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Ryan Hadley -- a tattoo artist who appeared on season 6 of the hit competition show "Ink Master" -- has died after a battle with cancer ... this according to his own social pages.

Hadley's Instagram account shared the sad news Friday -- saying he'd passed away the night prior while surrounded by loved ones. The caption continued, "While his life was cut short, in that time he left a legacy behind in both the art and tattoo world."

It went on ... "He loved his many fans, his friends and clients, and most of all his children. He’ll be missed and always remembered. A legend forever." A photo of Ryan doing some tattoo work was added to the post, and it showed him beaming.

Neal McDonough is weighing in on Kevin Costner's "Yellowstone" exit -- saying it really was just bad timing ... although, he notes the issue is between KC and Taylor Sheridan, which seems to hint at something deeper.

We talked to the 'Yellowstone' actor -- who starred opposite Kevin on the hit show for a handful of episodes back in the day -- and he told us on "TMZ Live" Friday that Kevin isn't BS'ing when he says there were scheduling issues that forced him to bounce.

Take a listen ... Neal explains that Kev was, in fact, busy for his new western movie 'Horizon' -- and because the last season of 'Yellowstone' took a while to get going in terms of production ... it was ultimately impossible for the leading man to stay on.

Kendrick Lamar extended his Pop Out stage to a wide variety of rappers -- and Kalan.FrFr says reaping the benefits was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!!

The Roc Nation artist spoke with TMZ Hip Hop about his time onstage ... Kalan and G Perico performed their collab "Right Wit It" during DJ Hed's set and says Kendrick has been nothing but humble and genuine through all their encounters over the years.

Kalan tells us he wasn't exactly shocked at the K. Dot invite ... they're both from Compton and their degrees of separation are next to nothing.

Rakim -- the man, the myth, The 18th Letter -- is back on the hip hop scene after a 15-year break from releasing albums!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the "Paid In Full" legend Friday just hours removed from the premiere of his new song "Be Ill," which finds the "God MC" shooting lyrical darts with Kurupt and Wu-Tang Clan's Masta Killa.

Rakim produced the track, added the DJ scratches himself and tells us his upcoming album "God's Network: Rebirth" is actually a compilation showcase for rap stars he rocks with.

Jason Martin, f.k.a. Problem, was one of the select West Coast rappers to perform at Kendrick Lamar's Juneteenth Pop Out concert -- an honor he doesn't take lightly!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Jason still glowing with the euphoria from the night -- the Compton rapper performed his classic "Like Whaaat" track for the Kia Forum crowd, sharing the stage with Black Hippy, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyler, The Creator, Kalan.FrFr, Blxst and many more via DJ Hed and Mustard's sets.

Jason says the entire atmosphere was like a family reunion, he came up in the same Blog Era with Kendrick ... he says the name change reflects his maturity.

5:28 PM PT -- A rep for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency tells TMZ ... the bear hasn't been caught, but if it is -- it will be euthanized. We're also told that city officials suspect the bear ended up here as a result of human behavior ... namely, the likelihood that humans were feeding it.

However, a rep for Anakeesta tells us they're not aware of anyone at the park going out of their way to feed the animal. In any case ... it'll meet its maker if/when it's found.

2:18 PM PT -- A rep the City of Gatlinburg tells TMZ ... the employee in question declined medical treatment, even though first responders arrived at the scene -- including agents for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

The City says the bear fled the area ... and it doesn't sound like it was caught.

A Tennessee amusement park employee barely escaped with her life after a bear attacked her while on the job ... and the whole thing's on video, which we got a hold of.

Chris Cuomo's calling out the media for obsessing over Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest ... saying it's part of our love of negativity ... in this case, taking a big star down.

Chris jumped on "TMZ Live" Friday and had a lot to say about the arrest ... not only does Chris live near the town where Timberlake got busted, he's offering JT strong support.

The NewsNation anchor tells us he knows he can't tell other media outlets what they should or shouldn't cover ... but he thinks the degree to which many have focused on JT's Monday arrest has gone way too far.

Kyle Richards is firing back at haters giving her daughter grief for getting a pricey ass car for her 16th birthday -- saying kick rocks ... 'cause she's a good kid and deserves it.

We spoke to the "RHOBH" star in L.A. Thursday ... and we asked if all the flak that she and Mauricio Umansky are getting is warranted -- this after they gifted 16-year-old Portia a brand new Porsche Cayenne, which is valued at a little under $100k ... more or less.

Of course, the internet was all up in arms about the new whip -- saying a 16-year-old doesn't need that type of sweet ride at such a young age ... but KR here says she disagrees.

Harry Jowsey and Madeline Argy had people thinking they may be banging after looking kinda cozy over in Cannes -- but as it turns out ... they're just content creator amigos.

Here's the deal ... pics surfaced earlier this week of the 'DWTS' alum and the British influencer hanging in the South of France at multiple events for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

In one of the pics Harry has his arm behind Madeline -- and other shots of them also made it seem like something romantic was afoot, but we've been assured that's not the case.

