Music

Liam Payne's heartbroken dad made his first public appearance since his son's tragic death, after making the trip from the UK to Argentina.

Geoff Payne was spotted leaving his hotel Friday morning, on his way to the Buenos Aires Judicial Office.

Geoff, wearing a navy suit, had a crowd of people around him ... no doubt there to support him during this tough time.

Lil Wayne has a new cook in his kitchen who has the keys to his heart and stomach, TMZ Hip Hop can reveal.

Wayne and chef LeahAngelie Murphy started working together at the top of 2023 after his last chef situation went kaput ... and we've learned emotions between the "Lollipop" rapper and LeahAngelie began to heat up like the oven range shortly after ... and they've been together since!!!

She hails from Los Angeles and lives with Wayne, providing him with round-the-clock meals 24/7.

Tommy Richman's "Million Dollar Baby" is centered in hip hop controversy yet again for being considered for Best Rap Grammys ... but DJ Hed and Gina Views don't think he has a chance of winning, to begin with!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the "Effective Immediately" hosts at SiriusXM and immediately got their thoughts on the recent rumblings of Tommy's blockbuster smash hit potentially being labeled as rap when the Grammy nominations are announced in November.

Hed and Tommy went back and forth on social media a couple weeks ago after Tommy himself deflected from being labeled hip hop in general ... before adjusting his statement after Hed cut him from the station's rap rotation list.

Taylor Swift is feeling "glorious" ahead of her upcoming "Eras" tour blowout in Miami ... and is locked into that new GloRilla and Sexyy Red track melting the streets!!!

The 'Tortured Poet' posted herself cradling her cat on Instagram on Friday as she soaked up the calm before her 3-day storm inside Hard Rock Stadium.

Glo and Sexyy's “Whatchu Kno About Me” collaboration soundtracked Taylor's post ... an update of Boosie Badazz & Co.'s "Wipe Me Down."

Elton John has already said "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" ... finishing up his farewell tour last year -- but, lucky fans got a chance to see him in London -- at Dua Lipa's show.

The legendary singer-songwriter stopped by Dua's concert at Royal Albert Hall in the UK Thursday ... joining his fashionable colleague onstage as they dueted their popular song "Cold Heart" for the audience.

Check out the clip ... EJ's iconic voice still reverberates around the famous venue as he belts out the hit track inspired by his 1972 song "Rocket Man."

Niall Horan is still struggling to accept the death of his friend and former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne ... opening up about his grief in a new statement.

The Irish singer posted to Instagram Friday morning, 2 days after Liam died in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony. In the note to fans, Niall reiterated how "absolutely devastated" he's feeling after the passing of his longtime friend ... a sentiment previously expressed in One Direction's joint message Thursday.

Niall remembered Liam for his "energy for life and a passion for work," adding LP was "the brightest" in every room they were in.

More superstars from the UK are showing their love for Liam Payne online ... with both Sharon Osbourne and Robbie Williams sending out messages to the late One Direction star.

Osbourne -- who was a judge on "The X Factor," though not when One Direction formed on the show -- posted to Instagram Thursday ... saying her heart goes out to Liam, and claiming the whole industry let him down.

She says LP was just a kid when he came up in the music world ... and, she doesn't think there was enough protection for him -- asking "Who was in your corner?"

Liam Payne's death is continuing to send shockwaves throughout Hollywood ... with countless celebrities taking to social media to pay tribute in the aftermath of his passing.

As you know, many A-listers posted online in the hours after news of the One Direction alum's death in Argentina broke Wednesday. As word of Liam's fatal fall spread across the globe, more and more stars are paying tribute to the late singer.

Halsey posted on her Tumblr Thursday, where she confirmed she was a devoted Directioner during 1D's heyday. She wrote ... "As a parent, a fellow artist, and a fan, i simply cannot fathom this untimely loss. my heart goes out to his family, friends, and the fans."

