TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Drake and The Weeknd already don't rock with the Grammys, so the possibility of their unauthorized AI collaboration winning an award likely won't mend any fences.

Still, that's the scenario Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. is floating when it comes to the controversial "Heart on My Sleeve" -- the AI-generated track that surfaced in April featuring faux vocals from the Canadian megastars, but convincing enough to be a hit.

Ghostwriter -- the anonymous human creator behind the track -- submitted it for both Song of The Year and Best Rap Song for the 66th Grammy Awards next year.

Mason tells the New York Times he was impressed with "Heart on My Sleeve" as it opened up possibilities for their business and declared it suitable for nomination ... "As far as the creative side, it's absolutely eligible because it was written by a human."

If Ghostwriter earned just a nomination, it could spearhead the next evolution of artists: human songwriters who use other people's artificially-generated voices!

Drake and Weeknd's record label Universal Music Group doesn't share Mason's enthusiasm. When the track was released, the label had it pulled from DSPs ... leaving it to lurk in the internet's dark recesses. This Grammy development offers the song, and others like it, a new light.

The Weeknd and Drake have been boycotting the Grammys for years, going as far as to withdraw nominations and refuse to submit heir own music.

On the other hand, Ghostwriter isn't letting up off the digital throttle in the wake of his new career strides.

He released a new AI concoction Wednesday titled "Whiplash," featuring CPU-generated soundalikes for Travis Scott and 21 Savage -- 2 more artists to piss off, but also another possible path to the Grammys!!!

For more viral news, tune in to the TMZ Verified Podcast. Dropping every Thursday on all podcast platforms.

A$AP Rocky is the lucky recipient of the Virgil Abloh Award ...  a full circle moment considering the late fashion designer was one of the first to respect the rapper's style.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained footage of Rocky's acceptance speech during the HFR 16th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards Tuesday night inside the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. Rocky immediately turned the spotlight back on Virgil Abloh.

Rocky says several years back, he and his A$AP Mob crew were too young to get inside a club but Virgil still knew who they were, which instantly validated his swag.

Fast forward a year later, Rocky says his raps had taken off and he soon recruited Virgil to be the creative director behind his 2013 debut album "LONG.LIVE.A$AP" and the inner workings of the tour that followed.

Rocky told the crowd Virgil's fearlessness pioneered his own trendsetting into the fashion world and spouted off a few inspirational bars for the city of Harlem ... a noble gesture, seeing the night's theme was "Remix!!!"

The "Praise The Lord" rapper didn't spend too much time hogging the podium ... his bladder was full and duty called, so you know how the equation goes.

Damian Lillard may have his hopes set on playing with the Miami Heat next season but his heart’s clearly still with his Portland Trail Blazers fanbase … he recently crashed the wedding of two of his biggest supporters!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained video from September 3 of Dame in D.O.L.L.A. mode … at the nuptials for Jay & Kelly Virdee … a true Trail Blazers love tale if there ever was one.

We’re told the couple have been together for 6 years after meeting at a Portland winery and are huge fans of Dame … Jay actually grew up in the same Bay Area region as the NBA All-Star before making the move to Portland for work.

Their mutual friend, L.A. rapper Dreebo, collaborated with Dame in the past and convinced him to surprise the couple and perform a song during the wedding reception … fittingly their collab titled “Home Team.”

Drake is reasserting himself as the certified lover boy he's always claimed to be, and he's got the trophies to prove it ... scores and scores of bras, in all cup sizes and colors.

The rapper posted the evidence Wednesday standing in front of a massive bra collection he's assembled over the past couple months of being on tour, and soliciting undergarments from women in the crowd.

His collection ranges in all shapes and sizes, as he's attracted lingerie from all over the globe.

Drake's bra bonanza really took off back in July when RI resident Veronica Correia flung her 36G bra onstage ... immediately prompting Drake to put out a call for her, which eventually led to offers from Playboy and other outlets.

Of course, there was the cute moment when Drake's son Adonis was in attendance and he asked the audience not to throw any bras ... but his father trolled him with a ridiculously giant-sized one anyway!!!

Cash Money Records legend B.G. is out of prison -- and his day one CEO Birdman was front and center Tuesday to greet him the moment he got out!!!

