TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

French Montana says he and his mopstick are ready to clean up the rap competition this summer with his album "Montega" -- an album that now has certified approval from NYC Mayor Eric Adams.

French & fam were out in The Big Apple last night at Sei Less restaurant soaking up the sounds of the new project, which won over listeners with features from Quavo, Rick Ross and late collaborator Chinx ... over a bangin' bevy of longtime producer Harry Fraud's beats.

French tells TMZ Hip Hop he's back in his bag saying, "This album takes me back to my roots and original wave sound with Harry. I create my best work with him and always trust him to see the vision."

He adds, "I think the fans are going to appreciate this one, it’s really going to bring them back."

Last weekend, French dropped off the intro track video "Blue Chills" and plans to keep the hype moving into the album's June 24 release date.

Chris Brown wants no part of the Internet debate about whether he's more talented than Michael Jackson -- he's shutting down the whole convo after an interview on "Big Boy's Neighborhood."

During the opening moments, the L.A. radio host addressed the swirling controversy to which CB decided to dead things once and for all.

Breezy says if it wasn't for Michael Jackson, he wouldn't be anywhere near the entertainer he is today and cited a shrine he has dedicated to the late King of Pop.

For the past few weeks, hip hop artists like Fivio Foreign and Tank have been leaning toward giving CB the ultimate crown -- but Chris himself says he'd concede to the man who brought us "Thriller," "Rock With You" and "Billie Jean."

Going forward, CB is gearing up to go on tour with Lil Baby and drop his new album "Breezy" -- a project he tells Big Boy he recorded 250 songs for, before whittling it down to just 23.

D.C. rap staple No Savage is a wanted man for a shooting that occurred inside a high-profile shopping district ... this according to law enforcement.

Fairfax County PD believes No Savage got into a fight with another group inside VA’s Tysons Corner Center … before firing off shots and fleeing the scene in a black Cadillac.

The alleged encounter that led to the shooting was caught on camera. Two men appear to approach each other and seem to be scrambling for items on the ground. Shoppers at TCC were running for their lives once the shots were fired.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of the stampede.

Cops are calling No Savage “armed and dangerous” and are charging him with attempted malicious wounding, three counts of discharging a weapon in an occupied building and use of a firearm in a felony.

Nas famously immortalized his neighborhood kingpin, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, and his Supreme Team drug empire on his classic debut album "Illmatic" — and now he’s making a movie about him!

During a Q&A for his Showtime docuseries, "Supreme Team" ... Nas spoke on how McGriff and his Queens-based gang were influential in getting C.R.E.A.M. and helping pump his creative juices in the process.

After rising to prominence in the early 90s at the height of NYC’s crack-cocaine boom, McGriff was eventually convicted of murder in 2007 and eventually sentenced to life in prison … where he remains to this day.

ST's success in the streets and flashy wardrobe are said to directly influence the styles -- and command the respect -- of early hip hop artists, and the docuseries digs into that phenomenon.

The conversation between his co-director Peter J. Scalettar and Billboard’s Deputy Director of R&B/Hip-Hop Carl Lamarre marked the end of the 2022 Tribeca Festival ... and NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Tribeca CEO Jane Rosenthal were watching the convo.

Incarcerated Supreme Team leader, and McGriff nephew, Gerald "Prince" Miller called in from federal prison.

If Antonio Brown ain't performing on the field, he's damn sure doin' it on stage -- 'cause the NFL star just put on a dope show at the Summer Smash festival in Chicago.

And, he even jumped into a pit of fans for some crowd surfin'!!

Brown -- rap name AB -- hit the stage this weekend in Chi-town for the hip hop festival that featured some of the big names in rap like Quavo, Lil Yachty, and Playboi Carti.

AB pulled up in an all-white fit and rapped his single 'Pit Not The Palace' off his 'Paradigm' album that was released in April.

The concertgoers went completely nuts when AB jumped on stage -- and, the 33-year-old showed 'em love right back by crowd surfin'!

It wasn't the cleanest surf ... but at least he tried, right?!

Of course, Brown has been all about his rap career since infamously walking off the field during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NY Jets game in January.

Browns been enjoyin' the free agency life ever since ... hangin' out with stars like Kanye West, Floyd Mayweather and Madonna to performing his music at clubs and festivals.

The celebration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is a combination of solemn moments and all-out partying -- featuring multiple generations of music superstars -- to mark the occasion.

The biggest party went down Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl where Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire, Khalid, Billy Porter and many more took the stage and got the sold-out crowd on its collective feet.

The concert event -- "Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom" -- aired live on CNN, and Chaka's performance was especially rousing, backed by The Roots, she belted out her hits "Ain't Nobody" and "I'm Every Woman" ... while EWF and Bell Biv Devoe also played crowd favorites "Groove Tonight" and "Poison."

President Biden and Vice President Harris recorded messages to address the Hollywood Bowl audience ... and called the holiday a "time to celebrate, time to educate and time to act."

