TMZ Hip Hop

Ray J's doesn't skimp out on the SKIMS jokes on our "TMZ After Dark" tour ... going into a full facetious meltdown when seeing Kim Kardashian's L.A. store.

The rapper took the helm of the tour bus with DJ Mike T of VOX DJs backing him up Saturday night ... and, he cracked up the riders when passing the store -- screaming and curling up into a ball while making a pun about SKIMS.

As you know ... Ray J and Kim K used to date -- he's the dude from the now infamous sex tape -- and, though he's far removed from the relationship, it seems he still knows how to use his ex for an extra wisecrack here and there.

Lil Nas X's father is coming to his son's defense, saying the rapper's very public meltdown while walking naked in Los Angeles is due to the immense pressures of the music business, according to a new report.

Robert Stafford sat down with The Sunday Times for his first interview since Nas bailed out of L.A. County jail last Monday -- and he directly addressed his son's "breakdown," which he blames on the entertainment industry.

Stafford says he understands how the music biz works as a gospel singer and warns ... “It’s like a high. When you get to that level, you want that drug again, you want to hit that high again.”

Ray J is on a run! — he’s celebrating the 20-year anniversary of "One Wish," a now certified gold album with "Raydiation," hit reality shows, and now the launch of his own streaming hub, Tronix Network. He’s worked with Viacom, Zeus, and other major players ... but always stayed independent.

Now he’s taking that energy straight to the streets of Hollywood. The "TMZ After Dark Tour" has turned into L.A.'s hottest ride, selling out every Friday and Saturday with Ray J at the helm. Fans call it a “concert on wheels” — music blasting, paparazzi moments, free shots, and Ray J right in the middle.

Hollywood is noticing. We’re not just talking about late-night gigs — we're told some big production companies and mainstream platforms are starting to circle, after seeing video of  Ray's connection with the crowd.

Pusha T and Malice were properly charged up before hitting the stage with Kendrick Lamar during their Clipse nationwide tour -- thanks to Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Burger joint!!!

A source connected to the newly famed restaurant tells TMZ Hip Hop that for their first time, Pusha T had the Marathon Burger combo ... two wagyu beef patties, grilled onions, Fresno peppers, house-made pickles, American cheese, ketchup, mustard, secret sauce on a toasted brioche bun served and a side of fries.

Big brother Malice also got fries but opted for the OG Standard combo, which introduces red onions, romaine lettuce, and sliced tomatoes to complement the two-wagyu beef patty package.

India Love told TMZ Hip Hop a few weeks back that she and DDG were just "besties" ... but after seeing the attention he's getting on his 'Are You My Ball?' dating show, we're not so sure!!!

DDG has been going hard all week on Twitch livestreaming 24/7 for his most ambitious project yet ... 25 women set out to vie for the rap star's love and affection, and one even got his gov't name "Darryl" tatted on her side!!!

India crashed the stream yesterday, immediately making the other contestants feel the pressure by referring to DDG as "her moo."

DJ Enuff -- Hot 97's entrusted heavy-hitter for nearly 30 years -- was unceremoniously shown the door without warning yesterday ... and he's CERTAIN Funkmaster Flex was responsible.

TMZ Hip Hop broke the story ... Funk Flex had half of NYC -- including 50 Cent and Jadakiss -- going 🤯 over a cryptic announcement that hinted at his retirement, but turns out, it's just him switching time slots.

Enuff tells us it was an emotional last day, and he even shed a few thug tears. He gave us the interview, supported by his loving wife and now-former coworkers DJ Drewski, DJ E-Stylez, DJ Lady S, all sad to see him go.

Fat Joe just had to pull up to Hot 97 when he heard the news that DJ Enuff had gotten fired -- and he even brought DJ Khaled with him!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked up with Flow Joe on Enuff's last day behind the storied wheels of steel of The Building -- and he was in complete disbelief.

Joe didn't have the full scoop but says his phone wouldn't stop buzzing not too long after Funk Flex revealed next week was his "last show on Hot 97 at 7 PM" and we unveiled it was because he was moving time slots.

 John Monopoly is flexing his music industry prowess in a major way with his Best Served Cold. agency ... and there's plenty of supreme celebrity clientele to assist!!!

Friday, Monopoly launched Best Served Cold. alongside another company called Hustle. Distribution -- the periods are on purpose -- TMZ Hip Hop is told there's already motion happening involving some of the game's biggest artists, Snoop Dogg, French Montana and Akon!!!

According to a source connected to the company, they're set to close on a home for the newly engaged French Montana -- but not for his nuptials -- the "Unforgettable" rapper is building an online content series empire, brick by brick.

French Montana isn't pinching his pennies when it comes to spoiling his royal bride-to-be, Sheikha Mahra ... TMZ Hip Hop can confirm he dropped more than a million dollars on the engagement ring alone!!!

NYC's Eric the Jeweler of Mavani & Co. carved out French's engagement ring after the hip hop superstar contacted him a few months ago ... and the end result is a beaut!

