TMZ Hip Hop - Page 4

Drake's hopping on a trend to wrap up a pretty rough year -- his hometown showed out for a look-alike contest that had to boost his ego, while also putting $10,000 in one lucky fan's pocket.

The "Drake-alike Challenge" drew a huge crowd Saturday in Toronto ... and there were fans repping every variety of Drizzy -- including Ozempic Drake and girl Drake.

There was even one person, Anthony Po, decked out as Drake's son, Adonis. In a way, Anthony's responsible for the Drake-alike contest even happening.

A husband and wife powerhouse attorney couple are now involved in the two biggest crime cases in the nation ... that of Diddy and Luigi Mangione.

Karen Friedman Agnifilo has been retained by Mangione to represent him as he faces murder charges for the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, TMZ has confirmed.

The top New York attorney has been in the private sector since 2021 ... after working as the chief assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under Cyrus Vance Jr. for several years.

Jay-Z and Diddy's rape accuser is speaking out for the first time about the allegations -- but "some mistakes" in her story are prompting Jay-Z to ask a judge to toss the whole case ... TMZ has learned.

The woman, who filed as a Jane Doe and says she was 13 at the time of the alleged rape, spoke to NBC News Friday, going over what she claims happened at the 2000 MTV VMAs after-party -- including a limo ride to Diddy's house, and a drink that made her woozy before the alleged sexual assault.

While she said the "catastrophic event" ruined her life, she also copped to multiple inconsistencies in her allegations. For instance, she spoke to Benji Madden at the after-party, but Benji says he wasn't even in NYC at the time. She also claimed her father picked her up from the party, but he doesn't remember that.

T.I. is suing Sabrina Peterson for defamation over 3 years after she sued the rapper and made damning allegations about him ... including a claim he once held a gun to her head.

In new court documents obtained by TMZ ... T.I. claims he and his family ended their friendship with Sabrina, saying she wasn't a "positive" influence to be around.

The rapper alleges Sabrina felt spurned by this decision and, in turn, became obsessed with him and his family ... prompting SP to harass and threaten them by posting "false" and "baseless" accusations about them on social media.

Doechii has proven to be one of hip hop music's most talented rising stars this year ... and she's not taking any cultural disrespect, especially from fair-weather fans!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with thee Swamp Princess following her set at Top Dawg Entertainment's 11th Christmas charity event in Watts on Thursday.

No need to sugarcoat things -- Doechii flat-out tells us anyone who thinks her music is too deep simply doesn't belong, boo-boo. 💁🏾‍♀️

Top Dawg Entertainment's flagship artist Jay Rock is beaming with pride over the banner year the label experienced in 2024 ... which he says, sets the stage for an even bigger 2025!!!

TMZ Hip Hop chopped it up with the Grammy Award-winner during TDE's 11th annual Christmas Concert, Toy Drive, and Community Giveback, live and direct from the Nickerson Gardens area he grew up in!!!

Jay and Kendrick Lamar both started their careers together and bias aside, Rock is dubbing "GNX" a classic album ... play it front, back, side to the side, you'll still get the same dynamic results!!!

Top Dawg Entertainment had a lot to be thankful for in '24 but like they always do 'bout this time, their main mission is giving back!!!

The label's 11th annual Christmas holiday went down inside the Watts neighborhood's Nickerson Gardens on Thursday, boosted by homegrown super talents such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad and many more.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up TDE's President Punch and Ab-Soul at the event and they humbly told us they're humble servants in the community when it comes to this stuff.

Trae Tha Truth used the recording studio this week to vent frustrations over the exhausting search for his missing child ... and we're hearing the hunt to find her has intensified!!!

On Friday, Trae released his newest track, "Letter to Truth Pt. 2," a musical apology and plea to his 6-year-old daughter Truth, who he last saw when he dropped her off with her mother back in August.

Trae has full custody of the child and told us this week in L.A. that he's not resting until she's back in his care. Truth's mother's whereabouts are currently unknown but she was spotted in the Los Angeles area several weeks ago.

Rapper Rio Da Yung OG was a big part of the Michigan hip hop resurgence when he was incarcerated for drug trafficking crimes in 2019 -- and he's now free to pick up where he left off musically!!!

Rio was released from federal prison on Wednesday after serving roughly 4 years and TMZ Hip Hop obtained video of his first taste of freedom ... or should we say spoils???

The "2 Faced" MC reconnected with his team and Empire label execs and immediately hopped on a private jet ... we're told he flew from Arkansas to Memphis and then ATL -- where he recorded his newest track "Rio Free."

