Cardi B’s accuser denied second trial - Jamaica Gleaner

The rapper’s backing band gave fresh, rock-inflected updates to singles like “ErrTime,” “Up,” and “Bodak Yellow”October 19, 2026NPR/YouTubeCardi B is probably as well-known for her banter as her bars, but she was (almost) all business during her new NPR Tiny Desk Concert. The rapper blazed through an eight-song set in 18 minutes, taking only brief pauses to shout out her backing musicians and, at one point, remark on the lack of Maryland crab cakes in her rider. Meanwhile, the nine-piece band gave fresh, rock-inflected updates to singles like Am I the Drama?’s “ErrTime,” “Up,” and “Bodak Yellow.” Watch it go down below. In February, Cardi B returned to the Saturday Night Live stage for her second stint as musical guest, in an episode hosted by Alexander Skarsgård. So far she’s followed up Am I the Drama?, her 2025 album, with a couple of one-off tracks: the summer jam “Ah Ha” and “Don’t Chart,” her contribution to the Grand Theft Auto VI soundtrack. Read about Cardi B in The 25 Funniest Rappers of All Time. Walden Green is a music writer and cultural critic who joined Pitchfork in 2024.

Warning - this report contains graphic contentA woman who alleges Russell Brand raped her in a hotel room has said he turned from "camp, friendly and effeminate" to "monster-like" before the alleged assault. The 51-year-old actor and comedian faces seven charges - three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. He denies the charges. One of the women told the jury at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday: "He was just dark and arrogant and performing - he was scary, he was demanding. "The woman told police she met Brand before he was famous while attending the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999. She alleges he later raped her. The woman said she was left feeling "dirty" and afraid she may be pregnant in the aftermath of the alleged attack. Before the alleged rape, the woman also said Brand made her take photos of him with his top off, which were shown to the jury.

Russell Brand accuser says he turned 'monster-like' before alleged rape5 days agoSima KotechaandHelena Wilkinson, Southwark Crown CourtReutersWarning - this report contains graphic contentA woman who alleges Russell Brand raped her in a hotel room has said he turned from "camp, friendly and effeminate" to "monster-like" before the alleged assault. The 51-year-old actor and comedian faces seven charges - three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. He denies the charges. One of the women told the jury at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday: "He was just dark and arrogant and performing - he was scary, he was demanding. "The woman told police she met Brand before he was famous while attending the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999. She alleges he later raped her. The woman said she was left feeling "dirty" and afraid she may be pregnant in the aftermath of the alleged attack. Before the alleged rape, the woman also said Brand made her take photos of him with his top off, which were shown to the jury.

The first complainant in Russell Brand‘s rape trial gave evidence on Thursday, a day after the prosecution described the ex-actor as a “ruthless” and “calculated” sexual predator in its opening remarks. As a reminder, Brand is accused of three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, with six women alleging crimes dating from 1999 to 2009. He denies all of the claims.