Kendrick Lamar is placing his hip hop bets on Doechii as the top dawg of rap ... may be a little bias with her being TDE and all 🤏🏾 -- but he said what he said!!!

The 2024 Rap King just snatched up the majority of BET Hip Hop Awards but gave Doechii the credit as "the hardest out" of all of today's rappers on Thursday!!!

Rap master debaters assemble ... Trina recently told us it's GloRilla who's No. 1, but any way you slice it, the consensus has been women are crushing the rap game right now.

The feds are adamant Diddy will menace or threaten witnesses or alleged victims if the judge lets him out on bail, because they say that's exactly what he did in the immediate aftermath of Cassie's beating.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is responding to Diddy's latest effort to get released on bail ... filing new docs to remind the judge what the defendant has allegedly done in the past to obstruct justice.

In the docs, they focus on the infamous Cassie beating video from March 2016 at L.A.'s InterContinental Hotel, where they say, Diddy was hosting a Freak Off.

4:05 PM PT -- Harry Styles is also paying tribute to Liam Payne ... saying he's "truly devastated" by Liam's death.

Harry says Liam's "greatest joy was making other people happy" ... and he's remembering Liam for living "wide open, with his heart on his sleeve." Harry also says Liam "had an energy for life that was infectious" and he was "warm, supportive and incredibly loving."

HS adds his heart breaks for Liam's family ... including his son, Bear.

2:08 PM PT -- Zayn Malik has issued his own personal tribute to late One Direction member Liam Payne ... expressing his sadness in a heartbreaking Instagram upload.

Alongside a photo of himself and Liam seemingly napping during their 1D touring days, Zayn shared his regret for never thanking LP for helping him through "some of the most difficult times," including when he was homesick at 17.

As he continued, Zayn remembered Liam as being "head strong" and "opinionated," admitting they "butted heads" at times. Nonetheless, Zayn said he "secretly respected" Liam for his give "no f**ks" attitude.

Zayn signed off his note by expressing his love for Liam, who he praised as "the most qualified" musician.

Louis Tomlinson is sharing his grief following the death of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne ... posting a poignant tribute to his social media.

In the wake of Liam's death in Argentina Wednesday, Louis posted to Instagram, where he shared he is "beyond devastated" by his peer's untimely passing.

He wrote ... "Yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul."

Kaskade -- the DJ best known for songs like "Escape" and "I Remember" -- is getting divorced, TMZ has learned.

The star's wife, Naomi Raddon, went to court Thursday to file for divorce from her husband -- real name Ryan Gary Raddon. She cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

She lists the date of separation as June 27 of this year -- bringing the marriage that lasted nearly 28 years to a close.

Saweetie is collecting inspiration to build off her long-awaited debut album -- nothing like a little horseback riding to get those juices flowing!!!

That was the situation for the "Icy Grl" when she was spotted on a mega stallion alongside British rapper Shygirl at Sunset Ranch in the Hollywood Hills earlier this week.

Shygirl's steed figured the photo-op was good a time as any to go No. 2 ... when nature's your bathroom, it is!!!

Rick Ross wasted no time performing the Big Meech theme song he made 14 years ago to welcome back the Black Mafia Family architect!!!

The MMG rapper celebrated Meech's release all day and shared our story en route to his first live performance of his hit song "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" ... the one that goes, "I think I'm Big Meech (Woo!) / Larry Hoover, Whippin' work, Hallelujah!!!"'

As we reported yesterday, our sources confirmed Big Meech was finishing out his sentence in a halfway house in the Miami area -- not too far from Rozay's OG stomping grounds.

Liam Payne died by an apparent suicide ... local law enforcement in Argentina now says the fall from his third-floor hotel room was intentional.

A police official in Buenos Aires told The Associated Press Liam "had jumped from the balcony of his room."

According to the preliminary autopsy issued by government officials, the fall resulted in multiple injuries including “internal and external hemorrhage." The toxicology report is still pending.