TMZ Hip Hop - Page 19

Currently incarcerated rapper Marion "Suge" Knight is urging his longtime archrival Sean "Diddy" Combs to take the stand during his ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in New York City ... reasoning it would benefit him.

Suge -- who is behind bars for voluntary manslaughter -- told CNN’s Laura Coates via phone call from prison he thinks the music mogul could “humanize” himself by testifying -- and possibly walk free.

Suge said his silence makes him look "scared to face the music" and suggested he "have his faith in God" and "tell his truth."

Megan Thee Stallion didn't wait for the solstice to kick off her "Hot Girl Summer" -- the rap star morphed into a full-blown model, debuting her swimwear collection on the Miami Swim Week runway!!!

The rap star hit the PARAISO stage decked out in her platinum-tinged one-piece that still boasts the bikini benefits, with shimmery stilettos to match, and her hair in a poofed-out mane.

There was no shame in her game ... Meg also flaunted her bare badonkadonk for the flashing lights.

Omarion and his B2K bros got to "bump, bump, bump" like old times at the recent "Millennium" tour last month ... an organic moment that could lead to more rhythm and blues -- or maybe not.

The TMZ Tour struck gold once again, spotting Big O maneuvering through Hollywood with his gal pal Natasha Graziano riding shotgun.

She's a motivational speaker who didn't appear to be on the clock ... but we're told they're just good platonic friends.

The Diddy criminal trial is now at a dozen days of testimony ... and today's witnesses talked about sexual assaults, violence, "period blood," and some of Cassie's relationships with other celebs ... including a flirtation with Michael B. Jordan.

Things got emotional in the courtroom Thursday as a former Diddy assistant testifying under the pseudonym "Mia" recalled alleged sexual assaults, rapes and threats she endured from Diddy.

Mia sobbed during her testimony, and a lot of what she said lined up with some of Cassie's testimony about extortion ... though it's fair to wonder why prosecutors didn't bring Mia to the stand right after Cassie.

Donald Trump may have commuted Larry Hoover's federal life sentence, but the ex-Gangster Disciples leader still has a slew of red tape to cut through before he's totally free!!!

Hoover is still on the hook for a life sentence in the state of Illinois and the Governor's office tells TMZ Hip Hop ... the only way the 74-year-old can continue his quest for parole or clemency is to petition the Prisoner Review Board, AKA the PRB.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's office says, unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law -- and its state justice system is no exception!!!

One of Diddy's former assistants says the music mogul sexually assaulted her for the first time during his birthday party at a swanky hotel in New York City ... but she says it didn't end there.

The witness, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia," told jurors she was working for Diddy in 2009 when he sexually assaulted her at The Plaza Hotel in New York, where he was celebrating his 40th birthday.

Mia said Diddy rented out the penthouse for a party filled with unnamed celebrities and she says he asked to speak to her in the kitchen, clearing out the room and leaving just the two of them alone.

Cardi B didn't take kindly to Hazel-E's latest interview Wednesday ... where Hazel-E claimed the "Bodak Yellow" rapper earned her "Love & Hip Hop" status and Diamond plaques by sleeping her way to the top!!!

Hazel-E was a recent guest on "Shirley's Temple" podcast when she went on a rant about Cardi's career -- prompting Cardi to give her a full smackdown in the DMs.

We're told by production sources the episode was shot in March and Hazel had some tequila to drink on the set ... which may have contributed to her saucy jabs at Cardi!!!

Diddy's former assistant says she had to clean up some pretty nasty scenes in the hotels where he stayed with Cassie ... including some fluid she says he told her was "period blood."

The ex-employee, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia," told jurors one of her jobs as a Diddy assistant was to clean up hotel rooms before housekeeping ... due to concerns about embarrassing photos getting out.

Mia testified the rooms she encountered were "destroyed" and the "really nasty" conditions were a "nightmare." She said there would be candle wax everywhere, broken glass, oil on the walls, and sometimes even blood.

Tory Lanez's team has launched a spiraling, detailed new website containing never-before-heard audio from the night that got him convicted for shooting Megan Thee Stallion … with the defense’s trial witness telling cops at the scene the fired shots came from a woman!!!

