ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Cardi B is making noise once again — not just with music, but with meaning. Today, the Bronx-born rapper released her long-awaited sophomore album Am I the Drama?, a fiery, genre-bending 23-track project that arrives seven years after her Grammy-winning debut Invasion of Privacy. Featuring collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion, Kehlani, Summer Walker, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, and even Janet Jackson, the album cements Cardi’s return as one of music’s most fearless voices.

To celebrate the release, Cardi appeared on The Breakfast Club, where she spoke candidly about her life as a mother of three, with a fourth on the way and how she’s learned to juggle the demands of family and fame with more confidence than ever before.

“This time around, I feel like I know what I’m doing,” Cardi shared during the interview. “It’s not easy, but I’ve learned how to move…how to make space for my kids and still be the boss I need to be.”

Unlike the early years of her fame, when she often struggled with the chaos of new motherhood and a skyrocketing career, Cardi now speaks with clarity and purpose about what it means to do both. Her message to other women — especially working moms — is one of resilience and possibility.

“I want people to know you don’t have to give up on your dreams,” she said. “You can have your career, and you can have your family…it’s hard, but it’s possible.”

In a lighthearted moment, the Breakfast Club hosts surprised Cardi with a mini baby shower on air, complete with balloons and a few laughs. But beneath the fun was a deeper celebration: of growth, of persistence, and of a woman who refuses to choose between parts of herself.

Am I the Drama? is more than a comeback — it’s a statement. Cardi B isn’t just here to reclaim her spot at the top of the charts; she’s here to show that motherhood and ambition aren’t at odds. They’re both part of her power.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – As two of hip-hop’s pioneering women, Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton prepare for an emotional nod from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November, they’re also battling their former label in court over ownership of their early music. The groundbreaking duo has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of blocking streaming access to their work in retaliation for their attempt to reclaim copyright ownership.

The legal action, lodged in federal court in New York on May 19, 2025, rests on Section 203 of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, a provision that allows artists to terminate their rights assignments and regain control of recordings after 35 years, provided they served valid termination notices.

Salt‑N‑Pepa assert they properly submitted termination notices in 2022 and are now legally entitled to their early catalog, including the seminal 1986 debut Hot, Cool & Vicious, and hits like “Push It”, “Shoop”, and “Let’s Talk About Sex”.

According to the lawsuit, UMG responded by removing Salt‑N‑Pepa’s recordings from major streaming platforms in May–July 2024, allegedly to undermine their termination rights and limit their royalties and cultural presence. Sandra Denton told Good Morning America, “It just keeps us from re‑releasing our music, ‘promotin’ it,” while Cheryl James succinctly put: “It’s the law.”

UMG countered by filing a motion to dismiss, arguing that Salt‑N‑Pepa were not signatories of the original contracts and that the recordings qualify as “works made for hire” : a category that cannot be reclaimed through termination.

According to the label, they have repeatedly offered mediation and improved compensation even though they claim Salt‑N‑Pepa had sold off their royalty streams to third parties—underscoring UMG’s assertion that they aimed for an “amicable resolution.”

With hits that shaped the landscape of female rap and sold millions globally, Salt‑N‑Pepa are fighting not just for financial recovery but for their cultural legacy. Their catalog reportedly generates “tens of millions” annually across various forms of exploitation, including sync licensing.

Their fight joins a wave of legal battles by legacy artists—including John Waite, The Jesus and Mary Chain, David Johansen, and members of 2 Live Crew—seeking to reclaim rights under the same provision of the Copyright Act.

Adding emotional weight to their fight, Salt‑N‑Pepa are set to become the second female hip-hop act ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, receiving the Musical Influence Award later this year—a fitting milestone as they work to control their own narrative and music.

What’s Next?

The case now proceeds through litigation, where key questions linger:

• Will the court uphold Salt‑N‑Pepa’s termination notices under Section 203?

• Can UMG’s characterization of the works as “works made for hire” hold legal water?

• Will their music return to streaming while the dispute unfolds?

As the hip-hop legends continue to tour and mingle nostalgia with influence, their courtroom battle may become a defining chapter in the ongoing struggle for artists’ rights in the streaming era.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Orlando, FL – (FNN) R&B legends Brandy and Monica are finally giving fans what they’ve been waiting for—a joint tour more than 25 years in the making. Titled The Boy Is Mine Tour, the 24-city arena trek will see the iconic singers share the stage as co-headliners for the first time, a full-circle moment for one of the most talked-about collaborations in music history.

The two first teamed up in 1998 for their smash hit “The Boy Is Mine,” which became a chart-topping phenomenon and a defining track of the era. But behind the scenes—and often in public discourse—their relationship was painted as tense. Fans and media alike latched onto the narrative of two young women battling over a fictional love interest, fueling rumors of a feud that overshadowed their groundbreaking achievement.

Now, decades later, Brandy and Monica are rewriting the story. Both women have made it clear that time, growth, and honest conversations have helped mend misunderstandings. Instead of rivalry, this tour highlights resilience, evolution, and a shared legacy that helped define modern R&B.

The tour kicks off October 16, 2025, in Cincinnati and wraps December 7 in Houston. Fans can expect high-energy performances, surprises, and a celebration of one of the most iconic pairings in music. Joining them on select dates will be Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and rising star Jamal Roberts.

For Brandy and Monica, this isn’t just a tour—it’s a long-overdue celebration of artistry, womanhood, and rewriting a misunderstood history.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com