Chaka Khan My Kanye Beef Is Over!!! I Didn't Get the Rap Game

Chaka Khan isn't mad at Kanye West for sampling her voice on his debut single ... and admits she was just clueless about how the Hip, Hop, the hippity hop operated at the time!!!

The R&B songstress harked back Friday on her tense treatment of Kanye in a new interview with Rolling Stone ... and even called her past reactions "salty" when it came to the song "Through the Wire" ... which sped up her vocals to complete the track.

Despite the song being heralded as an instant classic and launching Kanye's legendary career, Chaka's ripped him for YEARS over how he chopped up her original song "Through the Fire."

"Sped-up" versions of songs are all the rage on TikTok these days, and Chaka says she would have embraced Kanye had she known how it was impacting the culture at the time. Hindsight is 20/20 ... and still undefeated!

Maybe the Backstreet Boys will have the same change of heart ... Ye's still waiting for them to clear a sample for his new album!!!

DON LEMON BLASTS NIKKI HALEY'S CIVIL WAR DAMAGE CONTROL

Don Lemon hasn't forgotten about his clash with Nikki Haley earlier this year ... bringing it up as a way to diss her over fumbling a question about the cause of the Civil War.

The former CNN anchor is ripping Nikki for asking for grace for omitting slavery from her answer ... he says she was quick to pounce on him when he called her past "her prime" earlier this year on CNN, and didn't leave him room to ask for grace.

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NEXT QUESTION

As you know ... Nikki is catching tons of flak for not mentioning slavery as a catalyst for the Civil War in response to a question on the presidential campaign trail.

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IGNORING THE OBVIOUS
TMZ.com

Nikki's since backtracked, telling CNN she didn't mention slavery because she thought it was so obvious.

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CNN

Don says he's glad she's clarified her remarks ... adding, "In the spirit of the season, let's see if her actions match her corrected words moving forward."

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"PRIME" TIME
CNN

It's no surprise Don is still sour about his beef with Nikki ... the remark was another strike for him at CNN, and it caused him to back out of an event he was set to moderate.

Donald Trump Calls BS On 'Home Alone 2' Bully Claim 'They Begged Me To Be In The Film'

Donald Trump is slamming reports he bullied his way into the film, "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York," saying the director begged him to play a role in a famous scene with Macaulay Culkin.

In a statement posted to his Truth Social platform Wednesday, Trump attacked 'Home Alone 2' director Christopher Columbus for hurling the bully accusation at him in a recently resurfaced 2020 Business Insider interview.

The 45th President wrote that Columbus was "begging me to make a cameo appearance" after the movie producers rented NYC's Plaza Hotel, which Trump owned at the time, to shoot a scene for the 1992 comedy.

Trump continued, “I was very busy, and didn’t want to do it. They were very nice, but above all, persistent. I agreed, and the rest is history!"

He added that his brief cameo "took off like a rocket" and, as a result, the movie was a huge success then and now, particularly around Christmas time, noting, "People call me whenever it is aired.”

Columbus, however, saw his encounter with Trump very differently in the 2020 Business Insider interview, which was just rehashed by several media outlets.

At the time, Columbus told Business Insider ... he was unable to rebuild The Plaza Hotel on a soundstage for the scene where Trump bumps into Culkin in the lobby and offers him directions.

Columbus and his team contacted Trump to ask if they could film at 45's then-hotel, assuming they would just have to pay a fee.

Columbus said Trump promised to greenlight their request, but only if he could have a part in the flick.

After agreeing to the deal, Columbus said the "oddest thing" happened during their first screening -- the audience cheered when Trump popped up in the film.

So, Columbus decided to leave Trump in the movie instead of cutting out his scene.

In the interview, Columbus put it this way ... "It’s a moment for the audience. But, he did bully his way into the movie.”

