Dr. Dre Snoop's Calling Me 'Braveheart' ... For Olympic Archery Dream

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EYES ON THE PRIZE
TMZ.com

Dr. Dre's training to compete in archery for Team USA at the next Olympics, and his buddy Snoop Dogg's already got the perfect nickname for him ... and it's a nod to Mel Gibson.

The "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" rap icon joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" and told us all about his plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics ... and Snoop's take on his archery aspirations.

Dr. Dre is already manifesting a first-place finish in the Summer Games, telling us he was joking with his crew in the studio ... "You'll be begging me to take off my gold medal!!!" 😆

North West Solo in the City, and ... Twinning with My Puppy!!!

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PUP-ARAZZI

North West's ripping a page out of her mom's pal Paris Hilton's playbook -- walking her little dog around the Big Apple, and accessorizing with it!

TMZ got this video of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's daughter out for a stroll Wednesday night in NYC on her own -- well, she had security guards -- as she left the luxurious Ritz-Carlton with a tiny furry friend on a leash.

North matched her own furry 'fit to the dog, putting on a coat made of two different kinds of faux fur, it appears -- a look West's mom and aunts have pulled off for years.

Lil Pump Turning My Kamala Diss ... Into a Trump Tribute Track!!

Lil Pump is scrapping his previously promised diss track aimed at Kamala Harris -- in exchange for an ode to Donald Trump!!!

His reasoning? Spewing hateful lyrics is more the style of Democrats, whereas Trump's GOP is all about love, baby!!! His view, not ours.

The "Gucci Gang" rapper broke the news to his followers, who were patiently waiting on his Kamala ether.

Charlamagne Tha God Pras' Lauryn Diss Was Pure 💩 ... Envy Says It's Dope!!!

Charlamagne Tha God says Pras' diss track against Lauryn Hill is seriously lacking in the lyrical department -- but his 'Breakfast Club' cohost DJ Envy is vouching for the record!!!

The radio heads, along with guest host Loren LoRosa, dissected the latest round of Fugees dysfunction on Wednesday ...  splitting the popular vote straight down the middle!!!

TMZ Hip Hop premiered the track ... Pras unleashed his frustrations on Lauryn for the group's canceled tour with lines like -- "Don't blame me, blame her, she made the mess" in the track, "Bar Mitzfa."

But, Charlamagne's not hearing many bars.

Michael Rubin Meek, Lil Baby Aren't Gay ... Questions the Hate in Black Culture

Michael Rubin's not standing for anyone spewing lies about his main man Meek Mill, including the rampant memes claiming the Philly rapper is gay.

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STOP THE LIES
The Breakfast Club

The Fanatics boss took up for Meek -- no different than he did for Drake -- Wednesday on "The Breakfast Club." The salacious lawsuit filed by ex-Bad Boy producer Lil Rod claimed Diddy and Meek were lovers, and it's been a thing on social media ever since.

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WTF, MEEK?
Youtube / King Akademiks

Rubin says Meek doesn't have "one gay bone in his body" -- but even if he did, it's 2024 and who the hell cares?!?!

Michael Rubin Yeah, I Banned 'Not Like Us' at My Party ... Drake Is Family!!!

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ON THE BAN LIST
The Breakfast Club

Michael Rubin's defending his decision to 86 Kendrick Lamar‘s megahit, “Not Like Us” during his annual All-White Party ... and admits it was all to put Drake at ease.

The Fanatics CEO told "The Breakfast Club" on Wednesday that it was his decision -- not Drake's -- to ban the record that has since become K. Dot's biggest song of his career!!!

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MR was confirming the story TMZ Hip Hop broke last month -- that despite the song's massive culture and chart success, none of the DJs at Rubin's party spun the record.

USHER POSTPONES ATL TOUR OPENER!!! Hours Before Hitting Stage

Usher just hit his hometown Atlanta fans with a major announcement -- he's postponed his "Past Present Future" tour opener just hours before Wednesday night's show ... saying he's got to put himself first.

The R&B star dropped a long IG statement Wednesday ... saying after pouring his blood, sweat and tears into his three-decade-long career, he needs to let his body rest up and heal -- that’s why he pulled the plug on this evening's show at State Farm Arena.

Usher promised he’s not ditching his fans, and says tonight's show will be rescheduled -- when fans will get 100% of him.

Bianca Censori Wears Itty-Bitty Micro Dress ... To Family Dinner With Ye's Kids!!!

Bianca Censori is continuing her nearly-naked signature style to include an itty-bitty micro ensemble ... which we're not entirely sure can be called a dress.

While the Yeezy architect was technically covered up for an outing at Nobu Malibu with husband Kanye West's kids and some of her own family ... BC's outfit still left very little to the imagination -- as the scrap of clothing hung low enough to just barely cover her rump.

The top of the garment was equally risqué, as the "dress" covered only a portion of her breasts ... revealing ample cleavage for the family meal.

Kehlani My Baby Daddy's Abusive ... I Need Protection, STAT!!!

Kehlani claims her ex is abusive -- physically, emotionally and verbally -- high all the time ... and his alleged behavior is having a negative effect on their daughter, Adeya Nomi.

Kehlani got court-ordered protection from Javaughn Young-White, Adeya's father, after claiming he smashed through her locked bedroom door back in June ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

The singer claims her ex flew into a fit of anger after she questioned him about a notice she received in the mail indicating he'd applied for public assistance.

