TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

The NBA's squarely in the sights of the United States Department of Justice over accusations The Association worked to torpedo Ice Cube's Big3 basketball league ... allegations the NBA denies.

TMZ Sports has learned the DOJ launched the inquiry months ago, examining alleged anticompetitive behavior on the part of the NBA, aimed at squashing the Big3's growth.

Those allegations, we're told, range from the NBA purportedly throwing its weight around to prevent sponsors and others potential partners from doing business with the rap legend's league ... to discouraging television networks from carrying Big3 games.

Cube and business partner Jeff Kwatinetz launched the 3-on-3 league, made up almost entirely of retired NBA players, in 2017.

Some current players have expressed a desire to play in Cube's league in the offseason, but we're told, as the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so, putting arbitrary rules in place to stop players from hooping in Ice's league.

FYI, the NBA and Big3 seasons do not overlap.

Of course, it's a regular occurrence for NBA players, including some of the biggest stars in the world like LeBron James, to hoop in non-NBA games after the season ends ... such as L.A.'s famed Drew League.

Big3 officials, according to sources familiar with the investigation, believe they've been unfairly targeted by the NBA.

We've also been told NBA owners have been discouraged from investing in the Big3 while simultaneously owning a franchise.

Referees haven't been immune, either, according to a source ... who says they've been told they cannot officiate for the Big3, despite some working for other organizations outside of the NBA.

A source familiar with the Dept. of Justice investigation tells us Cube and Kwatinetz met with DOJ lawyers during the first half of the year. We're also told investigators have begun reaching out to NBA owners as part of their investigation.

If the government ultimately finds the league committed antitrust violations, the NBA could face a significant fine.

We reached out to the league for comment ... and NBA spokesman Mike Bass, addressing the allegations of sponsorship and TV network interference, pressuring potential Big3 partners, and others, told us, "Those claims are not true."

Bass also added ... "We have been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, but we declined to invest."

Lil Wayne agrees with the masses ... a wax figure with his likeness did a TERRIBLE job capturing his details.

An image of a Weezy F. Baby statue from the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN began to explode across social media Monday ... with many recognizing the figure intended to resemble Wayne, it was close but no cigar.

The figurine nailed the details of Wayne's tattoos but couldn't really nail his face. Many thought it looked more like Toosii with dreads than the Young Money boss.

"Sorry wax museum but dat shit ain’t me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort," Wayne wrote to the curators on Twitter.

Social media users were far less forgiving than Wayne -- equally merciless as the dragging they gave the weird-looking statue of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson earlier this week.

The Hollywood/WWE legend even offered to the museum, this particular one being located in Paris, personal hands-on help to fix the correction.

A$AP Rocky's just knighted his 3 best-dressed rappers ever ... calling Brand Nubian's Grand Puba, Kanye West and Pharrell as the most jiggy to ever do it!!!

Rocky made the selections Monday in a new convo with Complex as the Harlem rapper's currently on a mission to put more people into Formula 1 racing gear.

Puba's the senior man of the bunch, which explains why Rocky named him first ... the NYC legend was putting himself on display in big gold rope necklaces and Tommy Hilfiger in the '80s and '90s ... a definitive pioneer for a swag that still exists to this day.

He's still fly and active to this day -- he just performed alongside dozens of fellow hip hop legends at the City of Hope fundraiser last week!!!

Kanye's and Pharrell's contributions to the fashion world extend well past the average rapper's benchmarks ... Ye's made Adidas billions of bucks with his Yeezy shoe empire ... a windfall the company felt in its chest after their split last year.

And, Pharrell's the current head of Louis Vuitton Men's department ... not your run-of-the-mill gig and he's still giving top props to Kanye!!!

Rick Ross isn't buying Jay-Z's answer to that ol' question -- $500k or dinner with him -- because the MMG rapper says his personal experience with Jay netted him way more cash!!!

Jay-Z shot down all the folks who'd opt for the dinner, thinking he'd say something life-changing that would make the meal more valuable than a half a million dollars -- but Rozay begs to differ.

