TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Nothing comes between Rick Ross and a plate of his delicious wings ... unless, of course, it's a NYC cyclist barreling down the street who damn near took out Da Boss!

Rick was on his way out of a radio station this week when he almost got TRUCKED by a New Yorker on one of those rent-a-bikes, and she was PISSED!!!

Check out the clip, which is pretty funny now ... since everyone walked away without a scratch. Rick definitely got on the biker's last nerve because he failed to look before strolling out into the clearly marked bike lane.

We're guessing Rick had his mind on his money, and his money on his mind. He was beelining it for a Wing Stop truck parked on the street. Rick owns more than 2 dozen Wing Stop branches across the country.

No clue who the peeved cyclist was -- she kept rolling -- but we know who won't have any such problem ... Jerry O'Connell. Rick's cycling encounter is the perfect excuse for us to roll this hilarious footage of JO failing to rent a Citi Bike.

Cycling in the big city ain't easy ... for a bunch o' reasons.

Kylie Jenner is riding into 22 with a firm grip on her man -- she and Travis Scott did some tandem jet skiing as part of her outrageous birthday celebration at sea.

Kylie's moved the party into the Mediterranean Saturday -- her actual birthday -- off the coast of Italy. She and her baby daddy are cruising around with her closest GFs on their personal watercraft, as opposed to their OTHER "watercraft" ... the $250 million megayacht, "Tranquility."

And, check out the the birthday girl's sea-faring fashion sense -- an amazing technicolor swimsuit that definitely stands out ... as she always does.

The celebration's been going since the early hours of Saturday aboard their ship. KJ showed off one of her fabulous gifts from Trav ... a diamond chain with a massive pendant fashioned after her Kylie Lip Kit logo -- y'know that thing that made her so stinkin' rich.

It's a pretty sick piece, complete with liquid dripping off the lips ... all made of diamonds, of course.

Hey, we can't all be billionaires at 22, floating off the coast of Italy on a megayacht that costs $1.2 million per week to charter -- but at least we can all share in Kylie's fun.

Rick Ross is siding with Kenny Stills in his beef with the Miami Dolphins owner ... telling TMZ Sports he feels Stephen Ross doesn't do enough for the black community.

The NFL receiver publicly criticized his boss earlier this week ... calling Ross a hypocrite for running a charity championing "equality" while being one of President Trump's biggest financial supporters.

We spoke with the Miami legend and Dolphins superfan and asked what he thought about the beef  ... and Rozay didn't hold back.

"I never cared about Stephen Ross," the "Port of Miami 2" rapper says. "It's been rough for me and the Dolphins for years."

Rick says he sees through any talks of equality ... claiming the billionaire doesn't try to build a relationship with the local African-American youth.

"Stephen Ross, he ain't surprising nobody. No black young kids in the community ever got invited to their football games."

Of course, there's also a huge public boycott against the fancy gym chain, Equinox -- which Stephen owns -- after people found out he was hosting a big fundraiser for Trump's 2020 campaign.

The Bawse -- who once told us he wanted to buy the Fins -- says he's still gonna support his hometown team ... but makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the people running it.

We didn't really get a good look at Kanye West's prototype homes -- the ones that have become the target of L.A. County government -- but we just got these up-close pics, and they're pretty cool.

TMZ broke the story ... Kanye was creating prototypes for new age housing ... housing that blurs the line between low, middle and high-income communities. He built the 4 dome-like structures on the 300 acres he owns in Calabasas, and his plan was to create a full housing complex on the site. Problem is ... the structures may have run afoul of L.A. building code.

As we reported, Ye and co. didn't get building permits, which must be pulled before construction unless the structures are temporary. After 2 visits, the inspector from the L.A. County Dept. of Public Works determined the structures were not temporary and Kanye now has until Sept. 15 to either get permits or tear the domes down.

In addition to bridging the income gap, Kanye wanted to reimagine the concept of space and make more efficient dwellings for the future.