Donald Trump Niega que haya presionado para estar en "Mi pobre angelito 2" Me rogaron que apareciera

Donald Trump está criticando los informes que dicen que presionó a su manera para estar en la película "Mi pobre angelito 2: Perdidos en Nueva York", diciendo que el director le rogó para que jugara un papel en la famosa escena con Macaulay Culkin.

En un comunicado publicado el miércoles en su plataforma Truth Social, Trump atacó al director de "Mi pobre angelito 2", Christopher Columbus, por acusarlo de acosador (o bully) en una entrevista con Business Insider de 2020, recientemente reaparecida.

El 45º presidente escribió que Columbus le "rogó que hiciera un cameo" después de que los productores de la película alquilaran el Hotel Plaza de Nueva York, que Trump poseía en ese momento, para rodar una escena de la comedia de 1992.

Trump continuó: "Estaba muy ocupado y no quería hacerlo. Fueron muy amables, pero sobre todo, persistentes. Acepté, ¡y el resto es historia!".

Añadió que su breve cameo "despegó como un cohete" y, como resultado, la película fue un gran éxito en ese entonces y ahora, sobre todo en la época navideña, señalando: "La gente me llama cada vez que se emite".

Columbus, sin embargo, vio su encuentro con Trump de una forma muy diferente en su entrevista con Business Insider en 2020, la que acaba de ser retuiteada por varios medios.

En ese momento, Columbus le dijo a Business Insider que no pudo reconstruir el Plaza Hotel en un escenario de sonido para la escena en la que Trump se topa con Culkin en el vestíbulo y le ofrece direcciones.

Columbus y su equipo se pusieron en contacto con Trump para preguntarle si podían filmar en el entonces hotel de los 45, asumiendo que solo tendrían que pagar un precio.

Columbus dice que Trump prometió darle luz verde a su petición, pero solo si él podía tener un papel en la película.

Después de aceptar el acuerdo, Columbus dijo que la "cosa más extraña" sucedió durante su primera proyección, el público aplaudió cuando Trump apareció en la película.

Así que Columbus decidió dejar a Trump en la película en lugar de cortar su escena.

En la entrevista, Columbus lo puso de esta manera: "Es un momento para el público. Pero, él intimidó a su manera (bully his way) en la película".

Britney Spears Chances of Xmas w/ Dad Dwindling ... Holiday Plans Still Hazy

Britney Spears has yet to get on the horn and ring up her old man to make plans for Christmas -- and at this point ... it almost feels like a family reunion ain't happening.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Jamie Spears hasn't heard from Britney whatsoever in recent days, this despite the fact that it seemed like a coming-together was possibly imminent in time for the holidays.

Alas, we're told it's been radio silence from Britney's end ... although our sources say Jamie is planning on spending Christmas with his other daughter, Jamie Lynn Spears in Louisiana.

As far as where Britney might be, or what she'll end up doing ... it's not totally clear. We know her mother, Lynne, was hopeful her daughter might fly out and spend this weekend with her -- but again, there's no indication that's happening.

It's a bit of a downer to hear -- remember, after we broke the story that Jamie had his leg amputated ... Britney posted a photo of the two of them, seemingly signaling she'd come around and make amends.

It was just a few weeks ago that Britney and Lynne were together here in SoCal -- for Brit's 42nd birthday, no less -- but that sweet reconciliation appears to have been short-lived.

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Like we said, no idea on where Britney might be at the moment -- but she did just signal on social media she's still here in California ... 'cause she posted a video of herself posing in a white outfit, with a long caption recounting a story about something she saw at the gym.

On its face, it seems like she's rolling solo for Xmas ... which, if true, is a bit of a shame.

We know for a fact people in her family would love to see her, but for now ... the clock is ticking on being able to make that a reality. Granted there are still a couple days left.

If there was ever a time for a Christmas miracle, now would be it. Fingers crossed. 🤞

FKA Twigs Dragged by Taylor Swift Fans ... Over 'Famous' Reenactment

Taylor Swift's loyal army of fans are coming after FKA Twigs over a perceived shot -- and it all has to do with an apparent reenactment of Kanye West's 'Famous' music video.

