TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Veteran Atlanta rapper Yung Booke has assembled the A-Town Avengers -- T.I., Killer Mike, and Skooly -- on his latest track, but we're no longer dealing with the "Magic City" celebrated by Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris.

Instead, these guys are rapping about big trouble in their once lil' city!

On Wednesday, the quartet rolled out the video for "The Real A (WHTA)," directed by Zae Williams, where they vent over the current state of ATL ... and blame non-natives for disrupting their once peaceful utopia.

Killer Mike recalled ATLiens's early days battling for territory against encroachers from Miami and later details his friend beating up a visitor when he was fresh out of jail.

T.I. also rapped with nostalgic recollection while slamming the city's expanding population with the bars ... "I can't tell if it's the switches or out-of-towners/A youngin' mixing X and Adderall with all them downers/We used to have a code of conduct and ecosystem/Takin' the time to tell 'ol Atlanta we really miss her."

Chance the Rapper joined scores of artists mourning Bobby Caldwell Wednesday ... and his tribute included proof of the late singer's admiration for his music being sampled.

Last September, Caldwell apparently reached out to thank Chance for sampling one of his tracks, and the Chicago-born rapper thanked the blue-eyed soul singer for giving him career inspiration.

DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose music also benefitted from Caldwell interpolations, had a similar reaction of shock upon learning about his death.

Caldwell passed away Tuesday night at age 71 after long battles with neuropathy and a ruptured Achilles tendon -- and Chance says the news has left him broken, despite never actually meeting Caldwell in person.

Ja Morant is a product of the gangsta rap he hears every day -- so says his elder NBA statesman Patrick Beverly, who also thinks the embattled All-Star can make a proper comeback.

Pat Bev recently weighed in on the Ja situation on his Barstool Sports podcast, and pinpointed today's rap music as the catalyst for the 22-year-old's shocking downward spiral.

PB said, "I think music has a lot to do with this now. Especially with this culture, everybody holding a gun in the video is okay, bling on your teeth that's okay, pants halfway down your ass, that's okay."

The current Chicago Bull also valued music from "back in the day" over today's tunes ... "The culture now is ‘shoot 'em up, bang, bang, shoot 'em up, bend you over, I got this amount of money, I’m on private jets, that that that.’ That’s what the younger generation is."

Bev also speculated had Eminem rapped about totin' guns, his rabid fan base would've followed suit, but instead, they opted to copy Slim Shady's baggy hoodies and jeans from the "8 Mile" era.

On Monday, Ja entered a counseling program and is rumored to miss the remainder of the Memphis Grizzlies' season. He's been vocal about the hardcore hip hop he consumes before games -- citing Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, NBA YoungBoy and the incarcerated Pooh Shiesty as his go-to rappers.

Pat Bev's commentary may mirror old-school ethos -- repeated by OGs like Melle Mel -- but younger crops of rappers have been voicing similar opinions regarding the state of hip hop.

Young M.A has some of her fans in a frenzy over a video she and her barber shared, but the "OOOUUU" rapper is reassuring anyone worried about her health ... she's blessed and highly favored.

On Tuesday, both M.A and FatsDaBarber lashed out at social media gossipers, in an attempt to extinguish heavy online speculation about the vid ... which shows M.A mumbling incoherently in the barber chair. Several fans also noted her eye color seems very yellow.

Her barber called for a stop to all the chatter, while M.A consoled him against the internet backlash -- some folks were angry he'd posted the video.

M.A added it was actually 4 months since her last hair appointment, not just one, as her barber had posted.

As for what's fueling the concern ... back in June 2021, Young M.A announced she was going to rehab, but quickly walked back that comment. She's also been absent on the music front since her May 2021 album "Off The Yak" -- a clear nod to guzzling cognac.

"Ay Bay Bay" rapper Hurricane Chris is now free to resume his life ... a jury found him not guilty on second-degree murder charges after his legal team used a "Friday" character to make his case.

The 34-year-old, whose real name is Christopher Dooley, told The Shade Room ... "I wanna thank God, my attorneys at the Washington & Wells law firm, and my family for standing with me as my life was on the line."

Chris was accused of fatally shooting Danzeria Ferris Jr. in 2020 at a Texaco station in Shreveport, LA -- but the rapper's attorneys claimed he acted in self-defense ... likening the deceased man to "Deebo" AKA  the late Tiny "Zeus" Lister from Ice Cube's 1995 classic "Friday" film.

