TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Lil Nas X unloaded on BET over his 2022 BET Award nom snubs earlier this week ... and he's got at least one royal supporter in Queen Latifah.

We caught up with the legendary rap star promoting her new flick "Hustle" outside "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and while she feels LNX's talent is literally "amazing," it doesn't appear she agrees with his complaints his sexuality caused the snub.

The "Industry Baby" was a couple dynamite sticks short of nuclear on Wednesday when he accused the network of sharing into the world's problems — by excluding Black gay artists from top recognition.

His complaints were only amplified when it was discovered Jack Harlow, (yep, the White guy) was nominated for Best Male Hip Hop Artist alongside Drake, Future, Kanye and more ... causing fans on Twitter to have a field day.

It's not like LNX hasn't been on the BET Awards' radar. In 2020, he earned a Best New Artist Award and last year, went viral by kissing his ex-boyfriend Yai Ariza during his performance on live TV.

Drake is smoother than whiskey ... generously picking up the tab for two women from Detroit after swigging down a couple of shots with them!

In case you missed it, the 6 God went viral after schmoozing it up with a couple of ladies in the Motor City. We spoke with Brittney Keara, the woman who filmed the interaction, and she said Drake was as courteous as ever.

Brittney tells us Thursday she was enjoying happy hour with a friend at a local seafood restaurant when Drizzy strolled in with a couple of bodyguards.

We got new video of the interaction where Drake initially turns down Brittney's drink offer, saying he was heading to the airport for a flight ... but she says he ended up coming back to the bar and taking up the offer.

Brittney orders a shot of Jack, but tells us when the camera was off Drake upgraded her to a shot of Johnny Walker. Classy move. He also covered the tab.

PETA is pissed at Jack Harlow for "glamorizing horse racing" in his latest music video ... calling on him to make things right by donating his earnings for the project immediately.

A rep for PETA tells TMZ ... Jack made a big mistake showing off the sport in his "Churchill Downs" video with Drake. They say he's only showing the positives about the event, and is "missing the whips, drugs, and deaths that run rampant in the industry."

They believe Jack's profiting off the abuse of animals, and are urging the rapper to pay for the care of American Thoroughbreds who would otherwise be sent off to slaughterhouses.

According to PETA, an average of 3 racehorses die on U.S. tracks every day ... and they claim 7,500 Thoroughbreds are exported to be slaughtered every year.

Jay-Z may be a Brooklyn native, but he was seen showin' love to the Boston Celtics after their wild comeback win over the Warriors -- dapping up Jayson Tatum after the game.

If you missed Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, the Celtics were down 12 points by the end of the 3rd quarter against Golden State ... but Tatum and the C's went off in the 4th and outscored the Warriors 40-16 -- pulling off an upset win, 120-108.

The Celtics did it all right on the Warriors' homecourt -- and hip-hop legend Jay-Z was front and center to watch the epic win at the Chase Center.

HOV had to show the Celts some love for their stunning performance ... and dapped up Tatum -- the Eastern Conference Finals MVP -- right on the court.

The cool part about the exchange? Jay-Z's track "On To The Next One," featuring Swizz Beatz, was playing on the arena's speakers.

Shawn Carter wasn't the only celeb in the crowd who witnessed Celtics' upturn ... San Francisco Giants legend Barry Bonds was also in attendance, as was legendary director Spike Lee.

Lee -- who's a diehard New York Knicks fan -- was seen on camera before the game giving love to Warriors star Draymond Green and yelling, "Let's go, baby! Let's go!"

FYI, Tatum had 12 points and 13 assists in the game ... but Al Horford was the star of the show, leading the team with 26 points.

Young Thug's lengthy day in court was all for nothing, a judge denied his bond, and the rapper will stay locked up until January 2023.

The YSL rapper and his legal team argued for his freedom Thursday in a Georgia courtroom where prosecutors argued Thug was the most dangerous member of the 28 Young Stoner Life members rounded up in the highly publicized Georgia RICO case.

Not only that, but prosecutors also tried to get YT's attorney, Brian Steel, removed from the case, saying his past associations with YSL were a "conflict of interest" ... but Steel is staying on.

