Music

50 Cent's incentive to build a film empire in Shreveport, Louisiana looks to be going out in a wash ... the state's House of Representatives decided this week to eliminate its $150 million tax incentive -- just as his operation was getting revved up!!!

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux spelled out the doomsday for the tax credit to local outlets, and didn't have any resolutions top of mind for 50 Cent when asked about the future.

50 gave the people of Louisiana words of encouragement by preaching patience on Thursday .... but like the mayor said, things are looking grim.

Kim Zolciak cozied up with Chet Hanks at a Jelly Roll concert, showing zero signs of cooling down those dating rumors -- even as her divorce drama with Kroy Biermann blazes on.

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" was all about Tom Hanks' wild child at the show posting a ton of pics and vids Wednesday with him and some other pals, raving about how much fun she had.

In some pics, Kim and Chet were grinning for selfies, then there’s a clip of Kim leaning into Chet all flirty while they vibed to Jelly Roll ... later, the two went backstage to meet JR.

The attorney who is representing more than 120 alleged victims against Diddy says he's setting his sights on other high-profile people who attended "Freak-Offs" -- even if they did nothing illegal.

Attorney Tony Buzbee appears in our new Tubi documentary, "TMZ Presents The Downfall of Diddy: Inside the Freak-Offs" ... and he is going full bore. Buzbee says if there were people at the freak-offs who watched people who were sexually abused after being drugged and they did nothing to stop it, they're just as guilty as the perpetrators.

That said, Buzbee tells us there are other celebrities, politicians and businesspeople in his crosshairs.

Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign maybe got snubbed for a Best Rap Album Grammy for their "Vultures 1" ... but one group of Memphis rappers is claiming the dynamic duo snubbed them on credit that helped the finished product!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained legal docs Wednesday filed by Vanda Watkins, AKA Criminal Manne, Hayward Ivy, AKA producer DJ Squeeky, and the estate of late rapper Kilo G for copyright infringement regarding the "Vultures 1" track "Fuk Sumn."

The song was officially released back in March as part of Ye's comeback atop the Billboard Charts and opens up with a country rap tuned sample before the beat drops -- and the plaintiffs are alleging that's their voices Ye and his Yeezy record label team stole.

Ariana Grande was in awe the first time she saw the Munchkins in the upcoming "Wicked" movie ... so much so that she stopped to take photos of them in costume.

Ricardo Ludgero Souza, who plays a Munchkin in "Wicked," tells TMZ ... Ariana went complete fan-girl before her first scene with the Munchkins, asking the actors for pics and chatting with them on set before cameras started rolling.

Ariana's reaction came as a complete surprise to the actors playing the Munchkins, Ricardo says ... she's by far the biggest celebrity on set, but geeked out over the littlest people in Oz.

Kristin Cavallari isn't rattled by her ex, Mark Estes, hanging out with other women ... even after his joke proposal to Liv Walker.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the "Laguna Beach" alum isn't bothered by Mark spending quality time with different women, as their relationship was done for good back in September.

KC and Mark have no plans to reconcile romantically, so she respects the TikTok star's decision to get back out there after their split.

Quincy Jones' cause of death has been revealed ... the legendary music producer died from cancer, TMZ has learned.

According to the death certificate released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, obtained by TMZ ... the official cause of death is pancreatic cancer -- which happens to be the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the country.

According to the doc, there were no other contributing factors to his death.

Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez are both getting back on the performing horse ... taking the stage at a famous fashion show in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night.

The singers performed during this year's Elie Saab fashion show in Riyadh ... providing the entertainment for the 45th anniversary gala -- and, the 2 stars didn't disappoint.

First, Celine -- who made her big return to performing at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris -- hopped onstage in a gorgeous golden gown, belting out hits like "The Power of Love," "I'm Alive" and other classic tracks.

