Megan Thee Stallion Judge Rejects Label's Motion ... New Music Coming Friday

Published | Updated
UPDATE

6:15 AM PT -- 3/5 -- Megan notched another W over 1501 Certified Entertainment ... the judge rejected the label's motion to dissolve the restraining order. So, she still has the green light to release music on Friday.

UPDATE

11:14 AM PT -- Megan's clearly still planning to forge ahead with her new music release. She just shared a tease of her new project called "Suga" ... including the track list. She says it's gonna drop on Friday 3/6 ... stay tuned.

UPDATE

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Megan Thee Stallion will NOT be releasing new music this week, after all ... not if her label gets its way, and 1501 Certified Entertainment wants an emergency court hearing on the matter.

Label honcho Carl Crawford just filed a motion to dissolve the temporary restraining order Megan got earlier this week ... which allowed her to drop new music on Friday. However, the label says she had no right even taking them to court in the first place.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Crawford says Megan's contract stipulates all disputes between her and the label must be handled in arbitration. Coincidentally, this is the very contract Megan complained was one-sided and unfair when she signed it as a naive 20-year-old.

He also claims Megan's guilty of booking several gigs without its approval -- but what really chaps Crawford's britches (it's a Texas case, after all) is her plan to release music on March 6.

In docs, 1501 Certified says she can't drop that music without its approval ... it's part of her contract. Even if she wants out of it, it remains in place for now, and Crawford says he's exercising his contractual right to control distribution of her music.

Crawford's also not buying Meg's claim that "disappointment of her fans" is a basis for getting a restraining order to release the music.

He's demanding a hearing today in Harris County, Texas ... so a judge can hear the label's side of the story before the music comes out on Friday. No word yet if that hearing will be granted.

Originally Published -- 3/4 -- 10:02 AM PT

'Ride Along' Director Tim Story Sued for Child's Death in Hot Tub

Published | Updated

Tim Story, the successful director of the 'Ride Along' franchise, is facing a lawsuit over a tragedy in his backyard ... the death of a 2-year-old boy in his hot tub.

The child's father, Miguel Raygoza-Castillo, is suing over what went down Nov. 18 at Story's L.A. home. According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Miguel's son, named I'M, fell onto an un-fenced spa tub and suffered fatal injuries.

The boy's father says Story's hot tub not only lacked proper fencing, but it was also missing warnings and alarms. In the suit, he also claims there was no alarm to detect someone falling into the water. He claims Story -- who's also directed "Barbershop" and the 'Think Like a Man' flicks -- didn't have an exit alarm on his home's back door to the hot tub area.

According to a GoFundMe page started for I'M ... the child was hospitalized for 4 days before his family made the difficult decision to turn off life support.

Raygoza-Castillo is suing Story and his wife for damages including medical, funeral and burial expenses ... as well as pain, suffering and the emotional distress from losing a child.

We've reached out to Story's reps. No word back yet.

G-Eazy & Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J Sued Over 'No Limit' ... You Jacked Our Song!!!

Published | Updated

G-Eazy and Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J shoulda known better when they ripped off the work of some Southern hip-hop legends ... so claim those artists in a new lawsuit.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Memphis-based DJ Squeeky and Gaylon Love say they own the rights to "Looking 4 Da Chewin" and claim G-Eazy's "No Limit" straight-up sampled their 1993 Southern hip-hop classic.

Squeeky and Love claim G-Eazy never got permission to sample the track and are suing for copyright infringement. They also want a slice of the profits from G-Eazy's "No Limit" track, which enjoyed mega-success when it dropped in 2017 as the lead single in G-Eazy's fourth studio album, "The Beautiful & Damned."

It's interesting ... "No Limit" features Cardi B and A$AP Rocky, and the remix also includes French Montana, Belly and Juicy J. But, Squeeky and Love are only going after G-Eazy and Juicy J.

The Memphis artists' lawyer Alcide Honore tells us, for starters, G-Eazy's getting sued because it's his track. As for Juicy J ... he hails from Memphis, so he should have known he was rapping over a popular Southern hip-hop track that first hit the scene in the early '90s. We're told other parties could be added to the lawsuit down the road, but for now, the legal team says G-Eazy and Juicy J bear responsibility.

