Birdman Apologizes to Lil Wayne

Birdman and Lil Wayne are one step closer to reconciliation after Birdman told a huge crowd he apologized

Birdman was on stage Saturday at Weezyana Fest 2018 in New Orleans when the Cash Money honcho took the mic and essentially told Wayne, "I'm sorry."

Birdman started the apology with Wayne right beside him on sage with the words, "I knew this day was going to come, but I didn't know when it was going to come."

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The 2 then launched into a performance of "Still Fly."

Birdman and Lil Wayne seemed to have settled their beef -- of "Tha Carter V" and millions Wayne claimed he was owed -- over the years, but this is the first time there was an apology.

Wayne sued Birdman and Cash Money for $51 million for violating the terms of his contract and withholding the release of his album, "Tha Carter V." The suit settled back in June, and it appears "Tha Carter V" will be released before the end of 2018.

The album was actually recorded in 2014, and some music folks wonder if it's dated by now.

UFC Announcer Quit Bitching, Nate Diaz ... & Bow To Dana White!

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TOUGH TALK
TMZSports.com

The most famous Octagon announcer in MMA history is sick and tired of Nate Diaz's antics, telling the Stockton superstar to stop complaining and start fighting already.

We got Bruce Buffer out in L.A. and he didn't mince words ... saying Nate's public feud with Dana White and the UFC is ridiculous ... considering how much money he's made.

Diaz -- who's scheduled to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 in November -- recently told TMZ Sports he ain't interested in fighting ... and said he felt he'd been "under promoted" by the UFC.

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NATE DIAZ FIRES SHOTS AT UFC
TMZSports.com

So, when we saw the Buffer out in L.A. earlier this week ... we asked him about Diaz's beef with the UFC.

"Nate, I heard you made 7 or more million dollars on your last fight. I don't want to hear complaining about being under promoted by the UFC."

"You should be thanking the UFC and bowing to Dana White every time you see him."

After Buffer went all Westside Connection on Nate ... we ask him about the trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Diaz -- and whether that fight's ever gonna go down.

Logan Paul vs. KSI It's a Draw!!! ... But Jake Defeats Deji

The YouTube superstars' superfight night in Manchester, England -- featuring Logan Paul vs. KSI and Jake Paul vs. Deji -- is over ... after the judges called the second battle of the bros a draw.

The 2 went the 6-round distance in an entertaining and exhausting fight, but in the end KSI's hand was raised ... along with Logan's.

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THE STORYLINE CONTINUES
YouTube

The judges' scorecards came out to a majority draw, which can only mean one thing -- REMATCH!!

As for the fight ... Logan dominated the first 2 rounds by landing a number of jabs and body shots, but the momentum seemed to turn after KSI threw a cheap shot after the bell at the end of round 2 ... causing Jake to angrily jump in the ring.

After that, KSI's energy level looked much higher than Logan's -- especially in the final round -- as he threw a series of violent haymakers ... many of which connected.

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CALLIN' OUT CHRIS BROWN
YouTube

Earlier, Logan's younger bro Jake defeated Deji in the 5th round by knockout after wearing him down with a flurry of punches in the previous 2 rounds. Deji's corner threw in the towel as Jake continued his barrage in the fifth.

The 2 were aggressive from the opening bell, throwing jabs and hooks and landing head and body shots galore ... and Jake's bloody face in round 1 showed the damage.

He was able to recover, though ... and seemed to have more stamina and composure as the fight went on.

As we reported ... Logan and KSI came face-to-face Friday for weigh-ins one final time before they entered the ring to pummel each other ... and brought the insults.

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FACE-TO-FACE

KSI decided to go after L.P.'s girlfriend, Chloe Bennet ... by walking onto the stage wearing a mask of the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." star's face. Logan hit back with a jab at KSI's apparent bad breath ... by giving him some gum.

Both bros have been training like maniacs for months, with KSI crushing his boxing workouts and Logan brutalizing his sparring partner in a training sesh.

As for the Jake fight ... he predicted a 1st-round KO of Deji when asked by legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer at Friday's weigh-in. Deji responded by calling Jake "delusional."

Two days earlier ... Jake slapped Deji in the face when KSI's little bro crashed his gym where he was meeting up with fans for autographs and pics.

