TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Kevin Liles is confident Gunna's next project will be a winner, but he also thinks his protégé is getting a bad rap from the hip hop community!!!

The Chairman and CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment tells TMZ Hip Hop the music Gunna has been putting out reflects his real-life circumstances -- being accused of snitching on his homie Young Thug.

The rumors haven't hurt Gunna's music traction at all ... the Atlanta rapper has more than 35 million monthly streams on Spotify, his last album went gold and he has a new one titled "One of Wun" on the way.

We recently quizzed Gunna on what to look forward to -- he didn't have much deets, but promised to put TMZ in an upcoming music vid. Gee, thanks?!

Kevin calls the success "bittersweet" -- a slick choice of words seeing that it's the name of Gunna's new single, but he knows judges and juries are lurking everywhere regarding Black culture.

Will.i.am is set to be a proud graduate of Harvard Business School -- an education, he says, his years of boom boom powing the music industry could have never taught him -- and he's ready to school people on the pros of AI!!!

TMZ Hip Hop recently caught up with Will in NYC, where he praised Harvard's Owner/President Management program for its influence on his FYI app.

Will sounded like he's reading a computer syntax error at times -- dropping acronyms like NLP, NLU and OPM -- but it was clear he's excited to help create a world boosted by AI ... and he's urging the general public not to fear the innovation.

Will points out the invention of the calculator didn't disrupt human advancement, and notes today's buildings are made by AI programs ... it's all about making life easier.

Kanye West and Bianca Censori were the center of attention at Disneyland, but not for some X-rated public display ... just family-friendly fun, sans any kids.

The couple was out Tuesday at the Happiest Place on Earth -- and they were appropriately clothed ... yes, Bianca too. Ye and BC strolled about with all the normies through the famous California theme park, even hitting the Star Wars Nite experience at one point.

Check it out ... Kanye and Bianca seemed to be in great spirits, smiling while making small talk and holding hands. The lovebirds were also filmed hand in hand walking down a winding path as they headed in and around Disneyland. Like we said, no children were in tow.

NBA Youngboy was arrested on Tuesday evening in Utah on multiple charges after allegedly violating his house arrest -- and the Louisiana rapper may be in for an intense legal battle.

According to local Fox affiliates, the 24-year-old was nabbed by Cache County Sheriff’s Office around 6:30 PM on a slew of charges, including possession of other controlled substances and a dangerous weapon, identity fraud and forgery, attempting to procure drug/prescription and a pattern of unlawful activity.

Jail records show that no bail has been set yet.

Quavo's "Huncho Day" event is back in Atlanta for 2024 ... and TMZ Sports has learned the superstar rapper is expanding this year, adding both basketball and 7v7 football games in addition to his first-ever "Quavo Cares Social Impact Hub", a gun violence prevention that focuses on community safety.

For the past six years the 33-year-old rapper, along with apparel brand Legends, has given back to his city of ATL by throwing the annual shindig -- a celebrity football game -- at his alma mater, Berkmar High School.

But, this April 28th, Quavo (real name Quavious Marshall) is adding to the festivities ... the 7th annual "Huncho Day" will feature the Team Huncho Basketball and Team Huncho Elite 7v7 football games.

Football and basketball youth clinics, supported by the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcons, will also be there, along with a fun zone for kids.

He's also introducing a new initiative called the "Quavo Cares Social Impact Hub" ... and we're told it's "an experiential space for civic and community resource partners to provide and educate the Atlanta community on their service offerings, with a special focus on gun violence prevention."

The social impact hub -- which is powered by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund -- has several partners, including the Hawks, Falcons, 100 Black Men, Be SMART, H.O.P.E. Hustlers, the Atlanta City Mayor's Office, and more.

We're told the gun violence prevention foundation stems from the death of fellow Migos rapper and Quavo's nephew, Takeoff, who was shot and killed in 2022.

4/17 -- 8:28 AM PT -- Kenneth Petty's request to travel internationally with Nicki Minaj was granted ... a judge signed off on the dates.

Nicki Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, is asking a court for permission to travel out of the country so he can join her on tour in Europe ... and he says he'll be needed overseas.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, KP says he isn't just looking to globe-trot with Nicki for fun -- on the contrary, he says it's necessary to join her on the European leg of her "Pink Friday 2" world tour for a bunch of reasons, mainly to provide childcare for their son.

The start date he lists for the anticipated travel schedule is April 17, 2024 ... and he says there will be stops in Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, and Romania.

Drake is leaning into his 'Push Ups' lyrics, confirming it's not AI ... but isn't above playing cyber games himself -- and Metro Boomin is his first target. 😈

Shortly after Metro was named as the leaker behind Drake and Lil Yachty's "Jumbotron S*** Poppin" reference track leak, Drake hopped on IG and posted a meme video that plastered Metro's face on Nick Cannon's body in a scene from the movie "Drumline."

The latest Drake track hit the net on Saturday and went into chopper mode at everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Rick Ross and MB also caught half a bar when he rapped ... "Metro, shut your h*e-ass up and make some drums, n****!!!" Yep, clearly his favorite part of the rap roast.

Keyshia Cole's fans are rooting against her personal happiness -- the R&B superstar confirmed she's dating Atlanta rapper Hunxho on Monday, but the people are convinced she needs to let it go, already!

Hunxho hails from Atlanta and is one of the bright stars on 300 Entertainment ... who also happens to be 18 years younger than KC.

Keyshia tagged Hunxho on X claiming him to be all hers, and he reposted her message with a heart emoji.

