TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

If you didn't think the Sunshine State could get any hotter, allow us to prove you wrong ... 'cause these stars could burn even the hottest beach -- especially on Florida Day.

The sun's always out in this Southeastern state ... and Tyler Cameron knew exactly what to do in his hometown Jupiter, ripping off his shirt to expose the guns. Rebel Wilson covered up a little more in a zip-up suit but still added some color to her long legs on the beach while Maluma looked like the Florida MAN -- sipping on wine in the 305!!!

Rapper Coi Leray completely stole the show from the Miami coastline ... keeping all eyes on her behind in the smallest one-piece the town's ever seen.

And, what would Florida be without its boat culture ... something in which Tiktok star and certified boat babe Alix Earle indulged while lounging in a barely-there orange bikini off Fort Lauderdale's coast.

And, Florida's a great hot spot for couples too ... just ask Olympic legend Simone Biles and NFL baller hubby Jonathan Owens who snuggled up in South Beach.

Like we said from the top -- it's National Florida Day, y'all ... so enjoy all the pics from everyone's fave swing state -- guaranteed to rapidly warm up anyone's chilly January!!!

Common and Mos Def coming up together in the Lyricist Lounge doesn't mean they have the same take on Drake's place in the culture -- 'cause Common's got his back!!!

Hot 97's Ebro, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg discussed Yasiin Bey's now-viral commentary that Drake's radio-friendly music was tailor-made for department stores and shopping malls ... an opinion the Chicago rap staple doesn't actually vibe with.

Common noted he attacked rap's commercialization with his 1994 classic cut "I Used to Love H.E.R.," but didn't necessarily see Drake's popularity as a bad thing, and he thinks Champagne Papi's longevity speaks volumes for his talent.

Common's point -- Drake can't be that bad if he's always on top!!!

Common went on to highlight how rap has expanded on many boundaries and fans can soak up what they like and ditch the rest.

Drake and Meek Mill are angrily demanding justice for Young Thug  ... after an intimate video recording of him and his girlfriend speaking sweet nothings leaked from jail.

Social media began circulating the video of YT and Mariah The Scientist this week ... the two spend over a minute long telling one another how much they miss each other and admiring the Cuban necklaces Thug bought her.

On Thursday, Drake thrust the spotlight on Chief Judge Ural Glanville -- the judge presiding over YT's much publicized RICO trial -- and quite frankly asked him just what kinda circus he was running as ringmaster!!!

"This gotta be some form of jail misconduct," Drake wrote on IG. "You gonna drag this talented man then not be able to control your employees using his personal business for their own gain?

Drake continued ... "Somebody benefitted from this video even existing and that's shameful whole case is a wsh just 3 the guy and let him come home and continue bringing light to Atlanta ... Shit is disgraceful... is this a criminal case or atlanta social media promo Ural Glanville?"

Drake and Thug are tight but that doesn't mean his opinions of the case are biased -- the case has been subjected to several hijinks along the way.

Meek also supported Thug, demanding he sue for having his rights violated.

50 Cent is nipping any notions he’s hopping on the celebrity Ozempic trend in the bud — he dropped pounds the ‘ol fashioned way!!!

The “In Da Club” rapper recently posted an IG flick rocking a noticeably slimmer frame — 43 pounds to be exact — and blew off accusations he binged on the diabetic drug to shred the pounds.

50 told his nosy fans he went from 253 pounds to 210 pounds — gym sessions and his recent Final Lap Tour also provided some much-needed cardio.

Fans mocked 50’s weight during his Super Bowl performance where he joined Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige on stage … and now they’re praising his natural bod from natural means.

Medical experts are still warning the public not to write off Ozempic completely ... Dr. Terry Dubrow recently told TMZ that the drug is still a viable weight loss option ... under a doctor's supervision, that is.

On the face of it, Fitty seems to be siding with Jillian Michaels on this issue -- namely, if you wanna lose weight, you're better off doing it the old-fashioned way ... with hard work.

Meek Mill just hopped on his first guest feature in years and his bars earned him quite a hefty payday ... or, so he's bragging to his fans, anyway.

The Philly rap icon recently collaborated with Fivio Foreign for their motivational duet "Same 24" and Meek couldn't help but spill the beans about his feature price.

