TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Drake might be wearing Gradey Dick's jersey after all ... 'cause after the Toronto Raptors rookie gave Drizzy a shout-out at the NBA Draft, the rapper followed him on IG -- and Dick is hyped!

ICYMI, Toronto selected the former Kansas guard with the 13th overall pick in the draft on Thursday, which went down in Brooklyn, New York. Dick, while meeting with reporters, said his first mission as a Raptor was to become besties with Drake.

"Gotta get out there, see Drake. I haven't seen him a bunch, but I'm looking forward to that," the 19-year-old said at the press conference.

"[Becoming boys with Drake], that's the goal. I need him to wear my jersey. That's my priority."

Well, Drake got the message ... and since Dick's jersey won't be on sale yet, the Toronto rapper and Raptors super fan followed him on Instagram for the time being.

Dick was stoked and showed fans that the Champagne Papi verified account was officially one of his followers.

"Come on," Dick said. "Champagne Papi!!!"

It's safe to say Dick, who spent one season with the Kansas Jayhawks, had a GREAT Thursday ... Dream of being an NBA player fulfilled, and a follow from Drake.

Quavo's a one-man marketing MACHINE in Paris, where he's dropping a new clothing collection ... and appears ready to blow the lid off a new music project!!!

We got some pretty cool footage of Quavo Thursday completely shutting down the city's popular Rue Notre-Dame de Nazareth … and as you can see the superstar rapper drew hundreds of people out to see him in action.

With it being Paris Fashion Week and all, Quavo also introduced a new line of “Rocket Power” merch, so named in honor of his late nephew and collaborator Takeoff.

He’s been going hard with the hashtag “Rocket Power” on social … which furthers Takeoff’s legacy as well.

Quavo also occupied local boutique Le25Vintage and dropped a few new fiery tracks while joined by his brother YRN Lingo and crew.

You can hear the passion in his voice, and a full buffet of trap lyrics on the tracks.

Offset's blockbuster Paris Fashion Week is still going strong ... evidenced by his recent meetup with fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained video of Offset catching a paparazzo photo-op with the Japanese visionary following the let out of his POUR HOMME 2024 Spring-Summer Collection⁠ fashion show where the superstar rapper was a special invited guest.

We're hearing Offset has been extremely productive in the City of Light ... taking in meetings for potential collaborations he can bring stateside.

The Migos legend is by far one of hip hop's more fashion-forward rappers ... having come off his 2nd season of the MAX series "The Hype," where he serves as a judge for up-and-coming streetwear designers.

T.I. is slamming comparisons between his upcoming film and Ice Cube's game-changing comedy, "Friday" -- because why can't 2 things be great at the same time?!?

The trap music architect called the parallels "a thief to joy" ... responding to a meme that polled whether his "Da Partments" flick would top Cube's classic.

It's not the kind of talk you'd expect from a legendary rapper who's been as competitive as Tip, but proclaiming your film to be on the same iconic level as "Friday" is, undoubtedly, a pretty bold statement to make.

In a separate promotional IG clip, T.I. promised the film will deliver fans explicit "uns" ... uncensored, unhinged and unapologetic content, along with the best laughs Atlanta has to offer.

DC Young Fly helped produce the film alongside T.I., and Lil Duval and Karlous Miller serve as executive producers. T.I. says it's coming to Tubi's platform in the very near future.

André 3000 is poised to release his debut solo album ... according to Killer Mike, who also says he's expected to hear a super sneak peek very soon.

KM was making his promo rounds yesterday, including an appearance on "TMZ Live," and popped up on Sway's Universe, who quizzed his knowledge about the 3 Stacks album rumors.

The Run the Jewels rapper confirmed Andre's project and revealed he'll be meeting with him to hear the project in its entirety, having previously heard around 9 tracks.

Andre has a blistering verse on Mike's new self-titled album and pulling the trigger on his own project feels plausible.

A solo album from Andre probably hasn't been on fans' bingo cards for some time ... the 45-year-old MC has been on a nomadic journey while playing his flute for years and it's been nearly 16 years since the last Outkast album dropped.

The chances that this album will be Outkast-oriented are none to nada, per the group's longtime producer Sleepy Brown's predictions when we caught him at LAX.

Nonetheless, rap hasn't had a No. 1 album this year, and the interest alone behind an Andre album should run the numbers up ... if it actually drops!!

LeBron James put down the basketballs this week and grabbed a handful of Rihanna's pregnant belly instead -- and the adorable moment was all captured on video!!!

The King has been in France the past few days enjoying a little vacation during the Lakers' offseason ... and while at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris -- he ran into his longtime friend, Rihanna.

The two shared a warm embrace ... and at one point during the hug, LBJ couldn't help but give a squeeze to the most famous stomach on the planet at the moment.

Check out the footage, Bron palmed it like a basketball for several seconds -- and the "Work" singer was loving it!!

RiRi grabbed James' hand and appeared to thank him for some kind words he was whispering ... and it was all a super sweet moment.

