TMZ Hip Hop - Page 2

Rapper Luci4 -- best known for his viral hit "BodyPartz" -- has died at 23.

The L.A. County Medical Examiner confirms Luci4 -- born James Dear -- passed away, though his cause of death is still unknown. His grandparents tell TMZ he died February 22, sometime at a friend’s house in Los Angeles.

They say they don’t know what happened yet -- but they’re suspicious. According to them, his wallet was completely emptied, and they had recently warned him about the people he’d been spending time with as his fame started taking off.

Eva Longoria just added some serious star power to her Netflix comedy … because TMZ has learned 50 Cent is in da proverbial club.

Production sources tell TMZ … the rapper and TV mogul has been on set the past two days filming scenes for Longoria’s upcoming Netflix project, “The Fifth Wheel.”

We’re told 50 shot multiple scenes alongside Kim Kardashian, Nikki Glaser and Brenda Song with the action going down at Exchange LA -- a nightclub in downtown Los Angeles.

DJ Young Slade -- Lil Jon's son -- was laid to rest this week after his father confirmed his death earlier this month.

Lil Jon took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute video of his late son and added, "On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family."

The rapper continued, "I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength."

1:42 PM PT -- Yo Gotti's company CMG has released a statement in the wake of Lil Poppa's passing ... calling him a "beloved family member" and promising to uphold his legacy with honor and respect.

Rapper Lil Poppa died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound ... TMZ has learned.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Georgia tells TMZ the rapper -- real name Janarious Mykel Wheeler -- died after being shot in the head ... his death has been ruled a suicide.

Lil Poppa's cause of death comes out just a day after authorities pronounced him dead.

Ray J's heart monitor has been stolen ... and he's pleading with the thief to give it back.

TMZ caught up with the "Sexy Can I" singer this week -- less than 2 months after he was hospitalized -- and he tells us he's been wearing a heart monitor for the last 2 weeks so docs can keep track of his health. But ... he says a fan snatched the monitor off his bare chest when he hopped into the crowd during his Valentine's Day concert in Shreveport, Louisiana while singing "One Wish."

It's all in the clip -- Ray J says his monitor has important health data his doctors need in order to make a plan for him going forward ... and is even offering cash to the person who has it. He presses that this is no joke and he was wearing it during a "critical" time.

We told you all about it -- Ray J was hospitalized in Vegas in early January and was treated for pneumonia and serious chest pains. He later revealed his docs told him he might not live past 2027.

Chris Brown's ex, Diamond Brown, and his rumored current girlfriend, Jada Wallace, are going at it on socials in an epic back-and-forth... and it's getting nasty!

Here's the deal ... Diamond -- the mother of Chris Brown's daughter Lovely -- accused Chris of trying to sabotage her personal life ... but Jada claimed it's Diamond who's been causing trouble by trying to keep Chris from their daughter.

In Instagram comments, Diamond claimed Chris tried to run off her current man by threatening him after Chris already tried to ruin a previous relationship. This prompted Jada to jump to her man's defense.

2/19/2026 -- 11:21 AM PT -- TMZ has confirmed Lil Poppa died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Lil Poppa -- a popular rapper based out of Jacksonville, Florida -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Georgia tells TMZ ... the rapper -- real name Janarious Mykel Wheeler -- was pronounced dead today at 11:23 AM ET.

His cause of death was not immediately released.

Lil Poppa was signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) and has released several hit tracks over the last few years, including "Love & War," "Mind Over Matter," and "HAPPY TEARS."

Ja Rule says the beef between him and the dudes in G-Unit is in the freezer ... it's not heating up despite the recent plane exchange -- but it's always ready to thaw.

We caught up with the rapper in New York City Tuesday ... and, we asked him why he apologized for the recent argument with Tony Yayo on a Delta Flight.

JR tells us he's a grown man ... and, there's a time and a place to handle beef.

Eminem's ex-wife, Kim Scott, is facing two charges in Michigan after allegedly crashing her car with her son and his friends inside the vehicle ... TMZ has learned.