"Every time I do a verse I charge 250k and up if you got 150k on sight and I like the song we can swap it out!!!!"

Fivio's track marks Meek's first feature since 2021's link-up with Lil Baby and Lil Durk ... but it seems Fivio got his money's worth.

Fivio boasted the track has been climbing the streaming charts in his region,  and the music video is currently trending on YouTube's music channel as well.

Common didn't let a negative scouting report from Michael Jordan, of all people, mess up his hoops game ... in fact, the versatile rapper used the criticism and ended up snagging an MVP trophy.

The Chicago-born MC was on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" when he recalled MJ throwing salt on his game after his performance in the 2010 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game.

Common says he thought he actually played well, and was trying for the MVP -- but Jordan saw it much differently.

Common says when he linked with MJ at the Brand Jordan after-party, his hoop dreams deflated a bit as the GOAT himself told him verbatim ..."Stick to rapping and acting.'"

Fast forward to 2020, Common ... a little older and wiser didn't pack it in after MJ's insults, and won 2020's celebrity game MVP with a well-rounded stat line of 10 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST and 4 STL. He did also stick with rapping and acting ... and both have worked out really well.

So, Jordan wasn't ALL wrong!

Torrei Hart is advising everyone upset she's touring with Katt Williams -- after he took big swipes at her ex-husband Kevin Hart -- to get over their emotions, she's booked and ready to hit the road!!!

TMZ Hip Hop recently caught up with Torrei in Burbank, where she explained she and Katt have a longstanding friendship dating back 20 years ... and he simply picked her to join on his "Dark Matter" Tour because she's "funny as f***!!!"

Katt set off the year with his roasting of Kevin -- and several other Black comics on Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast -- but Torrei says her history with Katt is set in stone, and she isn't involved in their "beef."

Self-assurance aside, Torrei says she feels like it's her time to step into her own spotlight outside Kevin's shadow ... she maintains she's a 15-year comedy vet, climbing through the ranks of the chitlin' circuit and deserves this moment!!!

She intentionally named her own tour "No Hart Feelings," so haters can stay mad!!!

The Tina Knowles/Janet Jackson beef that fans have been perceiving over the past 24 hours or so is over ... 'cause Beyonce's mom came out and cleared the air on what happened.

Here's the deal ... eagle-eyed fans noticed that Tina had recently liked an IG post that was criticizing the fact that Janet's concerts of late were charging sky-high prices for VIP tickets, which included meet-and-greets, etc. The gripe ... who do you think you are, Queen Bey???

Again, this was some random person's Instagram post -- featuring screengrabs of JJ ticket prices -- and folks saw that Tina was among the people who "liked" this.

Shortly thereafter, a major back-and-forth ensued between Beyhive loyalists and Janet's proverbial rhythm nation ... 'cause everyone thought Tina was cosigning the notion that Janet Jackson ain't no Beyoncé, and her trying to charge similarly was disrespectful.

Welp, Tina poured cold water on all of that ... hopping on IG to clarify what she meant.

As you can see here, she says she didn't mean to shade Janet -- and the whole thing sounds like a case of mistaken heart-button-smashing ... without properly reading.

Tina made sure to note she knows what goes into a killer live production -- and kinda kissed the ring a bit for Ms. Jackson, calling her brood the "first family of music." So yeah, she's showing reverence to Janet ... and clearly holds her in high regard.

TK also hopped on the compliment train once again in her caption, adding she "took Destiny's Child to see Janet when they were 15 years old. They always looked up to her and she opened doors for Beyoncé. Why would I hate on her ?"

Kanye West is like a shepherd leading a flock of sheep these days when it comes to paparazzi -- and here, he led 'em right to Bianca Censori ... who was ready to be snapped.

Check out this wild footage of Ye leading a crush of photogs -- who've been hounding him and Bianca for days now as they move all over L.A. -- into a private studio that he seems to have been using. The reason he brings everyone in is for one purpose ... shoot his wife.

Of course, we mean photograph ... as in, he was down to do an impromptu camera sesh right there and then on the spot with the dudes on hand ... and they happily obliged.

It's pretty funny ... Ye is very specific with what sorta angles he wants from them -- and he even gives in when they ask if Bianca (the model in this instance) can show some face.

