TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

French Montana was the man of the hour at the grand opening of a restaurant Sunday night, and along with his pals, Drake and Fat Joe ... he was definitely living his best life.

The 3 amigos yukked it up while throwing back expensive shots of liquor at Papi Steak in Miami, and not that they need a special occasion to rage ... they were there celebrating French as Haute Living's latest cover man.

Montana's luxury lifestyle mag issue coincides with the upcoming release of his new album, and fittingly ... it touches on some of his famous friendships.

The event in his honor was part of the Hublot Collectors Dinner, which was also attended by Hublot President Jean-Francois Sberro, Haute Living CEO Kamal Hotchandani and author Deyvanshi Masrani. Tres bougie! The crew partied it up afterwards at David Grutman's club LIV.

French is in very good company, btw -- last month's cover man was NFL star and Super Bowl champ Julian Edelman.

Rapper Vic Mensa believes Jay-Z is still looking out for Colin Kaepernick -- and will make sure the QB gets HIRED when Hov becomes an NFL owner.

"I would be surprised if Kaepernick doesn't get a job with Hov being in the NFL," Mensa told us on the way out of The Nice Guy in West Hollywood.

"We know the NFL is a slave game, so to have a black man in there ... especially a black man with a socially conscious responsibility, cause i know that's how Hov feels, man ... I believe that Kap gonna get that job and I believe that Hov's intentions are in the right place."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Jay-Z will have a "significant ownership interest" in an NFL team -- a plan that will all come together in the "very near future."

Some people have been attacking Jay -- claiming he's betraying Colin Kaepernick and sold out the black community to work with the NFL.

In fact, Kap's good friend, Eric Reid, has been extremely critical of Jay -- calling the ownership move "despicable" and accusing Jay of putting money over the community.

Mensa tells us he still has tremendous respect for Kaepernick and the work he's done -- but says the community should get behind Jay buying an NFL team because ultimately it's a good thing for black people.

Mensa says "sh*t's gotta change" in the NFL ... and Jay's the guy to make it happen.

We also talked to Irv Gotti in NYC ... who is clearly apprehensive about the partnership, but willing to wait and watch what Jay has planned.

"It looks awkward, and I'm gonna give Hov the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully we'll see where Hov is taking it," Gotti says.

"But on first glace, him and Roger sitting there, and Roger not saying nothing, and Jay is doing all of the talking ..."

Kanye West is coming down from the mountain top and taking church goers back to school -- literally he was on a campus this weekend doing his Sunday Service.

That's right ... Ye switched things up Sunday for his weekly spiritual concert -- opting to bring his talents to the people in North Hollywood, where he put on one hell heck of a show for a local congregation that meets up at a middle school in the San Fernando Valley.

We're told Kanye joined forces with the California Worship Center this week, walking in around 11 AM PT and hosting a musical church service 'til about 2 PM. It was quite a spectacle -- but perhaps a bit less so than what his usual services turn out like.

Remember his Coachella gig? This wasn't quite that -- a heavily advertised set at a major music fest with thousands of people -- but the excitement here was just as palpable.

Regardless of the hype, lots o' famous folks stopped by. Eyewitnesses tell us stars like Blac Chyna, Tori Kelly, Gwen Stefani and even manager-to-the-stars Scooter Braun showed up -- not to mention everyone Kanye brought along with him ... which was a ton of heads.

As for how the service itself went, just take a looksy for yourself. Seems it came close to matching what we've come to expect from Sunday Services, only in a bit of a tighter space ... but with just as much energy. That'll happen when you get two churches together.

Music-wise, we're told KW weaved in a number of samples into the live production -- which was supplemented by a choir and a marching band on hand. Some of the songs he used ... Fred Hammond's "This Is the Day," Jay-Z's "Lift Off," Snoop's "Drop It Like It's Hot," and Tye Tribbett's rendition of "Lift Him Up." Clearly, those in attendance were moved by the spirit -- it was lit.

Now, when it comes to how or why this came together the way it did, we're not entirely sure. But, like the good book says ... ask and Ye shall come through!!!

Cardi B made something clear Saturday night -- at least to us -- she's becoming the voice of her generation.

We got Cardi leaving the Bryant Park Hotel after a night of celebrating Jason Lee's birthday with Wendy Williams, and boy, she did not disappoint. Two things were on our photog's mind -- Bernie Sanders and Jay-Z.

He asked about her interview with Bernie, which was better than the sterile, canned interviews in traditional media, but turns out that's not gonna be her thing ... she says her mouth is "too slick" for a talk show.

