TMZ Hip Hop - Page 8

Kendrick Lamar will perform the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the NFL and hip hop superstar announced Sunday morning ... one of the highest profile gigs in the world!

The pick makes a ton of sense. Kendrick, a 17x Grammy winner, had arguably the song of the summer in "Not Like Us," and with Drake, was part of the biggest rap beef in at least a decade.

"What’s the deal everybody, my name is Kendrick Lamar and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl 59," K. Dot said in the announcement video, as he stood on a football field, in front of a giant American flag, and fired balls from a Jugs machine.

50 Cent got many men and women moving at a New York Fashion Week event Friday night ... getting the crowd bumping during an event for the soda brand Poppi.

The rapper came out for a surprise performance at the event -- a launch for Poppi's new Cherry Cola flavor -- playing some of his biggest hits in a Versace t-shirt and red New York cap.

50 rocked the room ... then stayed to pose for pics afterwards -- hanging with out with some of the biggest bold-faced names in NYC this weekend.

4:50 PM PT -- A source connected to Naomi Campbell tells us there's no feud, as far as the supermodel is concerned, at least -- and you do see Naomi smiling in Rihanna's direction as the singer made her entrance.

Also, it does appear Naomi reached out to assist when Rihanna's gown got snagged as she made her way to her seat.

Rihanna's adding fuel to rumors of her longstanding feud with Naomi Campbell ... with fans saying she clearly dissed her during New York Fashion Week.

Video's circulating online of Rihanna walking into an event during one of the biggest weeks for celebs into fashion ... showing her striding in and giving a man she recognizes a big hug.

Sitting right beside him ... Naomi -- who Rihanna walks past without a second look. No hug, not even a word as far as we can tell.

Chrisean Rock says she's a free woman ... writing a message to her son, Chrisean Jr., all about how grateful she is to be back with him after her arrest in a drug case.

The rapper shared the tribute Friday ... saying she's feeling blessed to be with her son just days after his birthday -- though she admits she regrets missing the first birthday of his life.

She says milestones are big markers of achievement when it comes to kids ... but, people should also focus on the love and care they provide for their kids every day.

Blueface’s 4-year prison sentence is underway now that he's been transferred from the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles to North Kern State Prison in central California.

TMZ’s obtained Blueface’s new mugshot, snapped Thursday as he entered general population at his medium custody facility ... where he'll have a lineup of potential jobs and classes ahead, all aimed at prepping him for life after prison.

Blueface's already a successful rapper, so getting back into the swing of things after lock-up shouldn't be too rough.

Paris Hilton may be living a simple life, but she doesn't attend simple events ... partying hard with Megan Thee Stallion at NYLON Nights, one of the first New York Fashion Week soirees ... where they performed their new single "BBA (Bad Bitch Academy)" together!

NYLON hosted the realty icon's album release party where she performed songs from her new album "Infinite Icon" -- set for release today ... arriving all pinked out in a glittery minidress and knee-high boots.

A lot of famous friends came out to support ... including Meg in a tight, low-cut bodycon dress -- who was all smiles and hugs with Paris and her sister, Nicky.

Big Sean is confident he released the best rap album of 2024 ... but news of Rich Homie Quan's death is weighing heavy on his heart, like so many others in the hip hop community.

The Detroit-bred MC caught up with TMZ Hip Hop at his "Better Me Than You" album pop-up event in Hollywood Thursday, where he told us he'll be cherishing the various sessions he and Quan shared over the years inside L.A.'s famed Treehouse Studios.

We confirmed Rich Homie's death, which happened suddenly Thursday morning. Sean remembers the Atlanta rapper as a good-hearted, unique talent.

Rich Homie Quan fans lucky enough to be at his final performance can remember the late rapper full of energy he displayed just a few days before he passed away.

Check out this video obtained by TMZ ... the platinum-selling rapper was onstage for a car and bike show Sunday night in El Dorado, Arkansas ... belting out his hits while fans crowded around, snapping up close pics.

At one point, the "Type Of Way" rapper had a drink in his hand as he kept jamming out into the night ... he, and his fans, totally unaware it would be his final time doing what he did best.