The Federal Bureau of Prisons' office tells TMZ Hip Hop the 42-year-old rapper (real name Christopher Dorsey) was successfully transferred to community confinement -- essentially a halfway house -- and is projected to be fully released from custody on July 11, 2024.

The veteran rapper was captured on Birdman's IG live as he embraced him and other friends outside the federal prison in Herlong, California ... where he'd been for the past 11 years.

B.G. was sentenced to 14 years in prison for firearm possession and obstruction of justice back in 2012, and while he's spent many birthdays behind bars ... including his 42nd this past Sunday, he vowed that will be his last in prison.

As a member of the original Hot Boys rap crew with Juvenile, Lil Wayne and Turk, B.G. released several projects with Cash Money, most notably 1999's "Chopper City In The Ghetto" ... which coined the timeless jewelry term "Bling Bling" on the lead single.

03 Greedo is scratching his head at online reports of his death, but as you can clearly see in this video ... it's all a viral hoax, as the L.A. rapper is alive and well!!!

We caught up with Greedo Tuesday at LAX, and he told us he has no clue about the source of the rumor he'd been murdered in his hometown.

Greedo says he was minding his business just over a week ago, when his phone started buzzing more than a beehive with alerts announcing his demise.

His team scrambled to do damage control until he was able to hop online, and assure fans the news was bogus.

Greedo says it's been nonstop craziness since he was released from prison in January after serving a 5-year bid -- he's survived both clone and snitch rumors and now he's "resurrected" from the dead like a "Thriller" zombie!!!

Luckily, having your name trend for several days has its upsides.

Greedo says he's using the momentum to swing heavily into NYFW later this week ... and he's combing through thousands of songs he's recorded, so he can pull together a Christmastime drop.🎄

Juicy J is willing to go to any extreme to combat the country's mental health crisis ... even if it means dressing like an escapee to help him get the message across!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with the Three 6 Mafia legend Tuesday in NYC as he promoted his new book, "Chronicles of the Juice Man," which he co-wrote with author Soren Baker.

Juicy had planned on taking 'GMA' by storm in a straitjacket and Hannibal Lector mask ... but says someone at the show or the network labeled his outfit a no-go, and he had to change.

Tackling mental health issues has been on Juicy's mind all year.

His last project, "Mental Trillness," was dedicated to the cause, and he's also been vocal about targeting substance abuse in the wake of his longtime friend Gangsta Boo's accidental OD death.

Juicy tells us his straitjacket look was intended to let people know they don't have to do anything crazy to seek help, and he's urging fans to use the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline if they're suffering.

Blueface's mother has made a bombshell claim -- suggesting her son and his new baby mama, Chrisean Rock, are actually related ... although it's hard to tell exactly how.

The rapper's mom, Karlissa Saffold, made the allegation on social media over the weekend -- not long after Chrisean gave birth to her and Blueface's newborn baby boy. She says Blueface and Chrisean could possibly be cousins -- in fact, she totally believes it.

Check out her rationale for yourself ... Karlissa seems to believe there's a bloodline connection in the surname of Chrisean's own mother -- which is apparently Dorsey. Karlissa says there are Dorseys in her own family as well ... but doesn't explain who has that last name in her family. Obviously, she doesn't have that last name ... nor does Blue himself.

Again, we have no idea who the "Dorsey" in her brood is ... but Karlissa insists all Dorseys are connected, and that they all act the way Chrisean does -- with strong personalities, etc.

Clearly, this isn't exactly science ... it's literally just a theory Karlissa's floating, without much hard evidence to back it up -- let alone a proper explanation ... and yet, it's disturbing.

She half-jokingly says they need to have the baby's DNA tested to find out for sure ... but it sounds like she's already convinced. In her mind, her son did some inbreeding in the family.

Tupac Shakur's family members are coming together to cast doubt on the ongoing police investigation in Las Vegas surrounding the rapper's murder involving Keefe D.

Pac's siblings, Sekyiwa and Mopreme Shakur tell us they're watching from the sidelines after a search warrant was executed by Vegas PD last month in connection to their brother's murder.