Fans instantly accused Keyshia of entertaining an unserious relationship that she'll inevitably rant about in the near future, and simply end up blocking young Hunxho.

The 2 artists were recently spotted on a club date, and despite fan reaction ... all looks to be well, for now.

It's a cold game ... some fans/haters even wished for Hunxho to cheat and break her heart, simply to inspire Keyshia to write some heartfelt R&B.

Keyshia's doing her best to laugh 'em off, and told her critics she's hoping for the best.

G. Dep is doing his best to keep up with an advanced America after serving a 13-year bid ... 'cause he's been playing brain games with smartphones.

In his first interview since being released at the top of the month, the ex-Bad Boy artist explained to "The Art Of Dialogue" that his biggest challenge in freedom has been learning all the ins and outs of a social media society.

The 49-year-old Harlem rapper says he's still getting adjusted to buying store items with apps on his phone and says the pay-to-ride mopeds scattered across the streets also gave him a bit of a culture shock.

He also noted an improvement in architecture ... NYC, skyscrapers and everything!!!

G. Dep confessed to a 1993 cold case shooting back in 2010, which wound up being a homicide after NYPD did some digging and he was eventually convicted of 2nd-degree murder.

He was freed on April 4 and granted a 6-month early release but doesn't regret his decision to turn himself in.

Drake's rap Infinity War now has a new ghostwritten attack on his name, but it's not Quentin Miller behind the lyrics this time ... it's Lil Yachty!!!

On Sunday, a reference track hit the internet of Yachty appearing to be the brainchild of Drake's song "Jumbotron S*** Poppin" ... rapping most of the "Her Loss" hit as it was presented to the masses.

According to Akademiks, Metro Boomin sent the track to several sources with a "Merry Christmas" gift note attached 🎁 -- tightly wrapped with intentions to damage Drake's rep.

The ghostwriting rumors have nudged Drake since his beef with Meek Mill, however, Lil Yachty is listed as one of the many writers on the track. It was common knowledge Yachty assisted during the album process.

Metro hasn't owned up to the leak, but if it's him ... it could be payback for his phone getting hacked last month.

An avalanche of Toronto-based numbers spammed Metro for days and thousands of dollars worth of Balenciaga were charged to his account -- a caper he's fully pinning on Drake.

"Jumbotron" doesn't exactly fall under the ghostwriting umbrella, but Rick Ross capitalized on the moment anyway and fueled his Drake beef even further ... claiming Drake's Diamond-certified "Sicko Mode" verse to also be the work of a puppetmaster.

DaBaby is being accused of pocketing a popular YouTuber's $20k deposit for an appearance on his channel ... a claim the "BOP" rapper isn't denying, but says he's simply collecting the fee to pay for his wasted time!!!

A guy named Michael Wright -- who also goes by Lah Mike -- runs the YouTube series "20 vs. 1," and posted surveillance video of DaBaby supposedly showing up for a skit, only to back out of his obligations while keeping the money.

A verbal dispute with someone in Lah Mike's camp appeared to have taken place over a "fart-sucking" joke, which led to DaBaby waltzing right out the door!!!

Uma Thurman sees Drake is under attack by everyone in hip hop -- which is why she's offering up a famous piece of wardrobe from one of her movies ... seemingly taking his side.

The actress posted a photo of her famous yellow suit from "Kill Bill: Volume 1" -- and she tagged Drizzy in this pic, asking if he needed it. Drake responded and wrote, "Yes pls. The pen is the Hattori Hanzo" ... a reference to a famous samurai.

Obviously, what Drake means here is ... yes, he'll take the suit and rock it -- because he too recognizes he's being ganged up on, just like Uma's character in that iconic fight scene.

Doja Cat turned into a chameleon at Coachella Sunday night, wearing a hodgepodge of different outfits that dazzled the crowd during her wild performance.

The rapper hit the stage at the 23rd annual festival in Indio, California to close out weekend 1 – while singing many of her popular tunes and constantly changing her racy wardrobe.

Check out these photos of Doja's various clothing choices throughout her set. First, she decked herself out in a baggie white coverall with a flowing blond wig.

Kesha's on the crap-on-Diddy train right now amid his legal woes -- changing some famous lyrics at Coachella to send a message ... namely, I don't mess with you anymore, Puffy!

The singer appeared as Renee Rapp's special guest Sunday during the music festival -- and sure enough, she sang her biggest hit 'Tik Tok' ... which starts out by name-dropping Diddy, but which she switched up in emphatic terms as she took the stage.

Instead of singing, "Wake up in the morning, feeling like P. Diddy" ... Kesha sang, "Wake up in the morning like f*** P. Diddy" -- and Renee was right there with her to sing it loud too.

Drake and Rick Ross are firing disses back and forth ... taking shots at each other's appearances -- with Ross even seemingly calling out a physical challenge to Drake.

Here's the deal ... Rick Ross recently dissed Drizzy with his song "Champagne Moments" in response to “Push Ups (Drop & Give Me Fifty)” -- and, among many other roasts, he claims Drake got a nose job.

The lyrics ... "You ain't never want to be a n**** anyway, n****/ That's why you had a operation to make your nose smaller than your father nose, n****."

Cam'ron's defending O.J. Simpson's legacy ... saying people need to back off since a jury acquitted him -- and blasting Caitlyn Jenner in the process.

The rapper hopped on the "It Is What It Is" podcast Friday to discuss Simpson's legacy the day after he died, and immediately started defending the controversial figure.

Cam points out a jury found O.J. not guilty of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in his 1995 criminal trial ... so, he says he's shocked people think it's fine to call him a murderer.