TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

If ya needed any more indication Kendrick Lamar will perform "Not Like Us" on the world's biggest stage, the Super Bowl LIX halftime performer walked out to his pre-show presser with the Drake diss instrumental booming from the speakers.

The Compton MC had a sit-down with Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis on Thursday ahead of Sunday's gig ... and he talked all about his monstrous 2024 and what it meant for his career.

Kendrick also addressed his big night at the Grammys thanks to 'NLU' ... calling it a reflection of the entire rap culture and how it's just as big as any other genre.

Ja Rule is mourning the loss of music legend Irv Gotti ... who launched the rapper's career in the '90s and elevated him in the early '00s.

Following word of the Murder Inc. cofounder's death, Ja Rule posted to Instagram a black-and-white tribute to Gotti ... along with a short but poignant message for his late mentor.

Check it out ... Ja Rule uploaded a profile shot of Gotti to his feed and shared a pic of himself up close with the mega producer.

LiAngelo Ball's already got the hottest song in all hip-hop ... and now the hooper-turned-rapper locked down one of the greatest artists in the genre's history to jump on the remix for "Tweaker," Lil Wayne!

The remix doesn't drop until Friday, but fans got a bit of an early look at the cover art for the tune ... hours before it'll be streamed by scores on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.

The pairing absolutely makes sense ... as a lot of people have said the song gives off an early 2000s, southern vibe (in fact many said Gelo sounds like Mannie Fresh) ... perfect for Wayne's style.

7:53 AM PT -- Irv Gotti's children released a statement Thursday morning about their father's passing ... "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Irving 'Irv Gotti' Lorenzo, on February 5, 2025. Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched."

The tribute -- signed by Angie, Sonny, and JJ -- honors their dad's professional achievements and passion for music ... and the family asks for privacy as they grieve his loss.

Music mega producer Irv Gotti -- who worked with big acts like DMX, Ja Rule and Ashanti -- is dead ... TMZ has confirmed.

Multiple sources close to his family tell us he died Wednesday in New York City. It's currently unclear exactly how he died.

Irv's battled health problems recently since suffering a stroke last year, and has had to walk with the aid of a cane.

Folks worried about Bianca Censori after her naked Grammys stunt are giving Kanye West a taste of what his wife went through ... courtesy of some X-rated A.I.

Check it out ... days after Ye and Bianca shook up the Grammy Awards with Mrs. West arriving in nothing but a sheer dress, a new photo is going viral -- it's reversing the nudity, depicting Ye butt naked and showing his former Yeezy architect wife in his all-black ensemble.

Whoever created the pic spared the world a vision of Ye's naughty bits ... they censored the beans and frank.

50 Cent trolled Irv Gotti's death on Instagram, writing "LOL" as he was pictured next to a tombstone emblazoned with the phrase "RIP."

The rapper jumped on IG after news broke Wednesday that Irv had died ... 50 posted the photo of himself sitting next to the "RIP" scrawled tombstone and exhaling smoke from a hookah.

In the caption, Fitty wrote, "I'm smoking on dat Gotti pack," but then softened his language with "nah God bless him LOL," alongside an image of Irv -- the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records.

Meek Mill is attesting to Wendy Williams being isolated while under her guardianship ... saying he witnessed it with his own eyes.

The rapper says he lived in the same building as Wendy in 2023, and he would question why she would be sitting in the lobby by herself.

In fact, he shares a photo of Wendy -- presumably in their building's lobby -- where she is clearly alone, sitting on a bench. Meeks describes her as being in a "daze," although it's not exactly clear based on the pic.

2/6 1:45 PM -- Surprise!!! Lil Wayne revealed on Thursday his big reveal is "Tha Carter VI" is dropping in June ... in addition to being featured on LiAngelo Ball's "Tweaker (Remix)!!!"

Lil Wayne is going to be absent from Super Bowl LIX ... even though it's taking place in his hometown of New Orleans.

The rapper confirmed he'd be MIA from Sunday's big game by uploading a video announcement to his Instagram Stories, where he shouted out The Big Easy and said a seat would need to be filled in his absence.