Mopreme tells us he's extremely skeptical of the cops' motives, having been contacted only after they saw him reacting to the probe on national TV.

Sekyiwa says she's hopeful her brother receives justice but can't imagine there's much evidence to be found after 30 years.

These days, Sekyiwa and Mopreme say they're focused on the things they can control, which is upholding the family's legacy and exterminating culture vultures.

They're amidst a nationwide tour of mourning for their father Mutulu, who died in June, seven months after he was released from prison after serving over 35 years.

Mutulu helped pioneer acupuncture treatments for drug addicts in the 1970s ... a mission his family is looking to continue in the present day, given the slew of epidemics in the U.S.

Snoop Dogg is proclaiming Shaquille O'Neal to be the best NBA player to ever release hip hop music ... this, after getting wind of The Big Aristotle's latest rap collab!!!

As we told you last week, Shaq linked up with L.A.-based group Coyote for their single "3 Lokos" ... the first of a newfound partnership.

Shaq told the artists he wanted to bring "'90s energy" to the song ... which clearly struck a chord with Snoop to the point he crowned the big man with such a big honor!!!

Shaq's place in hip hop is indeed solidified ... having his 1993 debut album "Shaq Diesel" go platinum while earning respect from many established rappers at the time.

The NBA legend also brought 3 championships to Los Angeles with the Lakers in the early '00s ... undoubtedly an extra reason to get Snoop's top pick. 😉

NBA rappers have gotten a lot more competitive since Shaq's era and Damian Lillard, will likely have something to say about Snoop's taste ... he's long touted himself to be the best NBA player to ever clutch a mic.

He just dropped his new album with co-signs from Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and even performed during the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, where he also played.

Cardi B and Offset get an A+ in the parent department ... hitting the Happiest Place on Earth to celebrate their baby boy's birthday!

The crew was spotted having a blast at Disneyland Monday for Wave's 2nd birthday -- the whole fam, including 5-year-old Kulture, was certainly garnering attention at the theme park, walking around with VIP tour guides and a handful of security.

Offset was spotted carrying the birthday boy outside The Haunted Mansion, which just got its 'Nightmare Before Christmas' overlay ... hopefully not too spooky for the little ones.

Kulture was also seen jumping with joy after takin' a ride on Big Thunder Mountain, zipping around with one of the folks in their party while her mom and dad shared a row behind her.

BTW, Wave might be a little too small to take on that rollercoaster, cause he wasn't spotted unloading with the rest of his fam -- but maybe he got a churro to hold him over.

Beyoncé celebrated her birthday with another packed L.A. concert ... one that was filled to the brim with celebs, and came with a surprise performance from the legendary Diana Ross.

The Beyhive was out in full force Monday night at SoFi Stadium to celebrate the singer's 42nd birthday -- with Kim & Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, 10-year-old North, and 11-year-old Penelope Disick all showing up as one happy family.

The sold-out crowd, and perhaps Beyoncé, got an exciting surprise when Diana Ross hit the stage to sing "Happy Birthday" ... along with all the fans. Bey was rightfully emotional after Diana's gift -- shouting out, "Give it up for the queen!"

Other faces in the crowd included couples like Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, and Justin and Hailey Bieber -- and Adele, Winnie Harlow, Vanessa Bryant, Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, Keke Palmer, Zendaya, Chris Rock, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington and even Meghan Markle all showed up for the big gig!

Beyoncé also brought out Kendrick Lamar to perform the remix of their collab, "America Has a Problem."

As we reported, Kylie Jenner and  Timothée Chalamet were also at the concert -- goin' public with their relationship by packing on the PDA while in the VIP section.

Diddy chose to do the right thing over money -- evidenced in the fact that he turned down a fortune to make sure his former artists have control of their own music .. TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us the media mogul and Bad Boy label honcho is making an unprecedented move in the music industry right now -- namely, handing over the publishing rights to several of his former BB acts ... and forsaking a lot of cash to do so.

Word of this started to percolate just a few days ago, when Cam'ron took to social media to announce that Ma$e had finally sealed the deal with Puff and secured his catalog for himself.

