TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Kanye West is taking his new wife out on the town -- but he doesn't wanna be seen while he's doing it, which is why he's back in full face covering mode.

Rocking his best cat burglar-chic look, Ye and Bianca Censori hit up Beauty & Essex restaurant Tuesday night in Hollywood ... where the newlyweds seemed to be enjoying date night.

We say seems, because Bianca was on her phone and Ye's entire head and face were concealed, except for the eye holes in his knitted ski mask -- so, they were hardly wearing their emotions on their sleeves.

Ye kept quiet as they got into their vehicle -- a much different interaction with photogs than the one he had last week.

As we reported ... he's been named a suspect in a battery investigation after a heated exchange with paparazzi, which ended up escalating to the point of Ye grabbing and throwing a woman’s phone.

No such drama last night.

Of course, we also saw the couple out recently for a Balenciaga shopping spree in Bev Hills. While Ye chose to flaunt a t-shirt tied to Nazi Germany that night ... he opted for simple black for the dinner date.

Upgrade, to say the least.

TMZ broke the story, Ye and the former Yeezy designer tied the knot during a secret wedding ceremony within the last few months.

Dr. Dre's groundbreaking rap masterpiece, "The Chronic" is back on streaming services after Snoop Dogg pulled it, and all Death Row albums, last year ... a fitting tribute for its 30th anniversary!!!

The pioneering gangsta rap project celebrated the milestone back in December, and it's put Dre back in cahoots with some day-one execs. He says, “I am thrilled to bring the Chronic home to its original distribution partner, Interscope Records."

He added, "Working alongside my longtime colleagues, Steve Berman and John Janick, to re-release the album and make it available to fans all over the world is a full circle moment for me.”

Upon its release, "The Chronic" jump-started the careers of Snoop, Tha Dogg Pound and Lady of Rage ... and officially marked the dawn of Suge Knight and Death Row's success in the music biz.

In 2019, the Library of Congress deemed the album as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and stored the album in the National Recording Registry.

Dre and Snoop also performed the album's lead single "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" during last year's now iconic Super Bowl LVI halftime show ... proving the music has longevity like no other!!!

Logic's love for the cult classic, "Clerks" inspired him to do a reboot, of sorts, for his own "Highlife " -- and he even got Kevin Smith to ensure it was shot properly!!!

The Maryland-bred rapper made the trip last October to the actual Quick Stop convenience store found in the OG films in Leonardo, NJ ... and has long credited Kevin for inspiring creativity in his own art.

Logic actually missed a chance to appear in last year's "Clerks 3" ... Kevin sent him a DM to recruit him, but Logic was on a social media sabbatical and never got the message.

They were still able to connect for the "Highlife" video, though, and so did Kevin's "Clerks" costars Jason Mewes, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Scott Schiaffo, Brian O'Halloran and Scott Mosier.

The video is filled with cameos, giving nothing but nostalgia along the way!!!

Logic's forthcoming album is titled "College Park," a nod to his DMV upbringing and it's slated to drop February 24.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unsealed its nominations for its 2023 class on Wednesday, and hip hop legends Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest are on the ballot with rock and R&B royalty!!!

Missy has been teasing a musical comeback for months now, which could certainly be spurred on by the nomination ... which comes in her first year of eligibility, no less.

The veteran songwriter/producer shared her excitement with fans on IG and urged them to vote.

A Tribe Called Quest -- Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and the late Phife Dawg -- are hoping the 2nd time's a charm ... the Queens icons were nominated in 2022, but didn't get the votes.

Should they make the cut, Missy and ATCQ will mark the 11th and 12th hip hop acts to infiltrate the Rock Hall ... with Eminem being the most recent just last year.

NLE Choppa isn’t letting the momentum wane following his peaceful protest in Memphis -- he's planning to launch a skate foundation to support Tyre Nichols' family ... especially his young son.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with NLE, who tells us his head's been swirling since seeing the brutal body cam footage of Tyre being pummeled to death by several now-ex-Memphis cops.

The "Shotta Flow" rapper says he was a novice when he hopped on a skateboard for the January 28 protest march he organized in Memphis. Skateboarding was one of Tyre's passions, and NLE feels like Tyre's talking to him through his newfound love of the sport -- he says he hasn’t stopped riding, calling it the Lil Wayne effect.

NLE thinks everyone should adhere to “love” these days and thinks the MPD operated with the complete opposite -- not only the night Tyre was beaten, but with the timing of the body cam footage release.

He fears Tyre's 4-year-old son will be traumatized when he grows up and sees the video -- just one of the reasons NLE wants to do all he can to help the family.

Latto nearly had the last laugh on "panty police" haters who accused her of repeatedly wearing one pair of animal print undies, but eBay is deflating her auction dreams!!!

A spokesperson for eBay tells TMZ Hip Hop ... used and worn underwear is a direct violation of their "used clothing policy," and that's why it's yanked Latto's link to auction off her underwear.

