimately additive to those songs, but Cardi clearly shoulders the load throughout the 23-track expedition. If Invasion solidified Cardi’s superstardom, Drama proves she’s currently hip-hop’s rarest breed: an A-lister still hustling like the rent’s due. 

Day two of 2025 All Things Go NYC (Sept. 27) boasted what was arguably the most stacked lineup of the three-day event. Though she graced the Forest Hills Stadium stage in Queens early in the afternoon, Alemeda left quite the impression on the crowd. An Ethiopian-American musician whose work combines alternative, indie rock and pop, Alemeda is also the youngest act signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), the indie record label that brought the world Kendrick Lamar and currently houses Grammy-winning superstars like SZA and Doechii.

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In 2024, TDE announced Alemeda as their newest signee, in collaboration with Warner Records. Her debut EP, FK IT, arrived the same day. This year, Alemeda has unleashed a pair of singles, the Rachel Chinouriri-assisted “Chameleon” and “1-800-F**K-YOU,” for which she’s currently prepping an Office-themed music video. As she’s been hitting the festival circuit this year, Alemeda’s also been teasing another single — and it’s a collaboration with Doechii.

“[It’s coming] in a week or two,” she revealed to Billboard backstage after her set. “It’s called ‘Beat a B—h Up,’ and it’s a pop-punk song that’s four years old. I re-recorded and re-produced it with my favorite producer, Stint, and we kept everything as is. Doechii gave me hella notes to enhance the song, and she took it to the next level. I sent the song to her right away because I knew I wanted a female rapper on it, and she just got signed [to TDE], and I was still in my artist development phase.”

This year, Billboard honored TDE CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith with the executive of the year award at the 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event. With true cultural juggernauts on its roster, TDE boasts a storied legacy that Alemeda seeks to leave her mark on. “TDE likes to take their time and make sure everything is packaged nicely,” she says. “I took a good three years to figure out what my sound is and perfect my performing. They didn’t just throw me on big stages like they could have. They don’t really force me to do anything, they say, ‘Here are the resources, go figure it out!’”

With a new project due later this year before her Dec. 13 birthday, as well as a few more live shows, Alemeda’s mid-twenties are driving the creative process.

“It’s a critical time,” she muses. “I’m at a time where I’m having all my f–k-ups and I’m trying to change, so my brain development is inspiring me.”

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T.I. is facing a new lawsuit from veteran hip hop producer Sir Jinx over his oft-raised accusations that the rapper has failed to pay proper royalties for his 2016 Dr. Dre collaboration “Dope.”

Jinx (Anthony Wheaton) – Dre’s cousin who rose to fame with Ice Cube in the 1980s – is publicly credited as a producer on the disputed 2016 song. But in a lawsuit filed Sunday in Los Angeles federal court, he says he’s been denied his full compensation.

“Despite repeated demands, including a formal demand letter dated November 11, 2022, defendants have failed and refused to provide an accounting or pay royalties owed to plaintiff,” Jinx’s lawyers write.

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Though the lawsuit is new, Jinx’s accusations are not. He’s already sued T.I.’s company  (Grand Hustle, LLC) over such allegations twice before – once in state court in 2023 and again in federal court earlier this year. But he dropped the state case in April after a judge largely sided with T.I., and the first federal case was dismissed last month over procedural defects.

Reps for T.I.’s company and an attorney for Jinx did not immediately return requests for comment on the dispute. Dre is not involved in the litigation on either side.

Jinx rose to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the hip hop trio C.I.A. alongside Ice Cube and Kid Disaster. In addition to producing Cube’s early albums, he then had a prolific career in the studio for other artists, producing records for Yo-Yo, Tone Loc, Xzibit and others.

But in recent years, Jinx has become more of a prolific litigant. In 2021, he sued Ice Cube over claims that he was still owed royalties for more than two dozen tracks he had produced for the star. And in December, he sued Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group over claims that he hadn’t been fully paid for his work on Yo-Yo’s 1991 album Make Way for the Motherlode.

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T.I. released a star-studded video for “Dope” in 2016, with Dre listed as a producer after hinting earlier that he’d been working with the rap icon on his upcoming album Dime Trap: “Dre’s the homie, to be honest with you,” T.I. told Rolling Stone in 2015. “I’ve never seen somebody so meticulous about music before.”

When the album was finally released in 2018 by his Grand Hustle Records and Sony’s Epic Records, “Dope” wasn’t included in the track list. But the song remains popular on YouTube, where the video has racked up more than 19 million views.

Jinx says it’s not in dispute that he worked on the song – and on T.I.’s official YouTube channel, the longtime DJ is indeed listed as a producer for the track. But like his previous cases, his new lawsuit seems to claim that he was not aware that “Dope” had been dropped publicly – and that he now wants his cut from any proceeds.

“Plaintiff later discovered that ‘Dope’ was released and exploited,” his lawyers say. “Defendants’ continued unauthorized use of ‘Dope’ has resulted in substantial financial harm to plaintiff.”

The lawsuit does not name an exact amount of damages, but says Jinx is owed at least $800,000 from T.I.’s company.


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There are countless bands playing gigs every day over on the west coast, but very few can say that they were joined on stage by a superstar like Lana Del Rey for a surprise duet.

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Fastest Kids in School, as it happens, is one of those bands. During an outdoor gig in Santa Barbara, Calif., the local musicians were stunned when Del Rey asked to sing with them on stage after hearing them play “West Coast” from her album Ultraviolence. In a video shared on Instagram by the rock group, the alt-pop star looks casual in a light jacket and jeans as she sings the track’s chorus, sharing a microphone with guitarist Magic Jordan.

“Super honored @honeymoon joined us on stage at Institution today!” Fastest Kids wrote in the caption. “Truly a show we’ll never forget!”

Drummer Dan Grimes also shared what led up to Del Rey entering the scene. “A moment I will never forget,” he wrote on Instagram. “I still can’t believe that just happened. Thank you Lana!!! She just happened to be walking by while we were playing her song and motioned to see if we wouldn’t mind if she came on stage,” he continued in the comments. “Of course we obliged and that is when my head exploded. She was just ‘out getting some ice cream’ she said.”

The impromptu performance comes more than a decade after Ultraviolence dropped in 2014, marking Del Rey’s first-ever No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 when it debuted in the top spot. “West Coast” peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The singer is now working on her much-delayed country album, which she revealed in August will now be titled Stove after previously saying it would be named Lasso and The Right Person Will Stay. Also over the weekend, Del Rey celebrated her first wedding anniversary with husband Jeremy Dufrene by sharing photos from their Sept. 26, 2024, Louisiana ceremony on Instagram.


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