Music

11:32 AM PT -- Kate Cassidy is singing boyfriend Liam Payne's praises in the aftermath of their viral outfit video ... and she's now saying she scripted the controversial comment.

The One Direction alum faced a barrage of backlash after noting the influencer was "covered up for once" during a recent date night ... but Kate has since defended the singer and taken full credit for the remark.

In a new TikTok uploaded on Wednesday, KC explained she told LP to make the comment, as she thought it was funny she was fully covered for their night out ... saying it was different from her usual style.

She added ... "I'm 25, I kind of just wear what I want. He doesn't care at all what I wear."

Liam Payne might wanna listen to his old boy band's song, "What Makes You Beautiful" ... as the singer is getting blasted by fans for a rude comment about his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy's outfit.

Here's the tea ... Kate, an influencer, posted a vid Monday happily showing off her all-black ensemble for a sushi date night with the One Direction alum. While she posed, Liam sized up his lady, and dropped a pretty backhanded compliment.

He stated, "You look good. Nice and covered up ... for once."

Before this adorable and cool kid from Malibu was bustin' a move, he was just flexin' for the camera in his red bucket hat and red underwear and skatin' around town while growin' up in the Hollywood spotlight.

During his childhood, he looked up to Kid Cudi, Kurt Cobain and even his famous father. Never Say Never, because he's definitely tight with other big stars like Justin Bieber -- who he collab'd on a song with, but he's also been up on the big screen and showcasing his martial arts skills alongside Jackie Chan.

Kehlani claims her ex is abusive -- physically, emotionally and verbally -- high all the time ... and his alleged behavior is having a negative effect on their daughter, Adeya Nomi.

Kehlani got court-ordered protection from Javaughn Young-White, Adeya's father, after claiming he smashed through her locked bedroom door back in June ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

The singer claims her ex flew into a fit of anger after she questioned him about a notice she received in the mail indicating he'd applied for public assistance.

Brandon Thomas Lee won't be getting a mulligan at his fancy country club ... we've learned Tommy Lee's son has been given the boot for bad behavior.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Pamela Anderson's firstborn had his membership at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, CA revoked ... after getting into a shouting match with a fellow member on the golf course.

We're told the reality star was on the links a few weeks back when trouble erupted on the 13th hole. Our sources say BTL was driving too close to the green when a member who lives on the course spotted him.

Tyler, The Creator knows his opinion on today's hip hop will ruffle some feathers ... but he can't hold his tongue -- he says a ton of today's rappers aren't pushing out good music.

All these TikTok MCs keep making "meme" records!!!

The Grammy-winning rap star revealed his thoughts on an upcoming episode of Mav Carter's "The Mavericks" podcast, where he complained about the lack of quality control in the music industry and the media covering it.

Katy Perry is in the crosshairs of the Spanish government for kicking up some sand ... that happens to be on an environmentally fragile beach.

Spain's taking issue with Katy's music vid for her new single "Lifetimes" ... which she filmed on the Balearic islands, and one scene where she's dancing and sitting on some sand dunes is reportedly catching the government's watchful eye.

The regional government's Department of the Environment is investigating, claiming the production company behind her music video was NOT authorized to film there ... according to multiple reports out of Spain.

Latto is confirming once and for all, Lil Kim is the greatest female rapper to ever do it -- but make no mistake, she's chasing down the Queen Bee's legacy!!!

The Notorious K.I.M. got her flowers from Latto when the latter sat down with Complex -- but Latto's BFF and eye of Drake's affection, Brooklyn Nikole, is also puckering up her lips to declare her bestie is the G.O.A.T.

So, we've got a G.O.A.T.-off?

Taylor Swift's fans will have to rethink their plans if they're planning on clustering outside London's Wembley Stadium for her upcoming shows -- 'cause authorities aren’t taking any chances.

The venue just made it clear -- if you don’t have a ticket, don’t even think about hanging around outside Wembley or the Olympic Steps during Taylor’s five-night run.

And if you’re dreaming of a Swiftie sleepover -- forget it! The stadium's in a residential zone, so setting up camp overnight could tick off locals and get you kicked out.

1:20 PM PT -- Pras saved the song's outro bits for his IG stories ... apparently, Lauryn Hill values serving clickbait and buying Gucci bags over keeping her word.

Pras has nothing but time now that The Fugees' anniversary tour is no longer happening, and TMZ Hip Hop obtained his newest track -- ripping Lauryn Hill and addressing his federal case.

On the track "Bar Mitzfa," Pras incorporates a rock 'n roll-rap hybrid to air his frustrations when he raps, "Don't blame me, blame her, she made the mess ... not another f***ing penny, is what I told [Wyclef Jean]."

We're told the song was recorded sometime last week, when Pras needed to blow off steam ... on the heels of low ticket sales shutting down the legendary hip hop trio's reunion plans.

50 Cent is getting praise from the Shreveport Chief of Police for pulling off an epic comedy and music festival that was crime-free... especially given the backdrop of the City.

50 hosted Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, Andrew Schulz, Matt Rife, Bill Bellamy and other comedians for the 4-day "Humor & Harmony" event which began last Thursday. There were performances by DaBaby, Master P, A Boogie, Moneybagg Yo, Muni Long and 50 himself, among many others.

Shreveport has had more than its share of crime problems, so cops were bracing for any incidents given the huge crowds that showed up for the festival. In the end, there wasn't a single issue, and officials were beyond grateful to 50, who helped provide security.

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith tells TMZ Hip Hop, 50 and his team were instrumental in keeping the event safe with good planning, resources and masterful execution. The Chief added, "I haven't seen this type of positive activity downtown since the late '80s!"

The Chief called 50 after the festival wrapped to express his gratitude.

Janet Jackson has a rich family history, and turns out it's a lot richer than we thought!

Turns out Janet's family tree is as impressive as any redwood in Yellowstone. Her cousins include Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman and Samuel L. Jackson!

She dropped the news on Scott Mills' BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Taylor Swift's ex, Conor Kennedy, has a new love story, and this one's apparently a keeper.

Conor -- son of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- got down on one knee to propose to Brazilian singer Giulia Be, who told Conor and the rest of the world on social,  "easiest yes of all time."

The photos she posted are a physical proclamation of love -- kissing, hugging, all that good stuff. To make sure everyone got the point., Giulia said, "I literally can't believe this. I'm dreaming. I love it that we are both sweaty and after work and gross and disgusting. It's perfect."

Orlando Bloom can't get enough of jumping outta helicopters ... and this time he brought his fiancée Katy Perry along for a daring ocean plunge.

The singer shared an IG vid of this bucket-list moment from her Sardinian escape Monday ... featuring Orlando revving her up as they perch on the helicopter’s edge -- before taking the terrifying leap while clutching hands.

KP also shared two epic pics of them mid-jump -- one capturing the thrill up close ... the other one taken from afar, showing them letting go of each other during the dramatic jump that looks like it was at least 20 feet up.

Barack Obama's got a healthy mix of hip hop, country, R&B and techno house in his ears right now -- the 44th President's 2024 summer playlist covers every corner of the music map.

Obama dropped his annual top song selection Monday, along with his summer reading list. Noticeably absent from his music list is the year's biggest-selling tune -- Kendrick Lamar's Drake-diss "Not Like Us."

You don't have to be a former commander-in-chief to know picking that song would spur a hip-hop political debate, but Obama still gave several rappers the spotlight -- Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla's "Wanna Be," Saweetie's "My Best," and throwback cuts like Common's "The People" and 2Pac's "How Do U Want It" also made the cut.