It's been a rough week for Juicy J and counterpart DJ Paul ... both of whom were slapped with separate lawsuits earlier this week.

We've reached out to G-Eazy and Juicy J, so far no word back.

Vikings' Dalvin Cook I'm Gunning For 2,000 Yards ... In 2020

Published | Updated
030420_dalvin_cook_4743513 :: 0_d0f6dqfw :: 0_bgyoz9m1
I'M CALLIN' IT NOW

Fantasy football nerds, take note ... Dalvin Cook tells TMZ Sports he's gunning for a MONSTER season in 2020!!!

"2,000 yards!" the Minnesota Vikings superstar told us out in NYC on Wednesday. "We could go like a 1,500 [rushing] and a 500 [receiving]. 1,500, 500. Or, 1,400, 600!"

Of course, Cook was awfully close to those numbers last season ... rushing for 1,135 yards and adding 519 more receiving -- and he did all of that in just 14 games.

But, Dalvin (and his pals who were with him on an NYC shopping trip this week) tells us he's living in the gym this off-season to try to top those numbers.

FYI, 2,000 all-purpose yards is a pretty insane number for backs ... only 3 dudes have done it the last two years -- Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley.

Yeah ... elite list, huh???

By the way, we also asked Dalvin if he was considering a contract holdout given the fact that this year is the final one on his rookie deal -- but watch the clip, it doesn't seem he's going to press the Vikes like that just yet.

Joy The Butterfly on 'The Bugaloos' 'Memba Her?!

Published | Updated

North London native Caroline Elizabeth Ann Ellis was only 20 years old when she gained fame stateside for her role as the drumming butterfly, Joy, in the super '70s Saturday morning children's show, "The Bugaloos," by Sid and Marty Krofft.

Caroline Ellis wasn't the only adorable insect trying to fend off Benita Bizarre (played by Martha Raye) and her noisy jukebox ... she was joined by John McIndoe who played the guitar riffing grasshopper, I.Q., Wayne Laryea who played the key-tickling bumblebee, Harmony, and John Philpott as the skin-slapping ladybug, Courage.

Guess what she looks like now at 69 years old!

Nik Wallenda Tightrope Walks Across Volcano!!! Wife Pulls Off Own Stunt

Published | Updated

It seemed impossible ... but Nik Wallenda did the improbable ... walking all the way across a very active volcano and balancing the entire way on a tightrope.

The view looking down on the scorching-hot lava lake was incredible, and it was broadcast live on ABC from the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua.

Nik somehow managed the 1,800-foot trek across the mouth of the volcano, tightrope walking 2,000 feet above the deadly lava and through strong winds.

You'll recall ... Nik told us last week about his logistical concerns for the volcano, explaining why the acidic volcanic gasses could pose a very real threat to the wire. Walking over a volcano is obviously super-hot too, but Nik was oddly less concerned about the heat.

As it turns out ... the gasses rusted out the tightrope wire in the two weeks leading up to Wednesday's stunt, but it actually benefited Nik by giving him more traction. He also wore a gas mask.

Remember ... Nik told us on "TMZ Live" Monday he was worried about getting in the zone for the volcano stunt because his wife, Erendira, was also putting her life on the line with her own deadly stunt above the same volcano.

Erendira did an aerial ballet suspended above the lava lake, wearing a mask to protect her from the toxic fumes swirling below, with Nik keeping a close eye on her at all times.

Nik said his wife actually gave him a scouting report after her stunt, and assured him he would be fine.

It took just over 31 minutes for Nik to cross the volcano and make history ... pretty incredible.

Nik's now tightrope walked over Times Square, Niagara Falls and a volcano. Amazing!!!

Nicki Minaj's Husband Arrested by Feds For Not Registering as Sex Offender

Published | Updated
UPDATE

3:09 PM PT -- Petty just appeared in court and pled not guilty.