During the hearing, Kevin Liles, music mogul and CEO of 300 Entertainment tearfully testified on Thug's behalf, recognizing him as an influencer and charitable person but most importantly, was willing to co-sign on his bond.

Another witness, Garfield Larmond, part of Thug's management team, testified he was in the house when Thug got arrested and there were no weapons on him.

This case is being watched closely by the hip hop community ... Chris Brown, Lil Baby, Cordae, Meek Mill, and most vocally, Metro Boomin have all called for YSL's freedom within the past few days.

As far as the rest of the case ... The Fulton County District Attorney recently claimed the YSL crew could actually be a gang with ties to 50 murders in the area.

Forget a hot girl summer for R&B star Ari Lennox, 'cause she's all boo'd up.

The First Lady of J. Cole's Dreamville Records hit Instagram Thursday to reveal she's been chilling heavy with Keith Manley II of "Married at First Sight" fame.

Both appear to be in San Diego for a wedding with Ari sharing pics of the pair together and Keith giving it a more subtle touch with a pic of their hands bound in a loving grasp.

Keith appeared on the 9th season of 'MAFS,' and enthused audiences with the ups and downs of his marriage to Iris Caldwell ... but obviously, they're not a thing anymore.

In an interview with Essence last year, Ari revealed how she had trouble landing a man because they were scared of her dog: a large male Akita.

The music industry is a prehistoric artist trap that needs to end … so thinks Russ, arguably one of the most entrepreneurial-minded rappers the game has ever seen.

We caught up with the digital disruptor fresh off the heels of releasing his mini-movie "Handsomer (Remix)," which co-stars Snoop Dogg and Tiffany Haddish.

In March, Russ and his business partner Bugus launched their label DIEMON a.k.a. "Do It Everyday Music or Nothing" — an offshoot from a traditional record deal as their artists won't be held to crazy overheads and will be encouraged to have more authentic relationships with fans.

Russ called out labels for overcharging artists for services and even went as far as to say "digital marketing" — one of the most buzz-worthy terms in music — was all a sham.

According to his experiences, artists only sign to labels for the convenience of not wanting to handle their business affairs but Russ feels the DIY mantra can still be applied even without the giant corporation eating into your record and ticket sales.

Here's what's even more interesting … Russ openly admits his label deal wasn't a bad one, especially compared to some of the other contracts out there.

He owned his masters and didn't fall into the red with his finances.

But, he rather use his own money for a $300,000 video than have a label use his money for a $300,000 video — and then charge interest.

The late great Phife Dawg famously quipped he liked his girls "brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian" ... and while Joe Budden's observation of NYC strip clubs doesn't see it that way, Waka Flocka Flame disagrees with Joe.

JB compared the personal crusade to a declaration of war ... because someone has to do it, right?

The rapper-turned-podcast host went outta his way Thursday to call out shuttered NYC strip club Cheetahs Gentlemen's Club & Restaurant for exclusively employing fair-skinned Hispanic women.

Joe says, "NY strip clubs, not only are you not hiring Black women, but you're purposely hiring the SAME exact girl." Your promoter having a type is gonna lose y'all money this Summer.. this is disgusting (not the girls, the optics)."

Waka Flocka not only disagrees, but calls Joe "soft" for the commentary. WF hails from Atlanta -- the reigning mecca of pole dancers -- so naturally, he wasn't going to sit for disrespect to the industry.

"Hot Boy" rapper Bobby Shmurda was ice-cold to a Tampa Bay Lightning supporter during the New York Rangers game on Wednesday -- trollin' the fan by waving an NYR towel right in his face!

The hilarious moment happened during Shmurda's epic night at Madison Square Garden -- when the Brooklyn rapper was in the stands cheering his face off for the Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Video shows Shmurda was gettin' his dance on ... and then he turned to a TB fan sittin' right behind him, and waved a "No Quit in New York" Rangers' towel in the guy's grill.

To his credit, the fan took the trollin' in stride -- responding with nothing more than a thumbs down.