Kylie Jenner's still a couple days away from her actual birthday, and before the festivities really kick off ... she's getting some QT with Travis Scott in Italy.

The next item checked off the itinerary -- romantic dinner for 2.

A colorfully dressed Kylie and her baby daddy hit up the Ristorante da Paolino in Capri Thursday night as she approaches the ripe old age of 22. The couple held hands as they walked in, and they were smooching on the way out. A little limoncello makes everybody feel romantic.

As we reported, Kylie and Trav took Stormi out shopping Wednesday after arriving in Positano. They're rolling deep too ... with Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Scott Disick, Sofia Richie and a few girlfriends.

Kylie and the birthday crew boarded a private jet Tuesday to begin the celebration ... which includes spending time on a $250 MILLION yacht.

What do you get a guy for his birthday when his name literally reminds you of moneybags? If you're Kanye West ... you go big, black and Italian.

Ye blew the doors off all birthday surprises when he showed up to his former manager John Monopoly's party at Delilah in WeHo Wednesday night with a brand new luxury ride fresh off the lot -- a customized 2019 Lamborghini SUV.

John told us the gift was from a "very good guy" and brother of his with whom he goes back 30 years. He's coy about it, never dropping a name, but it was pretty easy to figure out. Monopoly discovered West and served as his manager for his first 3 albums.

We also got a pic of Kanye after he made the special delivery to confirm the poorly kept secret.

We're told the customized SUV with the matte-black paint job goes for around $300k ... and John says he didn't even see it coming.

BTW -- Monopoly's bday bash was also a lot of fun on the inside of the club in the private VIP section. Along with Kanye, we're told rapper Cam'ron, fashion designer Don C and Jacob York were there.

Kylie Jenner, Travis Scott and the rest of the brood arrived on Italian soil, but before they traded land for sea, they did what every self-respecting tourist does in Italia ... they shopped.

Kylie and Co. arrived in Positano ... where they joined Scott Disick and Sofia Richie, Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble and Kylie's friends just days ahead of her 22nd birthday.

The group beelined it for a couple stores before boarding a tender that chugged its way to their floating palace ... the $250 million mega-yacht, "Tranquility."

TMZ broke the story ... Kylie & Co. boarded a private jet Tuesday filled with family and close friends to begin her big bday celebration. It's gonna be extravagant ... with a little help from the 29-person crew.

TMZ broke the story ... Kylie boarded the private jet with the train of what looks like a wedding dress poking out of the garment bag as it was dragged along the tarmac. It could have been fully covered up, but we're guessing it may have been a gag ... which Kylie often pulls. We're told they're not getting hitched on the trip.

Arriverderci!!!

Drake is bringing some heavy hitters to the stage Monday in Toronto for his annual OVO Fest ... we just got wind of the lineup, and it's INSANE!!!

Our sources tell us this is the star-studded group set to perform ... Meek Mill, Chris Brown, Tyga, YG, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and Offset, DaBaby, Lil Baby, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane!!!

OVO Fest 2019 kicked off Sunday night at the Budweiser Stage in the Six ... with special performances by B2K, Mario, Lloyd, Pretty Ricky, Ying Yang Twins and Bobby V.

A solid opening-day lineup, no doubt ... but tonight is shaping up to be EPIC!!!

Safe to say OVO Fest is the place to be for a little Monday fun day ... and for everyone who is not up in Canada tonight, good luck dealing with a serious case of FOMO.

Kylie Jenner's man, Travis Scott, is a petal pusher!!!

Kylie's turning 22 this weekend, and Travis has figured out what to give a billionaire that's super special ... and we're guessing this will be the first of many presents.

Kylie shared video of her walking through her mansion Monday afternoon, feet crunching on rose petals as Stormi plays with the flowers.

Travis' gift also came with a note to Kylie ... it reads, "Happy Birthday!!!! We're just getting started. Love you!!!!"

