TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Travis Scott is giving back -- chipping in millions for community-based initiatives that'll help out students, aspiring creatives and even future concert-goers.

The rapper is launching what he calls Project HEAL -- which is a multi-tier effort that's going to pour a ton of cash toward causes Travis sees as important. As far as the amount here ... we're talking $5 million, and he's dispersing that money on multiple fronts.

For starters, $1 mil is being earmarked for HBCU scholarships -- and it sounds like he'll be using his previously-established Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund to allocate, manage and disperse these awards for underserved but high-achieving Black scholars.

Scott and co. aim to assist at least 100 students with this dough, aiding them in getting over the finish line in their senior year. The academic criteria ... averaging a 3.5 GPA or higher.

There's more ... the rest of the $5 million is being divvied up for a few different enterprises, including establishing/providing free mental health programs for vulnerable kids ... as well as expanding his creative design program -- offered through his Cactus Jack Foundation.

He's also allocating funds to make sure music fans are safe at shows going forward ... something that touches him personally. That money will go to the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Task Force on Event Safety ... with a tech-driven approach toward that end.

Of course, Astroworld comes to mind -- where 10 people died as a result of injuries sustained during Travis' set -- the causes of which are still under investigation. As we've reported, several victims and victims' families have filed lawsuits against Travis, Live Nation and others.

Kanye West penned a super ominous poem about his death -- an event he says has already occurred -- and the foundation of his premise is murder.

The poem is pretty incredible, and it appears to be a case of art imitating life. If we can be so bold to interpret ... it seems he's telegraphing that all of his recent struggles -- notably his divorce from Kim Kardashian -- has left him lifeless, but he didn't realize it until now.

The poem -- which begins with "No one wanted to tell me I was DEAD" -- is a sad and lonely account of his demise ... people coming to his grave sprinkling bread on the ground so the birds could be fed.

There seems to be references to the divorce ... "My kids would dance for me in a home I once led" -- seemingly referring to the fact Kim now owns the family house.

He also airs some grievances ... "Everything was wrong in the press that I read."

He then reveals in poetic fashion how he met his demise ... I found out one day at the newsstand in purgatory there was a front page article of my murderer's story." He does not identify the murderer.

Drake is looking to unload his "Yolo Estate" -- TMZ has learned he just listed the Hidden Hills mansion, and the place looks like a luxury resort.

Champagne Papi actually owns 3 homes right next to each other in the exclusive neighborhood, and they are all for sale ... if the buyer wants more than just the 12,500 square foot main home, for which he's asking $14.8 million.

The main residence is an English Tudor, and it comes with all the bells and whistles ... like 6 fireplaces, a wine cellar, tasting room and a theater that seats 25.

The primary bedroom suite is fit for a king ... that alone is nearly 2,000 square feet, and it features a partner's spa with marble soaking tubs.

The property is decked out with a huge swimming pool, swim-up bar, 80-foot long rock waterslide, spa grotto and waterfalls. Yeah, waterfalls.

Oh, and there are also courts to play tennis, basketball and sand volleyball ... plus a horse stable and an equestrian ring. Scared of riding real animals? Drizzy's got ya covered because the place comes with a mechanical bull.

For anyone who is all about the YOLO life, Drake is also selling the 2 estates next door, making for a 6.7 acre compound at the end of a cul-de-sac. You can have all 3 properties for a sweet $22.2 million package deal.

Rayni Williams and Branden Williams from The Beverly Hills Estates hold the listings.

Antonio Brown says he and Kanye West are dead serious about their efforts to buy the Denver Broncos ... telling TMZ Sports they're working hard to get a real deal done.

Brown and Ye have become best buds ever since the NFL star was booted from the Buccaneers in January -- and in their newfound bromance, Ye named Brown the president of one of his biggest ventures, Donda Sports.

And, as one of Brown's first actions in the exec role, he said back in February he wanted to purchase the Broncos.

When we got the free agent receiver out in Los Angeles just days ago, he told us the goal is still on their minds, and it's a legitimate one, explaining he and Ye are "extremely serious" about making it all happen.

"Tell Roger [Goodell] to call me," Brown said. "We're working on it ... We're working towards getting it done."

The Broncos just recently went up for sale, and many believe the price tag to ultimately land the team could be around $4 BILLION. If somehow the two are able to get that change together, a sale to Ye and Brown would also have to be approved by the rest of the owners in the league.