The indie artist posted a massive photo and video dump on Instagram the other day, recapping what she's been working on as an end-of-year tease of what's to come. It's a lot of random clips of her goofing around, as well as some snippets of her singing/recording, but one video in the mix got a double take from Swifties ... perhaps for good reason.

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SWIFTIES DON'T APPROVE

It features Twigs, multi-instrumentalist Eartheater and some other pals of theirs laying in a bed, with everyone looking like they're asleep. The camera angle is taken from above, and pans across everybody from left to right ... and at the end, they break character/laugh it up.

FKA didn't explicitly address the bed clip -- simply writing, "this year i have been making my album in cabs in berlin, huts in big sur, caves in ibiza, roads in hackney, i have written lyrics by lakes in prague and in the toilets of raves with a biro on the back of my hand."

On its face, it could just be a taste of a collab between herself and Earth -- and it could also be completely innocent/unrelated to Ye's 2016 song/music vid that looks awfully similar.

Unfortunately for Twigs, Swifites took offense to it ... as they seem to feel this is a dig that's mocking Ye's visual treatment -- which featured a fake nude Taylor right next to fake Ye/Kim.

Kanye West 2016
UNEDITED VERSION

Taylor herself never addressed it, but people in her camp have expressed outrage over Kanye putting her likeness in there ... and many have gone to call it a crude publicity stunt teetering on revenge porn. It was just the latest development in their longstanding feud.

Now that Twigs has seemingly referenced that old wound with a recreation, of sorts -- intentionally or not -- the Swifites are out in force in her comment section ... and elsewhere online, and they're tearing Twigs are new one with a lot of angry comments/insults.

You can hop into the FKA Twigs trend and see the discourse for yourself -- on the one hand, you have Taylor's base going to bat for their idol, but on the other ... you got FKA's army defending her as well, and labeling the Swifties a toxic and misguided bunch.

FWIW, Taylor has not spoken out on this yet ... frankly, she probably isn't even aware of it. There's been no bad blood between these two ladies either -- in fact, Twigs has spoken fondly of Taylor in the past ... but they're not necessarily good friends or anything like that.

With all that said, we do know this whole 'Famous' saga is still fresh on Taylor's mind -- on account of her addressing it in her TIME profile recently -- but hopefully ... people can just let sleeping dogs lie here, 'cause it sounds pretty GD petty. It's the holidays, people -- relax!

Millyz to MGK Stop Gunning for Jack Harlow ... I'll Destroy You Myself!!!

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THIS IS A BLOODSPORT
TMZ.com

Millyz has a score to settle with Machine Gun Kelly, but has no idea when they'll get it cracking ... because he thinks Kelly's secretly scared of him.

The Massachusetts-bred rapper tells TMZ Hip Hop he didn't get into the biz to create a white rapper beef sideshow ... but claims MGK has worked his last nerve, and been working overtime behind the scenes to make sure he doesn't get any of his looks.

Millyz says he didn't appreciate MGK's unprovoked "Renegade" shot at Jack Harlow -- especially after experiencing what he says were "weird" encounters in person.

For years, Millyz says MGK has faked like he doesn't know who he is, and accuses him of gatekeeping over threats he'll become more popular.

The fight for streams may be slim pickings, but Millyz tells us he's been able to make his dough in spite of the alleged blackball attempts from MGK.

Millyz just released his new album titled "Holy Water" ... but he really sounds bent on dragging MGK through hell.

Flavor Flav nunca se peleó con Chuck D

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TMZ.com

Flavor Flav no tiene más que palabras amables para su compañero de Public Enemy Chuck D, en el período previo a su nuevo single "Every Where Man", y aunque no hablaron por un tiempo, insiste en que no había mala onda.

Tenemos a Flav en "TMZ Live" el viernes, y nos dijo que ha estado plagado de preguntas sobre cuando se reunirían, pero dice que no podría haber una reunión porque nunca se separaron, simplemente se tomaron un largo descanso.