It's a tall order for Travis, given what Kylie did for him back in April when he turned 28. She slapped a pic of her and Stormi on a billboard in WeHo ... for the world to see.

We're guessing Travis' gifts will be on display for all to see.

BTW ... Kylie and Travis have been together for a little over 2 years. They hooked up at Coachella and haven't really been apart since.

Rich the Kid made sure the viral one-legged Lollapalooza guy didn't have to hop any fences to party his face off at the festival ... by hooking him up with a four-day artist pass!!!

The one-legged dude who went viral after getting busted by cops trying to sneak into Lollapalooza Friday during a massive stampede is Mekailo Woodfork. He tells us Rich gave him the star treatment over the weekend in Chicago after learning of his plight.

Mekailo, an 18-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, tells us he went to the festival with every intention of sneaking in with his buddies. The cops infamously cut his first attempt short, but he says police let him go and he made another attempt to jump a fence -- which he somehow did -- only to have security waiting on the other side.

Enter Rich the Kid ... we're told the rapper saw the viral footage of Mekailo getting busted by a cop, so his manager reached out to the teen over Instagram and hooked him up with backstage access!

Kanye West's plan to build a futuristic, egalitarian community that bridges low, middle and high-income housing has hit a major roadblock ... and it could result in the prototype homes being torn down.

TMZ broke the story ... Kanye had 4 dome-like prototype structures built on the 300 acres of land he owns in Calabasas. He hopes to create a whole community of new-age homes -- dome-like structures that break class barriers.

Here's the problem ... we've learned several neighbors have complained to the L.A. County Dept. of Public Works, and after inspectors came out to the property they determined the project violates the building code, and if Ye doesn't get the property permits by Sept. 15, the structures must be torn down.

Here's what we know. On July 18, one of the neighbors contacted the Dept. and said there was construction on the property late at night. An inspector came out and spoke with the site manager, who said the domes were part of a "production" and they were temporary structures. If they're temporary, building permits are not required.

The Dept. got another call from a neighbor a week ago, again complaining of construction noise. The inspector came out again, and saw the domes were sitting atop a concrete foundation. For that and several other reasons, the inspector determined the structures did not appear temporary.  As a result, plans and building permits are required, and Kanye and Co. never applied for them.

So, the Dept. of Public Works is now demanding that Kanye and Co. submit plans and get building permits within 45 days, or else. The "or else" -- tear them down.

A source close to Kanye tells TMZ ... the structures were always intended to be temporary, because they're simply prototypes. The source says they are in touch with the County and intend to comply with the requirements. And, the source adds, the concrete base was necessary to secure the structure for safety and structural reasons but will eventually be removed along with the structures.

Post Malone is absolutely beside himself after getting the heartbreaking news about the mass shootings in his home state of Texas, and also in Ohio.

We got Post Sunday outside of NYC's Greenwich Hotel, where our camera guy broke it to him that a crazed gunman shot up a mall and a Walmart in El Paso this weekend -- which claimed 20 lives and injured numerous others.

Post, who is from the Dallas area, had been traveling internationally and didn't know about it. Check out the rapper's reaction ... it's clear he's having a difficult time processing the tragedy as he tries to come up with answers.

Our photog asks how people in El Paso can bounce back from this, and he says the people of Texas are strong and the folks just need to be there for each other at a time like this.

On how to possibly resolve this national epidemic, Post is a bit at a loss for words on that one -- as it's such a complicated issue.

A$AP Rocky is showing his gratitude to one Kanye West for trying to get him out of Swedish custody ... by showing up on a Sunday and partaking in worship.

The just-released rapper was in attendance Sunday for Ye's weekly Sunday Service, where he was wearing a jacket in the hot sun -- but appeared to be in great spirits. He was filmed talking to his old flame, Kendall Jenner, and they seemed pretty chummy.

Kendall and A$AP have history together, they were dating on and off for a number of years. They haven't been seen in a romantic capacity since early 2017.