But none of that matters now ... to the victor go the spoils.

Lauren Conrad No Bad Blood ... Too Busy For Reboot

Lauren Conrad, star of the "The Hills," didn't turn down MTV's reboot because she hated her costars ... she's just way too busy making a fortune.

Sources close to Lauren tell us ... LC is swamped with business ventures and just doesn't have time to shoot "The Hills: New Beginnings," which premiers in 2019.

It makes sense why LC can't be bothered with a reboot. Been there, done that.

Lauren's already got several revenue streams -- multiple clothing lines and her own stores -- and her business portfolio is WAY stronger than any of her former costars.

She's DEFINITELY got more going on than Justin "Bobby" Brescia.

We broke the story ... Justin bashed Lauren and Kristin Cavallari as "s****y people" in discussing the new cast for the reboot.

Everyone who watched "The Hills" knows ... LC had tons of confrontations.

But, LC's blowing off Justin's comments ... we're told her decision to pass on the show doesn't have anything to do with beef or lingering problems with Justin or anyone else.

Screw a reboot, Lauren has enough material for her own reality show.

Azealia Banks 'Wild 'N Out' Video Reveals Why She Went Ballistic

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PETTY AF
MTV

Now we know what incited Azealia Banks into a fit of racial rage last month ... DC Young Fly's joke on "Wild 'N Out" that Azealia was a poor substitute for Cardi B.

TMZ has obtained a clip from the show, during a game called "So Petty." DC cracked that Azealia was booked because Nick Cannon and co. couldn't land Cardi.

Azealia didn't find it funny at all, calling the punchline "anti-black." The intimation ... that Cardi B was a light-skinned woman and therefore more beautiful than the darker-skinned Azealia.

So, now we know why Azealia went HAM on social media last month, saying, "Some little scrawny black Atlanta twink was prepared for me. They planned this - hit me on short notice, told me I didn’t have to participate in the coon ass freestyle battles, (not my style) and I was to sing my song and go home."

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Nick was clearly annoyed by Azealia's comment, saying essentially she opened herself up to attack by resorting to racial insults.

Azealia's full episode airs Friday on MTV at 10 PM ET.

Nicki Minaj I Love Kylie!!! ... She's Not Part of This

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DON'T EXPECT A CATFIGHT
QUEEN RADIO

Nicki Minaj wants this on the record -- she F****** LOVES Kylie Jenner (but not Travis Scott) ... and will NOT be playing into a catfight narrative!!! GOT IT?! Got it, Nick.

The NY rapper cleared the air Thursday on her 'Queen Radio' show over a vid TMZ posted showing Kylie trying to avoid Nicki on the VMAs red carpet this week, saying Kylie's nothing more than an innocent bystander in this clear beef between Nicki, Travis and the music biz.

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CLOSE CALL
TMZ.com

Nicki says Kylie is doing what anyone would do -- standing by their man. That's a bit of a flip from what Nicki tweeted over the weekend, blaming Kylie and Stormi for pumping up Travis' album sales. Now ... she insists they're all good.

As for the red carpet run-in, we just call it how we see it. Kylie was absolutely trying to dodge Nicki ... no debate on that. But, if Kylie can approach without worry, cool. Come on down!

Kylie Jenner Swerves Out of Nicki's Lane at VMAs ... NOOOOPPPE

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CLOSE CALL
TMZ.com

Kylie Jenner did NOT want to come face-to-face with Nicki Minaj at the VMAs, 'cause she completely changed course on the red carpet to avoid her.

Nicki was making her entrance at Radio City Music Hall Monday night, and Kylie was walking in her direction from the other end ... when she stopped in her tracks upon seeing Nicki. It's pretty clear she didn't want a confrontation -- 'cause she doubled back fast.

Can't blame her. Nicki put Kylie and her baby, Stormi, on blast this weekend ... blaming them for unscrupulously boosting Travis Scott's album sales by promoting his merch. She later went on to call Travis a "hoe n**** of the week" on her Apple Music radio show.

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SHAAAADE!
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VMA producers had already accommodated Travis and Kylie by seating them far away from Nicki after placing them right behind her at first in a seating arrangement.

Looks like you can't avoid running into your problems sometimes -- but you can always run away from them. Kylie definitely didn't want that smoke.

