TMZ Hip Hop - Page 20

Big Boy is baffled Kendrick Lamar was chosen to perform the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show over Lil Wayne ... saying there was an obvious decision here that was not made.

We caught up with the radio host on "TMZ Live" Monday, where BB shared his unfiltered opinion on Kendrick scoring the coveted halftime spot for Super Bowl LIX ... set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana in February.

According to Big Boy, ahead of Sunday's announcement he would've bet big money that Lil Wayne would be tapped for the huge honor ... since NOLA is his hometown and all.

Charlamagne Tha God thinks people need to lay off Jay-Z and Roc Nation for selecting Kendrick Lamar over Lil Wayne for the Super Bowl 59 halftime show in New Orleans ... and start congratulating them for keeping Taylor Swift off the stage!!!

The controversy over K. Dot surpassing Wayne in his hometown continued, with that choice frowned upon by the likes of Master P and DJ Akademiks -- but on Monday's 'Breakfast Club' segment, Charlamagne said Taylor's omission was cause to ceeelebrate-good-times-c'mon!!!

Taylor's record sales have been shattering the atmosphere the last few years, but Charlamagne applauded Roc Nation's clear push of Hip Hop/R&B acts as of late ... and the performers just happen to be Black!!!

Nicki Minaj won't have to go at Jay-Z all by her lonesome ... Birdman has entered the Super Bowl LIX chat, and he has some tough talk toward the Roc Nation boss!!!

Much fuss has been made about Kendrick Lamar performing at the upcoming halftime show in New Orleans -- the home base of arguably the biggest rap label ever -- Cash Money Records.

After Nicki took swipes at Jay and Roc Nation in defense of Lil Wayne on Monday, Birdman backed her up and promised revenge ... "These n***** P**** @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these n***** respek us on Gladys," a nod to his deceased mother.

Beyoncé may've had one of the biggest country albums of the year, but it wasn't enough for the megastar to receive a single nomination at the 2024 CMA Awards.

The singer's "Cowboy Carter" album and hit single, "Texas Hold 'Em," were both snubbed by the popular awards show ... with the Grammy winner fully shut out when nominations were announced Monday.

Instead, Morgan Wallen led the charge, earning 7 noms ... including Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year. Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson fell just behind Morgan, nabbing 5 nominations each.

Nicki Minaj has joined the 20 v 1 against Jay-Z after he awarded the New Orleans-hosted Super Bowl LIX halftime honors to Kendrick Lamar instead of Lil Wayne ... and Queen Barb is spewing all sorts of ether in his direction!!!

According to Nicki's POV, Jay-Z sold out for the NFL when Colin Kaepernick kneeled on the field to protest police brutality ... actions of a house n-word with the "er," and despite his riches and success, is still a "hateful and ugly" person.

Several hip hop pundits -- Master P, DJ Akademiks and just today, Boosie Badazz -- have come to Wayne's defense, accusing Jay of reviving a vendetta against Drake in the twilight of his beef with Kendrick.

Tory Lanez's weekly reign of "Prison Tapes" has come to an end ... the rapper's lawyers tell us prison guards raided his cell block and confiscated all his studio equipment.

The incarcerated hip hop star is currently holed up at the California Correctional Institution, where he's serving time after being convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion -- but he's been passing the days by keeping his talent sharp.

Bangers such as "Basement" and "Appellate Court" -- all labeled under the "Prison Tapes" umbrella -- have been released in the past few weeks, benefiting his record sales.

Kendrick Lamar headlining next year's Super Bowl in New Orleans is Jay-Z's way of giving the "Not Like Us" rapper leverage over his beef against Drake ... at least, that's what Cam'ron and Mase want the public to believe!!!

On Monday's episode of "It Is What It Is," the hip hop sportscasters claimed Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation imprint has been the NFL’s Live Music Entertainment Strategist since 2019, set the play for Kendrick to embarrass Drake on the big stage ... thus settling his own issues with him.

The Harlem World duo also claimed Jay-Z pulled some strings to have them uninvited at the recent Fanatics Fest that went down ... Cam detailed his cold war with Jay-Z in the past and alludes that their relationship is still kind of icy!!!

Kendrick Lamar's taking the stage at the next Super Bowl, but not everyone's stoked about it -- 'cause some wanted hometown favorite Lil Wayne in New Orleans next year.

Here's the deal ... this morning, the NFL announced K. Dot as the headliner for the biggest gig in sports -- not exactly a surprise given the success of his Drake diss track "Not Like Us."

While many people are excited Kendrick's getting his own show after appearing alongside other rap legends like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent back at SB LVI, others are pointing out New Orleans has its own star rapper who should've got the top spot.

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.