Very reminiscent of how KW dealt with paps the other day. In this case, he was a little more hands-on in giving them instructions. Ditto for Bianca ... who, BTW, was in quite the outfit.

Indeed ... she's got some kind of full-body fur coat on -- with a giant fur hat to match. Unclear if it's real or not ... but that's sorta besides the point with this one. It's ... wacky.

A lot of Bianca's outfits lately have been eye-opening -- whereas she normally shows off a lot, it looks like she went in the opposite direction this time around ... all covered up.

Kanye West and Bianca Censori keep finding new ways for her to show off her breasts ... and this time, it looks like she went for the old nothing-underneath routine in the rain.

Check out these pics of Ye and his wife at a shopping mall in Century City Monday ... as you can see, he's wearing a brown Balenciaga raincoat, and Bianca's in a blue poncho with not much else underneath. In fact, it looks like she's going commando for her upper half.

The only thing clearly visible under Bianca's coat is her black underwear and knee-high black boots ... outside of that, there's nothing there but a rockin' bod and human flesh.

Safe to say, KW and BC are making a fashion statement on a cold and rainy day in L.A. ... and it certainly looks like the weather isn't the only thing here that's a bit nippy. Sorry, we just couldn't resist!

Anyway, this is far from the wildest getup Bianca's worn of late. She's been known to wear some super tight body suits, and sometimes ... nothing much at all. On this occasion, she is technically covered up more than usual -- but, like, not really at the same time.

Whether it's in a raincoat or anything else, Bianca (and Kanye, too, if we're being honest) seems determined to show off her assets one way or another -- and she usually succeeds.

YFN Lucci is suddenly in the clear for the felony murder case he's been facing for nearly 3 years -- and, while he will be going to prison, his attorney believes it won't be for long.

On Tuesday morning, prosecutors dropped 12 of the 13 counts the rapper had been facing, including felony murder, for the death of James Adams ... who was killed during a shootout with a rival Atlanta gang back in December 2020.

Cops didn't suspect Lucci of pulling the trigger, but he was the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the shootout, and he eventually surrendered to cops in January 2021.

Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the street gang terrorism and prevention act ... and will have to do time for that. As part of the plea deal, he was hit with a 10-year sentence, plus 10 years probation.

He is getting credit for time served -- Lucci's been jailed awaiting his trial since the spring of 2021, when he violated his release on bond by going to a strip club.

However, his attorney Drew Findling believes his client will only be locked up for a few months. He tells TMZ, "As he has maintained for three years now, Mr. Bennett will NOT cooperate in any other case. By entering into this resolution, he will be eligible for parole in as early as four months from now. The prosecution has also agreed that he should be released early on parole and this will allow him to get back to his children, family and career."

Findling's math breaks down like this -- Lucci got 10 years, but he's eligible for parole after 40 months ... and since he's been locked up for about 36 months (that's the time served), he's predicting Lucci's release in 4 months, as long as he keeps his nose clean.

Rihanna and Natalie Portman are the duo we didn't know we needed ... until now, that is -- 'cause they came together in the most epic of ways, with mutual adoration for the other.

Check out this clip that's making the rounds ... you see RiRI fangirling hard after running into Natalie in Paris -- where she tells her she's the "hottest bitch in Hollywood." NP ain't shy about dishing out the compliments either ... 'cause she's clearly a fan of Rihanna as well.

Rihanna shamelessly makes it crystal clear she's well acquainted with ALL of Natalie's acting resume ... in particular, commending her abilities for pulling off the perfect innocent impression. Yeah, she's not kidding about being a fan -- you know she's seen her work.

Natalie, for her part, is pretty taken aback that RiRi is star-struck ... saying she may faint by all the love being poured on her. Like we said, she's certainly familiar with Rihanna too.

It's pretty funny to watch -- usually, Rihanna has a cool, calm, collected demeanor about herself in just about everything she does ... but here, she's like a kid in a candy store!

The exchange doesn't end there ... Rihanna asks someone to take a snap of them, to which they happily obliged. The two mega stars posed for a pic ... flashing big smiles.

Kanye West is getting hands on with the paparazzi ... directing photographers on how to shoot him and his wife Bianca Censori's stroll through a parking lot, and the exchange is hilarious.

