Music

Darius Rucker says the time has come to forgive Morgan Wallen for using a racial slur ... and he wants to see Morgan get his due at award shows.

The country singer -- obviously famous from Hootie & the Blowfish -- says Morgan's worked hard to become a better person since he used the n-word during a drunken convo with a friend.

Appearing on Rolling Stone's 'Music Now' podcast, Darius said it still feels like Morgan hasn't been forgiven for the incident ... at least when it comes to CMA and ACM nominations.

Travis Kelce just opened up about his recent surprise appearance onstage with Taylor Swift ... and he revealed the whole thing was initially his idea!!

The Kansas City Chiefs star told his brother, Jason, on this week's episode of "New Heights" that at first, he wanted to ride a bike during the "1989" portion of one of the popstar's "Eras" tour shows.

But, after some concerns over the big football player accidentally running into other backup dancers -- Swift suggested a pivot ... a part in the 'Tortured Poets Department' section of her set.

Diddy is ready to pack up and leave L.A., because we've learned he is trying to sell his Holmby Hills mansion for a hefty, hefty price.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the embattled rap mogul is trying to sell the house off market, for way more than he paid. Diddy plunked down $40 mil for the house back in 2014, and we're told he wants around $70 mil now. Our sources say that's a real stretch.

The house has some recent really bad memories. As we reported, Homeland Security raided the mansion in March, and ransacked the place as agents tore out electronics and other items ... pursuant to a search for evidence of human trafficking and other crimes.

Mariah The Scientist has pled not guilty to battery after being accused of serving up a platter of whoop-ass on a woman who says she doesn't even know the singer.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Mariah -- via her attorney Brian Steel -- filed a waiver of arraignment, pleading not guilty and demanding a jury trial.

We broke the story back in May ... a woman named Cleopatra Dues claims she was inside Atlanta's Cavo Kitchen and Cocktail Lounge on March 29 when Mariah suddenly ripped her wig off her scalp before dragging her across the floor of the bar.

Waka Flocka has a stern message for all of his fans ... Stay the hell away from his concerts if you're a Joe Biden supporter!!!

The Grammy-nominated rapper made that point abundantly clear during his Monday performance onstage at Club Sky in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Waka stopped in the middle of his set to address the packed crowd about the 46th president of the United States and potential 2024 democratic nominee for the White House.

Rick Ross' violent face-off in Vancouver is exactly what it seems -- the end result of the rapper's recent beef with Drake ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the Sunday night fight started when Rick was approached by several Canadians who were upset with him for dissing Champagne Papi in several videos posted well over a month ago.

However, we're told the angry Drake supporters were incited even more when Ricky Rozay ended his set at the Ignite Music Festival by pumping "Not Like Us" in the PA speakers.

A high-ranking BBC presenter wants to see political violence in the United States, Ray J wants back in the BET Awards and Ed Sheeran wants England's soccer team to play well to his music ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles react to BBC presenter David Aaronovitch calling for President Biden to have Donald Trump murdered.

Before this blue-eyed boy in his red white and blue Mickey Mouse sweater turned into a global entertainer, he was just taking his action figures everywhere, singing covers on his karaoke machine and looking up to The King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Although he didn't grow up in the States, he sure has made his way around the USA. There's no denying he and his former bandmates made one hot boy band, but perhaps this singin' stud is the "Golden" one!

Need one more clue? "You don't know, oh-oh ... that's what makes you beautiful!"

Zach Bryan came to the rescue of "Hawk Tuah" girl Haliey Welch before his Nashville show ... arranging the VIP treatment for her after she got worried about unwanted attention in the crowd.

ICYMI ... Haliey joined Zach onstage at Nissan Stadium, making a cameo during his encore performance of "Revival." Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... HW didn't end up onstage Saturday night just for a singalong, as Zach's team had spoken with people connected to Hailey before the show.

We're told Haliey has always been a major fan of Zach's and bought her ticket for the concert well before she became the viral sensation she is today.

Sexyy Red losing out to Tyla at the 2024 BET Awards caused a big stir online with fans, but if ya let Druski and DJ Drama tell it -- there were no losers that night!!!

TMZ Hip Hop chopped it up with both star personalities at LAX, where they were kidding around about all sorts of topics the day after the award show let out.

They both attended the awards and agree with the convo online ... Sexyy was hands-down this year's Best New Artist!!!

Kendrick Lamar and pgLang continue to connect dots in Compton ... helping coordinate an electronics and sneaker giveaway that has kids screaming Christmas in July!!!

The event was a community team effort co-organized by Kai Cenat, 319 Music Group CEO Wacko and Tim Hinshaw's creative studio Free Lunch.

TMZ Hip Hop was also on the scene, and the energy created by K. Dot's Pop-Up Concert was still lingering throughout Compton.

Bronny James is opening up on his decision to rock No. 9 in the NBA ... confirming he chose it to honor late musician Juice WRLD.

LeBron's eldest son faced the media for the first time as a Los Angeles Laker on Tuesday ... and after fielding several questions about his relationship with his four-time champion pops, who was in attendance for the presser, he explained how the digit he'll sport during games was far from random.

"Juice has just been a big part of me, keeping calm in some situations that I've been through," 19-year-old Bronny said minutes ago. "So yeah, just paying homage to him especially because he passed. It's a really important thing for me."

Eminem finally has the release date for his upcoming "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)" -- and he's recruited a pair of sweet MCs from the 313 for his next single.

On Tuesday, Eminem revealed his new album would drop on July 12 -- via a twisted mini-movie depicting him being born as a devil child, and teasing the project's arrival.

Fans will peep Em brought back the fictional Pompsomp Hills he's used to promo previous albums but also gave them a taste of the lyrical gymnastics to come on the track "Tobey" featuring fellow Detroit rappers Big Sean and BabyTron.

Deshaun Watson is having some fun in the sun with his model girlfriend Jilly Anais at one of the most picturesque places in the world ... before the star quarterback heads to training camp later this month!

The singer/model -- who's been with the NFL quarterback for five years -- shared video from their vacay in Ibiza, Spain ... ahead of Watson's third season in Cleveland.

It's obvious they're both having a GREAT time ... doing everything from jet skiing in the blue ocean to eating delicious food and sippin' champagne.

It's Saweetie's 31st birthday today and we are blessing you with her sweetest and sexiest snaps! From bikini selfies to shower shots, a plethora of beautiful photos await! "Tap In" to our gallery showcasing Saweetie's Hot Shots!

Ray J really was going through it at the BET Awards, and now we have the video to back it up -- it's a full meltdown, with him threatening to make things "ghetto" after security allegedly denied him re-entry to the show.

The footage, obtained by TMZ, shows Ray pacing around Sunday night outside the award show at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles ... and he's getting more and more animated.

Ray appears to be arguing with some security guards and he's overheard complaining about not being let inside the show ... and things escalate to the point where he rips off his shirt and declares, "I didn't bring the ghetto to BET yet, but I'm about to!!!"