In the meantime, while they work on getting a deal in Denver done, Brown and Ye have more immediate goals of rockin' the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami in July.

The obvious tension between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West is having zero impact on Khloé Kardashian's wardrobe choices, as she's still rocking a Ye concert sweatshirt in public.

Khloe was leaving her daughter True's gymnastics class in L.A., decked out in the "Saint Pablo" black hoodie which Ye was hawking during that tour of the same name.

As we've reported, Kim and Kanye's recent divorce has been anything but smooth ... from legal roadblocks attempted by Kanye's team, a bombardment of social media posts attacking Pete Davidson and multiple attempts to win back Kim.

Kanye's latest music video for his song "Eazy" featuring The Game dug deeper into "Skete" Davidson ... featuring a claymation version of Pete being buried alive.

With all of that as a backdrop, Khloe's hoodie seems a bit puzzling. Then again, her ex, Tristan Thompson, was chilling with Ye last week in Miami ... so, seems ALL in-law Kardashian ties are intact no matter what's going on between Kimye.

Kim and Kanye were both pronounced single by a judge on March 2 ... at a hearing where she was present via Zoom. She'd been asking the judge to restore her single status since December, plainly stating, "I very much desire to be divorced."

DaBaby's legal woes are ebbing and flowing ... he's out of trouble in one matter involving a gun, but still in hot water over balls and pins.

The L.A. County D.A. has rejected the gun case against DaBaby that police have been working on since January 2021 -- when he was arrested in Bev Hills for allegedly having a weapon on him during a shopping spree.

You'll recall ... DB ended up in cuffs right there on Rodeo Drive, and was booked for carrying a loaded firearm.

In the end, the D.A. chose not to prosecute because of a lack of evidence -- which is apparent from the D.A.'s report recounting the incident.

The doc states DaBaby and co. were in a Gucci store, and a security guard says he saw DaBaby lift up his shirt. The security guard claimed he saw something in his waistband resembling a gun, prompting him to call the police.

The crew left, but weren't able to escape Rodeo Drive before a run-in with officers who searched the vehicle and did, indeed, find a gun under one of the seats. When nobody claimed ownership of the gun, cops took DB in based on what the security guard had told them. But apparently, that wasn't enough to file charges.

DaBaby's attorney, Drew Findling, tells TMZ ... "We've been 100% confident in Mr. Kirk's innocence since the day of this incident and are appreciative that the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has made a similar determination."

Great news for DaBaby, obviously -- but he's not out of the woods ... there's still a looming case over his bowling alley scuffle with DaniLeigh's brother, which was caught on video.

Our law enforcement sources say there's a much stronger chance that case could actually get some real consideration by the D.A.'s Office, considering the evidence already out there ... and we're told a felony assault with a deadly weapon charge is very much in play.

That said ... we're told the cops are somewhat skeptical on that one too due to D.A. George Gascon. It's no secret ... Gascon isn't interested in pursuing low-level crimes in and around L.A. ... something he campaigned on. In other words.

Drake lost a fortune on UFC's main event Saturday night, and the winner was quick to trash him by talking about his "s**tty" music.

Drake plunked down $275,000 on Jorge Masvidal, who squared off against Colby Covington. Unfortunately for Drake -- and Masvidal -- Covington won a unanimous decision, and it wasn't even close.

Covington was quick to trash talk ... "Let's talk about all the money that Drake lost tonight. He needs to go back to selling those s**tty albums to get back the money."

He wasn't done, adding, "Drake, you suck at sports betting. Go back to your s**tty little albums and rapping."

There was definitely an upside to the bet since Masvidal was the underdog. If Masvidal won, Drake would have pocketed a cool $1 mil.

It's no secret Kanye West is down in the dumps about the end of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, but now he's put his pain into words ... and without lashing out at Pete Davidson.

Ye penned and posted "Divorce" ... a poem comparing the legal process to just about every bad experience you can imagine.

Just a sample: "Divorce feels like full blown Covid ... like your doctor don't know s**t ... like your walking on glass ... like you're running through a glass wall ... like you're being bullied in a class hall."

He pours out his heart even more, and seems to reference recent experiences with lines like, "Divorce feels like the first play of the Super Bowl and your ankle rolls ... feels like your kids were snatched from your control."