TMZ obtained video of Yeezy yelling at multiple paps, telling them the proper angles -- in his mind, at least -- to use while photographing the couple leaving a Melrose Place tanning salon.

You can hear Kanye directing photogs where to stand, as he attempts to turn the back alley parking lot into his own personal set. The takeaway -- don't dare to shoot Ye at a 45-degree angle!!!

The funny interaction between Kanye and the paparazzi went down at the same time a homeless man appeared, and started screaming at Ye and Bianca in a bizarre rant.

As we reported, Kanye and his wife seemed pretty alarmed when the guy got near their car and blocked their path.

Guess this ain't a closed set.

Anyway, it's interesting to see Kanye working closely with the paps here ... seeing as how he's frequently been at odds with them.

Chris Brown and Quavo have been at odds for years over their mutual connection to Karrueche Tran ... which is why Chris is so pissed about an awkward moment at Paris Fashion Week.

Here's the deal ... CB and Quavo were plopped right next to one another Sunday at the Rhude Menswear Fall/Winter '24 showcase -- and yes, they were definitely uncomfortable with the situation, evidenced by their body language.

The clip of them sitting there and squirming went viral, but then Chris chimed in as everyone cracked jokes about it -- he commented, "Can't pick who u sit by. F*** all that growth s***."

He added, "N**** not finna fumble my bag for little n*****." In other words, he wasn't gonna make a big stink, or start a fight, over getting placed -- seemingly by coincidence -- next to Quavo.

As he notes, there are bigger issues to worry about -- y'know, like getting paid!

In case you're unfamiliar, Quavo dated Karrueche in 2017 -- not long after CB broke things off with her, following a tumultuous relationship -- and Chris certainly didn't like it back then.

In fact, we'd been told at the time that he was fuming over this ... and felt like the Migos rapper had outright betrayed him. They've traded jabs back and forth since then -- almost coming to blows after the 2017 BET Awards.

Anyway, Chris is making a couple things clear -- yes, he still doesn't like Quavo, but also ... he's a grown-up who's able to control his emotions.

Too Short is adding filmmaking to his resume ... and he's already scored some Hollywood heavy hitters for his movie, "Freaky Tales," which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

He spoke to us Monday on "TMZ Live," about the "anthology horror-movie-thriller-comedy" ... which depicts 4 interconnected stories during 1987 Oakland, and heavily features his music.

The film serves as a "love letter to Oakland," and also mirrors Short's experience growing up there in the eighties -- and he tells us his emotional attachment to the project is even more significant because he's an executive producer and narrator for it.

He acknowledges it also means a lot to the others involved -- most noticeably its A-list cast that includes Tom Hanks, Pedro Pascal, Normani, and the late Angus Cloud. It's also directed by "Capt. Marvel" writers/directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden -- which is major.

After the movie's debut, Short took advantage of his time in Park City, UT ... deciding to hit the slopes for his first time.

He tells us he didn't need much convincing to give it a whirl, because he's always been adventurous and agile, even at 57.

Kanye West and Bianca Censori had a very L.A. experience ... getting confronted by a random dude in the street, who was ready to rant and rave at a very high volume.

Ye and his wife were minding their own business Sunday on Melrose Place, when a bystander who seemed to come out of nowhere launched into an oddly personal tirade against KW as the couple walked back to their Range Rover.

Kanye and Bianca -- who was back to showing off her curves in a tight, body-hugging outfit --- appeared pretty alarmed by the outspoken man here ... who got somewhat close to them, and even blocked their path for a few moments as they were pulling out and leaving.

The guy seemed to have beef with Kanye ... yelling and repeating, "You ain't s***, boy!!!" The dude also told them they were in his territory and he kept saying things about Lucifer, the Devil and 666 while flashing some menacing hand signs.

Kanye let the guy have his say though ... he didn't drive off in a hurry -- instead cracking his window to get an earful once he was safely in the car with Bianca. There was no physical confrontation, thankfully, but Ye seemed content with letting the man blow off steam.

Normies in L.A. are used to this sitch -- it happens all the time -- but you hardly see celebs have to deal with it ... especially someone like Kanye, who's prone to outbursts himself.