Hip Hop

12:55 PM PT -- We've now spoken to other witnesses at the party who claim Alexander "AE" Edwards was the instigator, as he ran up on stage and initiated physical contact with Travis Scott.

Travis Scott and Tyga's camps are leaving their mark on Cannes, courtesy of an all out melee inside an after-party ... and from the looks of things, a few ice packs will be needed.

TMZ Hip Hop got video showing multiple angles of the altercation, which also involved Cher's boyfriend Alexander "AE" Edwards and 808 Mafia producer Southside -- and it all went down at acclaimed promoter Richie Akiva's event.

Metro Boomin has still been taunting Drake in the aftermath of his Kendrick Lamar battle, but Drake might've just gotten the last laugh!!!

On "U My Everything," his latest collab with Sexyy Red, producer Tay Keith switches the beat midway to Metro's "BBL Drizzy" instrumental ... opening the door for Drake to address some plastic surgery topics.

Drake says his deep pockets sponsor ladies with surgeons worldwide but urges his "Rich Baby Daddy" costar to avoid the knife ... "BBL Drizzy, they want a new body, they ask me for it ... But Red, don’t even worry about all of that s**t/Just keep it natural for ’em, I swear.”

A new Diddy accuser is suing him over multiple sexual assaults she claims started back in the 1990s after they met in New York City ... TMZ has learned.

April Lampros says she was a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and she says he offered to mentor her in the fashion industry. After showering her with gifts and flowers, April claims they met up in 1995 at a SoHo bar, where he plied her with alcohol ... and then brought her back to his room at the Millennium Hotel.

In the docs, April says she started to feel ill and as if "the walls were closing in on her" as Diddy allegedly started to force himself on her. She says she was still conscious, but unable to defend herself when he began raping her. April says she woke up the next morning "nude, sore and confused."

12:12 PM PT -- Sean Kingston just addressed the raid on his IG Story writing, "People love negative energy! I am good and so is my mother!.. my lawyers are handling everything as we speak🙏🏽🙏🏽."

Sean Kingston is in the crosshairs of a criminal investigation ... and the hard evidence is that his house was just raided.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office raided Kingston's residence in Southwest Ranches, FL Thursday morning. We're told his mother, Janice Turner, was arrested at the house during the raid and is facing multiple charges, including fraud and theft. Sean wasn't home at the time.

5/23 -- 3:20 PM PT -- Chaka Khan tells TMZ ... "In these troubling times, I'm reminded that the energies of violence and abuse can take many forms, affecting individuals and communities worldwide. As someone who has faced personal lessons, I believe in the power of meditation, prayer and inner peace to bring light and hope to our lives and the world around us."

"We can address most issues, prevent negativity, and cultivate compassion by seeking Self. Let us take responsibility for our actions, strive to be better, and support those who are hurting."

She concluded, "May we find strength in grace and wisdom as human beings, walking towards a more loving and just world."

Cassie has just spoken out about the horrific video of her then-boyfriend Diddy brutally beating her, and her words were clearly chosen carefully given the NDA she signed to settle her lawsuit.

Cassie posted on Instagram early Thursday ... "Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers, and those I have yet to meet. The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning. Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become."

She goes on ... "With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in."

NYC Councilman Erik Bottcher is taking a far more direct stance than Mayor Eric Adams regarding Diddy's key to the city -- he wants to yank the honor, and stat.

Erik jumped on "TMZ Live" Wednesday, and said taking away the honor is a "no-brainer" in the wake of the Cassie beatdown video. EB says Diddy has no right to be in the company of Nelson Mandela ... the Nobel Peace Prize recipient who received a key back in 1990.

The Councilman says, "It would be bad enough if it was just the video, but [Diddy] put out a statement before accusing these women of lying, accusing them of looking for a payday. So, it's despicable and consequences need to follow."

Jermaine Dupri is incensed over Apple Music's 100 Best Albums list ... specifically, the lack of R&B inclusion.

The So So Def hitmaker joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday and groused that several iconic R&B acts, such as Mariah Carey, TLC, Diana Ross, and Jodeci ... didn't make Apple's cut.

