TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Ray J and his estranged wife, Princess Love, have had their share of ups and downs over the years -- but it appears they've smoothed things out ... at least for his birthday.

Ray turned 42 Tuesday and was live on Instagram most of the night ... broadcasting from a Vegas hotel he and Princess rented out to throw his children a party in his honor.

The music was blasting and performers in Mickey and Minnie Mouse, "Toy Story" Woody and Buzz Lightyear costumes kept the kids occupied as Ray preached to the camera.

Ray says his middle-age status has made him appreciate the finer things in life -- like seeing his kids happy and starting "fresh" with Princess -- despite they fact they're going through a divorce.

TMZ broke the story in October 2021 ... Ray filed for divorce from Princess, citing irreconcilable differences, the case is still ongoing.

Princess spoke to us back in March about the hurdles she and Ray have faced, but didn't seem to be all that concerned about the divorce ... so maybe she felt it would work itself out.

Ray's been alarming fans as of late ... posting cryptic messages that hinted at self-harm and picking a bone with Tyrese of all people.

G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo is sharing his own experience in a similar situation to the one that ended deadly for Takeoff, and the clear pattern is ... dice games tend to go awry.

Coming up in Jamaica, Queens, Yayo says he's seen a ton of dice games go sour and recalled a brush with death he had while shooting dice inside an NYC barbershop years ago.

Yayo says he and his friends were celebrating as they were cleaning the guy outta his rent money, but afterward the loser asked for “a walk.”

Yayo explained to DJ Vlad “a walk” is when someone asks for a portion of their money back, so they won’t go home totally broke and disgusted.

Yayo says he was cordial with the guy, but when he refused to give up some of the winnings ... an argument resulted in gunfire, which Tony oddly described as a “friendly shootout.”

Dice games have been a touchy subject within the hip hop community since Takeoff’s Nov. 1 death in Houston following a not-so-friendly encounter.

The Golden State Warriors returned to The White House to celebrate their 2021-2022 NBA Season championship -- but it wasn't just members of the team who went -- Oakland hip hop legends joined in too!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained photos and videos of E-40, Too $hort, Sway Calloway and Mistah F.A.B. at the White House during the reception, posting up with V.P. Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

We’re told V.P. Harris was excited to meet 40 and $hort ... being a proud Oakland native herself, and the guys got to swap stories with Pelosi and her husband, Paul.

The hip hop stars are regulars at The Chase Center, supporting the Warriors through thick and thin -- so it's not totally shocking they were able to tag along. The group also got a pic in with players Andre Iguodala and Moses Moody.

Outside on the White House grounds, 40, $hort and F.A.B. discussed Oakland streetwear legacy and later connected with former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for a photo-op.

We spoke with $hort earlier this season about the potential for this year's squad, and he’s adamant the Warriors will win another chip with ease.

Last year marked the Warriors’ 4th championship in recent years, but it was their first trip back to the White House since 2015, after refusing to celebrate with Donald Trump.

Tory Lanez might not be staring down a 22-year prison sentence if he'd hired renowned defense attorney Jose Baez during the trial ... at least according to Baez, who's feeling good about winning an appeal.

Tory's new high-powered lawyer -- who famously won an acquittal for Casey Anthony --  joined us Tuesday on "TMZ Live," saying he's ready to go all out for Tory too, but, interestingly ... said he regrets the fact Tory didn't call him in for the trial.

While Baez wouldn't reveal too many specifics prior to going before the judge, he strongly insinuated there were things he would've done differently if he were repping Lanez during his trial for shooting Megan Thee Stallion.

That being said, he told us he's confident there were procedural errors made -- partly because it was a high-profile trial -- and that will be the foundation of Tory's appeal of the conviction.

As for how Tory's doing in jail while awaiting sentencing ... Baez says his client's never been convicted before, so he's never gone through anything like this, but says he's trying to make adjustments.

As we reported, Lanez pulled out all the stops last week, retaining David Kenner, Matthew Barhoma and Baez to work on his appeal.

Iggy Azalea might've lied about never joining OnlyFans, but she says she's keeping it all the way real when it comes to the numbers her surprise subscription is putting up.

The "Fancy" rapper debunked some widespread reports her new OF account earned $307,000 Tuesday, after its first 24 hours in existence.