The ring holds an emerald-cut shape, weighing 11.53 carats. The total hand ornament price comes in at $1,050,000 ... talk about "mac wit da cheese!!!"

Cardi B’s slapping a disclaimer on this one ... she says she’s not trying to sound all tinfoil-hat ... but her phone’s got her spooked and she's sounding the alarm!

In a post on X Thursday night, Cardi said she’s starting to think our phones aren’t just eavesdropping anymore ... they might actually be reading our minds too!

The thought clearly rattled Cardi ... she even begged the government not to come for her, low-key hinting her mind might not always be filled with the most wholesome stuff.

New Edition's Ricky Bell can't wait to return "home again" to Boston for his iconic group's street naming -- the same block where the band came together!!!

TMZ caught up with Ricky at LAX this week en route to the East Coast to link up with his NE brothers Ronnie, Bobby, Mike, Ralph, and Johnny.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu certified August 30 "New Edition Day" ... designating Dearborn Street as "New Edition Way," which intersects Roxbury's Orchard Park Projects, where Ricky grew up.

8/29 6:10 AM PT -- The new lineup has been updated ... beginning of an era, next week!

Funkmaster Flex left 50 Cent, Jadakiss, and a whole legion of radio listeners in the Tribeca area floored, announcing that his days of dropping radio bombs on his Hot 97 7 PM timeslot were coming to an end on Thursday ... all because he's switching up his schedule!!!

TMZ Hip Hop confirmed with multiple sources that Funk Flex will operate on the 5 PM to 10 PM slot after the Labor Day holiday.

50 and Jada predicted the death of traditional rap as we know it, but Flex will still be delivering daily heat on the NYC airwaves, just at a different time.

Karrueche Tran says she'd be your average jaded dater -- if it wasn't for Deion Sanders rocking her world!!!

The "Claws" actress was a guest of honor on DOPE Network via her longtime BFF's "What's Next w/ J. Ryan" podcast alongside Christina Milian -- when he threw a hot pot in her lap by putting her on the spot to tackle those Deion dating rumors.

Coach Prime survived bladder removal surgery to stop a cancerous spread back in July -- and Karrueche was spotted supporting him bedside ... sparking the notion they were an item.

When J. Ryan got Karrueche to cop to dating Deion, she confirmed her relationship is legit and she's very happy.

Karrueche -- who's publicly dated Chris Brown and Victor Cruz in the past -- says she wouldn't even waste her time if the love wasn't good.

Otherwise, she'd be a yoga-flexing housecat ... at this point in her life, Karrueche says she knows what she knows and likes!!!

Elsewhere in the episode, Christina revealed she's inching towards joining the cast of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" after being offered a spot and J. Ryan reminisced about seeing the girlies doing their makeup together, butt-naked over FaceTime.

French Montana's been linked to some pretty big names in the past -- like Khloe Kardashian and Iggy Azalea, just to name a couple -- now it looks like he's ready to settle down, because he's engaged to Sheikha Mahra!

We broke the news about the happy couple's engagement in August 2025, and it appears as if the rapper's ready to stick it out with his future wife for the long run.

Here's a look at how the life of the rapper's fiancée looked before she started planning out a life with the songwriter.

Mahra's a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates ... she's the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who's the Ruler of Dubai -- a city in the UAE -- and holds the positions of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

And Mahra's not the Sheikh's only daughter -- by a long shot! -- as he's fathered numerous children with several partners.

Sheikha eventually pursued higher education in London, and she shared several photos from her 2023 graduation on Instagram.

She's also got a bit of an entrepreneurial streak to her, as she launched a fragrance line, Mahra M1, in 2024, although her brand appears to have shut down.

French Montana's not Mahra's first partner, as she was formerly married to Sheik Mana Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, who's also a member of the royal family.

The pair tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in June 2023, and Mahra later gave birth to a daughter.

However, the rapper's future wife ultimately split up from her first husband in 2024 via Instagram ... she posted a message to let him know about their breakup, which partially read "I divorce you, I divorce you, and I Divorce You. Take care. Your ex-wife," according to CNN.

The message appeared to contain a reference to triple talaq -- or "instant divorce" -- a practice in some Muslim-majority countries where a man can immediately divorce his wife by declaring his intention three times in a row. It's not typically done to husbands though.

Mahra and French Montana were initially linked back in 2024, when she shared a set of photos on Instagram showing the rapper around Dubai.

The rapper and the royal family member were subsequently seen together on various dates, mainly around Europe and the Middle East. French is from Morocco, and he's produced a documentary film detailing his family's history.

The thing is, they'd been engaged for a little while before letting the public know, as the performer popped the big question during Paris Fashion Week in June.

Bhad Bhabie's mom could be facing legal trouble after getting into it with one of her daughter's friends, and calling the cops .. and now, that friend's thinking about pressing charges.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Barbara Bregoli got a security alert earlier this month indicating someone was in the master bedroom at Bhabie's Florida house.

Sources tell us Bhad Bhabie and her mother live separately, but the mother and daughter apparently co-own the house where the alarm was triggered.

BB was at home in California, nowhere near the action.