Kash Doll's very public breakup from her children's father didn't disrupt her new album track list -- she kept his feature on the project even amid the split!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Detroit rapper during her "The Last Doll" album press runs this week and got the lowdown on her "NWA" track with Tracy T and Yung Bleu.

KD tells us the breakup was tough but keeping Tracy on the album was a no-brainer ... she loves the track -- and the full album!!!

Jason Kelce's donning his Christmas Crown ... 'cause his song with Stevie Nicks is currently charting higher than Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" -- making him the official Queen of Christmas!

The former Philadelphia Eagles center talked about taking on Mariah during an episode of "The New Heights" podcast ... after Travis rattled off the accomplishment, saying somehow, Jason and The Philly Specials are beating Mariah at her own game.

"Maybe This Christmas" -- a duet by Kelce and Fleetwood Mac songstress Nicks -- has passed 'All I Want' as the No. 1 Christmas song of the season ... and, Jason says taking his rightful place as The Queen of Christmas feels so good.

Drake attempted to rattle Pharrell's cage on his "Family Matters" rapper diss fest earlier this year ... but the former Neptunes producer says the punchline was lost on him!!!

GQ quizzed Pharrell about his reaction to Drake swooping in to buy all the gem-laden jewels he auctioned off in 2022 -- but Pharrell says he's fine with it!!!

The way Pharrell sees it, he got all the life use of the shiny items, and wherever they end up is their destiny ... even if happens to be in the possession of a rival!!!

Ariana Grande has left fans clamoring for answers after calling out one inaccurate "Wicked" lyric ... with some debating the pop star's stance on the song.

Here's what went down ... Wednesday, the "Wicked" movie uploaded to Instagram a snippet of Ariana's rendition of "Popular" in the musical movie ... slapping the lyrics over the first look of the scene.

However, the upload seemingly had one glaring error .... this according to Glinda, herself. In the comments on the Instagram post, Ariana chimed in and revealed the word "poise" in the lyric video should actually be "ploys."

Jessica Simpson's husband is ditching his bling ... leaving his wedding ring at home -- just a day after we learned Simpson may be considering a divorce.

Eric Johnson -- Jessica's husband of more than a decade -- stepped out in Los Angeles Tuesday, and he's baring all here ... all of his ring finger, we mean.

He's not trying to hide his left hand here -- letting it hang out for all to see ... while looking over what may be important documents.

10:30 AM PT -- Just like we predicted, Diddy's kids got wind of Meek Mill's deflection and let's just say Justin Combs is severely disappointed in the Dreamchaser!!!

Meek Mill has officially ended an era -- by distancing himself from all things Diddy-related, and he did it with nothing but disgust in his voice!!!

Meek was out in the streets Wednesday and Hood Report gave him the open floor ... where he pounced on the opportunity to slander Diddy's name in the wake of the allegations that got him locked up!!!

"No Diddy Gang, Meek Milly in real life -- don't ever disrespect me, ya heard?" Meek growled for the cameras ... a moment that's sure to go viral.

Mod Sun's totally blinded by his new love and paparazzi cameras flashing ... 'cause he stepped out with Brittany Wisniewski for a bite to eat Tuesday night -- and, they posed for pics.

The singer-songwriter took his "Love Is Blind" gal pal to Catch Steak L.A. ... an upscale steakhouse near West Hollywood -- and, ya gotta watch the clip 'cause the 2 aren't shying away from the limelight.

In the clip, the pair steps out of Catch hand in hand ... walking over to the valet -- all while dodging questions about whether they're official or not.

Nelly can put his August arrest for possession of ecstasy behind him and focus on the jackpot he won the same night ... prosecutors will not be issuing the "Country Grammar" rapper any charges.

Chris King, spokesperson for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, tells TMZ Hip Hop, "We don't believe the facts in this case warrant the issuing of charges."

Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, gave us further clarity ... "Wesley Bell, the prosecuting attorney, and his office looked at all the circumstances and after a fair and impartial review of the evidence, declined to prosecute."