Following the verdict, Chris told reporters outside the courtroom, Jesus was responsible for the outcome and his attorney, Alex Washington, applauded the jury for having the courage to step up for his client.

Lil Nas X is known to crack jokes online, but even the "Old Town Road" rapper knew his joke about transitioning crossed a line ... so he's issuing an apology.

LNX had originally posted a photo of social medial influencer Glow Princess, and quipped "the surgery was a success" ... causing many clueless fans to believe he'd actually undergone a gender-changing procedure. 😬

When fans in the know began firing off angry tweet after angry tweet, Lil Nas owned up to his blunder.

He responded ... "Apologies to the trans community i def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool ... much love to you guys. sorry."

DJ Quik's time in Michael Jackson's presence proved to be off the wall -- considering the late King of Pop forced him to face the corner as he walked past him!!!

The prolific producer says he was recording out of Westlake Studios in L.A. back in the day ... when it was announced MJ would also be stopping through.

Problem was ... MJ didn't want to meet, greet or even make eye contact with anyone -- so, Quik says everyone in the studio had to face the wall when Michael arrived.

After realizing it wasn't a drill, Quik obliged ... but claims he still heard MJ's penny loafers shuffling across the floor as he made his way through the building.

Quik says he encountered MJ in a studio again, later in life, but still got the silent treatment.

As for why they never connected -- Quik says it was a Bloods and Crips thing! 😂

Upstart Bronx MC Connie Diiamond is currently basking in the glow of a King's cosign ... after LeBron James publicly approved of her show-stealing "Move" freestyle!!!

LBJ has been nursing a right tendon injury in his foot for weeks now ... but the NBA scoring champ's ears are just fine, and Tuesday he posted a celebration of Connie's flow and tenacity on the mic.

The Def Jam signee celebrated LBJ's validation on her IG page ... letting fans know the song -- which she recorded months ago -- is now on digital service providers.

The track samples Ludacris' stadium classic "Move Bitch" -- which was also released on Def Jam back in 2001, so the synergy is real.

Lil Uzi Vert is seeing clearer than ever ahead of his "The Pink Tape" album release and tells us he owes the 20/20 vision to his decision to go sober.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Uzi in Bev Hills and he popped the lid off his creative process for the project ... telling us he made his close group of friends sift through the 680 songs he recorded for the album!!!

The remaining pile of songs will be donated to rappers in a drought. The game needs saving, eh Melle Mel???

Fans will also hear a different side of Uzi on the album -- his sober side, as he's flushed all illicit substances from his system.

Uzi doubted he could make great music without drugs steering the ship, but he says the results came out even better ... his skin is better, he's no longer slurring his words and now he's making songs with more focused subject matter!!!

One of those songs is already getting buzz -- Uzi premiered a rager record at Rolling Loud California that spurned a public outcry for its lyrics, "I make a City Girl believe in Satan."

Uzi assured us he doesn't even believe in the devil and it was just a metaphor.

French Montana and Rubi Rose are in new couple mode ... doing date night in Bev Hills, and they're not afraid to show some PDA as the freshest romantic pairing in hip hop!!!

The 2 rap stars were beaming from ear to ear as they arrived Monday night at Mr. Chow for a romantic dinner date -- and even with a photog there, they weren't shy about showing their affection.

French threw his arm around Rubi shortly after they got out of his ride, and they strolled into the restaurant looking totally comfortable being a new hip hop power couple.

A source close to the couple tells us Rubi is 100 percent French's "new gf." It's unclear when exactly they started hanging out, but it's clear they're past that initial "getting to know you" phase.

Rubi's a former XXL Freshman with several releases under her belt and more than 4 million IG followers.

Wyclef Jean alarmed fans this week with a video revealing his first-ever stay in the hospital ... but thankfully, the former Fugees star is looking at a full recovery after he gets some much-needed rest.

Wyclef tells TMZ, after returning to Los Angeles from Miami last weekend, he felt numbness on the right side of his face and immediately sought care from his family doctor, who sent him to the ER.

He says the tests Dr. Waleed Lashin requested an overnight stay in the hospital ... and the early indication is his face numbness was the result of exhaustion, which is also likely stress related.

Wyclef's thanking all of his concerned fans, and says he's back at home with more tests to follow next week.

Megan Thee Stallion had no regrets admitting she pinged Beyoncé for the favor of all favors in 2023 ... tickets to the highly anticipated Renaissance Tour, which had fans debating taking out bank loans when they saw the prices.

