TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Diddy has one less lawyer fighting for him heading into his federal trial, because his legal team couldn't get on the same page regarding the best defense for him ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge of Anthony Ricco's exit from Diddy's camp tell us there had been a power struggle going on between lead attorney Marc Agnifilo and him for several months, and it finally came to a head.

As we reported, Ricco shook up Diddy's team Friday morning by informing the judge he could no longer "effectively" defend his client -- but his filing lacked detail about why he was jumping ship.

The Notorious B.I.G.'s mom, Voletta Wallace, is dead ... TMZ has learned.

Biggie Smalls' mother died Friday morning in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania ... according to Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac.

We're told she was in hospice care and the cause of death here is natural causes.

Treach isn't an expert on Tupac Shakur's ongoing murder trial involving Keefe D ...but he's still mourning the late rap legend until the day he dies!!!

The Naughty By Nature frontman was out in Hollywood this week hanging with his longtime bud, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.'s OG Kobra, and chopped it up with TMZ Hip Hop about the latest delay in the 27-year-old hip hop murder.

Keefe D's trial was pushed back to 2026 this week after proceedings were originally supposed to happen in March.

Tyga has been sitting on some gut-wrenching news ... his mother died last month, and his spirit has been unnerved in the wake of her absence.

T-Raww posted a touching tribute on Friday to his mom Pasionaye Nguyen, who passed away on January 18.

No cause of death has been released, but Tyga posted a pic of him holding his mom's with a hospital wristband attached, so it appears she was battling an illness.

50 Cent has been backing down both Big and Lil Meech on Instagram for days now ... but we're hearing his ex-'BMF' leading man can't be folded that easily!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained photos of Lil Meech kicking it with some well-known 50 Cent opps inside Lucky Strike Miami last night ... Floyd Mayweather and Rick Ross!!!

Sources for Meech tell us the actor met with Money Mayweather the night before and pulled up to the bowling alley with his brand partners to bless the legendary prizefighter with an exclusive merch drop ... the Red Letters x Wonce collab.

10:41 AM PT -- We're getting more clarity on Anthony Ricco's departure ... sources with direct knowledge of the case tell us Ricco and Diddy's relationship -- or lack thereof -- became an issue. We're told Ricco felt he was unable to establish or maintain the kind of relationship he'd need to have with the client in order to "effectively" defend him.

It's still unclear why exactly Ricco didn't feel closer to Diddy.

Diddy's latest legal drama is on his own team ... less than 3 months before his federal trial, one of the hip hop mogul's attorneys is abruptly bolting from the case.

Anthony Ricco filed a motion Friday morning in the Southern District of New York federal court to withdraw as Diddy's counsel. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Ricco states, "under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice."

He offered no further explanation for his departure, but did add that there are "sufficient reasons for [the] brevity" of his request. Ricco does say he's discussed the action with Diddy's lead counsel Marc Agnifilo, confirming there won't be any lapse in representation or delay with jury selection or trial commencement.

DJ Khaled has become the latest celeb to receive a spooky black coffin at his Florida home -- this after Tekashi 6ix9ine got one himself at his mansion days earlier, TMZ has learned.

Khaled's creepy coffin was dropped off at his Miami residence last Saturday ... by two people who rolled up in a truck to a security guard, claiming to be from a delivery company, according to a police report.

After they were given permission, the two drove to Khaled's property and deposited the black coffin outside his gate. Scrawled across the coffin was "RIP OVO" and "RIP Drake" in white letters, along with an upside-down cross.

Cardi B showed her versatility and toned DOWN her raunchy raps to kick off the soundtrack for the upcoming "Smurfs" summer blockbuster!!!

On Friday, DJ Khaled and Cardi reunited for their latest collab, "Higher Love" ... a bubbly sample of Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven Is a Place on Earth."

Cardi's been in her single-girl era this year but her G-rated bars still hint at some shade towards her ex, Offset, when she flows, "Everybody need love and I need some too / Diamonds look sad 'cause each one blue ... Sweet like dessert but do you deserve it? / Think about me, I'm on your mental."