Ahead of the release of his "Trilla" album in 2008, Rozay says he had dinner with Jay at Philippe Chow in NYC, where the Roc Nation boss instructed him to write songs for their intended impact ... as opposed to just rapping over beats he liked.

Ross remembers cutting his workload in half and seeing his stock rise -- it pays to work smarter, not harder!!!

Jay hopped on the album as well ... kicking off the famed "Maybach Music" series and Rozay says his career catapulted to another level.

Now, that being said ... Rick walked into that dinner with Jay already being a talented artist ... so, he understands why a normie -- without that kinda head start -- would take the money and run.

Blueface was lucky to only get probation for his involvement in a shooting at a Vegas strip club, but he's now been ordered to pay an astonishing $13 million in damages to the club's owner.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Euphoric Gentleman's Club sued Blueface over the incident, claiming his business was ruined because of the shooting incident ... and just won summary judgment in the amount of $13,072,482.

If you missed it, the club's owner erupted following the shooting, calling for Blueface's arrest and then some ... and now the court agrees he's gotta pay up.

The whopping bill is broken down into several categories ... $12.6 million in lost revenue, lease damages of $198K, $84k in payroll expenses to employees who had to be paid following the club's Nov. 2022 shutdown, and more.

BF received a suspended sentence after taking a plea deal in the criminal case related to the incident, meaning he'll only have 3 years of probation and won't be serving any time behind bars if he keeps his nose clean.

Paul Costict, one of the original members of the rap group B-Rock and The Bizz -- famous for the single "My Baby Daddy" -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.

Paul died unexpectedly Saturday at his home in Norfolk, VA ... according to a family member. The cause of death is unclear.

While it's unclear exactly how he died, the family member tells us they spoke to Paul Wednesday, he seemed to be in good spirits ... but mentioned recently being sick.

As hip hop fans may know ... B-Rock and The Bizz are a one-hit wonder, thanks to their 1997 single, "My Baby Daddy," which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard charts back in the day.

The song earned gold certification and Paul eventually ended up in a bitter dispute over his gold album with his ex-wife, Lasancious ... the exes fought over his plaque in a TV episode of "Divorce Court."

In addition to being a member of the band, we're told Paul was also the group's road manager.

Fellow band member Thaddeus "T-Bird" Maye grew up with Paul in Alabama and is remembering him as "a very funny and Kool brother."

Paul was 57.

Chris Brown could be the next California resident to pack up and find some new surroundings -- the R&B megastar says he's moving on from the Golden State.

Chris posted Monday ... "LA it's been FUN. Cali will always be my second home but I think it's time for me to try something different." He buttoned his farewell note with a 💗, so it doesn't appear there's anything too heavy behind the move.

Breezy's time in Cali has been the backdrop for virtually all his major headlines -- good and bad.

He's fended off noise and party complaints from neighbors for years at several of his residences -- and also dazzled fans with yard sales, liquidating rare clothing and memorabilia items.

Of course, he's also been pinched under the state's criminal justice system a few times -- most infamously for the 2009 Rihanna beating.

42 Dugg's wasting no time delivering his first song since getting outta prison ... the Detroit rapper is already celebrating his "first day out" with a new track!!!

We previously reported Yo Gotti took Dugg straight to the studio after he was sprung free after serving over a year for illegal gun possession, and Monday we got the end result ... the defiant "Go Again" single, giving fans the impression he kept his pen sharp while behind bars.

The Diesel Films video captures more footage of Gotti and Dugg's initial exchange before he reunited with his other exec connect, none other than Lil Baby.

The "We Paid" rappers picked up like they never left ... parting ways with plenty of cash inside Magic City for the hard-working dancers.

E-40 put his Bay Area hub of Vallejo, CA on the hip hop map over 30 years ago -- an accomplishment honored for over the weekend -- October 21 will now be known as "E-40 Day" in his hometown.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained footage of the joyous occasion … we’re told nearly 200 members from the legendary rapper’s family — including those from The Click — turned out. Mistah F.A.B and hundreds of fans also turned out to see Magazine St. renamed to “E-40 Way.”