Dave Davies is trying to get an important trophy he once had after it vanished and recently showed up for sale online ... but might have to give up another prized possession to do it.

The Kinks rocker hopped on X this week to lament the fact that his 1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award -- a statue with his name on it -- surfaced on eBay ... with the seller of this rare collector's item claiming it fell into their lap, with them trying to hawk it for over $12k.

Now, Davies is giving us more insight into what happened here ... and more importantly, how he plans to get the HOF trophy back. He tells TMZ the award went missing back in the day after he suffered a stroke … and he's gobsmacked to see it all these years later.

Stormy Daniels has gone from testifying in open court to speaking her truth onstage ... 'cause she's dived head-first into stand-up comedy -- and, TMZ's got the video.

The porn star-turned-key Trump trial witness took the stage in New Orleans Wednesday night for her show "Stormy Daniels' One-Night Stand" ... and it seems to have gone well based on the crowd reaction, who sounded psyched to see her.

SD got a rousing ovation at AllWays Lounge & Cabaret in the Big Easy -- much appreciated, 'cause she jokes she needs the love ... saying even though NOLA's one of the most dangerous U.S. cities, it's the first time she's gone bulletproof vest-free in public in months.

Bill Belichick's 23-year-old girlfriend is back on the competitive cheerleading mat ... and she's still getting some big air -- all while rockin' a skin-tight outfit!!

Jordon Hudson -- a former cheerleader at Bridgewater State University -- attended East Celebrity Elite Hingham practice in the Boston area on Thursday night ... making it clear she's returning to the floor for the 2024-25 competition season.

And, while she didn't land every stunt perfectly, she certainly looked good!!

Kendrick Lamar is set to film a new music video this weekend ... and we're told the rapper is beefing up his security to keep himself, his team, and the community safe.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Grammy winner will be filming his new music video in Compton -- a perfect homecoming for K. Dot on the heels of his triumphant Juneteenth show Wednesday night at the KIA Forum in nearby Inglewood.

We're told Kendrick's team got all the proper permits needed to pull off the project ... and the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. will send deputies for extra security during the music vid shoot.

Russell Brand's production company got paid a nice chunk of change for performing at a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. event earlier this year ... and we're talking tens of thousands.

TMZ pulled Team Kennedy's FEC filings ... and it shows the campaign shelled out more than $68,000 to Russell's production company for "Event Entertainment - Travel Expenses" after he appeared at a campaign event for RFK Jr. and his running mate Nicole Shanahan.

Russell performed at RFK Jr.'s event in May out in Nashville -- and it was called "Night of Comedy," alongside other comedians including Rob Schneider, Dave Landau, Jim Breuer, Katherine Blanford, Jeff Dye, and Mike Binder. Russell reportedly did a filmed set where he went after legacy media and scoffed at coronavirus mandates and vax requirements.

It took Al Horford 17 years to win his first NBA title ... but he's hoping he can double his ring collection next season -- telling TMZ Sports he's 100% NOT retiring and is returning to the Boston Celtics.

We spoke with the longtime vet fresh off his team's championship win over the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals ... and while many might assume he'd consider ending his career on the highest of notes, the 38-year-old told us that's absolutely not the case.

"There's no question about it," Horford said while working a shift at Raising Cane's in Boston. "I don't know why those speculations were out there, that I was, like, retiring. But I'm still playing and I'm very excited for next season."

The 2024 Celtics easily handled the Dallas Mavericks. But, how would Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's squad do against the last Boston team to bring a title to Beantown? We asked NBA champ Eddie House!

Not only was the longtime pro a member of the '08 team (he played for BOS from 2007 to 2010), he's also close to this year's Celtics ... he covers the team for NBC in Boston.

So, put Tatum, Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and the rest of the hoopers on a court against Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and the rest of the '08 team, WHO WINS?!

"We win," Eddie said of his 2007-2008 team ... before explaining his rationale.

"We're not going to allow them to shoot all them threes. We're going to run them off the threes. And I feel like defensively, we were a better team defensively. Now, offensively, because of the threes and the way the game is played now, I'll give them the edge [offensively]," House explained.

"But we're going to knock that down. We're going to make it a drag-out game. And if it's a close game, I'm putting the ball in Paul Pierce's hands and I feel like he's going to deliver every single time. But don't get it twisted. I love this team."

Bottom line ... House isn't throwing shade. He simply believes that out of the two super-talented squads, his would emerge victorious.

There's much more with House ... we asked the NBA champ what the often maligned (during the Finals, at least) Luka Doncic must do if he wants to win a championship. We also discussed whether or not the treatment of Kyrie Irving crossed a line.

Plus, we asked Eddie about his hoops star son, Jaelen House, who's hoping to get drafted this year. What advice is the longtime pro giving his boy?