And, then there's Jay-Z, who's taking a lot of heat for partnering with the NFL. Cardi has a different view, saying she believes he'll change the culture in the League and might even get Colin Kaepernick a quarterback gig. Not sure about that, but love her POV.

Here's the thing about Cardi. She showed everyone during her chitchat with Bernie how she can have conversations with politicians ... not just fire questions at them. She uses her experiences to punctuate her points, and at least in Bernie's case, he connected with her in a big way.

Here's what we think ... if she wants to keep doing this, it would touch millions of people who couldn't care less about politics, especially the way it's currently presented. And, if she does, any candidate who doesn't sit down with her is missing the boat.

Don't get too starstuck by these two almost identical images of Cardi B. Keep your cool and make sure your eyes are on the prize ... See if you can hunt down all the switches made to this tricky pic!

The Grammy-winning artist was photographed during a performance earlier this week at the 92.3 Real Street Festival in Anaheim, California. We have made a few sneaky changes to this onstage shot and now it's up to you to figure out the differences between these two super similar snaps!!!

Jay-Z had multiple reasons for becoming part of the NFL family, and TMZ Sports has learned one of them is that he is going to become part owner of an NFL team ... and it's going to happen soon.

Sources connected to Jay and with direct knowledge tell us ... Jay is going to have a "significant ownership interest" in an NFL team.

As for which team ... we're not being told, but we are told "it is going to happen in the near future."

We're told Jay wants to become a part owner "because he's a huge fan, already has a sports business and wants to continue to be a change agent for the NFL."

There's a question ... can Jay manage players if he owns a team? Our sources make it clear ... "Jay is not an NFL agent and does not take part in the operations of the NFL players in Roc Nation."

Nicki Minaj has answered Shakespeare's famous question, "What's in a name?" And, the answer is marriage.

Nicki just told her 20 million Twitter followers her account name from here on out is Mrs. Petty. As you know, her man is Kenneth Petty and there's been plenty of smoke she either gotten hitched or the nuptials are imminent.

TMZ broke the story ... Nicki and Kenneth hit up the Bev Hills courthouse earlier this month and got a marriage license. Our Nicki sources at the time told us her real name will change to Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.

We heard rumblings she may have actually tied the knot days after getting the license, but we couldn't confirm that. We knew a bunch of friends flew out to L.A. that same week, but everyone was mum.

Young Thug knows how to kill 2 birds with 1 stone -- throwing a birthday and album release party ... but at least this year it didn't end with him in handcuffs.

Young Thug hosted a bunch of his pals Thursday night at Beauty & Essex in L.A. to celebrate his 28th bday and the release of his new album, "So Much Fun." Meek Mill, NBA star Ben Simmons, Johnny Manziel's ex, Bre Tiesi, and rapper Gunna are just some of the celebs who showed.

Remy Martin also made a splash -- it was the liquor of choice. The guests sipped on 3 special drinks named after YT's tracks, "Slime," "The London" and "So Much Fun."

An awesome time was had by all ... and most notably since Young Thug didn't have to deal with a huge buzz kill like the one he endured after he threw another birthday/album release party last year.

As we reported ... everything went downhill for YT last August after he left his 27th birthday bash and "Slime Language" album release party -- a police cruiser accidentally hit Thug's Rolls-Royce, then cops found a gun in the whip. Thugger ended up getting arrested for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.

The D.A. ended up dropping the case, citing insufficient evidence.

Offset already knows who he's backing for prez, and he's no fool -- he's following his wife Cardi B's lead and supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders.

We got the Migos rapper at LAX Thursday and asked if he's riding with Bernie because CB had a one-on-one meeting with the candidate. Offset tells us he's definitely on the same political page as his wife.

Not that we think 45 was holding out for the Migos vote -- Cardi's made it clear how she feels about Trump.

As you probably know ... Cardi recently sat down with Senator Sanders, chopping it up about race, the economy and social justice -- and it sounds like he convinced her to stump for him in the race for the White House.

Offset's a smart man ... he knows a happy wife means a happy life, so he's feeling the Bern too. If you're not looking to hear the ATL rapper talk politics, fear not ... how 'bout licking???

Kylie Jenner is getting into full party mode during her endless birthday getaway ... dancing and grinding with Travis Scott as they TURN UP in Cannes!!!

Kylie's entering the dance party phase of her bday celebrations, grabbing her man's hand and shaking her booty Thursday afternoon smack in the middle of a beachfront restaurant!!!

Travis gets the party started, sliding behind the DJ booth and hopping on the 1s and 2s to spin some tunes that put Kylie and her friends in the mood to groove. Seriously, Sofia Richie and the girls are dancing on top of tables!!!