50 Cent has the same IG timeline as everyone else -- and has seen the recent swipes some of the hip hop guys have taken at him ... so he's making them part of his new book rollout!!!

On Friday, 50 released his new novel "The Accomplice," which he co-wrote with author Aaron Philip Clark ... and he found time to respond to Damon Dash, Desiigner and Hurricane Chris -- who all called him out in the last few weeks.

Dame is currently living down last night's live stream, where his grill fell out while addressing 50's claims he was b-b-broke during his "Million Dollaz Worth Of Game" interview amid "Humor & Harmony Weekend."

Rich Homie Quan was foaming at the mouth, wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat when his girlfriend called 911 ... TMZ has learned.

We obtained the emergency call related to the Atlanta rapper's death and his girlfriend Amber Williams is frantic as she talks to the dispatcher.

Rich Homie Quan's girlfriend says he was on the couch in the morning when she took her son to school, so she put a blanket over him ... but she says when she got home she noticed he hadn't moved.

Two men from the UK are critically wounded after a shooting outside a Hollywood hotspot, where Ray J's estranged wife, Princess Love, stepped in to help one of the victims.

TMZ obtained video of a bloodied man on the ground outside Status Restaurant & Lounge -- a male suspect, reportedly wearing a white T-shirt and gray shorts, opened fire late Wednesday night.

The scene is tough to watch -- showing the man writhing on the ground with a trail of blood nearby ... and Princess Love and another bystander are crouched next to him.

Prosecutors in New Mexico want another bite at the apple when it comes to Alec Baldwin, Jamie Foxx is going to address his health scare for the first time, and Ludacris is breaking out the big guns ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Charles and Babcock explain why prosecutors are trying to get another trial in the "Rust" shooting case.

2:33 PM PT -- TMZ obtained the 911 call from Rich Homie Quan's death, and his girlfriend tells the dispatcher the rapper is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat.

She also revealed he was unresponsive on a couch in their home when she called 911 ... and started foaming at the mouth when she tried to move him.

Rich Homie Quan, a platinum-selling rapper from Atlanta, is dead ... TMZ Hip Hop has confirmed.

RHQ died Thursday in his Atlanta home ... according to his family and a rep for the Fulton County morgue.

Rich Homie Quan's family tells TMZ Hip Hop ... they are shattered and heartbroken by his sudden death. No cause of death has been reported and they're desperately searching for answers.

Fatman Scoop's dedication to hip hop culture was felt in full on his last day on Earth ... the veteran hype man gave his last dying breath while performing on August 30, and had just released a clubby anthem with NYC rapper Dyce Payso hours earlier!!!

It's a bittersweet moment for the budding MC ... and TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Dyce on Thursday, when he saluted Scoop as a standup guy who went the extra mile to push their "Let It Go" collab to the forefront!!!

He plays us a recording of Scoop pushing for Funkmaster Flex to bomb the record on Hot 97 ... featured artists are paid whether the song does well or not, but Scoop was there to pass along the game.

Dancehall kingpin Vybz Kartel was suddenly released from prison last month after 13 years ... and just as you can imagine, he was avalanched with tons of culture shock!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the reggae music legend on Zoom live from his home in Jamaica, where he's currently nursing himself back to health ... en route to making his comeback appearance on New Year's Eve to bring in 2025!!!

Vybz tells us he actually hasn't been in the studio following his prison release on August 1 ... he's been chilling with his roots drink (🤮) and letting his solidified discography do the talking for him -- and the results have been booming. His reps, KD McNair and attorney Isat Buchanan have been steady busy balancing all the requests.

Cardi B ain't getting up at a New Jersey amusement park ... rolling around in a wheelchair -- but, don't worry fans, 'cause it ain't what ya think.

The rapper pulled up to the DreamWorks Water Park in East Rutherford recently for her son Wave's birthday ... wearing a T-shirt and fancy fur hat with a bright pink and white purse -- a pretty eclectic outfit all told.

Most people may have missed the ensemble though ... 'cause Cardi's wheelchair stole the show -- drawing eyes as she took in the shops, we're sure.