Iggy says the staggering figures were pulled from "thin air" ... but she's still hyping the new account, which she calls the start of her "slut era," promising "hotter than hell" content ... leaving the door open for her music career.

Iggy previously stood tall on the notion she would never join OF ... writing in April 2021, "I think onlyfans can be really empowering for people, But I WILL NEVER, EVVVER join.
I don’t want to make that type of content & it only f***s up the bag for ppl on there who really bout that life. Shoutout to the baddies tho!!!!"

The change of heart towards OF appears to be a backup -- now that her would-be album executive producer Tory Lanez is behind bars!!!

We spoke to Tory shortly before his trial for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, which, as you know, he eventually lost, but he was genuinely excited about working with Iggy ... claiming to have been working on a "new classic" like her famed IG handle.

Usher and Pusha T have yet to unify for a record throughout their illustrious careers, but that could change, seeing how eager their convo was in Paris while checking out some fashion.

The R&B legend was at the Wales Bonner Autumn/Winter 2023 show when he ran into King Push. The fellas dapped it up, exchanged pleasantries ... and at the end, Ursh told the Clipse rapper, "We gonna make it really happen."

Push was all smiles and appeared to be in agreement. Get these 2 some studio time and a producer!!!

The bright orange hairdo Usher's been rocking for a couple of months finally got the attention it was seeking with the string of international posts -- and as you can imagine, the IG haters have been roasting him like a chestnut at Christmastime.

Tuesday marked a big day for Usher outside the fashion show ... his Lovers & Friends Festival announced a blistering lineup with Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Bow Wow, Omarion, Soulja Boy, and way too many other superstar names to list in this sentence.

Cardi B was back in front of the judge in her strip club beatdown case after failing to start the community service portion of her plea deal ... and now she's got a new deadline.

The "WAP" rapper showed up Tuesday to a courthouse in Queens, where the judge gave Cardi until March 1 to complete her sentence, which includes 15 days of community service.

A rep for the Queens District Attorney tells TMZ ... Cardi was supposed to complete her community service by Tuesday, but so far, Cardi has done ZERO hours.

Cardi made a fashion statement at court ... rocking a huge fur coat over a skintight dress, strutting around in Louboutin heels and hiding her eyes behind Christian Dior sunglasses.

As we reported ... Cardi copped a plea deal back in September, pleading guilty to 3rd-degree assault and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors, and received 15 days of community service as part of the deal.

Drew Findling, who reps Cardi, tells TMZ ... "Personally and professionally, Cardi is dedicated to community service and charitable endeavors. She therefore appreciates the court giving her until March 1st to complete her community service commitment in Queens, New York."

We're told Cardi will be doing community service this week.

Remember ... Cardi was accused of ordering an attack on 2 strip club bartenders, Jade and Baddie Gi, way back in August 2018 ... and she was arrested and booked a few months later for her alleged role in the strip club fight.

Drake and 21 Savage clearly aren't on the same page promoting their "Her Loss" album to start the new year.

The OVO rapper released the video for one of his solo songs from the album, "Jumbotron S**t Poppin," just hours after 21 got into a ridiculously heated argument on Clubhouse ... one that would surprise no one if it spawned an investigation!!!

Per his usual video treatments, director Tristan C-M splices clips of Drake hanging out with his famous pals -- Lil Baby, Mike Tyson, French Montana, Lenny Kravitz and Central Cee -- and adds some luxury items, like a golden PSP and Rolexes, and Drake rapping in front of a bright red Lamborghini.

Drake's been wooing fans with access to Pharrell's custom jewelry in the form of a 22 karat gold, diamond-encrusted skateboard pendant, and upped the ante in 'Jumbotron' ... brandishing Pharrell's Jacob & Co. piece that features N*E*R*D members glowing in rare stones. The chain and pendant actually sold at an auction last November for $2.184 million.

21 Savage raised eyebrows for not being fully featured on "Her Loss" -- which might explain why he got so heated Monday during a now viral argument on Clubhouse ... just ahead of the 'Jumbotron' video release.