While the "Lollipop" artist clearly won't be a surprise guest during Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance -- something that's been long speculated by fans -- Wayne assured fans he had "something very special" in the works and encouraged people to keep their eyes peeled on Thursday, February 6.

Kendrick Lamar is about to find out if his smash hit "Not Like Us" is as popular with NFL and network lawyers and execs as it is with the public -- and his Super Bowl Halftime Show hangs in the balance.

This is a big day down in the Big Easy, as Kendrick's set list is expected to be handed off to the NFL and FOX honchos gathered in New Orleans for the game. Wednesday is typically the day Halftime Show performers pull back the curtain for the league, and reveal the songs they're going to perform.

But, this year there's extra attention on Kendrick's plans, because of "Not Like Us," and the defamation lawsuit Drake filed against Universal Music Group over the diss track ... which, as we all know, flat-out calls Drake a "certified pedophile."

It sure seems like LeBron James is twisting the knife in his wounded relationship with Drake ... 'cause hours after the rapper dissed him at a concert, he took to social media to show love for Kendrick Lamar.

King James shared his excitement for K. Dot's upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show on Wednesday ... saying he can't wait to watch the Compton native "kill that [poop emoji]" in a matter of days.

While there's no direct shot, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to read between the lines -- after all, there's no way Bron wasn't aware of the stunt Drizzy pulled by switching up his LeBron lyrics while performing "Nonstop" in Australia.

Travis Scott was grabbed by a security staffer following the Lakers vs. Clippers game on Tuesday ... and TMZ Sports is told the whole ordeal was the result of a credential issue.

La Flame had courtside seats for the Battle of L.A. at the Intuit Dome ... where he was laser-focused on all the action throughout the night -- including Bronny James' first-career three-pointer.

But after the Purple and Gold secured the 122-97 victory, the fun briefly died down for the "FE!N" artist ... as he was yanked by a worker as he was making his way off the court and out of the arena.

YG can resume rolling in peace as he sees fit … the Compton rapper’s DUI case from October has been thrown out!!!

The Burbank City Attorney’s Office tells TMZ Hip Hop the case has been rejected due to insufficient evidence.

YG’s high-powered attorney, Joe Tacopina, tells us the matter was dismissed ... primarily because YG was not in the vehicle when the police rolled up on him.

Lil Wayne appears to have a schedule opening this Sunday after announcing he'll be M-I-A at the Super Bowl -- and one strip joint is requesting his "Lollipop" services!!!

Mike Dickinson, the club operator for The Pony in Lexington, Kentucky tells TMZ Hip Hop ... “Lil Wayne is NEW ORLEANS culture and music. His hits get the party started everywhere they’re played especially at Pony Lexington where our entertainers and guests love him."

"We thought he should have been the halftime show so when he wasn’t we invited him!!!"

Kanye West wants to lock up the rights to the title for what appears to be a book about Bianca Censori ... TMZ has confirmed.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Kanye's company Ox Paha Inc. filed a new trademark application for the phrase "Wife By Husband."

Ye wants to use the trademark for different types of printed books ... including biographies, non-fiction and picture books.

Kanye West is ready to take Bianca Censori's "It Girl" status to new heights ... literally shutting down traffic to get the perfect shot of his wifey.

Check it out ... Kanye blocks off a street in West Hollywood, California, to direct picture-hungry photogs on how they should shoot his lady last night.

Bianca, who's ditched her signature naked style for a white pullover and silver leggings, saunters to the center of the road ... where Ye instructs her to pose on the yellow line "like you was drinkin'."

Drake is still in his feelings when it comes to LeBron James ... 'cause the rap superstar switched up his song lyrics to take shots at the Lakers champion amid their apparent feud.

Drizzy's in Australia for his "Anita Max Wynn Tour" this week ... and when it came time to perform his track, "Nonstop," on Tuesday -- he notably revised a line that name-dropped the King.

The line usually goes, "How I go from 6 to 23 like I'm LeBron?" ... but instead, the 6ix God changed it to "but NOT LeBron."