Music

John Legend's performance of a Prince classic at the Democratic National Convention didn't exactly have everyone going crazy, as some fans think it was an "insult" to have him play the song.

TMZ broke the story that John would be taking the stage at the United Center in Chicago Wednesday night -- but what we didn't know is he'd be singing "Let's Go Crazy" alongside longtime Prince collaborator Sheila E.

Truth is John sounded like ... well, John Legend -- who's an EGOT-winning success. Still, the soul singer doesn't sound like Prince, so some folks think he was the wrong choice to play the upbeat anthem ... right before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage to accept the nomination for Vice President.

Michelle Obama goes full attack mode on Donald Trump, Selena Gomez's following a wedding planner and Patrick Mahomes responds to a flag football QB saying he's a better fit for the 2028 Olympics than the three-time Super Bowl winner.

On "TMZ Live," Charles and Babcock talk Michell Obama calling out Donald Trump for the "Black jobs" comment he made while debating Joe Biden in June.

Travis Scott's looking to put his June arrest behind him ... asking a judge to throw out his trespassing case because he says the marina lacked "No Trespassing" signs.

The rapper's lawyer, Bradford Cohen, filed a motion to dismiss Tuesday claiming Scott can't be found guilty of trespassing after a rowdy night with yacht staff in Miami a couple months ago.

Basically, Scott's legal team says signs warning against trespassing weren't visible at the marina itself. He says there were signs on the surrounding private property, but he says those don't count for his presence at the marina.

Taylor Swift says her silence about the bombing plot at her Vienna concerts was part of a coordinated effort with police to keep London fans safe -- but now she's revealing the dread she's felt since then.

Taylor spoke out Wednesday -- the day after ending the European leg of her "Eras" tour -- and says she was devastated the 3 shows in Vienna had to be canceled, and "The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows."

However, she says it was heartening to see how fans in the Austrian city banded together after learning 3 suspects allegedly planned to set off bombs in the stadium and commit mass stabbings and chaos outside of it -- and that's when she turned her focus and concern to protecting fans at her next tour stop ... London's Wembley Stadium.

"Vanderpump Rules" star James Kennedy is trying to keep us in the loop about the show’s return during its production pause -- except it turns out he's not in the loop himself.

The DJ spilled the tea to TMZ outside L.A.'s Equinox Wednesday ... saying he’s crossing his fingers for a quick return to filming. But so far, he hasn’t heard a peep from the producers.

But JK’s not one to let Bravo fans freak out about the show’s fate ... keeping the faith alive with a seriously chill reassurance, which you can check out in the clip.

Big news for Ashanti and Nelly -- they’ve officially become new parents 'cause they've just welcomed their first baby together into the world.

The singer dropped the exciting news on IG ... writing "Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol."

She says she's been waiting so long to be a mom, and says she's proud of her body!

Cardi B is not having it ... delivering the clapback of all clapbacks when someone had the nerve to ask online if she’d been bleaching her skin.

The rapper quoted the offending X post Wednesday ... calling out the skin-bleaching accuser as dumb, and explaining her paler look is due to her unborn baby sucking the life out of her -- leaving her pale, anemic, with sunken eyes and popping veins.

Cardi threw in that sunbathing was also a no-go ... 'cause she gets hot and dizzy in no time, making it a real health hazard ... so for the time being, she has to embrace her natural, paler complexion.

Alex Rodriguez's recent social media activity has many believing it's a subliminal message to his ex, Jennifer Lopez ... with the former MLB slugger sharing a cryptic quote shortly after she filed for divorce from Ben Affleck.

The message on A-Rod's Instagram story was posted on Tuesday afternoon -- around the time TMZ broke the news that Lopez officially called it quits on her marriage.

"You either go one way or the other, you might as well be the one deciding the direction," the post read.

The Democratic National Convention has been absolutely star-studded, and at least 2 more A-listers will take the stage on Wednesday night ... Stevie Wonder and Kenan Thompson.

DNC officials tell TMZ ... Stevie Wonder will be performing one of his hit songs, sure to energize an already rambunctious crowd in Chicago.

This won't be Stevie's first rodeo at a DNC ... he performed at the 2008 convention in Denver, playing hits like "Signed, Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)." It's unclear what song he'll play tonight.

We're also told Stevie will take the podium and deliver a speech.

Fat Joe's got every door in New York unlocked ... 'cause he's officially got a Key to the City -- and, Mayor Eric Adams gave it to him on his old stomping grounds.

The rapper's all the way up, receiving the ceremonial key Tuesday evening before his concert at the Bronx's Orchard Beach ... Mayor Adams handing over the key at the star-studded event.

Adams highlighted Fat Joe's skills as a rapper, as well as the philanthropic work Joe does, before presenting him with the key onstage.

Ne-Yo’s got two partners in tow and is clearly thriving in his polyamorous groove -- even dishing to us about having space for more in his love squad!

In fact, the R&B star told TMZ in Beverly Hills Tuesday there’s no limit to his GF count ... letting us in on how he vibes with possible partners.

We also chatted with Ne-Yo about Omarion’s recent claim he’s been celibate for 3 years ... asking if he'd ever take a similar vow.

Janet Jackson is officially back to wow fans in Las Vegas ... and now we know exactly when the superstar will return to Sin City for a new residency.

As we previously reported ... JJ was in the final stages of signing a residency deal with Resorts World ... and the plan was for the show to kick off in December.

Now we know the deal is solid ... with Janet sharing via social media the residency will kick off New Year's week -- specifically Dec. 30 ... with tickets going on sale Aug. 28.

Now that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's divorce is officially underway, we know exactly when they separated -- and, what they looked like in the immediate aftermath.

In the docs filed by J Lo on the second anniversary of their luxurious Georgia wedding, she listed the date of separation as April 26, 2024 -- a day when photogs caught both stars out and about looking a little worse for wear.

JL was in New York on the day ... rocking an oversized sweater and jeans while walking swiftly to her car, no chatting or smiling with any of her entourage here.

Kamala Harris has her share of celeb endorsements ... but Lil Jon was the real MVP Tuesday night, cranking up the energy and hyping up the crowd during the Democratic National Convention roll call.

The rapper repping Georgia made an unexpected splash in Chicago ... dropping a few bars from his 2013 anthem, "Turn Down For What" -- electrifying the vibes with his musical salute.

The party didn’t stop there -- he also busted out "VP Harris … Governor Walz," set to the tune of another of his hits, "Get Low."

Emily Blunt's getting friendly with Taylor Swift fans ... trading bracelets at her show with husband John Krasinski and their kids standing by her side.

The actress hit Taylor's final show at Wembley Stadium in London Tuesday ... and, she came prepared to make some bracelet moves -- working the crowd outside her private box and negotiating for some new bling.

As she's making deals with fans, her man John Krasinski wanders around their private section holding daughter 7-year-old Violet, with the couple's other daughter, 10-year-old Hazel, nearby.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's divorce is full of twists, Chappell Roan is ripping her fans, and Steve Kerr is trolling Donald Trump ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Charles and Babcock have the latest on Ben and Jen's divorce ... which shockingly does NOT include a prenup.