UPDATE

Prosecutors wanted Petty placed on house arrest, but his attorney objected and instead Petty is being required to wear an ankle monitor. He will also have a curfew.

UPDATE

Petty's lawyer says he's going to post $100,000 bond later today. Petty will also be under pretrial supervision and has already surrendered his passport. His travel will be restricted to Southern California.

UPDATE

Petty also can't use drugs, even marijuana from legal dispensaries in L.A. He has another hearing scheduled for March 23.

Nicki Minaj's husband's past is coming back to bite him in the ass -- he's been arrested by U.S. Marshals on an indictment for failing to register as a sex offender ... TMZ has learned.

Kenneth Petty was in federal custody Wednesday -- we're told he turned himself into the Marshals. According to court docs, he'll face a judge later today. Petty moved to California in July 2019, but according to law enforcement he got pulled over in Beverly Hills in November and that's when his legal troubles started.

We're told Bev Hills PD made a traffic stop on November 15 and determined Petty was a registered sex offender in New York state but had not registered in California ... as required.

He was arrested and released on a $20,000 bond. The L.A. County D.A. charged him for failing to register as a sex offender.

It appears he still didn't check in after that because now the feds are in on the case. He was indicted in federal court for the same thing ... failing to register.

As we've reported, Kenneth's rap sheet includes a 1995 conviction for first-degree attempted rape. He served almost 4 years in NY state prison for the crime and was required to register as a sex offender. If convicted on the federal charge for failure to register, Kenneth faces up to 10 years in prison.

TMZ broke the story ... Nicki and Kenneth hit up the Bev Hills Courthouse to get a marriage license in July ... around the time the couple moved to Cali.

We've reached out to Nicki's camp for comment, so far no word back.

Originally published -- 1:29 PM PT

'Save My Skin' Doctor I Treat Patients and Try to End Stigma ... But It Ain't for the Queasy!!!

Published

Dr. Emma Craythorne arguably has one of the grossest jobs in the world, but it's also incredibly important -- not just to her patients, she says, but to humanity in general.

The good doctor -- one of England's top dermatologists and star of TLC's new show "Save My Skin" -- joined us on TMZ Live. Right off the bat, she called us out for pixelating the "best bits" of her show clips.

Sorry doc, there's only so much gnarly pus coming out of a person's body we can take.

Dr. Craythorne says that's part of the point of her show. Yes, she's helping people with some pretty gruesome ailments and diseases improve their quality of life and confidence -- if not flat out saving their lives. However, she says there's also a major misconception about people with certain skin conditions.

Watch the clip, she's here to educate folks, and end the stigma surrounding patients.

That being said, "Save My Skin" -- airing Thursday nights -- ain't for the weak of stomach.

Journey We Finally Stopped Believing!!! 2 Members Booted After Alleged Coup

Published

Journey's leader, Neal Schon, is sending his bassist and drummer on their "Separate Ways" ... for allegedly trying to hijack the group name in a scheme that's landed them all in court.

Lead guitarist Neal, a founding member, and keyboard player Jonathan Cain are suing their long-time bassist Russ Valory and drummer Steve Smith, claiming they tried to take control of the band's corporation called Nightmare Productions, Inc.

According to the lawsuit, Russ and Steve allegedly thought the move would give them access to the "Journey" name, thereby allowing them to make millions for themselves after retiring. Neal and Jonathan say their rhythm section recently decided to hang it up.

Ill-conceived plan though, according to docs, obtained by TMZ. Neal and Jonathan say the band name is already licensed to another corporation called "Elmo" ... which was set up by former lead singer Steve Perry, Neal and Jonathan back in 1985.

Bottom line ... Russ and Steve are out in the cold, as far as making money off the band's name -- and now they've got this lawsuit on their hands too, for breach of fiduciary duty. Neal and Johnathan -- who co-wrote most of the band's huge hits with Perry -- also want damages of at least $10 million.

Journey's scheduled to tour this summer with The Pretenders -- so expect to see a new drummer and bass player on stage if you're going.