40 planted a kiss on the street sign ... a full circle smackeroo having been photographed 20 years ago at the same spot to promote his 2003 album "Breakin News!!!"

The "Choices" rapper is only the 2nd person in Vallejo's 172-year history to receive the Key to the City and Mayor Robert McConnell blessed him with the proclamation to prove it.

Busta Rhymes is demanding all the lights, camera, and action for his upcoming eleventh studio album so much, he's naming it "BlockBusta" and handpicked the 3 best producers EVER ... to craft his latest project!!!

On Monday, Busta assembled his version of the Avengers ... Pharrell Williams, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz to hold down the executive production of the "BlockBusta” album.

Busta's team tells TMZ Hip Hop the album is dropping in just one month, November 24 to be precise, via The Conglomerate Entertainment and Epic Records.

Of course, the legendary rapper is excited about the legion of soundmen he's put together. In fact, he's dubbing the album a royal affair ... nicknaming Pharrell as "The Pharoh," Timbaland as "The King," and Swizz Beatz humbly refers to himself as "The Student."

Blueface and his new fiancee Jaidyn Alexis clearly have no interest in watching their beloved L.A. Rams play -- instead, they hosted a full-on stripper party inside a SoFi Stadium suite.

As his music pulsated through the stadium speakers Sunday, Blueface tossed hundreds of one-dollar bills in the air as a crew of strippers twerked and flashed their thongs for the crowd.

Blueface was feeling the whole scene, and instructed the guy on camera to go get his freak on, while he supplied the money to make it rain.

The "Thotiana" rapper wasn't stingy -- he tossed plenty of cash at onlooking fans, as well as the dancers. For good measure ... he also shared several chicken wings.

Rams fans probably shouldn't get used to this kinda scene ... we're guessing Rams/SoFi Stadium staff didn't approve the quasi-strip club routine.

However, this party didn't just include mostly naked dancers -- there was a proposal as well. That's right, Blueface popped the question to Jaidyn and she happily accepted. So ya, lot's going on inside that suite.

Everyone seems to be happy for them ... except for Chrisean Rock, who didn't share in her baby daddy's good fortune over the weekend.

She was spotted at Loody Boy's birthday party getting royally curved attempting to twerk on someone.

Jay-Z is advising all Twitter philosophers out there to take the proverbial "$500,000" over having dinner with him ... he's saying all the "jewels" they think they'll get are in his old albums!!!

HOV weighed in on the viral social media question Monday with Gayle King on "CBS Mornings," where he finally gave fans the answer key ... well, his, at least.

In case you’re not hip, fans have been having a field day with the topic for YEARS ... debating if having just ONE dinner with Jay is worth more than $500K cash upfront.

Clearly an obvious choice for many, but some have argued that Jay will bless them with the missing link to create their own billion-dollar empire!!!

Jay’s not exactly disagreeing with them, but he’s saying there’s a $499,989.01 discount just for listening to one of his old albums!!!

He touted cash-saving tactics on his last released album “4:44” back in 2017, and way back in 2009, he infamously rapped the lines ... "HOV on that new s**t, n****s like "How come?" N****s want my old s**t, buy my old albums."

Jay says he didn't name a batch of his albums "The Blueprint" just because ... he says the songs contain his life's work and everything he rapped about became true.

The Internet seems to think Lil Baby got caught in a sex act that would suggest he's into men -- but the dude's speaking up and calling BS ... while telling everyone to cool their jets.

The rapper is trending right now because of a viral video that's making the rounds -- which is sexually explicit and graphic ... depicting a man giving another man fellatio. It's one of those weird, fuzzy recordings of a recording type of clip ... the source of which is unknown.

The man who can be seen in the clip apparently bares a passing resemblance to Lil Baby -- at least that's what a lot of people believe, anyway ... a notion that's further fueled by a caption that's partially covering this guy's full face, which reads "Nah lil baby 😭."

