TMZ Hip Hop - Page 8

Diddy's defense says he's a victim of Uncle Sam's bedroom policing ... and prosecutors released a bunch of new exhibits showing what the feds say Diddy stockpiled ... sexy lingerie, stripper heels and whips.

Check out this trove of photos federal prosecutors have submitted as evidence in Diddy's criminal trial ... it's basically a sex shop, with fishnet panties, stockings and a bunch of other things folks use to have kinky sex.

One of the photos shows the lingerie laid out on a big cushion ... next to five pairs of high heels ... with some red-lighting for extra dramatic effect.

The parents of R. Kelly's fiancée Joycelyn Savage are straight up calling their daughter's recent video message Artificial Intelligence -- but Kelly's lawyer is saying that's just BS!

Joycelyn released the proof of life video on Sunday -- slamming the notion that she was a sex slave, being held against her will and even a victim outright, only for her parents to release a video of their own ... with skepticism that the video was A.I.-generated.

R Kelly's attorney Beau Brindley tells TMZ Hip Hop that Joycelyn's parents are absolutely lying and grasping at straws here.

GloRilla and Kirk Franklin aren't sweating criticisms from outside the pulpit after their track won a gospel award at this year's BET Awards.

The two musical powerhouses fused genres and doubled down with the video for "Rain Down On Me" on Monday, directed by iconic hip hop director Benny Boom ... also featuring Kierra Sheard, Chandler Moore and Maverick City Music.

The inspirational video features Glo, Kirk and co. getting jiggy by the Calvary Cross ... a collaboration that kicked up plenty of fire and brimstone amongst the Gospel community!!!

Many of Diddy's former Bad Boy artists have either been silent or critical of his racketeering and sex trafficking case -- but not G. Dep.

The NYC-born rapper, who once had Diddy and the whole world "Harlem shaking" through their "Let's Get It" hit record, tells TMZ Hip Hop he can't distance himself from his former mentor in good conscience -- so he's supporting him outside the courtroom!!!

After all, G. Dep is an Honest Abe ... he confessed to a cold case murder in 2010, resulting in a conscience-cleansing 13-year prison sentence, from which he was released in April 2024.

Iran may be the key to Diddy's defense in his sex trafficking trial ... because we're told his defense may use the growing conflict in the Middle East as a way to take a shot at the federal case against him.

Our sources tell us Diddy's defense may invoke the recent conflict with Iran later this week in their closing argument.

We're told the possible defense goes like this ... this was a manufactured case of bedroom police instigated by Homeland Security Investigations and rather than worrying about what Diddy is doing with baby oil and lube, HSI should worry more about the escalating conflict with Iran.

Cardi B is finally ready to move forward with her sophomore studio album -- it only took 7 years!!!

A few weeks ago, Cardi revealed she had submitted her finished album to the label and on Monday, she proved it with the album cover art, release date and title for the project ... "Am I The Drama?"

The superstar rapper posed with her leg kicked up while clutching oversized platform heels as scavenging black crows swirled in the background.

Veteran battle rapper T-Rex sent shockwaves through the crowd after suffering a seizure mid-round ... but luckily he's okay!!!

The medical emergency happened during the headline battle between T-Rex and Geechi Gotti for the #NOMEXV event.

T-Rex was going off in the first round when he noticeably became out of breath and then took a tumble on the stage floor as onlookers rushed to his side ... not the kind of "ooh's and aah's" he's typically used to at these events.

Diddy is NOT going to take the stand and testify in his criminal trial ... because his defense team plans to rest their case Tuesday without calling any witnesses.

There was some question before the trial whether or not Diddy would testify -- his attorney Marc Agnifilo told us he didn't think he could keep Diddy off the stand -- and now we have our answer.

Frankly, the defense would be taking a huge risk in putting Diddy on the stand, where he'd be subject to cross-examination from some of the best prosecutors in the country ... but it looks like the defense feels they don't need to do a whole lot to counter the prosecution.