3:00 PM PT -- Megan Thee Stallion's attorney Mari Henderson tells TMZ ... "It’s no coincidence that Unite The People represents both Tory Lanez and Milagro Cooper, so the law firm’s statement simply reaffirms the fact they’re working together to bully, harass and victimize Ms. [Megan] Pete. ... Instead of denying that Milagro has been paid, they collectively questioned how Ms. Pete could uncover their conspiracy.

"The reality is that Milagro’s own attorneys confirmed that Tory’s prison calls are public record and even acknowledged they wouldn’t raise any objections regarding them, so it is surprising they turned around and issued a public statement attacking our exposing these calls.

"We are confident that the truth will be exposed and look forward to pursuing this case in court – not in the media like Tory has done time and time again."

Tory Lanez, his father Sonstar Peterson, and blogger Milagro Gramz are firing back at claims from Megan Thee Stallion's lawyers that they're conspiring to spread misinformation and harass the Roc Nation rapper in a complaint filed this week.

The allegations largely stem from jailhouse phone calls between Tory, Sonstar and Milagro (real name Milagro Cooper) ... but Ceasar McDowell, CEO of Unite the People, says his client is a victim of a calculated legal takedown.

Ceasar tells TMZ Hip Hop, "We are deeply concerned by the continued efforts to spin partial stories in an attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public."

The Fresh Prince is telling fans he's got no Diddy dirty laundry ... 'cause Will Smith says he's never been tight with the disgraced rap mogul.

The actor/rapper took the stage at The Observatory North Park in San Diego Thursday ... when during a break in the show, Smith addressed the sold-out crowd about all the memes trolls have made of him and Diddy.

Watch the clip ... Smith says it's hard to tell what's true or not in today's age -- and the memes online are clearly causing a ton of confusion.

Ice Cube says he didn't even have to raise an eyebrow when Andrew Schulz and his son O'Shea Jackson Jr. had their war of words regarding the Kendrick Lamar "rape" jokes -- Cube feels his son won the verbal combat with ease!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Cube at LAX on Thursday evening and we got his take on his infamous "No Vaseline" diss being used as a prop in Schulz's argument that his sexually graphic description of "making love" to Kendrick was fair game.

O'Shea Jr. hopped in the social media madness to defend K. Dot -- as did Meek Mill, Peter Rosenberg and others, and Cube tells us Schulz should just up his game ... and come with better jokes!!!

The "beef" has since fizzled and OJJ is now actively promoting his 'Den of Thieves 2' film.

Cube also has new product on the market -- his 11th album, "Man Down," which came in hot after its lead single "It's My Ego" marked an all-time peak on the Billboard Charts for the legendary rapper.

Beyoncé's really earning the name "Cowboy Carter" ... riding away from the Billboard Music Awards with her first country music win after being snubbed by the Country Music Association.

The singer-songwriter took home the trophy for top country female artists at the award ceremony Thursday ... her first win in the genre.

The Queen Bey was also nominated for top dance/electronic artist and top country album ... honors she lost to Charli XCX and Zach Bryan, respectively.

Paul Wall is sure "it-rapper" of the moment Dave Blunts is influenced by the Texas rap style, even if he doesn't realize it ... but no different than Snoop Dogg, Paul is fearing for the rookie's health!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the H-Town rap legend in NYC this week promoting his upcoming album "Once Upon A Grind," which is already brimming with the big body TX soundwaves.

While he's never met Dave Blunts, Paul tells us he's well aware of his presence nonetheless.

Cardi B wants the millions Tasha K owes her, and she's not buying the blogger's claim she's flat broke -- and now she's offering a judge evidence Tasha's stashing money to avoid paying up.

Cardi's attorneys filed docs in Florida Bankruptcy court, calling out Tasha over the $3.4 million she still owes the rapper for losing the defamation case in 2022. Tasha declared bankruptcy, saying she didn't have assets to cover that judgment -- but Cardi's telling the court that's simply BS.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Cardi's alleging Tasha fraudulently transferred assets and income out of her name, and into her husband's name and/or his business.

Rapper OG Maco, best known for his 2014 viral smash "U Guessed It," was rushed to the hospital Thursday morning with a gunshot wound to the head, TMZ Hip Hop can confirm.

Police sources say they responded to a 911 call in the Los Angeles area at 10 AM after a neighbor heard a gun go off inside a home.

It's unclear what transpired leading up to the shot -- but all signs point to an apparent suicide attempt.