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Akon's been holding out on his biz partner for more than 10 years, and now owes a staggering $150 million in unpaid fees ... according to Devyne Stephens, anyway.

Stephens is the music exec who famously helped launch Akon's career, and his Konvict Music label -- and in a new lawsuit he says he's supposed to be getting 40% of everything Akon's earned since 2006. He says their contract gives him a cut of record sales, touring rights, royalties and more.

Akon's old pal admits they had a dispute over the contract, but says they squashed it in 2015. Stephens says the problem is ... he still hasn't seen a dime.

If the math is right ... Akon's earned nearly $400 million in just over a decade -- a pretty sweet haul, for sure. Stephens is suing to get $150 mil from that bottom line.

Model Anna Herrin has nothing in common with the angry Fyre Festival goers suing over the disaster ... because she actually had a great time!

Anna was at LAX Monday when she explained how she not only survived what everyone else is calling Ja Rule's epic failure -- but thrived. It's true ... the look on Anna's face down in the Bahamas was a far cry from the people shoved in FEMA tents after paying big money for tix.

As for all the people suing ... Anna has a far more forgiving outlook -- most likely because she was one of the models pumping up Fyre on social media.

Ja Rule might wanna line her up to testify on his behalf.

Janet Jackson is headed back on the road after taking nearly a year off ... during which she had a kid and separated from her husband.

Janet acknowledged she gained some lbs during her pregnancy and confirmed what we already knew ... that she's separated shortly after the baby was born.

She also said she's changed the name of the tour from Unbreakable to The State of the World Tour.

Janet said the tour will resume Sept. 7th, but she didn't say where.

You'll recall, Janet postponed the tour last April, announcing she and now estranged husband Wissam Al Mana were "planning" their family. Fast forward to January, JJ popped out a son and then just announced last month she and Al Mana were done as a couple.

Get ready Rhythm Nation.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' breakthrough hit wasn't an original ... according to a "legendary" New Orleans jazz musician ... who's looking to get his cut.

Paul Batiste says "Thrift Shop" borrows heavily from 2 of his songs -- "Hip Jazz" and "World of Blues." He says the Macklemore track's beat and horn melodies come from his songs, which were recorded back in 1997 and 2000.

Batiste describes himself as a founding member of The Batiste Brothers Band, and a "major influence" of the current NOLA jazz scene. Whether you've heard of him or not isn't really the issue -- it's what you hear in the music. Take a listen and judge for yourself.

BTW, Batiste is also suing over "Neon Cathedral" -- claiming the duo lifted from 3 of his other songs.

He wants his share of the profits from both Macklemore tunes.

Batiste has filed similar suits in the past against T-Pain, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled and several record labels.

The designer who famously professed his love for Hitler REALLY likes his pop stars draped in red -- thus giving the world this monstrosity at the Met Gala in NYC.

Katy Perry went all red everything to the event ... red veil, red shoes, red nail polish ... in an ensemble designed by John Galliano -- you remember him, right?!

He's the guy who famously declared his love for Hitler in Paris back in 2011. He was convicted by a French court in 2011 of the crime of public insults based on religious affiliation. He called a woman "a f***ing ugly Jewish bitch" and said "People like you would be dead today. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be f***ing gassed and f***ing dead."

He's also a super famous big deal in the fashion world.

Anyway, Katy better hope no Crips show up to the event ... could be trouble.

The people who are bellyaching about the Fyre Festival may be inciting civil unrest and even riots, and if they don't stop grousing they're gonna be in big trouble ... so threaten the festival's lawyers.

Attorneys for Fyre have fired off a cease and desist letter to at least one of the people who flew to the Bahamas for the festival. The person complained on social media ... communications on the island were non-existent and there was nothing but disaster relief tents that were on the verge of blowing over.

The lawyers said the statements were untrue and what's worse, could "incite violence, rioting or civil unrest."

And there was this warning ... "If someone innocent does get hurt as a result [of your postings] Fyre Festival will hold you accountable and responsible," adding, "Inciting violence crosses the line."

The letter makes a demand ... take the posts down -- or else.

Tomi Lahren has settled her wrongful termination lawsuit against Glenn Beck, and she's leaving with millions ... of social media followers.

Tomi sued Beck and TheBlaze after she was suspended. She claimed she was only benched for saying she was pro-choice on "The View". Sources connected to the case confirm to TMZ ... Tomi will be allowed to leave before her contract expires in September.

She also gets to keep her 4.3 million followers from a Facebook account, which had been started by TheBlaze. Tomi will have to return all videos that were produced by her old employers.

