TMZ Hip Hop - Page 9

Chris Brown's providing some shock factor here ... because there's a viral image coming out of a recent meet and greet ... and he's got his hands wrapped around a woman's neck.

Breezy had no issue posing for a photo with a well-paying fan who seemingly asked him to get handsy with her and glare menacingly into her eyes ... despite a long history of domestic violence convictions and allegations.

As you can see, CB has his right hand grasping the heavily tattooed woman's neck as she straddles him in a chair. He's also got an intense look on his face.

We could have a jury verdict in the Diddy federal criminal trial in NYC as soon as next week ... depending on how long jurors deliberate after the defense rests its case and closing arguments are made.

After the jurors were sent home Friday, prosecutor Maurene Comey told Judge Arun Subramanian the feds could rest their case on Monday ... and then Diddy defense attorney Marc Agnifilo told the judge if that happens, they think they would rest their case Tuesday or Wednesday.

The judge said closing arguments could happen Thursday ... and then the jury would start deliberations ... leaving open the possibility for a verdict by the end of next week, though that's on the early side.

Cassie told Diddy she felt like he was treating her like a prostitute during their relationship ... at least according to a text between the exes that was just read aloud in court.

Federal prosecutors in Diddy's criminal case in New York are introducing some old texts between Cassie and Diddy as new exhibits in his sex trafficking trial.

Prosecutors first read this text between Cassie and Diddy -- "You treat me like a hooker to be honest. You always want to call one and you have one. This hooker has been here for 10 years." They said Diddy responded, "wow."

Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-assistant Brendan Paul says he didn't see any force or coercion from his former boss when it came to "freak-offs" with "Jane" ... and he says he was absolutely not a drug mule.

Brendan, a former Syracuse University basketball player and aspiring music producer, took the stand Friday in Diddy's criminal trial in NYC and told jurors about his 18 months working as an assistant to the music mogul.

During cross-examination from Diddy's defense attorney Brian Steel, Brendan testified he would often talk to Diddy's former girlfriend "Jane" before and after freak-offs ... and he said she did not come across as hesitant or apprehensive, and he says there was nothing from her indicating she was not a willing participant.

Ciara's finally breaking her silence on that old Rihanna drama ... and surprise, surprise, the beef's cooked -- 'cause it looks like they’re cool again.

The singer kept it cute on 'Watch What Happens Live,' saying, "CiCi got a lot of love for RiRi" -- and made it clear the two have moved on from the petty stuff ... all because they've got other responsibilities -- such as motherhood.

Ciara said the drama started back in 2011 when they were basically babies -- now they’re full-blown mamas. RiRi’s got boys and another baby on the way ... Ciara's got four kids, and it’s all love now. One good convo and the past got left behind.

Brendan Paul, Diddy's alleged "drug mule" -- who's been given immunity by Judge Arun Subramanian to testify in the music mogul's federal trial after confirming to the judge he's received a subpoena and intends to invoke the 5th Amendment -- took the stand in the federal trial Friday ... and the testimony is expected to revolve around drugs, TMZ has learned.

Remember ... Diddy's former assistant was arrested in March 2024 at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport when authorities allegedly found cocaine and marijuana candy in his bag. The arrest occurred at the same time federal law enforcement raided Diddy's properties in L.A. and Florida.

The charges against Paul were dropped after he completed a pretrial diversion program ... and, now he's testifying at his former boss' trial.

Chris Brown was back in court Friday morning to answer a charge related to his alleged 2023 bottle-throwing incident at a London club.

The rapper showed up at Southwark Crown Court in the British capital and was greeted by a sea of fans and photographers outside.

Sporting a blue suit and black tie, Chris was all business as he stepped out of his SUV and walked inside the courthouse without uttering a word.

Megan Thee Stallion is bringing Hot Girl Summer to the villa ... 'cause this bombshell just made waves on "Love Island USA" by flaunting her bangin' bikini bod while hosting a twerk comp!

Talk about body-ody ... the singer exudes confidence while strutting onto the latest episode of the hit series in a teeny gold thong bikini.