JD, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, notes the music that influenced him and his peers was shockingly ignored.

Lauryn Hill's record-breaking "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" is the best album of all time ... on Apple Music's 100 Best Albums list, beating out iconic projects from Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Kendrick Lamar and more!!!

The Apple Music team surprised Lauryn and her son YG Marley with an intimate dinner to crown the 1998 Diamond-selling album -- to which she replied, "That's crazy" before describing the project as a "rich, deep narrative."

Upon its release, Lauryn broke the record for most Grammys in a single night by a female artist, and it remains her only studio project 25 years later.

Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer" tour erupted inside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night ... highlighted by a surprise appearance by Cardi B!!!

The two hitmakers dazzled the NYC crowd with a sultry performance of their lady parts anthem, "WAP."

Megan set off the classic track with her verse just before Cardi appeared onstage from the hidden platform -- decked out in a matching black leather bustier. 🥵

50 Cent has been hyping up his Diddy documentary for months, and he wasn't trolling his archenemy, as the project just landed a prestigious new home ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Fifty's multi-part documentary about the sexual assault allegations against Diddy was purchased by Netflix.

We're told there was a massive bidding war over the doc, which was produced through 50's G-Unit Film and Television Studios, with multiple networks and all of the streaming platforms attempting to land the series.

The video showing Diddy's hotel assault of Cassie isn't only fueling public outrage -- high-ranking NYC politicians want him to suffer one immediate consequence ... TMZ has learned.

Leaders in Diddy's hometown are turning on him, with several NYC council members encouraging Mayor Eric Adams to revoke the Bad Boy Records founder's symbolic key to the city.

Council Member Sandy Nurse tells TMZ … "Mayor Adams should immediately revoke Diddy’s key to the city. As an abuser, Diddy lost his right to have such an honor and should be held accountable for his actions. Mayor Adams should set the example and take it away."

Diddy is facing yet another lawsuit filed by a former model who claims the disgraced mogul enticed her with promises of career advancement, but she claims his plan was far more sinister.

Crystal McKinney claims in the suit, obtained by TMZ, in 2003 -- when she was 22 -- she was invited to a Men's Fashion Week event at Cipriani Downtown in NYC. She met Combs at the event and he invited her back to his studio.

She says shortly after their arrival, Combs and several colleagues were drinking Hennessy and passing around joints. She took a hit, which she said was "very powerful," and felt as if she was floating. She claims the joint had been laced with a narcotic or other drug.

Nas is honoring his debut album "Illmatic" -- still hailed as one of the greatest rap albums ever -- by bringing his Queensbridge poetry to the bright lights of Las Vegas and adding a symphony!

The album turned 30 last month ... so, over Labor Day weekend, Nas and the Las Vegas Philharmonic will tackle a 3-day concert series inside Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.

Nas promised to live up to the hype as he announced the shows, declaring ... “Las Vegas has always served as a creative outlet for my music, and these performances will take that to the next level.”

11:30 AM PT -- A source familiar with the situation tells TMZ … Cam'ron's rep was fully aware and briefed about the segment and topic ahead of his interview on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.

9:53 AM PT -- Cam'ron isn't apologizing for his behavior during last night's wild CNN interview.

On his "It Is What It Is" sports show he cohosts with former Bad Boy rapper Ma$e, the Harlem rapper said CNN only contacted him to talk BS, so he gave them just that -- a BS interview!!!

Common says he's not keeping up on news that brings bad energy, and that includes Diddy's videotaped beating of Cassie -- he's avoiding it altogether, and trying to focus on the positives in his own life.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the legendary lyricist Monday in Bev Hills, where he slyly sidestepped our question about popping THE question to Jennifer Hudson. Instead, Common assured us he and Pete Rock were about to bring the heat with a new collab album.

As for why he's avoiding the latest on Diddy, Common reiterated his mantra is all about peace and love ... he's coming off a two-part harmonious album named 'A Beautiful Revolution,' so his track record backs that up.