Hot Boy Turk’s removal from the Cash Money Millionaires 30th Anniversary Tour has sparked public backlash and the threat of legal action.
The rapper, a founding member of the Hot Boys, was abruptly cut from the lineup just days before releasing his new album Joseph. He claims his dismissal stemmed from a financial dispute with organizers, accusing them of offering him an unfair deal and retaliating when he declined.
On Saturday, Turk posted a statement to Instagram alleging that the tour’s promoters branded him a “security risk” after he refused reduced compensation. “The same day I rejected less than what was owed, I got hit with a bogus termination notice,” he wrote. “Instead of admitting they couldn’t pay fairly, they labeled me a threat.”
Turk’s wife, who also serves as his manager, joined him in a video response to the termination. The couple rejected the “security” label as defamatory and insisted they would not remain silent. The video fueled speculation about deeper fractures behind the scenes of what was billed as a long-awaited reunion.
MORE: Tracklist Revealed For Turk's "Blame It On The System"
By Sunday, Turk announced his legal team had issued a cease-and-desist order targeting tour figures including Andrew Ellington and Dope Shows. “We won’t tolerate slander or false narratives that damage my name or business,” he wrote. “This will be handled the right way—through the courts.”
The Cash Money 30th Anniversary Tour was promoted as a celebration of the label’s legacy, with Birdman and Lil Wayne. Though Wayne missed several dates, fans still expected a complete Hot Boys reunion. Turk had already performed at multiple shows before his abrupt departure, which left some attendees frustrated.
The fallout coincided with the release of Joseph, Turk’s latest studio album. The project dropped on July 27, accompanied by a video for “You Too Movement.”
While the tour continues without him, Turk’s absence threatens to cast a shadow over the historic reunion.
Zayn Malik said he truly enjoyed returning to a “pop” sound for his collaboration with BLACKPINK member Jisoo on their track “Eyes Closed.”
The former One Direction singer recently joined her on the ballad and called it a major “honour” to work with someone he considers one of the leading voices “owning that genre” right now.
Speaking while hosting a special hour on BBC Radio 1, he said, “I have drifted away from the pop sound for a bit, so coming back to it with the people who are basically owning that genre at the minute was an honour.”
He added, “If I can say thanks to Jisoo, I am really happy with the way it turned out.”
Zayn also shared that his “cool collaborator” helped him score some serious dad points with his five year old daughter Khai, whom he shares with his former partner, Gigi Hadid.
He wrote on Instagram while posting promo photos from the release, “@sooyaaa__ Jisoo.. you’re an absolute legend, loved every part of this collaboration, thank you for making me the coolest dad around.”
Jisoo replied, “You already are.”
Although he stepped back into pop for “Eyes Closed,” Zayn recently revealed that his next album incorporates influences from Indian music.
The “Pillowtalk” singer confirmed that his fifth studio album will arrive next year and hinted that it will carry a similar spirit to his chart topping 2016 solo debut Mind of Mine.
Zayn was quoted by The Sun’s Bizarre column during a livestream saying, “The next album is soon.”
“I have been working on some cool s*** in South Asian music and bringing those influences into my music as well.”
“It is like pop, R+B, and a lot of Indian influences. The record is like a continuation of Mind of Mine in that sense. I might have some songs coming out in Urdu, too.”