A pesar de algunos años de drama entre ellos, Flav dice que ama a Chuck, y dice que el sentimiento es mutuo.

Reconoce que a veces la gente no se pone de acuerdo, y en esos casos, dice que ambos dieron un paso atrás y se mantuvieron en movimiento.

En cuanto a la música, Flav está encantado con su nuevo single, en el que participa Chuck y que saldrá a la venta el 10 de enero. También viene con obras de arte de un diseñador gráfico llamado Aimee Johnson.

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el simpático flav

Como la mayoría de las cosas este año, hay una conexión con Taylor Swift, sí, incluso con Public Enemy. Flav dice que los Swifties en las redes sociales le recomendaron a Aimee cuando posteó que necesitaba algo de ayuda para el arte de su trabajo.

Échale un vistazo al video, Flav —que es un Swiftie importante— dejó caer una analogía deportiva en nosotros para transmitir su agradecimiento a los fans de Tay Tay.

En sus palabras: "Los Swifties son un regalo".

FLAVOR FLAV 'ME & CHUCK NEVER BEEFED!!!' Swifties Helped Secure New P.E. Art

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SWIFTIES COMIN' IN CLUTCH
TMZ.com

Flavor Flav has nothing but kind words for his Public Enemy partner Chuck D in the run-up to their new single "Everywhere Man" -- and while they didn't talk for a while, he insists there was no real beef.

We've got Flav on "TMZ Live" Friday, and he told us he's been plagued by queries on when P.E. would reunite -- but he says there couldn't be a reunion because they never broke up -- they merely took a long break.

Despite a few years of headline-grabbing drama between them, Flav says he loves Chuck -- and the feeling is mutual.

He acknowledges sometimes people don't see eye to eye, and in those instances, he says they both pull it back together and keep things moving.

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On the music front, Flav is ecstatic with his new single, which features Chuck and is set for wide release on Jan. 10. It also comes with cool artwork by a graphic designer named Aimee Johnson.

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FLAV SHARES THE LOVE

Like most things this year, there's a Taylor Swift connection -- yes, even to Public Enemy. Flav says Swifties on social media actually pointed him in Aimee's direction when he posted about needing artistic help.

Check out the video ... Flav, who is a major Swiftie himself, dropped a sports analogy on us to relay his thanks to Tay Tay's fans.

In his words, "Swifties are gifts."

Foxy Brown Only Nicki Could Beat My Record ... Putting Bum Chicks On Notice for '24!!!

Nicki Minaj just became the female rapper with the most multiple No. 1 albums ... which created the perfect opportunity for her ace, Foxy Brown, to flex her pettiness on the competition!!!

As you know, last week, Nicki made a splash with her new album "Pink Friday 2" -- it's all set to top the Billboard 200 this week.

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Ye Train Has Left The Station

She wouldn't even let Kanye West get involved in the momentum the album is so hot!!!

The project gives Nicki the record for most No. 1 albums by a female rapper ... she'd previously been tied with Foxy, whose record was set back in 1999.

Foxy collaborated with Nicki on her last album and didn't waste time hopping on IG to congratulate her ... as well as throw sneaky shade at her rivals, such as Lil Kim.

Foxy gloated all over a fan tweet that implied Kim had the same amount of time in her career to snag some No. 1's for herself ... but didn't.

The "Ill Na Na" rapper says she'll also be putting herself back in the history books with a new album next year -- her first since 2008.

Maybe it'll drop the same day as Kim's book and they'll do a Verzuz!!! 👀

Anita Baker acusada de ponerse pesada con el público

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¡SÁQUENLOS DE AQUÍ!
TikTok / @icemamiiii, @_drholmes

La última actuación en directo de Anita Baker está recibiendo hate luego de que se pusiera irritable con el público en Texas. Parte de esto fue capturado en video.

La legendaria cantante estaba haciendo un show en el Toyota Center de Houston el viernes por la noche para una audiencia bastante sólida, pero en ciertos momentos, durante el concierto, Anita parece haberse ofuscado un poco con algunas personas de la primera fila.