21 and a group of people were arguing over who had the bigger war chest between people in Atlanta and Chicago ... and the 'Slaughter Gang' rapper bragged about his crew's winning streak while yelling "you gon' die" repeatedly throughout the audio clip.

Drake will just be a spectator for Trippie Redd’s upcoming feature-filled project -- but that’s perfectly fine with the megastar rapper.

Trippie dropped off the intimidating tracklist Monday for his "Mansion Musik" album, which comes fully loaded with guest appearances from Chief Keef, Future, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Kodak Black, DaBaby ... the list literally goes on.

Drake couldn't contain his excitement and fired off a series of emojis in the comment section, prompting Trippie to respond with the #MM hashtag.

Trippie told his followers he would let off the release date at 80k likes ... which has since been obliterated by nearly a million clicks.

Sources close to the project tell TMZ Hip Hop that Trippie is actually dropping "Mansion Musik" this Friday, January 20 -- so fans won't have to wait much longer to hear him paired with some of the best in rap!!!

He'll also update his barren IG profile pic with the project's cover art later today as well.

Lil Tjay’s getting a raw deal from the NYPD, at least according to his legal team which believes cops had no business searching the "Calling My Phone" rapper's car, leading to his arrest for gun possession.

Attorney Dawn Florio tells TMZ Hip Hop ... Tjay was just a passenger inside the vehicle alongside several other people, and she insists the vehicle was parked legally on the street.

Once police arrived, Florio claims they gave no reason for searching the vehicle and, perhaps most importantly ... she adds, the gun they found does not belong to Tjay.

So, she's claiming the traffic stop itself was bogus -- and, therefore, cops had no right to arrest her client.

Florio thinks NYPD targeted Tjay on account of the social media posts he and fellow Bronx-born rapper Ice Spice put out to promote the filming of the music video for their "Gangsta Boo" collaboration.

Lil Tjay’s arrest for gun possession didn’t completely ruin Ice Spice’s day -- she shot the video for her own single instead.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained video footage of Ice Spice shooting the video in her hometown Bronx neighborhood for her recently released single "In Ha Mood."

The track has already been winning on Spotify and TikTok and will appear on her debut EP dropping sometime this year.

Ice had originally planned to film her "Gangsta Boo" collaboration with Lil Tjay on Monday, but the “Calling My Phone” rapper was apprehended by officers after a traffic stop on Monday ... forcing her to switch up the production.

NYPD arrested Lil Tjay Monday in the Bronx, and now the rapper's in police custody for an alleged weapons violation.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Hip Hop that Tjay was arrested following a traffic stop in the Bronx, while on his way to film with fellow NYC rapper Ice Spice. We're told officers found a handgun in Tjay's vehicle, and then arrested him.

The 21-year-old is going to be booked for weapon possession, and is currently on his way to an NYPD station.

The news comes on the heels of Tjay’s full recovery after being shot multiple times last summer.

Kanye West's legal team wants to officially say they're finished representing the rapper in a lawsuit -- and they're planning on doing so in a very public way.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Greenberg Traurig, LLP claims there's been "a breakdown in communication" with Kanye, as they attempt to let him know they're off of the case. They say Ye apparently deactivated the phone number they previously used to get in touch with him.

As a result, the docs say the company's looking to use "alternative means" to reach him ... which includes putting ads out in 2 L.A.-based newspapers, and publishing the order from the judge, which allows them to withdraw from the case, for all to see.

The docs say the goal is to inform the rapper about the order -- and seeing as he's incommunicado, this is the best option left to give him notice. The firm says it's aware the publication would "likely garner significant media attention, resulting in broader publication."

AllHipHop was first to find the documents about the newspaper ad.

For those unaware, K.W.'s been pretty MIA since he announced his love for Hitler and Nazis on Alex Jones' "InfoWars" last year.

TMZ broke the story, however -- we learned Kanye and Yeezy architectural designer Bianca Censori recently had some sort of wedding ceremony ... though we're told it doesn't appear they've filed a marriage certificate to make it legal.

Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul is clarifying some things following his now-viral response to missing Gangsta Boo's funeral, but tells TMZ Hip Hop he was still on the frontlines when it mattered the most.

In a statement, the Oscar-award-winning rapper confirmed his absence, but did admit to helping foot the bill.

