Music

2 Live Crew founder Uncle Luke's half-joke about sexualized female rappers such as Sexyy Red, Ice Spice and Megan Thee Stallion owing him royalties is actually no laughing matter, according to Ed Lover.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Ed in NYC on Thursday and the veteran host remembers the doors Luke kicked down for hip hop during his "Yo! MTV Raps" heyday ... and agrees the girls need to open their Birkins and pay homage -- and money to the Miami legend!!!

Luke called out Sexyy, Ice and Meg by name ... but also extended his rant to any female rappers out there shaking their ass for cash. Ed Lover says that even includes p-power pioneers Lil Kim and Foxy Brown -- he says they got their sauce from 2LC!!!

Sharon Osbourne's very grateful a fan returned her massive diamond ring ... and, it clearly pays to be honest -- 'cause she's offering that fan a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Here's the deal ... Osbourne revealed to her Instagram followers she lost her wedding ring at a Birmingham event for soccer team Aston Villa's new store -- but, luckily, a Good Samaritan found it and chased her down in the parking lot to return it.

At the time, Sharon explains, she was so shocked, she didn't get the fan's name ... and asked fans for help identifying her guardian angel 'cause losing her wedding ring -- her second, after the original was stolen -- would've been really unfortunate.

Paris Hilton's parenting skills are under fire again ... with fans coming at her online over boat safety for kids -- and, she's sticking to her guns this time.

The reality TV star and mother-of-2 shared a video on TikTok Wednesday, featuring son Phoenix meandering all over a catamaran ... walking across mesh netting above the seawater before exploring the cabin and other areas of the ship.

A seemingly innocuous video ... but some parents took issue with the absence of life vest -- warning PH accidents happen, and she should make sure he's always buoyed by the flotation device.

Post Malone is in full country groove with Dwight Yoakam ... riding horses in Hollywood for his new music video, right after his country album yee-hawed its way to No. 1 on the Billboard charts!

The duo was filmed on horseback cruising past The Roxy on Sunset Blvd ... with stars like Nina Dobrev and her beau Shaun White joining the Hollywood rodeo on set.

White swapped his snowboard for a convertible, cruising around on set, and Malin Akerman also popped up in Malone's star-studded music video.

Bill Withers' old Hollywood Hills pad, where he lived for decades, has sold off-market for a cool $3.7M -- 5 years after he unloaded it -- right before he died.

Real estate sources tell TMZ ... the mansion’s new owner is none other than Belwood Investments, a real estate property-tech app -- who are planning on making major renovations, adding a suspended pool in the back, and flipping it for investors' profit.

Belwood Investments is a "real estate crowdfunding firm" that lets people invest in fixing up homes ... and these are the same people who scooped up Kanye West's controversial gutted Malibu estate for $21 million.

Famed food critic Keith Lee claims he spared several Washington, D.C. restaurants from being embarrassed on his massive platform by not calling them out on TikTok ... he chose to spit out some of that food in private!

Lee's D.C. excursion was particularly ruined when he learned a mac-and-cheese dish was not only fried in the same oil as their shellfish -- a food he's allergic to -- but stunk up his car and caused his family to gag 🤢.

Locals in the comments were quick to point out the infringing restaurant was the long-standing soul-food chain Oohh's and Aahh's, and created a community stir ... Baltimore natives even reiterated they were not to be considered part of the DMV!!!

Marilyn Manson is pulling out the big guns in his legal battle with ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood ... claiming he has proof she used a forged FBI letter to drum up false allegations against him.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Manson argues his lawsuit against ERW never should have been thrown out  ... he says the fake letter she wrote from a real FBI agent clearly shows she cooked up a massive scheme to manufacture sexual abuse accusations against him.

Manson sued ERW and her partner, Illma Gore, back in March 2022 for intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation ... accusing the women of plotting to take him down and ruin his career.

Taylor Swift's dedicated fans are proving to be an unstoppable force for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign ... putting their superfan energy into some serious fundraising for the Vice President.

While Swift has yet to formally endorse a presidential candidate, countless Swifties have already converged behind Harris ... coming together for a virtual rally Tuesday evening, where over $120,000 was raised, with some big names making guest appearances.