The impromptu daytime dance party is a different scene from what we've seen from Kylie and Travis during her 22nd bday trip ... which kicked off with a shopping spree with Stormi in Positano, followed by the couple's romantic dinner in Capri.

No sign of Stormi and Kris Jenner at the lunch spot Kylie and co. turned into a dayclub ... guess that means it's time to RAGE!!!

Get it, girl!!!

Jay-Z defended his decision to partner with the NFL by saying he's past the kneeling protest and onto bigger things.

TMZ Sports obtained video of the entire meeting Wednesday between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Jay-Z and members of the media.

Charlamagne tha God kicked off the meeting with the question on everyone's mind ... how do you partner with the league when Colin Kaepernick is still out of a job?

Jay's response -- the kneeling protest was never about Kaepernick's employment ... it was about police brutality. He went on to say he's past the kneeling protest, saying the options are clear -- "Reaching millions and millions of people or [protesting] Colin not having a job." He says by choosing to partner with the NFL on social justice issues, he's choosing the former.

What's more ... Jay said in response to the question, "Would you kneel or would you stand? ... "I think we're past kneeling."

Jay-Z says the task at hand is using the NFL's resources to change the culture of policing. He says there are 2 parts to protest -- first taking a stand, which Colin did, and then getting the company [the NFL] to say, "I hear you."

Here's the full audio of the meeting.

NBA YoungBoy is a free man again ... after serving nearly 3 months behind bars for his involvement in the Miami shooting that left his GF injured earlier this year.

The rapper embraced his family early Thursday morning when he was released from East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. You can see YoungBoy grinning ear to ear and smoking in celebration as his Mom captured their reunion for social media. Other cameras were there to record the moment he strolled out a free man.

The 19-year-old rapper had been behind bars since May 17 when he was ordered back to jail for violating his probation by getting caught up in a shooting incident on Mother's Day outside Trump International Hotel.

As we reported ... NBA YoungBoy and his crew were on the receiving end of bullets ... leaving a bystander dead. YoungBoy was not hit but his GF, Kay Marie, suffered a gunshot wound. We got video of the wild scene inside the hotel following the gunfire.

YoungBoy -- who was in the 305 to perform at Rolling Loud -- rushed to Kay's side and applied pressure to her wound. Kay was taken out of a black SUV cops had pulled over, and loaded into an ambulance.

A judge ultimately determined YB violated his probation -- stemming from an August 2017 sentence  -- even though he was the target, not the shooter.

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid is blasting Jay-Z for his new partnership with the NFL ... saying it looks like the rap mogul is selling out and helping "bury" Colin Kaepernick's football career.

Kap's longtime friend and former teammate sounded off on social media late Wednesday night ... responding to a quote from Jay that read "... everybody knows I agree with what you're saying [in Kaepernick's underlying message]. So what are we gonna do? ... [Help] millions and millions of people, or we get stuck on Colin not having a job."

"These aren’t mutually exclusive," Reid wrote back ... "They can both happen at the same time! It looks like your goal was to make millions and millions of dollars by assisting the NFL in burying Colin’s career."

Of course, Jay-Z has taken plenty of heat for his partnership with Roger Goodell -- one where Hov will help the league with entertainment and social justice issues -- because some feel it undercuts Kap's cause.

Clearly, Reid is in that corner ... because he also retweeted several tweets that hammered Jay for the move, including one that read, "You don't 'move on' from riding for the people."

For his part, Kaepernick has yet to respond directly to the whole ordeal ... but he did write on social media Wednesday, "Today marks the three year anniversary of the first time I protested systemic oppression. I continue to work and stand with the people in our fight for liberation, despite those who are trying to erase the movement! The movement has always lived with the people!"

Jay-Z talked to Colin Kaepernick ahead of announcing his new partnership with the NFL -- according to reports -- but the rap mogul said his deal with the league goes beyond Kaepernick's kneeling protest.

Some thought Jay -- by signing on to help the NFL with entertainment and social justice issues -- was undercutting Kap's cause ... but both Jay and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed that Wednesday at Roc Nation's NYC offices.

The two men sat next to each other and discussed the partnership with about 30 invited media members. Referring to Kaepernick and other NFL players kneeling during the anthem, Jay said ... "I think that we forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice so in that case this is a success — this is the next thing. There’s two parts of protest: the protest, and then there’s a company or individual saying ‘I hear you, what do we do next?’ For me it’s about actionable items, what are we gonna do about it?"