It sounds like that had been a long time coming, but what we're told is ... Ma$e is far from the only ex-Bad Boy artist to be receiving the rights to their music -- several others have recently signed deals with Diddy to do the exact same thing, including some huge names.

Our sources tell us that some of the other artists to have gotten a similar deal recently include ... Faith Evans, The Lox, 112, the Notorious B.I.G.'s estate, and others. BTW, Diddy is hooking up the writers who were working with him too ... they're getting a cut in all this.

Here's the kicker ... in opting to do this -- which we're told Diddy sees as the noble move -- he actually sacrificed quite a bit of dough, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Our sources say Diddy has been approached for Bad Boy's entire portfolio and was offered a king's ransom for it all ... but he turned that down and chose to go down this route instead.

Again, we're told the rationale for this boils down to wanting to revolutionize the industry with this to empower artists and to switch up the dynamic -- which has been a certain way for a long time. As part of his legacy, Diddy's hoping to enrich others in his community.

This is a big part of Diddy's identity lately -- as seen with other charitable efforts he's taken -- and now ... he's mirroring that same energy here as a label exec, choosing people over personal wealth. Our sources say he hopes others in the music biz will follow suit.

Diddy's empire is already as big as they come, so the fact he's breaking a small piece of it off and giving back to those who helped him build this is a pretty awesome thing to see.

Kanye West and Bianca Censori can't seem to stay out of trouble in Italy ... the couple was reportedly barred from using a Venice boat rental company due to indecent exposure.

The ban stems from an incident last Monday when the rapper and his model wife were riding in a water taxi through the historic island city, according to Daily Mail Australia.

One photo caught Bianca kneeling in front of Kanye, who was seated on a bench with his hand gripping the back of her head. Another snap showed Kanye's pants pulled down from behind, revealing his butt crack.

The water taxi company, Venezia Turismo Motoscafi, was totally in the dark until the images surfaced in the media.

Now, a rep for the company has issued a statement, saying, Ye and Bianca are "no longer welcome" on its vessels.

The spokesperson insisted the driver didn't see "these obscenities" because he was too busy operating the boat. If he had, he would have immediately reported Ye and Bianca to the authorities.

What's more ... the rep claimed a third person, who was with Ye and Bianca, blocked the driver's view of the couple.

Hurricane Chris was found not guilty of 2nd-degree murder in March ... a grueling three-year battle, the "Ay Bay Bay" rapper says cost him over a million dollars in potential earnings.

It's a point of contention for Chris, who tells us the Shreveport police didn't properly investigate the scene back in June 2020 and he's now preparing to sue for all damages and lost wages.

A jury determined Chris acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Danzeria Farris Jr. at a Texaco station in their hometown ... but only, he claims, after a key investigator was nailed on the stand for failing to track the witnesses and identify the threat on Chris' life.

Chris says the situation left him remorseful, as he's actually friends with some of the deceased's family members. He's excited to resume his career ... which will include acting.

Chris says he had to miss out on auditions for hit TV shows such as "Snowfall" and 50 Cent's "BMF" ... roles he says his real-life experiences would've enabled him to slay.

On the music front, Chris is aiming for a comeback with a pair of mixtapes he plans on dropping before the year is up.

Chrisean Rock is now a mom, 'cause she just gave birth to her son ... and she did on the 'Gram, no less.

The rapper was livestreaming her delivery Sunday on from her Instagram account, which captured her on a hospital bed with friends and family all around -- this while she pushed, screamed and, eventually, cried tears of joy.

Indeed, the baby appears to have been secured safely ... but it was a process. At one point in the livestream, Chrisean could be seen/heard saying -- "Get this n**** out!" as doctors worked on her. No word on how long she was in labor, but the baby boy has arrived.

Chrisean's baby daddy, Blueface, was nowhere to be seen in her video ... there's footage circulating of him online right now that appears to show him in a different city entirely.

He's made it clear throughout this whole saga ... Chrisean isn't his #1 anymore, even as he's been confronted with paternity. Remember, he's got other children from different women.

Anyhoo, Chrisean seems to have had some kind of support system around her. With that said, her pregnancy has been controversial ... with many weighing on how she'd carried herself through parts of it, including instances of her smoking with a bun in the oven.