In other words, some random clip of a guy giving oral sex to another man was screen recorded, someone attached Lil Baby's name to it ... and then tried passing it off as legit.

Of course, Twitter's having a field day with this right now ... with a ton mean-spirited and homophobic jokes flying at LB's expense -- but he's already pouring cold water on it all.

He took to his IG Stories and wrote quite clearly, "Y'all gotta stop using my name and likeness when y'all get bored , then the extremes mfs go to for clout is sick. Ain't no mystery in my history on NO LEVEL. This is my last time addressing any kind of dumb ass click bait."

So, there you have it ... Lil Baby's saying definitively it isn't him. Also, FWIW, the guy that's in this viral video could be anybody -- it doesn't even really look like LB based on what you can see, and considering his face is heavily obscured ... even more reason to be dubious.

Will Ferrell's been revisiting his old hits lately, including this weekend -- when he teamed up with John C. Reilly to honor none other than Snoop Dogg ... who hit a big milestone.

Indeed ... the notorious 'Step Brothers' got together to sing one of their ditties from the movie Saturday night in L.A. -- where Will hosting some benefit concert at the Greek Theater, and where the two former costars got onstage to belt out a fan fave, 'Boats and Hoes.'

Fans of the film remember that one well -- only this time, a surprise guest was added to their lineup, and that'd be Snoop, who was celebrating his 52nd birthday from the day prior.

The performance, as it turns out, was mostly led by the Doggfather ... who fit in flawlessly.

You can tell Will and John really wanted to make Snoop feel special -- because at one point during all the fun, they presented him with a 3-tier birthday cake ... which SD was proud to show off on social media.

Lil Yachty seems to be responsible for getting his own concert canceled early this weekend -- because not long before the plug got pulled ... he was telling folks to come on down.

The rapper was performing Saturday night in Vancouver, BC ... and toward the beginning of his set at the University of British Columbia's Thunderbird Arena -- which looked to be packed -- the ticketholders could be seen pouring down onto the main floor and rushing the stage.

Take a look for yourself ... in footage obtained by TMZ -- you can see tons of young people descending toward the mosh pit area of the arena, seemingly at LY's behest.

Eyewitnesses tell us Yachty was shouting "fill it up" as he was starting to perform the very first song of his set list ... and his fans obliged, with tons of folks climbing over railings and security guards to get to the mosh pit area and be as close to Yachty as possible.

We're told Yachty did 3 or 4 songs under these conditions, but then his mic was cut off and the house lights came on. Someone over the speaker told everyone to go back to their seats -- something Yachty himself encouraged, saying the show would be over if they didn't.

Sounds like people didn't head back fast enough ... 'cause our sources say when Yachty trying launching into yet another song, the sound was gone -- and the gig was canceled.

Sisqó has nothing but love for his fellow R&B maestro Mario -- but thinks his self-appointed spot on "the Mt. Rushmore of R&B" needs an immediate reality check!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Dru Hill frontman at LAX and the Song" creator just couldn't believe his eardrums. If you recall, Mario recently fixed his lips with the utmost confidence to tell us he deserves to be immortalized alongside Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Beyoncé!!!

Quite the lofty claim -- a little too lofty for Sisqó's tastes, who thinks Mario needs to have a couple of seats behind him -- in addition to the other legends he named!!!

Sisqó and Mario both hail from Baltimore a generation apart ... but Sisqó tells us he's clearly the big man on the harbor and questioned if Mario's catalog even came close to outselling his.

Record sales don't measure the complete scale of an artist but as a platinum-selling soloist and group member ... we're confident Sisqó has the upper hand here. 🤷🏾‍♂️

Sisqó says he and Dru watched Mario come up and it's all 410 love at the end of the day ... but won't stand to be succeeded without the proper credentials!!!

Elsewhere, two of Sisqó biggest music favs just experienced a collision course -- Drake and the late Michael Jackson are now tied for No. 1 hits amongst male artists.