The "WAP" hitmaker made sure the attention wasn't all on her -- she had islanders participate in a twerking contest ... and some of their moves were hot enough to melt the sun!

Fat Joe's former hype man says in a new lawsuit he saw the rapper have sex with underage girls who were 15 and 16 years old ... but Joe says the allegations are BS.

Terrance "T.A." Dixon filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming there were at least two minor females Fat Joe had sexual relations with, and another he allegedly fell in love with.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Dixon's attorney, Tyrone A. Blackburn claims a 16-year-old Dominican girl would perform oral sex and other sex acts on Joe in exchange for cash, clothing and cell phone bill payments.

The Diddy trial went dark Thursday to observe the Juneteenth holiday ... but prosecutors were working overtime, releasing new exhibits showing a cache of weapons and ammo, as well as drugs -- and, of course, baby oil!

Federal prosecutors released the trove of photos that appear to paint a much fuller picture of what federal agents confiscated inside Diddy's Los Angeles mansion during the March 2024 raid.

Homeland Security Investigations agents snapped the images as they recovered pistols, long guns and rifles from inside the security office, as well as bullets, body-armor-piercing ammo and a high-volume ammunition magazine.

DJ Envy’s got a few things to clear up -- mainly, his race -- and what better time to set the record straight than Juneteenth?

TMZ caught up with Envy, and he’s just as confused as everyone else about the chatter -- 'cause at the end of the day, he says he’s Black. Point-blank, no debate!

Catch the clip -- Envy breaks down his family tree, saying both his parents are Black, but his dad’s dad is from a lesser-known Caribbean island ... and that’s where folks might be getting twisted.

Lizzo’s keeping it real -- explaining that her weight loss wasn’t for fame, it was for herself ... and it’s paid off 'cause her life’s been totally leveled up.

Speaking on the 'Just Trish' podcast, the singer said she was hitting up the Met Gala carpet at her heaviest -- so size never blocked her shine. But now? She’s got that extra confidence and thinks she looks good as hell.

Lizzo said she actually believes the compliments now -- 'cause for once, she feels as good as everyone says she looks.

In honor of Thirst Trap Thursday, can you guess which famous rapper put her summer buns on display in these eye-popping shots?! Here are a few clues:

In 2016, her career kicked off with Instagram videos showcasing her freestyles. One of her earlier videos was her rapping over Khia's "My Neck, My Back." This gorgeous gal has collaborated with Doja Cat.

Here's one more selfie she snapped while on her tropical vacay ... Boasting her backside as she should! Are you thinkin', that's "My Type?!"

Rapper Skilla Baby is giving thanks and praise after he was shot multiple times in Detroit last month ... and after some humble words, he gets defiant against unnamed haters in some new rhymes.

Wednesday night, the "Leave It in the Streets" rapper posted a video on Instagram thanking his fans, supporters, and God for his recovery ... with his right hand in view, still bandaged up. Sitting inside a vehicle, he says he never would question God's reason why he was shot -- and then he breaks out with some new bars.

"I don't fear n****s, I fear God / That n**** shot my truck up 20 times, I never cried" ... "They pushed up on a millionaire, they havin' too much pride." Check out the full video to catch the rest.

Diddy's defense played jurors an audio recording of Cassie confronting a man who she says had told her he'd been shown a video of her doing a "freak-off" ... and now we're finally getting to hear what was played for the jury.

In a batch of freshly released Diddy defense exhibits, there's an audio file that Diddy’s defense team says features Cassie making death threats to a man she calls Sugit.

The recording was played in court over a month ago during Cassie's testimony but it's only now being made public.

Cuba Gooding Jr. says he's turning to the Lord during this trying time for Diddy ... revealing he's praying for the fallen mogul as his federal trial creeps on.

We caught up with the actor at LAX Wednesday ... and, we asked him if he's been keeping up on the developments in Diddy's sex trafficking trial -- which he tells us are darn near impossible to avoid these days.

Cuba says he's keeping Diddy and his alleged victims -- pointing to Cassie Ventura and her family specifically -- in his prayers.