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Hay dos videos circulando en línea en este momento. Uno muestra a Anita diciendole a algunas personas que estaban justo debajo de ella cerca del escenario que dejaran de grabar en medio de una canción.

Hay otro momento en el que se puede ver y escuchar a Anita pidiéndole a los de seguridad que echen a la gente.

En general, esto parece haber dejado un mal sabor de boca en el público, con algunos en línea quejándose de que Anita estaba más preocupada por discutir con un selecto grupo de fans que hacer el mejor trabajo que podía en el escenario para todos. Otros afirmaron que parecía haberse saltado algunas letras, y alegaron que su actuación, en general, fue relativamente efímera y algo descuidada.

Ahora, hay un buen puñado de personas que defienden a Anita, diciendo que la gente de la primera fila estaba, de hecho, actuando y provocandola. Otros dijeron que la actuación, en general, fue genial.

Por supuesto, el telón de fondo más grande de esto es la disputa con Babyface de a principios de este año. Donde se metió con él y sus fans en la Twitter-esfera.

Anita tiene otro show esta noche en Dallas, luego viene a California para sus dos últimos. Esperemos que pueda despedirse con éxito porque parece que la gira ha sido un poco accidentada.

Anita Baker Accused of Bickering w/ Houston Crowd ... During Live Tour Stop

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GET 'EM OUTTA HERE!
TikTok / @icemamiiii, @_drholmes

Anita Baker's latest live performance is catching a little heat after she apparently got testy with the audience out in Texas -- parts of which were captured on video.

The legendary crooner was doing a show in Houston's Toyota Center Friday night and playing to a pretty solid-sized audience ... but at certain points during the gig, AB appears to have gotten into it a bit with some folks down in the front row.

There are 2 videos, in particular, that are circulating online right now -- one shows Anita telling some people right below her near the stage to stop recording ... in the middle of a song.

There's another moment where Anita could be seen/heard asking for security to boot folks.

Overall, this seems to have left a bad taste in people's mouths -- with some online complaining that Anita was more concerned with arguing with a select few ticket-buyers than doing the best job she could onstage. Others claimed she seemed to miss some lyrics ... and alleged her performance, overall, was relatively short-lived and somewhat sloppy.

Now, there's a good handful of people defending Anita ... saying the folks in the front row were, in fact, acting up and testing AB. Others said the performance, at large, was great.

Of course, the larger backdrop to this is the Babyface feud she was in earlier this year while on the road -- during which she got into it with both him and his fans in the Twitter-sphere.

Anita's got another show tonight in Dallas, then she comes to Cali next for her final two. Here's hoping she can go out with a bang -- sounds like the tour's been a little bumpy.

Gunna Bien protegido en Beverly Hills ¡¡Con 2 guardias de seguridad armados!!

Gunna todavía no está tomando ningún riesgo con su vida mientras el juicio de Young Thug YSL se entrampa, y está permitiendo que unos guardias armados vigilen su espalda.

El rapero de "Fukumean" fue visto haciendo compras con sus guardaespaldas en Saks Fifth Avenue en Beverly Hills esta semana, un escenario ideal para gastar dinero en efectivo y no tener que preocuparse de que te roben cuando lo sacas.

Estas compras en particular ocurrieron sin problemas, pero este año ya fue encarado por un completo extraño y más enemigos podrían estar al acecho en cualquier parte.

Su ex compañero en "Drip So Hard" Lil Baby dejó caer una nueva canción titulada "350" el viernes que parecía apuntar a Gunna. Esta decía: "I know one day it's gon' hit me/Bro ain't never comin' back/Ain't never say nothin' 'bout it, n****, you know you a rat".

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Aprendiendo por las malas
TMZ.com

La seguridad de Gunna le hará ganar puntos con los OGs o leyendas del rap, Charlamagne Tha God hizo hincapié en la importancia de contar con guardaespaldas profesionales cuando opinió sobre el desastre de Nardo Wick con nosotros a principios de este mes.

