TMZ Hip Hop - Page 44

On the first day of the Diddy trial, the judge is asking prospective jurors about their celebrity knowledge and their own personal backgrounds, based on answers to a lengthy questionnaire each has already filled out ... and one candidate has an occupation and a family relation that could affect both sides of the case.

In a packed NYC courthouse Monday morning, federal judge Arun Subramanian began questioning possible jurors -- and Juror No. 2's job is particularly interesting in the context of Diddy's alleged crimes ... as is his sister's relationship past.

Juror 2 happens to be a massage therapist -- who probably knows a thing or two about baby oil, which will play a HUGE role in the Diddy case. As you know, Diddy bought baby oil in bulk to use during his "Freak Offs," which are marathon sexual encounters between Diddy, his girlfriends and a male escort, according to a federal indictment.

The first day of the federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs began this morning with some lighthearted comments by the judge ... who mentions Diddy's various nicknames over the years, and nods to the size of the potential jury pool and the length of the questionnaire each individual filled out.

As proceedings got formally underway, Judge Arun Subramanian made a remark comparing the size of the list of prospective jurors that both sides will question on the stand -- and the questionnaire of people and places in the case -- to the famously vast "Lord of the Rings" trilogy of novels.

As you know, there are many challenges on both sides for jury selection, which is expected to take several days.

Diddy will finally face a jury of his peers who will determine his fate for the rest of his life ... but finding the right jury -- for each side -- is gonna be a Herculean task.

The defense will have a much more difficult time, because there's no such thing as an unbiased jury. Good luck finding a prospective juror in New York City -- or anywhere else in this country, for that matter -- that hasn't formed an opinion about this case.

Since the public view is Diddy is guilty, prosecutors have a big edge. As for the defense, the way to go about asking questions regarding bias is NOT simply asking if a prospective juror can have an open mind. The way to do it ... they ask if prospective jurors have ever held a view that was important to them but were able to change their mind, and they need to be specific.

Jury selection just kicked off in Diddy's federal trial, and it’s a total madhouse -- with some people getting paid just to stand in line for others to snag spots inside the courthouse.

We caught the chaos at the federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday -- some folks told us they had been in line since the night before, saving spots for people who paid them to do the heavy lifting.

One line-holder told us he was getting $32 per hour to hold a place in line, though he admitted the going rate is more like $25 per hour. Any bit of extra income helps with inflation, particularly in Manhattan! Another clip on X showed just how absurd the line was to get into the courthouse for the jury selection ... so paying someone to save a spot makes sense.

The fashion elite hit the Pre-Met Gala Dinner -- and the style game was already fire before the main event even kicked off.

It all popped off at Vogue queen Anna Wintour’s pre-Met gala at her NYC home Sunday -- A$AP Rocky rolled in sharp as ever, while Serena Williams served full glam in a bridal-esque gown with a dramatic feathered shrug.

With A$AP in the building, you know Rihanna wasn’t far behind -- rocking an androgynous-chic look with a belted blazer, tailored slacks, and a poppin’ red lip.

Seal and Heidi Klum's daughter turned 21 over the weekend, and it was complete with a heartfelt serenade from her famous father.

The model celebrated her milestone birthday in the early hours at Miami club, E11EVEN. Leni showed up around 1 AM in a party bus with around 20 friends.

The group sat at a VIP table, where a glowing sign bearing Leni’s name lit up and a parade of oversized alcohol bottles set the tone for the night.

Tina Knowles found herself in a fashion mishap -- but leave it to Keke Palmer to turn a wardrobe emergency into comedy gold.

The matriarch was in Los Angeles on Friday to promote her new memoir when her strapless dress began to slip mid-conversation. Keke, who moderated the evening, leapt into action, steadying Tina and easing the moment with her signature wit.

Video posted on TikTok shows Palmer helping Beyonce's mom readjust the dress while a stylist quickly jumped in.

Cassie Ventura dated Diddy for more than a decade ... and, now she'll likely deliver some of the most important testimony at his federal trial, starting later this month.

