Music

Kendrick Lamar headlining next year's Super Bowl in New Orleans is Jay-Z's way of giving the "Not Like Us" rapper leverage over his beef against Drake ... at least, that's what Cam'ron and Mase want the public to believe!!!

On Monday's episode of "It Is What It Is," the hip hop sportscasters claimed Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation imprint has been the NFL’s Live Music Entertainment Strategist since 2019, set the play for Kendrick to embarrass Drake on the big stage ... thus settling his own issues with him.

The Harlem World duo also claimed Jay-Z pulled some strings to have them uninvited at the recent Fanatics Fest that went down ... Cam detailed his cold war with Jay-Z in the past and alludes that their relationship is still kind of icy!!!

Kendrick Lamar's taking the stage at the next Super Bowl, but not everyone's stoked about it -- 'cause some wanted hometown favorite Lil Wayne in New Orleans next year.

Here's the deal ... this morning, the NFL announced K. Dot as the headliner for the biggest gig in sports -- not exactly a surprise given the success of his Drake diss track "Not Like Us."

While many people are excited Kendrick's getting his own show after appearing alongside other rap legends like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent back at SB LVI, others are pointing out New Orleans has its own star rapper who should've got the top spot.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have a packed social calendar this weekend ... and, they're keeping the good times rolling, hitting the US Open for the men's final.

The happy couple arrived in Queens for the match just minutes ago ... rolling into the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hand-in-hand.

Check out the clip ... T-Swift's in a pretty standard pink dress, showing quite a bit of leg in the miniskirt. Travis is decked out in his country club best -- all white ensemble with red and green trim and a matching bucket hat.

Mariah Carey's back rehearsing ... belting out a few notes in a new Instagram post -- and referencing her recent difficult weeks.

The singer-songwriter shared the clip to IG early Sunday morning ... marking her first post since announcing her mother and sister passed away on the same day.

In it, MC sings "It's Like That" in the clip ... singing out the notes while a pianist accompanies her. She flashes a bright white smile at the camera during her mini performance.

Kendrick Lamar will perform the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the NFL and hip hop superstar announced Sunday morning ... one of the highest profile gigs in the world!

The pick makes a ton of sense. Kendrick, a 17x Grammy winner, had arguably the song of the summer in "Not Like Us," and with Drake, was part of the biggest rap beef in at least a decade.

"What’s the deal everybody, my name is Kendrick Lamar and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl 59," K. Dot said in the announcement video, as he stood on a football field, in front of a giant American flag, and fired balls from a Jugs machine.

If Taylor Swift wants to draw up some plays for the Chiefs, so be it ... so says ex-NFL star Nate Burleson, who tells TMZ Sports the pop superstar being hands-on in Travis Kelce's career will only bring good results.

The All-Pro tight end recently confirmed his lady has fully immersed herself in football since they started dating ... and it's gotten to the point where she's been working on her Xs and Os and designing some Kelce-focused routes.

Burleson -- who now stars in front of the camera for CBS -- has no issue with the "Karma" crooner getting involved in her man's day job ... especially considering the Chiefs have continued their dominance amid her presence on gamedays.

Hidden behind these squiggly eyes and altered face is a musician and entertainer from Pittsburgh ... It's pretty much 420 every day for this star, so you're gonna have to work hard, play hard to score who's behind the pic!

This rapper's never shied away from posting his spandex workouts on Instagram ... or even a smokin' selfie! Commonly recognized for his ink, his first tat came on his 17th birthday and marks his stage name.

He may not have turned a year old today, but this swaggy dude will forever be "young, wild and free!"

50 Cent got many men and women moving at a New York Fashion Week event Friday night ... getting the crowd bumping during an event for the soda brand Poppi.

The rapper came out for a surprise performance at the event -- a launch for Poppi's new Cherry Cola flavor -- playing some of his biggest hits in a Versace t-shirt and red New York cap.

50 rocked the room ... then stayed to pose for pics afterwards -- hanging with out with some of the biggest bold-faced names in NYC this weekend.