A gushing Meg relayed to ET at Sunday's Vanity Fair party that she actually dialed up Beyoncé directly for access to the hot-ticketed event but didn't want to reveal why she was actually going to the show.

She later quipped how Beyoncé was her "auntie" and looked forward to seeing her later at the megastar's after-party at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.

Meg and Bey may not share blood, but the Houston-bred stars won Grammy gold together with 2020's "Savage" collab, and Meg is a key component of Jay-Z's Roc Nation music arm.

Beyonce finally answered her loyal fans' prayers after finally revealing her Renaissance Tour dates back in February ... but not without stipulations like signing up for her Verified Fan service and ticket prices, which Billboard says you'll need around $300 just to get a "decent" seat!!!

Sunday's festivities marked Meg's first public appearance since the draining Tory Lanez shooting trial ... but she appears to be back in full force.

Polo G and Lil Xan both deserve gymnastics medals for blazing the stage under "slippery when wet" conditions, and yes ... they both hydroplaned while performing!!!

The rappers recently co-headlined the Springfest Kickoff Concert in Fargo, ND ... but they had to do so on a fairly soaked stage.

Xan was actually captured taking a tumble after he stepped smack dab in a puddle on stage ... with Polo later coming out to wipe the ground, attempting to ensure his own safety. It didn't work out.

The Chicago rap star was in full crunk mode as he performed "Flex" when he nearly took a tumble himself ... before finding his balance while still firing off his lyrics.

Furious Five rapper Melle Mel isn't backing down from his condemnation of today's hip hop -- in fact, he tripled down when asked if he's feeling the burn from all the backlash.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the pioneering MC and he made it crystal clear he still feels he's better than the likes of Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem. Then he went deeper, saying the music industry has pushed destructive tropes that pollute everyone's ability to know what good music actually sounds like.

Put in less PC terms ... Melle says today's rappers can barely rap, and they're just street guys with a sensational message!!!

In contrast, he points to his group's iconic record, "The Message," which spoke out against the guns and drugs that have buried so many hip hop artists over the last 20 years.

The 61-year-old vet says he can easily make a terrible song that glorifies negativity, but he wants to make music he can "stand behind." Melle added he's serious about making a comeback to show and prove himself.

Rap music fans let Melle have it all last week following his viral interview clips, but he gave a special shoutout to Public Enemy and Busta Rhymes, who all gave him props for shaking the table.

Ice Spice recently checked a huge mark on her bucket list -- gaining a Twitter follow by Nicki Minaj, who appears to be digging her career progression!!!

The trailblazing rookie rapper is featured on the new cover of "Dazed" magazine, where she discussed being a Barb, having a birthday on New Year's Day and posed for a photo spread where she hunches over a chair while grabbing her crotch.

Nicki shared the mag cover on Twitter and validated the article's "People's Princess" title while urging people to get the issue from newsstands.

Ice's head was definitely spinning from being recognized by the Queen Barbie. Just a day before, Nicki followed IS on Twitter, fulfilling Ice's November 2020 wish of being noticed online.

Nicki's warming orientation is sharp 180° from her interaction with Latto last year when the "Big Energy" rapper was basking in her freshman buzz — the two engaged in a terse phone call and acidic tweets that spilled onto the internet ... but all signs point to an actual collaboration beween Ice and Nicki that will have all fans munchin'.

Blueface is coming to the realization he might be expecting a kid with his on-and-off again girlfriend Chrisean Rock ... and the thought of new fatherhood is keeping him up way past bedtime!!!

The "Thotiana" rapper dropped off what he framed as a PSA after a night of performing and partying in Dubai. He focused on the never-ending debate around double standards between men and women, but he was clearly just wringing his hands over Chrisean's pregnancy.

Seems his rant was prompted by Chrisean posting a shot of her growing baby bump ... something he's definitely not celebrating. Instead, BF went on about women benefitting more than men from double standards ... claiming the power of their 'P' goes much further than men's.

What's not debatable is that Blue and Chrisean's relationship is as rocky as ever -- they exchanged disses on Twitter, but he remained firm in doubting he's the father of her child.

Blueface also praised Jaidyn Alexis, the mother of his 2 children, for the classy way she presented her last pregnancy, and for not having weird men around his kids.

On the other hand, he's labeling Chrisean a "MeToo Bitch" who runs the streets.

He eventually signed off and decided to live his best life this morning on a yacht, surrounded by a new crop of women to tickle his fancies.