Music

Liam Payne had a major TV project in the works before his sudden death last week ... and now the series' fate is unclear, TMZ has learned.

Sources tell TMZ ... producers for "Building the Band" -- a singing competition series set to debut on Netflix -- were "shocked and saddened" to learn of the One Direction alum's unexpected death.

Liam -- along with AJ McLean, Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland -- had already wrapped filming the show ... though, the show's premiere date was never announced.

Hip Hop luminary and producer DJ Clark Kent died on Thursday evening after a lengthy fight with colon cancer ... his family confirmed today.

According to their statement, the 58-year-old tried-and-true NYC native -- born Rodolfo A. Franklin -- passed away surrounded by his wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio, AKA Mage.

The family revealed Clark Kent quietly fought colon cancer for 3 years but still managed to spread his love for rap throughout the globe, and asked for prayers and privacy as they grieve together.

Late Chicago drill rap star King Von's name has been ringing out a lot this year, 4 years after his death -- and Lil Durk has just increased his homeboy's infamy on record!!!

On Friday, Durk's fellow Chicago drill rapper G Herbo revamped his latest album with "Big Swerv 2.0" deluxe edition, featuring "In The Air" with an alley-oop from Durk.

At the close of his verse, Durk references the legacy King Von left behind ... "Farewell, I'm gettin' up out the 'Raq, I'm a survivor Yeah, yeah, I turned a serial killer to a rapper."

Jamie Foxx was rumored to have spilled the tea about Diddy being behind his hospitalization last year -- but we are told there’s zero truth to those claims.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ that during the taping of his comedy special, "What Had Happened Was," Jamie did name-drop the now-disgraced figure while speaking about his ATL hospital stint -- but they’re telling us it was all in jest.

We’re told Jamie definitely wasn’t being serious, despite some reports claiming he was "exposing" the real story behind his mysterious health scare in April 2023.

Phil Lesh, co-founder and bassist for The Grateful Dead, has died ... his official Instagram account announced Friday.

According to the update, Phil, who worked closely with late frontman Jerry Garcia for 3 decades, passed away "peacefully" Friday morning surrounded by his family.

The statement continued ... "Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time."

Lil Durk is being named by the feds as the top mastermind behind the murder-for-hire plot conspiracy in the attempt on Quando Rondo's life that left his cousin dead ... and may have been trying to flee the country when he was arrested!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained the federal complaint against Durk, which hits him with a conspiracy charge related to the alleged murder-for-hire.

The complaint comes on the heels of the previous indictment of 5 of his alleged Only The Family gang members, who prosecutors say were on the scene of the August 2022 shooting of Saviay'a Robinson, AKA Luh Pab.

Selena Gomez made a tiny slip during a speech at her L.A. charity event Thursday night --- and it had to do with Diddy!

The singer/actress was dressed to the nines as she stood at a podium speaking to a few hundred guests at her Rare Impact Fund Benefit at nya Studios West in Los Angeles when things went a little sideways.

At first, everything was cool ... Selena addressed the mission of her charity, which works with the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services (DHMS) to help prevent suicide among youths.

The Game recently suffered a bit of bad luck in his beloved city of Los Angeles -- returning to his car and discovering thieves made off with his hard-earned belongings!!!

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, "The Documentary" rapper parked his car in the San Fernando Valley on Wednesday, only to return and find someone had broken into the vehicle and taken around $100,000 in bling and designer bags.

Game's true -- not new to this -- and like a baller, had his security deal with the cops on the spot.

Lil Durk was just arrested in a murder conspiracy -- and one of the city keys he received last week has just been yanked before the new smell could whiff away!!!

The Chicago drill rap legend received the keys to Chicago villages Broadview and Bellwood on October 18 ... but Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson hit a U-turn on Friday.

She basically said her village can't afford to be seen doing business with whatever Durk's being accused of!!!

Step aside, Fergie ... up-and-coming singer Loomis is the latest person to totally butcher the National Anthem, and the flub is super toe-curling, to say the least.

As you can see, the singer starts off strong at the Free and Equal Elections Presidential Debate on Thursday ... but quickly goes off-key, losing her cool and begging into the mic, "I f***ed it up, I f***ed it up. Can I go back, can I go back please?"

As if that weren't enough, a cameraman chimes in to let her know she’s live -- and she’s horrified, trying to soldier on ... but her cracking voice gets worse.

Pete Davidson just made his first public appearance in months -- spotted for the first time since seeking mental health treatment back in July, and he's sporting a big change to his look.

The comedian and 'SNL' alum hit up the L.A. Clippers' opening game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Wednesday night, hanging with his buddy MGK -- and it looks like most of his sleeve tattoos are gone!

As we know, Pete's famous for his love of tattoos and is heavily inked ... but it looks like he’s turning over a new leaf and trying to ditch some of that ink -- particularly on his arms, where only faded remnants seem to remain.

Paris Hilton is sliving after performing a 17-song set at the Hollywood Palladium ... saying as much during an intimate meet and greet with fans after her epic show.

Check it out ... the heiress-turned-DJ took time on Thursday evening to chat with a group of VIP fans, all of whom gush about her performance while posing for pictures with the reality TV legend.

Paris was equally giddy during the exchange, confessing the evening was the "most iconic" of her life ... which is certainly saying something given her social calendar to date.

Charlamagne tha God and Anderson Cooper found themselves in a tense faceoff debating CNN's coverage of former President Donald Trump ... with the radio host suggesting the network doesn't call out 45 for his "fascist" behavior.

The war of words took place during Thursday evening's broadcast, with the CNN broadcaster and the radio personality getting into it on how Trump is discussed versus Vice President Kamala Harris.

As Charlamagne put it ... CNN hadn't held Trump's feet to the fire for the allegedly "fascist" things he's said during his bid for reelection ... including his previous call to "terminate the U.S. Constitution" and "overthrow the election."

Nicole Scherzinger stayed friends with Liam Payne right up until his death ... with one of her Broadway colleagues revealing the two texted on the day he died.

Andrew Lloyd Webber -- famed composer of some of the biggest Broadway shows ever -- sat down for an interview with Billboard to talk about the "Sunset Boulevard" revival running on Broadway. Nicole stars in the show, and Andrew touted her for her composure.

Lloyd Webber says a chief example of this came on the day Liam passed ... saying Liam and Nicole were sending messages back and forth in the afternoon. She found out he passed just before the show -- but, still went out and put on a great performance for reviewers.

Lil Durk has been arrested in Florida for murder-for-hire.

TMZ broke the story ... several members of the Chicago-based OTF crew -- to which Durk has ties -- were charged Thursday with the slaying of rapper Quando Rondo's cousin.

Durk was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and booked into the Broward County Jail on Thursday night. Authorities have yet to release details on his arrest.

Bruce Springsteen says only Kamala Harris is running to be the President ... 'cause he says Donald Trump's looking for a different job instead -- American Tyrant!

The singer-songwriter performed during Kamala Harris' Georgia rally Thursday, grabbing his guitar and performing a few acoustic versions of his hit songs before the Democratic nominee for prez hit the stage.

In between songs, Bruce gave his honest opinions on the 45th POTUS ... saying he thinks DJT has more interest in being a dictator than the president -- and saying he's "running to be an American tyrant."