Music

Timothée Chalamet has set the Internet abuzz with his new hair transformation ... stepping out with a blond 'do for the NYC premiere of "A Complete Unknown."

The actor, who plays folk singer Bob Dylan in the upcoming biopic, looked nearly unrecognizable ... sporting a shaggy, blond hairstyle, which he paired with a blue beanie, leather jacket, and scarf.

The hairdo, which is strikingly different to the curly brown locks he's known to sport, sparked mixed reactions from fans. While some voiced their approval for the style shakeup, others seemed ... less than so sold on the new look.

Doechii has proven to be one of hip hop music's most talented rising stars this year ... and she's not taking any cultural disrespect, especially from fair-weather fans!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with thee Swamp Princess following her set at Top Dawg Entertainment's 11th Christmas charity event in Watts on Thursday.

No need to sugarcoat things -- Doechii flat-out tells us anyone who thinks her music is too deep simply doesn't belong, boo-boo. 💁🏾‍♀️

Top Dawg Entertainment's flagship artist Jay Rock is beaming with pride over the banner year the label experienced in 2024 ... which he says, sets the stage for an even bigger 2025!!!

TMZ Hip Hop chopped it up with the Grammy Award-winner during TDE's 11th annual Christmas Concert, Toy Drive, and Community Giveback, live and direct from the Nickerson Gardens area he grew up in!!!

Jay and Kendrick Lamar both started their careers together and bias aside, Rock is dubbing "GNX" a classic album ... play it front, back, side to the side, you'll still get the same dynamic results!!!

Hollywood's brightest stars have donned their most festive apparel for the holiday show of the season ... the 2024 iHeart Radio Jingle Ball.

Check it out ... fans favorites like Katy Perry, Shaboozey and Benson Boone, among others, stepped out Friday night for the annual event. This year, the holiday concert took place at Madison Square Garden in NYC ... and brought out a number of notable celebrities.

As we mentioned, Katy made an appearance, posing for photogs in a jaw-dropping silver gown ahead of her highly anticipated performance.

Top Dawg Entertainment had a lot to be thankful for in '24 but like they always do 'bout this time, their main mission is giving back!!!

The label's 11th annual Christmas holiday went down inside the Watts neighborhood's Nickerson Gardens on Thursday, boosted by homegrown super talents such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad and many more.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up TDE's President Punch and Ab-Soul at the event and they humbly told us they're humble servants in the community when it comes to this stuff.

Trae Tha Truth used the recording studio this week to vent frustrations over the exhausting search for his missing child ... and we're hearing the hunt to find her has intensified!!!

On Friday, Trae released his newest track, "Letter to Truth Pt. 2," a musical apology and plea to his 6-year-old daughter Truth, who he last saw when he dropped her off with her mother back in August.

Trae has full custody of the child and told us this week in L.A. that he's not resting until she's back in his care. Truth's mother's whereabouts are currently unknown but she was spotted in the Los Angeles area several weeks ago.

Rapper Rio Da Yung OG was a big part of the Michigan hip hop resurgence when he was incarcerated for drug trafficking crimes in 2019 -- and he's now free to pick up where he left off musically!!!

Rio was released from federal prison on Wednesday after serving roughly 4 years and TMZ Hip Hop obtained video of his first taste of freedom ... or should we say spoils???

The "2 Faced" MC reconnected with his team and Empire label execs and immediately hopped on a private jet ... we're told he flew from Arkansas to Memphis and then ATL -- where he recorded his newest track "Rio Free."

3:00 PM PT -- Megan Thee Stallion's attorney Mari Henderson tells TMZ ... "It’s no coincidence that Unite The People represents both Tory Lanez and Milagro Cooper, so the law firm’s statement simply reaffirms the fact they’re working together to bully, harass and victimize Ms. [Megan] Pete. ... Instead of denying that Milagro has been paid, they collectively questioned how Ms. Pete could uncover their conspiracy.

"The reality is that Milagro’s own attorneys confirmed that Tory’s prison calls are public record and even acknowledged they wouldn’t raise any objections regarding them, so it is surprising they turned around and issued a public statement attacking our exposing these calls.

"We are confident that the truth will be exposed and look forward to pursuing this case in court – not in the media like Tory has done time and time again."

Tory Lanez, his father Sonstar Peterson, and blogger Milagro Gramz are firing back at claims from Megan Thee Stallion's lawyers that they're conspiring to spread misinformation and harass the Roc Nation rapper in a complaint filed this week.