Meanwhile, the activist who fought hard for years to get Juneteenth federal holiday status also marked the day.

95-year-old Opal Lee completed a 2.5 mile walk in Fort Worth -- symbolizing the 2.5 years it took for the enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, TX to get the news that President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

That happened on June 19, 1865 ... hence the holiday's name, Juneteenth. While it's long been unofficially recognized -- especially in the Black community -- it didn't become a federal holiday until last year.

Opal's suggestion for all Americans to recognize the holiday -- "I advocate that we celebrate from the 19th of June to the 4th of July. That would be celebrating freedom."

Rapper Obie Trice was busted in Michigan for allegedly threatening an ex-girlfriend ... and cops say he told her family he was going to harm them too.

The "Got Some Teeth" rapper was booked Thursday afternoon in West Bloomfield for using a telephone to harass or threaten someone ... according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Curt Lawson, the deputy chief at the West Bloomfield Police Department, tells TMZ ... Obie was dating a woman, and after they split he allegedly sent threatening messages to her and also started texting threats to some of her relatives.

Police say they were told Obie showed up uninvited to his ex's family home on multiple occasions ... and cops got involved and told him to stop.

But, we're told Obie didn't listen and allegedly continued with the threats, so police got a misdemeanor warrant ... leading to his Thursday arrest.

Offset got the royal treatment on Father's Day -- 'cause Cardi B and his kids were all over him as soon as he woke up ... with a morning buffet that would make IHOP blush.

The rapper was treated to breakfast in bed Sunday, with 4 of his 5 children present -- including his 2 with CB ... Kulture and Wave, their baby boy. Cardi laid out a tray with a ton of tasty dishes ready to gobble ... although Offset had to turn it around so he could feast.

There was just about everything you could imagine as far as food options -- eggs, chicken, bacon, pancakes, fruit and what seems to be porridge of some sort.

Unclear if Offset was able to get a bite in, because his little ones seemed eager to have them read their cards/open their gifts downstairs -- which, as a good dad, he obliged. BTW, their house was totally decked out in Father's Day decorations ... balloons and the like.

Seems like Offset took it all in stride and hammed it up with his kids, who seem to think their old man is a hoot. Sweet to see the whole fam together like this on a special day.

Father's Day 2022 is here and so is a blowout of adorable pics of rappers with their kids!

Even with a ton of money at their disposal for diamonds and diapers — being a rap dad can be tough!

You're always on the road, in the studio or on a video shoot making your time that much more precious ... but dads like Drake, DaBaby and Jay-Z know how to juggle their time and talents with their little ones!

Let Jim Jones tell it, Father's Day has been disrespected enough ... and all the proud papas need to be celebrated for their dedication to raising the next generation the right way.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West seem to be on much better terms than some might think -- especially amid Pete Davidson's continued integration -- because the exes reunited again.

Check out these photos, obtained by TMZ, which we're told were shot Friday at a multi-purpose gym facility near Thousand Oaks, CA ... where their eldest daughter, North, was playing in a league basketball game for kids around 7 PM.

There's mom and dad in the stands ... looking on as North does her thing with her team. They weren't even that far apart -- just a row back from one another, in very close proximity.

Eyewitnesses tell us they did speak from time to time throughout the evening, and appeared to be cordial. Neither parent made a big scene by cheering or much of anything else ... we're told they looked like they were just trying to lay low and just watch North together.

This is definitely a good sign of successful co-parenting, which Kim and Kanye had already shown they can do without issue. Remember, they did this exact sort of thing back in March when they hit up Saint's soccer game in the same crew. There, too, they looked OK.

That was during a time when Kanye was raging online as Pete and Kim's relationship was getting more serious ... but since then, he's calmed down a lot and been mostly silent.

Of course, much has changed in the months that have followed ... including the undeniable fact that PD has not only met Kim and Kanye's kids, but has gotten pretty close with them as well -- evidenced in a recent one-on-one outing he had with their son at The Grove.

It was June 4. The Warriors just blew a double-digit, 4th-quarter lead to the Celtics at home. Many people thought the championship was there for Boston to take. But, not rap legend E-40 ... who straight up told us Golden State "in 6."

And, that's exactly what happened.

TMZ Sports talked to E-40 Saturday morning about everything from his prediction, to Steph Curry's legacy, to Boston fans talking s***, and in what will be music to the Warriors fans' ears ... how the team isn't done winning 'chips.

"They definitely did [win in 6], and they did it in classy fashion. With all the trash-talking and slander, with all odds against them. Like I said it takes a strong team, mentally and physically. Strong individuals, to overcome what they overcame with so much doubt."

Of course, the Warriors won the series in 6 games.

On Steph's legacy, 40 believes he's one of the greatest players ever.

"Steph Curry my G.O.A.T., bro. I'm not saying that because I know him and he's such a good person."

He continued ... "I've never seen anybody get down like he gets down on the court, ever."

FYI, Curry now has 4 NBA titles, 2 NBA MVPs, and 8 All-Star appearances.

