TMZ Hip Hop - Page 24

Tony Rock understands why people are putting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in A.I. videos ... but, he says it's got to stop ... 'cause there are some people you just don't mock!

We caught up with the comedian at LAX on Friday ... and we had to ask him -- from a professional comic's perspective -- about his thoughts on Sora-created videos featuring A.I.-MLK -- like the one of him in a WWE ring, or behind the counter at KFC, just to name a couple recent examples.

Rock says he draws the line at MLK ... saying he can see the humor in some of the videos depicting 2Pac and Biggie -- though they have legacies he doesn't want to see tarnished either -- but, the impactful civil rights leader is simply a bridge too far.

50 Cent stepped into the party life this week for an exquisite new reason ... the hip hop megastar exclusively launched his Branson 505 Edition Cognac by Sire Spirits x Lalique -- a $25,000 affair!!!

Fiddy tells TMZ Hip Hop ... "This is about craftsmanship, culture, and giving back. We created something that’ll outlive all of us -- real art that tells a story, and every bottle helps someone else write theirs.”

The event was fittingly held at the Lalique Townhouse in Manhattan, as each of the 505 limited edition bottles was made with hand-etched Lalique glass ... the Grande Champagne cognac is also aged up to 100 years for maximum quality.

Dave East is now a proud rapper of the independent club, thanks to his recently released album "Karma 4" ... he now has all the creative control for the world!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Dave during his Los Angeles press run -- where he had to 'Checc'-in with Marathon Burger, which he ranks as the best burger in not just California, but in many states.

Speaking of Marathon, Dave shares his enthusiasm in releasing his long-awaited Nipsey verse via the collab, "12 Months," produced by both Nip's and Dave's longtime beatsmiths, Mike & Keys.

Saweetie is drawing the line and entering her lawyers into the chat ... a very gossipy chat, after a woman claiming to be her ex-road manager has been drilling the rapper online for days with drug abuse and prostitution allegations!!!

On Friday, Saweetie sent out a firm statement, which reads ...  “The recent accusations made about me are false, defamatory, and deeply disturbing. These claims misrepresent the facts and are solely aimed to damage my reputation."

"This person never managed me. She was simply introduced to me by family. Her motives are now obvious. I’ll let the lawyers take it from here.”

Brian McKnight is already declaring a victory in his defamation case against ex-wife Julie McKnight ... after she didn't appear in court.

Brian filed a motion for default judgment, and is waiting for the court to sign off to make his win official ... but that technicality didn't prevent Brian from celebrating.

The R&B legend posted a video of himself smoking a cigar, saying, "The verdict is in" -- it isn't -- "according to the courts, trying to ruin my name and trying to bring harm to my family in a book filled with lies equals $8.8 million."

Chris Brown's Breezy Bowl XX concert at the New Orleans Superdome turned into a royal rumble last night ... after a group of women ganged up on another lady and beat the brakes off her in the stands!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained video of the wild encounter unfolding in the seats ... with 2 women -- one in blue, one in black -- arguing as another woman steps in to prevent the one in black from lunging forward.

Shortly after, another woman rushes into their section, briefly consults with the woman in black being restrained ... and then immediately launches into an attack on the woman in blue, clocking her cold in the face!!!

Beyoncé and the girls "Run the World" ... and, right now she's traveling all the way around it ... 'cause she was just spotted shopping at a Yves St. Laurent in Qatar!

The singer-songwriter tried to keep a low profile in a mall Thursday -- darn-near impossible to do when you're a Queen -- tossing on an all-black outfit with a traditional headscarf.

It seems Bey mainly just did some window shopping ... she wasn't carrying any bags as she walked out of YSL ... though we'd guess she probably has someone to carry the load for her when she goes on a spree.

Eminem has found himself a new woman ... and it's someone who's been in his inner circle for years.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the rapper is dating Katrina Malota -- a stylist and makeup artist based in Michigan.

We're told Katrina's worked with Em for years, handling his hair and grooming for music video and photoshoots.

"Between Me and You," Ja Rule is about to be a fire grandfather ... the 49-year-old rapper tells us he's already planning for his future grandkid to be "Livin' It Up."

We caught up with the Grammy-nominated artist Thursday in New York City after his grandpa announcement ... where he told TMZ, "I'm going to open him up a very special account that grows interest over 18 years, so that he has lots of money."

He was absolutely beaming while signing autographs for fans outside of Sherri Shepherd's daytime show "Sherri" -- and with good reason.

Yung Miami says Tyla's got "No Bars" ... 'cause she's accusing the artist of listening and leaving ... stealing a song after Yung Miami showed it to her.

Here's the deal ... Tyla shared a dancing clip set to her new track "Chanel" -- and people online are vibing with it, reposting on X and other social media platforms.

One person who didn't like the post was Yung Miami ... who wrote on X, "This girl really ran off with my song and ion know how to feel about it mind you I played this song for this girl 🤔🤔🤔"

Snoop Dogg is no longer uncomfortable with gay couples being portrayed in children's movies -- and he even put some in his own children’s series!

The rapper teamed up with GLAAD Thursday for Spirit Day -- which is meant to show support for LGBTQ youth -- and he told "The Voice" contestant Jeremy Beloate in a promotional chat all about why he feels it's necessary to represent gay couples in his animated kids' show, "Doggyland."

Check out the video -- Snoop says he wants children to understand all families are special in their own unique ways, and that love has no bounds.

Lil Nas X is on the 'Old Town Road' to recovery ... in his first public appearance since wandering the streets naked and allegedly charging at police officers in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old Grammy winner popped up in L.A., rocking the heck out of a jean jacket and cowboy boots as he ran errands in Santa Monica. He looks healthy and well-rested ... even spending some time in a local park before heading off in a white Jeep.

This comes after undergoing inpatient treatment, following his bizarre August 21 arrest.

Nicki Minaj is rushing to Britney Spears' defense as Kevin Federline makes bombshell claims about their relationship ... and she says K-Fed is a "b*tch."

In a since-deleted post on X, Nicki called out Britney's ex-husband, saying ... "KEVIN FEDERLINE B*TCH WHEN I CATCH U."

Nicki was quote-tweeting Britney's X post about "constant gaslighting" from Kevin that was "extremely hurtful and exhausting."

Megan Thee Stallion is officially in her NBA WAG era ... the rapper made her courtside debut at the Mavericks' preseason finale in Las Vegas on Wednesday to support her boyfriend, Klay Thompson.

The "Bigger In Texas" spitter was spotted at T-Mobile Arena for Dallas' exhibition tilt vs. the Lakers ... and she had one of the best seats in the house to catch her man do his thing on the hardwood.

Fans were excited to see Meg supporting Klay, including ESPN's like Kendrick Perkins, who applauded the Mavericks star while live on air for getting a girl like her.

The historic 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show continued its epic run ... with an iconic after-party Wednesday night.

The big bash went down at Crane Club -- a swanky steak house near New York City's Meatpacking District -- featuring some of the world's biggest celebs.

Check out the pics ... Alessandra Ambrosio traded in her wings for a black leather jacket covering up her black lingerie underneath, along with silky white shorts.

Jennifer Lopez has no plans to jump "On the Floor" with Bad Bunny during the Super Bowl LX Halftime show ... admitting he hasn't reached out to her yet -- but, she's definitely interested!

The singer-songwriter appeared on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" Wednesday night ... and, she made it clear there have been no talks between her and the Puerto Rican hitmaker.

However, J Lo adds she'd make an appearance if Bad Bunny wanted her to ... so, the ball is firmly in his court.