Don't stop believing ... in open auditions.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Judgment Day's Coming for Robot Company ... Stop Stealing My Face and Voice!!!

Published | Updated

Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous mug and iconic voice are being ripped-off by a Russian robot manufacturer, and he wants more than $10 million to make it right ... or for the robot to go hasta la vista.

Arnold's company is suing Promobot, which makes autonomous service robots consumers can customize to look human. The product's called the Android Robo-C, and can be made to look like a person of your choosing.

The problem -- according to the suit -- Arnold did not give permission to Promobot to use HIS likeness to promote it, and is generally very strict about his face being used for ads because "such activity diminishes his hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as a major motion picture star." However, according to the lawsuit ... he's become the "unwilling face" of the product.

Arnold's company claims Promobot is using the Arnold-like model at public events to promote and market the Android Robo-C. Even more egregiously ... Promobot allegedly asked Arnold to pose for a photo with its robot while he was in St. Petersberg to deliver a speech in 2019 ... and he refused.

However, according to the suit, Promobot kept using the Arnold android ... including at CES in Vegas in January. At that point, Arnold's attorney -- legal pit bull Marty Singer -- fired off a cease and desist letter to the robot company demanding it stop.

Singer made it clear to Promobot ... he's won cases like this in the past, including scoring a judgment for more than $2.5 mil for Priscilla Presley, who's "far less commercially valuable" than Schwarzenegger. In fact, Arnold says he would not have accepted anything less than $10 million for using his likeness.

Promobot allegedly assured Arnold's team it would cease using the Arnold-bot ... it popped up again at the New York Toy Fair at the end of February. Hence, a lawsuit's now been filed for misappropriation of Arnold's right of publicity.

Schwarzenegger's company not only wants an injunction blocking Promobot from using his face and voice, but is also seeking $10 mil, any profits made off the Arnold-bot ... plus punitive damages and attorneys' fees.

Beach Boys Singer Mike Love Sprawling Estate Hits Market ... Yours For $9 Million!!!

Published

The Beach Boys singer Mike Love is unloading his breathtaking mansion in Southern California ... and it can be yours for just south of $9 million ... oh, wouldn't that be nice?!?

TMZ has learned Mike just listed his Rancho Santa Fe estate for a cool $8,650,000 ... and the place is absolutely spectacular.

The custom compound just north of San Diego is 17,515 square feet of pure luxury ... it's got a huge swimming pool with an island in the middle and a swim-up bar, plus a saltwater aquarium in the living room and 270-degree panoramic views of the ocean, mountains and surrounding golf course.

Mike's place sits on a tropical landscape perched above the rest of the neighborhood ... and the master suite has a custom-built dressing room, sitting area, fireplace, wet bar, luxurious spa bath and private terrace with more insane views.

The guesthouse is pretty sweet too ... it's got its own direct ocean views from the balcony and outdoor spa. Don't forget the 8 bedroom ensuites with multiple walk-out terraces and balconies.

Oh and that island in the middle of the pool?!? It's decked out with a fire pit and fireside seating opposite a custom spa with foot jets. There's also an outdoor summer kitchen with awnings and courts for tennis and basketball with their own dressing room.

Mike's estate also has a chilled wine cellar and tasting room, meditation room, theater, game room, elevator and a multi-level waterfall styled after the famed fountains of Villa d'Este at Lake Como, Italy.

Linda Sansone of Willis Allen Real Estate holds the listing.

Check out the gallery ... and see how this beach boy's been living.

AOC I Want Bernie ... But I'll Support Biden if He Gets It

Published
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Biden Bernie
BLUE NO MATTER WHO

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believes in her heart of hearts Bernie Sanders is the guy to beat Trump -- that said ... she'll support Joe Biden if he's the one who takes on Trump.

We got the Congresswoman in D.C. Wednesday -- after Biden cleaned up on Super Tuesday -- and asked her straight-up ... will she support the guy if he wins the Democratic nomination come July, despite being a Sanders supporter and seemingly immovable.