Bobby had a hell of a night during the game in between going crazy for big plays -- taking a bunch of photos with fans both inside and outside of the venue.

TMZ Sports has learned this was Bobby's first-ever hockey game ... and he attended it after getting invited by Icy Ventures -- a talent management company (founded by Josh Stone and his brother Troy Stone as well as NHL agent John Osei-Tutu) whose focus is to bring hip-hop culture to the sport.

"Bobby’s energy could not be contained," Troy told us of Shmurda's night. "Fans were shocked to see such a high-profile rap artist in the building for a Ranger game."

"Bobby was so excited he started taunting the opposing team’s fans, which lead to a viral moment which the NHL has desperately needed."

Troy added, "The experience for Bobby couldn’t have gone better as he saw the Rangers win and got to witness a real NHL fight.”

Bobby Shmurda's seeing a clear pattern in where America's mass shooters choose to wreak havoc -- and he says it's time the government realizes it too and put the proper, armed, protection in place.

We caught up with Bobby and "Million Dollaz Worth Of Game" podcast co-host Wallo267 in NYC ... and they both called out active shooters for cowardly targeting schools and hospitals.

Bobby breaks it down -- as only he can -- and sees at least one solution being better-armed security, because ... well, we're all paying high enough taxes for it.

A gunman opened fire inside a Tulsa hospital Wednesday, killing 4 people and then himself. That tragedy comes as the nation is still reeling from the Uvalde mass shooter who killed 19 children last week.

In the video, Bobby passionately explains where these mass shooters never seem to go, and adds ... it's because they know it wouldn't end well for them.

Desiigner had a not-so-friendly exchange with cops after getting pulled over ... leading to a shouting match while things got sorted out.

The whole thing went down Wednesday in L.A. after law enforcement sources tell us the "Panda" rapper was pulled over for driving without license plates and tinted windows. We're told Desiigner got out of his car and approached the motor cop who pulled him over.

Video from the encounter is intense -- the officer has his pepper spray pulled, which sets Desiigner off -- letting the cop know he doesn't pose a threat, and there's no reason for force to be used. He also calls the officer a "racist bitch."

The verbal back-and-forth continues -- and it sounds like the officer claims he can take the vehicle -- but Desiigner isn't phased, shouting, "I got money all f**king day."

Desiigner then notices a bystander filming the interaction, asking the guy, "You know who I am right? Desiigner. Panda." Seemingly making a further point to the officers that he's a big deal and shouldn't be messed with.

Baltimore rapper Young Moose is $300,000 richer now that the city of Baltimore's reached a settlement with him over a dirty cop who was caught planting crack on him back in 2012.

Young Moose joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday in hopes his situation would help uncover other potentially corrupt police officers, and their victims, in the Baltimore area. He filed a lawsuit last March against the city and several Baltimore cops ... most notably, Daniel Hersl.

The saga surrounding Hersel, formerly a member of the city's Gun Trace Task Force, is at the center of the HBO series "We Own This City" ... and actor Josh Charles plays the crooked cop.

YM was also featured in the series, playing himself, but says that role almost went to someone else. He says since his acquittal and settlement, his DMs have been flooded with folks looking for legal advice, or even a hook-up with his attorney.

Although he admits harboring anger at Hersl, Young Moose says he's found ways to channel his emotions, such as rapping!

His latest album "My Life Story" chronicles much of his journey up to this point and features Boosie Badazz on several tracks.

Going forward, Moose plans to continue to build awareness for his career as well as other citizens who've been wronged by the justice system.

Celina Powell, the infamous rap fan -- and alleged dater of some rappers -- is going from social media sensation to prison inmate ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the 17th Judicial DA's Office tells TMZ ... the 26-year-old was sentenced to 2 years in a Colorado State Prison for violating probation from a 2015 conviction for driving a getaway car in a theft ring.

Cops say she failed to comply with the terms of her probation in that case by, among other things, missing multiple drug and alcohol tests. Powell was eventually arrested on May 1 after missing a court date.

She'll be eligible for parole in December.

Celina claimed to have links to Snoop Dogg and Offset and appeared on the popular hip hop podcast "No Jumper" several times.

