Selena & Benny Tie the Knot
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco pulled off a masterclass in modern nuptials. Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara set the lush, intimate vibe; the guest list could’ve headlined Coachella (Taylor Swift, Steve Martin, Paul Rudd, Ed Sheeran, Paris Hilton —basically the Avengers), and privacy was enforced with a no-phone policy. Selena wore three custom Ralph Lauren gowns, while Benny wore a $1 million diamond watch, but instead of gifts, guests donated to the Rare Impact Fund.
Cardi B’s Comeback: How to Nail a Sophomore Album (and Survive the Haters)
Seven years after Invasion of Privacy, Cardi came back swinging. Am I the Drama debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, went double platinum on day one, and clocked the biggest sales week for a woman in R&B/hip-hop this year. Critics were split—Rolling Stone called it a triumph, while others said it was “ambitious and chaotic”—but the numbers don’t lie.
She did it right: stayed consistent in the studio, got vulnerable on divorce-inspired tracks, showed softer sides on songs like “Safe,” while flexing with a sprawling 23-track list (draggy, sometimes but a streaming machine nonetheless).
Album Review: Cardi B's "Am I the Drama?"
After a seven-year hiatus, Cardi B returns with Am I the Drama, a record that is equal parts triumphant and vulnerable — and already a massive commercial success. Certified platinum within hours of release, the album instantly reaffirmed her status as a dominant force in rap. It’s also one of the strongest albums of the 2020s, a master class in feminizing rap without losing bite: razor-sharp disses, anthemic bravado, and emotional core tracks about Offset and identity sit alongside club bangers and melodic features. Overall, the album is a bold, dynamic, near-flawless comeback that proves Cardi can disappear for nearly a decade and still return to the top on her own terms.
Doja Cat’s Vie: When Playing It Safe Still Works (But Maybe Not Forever)
After Scarlet stumbled, Doja circled back to her sweet spot: 80s synths, quirky hooks, and endless energy. Standouts include “Cards,” “Stranger,” “Take Me Dancing” with SZA, and “Silly.” The slow tracks? Skip. The upbeat ones? Kitchen dance classics.
Critics are mostly positive but begging her to stretch more. And they’re not wrong—playing it safe works until it doesn’t.
The reality is not every album needs to be revolutionary. Sometimes a silly bop is exactly what we need. But if she wants longevity, risk is inevitable.
Album Review: Doja Cat's "Vie"
Doja Cat’s fifth studio album, Vie, is fun, but a little too cohesive for its own good. The 1980s-inspired record pairs seamlessly with her rap-pop hybrid, but the downside is that many tracks blur together. It’s clever lyrically, but rarely vulnerable, making the listening experience feel more like surface-level style lacking substance. Some of the more upbeat, dance-leaning songs will remain in my rotation, while others I’ll probably forget exist.
PLUS: Anticipation for The Life of a Showgirl, mourning Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban and a look back at the most shocking divorces as of late