The singer-songwriter has played a large role in Diddy's life no doubt ... and, we're going to recap her last couple years as they pertain to Diddy's life -- beginning in late 2023 when she filed a civil lawsuit against him.

Back in November of that year, Cassie sued Diddy ... accusing him of rape, human trafficking and other crimes. It was also the first time anyone had made mention of the alleged "freak offs" prosecutors claim Diddy had -- with Cassie claiming he coordinated sexual encounters between her and male prostitutes and pleasured himself while watching.

It’s that time of year again -- the Met Gala, AKA fashion’s biggest flex, where the crème de la crème suit up for this year’s theme: "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."

You can bet people are gonna show up with their wildest, most creative spins on all things structured, shapely, and custom -- and if past Met looks are anything to go by, this year’s about to be straight fire!

Zendaya and J Lo showed up last year like straight-up fairytale goddesses for the "Garden of Time" vibe -- and yep, as you can see by the rest of our gallery, plenty of others came to slay too.

Finesse2tymes is back in federal custody ... with prosecutors alleging his arrest for terroristic threats in Texas violated his supervised released conditions.

The rapper's attorney Carl A. Moore tells TMZ … Finesse surrendered to authorities Friday and is in federal custody.

According to documents obtained by TMZ ... prosecutors are alleging he violated his supervised released on three occasions -- claiming he failed two drug tests, one in 2022 and the other in 2024, both times allegedly testing positive for marijuana.

Bianca Censori's letting her locks flow ... going back to long hair after a couple years -- and, she really let fans focus on it 'cause she didn't wear much of anything else to distract them!

The star shared a pic to her Instagram story Saturday morning ... showing her crouched next to a wall -- long hair cascading down her back and bangs nearly covering her eyes.

She's sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest -- so her breasts are pretty much covered ... though a little sideboob is peeking out from behind her left leg.

Fat Joe is mourning the loss of the woman he called his world -- his mom, Marie Del-Carmen Cartagena, has died.

The rapper posted a tribute on social media on Saturday with a heartfelt message and a series of photos honoring her life.

He wrote ... "This a real one, rest in peace to the woman who brought me in this world. She didn’t have much but she gave us everything."

Diddy's defense team is starting to take shape on the eve of his federal criminal trial ... and he's got some accomplished legal minds on his side.

The Bad Boy Records founder is rocking with Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos as his lead attorneys ... and Marc's been at the center of some high-profile cases.

Agnifilo previously defended NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere, "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli, IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Khan and Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng.

Geragos is a partner at Marc's firm ... and she worked with him on the Raniere case.

Mase says people keep hitting him up, asking him if he's going to make an appearance in the gallery at the upcoming Diddy criminal trial ... and he's seemingly putting the decision up to his fans.

The rapper revealed on his "It Is What It Is" podcast with Cam'Ron that he keeps getting asked about going to support Diddy in court ... and he's asking fans to vote on whether he should go or not.

Mase and Diddy have a long history ... with Mase releasing his debut album "Harlem World" in 1997 on Diddy's label, Bad Boy Records.

"BMF" star Lil Meech has expanded his portfolio since his hit show and unity with 50 Cent came to a halt ... but he's thinking fashion-forward with his new clothing store!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked up with Lil Meech on Thursday night in Hollywood and he was dripping in some of the threads you'll see at WONCE, his storefront in Miami.

The Detroit-bred actor says the company's mantra is "We Own Nothing Control Everything," and he's nestled up in one of the most affluent parts of Magic City.

Diddy's defense may be aided by the fact there's a lot of noise about celebrity sex tapes and minors being involved in the Diddy criminal case ... those two things are NOT part of the case, and it could have a profound effect on jurors.

On the "2 Angry Men" podcast, Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos explored one of the perceptions out there about the Diddy criminal case ... and how it may swing the jury.

There's a false narrative that celebrity sex tapes and minors are part of the prosecution's evidence against Diddy ... with some folks out there, including potential jurors, under the false impression this case is the hip hop version of Jeffrey Epstein.