Kevin Durant and "Basedgod" rapper Lil B have been beefing for more than a decade -- and not much has changed now that KD is a Houston Rocket -- their feud is spicier than ever!!!

Lil B decided to reignite the beef not long after the bombshell news that Durant had been shipped to HTX ... dissing KD's part-time rap career and accusing him of ducking him in a one-on-one pickup game challenge all these years.

KD last rapped on Stalley's "Scared Money" track but scoffed at the Basedgod's swipes, claiming the rapper was all up in his DMs begging for a feature.

Ja Rule says Fat Joe's "All the Way Up" amid his new legal headache ... telling us the rapper's in good spirits despite the claims of underage sex against him.

We caught up with Ja at Hot 97's Summer Jam concert in New Jersey Friday ... and, we had to ask him about how his friend and fellow New York-born rapper is doing after a man named Terrance Dixon filed a lawsuit against him this week.

ICYMI ... Dixon -- represented by attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn -- is suing Joe and alleging Joe had a sexual relationship with multiple underage girls. Fat Joe's attorney, Joe Tacopina, called the allegations "lies intended to damage his reputation and force a settlement through public pressure."

50 Cent's calling BS on the claim that Fat Joe wanted him dead back in the day ... showing love for his fellow New Yorker in a recent social media post.

The rapper took to Instagram to address claims made about Joe in a lawsuit earlier this week -- where the plaintiff Terrance Dixon accused him of allegedly offering a bounty on 50's life.

Dixon also alleged that Fat Joe ordered a hit to go down in NYC ... but, 50 was surrounded by "Navy Seal" type security -- so he was never attacked.

Prosecutors just released text messages they say show a Diddy escort getting detailed instructions for a paid trip to participate in a marathon freak-off.

Federal prosecutors did another document dump of exhibits in Diddy's racketeering and sex trafficking case Friday, with reams of texts between the male escort known as Jules and an unidentified "Device owner."

The August 2009 messages kick off with the "Device owner" making a spur-of-the-moment pitch to Jules to fly from Los Angeles to NYC for the freak-off -- and being promised a nice "tip" if he can make it work.

The Diddy trial is entering the home stretch because prosecutors are almost done with their case and the defense is now saying they only need one or two days to make their case ... and it sounds like we could get a verdict as early as next week.

Prosecutors called one of their final witnesses Friday and we heard more of the same ... this time from Brendan Paul, Diddy's former assistant, who said he is not a drug mule.

Paul testified about getting drugs sometimes for Diddy and setting up hotel rooms for freak-offs -- like other former Diddy helpers -- but he helped the defense by saying on cross-examination it didn't feel like 'Jane' was being coerced into participating in freak-offs.

Afrobeats star Diamond Platnumz plans on putting his competition at Hot 97's annual "Summer Jam" concert to shame later today ... all from the bottom of his penny bank!!!

TMZ caught up with DP'z walking around New York this week and he was stoked about the radio station carving out an entire portion of the show just for Afrobeats -- an honor the Tanzania native doesn't take lightly.

Diamond Platnumz will join fellow Afro-beasts Ayra Starr, Asake, Masicka, Bobby Konders and Jabba ... and tells us he spent NO LESS than 250K crossing t's and dotting i's to ensure his Summer Jam will be a hit.

Rick Ross' list of certified stomping grounds has been extended to his birthplace of Clarksdale, Mississippi ... with the arrival of his very own street name!!!

The megastar rapper spent Juneteenth yesterday with his mom, sister Tawanda, friends and other fam for the crowning achievement festivities.

Ross and everyone gathered around a WingStop, no doubt, for the unveiling of "Rick Ross Way," firmly planted at 300 Issaquena Ave.

SZA and Lizzo were burning the midnight oil last night while cooking up something special in the studio -- hopefully to get a rise outta Candace Owens!!!

The two superstar artists enjoyed dinner together and then previewed their upcoming dance bop on Instagram, which SZA says will appear on Lizzo's new mixtape.

It's been 3 years since Lizzo dropped a full-length project, and she's clearing the air on her social media beefs.