In fact, Swifties for Kamala boasts raising more than $140,000 in total for Harris and Governor Tim Walz's bid for the White House.

Lil Baby loudly berated cops during his arrest in Vegas for possession of an illegal weapon, and the whole thing was caught on video.

An eyewitness tells TMZ, a squadron of cops rolled into the Encore Las Vegas Monday night and came out with the rapper in handcuffs.

As Vegas Metro PD officers were patting the rapper down near a police vehicle behind the hotel, Lil Baby shouted he has a license for the gun, and implored officers to let him go.

LL Cool J recently hand-delivered Joe Budden his Gold plaque for the 2003 hit single "Pump It Up" -- a moment that dinged Yung Miami's funny bone when she took aim at the podcaster ... but LL says it's no laughing matter!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with LL in NYC this week, and he tells us JB has nothing to be ashamed of waiting over 20 years for his first RIAA-certified record ... some artists never get one ... while others only move units after they're RIP!!!

JB and Miami traded disses on social media -- if you remember, this feud has been festering for some time.

Adam Sandler just waxed poetically about Taylor Swift -- letting the world know he's a MASSIVE Swiftie who's rooting like hell for her relationship with Travis Kelce to work out.

The actor and comedian couldn't stop praising the "Cruel Summer" singer while on with the Kelce bros on this week's episode of "New Heights" -- raving about the popstar for nearly three minutes.

Sandler -- who will be reprising his role as Happy Gilmore soon -- said Swift means so much to him and his family ... he actually gets butterflies when he's around her.

Music producer Irv Gotti -- who has worked with the likes of Ja Rule, Ashanti and DMX -- has reportedly suffered a stroke ... hip hop legend Wack100 claims.

The famed talent manager shared the troubling update during a podcast episode Monday, in which Wack claimed he spoke with someone at a stroke recovery center regarding the Murder Inc. co-founder's health ... sharing Irv allegedly suffered a stroke.

A rep for Irv tells TMZ … "Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago. He has since changed his diet to eating more healthy. He's been successful in making a full recovery. Irv is not in a rehab facility. He is at home with his family, enjoying life."

Machine Gun Kelly knew Sean Strickland wasn't about to "shut the f*** up," and the UFC fighter proved him right on Tuesday ... firing back at the musician with a wild social media post.

The former middleweight champion got wind of the Cleveland rocker/rapper's comments on the "Impaulsive" podcast episode released on Tuesday ... and despite MGK telling the controversial figure to kick rocks, he's not ready to tap out of their feud just yet.

"Getting lectured by a guy who drinks blood and wears a purse," Strickland said on X. "Dawg you had a mid life crisis and tattooed your entire body. The 'the x community of intolerance' yall I'd hang out with you toxic trolls any day over this c***."

Machine Gun Kelly is opening up about Sean Strickland after their run-in at a Power Slap event back in February ... warning the UFC fighter to quit running his mouth!

The Cleveland native swung by Logan Paul's Impaulsive podcast to chop it up on a wide range of topics ... including the disdain between Kelly and Strickland.

At a point during the conversation, the topic turned to Strickland ... and it's very evident MGK is far from a fan of the former UFC middleweight champion.

Mariah Carey did NOT have any contact with her sister before she died ... because an alleged drug addiction drove a massive wedge between the two siblings.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Mariah never once contacted her sister, Alison, before she passed ... and instead spent the past week with their dying mother, Patricia.

Mariah was estranged from Alison ... and our sources say it's all because Alison suffered for many years from addiction. We're told Mariah tried supporting Alison, both emotionally and financially, but it wasn't enough to get Alison back on the straight and narrow.

Channing Tatum made a splash joining Taylor Swift’s A-list squad ... popping up at her Rhode Island holiday home as the celebrity beach party raged on.

Channing was spotted enjoying some solo time on the wraparound balcony of the $17 million beachfront place Monday ... taking in the view of the private beach and snapping some pics of the scene.

Later, he linked up with everyone else at the 8-bed mansion ... and was seen chilling with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor's boo, Travis Kelce.