Justin Bobby On 'The Hills' Reboot Lauren Conrad & Kristin Cavallari Were S****y People

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NO SURPRISE HERE
TMZ.com

Justin "Bobby" Brescia is thrilled to be working with a smaller cast on "The Hills" reboot ... 'cause he says Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari killed the good vibes on the original MTV series.

We got Justin in NYC Monday leaving the Four Seasons Hotel ... and he suggested LC and Kristin were difficult to work with -- so he's glad the 2 aren't joining him on the reboot, "The Hills: New Beginnings."

Justin tells us ... there were "s****y people" involved in the original show, which ran for 6 seasons from 2006-10 ... and says the new cast is way better.

The new show features Audrina Patridge, Heidi Pratt, Whitney Port, Spencer Pratt, Stephanie Pratt, Jason Wahler, Frankie Delgado and Justin.

LC and Kristin aren't coming back for different reasons. LC is focusing on her family and business ventures. Kristin is under contract with E! for her own reality show.

Justin says the condensed cast is happy and they all have positive vibes.

The reboot is slated to premiere on MTV in 2019.

The Mooch on Omarosa Tapes Trump Can Literally Say Anything ... And Probably Be Fine

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LET'S ALL GET ALONG
TMZ.com

Anthony Scaramucci says Omarosa trying to burn President Trump with his own words is likely to backfire ... 'cause we've already been there and done that, and nothing happened.

We talked to the Mooch about Omarosa's supposed 200 secret White House tapes that she's been slowly leaking over the past couple weeks, and he just doesn't think there's anything she has that'll do serious damage to 45. Like he points out ... if the Access Hollywood tape couldn't bring Trump down, nothing probably will at this point.

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LEAKED CONVO

Oh, and don't forget everything else Trump openly said or reportedly said over his near two-year presidency -- from calling African countries s**tholes and referring to NFL players as SOBs, to implying neo-Nazis are "very fine people," and, of course, calling LeBron James dumb ... there's a lot of controversial statements out there.

As for why Omarosa's on a tear, Anthony says he gets it. But, he thinks she -- and the White House -- need to chill out rather than tear each other down. Ha ... good luck with that.

Nicki Minaj Radio Gold!!! Bashes Travis AND Kylie

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SHAAAADE!
Queen Radio

Nicki Minaj can't top Travis Scott on the charts ... but she's got him beat when it comes to hosting a radio show.

Nicki WENT OFF on Travis during her Tuesday "Queen Radio" show ... giving the rapper the "Hoe N**** Of The Week" award and continuing to bash Travis and baby mama Kylie Jenner for what she says are unethical practices in promoting his new album.

Tell us how you really feel, Nicki!!!

Nicki is still SALTY about losing the no. 1 spot in album sales to Travis -- she's been griping about it all week -- and it doesn't sound like she'll get over 2nd place any time soon.

It's not all hate -- Nicki says she loves Kylie, Stormi, Kim and the rest of their fam -- but the Queen doesn't want to let Travis off the hook.

Nicki isn't afraid to air out dirty laundry ... even if other rappers are scared.

She's also been more than willing to stir up controversy this week ... 'cause she's now calling herself the new and improved Harriet Tubman.

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LET IT BE KNOWN
TMZ.com

In light of Tuesday's radio rants ... it's a good thing Travis wasn't sitting behind Nicki at Monday night's VMAs.

Nicki Minaj 'I Am the New Harriet Tubman'

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LET IT BE KNOWN
TMZ.com

Nicki Minaj isn't just comparing herself to Harriet Tubman -- she's now saying she IS Harriet Tubman ... just new and improved.

We got the "QUEEN" MC leaving her hotel Monday night on her way to the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall, where our camera guy asked about a new controversy swarming around Nick from a tweet she put out earlier in the day ... conjuring Harriet's name, and drawing comparisons.

Some Twitter fans were furious Nicki insinuated she was in the same league as Harriet, although Nicki never explicitly compared herself to the civil rights icon. Until now, that is. Our photog has her on camera saying it straight-up ... "I am the new Harriet Tubman."

We press her to make sure she knew what she's saying, and the implications of her remarks -- which are certainly shocking. She pushes right back, insisting she is the next Harriet Tubman. You do you, Nick?