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon and their twins, Morocco and Monroe, looked like one happy family celebrating their 6th birthdays at the Happiest Place On Earth on Sunday, but it didn't come cheap.

We're told Nick and Mariah pulled out all the stops for the twins' big day, dropping 5 figures. Sounds expensive but they had a huge group of friends join them.

The twins got 2 cakes ... one Minnie and one Mickey. Gifts included kid-sized whips, computer stuff and a bunch of jewelry.

Not surprising they celebrated at Disneyland. The place is special to Mariah and Nick ... it's where they renewed their vows.

Travis Scott is not responsible for the kid who fell from a 3rd story balcony at his concert ... despite the fact he encouraged people from the 2nd story balcony to jump.

Sources close to Travis tell TMZ ... the rapper never encouraged the teenager to jump into the mosh pit ... a jump that caused serious injuries including a possible broken leg and fractured back.

Travis famously encourages fans to stage dive, but his position is that there's a fundamental difference between the 2nd and 3rd floor balcony. He told fans to form a net before encouraging fans on the 2nd story to leap, but never suggested the 3rd story was safe.

We're told Travis' team is in touch with the kid who hurt himself and are launching a full investigation into what happened ... whether the fan jumped or was pushed.

A rep adds, "The safety of everyone is held in the highest regard and we are currently conducting an internal investigation to ensure that this does not happen again. We are deeply concerned about the guest who was injured and intend to offer him our support."

As we reported, the one thing Travis did offer at the concert was his ring, which we're told the fan accepted.

Yes, you read that right ... Jay Z is getting sued for slapping the logo for "ROC NATION" -- his company -- on a bunch of Major League Baseball apparel.

Sounds bizarre, but Iconix Brand Group says Jay does NOT own the logo anymore. In docs obtained by TMZ, Iconix says it paid a whopping $204 million for it, and therefore has control over where the logo pops up ... especially when it comes to merchandise.

Iconix has beef with the ROC logo appearing on MLB hats, shirts, hoodies, etc -- a deal it says it never approved. It's not only suing Jay, but also MLB, Roc Nation, New Era, Lids and the San Francisco Giants.

The company is suing all of the above for at least $10 million and other damages. We've reached out to Jay Z, so far no word back.

Iconix also owns and manages the Ed Hardy, Joe Boxer and Marc Ecko logos.

"Love & Hip Hop: Miami" just made a HUGE, GIGANTIC free agent pickup ... 'cause ex-NFL Pro Bowler Bryant McKinnie is joining the cast ... the 1st athlete in the history of the franchise.

Sources close to the production tell TMZ Sports Mckinnie has actually been shooting with 'L&HHM' for a couple of months now, and will be a fixture on the new show next season.

It actually makes sense for Bryant, who's a Grammy Award winning music producer, and is currently in the studio working with big-time people like Lil' Kim.

The Fyre Festival's now notorious sandwich photo was the staff lunch and guests actually got awesome food ... so claim sources connected to festival organizers.

We're told guests were served chicken, pasta, burgers and fries and salad ... not just a gnarly cheese sandwich. As for breakfast ... donuts, waffles and coffee.

People who attended the festival tell us quite a few people were actually staying in villas near the campsite ... the tents were low-end accommodations. And, we're told, the people who rented villas had access to speedboats.

We're also told Billy McFarland vows to return everyone's money, and he's "devastated."

We haven't gotten any word that anyone has received a refund ... so far.

Blac Chyna surrounded herself with all kinds of asses -- it's really the only way to properly judge a twerking contest.

BC was at the newly renovated Pool After Dark at Harrah's in Atlantic City over the weekend to rule on important stuff ... like asses shaking. One competitor busted a huge no-no -- and security even had to step in to remind her to keep it clean.

But you gotta see Chyna's face when it went down.

Sony is pissed at Applebee's for using AC/DC and C+C Music Factory songs without ever paying a dime for them ... according to a new lawsuit.

Sony says it owns the license and copyright on "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" and "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" -- both of which are featured in the restaurant's ad campaign.

According to the suit, Sony was contacted through a third party about using the tracks in TV spots plugging wood-fired beef and the Applebee's to-go service. Sony says it quoted prices -- $250k for the AC/DC tune, and $50k for C+C Music Factory's -- and sent license agreements, but never got paid.

When Sony reached out for their money, Applebee's claimed it already paid the third party. Not good enough for Sony, obviously, which is suing the restaurant for the $300k, plus damages.

1:44 PM PT -- A spokesperson for Applebee's has responded, stating, “Applebee's intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit, which we believe does not have merit. We cannot comment further on pending litigation.”