Not that Ye's kids have actually been taken from him, but we know he's complained about not getting the address for Chi's 4th birthday and about North being on TikTok.

The poem's definitely a healthier, and certainly less ominous, expression of his emotions than the music video for "Eazy" ... where claymation Ye buries claymation Pete in the ground and grows flowers from his skull.

His closing lines of "Divorce" prose are pretty puzzling, though: "Michael Jackson said it best, You're a vegetable, You're a vegetable, You're the real Cosby, Not a Huxtable."

Drake is seeking court-ordered protection from a woman he claims keeps showing up at his home and wishing death upon him.

The rapper's lawyer, Larry Stein, beelined it to court for a temporary restraining order ... to protect Drake and his family from a 29-year-old woman he claims has been harassing him for years.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Drake claims the woman was arrested at his Hidden Hills estate back in April 2017 and convicted of trespassing, but that's just the tip of the iceberg ... Drake says the woman has threatened his life as well as the lives of his family members.

It's scary ... in the docs, Drake's lawyer says the woman sent him emails last month where she says Drake should "put a bullet through your head now bitch."

Champagne Papi claims the woman's been trying to track him down by filing a $4 billion defamation case against him and seeking a restraining order of her own ... and he says he's suffering emotional distress and fearing for his and his family's safety as a result of her "harassment and obsession with me."

Gene Simmons says Kanye West needs to man up and back off Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson ... and he thinks a bitch slap might just be the wake-up call Kanye needs.

We got the KISS rocker Thursday at Kings Road Cafe and gauged his opinion on Kanye's repeated online attacks aimed at his estranged wife and her new boyfriend, and Ye's behavior since the divorce.

Gene says Kanye needs to get a hobby other than obsessing over Kim and Pete ... and he suggests a slap to the face to set Kanye straight.

What's more, Gene finds it pretty childish for Kanye to be waltzing around in Miami with a new girl who just so happens to look like Kim ... and he's got a message for Chaney Jones too.

While Gene is siding with Kim and Pete here, he does acknowledge the fact something might be off with Kanye ... and points out Ye has admitted as much in the past.

Saweetie tapped in for an epic dance-off with the mascot at the Clippers game on Thursday ... droppin' low and shaking it in front of the whole arena -- and TMZ Sports has the vid!!!

The stars flocked to Crypto.com Arena to watch the Lakers get wrecked by the Clips ... with Justin Bieber, Rami Malek, Normani, Israel Adesanya and more getting a front-row seat for the matchup.

But, it was the "Best Friend" rapper who ended up stealing the show during the 4th quarter ... getting up and dancing with Chuck the Condor as "Conga" by Gloria Estefan blared over the speakers.

Check out the vid -- the fans in attendance went nuts for the spontaneous dance competition ... with folks cheering and whistling as it unfolded.

Safe to say Saweetie came away with the W ... but you can't say that about the Lakers, who stunk up the place once again in the 132-111 defeat.

The Lakers are now 27-35 and have lost 4 games in a row.

Cardi B's legal victory over a blogger who defamed her isn't stopping the woman from trashing Cardi ... so now, the rapper wants a judge to gag her forever.

Cardi filed docs Thursday night in federal court, demanding a permanent injunction against Tasha K, who Cardi defeated in a defamation trial back in January. The jury awarded Cardi about $4 million ... but in the docs she says that's done nothing to stop Tasha from spreading the very lies that landed her in court.

As we've reported, Tasha's falsely claimed Cardi committed adultery, has STIs and was a prostitute.

According to the docs, Tasha bragged back in August ... "Even if they did sue, bitch I ain't got but a dollar to my name bitch, what are you going to get? And there's always bankruptcy bitch." Tasha even said, "I'm going to pull a 50 Cent on that bitch" ... referring to Fiddy's bankruptcy filing back in 2015.

Cardi also accuses Tasha of fraudulently moving assets to make it more difficult to collect the millions -- a move she's allegedly boasted about on her YouTube vlog, saying "Let me tell you how this was a blessing though. Cause can't nobody else sue me, and even if they do, I ain't got no money. We've got estate lawyers, we've got every mother f***ing thing. I ain't got s*** in my name bitch."

In fact, Tasha even testified during the trial she wouldn't stop repeating defamatory lies unless the court forces her to do so.