As you know, Kaepernick still doesn't have a job in the NFL, and Goodell was asked if he's been blackballed. He said "any team" can sign him. Both Jay-Z and Goodell said they had spoken to Kaepernick ahead of Tuesday's announcement they'd be teaming up. However, neither would reveal what Kaepernick said.

As far as whether Kaepernick would be involved in the partnership -- where the NFL will support Jay-Z's social justice causes and Jay will produce the Super Bowl Halftime Show -- Jay said, "You'll have to ask him, I'm not his boss. That's for him to say."

Goodell and Jay seemed like a old friends ... shaking hands and laughing through the event.

We've reached out to reps for Kaepernick to see if he has any reaction to Jay's sit down with the NFL Commissioner.

By the way, the NFL and Roc Nation only allowed one still photographer in the event. The NFL shot the only video which it plans to release later Wednesday.

A$AP Rocky did not beat the rap in Sweden, because the judges in his assault case have found him guilty ... but he will NOT have to go to prison.

The 4 judges in the case issued their written ruling Wednesday ... concluding A$AP was guilty of assaulting a man during a street fight in Stockholm. The judges said Rocky, and his 2 friends who were also standing trial, "were not in a situation where they were entitled to self-defense."

The case hinged on whether A$AP threw a bottle at the victim during the all-out brawl in late June. Prosecutors argued Rocky hurled the bottle and badly cut the guy, but they couldn't produce a single witness who saw a bottle fly during the melee. Rocky conceded he was holding a bottle for protection, but put it down and it never made contact with the guy.

The judges said prosecutors did not prove the bottle was used to hit the victim. As a result, the judges said the crime did not warrant any further time served, and added Rocky will NOT have to do community service.

Rocky got a suspended sentence ... meaning he'll have to pay various fees and fines, and if he does he's in the clear. The judges felt Rocky and his co-defendants got ample punishment already with time served -- 1 month in a Swedish jail.

The upshot ... the court found hitting and kicking the victim while he was on the ground was a crime -- namely, assault -- because A$AP and his crew were not in danger of imminent harm, but prosecutors failed to prove the biggest issue ... that A$AP struck the victim with a bottle, and that's why he got no jail time.

A$AP and the co-defendants will, however, have to pay restitution to the victim, and also cover Sweden's court expenses.

As we reported, the alleged victim was the initial aggressor, harassing Rocky and his crew despite pleas from the rapper to leave them alone. The guy also attacked Rocky's bodyguard before A$AP took care of business.

A$AP was jailed for a month, and 3/4 of that time spent behind bars was before he was even charged. A$AP never claimed his arrest was racially motivated ... but his mom and G-Eazy had a different view.

The case became an international incident -- claims of racism and inhumane conditions in the jail. President Trump intervened ... but that didn't sit well with the Swedish Prime Minister who told him to butt out.

After a month in jail and a 3-day trial, the judges allowed Rocky to fly home to the states while they decided his fate. Prosecutors wanted Rocky to remain in jail pending the verdict, because they said he was a flight risk.

A$AP blew out of Sweden on a private jet, and was gleeful when he touched down at LAX.

As we reported ... Rocky performed last weekend at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA for the first time since his arrest and told his fans, "Hopefully I'm not guilty and hopefully we ain't gotta go back to jail or nothing like that."

Rocky seemed to indicate he would have returned to Sweden to do the time if found guilty -- however, that won't be an issue.

Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign's "Hot Girl Summer" got chilled down by LAPD who nearly torpedoed their music video -- but there's a happy ending. Ya like those, right?

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ, cops crashed Meg's attempt to shoot her video for 'HGS' last Friday, in the Mount Olympus neighborhood of L.A. -- right in the heart of the Hollywood Hills.

The reason? We're told she didn't have the proper permits.

Major drag too ... because our sources say Meg and her featured guests, Nicki and Ty, were all set to go at a house they'd booked as the main set for the shoot. Nicki and Meg were in costume, rocking matching neon striped outfits, which showed off all their good sides. As in, all of them!!!

The problem is ... someone snitched!!! Law enforcement sources tell us someone called the cops, and officers rolled up to find production didn't have the necessary paperwork. LAPD sent everyone packing, shutting down production.

Not to worry though, Stallionaires ... we're told Meg and co. improvised and were able to lock down another location about 50 miles East of L.A. in Chino Hills. It's just like the Hollywood Hills ... of Chino, anyway.

We're told the team was able to finish the scenes they needed without issues that same night, and the music video is scheduled to be released as planned.

Spoiler alert ... this thing appears to feature some wild animal cameos. Saddle up, folks!!!