Of course, the meetup was just one of many memorable occasions LeBron's gotten to experience this week ... he was able to dine with Draymond Green just a few days prior -- and he even received some serious praise for the 'fit and grill he rocked to the LV show.

Cardi B and Tasha K's beef won't die ... the blogger's stirring ish up again by telling Bardi Gang fans she's the reason Cardi's long-awaited sophomore album has been delayed.

On Thursday, Tasha dropped a sarcastic bomb masked as an apology ... claiming their years-long legal battle (which Cardi ultimately won) drained the "Bodak Yellow" rapper's bank account and pissed off her record label.

Tasha also took a dig at Cardi's hubby Offset's separate legal battle with his label and snarkily suggested Cardi has been on an endorsement spree in order to pay for studio time ... and her plastic surgery bills.

All of this seems like dangerous territory for a woman who's already been ordered to pay Cardi $4 million for trash-talking her.

Cardi's debut album ... 2018's "Invasion of Privacy" literally had all its songs go Platinum and is the highest-selling album from a female rapper to drop last decade, but Tasha claims the album lost money, and that's the only reason Cardi's shaking her down for the $4 mil.

What Tasha calls a shakedown, the rest of the world -- Cardi included -- calls a jury decision ... but tomayto tomahto.

Tasha went on to plug Ice Spice's upcoming "Barbie World" track ... a collab with Cardi's longtime rival Nicki Minaj as the icing on her revenge cake.

Eric Bellinger has no qualms with Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good's whirlwind romance, something he's seen up close and personal ... because he's Meagan's brother-in-law!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the R&B maestro in NYC ... he's been married to Meagan's sister La'Myia since 2015, and he informed us he's not only met Jonathan, but thinks he's a helluva swell guy to be around!!!

We broke the story back in May ... the 2 actors officially became a couple amid Jonathan's assault case with his ex-girlfriend, and Megan was recently spotted supporting him in court, an indication the 'ship is sailing strong.

Eric admits he hasn't inquired about the details of the case, but insists he's seen no reason to grill him ... due to Jonathan's character.

His stamp of approval echoes the thoughts of Meagan's longtime friend and former castmate Robert Ri'chard ... who vouched for her decision-making when we spoke to him on the subject.

Afroman's learning a little ganja goes a long way in preventing you from crossing the Canadian border, where he got cited while trying to get back to the U.S. ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the Palmdale rapper and his crew were detained Tuesday by U.S. Border Patrol officers while they were attempting to get back on American soil at a port of entry crossing over the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York.

We're told they arrived at an inspection zone, where the feds found a ton of cash and some marijuana in their vehicle -- the bills totaled $10,000, but the bud was an insignificant personal amount.

Afroman tells TMZ ... he was on his way to a gig in NY when he was stopped at the border. He had given all his weed to his fans and housekeepers at his hotel but forgot about a bottle of cannabis pain lotion.

He says he was held for 5 hours at the border and fined $500 for the lotion -- and his DJ was also fined $500 for a small amount of cannabis gummies.

Law enforcement sources tell us the $10K was declared, and the weed was seized ... but nobody was arrested because it was such a small amount.

DaBaby is frowning on the flying phone assault Bebe Rexha just suffered ... and yet found a way to turn the topic into a plug for his new song. We can't front, it was pretty damn clever.

TMZ Hip Hop chopped it up with the Diamond-selling rapper out in Bev Hills in the wake of Bebe’s comeback show following a fan hurling a phone, leaving her with stitches and a black eye.

DaBaby says it hurt his soul to hear about that kinda fan foul play.

He's no stranger to fan-on-artist violence himself ... he once had a shoe flung at him during Rolling Loud, but is now advocating for peace. Ya gotta see how he made a quick pivot from discussing onstage violence to his new 3-song EP “Call Da Fireman."

DaBaby suggests fans should never throw their phones, and instead offers a better alternative -- which is using them to push play on his project!!!

It's not exactly a cry for justice for Bebe, but it's a fact streaming music won’t leave anyone injured ... so, overall definitely a better option for phone usage.

On the justice tip, though, Nicolas Malvagna is facing felony assault charges. TMZ broke the story, his attorney says Malvagna never intended to harm Bebe when he threw his phone at her, and he was just hoping she'd use it to snap a selfie.

Ice Spice was noticeably absent from the XXL Freshman 2023 announcement on Wednesday -- a shocker, for sure, and a side effect of her immense popularity this year.

Sources connected to the situation tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Ice had to decline a spot on the annual magazine cover after she started getting blitzed with festival bookings, and feature requests … making it difficult to lock in for the Freshman requirements.

As we told you, Ice is literally the hottest rookie in rap at the moment … earning a billion Spotify streams in just half the year and recording Top 10 hits with Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Pinkpantheress.

She’s also secured a "Teen Vogue" cover and is scheduled for Wireless Fest in the UK, Broccoli City Fest in D.C, Blockfest in Finland, and Made in America in Philly -- all of the shows coming this summer!!!

And we’re told she won't be slacking on rehearsing ahead of each festival appearance.