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PLAYING IT SAFE
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BTW ... we also got Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner heading to the VMAs, and asked if they were gonna try to squash the beef Nicki started on Sunday. They were mum on all that ... but we're guessing that whole mess will sort itself out in the stands.

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A BIT OF A STRETCH
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We got 50 Cent out after the VMA's and asked him what he thought about the Harriet Tubman reference and he was ... guarded.

Tyga No Way in Hell I'm Back w/ Blac Chyna

Tyga's soaking up life in the single lane ... and that's why there's ZERO chance he'll get back with his ex, Blac Chyna.

Sources close to the rapper tell TMZ ... Tyga and BC didn't know they were going to the same event over the weekend. The bash was a birthday party for one of Tyga's business partners ... someone Chyna also knows.

Thing is ... Tyga and Chyna never interacted the entire time they were at the Meatpacking District hot spot, Catch NYC. We're told they also never spoke when the after-party moved over to Marquee.

Sources say Tyga wants to keep things with BC exactly how they are now -- with their previous relationship in the rearview mirror.

See, love doesn't always win.

Safaree at VMAs Takes Shots at Nicki Karma's a Bitch

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AIN'T WORRIED 'BOUT NOTHIN
TMZ.com

Safaree says he isn't worried about potentially running into his ex, Nicki Minaj, on the red carpet at the VMAs ... but he does have some advice for her.

We got the 'Love & Hip Hop' star Monday as he was heading to Radio City Music Hall in NYC to attend the MTV awards show when he took some clear shots at Nicki on the heels of their online beef ... not to mention all her other Twitter squabbles this week.

As we reported ... Safaree claimed Nicki once tried to stab him with a knife in 2014 -- she called him a liar. Nicki also called out Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner over the weekend for working together to push his album sales past hers on the charts.

Safaree's got some thoughts on that too ... pick your battles, Nick. And grow with the times.

Our guy also asks if he beefed up security to avoid any nasty run-ins with Nicki on the red carpet -- like MTV brass is already doing to accommodate the feuding exes -- but he insists he's only rolling deep as a result of his robbery earlier this year.

As far as who should get top-tier seating between Nicki, Travis and Kylie ... Safaree's got a pretty hilarious answer ... and kind of an obvious one if you think about it.

April Ryan Omarosa Didn't Even Write Her Book!!!

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BEST SELLER BATTLE
TMZ.com

April Ryan is throwing some serious shade at Omarosa ... saying she never put pen to paper because she used a ghostwriter.

Ryan -- who has reported at the White House for more than 20 years -- bashes Omarosa for her secret recordings and being a backstabber.

April says her upcoming book, "Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House," unlike Omarosa's book, is the real deal.

As for bowing down to Trump before she broke ranks ... April says O shouldn't wait for invites to the church social anytime soon.

But, she does draw the line ... even Omarosa doesn't deserve what Donald Trump dished out.

Cardi B She's Team Travis ... Even Though this Mom's Mum

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I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
TMZ.com

Cardi B was friendly and talkative with our photog Monday ... UNTIL we brought up the Travis Scott /Nicki Minaj feud.

We got Cardi B at The London NYC hotel ahead of the VMAs ... and she confirmed our report, there will be no musical performance from the "Bodak Yellow" singer. She'll open the show with some sort of monologue or skit ... but that's it. She says she's a little under the weather ... and will only perform when she feels better.

As for the Travis/Nicki drama ... even though she was mum, our sources say she's squarely on Team Travis.

Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott Seated DIRECTLY Behind Nicki Minaj at VMAs ... Um, Awwkward!!!

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott will have a direct shot at Nicki Minaj during the VMAs ... this after Nicki blasted them for cheating her out of the top spot on the Billboard chart.

The seating chart for Monday night's VMAs plays like some high school drama. Roughly 24 hours after Nicki went nuclear on Travis and Kylie, they'll be sitting within inches of each other at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

ICYMI, Nicki went off on Travis Sunday, blaming Kylie and her daughter, Stormi, for rocketing Travis to the top of the Billboard Chart with his album, "Astroworld," which came out 2 weeks ago. Nicki's convinced Kylie's strong social media presence is what pushed Travis over the top and firmly believes the No. 1 spot woulda been hers if not for Kylie and Stormi.

Grab ya popcorn.