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky went celebrating Thursday night ... toasting to RiRi on her 37th birthday -- and, Rocky's even got jokes about new music.

The Hollywood power couple hit up the Nice Guy in L.A. -- a cozy Italian joint with an old-school feel -- and, they were absolutely mobbed by photogs outside ... dozens of cameras flashing as they left the place.

Rihanna shields her eyes from the cameras, but doesn't say much as she's heading to the car ... while Rocky asks people to move so he can walk around to the other door.

Kanye West is PO'd he can't do a Nazi salute without getting canceled ... after Donald Trump’s former White House strategist Steve Bannon was accused of flashing the hate gesture during his Thursday night speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

You can see clearly in the video -- Bannon is pumped up ... encouraging the CPAC audience in D.C. to "fight, fight, fight" before briefly stretching his right arm out in a diagonal motion with an open palm facing down. He takes in the cheers from the crowd for a moment, then nods, concluding ... "Amen."

Ye seemed jealous ... tweet-quoting overnight the video with "Whits [sic] guys have all the fun."

Donovan Mitchell lost his train of thought during his postgame interview on Thursday ... and it was all thanks to Darius Garland breaking out in song.

The hilarious interaction went down after the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 110-97 road win over the Brooklyn Nets ... when Spida was trying to weigh in on Evan Mobley's impressive outing -- but Garland had other plans.

During Mitchell's response, Garland was heard in the background jamming to Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's "Gimme A Hug" .... and it's clear it wasn't the first time he belted out the tune.

Alabama Barker says Bhad Bhabie's new look looks real familiar ... 'cause she sees it in the mirror everyday -- and, she's accusing the rapper of trying to look like her.

The daughter of Travis Barker and burgeoning music star posted to her Instagram story Thursday afternoon about Bhad's new look ... kicking off her post by writing that imitation is the best form of flattery -- clearly a shot aimed at BB.

Alabama adds she's just moving on with her life instead of paying attention to everything other people do ... but, jokes she appreciates all the love that her imitators are showing her.

Master P's moves didn't die down once the Super Bowl parties left his town -- the No Limit colonel teamed up with AT&T and Team Hope this week to bless 500 New Orleans students with free laptops!!!

The legendary rapper tells TMZ Hip Hop the hip hop culture he adopted and grew to help foster was always about uplifting communities ... and that's what his latest "I AM CONNECTED" initiative represents.

P says he and Team Hope have been giving back for 25 years, and it'll be another 25, God willing.

Jim Jones is having a hard time wrapping his head around the bruhaha revolving around Snoop Dogg, Nelly and other rap stars performing for Donald Trump's Prezzy gala ... he remembers the time rappers were considered enemies of the state!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Harlem Capo on Thursday with Dyce Payso as he put the finishing touches on his upcoming album "At The Church Steps" inside the NYC Pelle Pelle store.

The pioneering hip hop fashion brand will add to his photoshoot, but it's the politics Jim says he doesn't have a handle on.

Xzibit's estranged wife is back in court claiming she's still experiencing extreme financial hardships since they split in 2021 ... and now she's asking the judge to force the rapper to fork over more money to get back to the luxury life she once had.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained court docs obtained by X's ex, Krista Joiner, on Thursday, hoping to modify her existing spousal support from the West Coast rapper after she says her lifestyle has been downgraded.

According to Krista, she and the 12-year-old son she shares with Xzibit had to move out of the 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home they were renting for $10K a month ... and she doesn't have the means to buy herself or son designer clothes.

Tyler, The Creator is showing love to his hometown by providing meals to people on Skid Row ... and he's dishing out distinctive plates!

A rep for the Los Angeles Mission tells TMZ ... Tyler is donating enough food to feed around 100 people Thursday, and the items include shrimp tempura and Cream of Wheat.

We're told a member of Tyler's camp delivered all the necessary ingredients Wednesday to make the special meals, and L.A. Mission's executive chef Erik Grant is set to serve it all up!