Tyler, The Creator A Lotta New Rappers Ain't Musicians ... They're Meme Makers!!!

Tyler, The Creator knows his opinion on today's hip hop will ruffle some feathers ... but he can't hold his tongue -- he says a ton of today's rappers aren't pushing out good music.

All these TikTok MCs keep making "meme" records!!!

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The Grammy-winning rap star revealed his thoughts on an upcoming episode of Mav Carter's "The Mavericks" podcast, where he complained about the lack of quality control in the music industry and the media covering it.

Latto I'm The G.O.A.T. Female Rapper!!! 👑 JK ... It's Lil Kim

Latto is confirming once and for all, Lil Kim is the greatest female rapper to ever do it -- but make no mistake, she's chasing down the Queen Bee's legacy!!!

The Notorious K.I.M. got her flowers from Latto when the latter sat down with Complex -- but Latto's BFF and eye of Drake's affection, Brooklyn Nikole, is also puckering up her lips to declare her bestie is the G.O.A.T.

So, we've got a G.O.A.T.-off?

Pras Lauryn Caused Fugees 'Mess'!!! Records 'Bar Mitzfa' Diss Track

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ADDING TO BACKLASH

update

1:20 PM PT -- Pras saved the song's outro bits for his IG stories ... apparently, Lauryn Hill values serving clickbait and buying Gucci bags over keeping her word.

Pras has nothing but time now that The Fugees' anniversary tour is no longer happening, and TMZ Hip Hop obtained his newest track -- ripping Lauryn Hill and addressing his federal case.

On the track "Bar Mitzfa," Pras incorporates a rock 'n roll-rap hybrid to air his frustrations when he raps, "Don't blame me, blame her, she made the mess ... not another f***ing penny, is what I told [Wyclef Jean]."

We're told the song was recorded sometime last week, when Pras needed to blow off steam ... on the heels of low ticket sales shutting down the legendary hip hop trio's reunion plans.

50 Cent Shreveport Police Chief Praises Mogul ... Festival Went Off Crime-Free!!!

50 Cent is getting praise from the Shreveport Chief of Police for pulling off an epic comedy and music festival that was crime-free... especially given the backdrop of the City.

50 hosted Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, Andrew Schulz, Matt Rife, Bill Bellamy and other comedians for the 4-day "Humor & Harmony" event which began last Thursday. There were performances by DaBaby, Master P, A Boogie, Moneybagg Yo, Muni Long and 50 himself, among many others.

Shreveport has had more than its share of crime problems, so cops were bracing for any incidents given the huge crowds that showed up for the festival. In the end, there wasn't a single issue, and officials were beyond grateful to 50, who helped provide security.

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith tells TMZ, 50 and his team were instrumental in keeping the event safe with good planning, resources and masterful execution. The Chief added, "I haven't seen this type of positive activity downtown since the late '80s!"

The Chief called 50 after the festival wrapped to express his gratitude.

The event, which included a celeb basketball game, a car show, a G-Dome which resembled the Vegas Sphere, was all for charity. 100% of the proceeds went to the G-Unity Foundation.

Barack Obama 'Not Like Us' Not On Summer Playlist ... Vibes with Bey, Moneybagg, Shaboozey & More

Barack Obama's got a healthy mix of hip hop, country, R&B and techno house in his ears right now -- the 44th President's 2024 summer playlist covers every corner of the music map.

Obama dropped his annual top song selection Monday, along with his summer reading list. Noticeably absent from his music list is the year's biggest-selling tune -- Kendrick Lamar's Drake-diss "Not Like Us."

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SUPPORT FROM THE STALLION

You don't have to be a former commander-in-chief to know picking that song would spur a hip-hop political debate, but Obama still gave several rappers the spotlight -- Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla's "Wanna Be," Saweetie's "My Best," and throwback cuts like Common's "The People" and 2Pac's "How Do U Want It" also made the cut.

Salt-N-Pepa's Sandra Denton Wants Southwest to Gitty Up ... Investigate Plane Incident!!!

Salt-N-Pepa's Sandra Denton is putting the heat on Southwest after being kicked off a flight last month ... demanding the airline investigate the issue and preserve any evidence in case this turns into a lawsuit.

In a legal letter obtained by TMZ ... Pepa's lawyers call on Southwest to get the ball rolling on investigating her removal from a July flight ... echoing her previous sentiments that a male agent engaged in "inappropriate and unnecessary action" in handling the situation.

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PEPA'S PLANE PREDICAMENT
Instagram / @darealpepa

The attorneys are going after Southwest with a number of allegations ... including their belief Sandra was racially profiled and discriminated against during the encounter. They've also called into question how certain policies were enforced.

RIHANNA LIFE'S A BEACH W/ A$AP & THE KIDDOS!!

Rihanna's proving that, unlike most of us, she can have it all -- balancing being a billionaire business mogul with being a mom, and a very hands-on one, on vacay with A$AP Rocky and their kids.

The singer was shining bright like a diamond on a beach in her native Barbados ... where she and her rapper boo let 1-year-old Riot Rose and 2-year-old RZA dip their toes in the Caribbean over the weekend.

Rihanna rocked a sheer black maxi cover-up over her bikini, while A$AP was in peak dad mode as they splashed around and caught the sunset with their brood.