Tory's team designed the site 36hourslater.com to uncover the 3 days following the shooting, sparked by Megan going on Instagram Live to tell her side.

L.A. native Sean Kelly was interviewed by investigators on the early morning of July 12, 2020 and told cops he could see one woman -- who we now know to be Kelsey -- angrily exit the rear passenger side of a Cadillac Escalade and open the driver-side passenger door in a fit of rage to confront the other woman, later learned to be Megan.

Offset's not willing to give up his "Bad and Boujee" lifestyle ... and, he's asking the court to ensure his estranged wife, Cardi B, helps him maintain it.

The rapper filed an amended divorce response earlier this month in which he's now asking that Cardi pay him spousal support. He does not request a specific amount in the documents.

The rest of the requests look relatively unchanged ... 'cause Offset's still asking for joint custody of their children -- and he wants Cardi's place to serve as the primary residence for the kids.

Prince's security intervened when Diddy was starting to attack Cassie outside a party hosted by the "Purple Rain" singer ... one of Diddy's former personal assistants testified in court.

The female assistant, introduced by her pseudonym "Mia," says she worked for Diddy as his personal assistant, and later as director of development and acquisition for Revolt Films, a media company Diddy founded.

Mia told the jury she witnessed Diddy get physically violent with Cassie on multiple occasions  ... including a 2010 party hosted by Prince.

Testimony from celebrity stylist Deonte Nash continued Thursday in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in NYC ... after he told the jury Wednesday he witnessed the rap mogul threaten former girlfriend Cassie's singing career with the release of sex tapes of her.

On the stand Thursday, Nash said while he was in Miami to style rapper Lil Kim, he confirmed he set Cassie up with actor Michael B. Jordan. He was then asked about Andre Branch, a former NFL linebacker, who Cassie also dated.

Combs' defense asks Nash whether he was aware of the relationship with Branch ... he said "Oh, the cute football player? Yes. But I never met him." He's also asked about an NBA player referred to only as Brandon.

Diddy's defense attorney Xavier Donaldson proposes to read text messages back and forth with Nash ... Nash looks at the messages, and says "Oh, you got some names in here." They proceed to role-play the exchange. Some of Cassie's facial injuries seem to be referenced in the messages. Nash is asked if he was aware Cassie was having threesomes with other men -- he replies, "Ugh. No, she didn't tell me."

Tory Lanez's harrowing stabbing was caught on camera in prison ... and it's clear from the video that he's lucky to be alive.

We've obtained video from prison security cameras showing a man who appears to be Tory getting knocked to the ground by another man -- allegedly Santino Casio. This other man jumps on top of him and brings his arm down on him multiple times.

Larry Hoover Jr. is shouting out Kanye West for sticking his neck out for his father ... because he tells us Ye was instrumental in Larry Hoover getting a commuted sentence from President Trump.

Larry Jr. tells TMZ ... Kanye and Alice Marie Johnson are a big reason why Trump commuted the prison sentence of the Gangster Disciples founder.

Kanye and Drake went to bat for Larry Sr. and famously squashed a beef back in 2021 with a livestreamed event billed as the "Free Larry Hoover" fundraising benefit concert.

Kanye West and Bianca Censori are showing their sensual side ... dancing and kissing as they enjoy a sunset ... with lots of tongue involved.

Bianca just shared video of her intimate exchange with her husband ... they're moving and grooving on a balcony overlooking a setting sun and some rolling hills.

As their song and dance comes to an end, Kanye and Bianca share an embrace ... complete with a tongue kiss.

NBA YoungBoy now has his entire YoungLife ahead of him ... thanks to President Donald Trump swooping in with a presidential pardon!!!

On Wednesday, YB released a statement thanking Trump, "White House Pardon Czar" Alice Marie Johnson, and his attorney Brittany K. Barnett for lifting the legal trauma hovering around his head for the past 5 years!!!

See it for yourself ... we obtained the letter written to President Trump from YoungBoy's dedicated team of attorneys at MGKB Law Corp -- and they outlined YB's past plight and future potential if given another chance.

The Louisiana rapper says he worked hard to earn a second chance ... calling himself "grateful, focused, and ready" for the challenge to keep his nose clean.