According to court records, obtained by TMZ, Kim is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to stop or identify after causing property damage -- both misdemeanors.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the chaos unfolded around 8:00 PM Monday. We're told Kim had just left her home with her son, Parker, and three of his friends to go shopping when she allegedly struck a parked car on her street but didn't stop.

ChatDJT has entered the chat .... Nicki Minaj honored her new favorite POTUS this Presidents Day with A.I.-generated photos of Donald J. Trump riding shotgun with her.

Check out the pics ... the fake DJT is swagged out in gear fit for a Barbz -- pink jacket and bedazzled jeans with a lot of bling hanging from his neck.

If you look closely, you can see that the original image appears to have featured Nicki's husband, Kenneth Petty. A reflection that looks a lot like Kenneth is seen in the window behind the A.I. Trump's head.

Cardi B, for the first time, is publicly acknowledging that she and Stefon Diggs are dunzo ... while at the same time, sticking up for the Patriots star wideout in a big way, after rapper BIA took a shot at him this weekend!

Not up on your rap beef? Cardi -- currently at the start of her big "Little Miss Drama Tour" -- and BIA have drama that goes back years. But, if anyone thought Cardi's split from Stefon signalled it was open season to trash the football player, she made it crystal clear that ain't the case.

"Can u name someone with more bms than receiving yards? I can! and I know that… ykwnvm," BIA wrote on social media, obviously taking a dig at Diggs.

Cardi, who had a baby with SD in November, responded, but not immediately, waiting until she hit the stage in Los Angeles Sunday night.

It’s Megan Thee Stallion's birthday -- consider this your official heat warning!

The "Hot Girl" coach never misses when it comes to serving looks, and these bikini snaps prove exactly why she stays winning ... confidence isn’t just part of her brand -- it is the brand.

From jaw-dropping curves to headline-stealing poses, Megan knows how to shut it down from every angle -- and she’s never been shy about giving fans exactly what they came for.

4:49 PM PT -- A rep for Tone Loc tells TMZ ... he's fine, and he's on his way back to Los Angeles. The rep neither confirmed nor denied the medical incident announced by The Krewe of Kolosse.

Tone Loc -- the popular rapper best known for the hit songs "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina" -- is recovering in a Georgia hospital after a medical incident

The Krewe Of Kolosse -- a men's Mardi Gras society -- announced the news because the rapper was supposed to serve as the Grand Marshal of a parade in Dothan, Alabama Saturday.

However, while flying to Dothan, the Krewe of Kolosse says Tone Loc experienced a medical emergency. The organization did not provide additional information.

Bianca Censori will look picture-perfect for her hubby Kanye West for Valentine's Day -- 'cause she was out getting a spa touch-up the day before!

Check it out -- a photog caught her headed out of a Los Angeles medspa Friday looking as radiant as ever ... and showing off what her mama gave her in one of her signature curve-hugging outfits.

The architectural designer dolled up in a pair of lavender tights that left little to the imagination and an off-the-shoulder chocolate brown blouse ... finishing the body-contouring look with a pair of white heels.

Wiz Khalifa's father, Laurence W. Thomaz, has died.

The rapper shared the sad news on social media Friday, noting ... "I will always love him, miss him and be [grateful] for the things he taught me."

He did not reveal a cause of death, but said it "was sudden." He added ... "Seeing how many people love and respected him" made him happy ... noting, "I know he’s proud that he left a positive impact on this earth. Literally all he ever wanted."

The "B" in Cardi B might stand for "bruise" after she took a serious tumble off a chair during her "Little Miss Drama" tour in Las Vegas Friday night.

Check out the clip -- the "I Like It" singer is in the middle of showing off some sexy moves while performing her "Thotiana" remix when the chair slips out from under her, sending her slamming onto the ground on her behind. The pro she is, Cardi doesn't miss a beat and continues performing while thrusting her hips high into the air.

She doesn't fully ignore the blunder, though -- she cracks a joke, blaming the government! Remember, just a few days ago, she dissed ICE at her opening show -- and the feds clapped back by shading her stripping past.