Her last podcast appearance was in April, when she stated Young Thug was her "favorite" alleged hookup.

A$AP Rocky's newfound joys of fatherhood might be hitting a few bumps in the road, courtesy of some stewing beef ... cooked by one of his own A$AP Mob teammates.

On Wednesday, A$AP Bari all but confirmed his string of sneak Instagram disses these past few days weren't inside jokes because he called Rocky's next album trash before it's even finished.

In a new interview with Dazed magazine, Rocky debunked the long-rumored "All Smiles" title but did promise an "industrial, subversive and polished" sound for the album.

A day prior, Bari called Rocky "burnt out" on one of Rocky's IG posts, fueling speculation there's some serious friction between them.

Although no A$AP Mobbers have publicly addressed any conflict, Bari's bone to pick could stem from Rocky's recent "Drink Champs" interview where he casually referred to Bari as a "Lil n****" while reliving a Jay-Z tale back in the day.

Jay-Z apparently wasn't feeling the "Goldie" lyrics comparing his Ace of Spades champagne to "racist" champagne and had a word with the crew.

As a co-founding member, Bari is one of the few members of A$AP Mob who doesn't rap, opting to focus on fashion as CEO of streetwear clothing label VLONE.

Master P's family is grieving the loss of his daughter, Tytyana Miller, and cops are working to determine exactly how she died, with initial evidence suggesting it was an overdose.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... drug paraphernalia was found at the scene of Tytyana's death, indicating it might have killed her ... but there were no substances present on the scene.

We're told the autopsy has been completed, but toxicology results will take several weeks.

As we've reported with other cases, fentanyl has been a silent killer in many OD deaths. Our law enforcement sources tell us there's no evidence right now it's connected to Tytyana's death -- but if it shows up in toxicology, we're told LAPD investigators will go into overdrive to find out who supplied the drugs.

As we reported, Master P made the devastating announcement he'd lost Tytyana over the holiday weekend. While he and his family are mourning, Master P tells TMZ ... "The only way that we are going to heal and grow from this is with the truth. It has been a long and painful journey for our family, my daughter has been battling with this since 2015. Mental illness and substance abuse is a real issue and we hope to turn this tragedy into a testimony."

He adds, "As a father, I have always established parameters to protect my children. Unfortunately, when they become adults, they have the legal right to choose who to have relationships with whether healthy or unhealthy."

Tytyana's brother, Romeo Miller, also posted a heartfelt message about his sister, saying, "We appreciate all of the prayers, love, and support, and although this is sad times, I'm forever grateful for the memories I did have with my amazing sister."

Amazingly, even as he grieves, Master P is thinking about other families in the same situation -- "I put my faith and trust in God, I realize that no person is exempt from pain or death. Every day families are dealing with the loss of their loved ones due to mental illness and substance abuse. I have committed to invest my time, resources and passion to help other families affected by these same issues. Our healing process will not end in grief, we will celebrate my daughter's life. Tytyana was inspiring, uplifting, artistic and a loving person who deeply cared for others."

Lil Xan pulled a fast one Tuesday by pulling out of his own headlining 'Born Dead Tour,' leaving fans, and even his touring partners, in limbo!!!

We caught up with Dropout Kings frontman Adam Ramey, who says he and his band of rap-rockers were totally not feeling Lil Xan's abrupt exit … as they are currently stranded in Florida with no shows to play in the meantime, and they're several thousand dollars in the hole.

The tour was supposed to run through the end of July in the U.S. and Europe, but as of now, American fans are left SOL with the European leg still on and popping.

Adam says he and the group felt good about Xan's inclusion on the tour, speaking with him a couple of weeks ago. However, Xan and Dropout Kings were supposed to kick off things at last weekend's So What? Festival, which Xan also skipped without warning -- and Adam says that's when he knew the storm was coming.

Xan recently appeared on Steve-O's 'Wild Ride!' podcast bragging about the tour essentially selling out … a tidbit Adam says is El Capitan.

The "Betrayed" rapper also claims promoters weren't accommodating his demands but as Adam points out, headlining acts typically don't look to the openers for assistance.