Watch ... AOC says she would, but might need to hold her nose a little. Fact is ... she says she'll always support the party, but notes JB is a thing of the past -- and Bernie is the future.

For her it's pretty simple -- AOC says Bernie's message and platform is very clear and resonates with working-class people. Meanwhile, Biden's platform seems to just be ... beat Trump? That's not good enough for her, and she thinks many feel the same.

Doesn't sound like she's going the #BernieorBust route though, which is an encouraging sign of unity within the Democratic ranks. As for a possible running mate ... she says pump the brakes.

DaBaby Off Hook for Battery in Miami ... Two Loose Ends Remain

Published | Updated

DaBaby's no longer sweating a battery case in Miami ... TMZ's learned prosecutors are dropping the charge but the rapper's not exactly out of the woods just yet.

The Miami State Attorney's Office says it dropped the battery charge against DB claiming one of the alleged victims would NOT cooperate. That alleged victim is a friend of concert promoter, Kenneth Carey. You'll recall Carey was the guy who got beat up and allegedly robbed on video. The other alleged victim is not seen in the video.

010220_dababy-crew 1/2/20
THE ALLEGED ROBBERY

Even though the battery charge has been tossed, cops are still investigating the alleged robbery of Carey ... so DaBaby could potentially be charged.

TMZ broke the story ... Carey sued DaBaby claiming DB and his crew beat him to a pulp and in the process jacked his phone, money and credit card over a business deal gone wrong. That lawsuit -- Carey's suing for more than $6 mil -- is still active.

For his part, DaBaby insists he's innocent and vows he'll win the lawsuit.

AEW Wrestler 'MJF' Flips Off 7-Year-Old Fan At Event ... 'F*** Them Kids!'

Published | Updated

A famous pro wrestler FLIPPED OFF off a 7-year-old kid at a meet and greet in Chicago this weekend -- devastating the kid -- but it begs the question ... should the dad have known better?

Here's the deal ... Tom Gilmartin brought his son to meet AEW star MJF (AKA Maxwell Jacob Friedman) at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo.

MJF is famous for being a heel (that's wrestling speak for "bad guy") and part of his gimmick is being a jerk to kids. It's no secret. Everyone knows.

So, when Tom and his son came face to face with MJF, the wrestler busted out the single barrel salute right in the little guy's face ... par for the course for MJF.

You can see in the video the kid looks stunned -- and afterward, Tom raised the issue with AEW vice president Cody Rhodes.

"I tried to laugh it off knowing he’s just in character," Tom said ... "but it really upset him. I know that’s his gimmick but he’s only 7 & doesn’t understand."

Tom says his son is now being mocked online -- and wants AEW to keep talent in check when meeting kids at fan events.

Cody responded to Tom -- essentially saying he should have known what he was getting himself into.

"DISCLAIMER: If you have a meet/greet or inquire media wise for MJF, you'll get MJF," Rhodes said on Twitter.

"Talent have freedom of expression so please don't think anybody is going to act any different than they do on TV."

Rhodes then invited Tom to a future event and promised he'd give the family VIP treatment. Great move on Cody's part.

We reached out to MJF for comment and got back this 3-word statement -- "F**k them kids."

Never break character!

Whoopi Goldberg Andrew Yang For Mayor??? He Can Handle It!!!

Published

Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Corcoran are the newest members of the Yang Gang ... because they think Andrew Yang has the chops to make a run for mayor of New York City!!!

We got Whoopi in the Big Apple Wednesday morning and our guy asked about the former Democratic presidential candidate's potential foray into the mayoral campaign.

Whoopi says Andrew's a pretty smart guy and ya gotta see her instant reaction when asked if Yang can handle the job.

Barbara Corcoran
JUST WHAT WE NEED

We also got Barbara in NYC, and the "Shark Tank" star is really pulling for Yang to enter the race and liven things up.

Barbara says Andrew would bring some much-needed excitement to the mayoral race ... and she gives him a ringing endorsement. It pays to be sweet and genuine in Barbara's eyes.

Yang says he's making a big announcement Thursday about his next move ... so Whoopi and Barbara could soon get their wish.