TMZ Hip Hop - Page 3

Erica Mena hasn't lost her ability to make a headline despite not being associated with "Love & Hip Hop," and she's not looking to change things ... her stage lights have simply gotten brighter!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Erica this week at the premiere of her upcoming Chris Stokes-directed thriller "Run," in which she costars opposite Annie Ngosi Ilonzeh, Marques Houston, and Drew Sidora ... and she couldn't be happier.

Erica didn't return to 'L&HH' after clashing with dancehall star Spice, but Erica tells us she doubts she officially got banned ... more like, scapegoated.

Glasses Malone has assembled his West Coast troops to saddle up against Drake ... through a music video that paints Champagne Papi as all types of snitches for filing a lawsuit after essentially losing his rap battle to Kendrick Lamar!!!

Along with veteran rappers Jurassic 5 and their new-age counterparts L.A. Giantz, Glasses released the "Wanted" video.

The 6-minute visual depicts the inside a courtroom, complete with cameos from court reporter Meghann M. Cuniff and hip hop podcaster Justin "The Company Man" Hunte -- and a FAKE DRAKE!!!

Bryson Tiller's 2015 debut album "T R A P S O U L" went on to create an entire new lane for artists -- a vision the lowkey artist says Timbaland couldn't see in real time!!!

While discussing his career trajectory on the "New Rory & MAL" podcast, Tiller says Timbaland was so impressed with his 2015 single, "Don't," the superproducer urged him to quit his job and fly down to Miami to "get to work"... presumably as a signed artist.

Bryson says he banged out "T R A P S O U L" heaters like "Sorry Not Sorry" and "Been That Way" -- but Timbaland was left unimpressed and Bryson was sent back home to Kentucky.

Lil Nas X is breaking his silence over his arrest and subsequent felony charges ... he says it's been a terrifying few days but he's going to be just fine.

The "Old Town Road" rapper just posted on his Instagram Story, recording a selfie video where he addresses his naked arrest for the first time.

Lil Nas X stares into the camera and declares, "Your girl is going to be OK ... she's going to be alright."

Prosecutors say Lil Nas X allegedly assaulted and injured three police officers as they were trying to take him into custody early Thursday ... and now we're getting a sense of what the alleged injuries include.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... one officer suffered an abrasion on their head, another hurt his hand, and a third suffered a back sprain.

We're told the cop with the alleged back issue went to the hospital for further medical attention and was sent home for a week to recover.

Cardi B made her debut in court Monday for her civil trial in which a former security guard said the rapper ridiculed her, spit on her, and even cut her with a fingernail!

Emani Ellis took the stand in a Los Angeles courtroom and testified she first encountered Cardi at a Beverly Hills obstetrician's office, where Cardi had an appointment while 4 months pregnant in 2018.

Ellis testified she spotted Cardi and said, "Wow, that's Cardi B," prompting Cardi to get in her face and accuse her of using her phone to spread word of Cardi's private medical visit.

9:05 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ there was NO taser used. The use of force that officers used was "a firm grip."

Police scanner audio from the Lil Nas X arrest in Studio City is shedding more light on his interaction with police ... and it sounds like cops deployed a Taser.

Check out the audio ... a police dispatcher is heard saying a Black male is walking towards Universal Studios in the middle of the street, completely in the nude.

Police claim the man -- later identified as Nas -- was running towards officers ... and then you hear the apparent sound of a Taser gun being fired.

Ice Cube and the Big3 had a very good day, celebrating the Goodyear Blimp’s 100th Anniversary with his classic song, “It Was a Good Day" ... and his lyrics hold up!!!

To stamp home the BIG3 Championship Sunday in Orlando, Goodyear and Ice Cube presented a special blimp takeover featuring Cube's 1993 bars, “Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp/And it read, ‘Ice Cube’s a Pimp.'"

The partnership will be shakin' 'em up all through the arenas of the "Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude" tour, which kicks off September 4 -- the legendary rapper's first headlining tour in over a decade.

3:35 PM PT -- L.A. DA Nathan Hochman issued a press release confirming that Lil Nas X injured 3 police officers and faces up to 5 years in state prison if convicted on the charges.

Lil Nas X is back on the street ... but he's not walking home naked down Ventura Blvd. ... he's riding around in a Jeep dressed in his blue jail jumpsuit after posting bail.

The "Old Town Road" rapper was just freed on $75,000 bond and we got him leaving a county jail in Van Nuys ... and he was in no mood to talk to our photog.

Nas beelined it for a white Jeep that was parked waiting for him ... climbing in the back seat and driving off as paparazzi chased after him.

Snoop Dogg says he's scared to take his grandkids to the cinema after being ambushed with questions about a lesbian couple in a kids movie ... but Ts Madison says Snoop is just being homophobic.

The TV personality joined us Monday on "TMZ Live," and we asked her about Snoop's controversial LGBTQ comments on a recent podcast.

Snoop said he took one of his grandkids to see "Lightyear" a couple years ago, and got blitzed with questions after a scene where two female characters had a baby together. He said he wasn't prepared for such content or the questions from grandson.

Lil Nas X's dad tells TMZ Hip Hop his world-famous son is doing well mentally ... despite being charged with 4 felonies after his now infamous naked adventure in L.A.

Robert Stafford was rushed by reporters in DTLA where he told us his son was focused on getting the help he needed, yet denied he was suffering from drug abuse.

As you know, Lil Nas X was taken to the hospital for a suspected OD, but was eventually transported to the Van Nuys Jail after officers say he injured 3 of them while dressed in absolutely nothing.

Lil Wayne’s Chicago concert Sunday night ended with a heartfelt moment with a longtime fan ... who fulfilled a 17-year-old wish to meet her GOAT rapper!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained photos of Wayne backstage at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre having an emotional meet-and-greet with Sade Stephens and her mother, Andrea Carson.

In addition to taking photos and chatting it up with Sade and Andrea, Wayne took off his cross pendant and chain, and gave it to Sade.

Andrea called the moment one of the best days of her daughter's life, which was forever changed 17 years ago ... just as she was expecting to see Wayne in concert for the first time.

Lil Nas X is now facing years in prison ... because the L.A. County District Attorney has charged him with 4 felonies ... including battery with injury on a police officer.

TMZ broke the story ... the "Old Town Road" rapper was naked on Ventura Blvd. in the San Fernando Valley when cops were called. They say when they confronted him, he charged the officers ... and presumably injured at least 3 of them -- hence the 3 felony charges.

Nas was also hit with a felony charge of resisting an executive officer -- i.e., a cop.

Ray J's expanding his hosting duties on the "TMZ After Dark Tour" ... because now he's helping host birthday parties.

Saturday's tour featured a b-day charter ... and the footage is absolutely wild ... with a bunch of ladies dressed up like "The Wizard of Oz" ... including one super fun Oompa Loompa!!!

Ray J grabbed someone's phone and started recording as the whole bus sang and danced to the Kelly Clarkson classic jam, "Since U Been Gone."

Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan are considering taking legal action against one Diddy accuser after they were named in a suit ... which has since been thrown out.

We caught up with the powerhouse couple in New York City this week, where both Gloria and Emilio separately suggested to TMZ that they were thinking about suing after a man name dropped them -- and their Miami home -- in human trafficking claims against the Bad Boy Records founder.

Lil Nas X isn't looking to put on a show for his cellmates in jail ... choosing instead to keep a low profile and be on his best behavior behind bars, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police haven't had any issues with Lil Nas since he arrived at the jail in Van Nuys this week. We're told the "Old Town Road" rapper hasn't tried to put on any shows or sung for those also at the jail ... though, it's not like he'd have much on an audience.