The company says it uses multiple layers of AI technology in addition to its professionally trained eBay investigators to sniff out errant sales like Latto's, and ensure they're upholding its health and hygiene standards ... which of pair of panties containing "big energy" ... do not!!!

The Grammy-nominated rapper saw her worn cheetah prints nearly earn her $100K before the eBay takedown. She only started the auction in order to school fans on the fact she does indeed have more than one leopard print thong th-thong thong thong!

Ahead of the auction, Latto actually took time to explain to the trolls that she keeps healthy stashes of undergarments during tour time.

Key Glock is revamping his 31-city 'Glockoma' tour due to the death of Big Scarr -- his original supporting cast -- and now he's hitting the road with DaBaby's label mate, TiaCorine -- along with Kenny Muney and Jay Fizzle from his own Paper Route Empire camp!!!

The PRE capo rolled out an updated flyer for SiriusXM’s Hip-Hop Nation and Live Nation production ... and the fanfare's already heating up!!!

Tia hails from North Carolina and the March 10 date in Charlotte has been sold out in anticipation of her big homecoming!!!

Additionally, Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug will be in the mix for the 4 Lone Star state dates --- which have nearly all sold out ... and we're certain his breakout record, "Texas" has something to do with it!!!

The "Russian Cream" rapper's fellow Memphis native -- and Gucci Mane's 1017 artist, Big Scarr -- was present and celebrated the tour's original December 7 announcement ... but unfortunately died 16 days later from an accidental prescription overdose.

A relative of Scarr told TMZ Hip Hop at the time the late rapper had gotten addicted to painkillers after dealing with gunshot and car accident injuries.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott may well be dunzo, but she's keeping her wits about herself -- heading down to the Caribbean for a little R&R ... and a lot of made-ya-look.

The beauty mogul was down in Turks and Caicos Sunday, where she hit the beach in a black two-piece bikini for what looks to be a solo outing where she caught rays and waves all at the same time ... and all for the camera's benefit, too, of course.

KJ walked up flaunting her toned physique, with a green wrap covering her lower body as she set up shop on the sand. Eventually, the makeshift skirt disappeared ... and her derriere was out in full view. A friendly reminder that she is, indeed, Kardashian-adjacent.

There's much to marvel at here ... a spray down in the shower, and then a dip in the ocean. There's even a nice shot of a tattoo she's got inked on her booty, which reads "sa-nə-tē" ... the phonetic pronunciation of "sanity." She's said it keeps her grounded.

Of course, Kylie hasn't really exposed her bod like this in quite a while -- not so out in the open, anyway. It makes one wonder if the split rumors about her and her baby daddy are true.

Lil Wayne is hitting the road this spring on his "Welcome to Tha Carter Tour" ... a pretty clear cut smoke signal his long-awaited "Carter VI" album isn't too far behind.

Weezy made the grand announcement Tuesday ... unveiling the 28 city tour's kickoff date of April 4, which will hit major hot spots such as Chicago, Detroit, and NYC before concluding in L.A. on May 13.

One city missing, is Wayne's hometown of New Orleans ... but we're told Wayne omits NOLA from his tour lineups because of his acclaimed Weezyana Festival ... a special show for the people of The Big Easy that will be enjoying its 7th edition later this year!!!

The Louisiana rapper first announced there would be a "Carter VI" back in August 2022 --  and fans have been awaiting additional details ever since.

The new tour announcement set off alarms for fans who figure he'll perform new tunes on the road and they're literally chomping at the bit for new music.

R. Kelly is no longer facing sex-abuse charges in Chicago, where a prosecutor's decided to drop several pending charges, but that news isn't swinging his mood ... the singer still has plenty of other troubles.

Kelly's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, tells us she spoke with Kelly after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced she no longer would pursue the case because the disgraced R&B star has already been convicted in 2 federal courts of similar crimes and "is looking at the possibility of never walking out of prison again."

Bonjean tells TMZ, “There is no real sense of relief. He is still fighting for his life. He is facing decades in prison." But, she added that Foxx made "the right move" with her decision.

Foxx held a presser Monday to make the announcement, acknowledging that some of the accusers may be disappointed, but "we believe justice has been served."

As we reported ... Kelly was accused of sexually abusing 4 people, 3 of whom were minors, in the Chicago case. Foxx says she will ask the judge Tuesday to dismiss the charges against Kelly.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka had a night out with her mom in the Big Apple on Monday ... hitting up a Japanese restaurant three weeks after announcing she's preggo with her first child.

The 25-year-old and Tamaki Osaka arrived at Nippon in Midtown for dinner ... one of the few times the mother-to-be has been spotted out in public since her big reveal.

No baby bump in sight, though -- Osaka rocked a baggy brown and green outfit for the occasion.

As we previously reported, Osaka told her fans about the major life update on Jan. 11 ... and TMZ Sports confirmed rapper Cordae is the father.

"I realize that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure," Osaka said in her announcement. "I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom,' haha."

Real 92.3 radio host J Cruz says he was all set to get married on the Rolling Loud stage -- that is, until Offset made his grand onstage gesture to Cardi B back in 2018 ... stealing Cruz's thunder!!!