The allegations largely stem from jailhouse phone calls between Tory, Sonstar and Milagro (real name Milagro Cooper) ... but Ceasar McDowell, CEO of Unite the People, says his client is a victim of a calculated legal takedown.

Ceasar tells TMZ Hip Hop, "We are deeply concerned by the continued efforts to spin partial stories in an attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public."

James Kennedy is refusing to lay low in the aftermath of his domestic violence arrest ... we've learned the "Vanderpump Rules" star is keeping all his planned gigs for the foreseeable future.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... James isn't canceling ANY of his upcoming DJ gigs ... so, fans should expect to see him at his show in Milwaukee Saturday night.

We're told the reality TV star is choosing to move forward and focus on work ... remaining committed to his scheduled shows in Milwaukee, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Kansas City, and Las Vegas.

The Fresh Prince is telling fans he's got no Diddy dirty laundry ... 'cause Will Smith says he's never been tight with the disgraced rap mogul.

The actor/rapper took the stage at The Observatory North Park in San Diego Thursday ... when during a break in the show, Smith addressed the sold-out crowd about all the memes trolls have made of him and Diddy.

Watch the clip ... Smith says it's hard to tell what's true or not in today's age -- and the memes online are clearly causing a ton of confusion.

Taylor Swift may be feeling 35 today, but she's proven over the years that she'll never go out of "Style."

So, in honor of the pop star's milestone birthday, we felt it only right to relive some of her best eras. Whether you're a fan of her country era or her bad-girl "Reputation" vibe, Taylor has always brought it for the red carpet and her various concerts.

In fact, this past year, Taylor has shaken things up a number of times for her record-breaking "Eras" tour ... often swapping out her costumes for jaw-dropping updated looks.

Ice Cube says he didn't even have to raise an eyebrow when Andrew Schulz and his son O'Shea Jackson Jr. had their war of words regarding the Kendrick Lamar "rape" jokes -- Cube feels his son won the verbal combat with ease!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Cube at LAX on Thursday evening and we got his take on his infamous "No Vaseline" diss being used as a prop in Schulz's argument that his sexually graphic description of "making love" to Kendrick was fair game.

O'Shea Jr. hopped in the social media madness to defend K. Dot -- as did Meek Mill, Peter Rosenberg and others, and Cube tells us Schulz should just up his game ... and come with better jokes!!!

The "beef" has since fizzled and OJJ is now actively promoting his 'Den of Thieves 2' film.

Cube also has new product on the market -- his 11th album, "Man Down," which came in hot after its lead single "It's My Ego" marked an all-time peak on the Billboard Charts for the legendary rapper.

Beyoncé's really earning the name "Cowboy Carter" ... riding away from the Billboard Music Awards with her first country music win after being snubbed by the Country Music Association.

The singer-songwriter took home the trophy for top country female artists at the award ceremony Thursday ... her first win in the genre.

The Queen Bey was also nominated for top dance/electronic artist and top country album ... honors she lost to Charli XCX and Zach Bryan, respectively.

Cardi B wants the millions Tasha K owes her, and she's not buying the blogger's claim she's flat broke -- and now she's offering a judge evidence Tasha's stashing money to avoid paying up.

Cardi's attorneys filed docs in Florida Bankruptcy court, calling out Tasha over the $3.4 million she still owes the rapper for losing the defamation case in 2022. Tasha declared bankruptcy, saying she didn't have assets to cover that judgment -- but Cardi's telling the court that's simply BS.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Cardi's alleging Tasha fraudulently transferred assets and income out of her name, and into her husband's name and/or his business.

Taylor Swift's "Eras" might be over, but she's still putting smiles on faces ... taking time to hang out with kids at a hospital in Kansas City -- and the special visit included a funny moment involving Travis Kelce.

The "Fortnight" singer hit up the Children’s Mercy Hospital on Thursday ... and spent at least an hour meeting patients located on the hematology and oncology floor.

Brian Austin Green has a stern message for Machine Gun Kelly amid his recent split from Brian's ex-wife Megan Fox ... grow up!

We got Brian out in Calabasas on Thursday, and we asked him his thoughts on the now-former couple's most recent breakup. Brian claims to have not heard the news ... but after some thought, he questioned MGK's age -- implying maybe he's still very immature. Brian quipped to our camera, "Grow up! She's pregnant."

Brian says he wants the best for MGK and Megan's baby, which arrives in March 2025 ... adding he's heartbroken about the "tragic" situation because Megan and the kids they share together are really excited about the new baby's addition.