Music

50 Cent is in the birthday spirit — so much so that he’s gifted fans with free access to his 50 Cent Action channel. Taking to social media on his birthday Sunday, he announced that fans can watch the channel on Pluto TV.

“Hey what’s up, it’s 50 Cent celebrating my birthday and I’m giving you gifts,” he said in a video shared to his Instagram. “You can go stream 50 Cent Action for free on Pluto TV now. What better way to celebrate the day than to stream 50 Cent Action.”

50 Cent Action is also available on Roku, LG, Prime Video, Sling TV and DIRECTV, giving viewers access to Freelancers, Righteous Kill, Fire with Fire and other cinematic thrillers and blockbuster series in 50’s curated library.

It launched on Pluto TV as he reflected on 50 years of life in an AI-edited video featuring clips from his “In Tha Club,” “I Get Money” and “Candy Shop” music videos, as well as his performance at the Super Bowl and more.

Among those who sent him birthday wishes was Fat Joe, who once had a public feud with the Queens entrepreneur.

“It’s funny how a so-called enemy can become an incredible friend,” he captioned a photo of 50 in a navy blue suit. “God bless you my brother 50 more hbd king @50cent.”

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Rapper and No Limit Records founder Master P apparently has a limit to his musical output. His performance at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture Sunday night was his last, he told People, because he’s calling it quits and retiring from the music industry.

“I’m growing to another level and I’m embracing it. It’s a blessing now to be able to transition into doing something that’s bigger than me,” said Master P, who will now focus on his role as the new head coach and president of basketball operations at the University of New Orleans.

He says the decision to leave music behind was a tough one, but it naturally aligned with his growth.

“That chapter closed itself with maturing and growing up and not being afraid to grow,” P told People. “There is a lot of negative stuff going on in hip-hop and people don’t want to talk about the positive things. They say when you know better, you do better. That’s the phase I’m on. I’m fine with growing up.”

He said he’s looking forward to coaching at UNO, noting, “This is fun for me, like what I was made to do.”

“I’ve got a chip on my shoulder because people don’t understand the level of basketball and experience and education I have in coaching. I want to bring the whole city up,” Master P added.

He previously played for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and coached his AAU team, P. Miller’s Ballers.

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“I’ve been waiting on a drummer to kick off a comeback song,” Luke Combs sings in a preview of a new track he posted on his socials. 

“I really think y’all are gonna like this one,” he says of the rhythmic, driving track. 

“I’m back in the saddle like some old cowboy, who dug his way out of his grave,” he continues as the song shifts to a Western metaphor. “Pulled up his boots, put his pistol on his hip, climbed up and took hold of the rein. Don’t worry where I’ve been, I’m back in the saddle again.”

While it’s not like Luke has disappeared, it has been more than a year since his last album, Fathers & Sons, came out in June 2024. His most recent solo chart-topper was last year’s “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” from the Twisters soundtrack. Right now, he has a hit with “Backup Plan” with Bailey Zimmerman. 

There’s no word on when the new music Luke’s working on could arrive. 

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Ciara‘s relationship prayer has led to nine years of marriage with husband Russell Wilson. In celebration of their wedding anniversary Sunday, she shared a photo and video montage of their moments together over the years.

“9 years of pure joy, laughter, growth, and love! God really is the best author! I thank Him for our love everyday!” Ciara wrote in the caption. “Baby, thank you for loving me the way you do. In your arms is my truest and safest place! There is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for you! I’m so excited to keep loving you more each day!”

Wilson also expressed his love for Ciara through words and various clips of them from throughout the years.

“From the moment I met you, I knew God was showing me the way,” Russell wrote. “Every day since has been a reflection of His grace — full of love, laughter, purpose, and the kind of partnership I used to pray for.”

“Happy Anniversary, my queen @ciara. You light up my life in ways words can’t explain,” he added. “Here’s to the journey we’ve walked … and the one we’re still writing together. I love you, endlessly.”

Ciara and Russell met in March 2015 and married in July 2016 at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, England. They share son Win Wilson and daughters Sienna Wilson and Amora Wilson.

Ciara also has a son, Future Zahir Wilburn, with ex-boyfriend Future.

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Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown made a surprise appearance during Ed Sheeran‘s concert in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday for a live duet of “Teenage Dirtbag.”

As Sheeran shares in an Instagram post, he used to cover “Teenage Dirtbag” with his childhood band.

“We reformed after 22 years to play our mates [sic] wedding in April, but we had so much fun I asked them to come rock it with me at a stadium,” Sheeran writes. “I cheekily asked Brendan from @wheatusofficial to come over and rock it with us, and being the [legend] that he is, he did.” 

“One of my fav moments ever on stage, thank you Brendan,” he continues. “What a night.”

Like Sheeran, Iron Maiden is currently on tour in Europe. Perhaps either he or Brown had two tickets, baby.

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Cam hits what she calls “peak sad girl” on her new track, “Everblue.”

“In a way I think we’re all eternally heartbroken by the world, and when I sing this song it’s a way of holding space for that heartbreak instead of going numb or giving up on dreaming,” the “Burning House” hitmaker says.

“There’s a 2010s tumblr flavor in there too as I tell you one of my most necessary affirmations for this season of my life: ‘I’m all done chasing what wasn’t meant for me,’” she adds.

“Everblue” follows “Alchemy” and “Turns out That I Am God” as the latest preview of Cam’s new album, All Things Light, which arrives July 18.

You can check out the new “Everblue” video on YouTube now. 

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Lauryn Hill performed at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture early Saturday morning in front of a nearly empty stadium. She took the stage at 2:30 a.m. local time, according to Nola.com, with a set that included appearances from her sons Zion Marley and Joshua Marley. She also sang unplanned renditions of “I Gotta Find Peace of Mind” and “Tell Him” at the request of remaining fans in the crowd.

Hill played to a crowd of several hundred people at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, which has a capacity of 83,000 people. Although her tardiness has been a running joke, Nola.com reports Hill wasn’t to blame for her late set time, as festival was behind schedule from the start.

Essence also took accountability for the delay, noting Hill “arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can.”

“The delay? Not hers. We will take that,” it continued. “The moment? One for the books. The legacy? Still unmatched.”

“Put some respect on her name,” Essence wrote. “Keep the takes, but keep her out of them. All love and deep profound admiration for Ms. Lauryn Hill.”

Lauryn’s set followed performances from Psiryn, GloRilla, The Isley Brothers, Babyface, Maxwell, Coco Jones and Lucky Daye.

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