On October 10, the 18th annual BET Hip Hop Awards aired right here on BET and blew up social media. The show was an homage to the 50th anniversary of hip hop with performances from Fabulous, T.I., Jeezy, Lil Jon, Dem Franchize Boyz, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, and more. Hosted by Fat Joe, the big winner of the night was Kendrick Lamar who took home four trophies, including artist of the year.  One of the most memorable moments of the night was Rakim and LL Cool J paying tribute to the legendary DJ Marley Marl, who was the first to introduce sampling to hip hop. 

Watch the incredible performance above.

October 11 was Black Girl Day Off, a day to encourage Black women to take a mental health day in order to focus on their emotional well-being. While not officially acknowledged as a national holiday, the day was created in order to embrace moments for self-care and introspection and to foster community connections. Black women have a high risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and several other chronic illnesses, which can be attributed to stressful lifestyles and poor access to healthcare. 

We hope you or someone you know took some time to do your own Nam-myoho-renge-kyo moment on October 11!

Rich Paul, iconic sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group, has shaken up the sports world by becoming one of the most successful sports agents in the country. This week, he dropped his memoir, “Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds,” which was published by Penguin Random House.

Paul details how he overcame the weight of his mother’s drug addiction, his spiral into selling drugs, and how his background prepared him to be the force he is today. And while he gets very personal in the book, he remains famously hush about his girlfriend—maybe wife—music superstar Adele.

See Paul calling out white American NBA players who don’t trust Black agents on SiriusXM's "The Clay Cane Show" in the clip above. Pick up your copy today!

The legendary MC Lyte celebrated her 53rd birthday on October 11. Born Lana Michelle Moorerd, her impact on hip hop and culture is immeasurable. As one of the pioneering female MCs, she shattered gender stereotypes and paved the way for women in rap. Known for her exceptional lyrical prowess, MC Lyte's songs, such as "Lyte as a Rock," "Paper Thin," and "Ruffneck," became anthems of empowerment and self-assurance. Her influential work and commitment to education and community engagement have solidified her status as a cultural icon who continues to inspire artists and fans alike.

Check out the ultimate MC Lyte playlist here.

Jean Elie is a married man! The "Insecure" alum announced that he wed his longtime girlfriend Randall Bailey in a charming ceremony surrounded by 110 friends and family in Braga, Portugal, as reported by Essence. Elie’s Insecure co-star, Issa Rae, was in attendance.

“Our wedding far and away exceeded all my expectations,” Bailey told the outlet.

“My heart was filled with joy as I watched our family and friends blend together as if they had known each other for years,” expressed Elie.

Congrats to the happy newlyweds!

Stunting like his daddy! At only 16, Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA megastar LeBron James, has received an offer to attend Ohio State University in 2025 following his visit with the school, reports CBS News. 

At 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, he is ranked as the No. 20 SG and No. 129 player overall in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. If Bryce commits to Ohio State, it would be epic for Ohio—he would play college ball in his father's home state (LeBron was born in Akron). The university is approximately less than two hours away from St. Vincent-St. Mary, the high school where his Laker dad launched his career.

On October 10, gospel singer Tim Bowman Jr., nephew of Vickie Winans, announced to PEOPLE exclusively that he and his wife, Brelyn, are expecting their fourth child together. The couple are already parents to three kids: Sofia, 4, Creswell, 3, and Celine, 18 months. 

Brelyn took to Instagram and posted news of the blessing, stating:

"Well, the cat is out of the bag. Party of 6 loading!! God did His BIG ONE with this, and I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am to do life with you!” See the post above!

On Monday, October 9, it marked 14 years since former President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision to honor Obama was based on his early efforts in American foreign policy toward diplomacy and dialogue. They lauded his commitment to bridging the divides among nations, fostering cooperation, and promoting nuclear disarmament. One of the key reasons for his recognition was his emphasis on engagement with countries like Iran and Russia, aiming to reduce tensions and encourage peaceful resolutions to global conflicts. 

However, critics argued that it was more of a gesture of hope and encouragement for his potential than a reflection of tangible accomplishments. Despite the controversy, the award highlighted the global anticipation for a renewed U.S. commitment to diplomacy and multilateral cooperation under Obama's presidency. See his humble speech above, courtesy of ABC News.

BET+ original film “Wake” premiered on Thursday (October 12) this week. Executive produced by Tracey Edmonds, the film centers around a brilliant M.I.T. physics professor grappling with severe narcolepsy. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she feels the woman she’s fallen in love with might be in danger due to their new neighbor's murky criminal past.

Directed by Erik White from a script written by Darryl Quarles and Terayle Hill, the cast includes Shoniqua Shandai, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Parker McKenna Posey, and DeRay Davis—definitely a perfect thriller for sweater weather season.

Take a breath. because Mr. Ageless Wonder, Lenny Kravitz,  dropped a music video (directed by acclaimed video director Tanu Muino) this week for the song “TK421.” The song is said to be a mix of funk, rock, and a pulsating dance beat that's going to get your soul stirred, but it's the video that has eyes poppin'. The 59-year-old shows off his rock-hard abs and dances with nothing more than a strategically placed towel (that conveniently slips from time to time).

Kravitz also announced his new album "Blue Electric Light" will drop on March 15, making it his 12th full-length album. Fans agree that this is way too long to wait for more tunes from the rock legend. Nonetheless, these Lenny visuals will have to be enough for now, so brace yourself and click here to listen to the single and here to pre-order the album, and you can easily watch Kravitzin all his glory above.