Even without the "Munch" rapper, the 2023 XXL Freshman still sports budding talent, including Lola Brooke, Rob49, and GloRilla -- who snagged her first career interview with TMZ Hip Hop.

Killer Mike believes any new gun control laws in America will hurt Black people before any other group -- but the rapper's telling us a few other ways he thinks the spike in gun violence can be flattened.

Mike joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" to discuss potential curfews for minors in Atlanta -- something he's all for as a measure to mitigate violence ... and, he says he had curfew when he was growing up in the area.

However, he remains firmly against the passage of new legislation as a means to reduce gun-related crime. Mike says he's a Second Amendment guy, first and foremost, but adds he has another problem with tighter gun laws.

He explains why he believes those laws would impact Black Americans "worst and first."

Mike tells us he'd rather see Black families armed, and better educated on the safer use and storage of weapons.

As you know, there have already been more than 300 mass shootings in the U.S. this year ... putting the nation on track for the deadliest year ever.

Mike thinks another solution is more funding for community facilities -- such as YMCAs -- to give kids safe havens to avoid trouble.

Drake’s glowing review of Bun B’s Trill Burgers isn’t impressing Foodgod … all because he thinks Drake’s Canadian taste buds have no clue what a great beef patty is!!!

TMZ Hip Hop checked in with the culinary critic out in Beverly Hills on Tuesday and he wasn't 100% certain Canada even has a burger culture for Drake to know the difference.

We'd bet the house they do, but even if not, Drake is a world-class artist -- who's about to go on tour, again ... so his knowledge of food is probably stronger than most!!!

FG tells us he's too had Bun’s burgers at Coachella this year and thinks it's really good but says it's disqualified from the overall "Best Burger" category because it's a Smashburger.

That honor he says would go to JG Melon but FG does think Trill Burgers could be in the running for "best Smashburger."

There was also some skepticism over Mario Carbone's Ravioli Sorrentina scented candle … which pairs the scent of Drake's Carby musk with one of MC's fancy recipes.

FG says they missed a golden opportunity not making a candle from MC's more popular dish rigatoni -- but tells us his personal dream collab would be something with Offset. Chicken and waffles maybe? The Waffle House could potentially have some competition!!!

Offset made the most of his time at Paris Fashion Week ... which he capped off by burning down the runway with a surprise performance!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained video of Offset blazing through the perfect song for modeling ... his Metro Boomin-produced classic hit "Ric Flair Drip," which he performed Tuesday during the Li-Ning Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show.

The collection is designed by Oscar Wang and titled "My-Verse" ... which Offset ripped through his on the track.

Offset virtually managed to be in 2 places at once for the evening ... Pharrell also had his debut fashion show as Louis Vuitton's Men's Creative Director, and Offset was also among the many celebrity guests to support. He even dapped up Jay-Z at the event.

On the heels of his big LV debut, Pharrell is putting everyone on notice ... do not refer to him as "the new Louis Vuitton Don" -- for him, that title is forever reserved for Kanye West!!!

The Neptunes mega-producer corrected Swizz Beatz on the spot amid his extravagant Paris fashion show as LV men's creative director.

Pharrell says his true nickname is the humbling "The Pupil King" ... as he's forever learning as a student of the fashion and design game.

He got a crash course for the LV's Men's Spring-Summer 2024 Collection premiere that went down Tuesday, with everyone from Jay-Z and Beyonce, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion and many more showing up.

Of course, Pharrell was being more than just humble in relinquishing the 'LVD' title to Ye ... who's used that handle for himself plenty of times in his songs, and it's also the name of one of his 2004 mixtapes.

He's also more focused on his Yeezy brand these days.

Cardi B is going off on the stepson of the British billionaire aboard the Titanic submersible, saying he pulled a wildly inappropriate move by going to a live show amid the drama.

The rapper sounded off on Brian Szasz for recently going to a Blink-182 concert in San Diego -- something he proudly touted and defended online, but Cardi sees it the way many others online have ... which is to say, that's messed up dude.

Of course, she says it the way only Cardi can ... asking the rhetorical question she figures Brian might have asked himself before deciding to go see Tom DeLonge and co. in the middle of a family crisis -- uh, should I really be doing this???

According to her, the answer is obviously no ... as she believes the dude oughta be at home crying and saying his prayers for his stepfather -- who, by most experts' accounts, has a slim chance at survival with less than 24 hours left of oxygen in the deep-sea vessel.

As we've reported ... Hamish Harding is one of the 5 people inside OceanGate's Titan. Brian acknowledged the family link online -- and then proceeded to let the world know he was ready to rock with Blink-182, arguing his family would want him to enjoy himself.

While he certainly seemed comfortable with the excursion, a lot of folks in the Twitter-verse were giving him an earful ... and calling him out for what they perceived as insensitivity.

And, of course, there were even some callous jokes cracked that Brian might be stoked to know he's got a fortune of inheritance coming his way soon.

As for CB, she's got a unique final takeaway.

In a nutshell, better to be poor and loved, than uber-rich and seemingly uncared for ... so sayeth, Cardi.

Originally Published -- 6:42 AM PT