Linkin Park's new lead singer is responding to fan backlash about her connection to actor Danny Masterson ... apologizing for her association and saying she misjudged the guy.

Here's the deal ... LP announced Emily Armstrong -- cofounder of the group Dead Sara -- as their new lead singer, about seven years after beloved vocalist Chester Bennington's death.

Within hours of the announcement, fans started pointing out Emily attended a 2020 preliminary hearing in support of Masterson -- who last year was convicted on two counts of forcible rape -- especially upsetting to them since Chester talked openly about surviving sexual abuse.

4:50 PM PT -- A source connected to Naomi Campbell tells us there's no feud, as far as the supermodel is concerned, at least -- and you do see Naomi smiling in Rihanna's direction as the singer made her entrance.

Also, it does appear Naomi reached out to assist when Rihanna's gown got snagged as she made her way to her seat.

Rihanna's adding fuel to rumors of her longstanding feud with Naomi Campbell ... with fans saying she clearly dissed her during New York Fashion Week.

Video's circulating online of Rihanna walking into an event during one of the biggest weeks for celebs into fashion ... showing her striding in and giving a man she recognizes a big hug.

Sitting right beside him ... Naomi -- who Rihanna walks past without a second look. No hug, not even a word as far as we can tell.

Chrisean Rock says she's a free woman ... writing a message to her son, Chrisean Jr., all about how grateful she is to be back with him after her arrest in a drug case.

The rapper shared the tribute Friday ... saying she's feeling blessed to be with her son just days after his birthday -- though she admits she regrets missing the first birthday of his life.

She says milestones are big markers of achievement when it comes to kids ... but, people should also focus on the love and care they provide for their kids every day.

Singer Bad Bunny is in the building and here to stump you with some minor changes made to these two photos. Read through these clues and see if you've got what it takes to find the switch-ups. You've got this!

Fully clothed 😜 .... the Puerto Rican entertainer may have looked like a tourist (camera and all), but he was just heading into a music studio in Brooklyn and rockin' some New York swag! Take a good scroll up and down at this bad boy and secure the goods!

Blueface’s 4-year prison sentence is underway now that he's been transferred from the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles to North Kern State Prison in central California.

TMZ’s obtained Blueface’s new mugshot, snapped Thursday as he entered general population at his medium custody facility ... where he'll have a lineup of potential jobs and classes ahead, all aimed at prepping him for life after prison.

Blueface's already a successful rapper, so getting back into the swing of things after lock-up shouldn't be too rough.

When Hailey Bieber and Justin's baby boy arrived, he was brought into this world by the same doctor who delivered kids for Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner.

Justin and Hailey's son, Jack Blues Bieber, was delivered by Dr. Thais Aliabadi ... according to the birth certificate, obtained by TMZ.

The document says Dr. Aliabadi delivered Jack on familiar turf ... the famed Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles ... the same place Kylie's daughter, Stormi Webster, was born.

Paris Hilton may be living a simple life, but she doesn't attend simple events ... partying hard with Megan Thee Stallion at NYLON Nights, one of the first New York Fashion Week soirees ... where they performed their new single "BBA (Bad Bitch Academy)" together!

NYLON hosted the realty icon's album release party where she performed songs from her new album "Infinite Icon" -- set for release today ... arriving all pinked out in a glittery minidress and knee-high boots.

A lot of famous friends came out to support ... including Meg in a tight, low-cut bodycon dress -- who was all smiles and hugs with Paris and her sister, Nicky.

Halsey and her boo Avan Jogia were heart-eyed and getting cozy in public last night ... proving their love is still going strong a year after they first started dating.

TMZ obtained a clip from Paper Mag’s 40th birthday bash Thursday night ... and you can see the pair was inseparable onstage, with Halsey leaning in close to whisper in his ear, turning up the heat on their undeniable chemistry.

As you can see, lots of folks are vying for Halsey’s attention, but it’s obvious her energy shifts when she’s with her man -- and he’s just as captivated by her ... as she parties in skimpy underwear and a crop top.