40 even weighed in on the Boston area bar who infamously wrote "Ayesha Curry Can't Cook" on a sign outside their restaurant ... something the diehard Warriors fan says was out of line.

"They're talking about folks wives. That's their livelihood. Even when they were talking about "Ayesha can't cook." They ain't never tasted her cooking, and it's somebody that's also a chef themself, or got a restaurant that said that, that's just straight hatin'," 40 says.

"That's her livelihood. She got all kinds of cooking shows, all kinds of cooking endorsements and all kinds of stuff, restaurants, she doing her thing. So, you don't do that. That's some sucker s*** if you ask me."

When we talked to 40 a few weeks ago, he said he had a special gift for the Finals MVP ... and true to his word, 40 says he's going to hook up Steph with a bunch of his Earl Stevens Selections next week.

Now, the part Warriors fans will really like ... 40's prognosis for the squad going forward. GSW has won 4 titles in the last 6 years ... and they've made 6 Finals in the last 8 seasons. But, 40 says they're nowhere near done yet.

What Quavo wants, Quavo gets -- and in this case, that would be a haircut ... no matter who's in line in front of him.

Check out this video that's now going viral ... it shows the Migos rapper walking into a barbershop with a small crew, and immediately getting the attention of the clipper in chair #1 -- who seems to know Quavo needs a trim and needs it now ... in that exact spot.

Unfortunately for the dude who was already sitting there -- a fella named Lance, it seems -- he got the boot from the barber ... who jokingly tells him he's gotta go and make way for Q.

Lance is a good sport and slowly starts to eject himself as the barber removes the apron and all the cutting gear he's got on him. Everyone seems to just know and accept ... this is Quavo's chair, and he takes priority over anyone else there -- even if it is mid-cut!

As the nation gets ready for the 2nd celebration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Wale's revealing his plans for Sunday ... and offering some helpful tips for anyone who doesn't look like him, but still wants to turn up.

We caught up with the D.C.-bred rapper at LAX, and asked how he plans to spend the day -- and while he was at first taken aback, he eventually coughed up a great answer ... simply root for everyone Black!

Now, our photog -- a gent of Caucasian persuasion -- politely asked how he could also have a happy Juneteenth, and again ... Wale dropped a jewel of a response.

If this convo with Wale sounds familiar, it's because it was the basis for his 2019 video "Sue Me" ... where he reversed racial roles in a chilling depiction.

President Biden signed the bill last year to make Juneteenth a national bank holiday, making it the first new federal day off since MLK Day in 1983.

Drake laid out his plans to dominate Summer '22 with his surprise dance album, "Honestly, Nevermind" -- and while Twitter might have you believing it sucks, Drake insists the numbers will prove otherwise.

His 7th studio album's sharp departure in sound from hip hop/R&B to house music and Europop left some fans twisted ... but some of Drizzy's rap competitors are showering the album with high praise!!!

J. Cole called the album nothing short of a classic ... Juicy J and 21 Savage were thrilled to be along for the ride, and Soulja Boy channeled his classic rant from The Breakfast Club a couple of years ago.

Some people -- especially the apparent army of social media Drake-haters -- might blow that off as artists trying to keep in good standing for future features. 👀

However, early data shows Drizzy padding his "King of Apple Music" status. Apple tells us "Honestly, Nevermind" is now the biggest dance album in the platform's history -- breaking the record for worldwide first-day streams.

Additionally, his last album, "Certified Lover Boy," is the biggest album in AM history, and its Lil Baby feature track, "Girls Want Girls" is the biggest song.

Pharrell just gave some huge relief to a handful of NAACP student leaders -- wiping out all their student debt for good.

The artist surprised the group at an NAACP panel on the Black student debt crisis in D.C. Friday ... the good news got the 3 students and 2 recent graduates smiling from ear to ear.

One student, emotional with tears of joy in her eyes shouted, "I'm going to law school!"

Wisdom Cole, NAACP's National Director of Youth and College, told ABC News this is giving the crew an opportunity of a lifetime, and thanked Pharrell for forever changing the students' lives.

He also is hoping this will serve as an example to the President to do the same for struggling students across the country ... the NAACP's meeting was held right across from the White House, where President Biden has been trying to cancel a minimum of 50K in student debt.

Hot girl summer has officially commenced for Megan Thee Stallion -- partying it up in Ibiza on a yacht -- with champagne in hand and her friends along for the ride.

Meg was spotted Friday wearing a bikini and having a good time with some of her besties ... her boyfriend, Pardi, also joined in on the fun.

In true Meg fashion, she's going all out ... even dumping champagne on her body and fooling around with her friends.

One things for sure though, Meg and Pardi aren't afraid to show a little PDA -- even with friends around -- taking some time to love on each other too.

It's probably a nice escape for Meg, as you know, she's in the middle of a criminal case with rapper Tory Lanez, in which he's alleged to have shot her in the foot back in 2020.