Aaaand that's exactly what Cardi's asking for now -- an injunction to stop Tasha from saying any defamatory statements now, and in the future, and to force her to delete all past videos or posts containing those lies.

Kanye West and Chaney Jones are still an item ... as evidenced by the fact the two spent the morning together at a swanky Miami hotel.

Ye and Chaney -- who has very obviously been influenced by Kim Kardashian's choice in style -- were spotted outside the Four Seasons hotel Thursday. The two were twinning, in all black, Jones sported a leather jacket and shorts -- and Kanye in a tank top, jeans and his famous black rubber boots.

The sighting comes just days after Kanye posted (and deleted) a pic of the pair on his Instagram, on which Chaney commented, "My Love."

Of course, Chaney is the latest in Kanye's dating life, he recently split with Julia Fox.

Sources over the weekend told us Ye and Chaney aren't yet "official" ... but they've certainly been spending a lot of time together this week, so maybe the tides are changing.

As we told you, Chaney's been spotted in a lot of Kim-esque gear lately ... including copying the same pair of sunglasses KK wore to Kanye's Donda listening event last year. Kanye's got a knack for dressing his partners, so it's safe to assume he's had a hand in some of Chaney's looks as well.

Kim and Pete are still going strong, despite another attack from Kanye -- burying an animated version of Pete in his "Eazy" music video.

Jack Harlow's acting career is poppin' -- the rap star just reportedly landed the lead role in the "White Men Can't Jump" reboot ... after his FIRST EVER audition.

The "Nail Tech" MC will play Billy Hoyle, which was Woody Harrelson's role in the original film back in 1992, according to Deadline.

23-year-old Harlow -- who has zero acting experience -- apparently wowed producers from the jump ... helping pave the way to his first on-screen gig.

Of course, the OG flick starred Harrelson and Wesley Snipes -- which followed the story of two on-court rivals who team up to start hustling people on the court.

Harlow is known to be a pretty solid hooper in real life -- he's been in numerous celebrity basketball games over the years ... most recently, the NBA Celeb Game during All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, where he showed off his range with multiple 4-point plays.

The reboot is produced by Kenya Barris and his Khalabo Ink Society banner ... and executive produced by NBA star Blake Griffin, NFLer Ryan Kalil and Noah Weinstein of Mortal Media.

The big issue remaining in the Kim and Kanye divorce is child custody, and his new lawyer hedged in court Tuesday on how it will shake out ... but we're told it's highly likely it'll end up so that Kim will be home base and Kanye can see his 4 kids pretty much whenever he chooses.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... based on Kanye's schedule, which involves significant global travel, the typical custody arrangement spells out in detail who gets the kids and when is simply impractical.

For instance, they've attended birthday parties and other functions together as a family, without any kind of formal structure. It's possible they'd create a structure for XMAS, Thanksgiving and other holidays, but Kanye is a global traveler because of his various businesses, so planning ahead may be unrealistic.

Our sources say as crazy as the divorce has been, the custody issues for the most part have been handled peacefully. Whenever Kanye's in L.A. and wants to see the kids, Kim has facilitated it. For example, the other day Kanye wanted to take one of the kids to a basketball game, and Kim gladly obliged. In other words, there's an open-door policy when it comes to custody.

Kanye also typically gets the kids every Sunday for his Sunday Service.

It's been a bitter pill for Kim to swallow at times. You may recall, when Kanye took Saint and North to the Super Bowl a few weeks ago -- in full mask -- there were some boos, which isn't great for the kids. Nevertheless, it never became an issue for either Kim or Kanye.

DMX's fiancée Desiree Lindstrom opened up on "It's Tricky with Raquel Harper" about how she's been after her beau's passing ... and how things are going with their son, Exodus.

"My life changed so fast," Desiree told Raq. "Holidays get lonely ... because Earl was my family, but I do have Exodus and I try to make the best of it, because I know that's what he would've wanted me to do."

The emotional discussion is tough for her ... but she thanks everyone that's checked on her and their son. She thinks X's fans played a big part in keeping her going in the months following his death.

TMZ broke the story ... the legendary rapper was rushed to the hospital following an overdose. After a week of being on life support last April, he passed away ... survived by his 15 children.

At his celebration of life, tons of artists came to say goodbye -- Ye, Swizz Beatz, and Nas were just a few. Desiree gave a tear-jerking speech about how much he meant to her ... ending it with "Forever X."