A$AP was also photographed chatting up Kanye himself, who was decked out in his usual Sunday Service gear. Some thank-yous were probably exchanged ... and for good reason.

As we reported ... Kanye was part of the initial push to get A$AP's legal predicament on President Trump's radar, before he was eventually freed last week pending a verdict. We're told Ye's got a direct line to the Oval, and that he suggested Trump talk to the Swedish PM.

A panel of judges decided to release A$AP while a decision is made in his assault case, which wrapped up Thursday after a three-day trial. Rocky touched down in L.A. early Saturday morning, and seemed ecstatic to be finally be home after a month in jail.

A$AP testified that he and his crew were acting in self-defense, and that they tried to defuse the situation with the alleged victim before things got violent.

The Swedish prosecutor recommended a 6-month jail sentence -- a decision is expected to be made on his fate on August 14, when he has to come back to Sweden.

Diddy and Lori Harvey are keeping their bond going strong in Italy -- where they're hangin' out with her pops in what can only be described as a family (friend) affair.

The hip-hop mogul and Steve Harvey's youngest daughter were spotted grabbing dinner this weekend in Nerano, where dad and what looks like his wife, Marjorie, were tagging along as well. If you ask us, this might just seal the deal on Diddy and LH's relationship status.

They're sitting incredibly close, and share some intimate moments that just stop short of full-blown kissing. Click through the gallery ... you can make the call yourself.

Of course, Diddy shot down the idea he was dating Steve's 22-year-old kid -- who also happened to formerly date Diddy's own 25-year-old son, Justin. We'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt for now -- but they're looking more and more like a couple.

You'll recall, Diddy and Lori were seen wearing matching outfits in NYC, where they were hanging out like two peas in a pod (again). They've been just about everywhere together now.

A$AP Rocky was downright gleeful after touching down on U.S. soil Saturday just after midnight ... free for the first time in a month.

A$AP's private jet touched down at LAX after a long flight from Sweden ... this after the judges in his criminal case allowed him to leave the country as they noodled over the verdict.

The rapper was ecstatic ... smiling, taking pics with folks, hugging people. He actually stayed in the private terminal parking lot for around 45 minutes, talking and joking most of the time.

As we reported, all signs point to a not guilty verdict. Prosecutors in the assault case asked the judges to keep Rocky behind bars because he remained a flight risk. The judges had a middle-ground option -- to release him from custody but order that he remain in Sweden, pending the verdict which will be announced on August 14, but instead they let him return to the U.S.

Fact is ... a judge thought he was a flight risk a month ago when he threw Rocky in jail, even before charges were filed, so he'd be at least as much of a flight risk today ... and that's why it seems like it doesn't matter anymore and that he'll be found not guilty.

Our Rocky sources say he's never going back to Sweden, and even though his position has been that race was not a factor, privately everyone in his camp thinks it was, and he probably does as well. It was smart of him not to take a stand on the racial issue, for fear of inflaming the judges.

The key to the case seems to be a green bottle. Prosecutors maintained Rocky hit the alleged victim over the head with it, but not a single witness supported the theory, nor did the video. You do see Rocky holding a bottle, but he says he did it to fend off the guy and put it down on the ground.

Rocky does not have to appear in court for the verdict. It will be a written decision.

LL Cool J has a lot of sympathy for A$AP Rocky, but says if he's convicted in Swedish court of assault, he can't go on the lam.

LL was at LAX Friday and made one point clear ... if he were in A$AP's shoes and got a guilty verdict, he would not just go back to Sweden and face the music ... rather, he'd "negotiate." We're reading between the lines, but it seems he's saying he'd do a little horse trading ... I'll come back, but you can't throw the book at me.

As for never going back, LL thinks that's a bad idea. Even if Rocky couldn't be extradited from the U.S., his travel would be severely restricted because other countries might in fact hook him up and send him back to Sweden.

As we reported, it's looking likely that A$AP will be found not guilty, because prosecutors failed to prove A$AP struck the alleged victim with a bottle.