Cruz says his plans were set in stone -- he'd flown in family members, including his siblings and his soon-to-be wife was decked out in her wedding dress ... but the one thing he couldn't plan for was Offset’s impromptu move.

He shared the sad, yet funny-in-hindsight, story with GloRilla -- the “FNF” rapper's been mentored in the rap game by Cardi, so Cruz figured this was his best shot to unload his old wedding woes.

Cruz says his relative lack of celebrity prompted Rolling Loud officials to cut his nuptials altogether ... leaving him to face the embarrassment of his family and pile on therapy sessions shortly after.

The silver lining is Cardi and Offset are still going strong more than 5 years later ... welcoming another child since then and are set to star in a McDonald's Super Bowl commercial next month!!!

GloRilla keeps grinding out gigs on the road, and recently found herself face-to-face onstage with platinum producer Polow Da Don ... but she held back on giving him the full Glo experience.

TMZ Hip Hop got this vid of Glo pump faking as if she was gonna throw her “FNF” clappas on Polow -- she threw out all sorts of sensual questions, only to flip the script and bust into a performance of her viral hit, “Nut Quick.”

The switcheroo went down at Polow's stomping grounds inside Atlanta’s Center Stage Theater ... and, as you can see, he was a good sport about Glo's stunt.

The next few weeks will be busy for the Memphis rapper, who just earned her first Grammy nomination ... and, on Monday, graced the cover of "The Cut."

We're hearing Glo will be hosting parties in the Phoenix area for Super Bowl LVII, and this coming weekend, she'll be in L.A. for the Grammys ... where she's up for Best Rap Performance.

Jason Derulo is facing a new challenge ahead of his big Super Bowl performance -- no, not a TikTok challenge ... he recently suffered a nasty injury and now he's walking on a cane.

A Source familiar tells TMZ ... the "Wiggle" singer was injured playing basketball 3 weeks ago. Apparently, he was going up for a rebound and wound up landing on someone's foot ... he now has a small break in his foot and a torn ligament to boot.

He was lucky enough to avoid surgery, but he did have stem cells injected, which help speed up recovery time.

As of now ... Jason's going to physical therapy daily and is getting around with the help of a cane.

Of course, this couldn't be worse timing for Jason. ICYMI, he and The Black Keys were announced as this year's headliners of the NFL TikTok Tailgate ... which is supposed to go down prior to the big game.

Our sources say, although he may not be fully recovered for the performance, he will power through it, come hell or high water.

The late Young Dolph's life and times have expertly been curated through a traveling pop-up museum ... attracting rap peers like Jim Jones, who recently soaked up the detailed exhibit.

TMZ Hip Hop got vid of the Dipset Capo during his recent visit at the NYC edition of Dolphland as he examined a toy car exhibit that replicated Dolph's jaw-dropping fleet of vehicles.

Key Glock was on hand to greet both Jim and Maino, and we're told more of Big Apple rap's finest -- like DJ Clue and Dave East -- also turned out to support.

Visitors also took in an exquisite bust statue of Dolph, as well as portraits of his Paper Route Empire artists, and the Memphis rapper's album covers such as "Role Model" and "Gelato."

NFL legend and newly appointed University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has been keeping Dolph's name vibrant since his November 2021 murder. He paid his respects by visiting the Denver Dolphland and chopping it up with PRE's Kenny Munney!!!

Lil Jon isn't feeling love or friendship from Live Nation, which he claims is using his song title, "Lovers & Friends," for a festival he's not even playing -- so, now the King of Crunk's threatening a lawsuit.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained a copy of the letter Jon's team fired off Monday to the concert-promoting corporation ... detailing his efforts to reach a financial agreement over the incredibly popular Las Vegas festival.

Jon says he and Live Nation began talks back in May 2022 through one of his lawyers, Doug Davis, and assumed Live Nation would do the right thing. We're told he didn't want to push too hard because he was focused on ensuring last year's festival -- headlined by Jon, Usher and Ludacris -- was a success.

Now it's a year later, and Usher recently announced the lineup for this year's lineup -- boasting megastars Chris Brown, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Nelly ... but no Lil Jon!!!

In the letter, Jon's powerhouse attorney Ed McPherson compares putting on a "Lovers & Friends" fest without Jon ... to having a "Don't Stop Believin'" festival without Journey, or a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" festival without Jimmy Buffett.

It's an obvious attempt to put the dispute in terms Live Nation's attorneys will understand.

Sources connected to Jon tell us he's been hoping to avoid litigation, and for months, attempted to reach a settlement.

For the record, Jon readily admits his "Lovers & Friends" -- from his 2004 "Crunk Juice" album -- is a cover of Michael Sterling's 1991 song, but insists his version is the one that became "omnipresent in the Black community" ... so much so, Live Nation's slapped the name on its festival.

Bottom line ... Lil Jon believes they owe him big, because Live Nation's trading off his hard work to create such a lasting hit.