Algunos otros raperos han expresado su descontento con Gunna por aceptar un acuerdo de culpabilidad en el caso de YSL, pero él tiene la mayoría de su lado. Su último álbum fue disco de oro y la canción "Fukumean" fue disco de platino en octubre.

Gunna Well-Protected in Bev Hills 2 Armed Security Guards!!!

Gunna still isn't taking any chances with his life as Young Thug's YSL trial trudges on -- even for a simple day of shopping, he's got hired guns watching his back and his front.

The "Fukumean" rapper was spotted shopping with his armed bodyguards at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bev Hills this week -- which might sound like the ideal scenario to spend cash and not worry about being robbed. But, Gunna clearly thinks otherwise.

This particular shopping trip went down without a hitch but remember ... he was confronted by a complete rando this year, and he's gotta be thinking more enemies could be lurking just about anywhere.

His former "Drip So Hard" brother Lil Baby dropped a new song titled "350" Friday that appeared to target Gunna ... "I know one day it's gon' hit me/Bro ain't never comin' back/Ain't never say nothin' 'bout it, n****, you know you a rat."

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LEARNIN' THE HARD WAY
TMZ.com

Gunna's heavy-duty security should earn him brownie points with the OGs ... Charlamagne Tha God stressed the importance of having pros while discussing the Nardo Wick disaster with us earlier this month.

A few other rappers have voiced their displeasure with Gunna for taking a plea deal in the YSL case, but he has the majority on his side ... when it comes to music, at least. His latest album went gold and the song "Fukumean" went platinum in October.

Kanye West & Kid Cudi Friends Again ... Hug It Out In Vegas

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FRIENDSHIP REBORN

Kid Cudi was clearly in a much better mood than Kanye West Thursday night as he officially ended their beef in Las Vegas -- a total shocker to many after Cudi vowed to forever cut all ties with him just last year!!!

The “Kids See Ghosts” duo were spotted hugging, and briefly speaking during Kanye’s Vegas rave for his “Vultures" album.

Kanye and Cudi feuded through all of 2022 -- Ye was upset Cudi chose to keep his friendship with Pete Davidson as he dated Kim Kardashian ... which forced Cudi to label him a dinosaur in the music industry, and swear to never work with him again.

You can see Cudi was far more inviting than Kanye, who pulled away after a few moments Thursday night. It's unclear if the reunion happened before or after Ye went on a wacky rant in which he lumped himself in with Jesus Christ AND Hitler!

Everyone else seemed to be having a good time and enjoying the music ... Cher's boyfriend Alexander “AE” Edwards and several women can also be spotted catching a vibe to the new music ... before the festivities got shut down by cops.

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SHUT DOWN

Ye and Cudi have a HUGE history working together, and Kim and Pete are no longer a thing -- soooo, no reason to stay mad???

Bam Margera Films KO Video With MadHouse Boys ... Here Comes the Boom!!!

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JUST LIKE OL' TIMES
@madhouseboys

Bam Margera is up to his old tricks ... lending his "Jackass" experience to a new group of wild daredevils and helping them film a brutal knockout video.

The former "Jackass" star shot a couple stunts over the weekend in L.A. with the MadHouse Boys... throwing on a boxing glove and unleashing some haymakers to the head.

In the footage, obtained by TMZ, you see Bam sneaking up on one of the MadHouse Boys from behind and punching him in the side of the head, and it looks like it hurts ... which, we guess, is the whole damn point.

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SERVIN' UP SMACKS
TMZ.com

For the uninitiated, MadHouse is a next-generation stunt group ... on social media they say they are basically like "if 'Jackass' and your mom had a baby." Great visual.

We're told the MadHouse guys reached out to Bam because they wanted him to be part of one of their videos.

Of course, Bam's had a nasty falling out with the OG "Jackass" stars and producers ... so he's available, and apparently willing to help the competition.