He says, "The fact that I had to even address negative things being said behind the scenes is really bothersome, I spearheaded the planning and paid for the majority of Boo’s funeral. Others reached out to assist as their way of showing Boo love. It was only right to include them, as we all loved Boo."

We're told others such as Juicy J, 8Ball & MJG, and other kin all chipped in for the services and Paul wants the entire ordeal to be water under the bridge.

He concludes, "I have previously stated why I did not attend the funeral and this is exactly why, as I think bringing the attention is not appropriate. Boo and my relationship was ours alone, she knew (and knows) where my heart was in it. I don't have to explain that to anybody."

Paul let out his fiery Instagram response to fans around 4 AM Sunday morning, Paul explained how his presence at funerals unjustly attracts groupies and freeloaders.

Paul also dug further into the trolls with a history lesson … revealing he discovered Gangsta Boo as a teenager and oversaw all her top records.

The funeral still had a huge turnout — hundreds of mourners including fellow artists Drumma Boy, La Chat and GloRilla, Hittkidd, Memphitz and Glitter Gloss were among the filled the Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven, MS to pay their respects.

Gangsta Boo's close friends Juicy J, Yelawolf and DJ EFN also sent in videos to make up for their absences, clearly wearing their emotions on their sleeves in the clips.

Funkmaster Flex is having a sudden change of heart -- one that could potentially anger the rest of his New York rap base, because he’s decided to play Tekashi 6ix9ine’s music again after previously banning him.

The longtime Hot 97 personality's decision was swayed by 6ix9ine's latest post ... which featured the rainbow-haired rap star on a plane with a mound of cash he says totals $1M, unafraid of any potential threats as he trekked back to the East Coast.

Back in 2021, 6ix9ine ignited Funk Flex's musical interest when he previewed his "ZAZA" single but the DJ ultimately refused to play the track over the street code he says no longer exists ... mainly because rappers aren't signing up to do 5 years behind bars to support their gang anymore!!!

Funk Flex saluted Bobby Shmurda, Rowdy Rebel, Fetty Wap, Boosie Badazz and Young Thug as the last of a dying breed of rappers who don't give statements to the police ... an obvious dig at Gunna, who's been losing friends on IG -- such as Lil Baby, Lil Durk and recently Meek Mill -- for taking a plea deal in the YSL RICO case.

6ix9ine has been teasing a musical comeback for a while now, and Flex wants it to happen this Thursday on his primetime show, so he can drop bombs on a new record!!!

Gangsta Boo’s funeral this past Saturday was just as hectic as one can imagine for a prominent rap star ... and technical difficulties with the video files in order to play them on the church's projector prevented some star-studded video tributes from being presented to mourners.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained videos from Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J, Drink Champs cohost DJ EFN and Yelawolf … all of who somberly shared fond memories of the late "Where Dem Dollas At" rapper.

Juicy, like DJ Paul, missed GB’s funeral but sent in a video from his studio, crowning her the “Queen of Memphis” and sending out prayers to the fam, friends and fans.

Juicy says making the video was hard enough, and he and GB had a great conversation just a couple of months ago after a show … and was devastated to see their journey cut short.

GB’s longtime friend and collaborator Yelawolf also referred to the late rapper as family… revealing their bond was so deep even his mother had forged a friendship with Boo over the years.

Yela’s video was interrupted midway by a semi-truck horn and the Alabama rapper hilariously attributed the moment to GB pranking him.

Yelawolf recruited GB for his debut album on Eminem’s label back in 2012, and says they had a relationship only the 2 of them would understand.

EFN says his real-life appreciation for GB came well before they got wasted on "Drink Champs" … citing their 2019 meeting at SXSW as their formal introduction before taping the show just a few months ago.

GB had been trying to get on "Drink Champs" for some time but EFN says she didn’t have an ego about it ... and they were able to shoot an iconic episode and even remain friends down the line.

Three 6 Mafia leader DJ Paul took a lot of flak for missing the service — and let off a volcano's worth of steam Sunday night … ripping into trolls with claims he paid for the funeral and was tied up on the road for his tour.

Sources involved in GB’s funeral tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Paul did indeed contribute to the funeral, but didn't pay for the full ceremony. We’ve reached out to him for further clarity.