TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Post Malone is celebrating a new addition to his already impressive jewelry collection -- a blinding 23 carats worth of diamonds, and all that bling is just for the littlest finger of them all.

Guess his hand was feeling a little light, because sources close to Post tell TMZ ... he called up his pals at Angel City Jewelers to hook him up with a new piece for his pinky.

Angel City's owner, Isaac Bokhoor, came through with the goods while PM was making a recent tour stop in Las Vegas ... and unveiled the "Rockstar" sized ring ... which we're told set the singer back about half a million bucks!

For that kinda dough, ya better love it ... and Post clearly does. Check out his reaction right after getting it backstage -- you're looking at a 5-carat Emerald cut center stone, with another 5 carats of round diamonds on the side. There are 13 more 1-carat stones around the band.

Of course, the "White Iverson" is no stranger to getting blinged out by Isaac and co. -- remember, he was the master behind Post's $250k Dallas Cowboys chain.

He got it back in 2019, appropriately while he was in Dallas at AT&T Stadium. That one came with 3,000 stones, 9.7 carats of baguettes, 13.5 carats of sapphires and 8.7 carats of diamonds.

The World Cup is just a day away, and the biggest sporting event in the world is already mired in controversy -- much stemming from alleged human rights issues -- causing some to boycott the soccer tourney ... something Akon says makes no sense.

TMZ Sports ran into the rap star, a big soccer fan, at LAX on Wednesday -- just four days before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar -- and we asked him about fans who say they won't watch because of the controversy surrounding the host country.

"I don't understand the purpose of the boycott, me personally, I think everywhere you go in the world there's different cultures, different way of living, different life standards," Akon explained.

The 5x Grammy nominee went on to say he believes many of his fellow Americans who are calling for a boycott don't actually understand why they're refusing to watch.

"I think when you look at a place like America, we have a tendency of taking certain things for granted, and we got a tendency of following suit of things we don't understand. Instead of taking a trip there to understand the culture, understand what's going on, you're just going to follow suit cause everybody else says there's humanitarian issues."

FYI, Dua Lipa recently quelled speculation she'd perform in Qatar, saying she wouldn't go to the country until they "fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup." Rod Stewart also said he was offered a million dollars to perform, but he refused.

Of course, Qatar, a relatively small peninsular country with a population of under 3 million, has been accused of discriminating against people in the LGBTQ community. There are also reports of migrant workers dying while working under unsafe conditions in an effort to finish the WC facilities in the months before the tourney. Officials have also interfered with the press. These are just a few of the troubling allegations made against Qatar.

But, Akon sees it differently than the boycotters ... it's not that he's saying he agrees with Qatar, he's saying he recognizes that their culture is different.

"I think a lot of that is a cultural issue, a cultural difference. You know when you look at a place like Africa, Middle East, a lot of places, LGBTQ is not really a culture they came up under," Akon says.

"It's not a matter of dislike. It's just a different culture. know what I'm saying? it's just a matter of people better understanding each other's culture, understanding the reasons and the whys."

Akon believes we'd be a lot better off talking to the Qatari people and finding common ground, rather than ignoring them.

"How about going to explain your view from your position? Help them better understand. Know what I mean? Life is about communication. I think the moment people start jumping to conclusions and just take a position before understanding, things are always gonna be complicated."

Mustard filed for divorce from his wife of less than 2 years back in May, but their relationship is still unraveling in the public eye.

Chanel Thierry took to IG to vent on Friday with claims her estranged producer hubby was being stingy with the spacious cars in their household … and left her with just a Lambo SUV to lug around their 3 kids.

She called the luxury whip a “ghetto birthday gift” and was likely referring to the 2021 Lamborghini Urus Mustard got for her birthday back when they were on happier terms.

Despite the rant, Chanel accused Mustard of being the bitter one who's refusing to pay child support and threatening to ruin her behind the scenes. She also admitted she signed a prenup, a tidbit Mustard had included in the divorce petition he filed in court.

TMZ Hip Hop broke the story … Mustard cited irreconcilable differences in filing for divorce and asked for joint custody of their children.

Jhené Aiko and Big Sean are now the proud parents of a newborn baby boy.

Jhené introduced the new bundle, who the couple has named Noah Hasani, on Instagram, saying, "After 24 hours of labor, a total lunar eclipse, and while it was pouring rain… he came, my baby Yoda, my Sani."

The "Twenty88" couple had a gender reveal during a joint performance in Los Angeles on October 13 ... marking six wonderful years together.

Last time we spoke to Sean Don ... he was pondering potential baby names.

TMZ Hip Hop broke the story of the pregnancy after the pair was spotted on an outing in Beverly Hills on July 2 -- Jhené was glowing and looking visibly pregnant.

Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa officially announced their free Ghana concert is happening in January 2023, but DJ Akademiks recently claimed the event signals the end of their relevance.

The Chicago rappers have been plotting and planning the free show all year and finalized the details Friday. The concert also includes Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Jeremih and 2023 Best New Artist Grammy nominee Tobe Nwigwe.

During a recent Twitch broadcast, Ak royally scoffed at the Ghana news ... noting how Chance dominated with his Coloring Book Tour a few years ago but is now a cold artist selling wolf tickets overseas. He said it, not us.

Vic Mensa previously clashed with Ak during his former Complex TV series "Everyday Struggle" and the popular blogger had smoke for him as well ... claiming Vic's been cursed ever since they went head up on air!!!

Ak made it clear his rants are rooted in comedy, and was all laughs as he pulled up Drake's 2019 song "Draft Day" ... where Drizzy sniped Chance's entire career with just a few bars. 🙈

Nicki Minaj has no time for any 2022 World Cup controversies ... the Barbz rapper has been enlisted for "Tukoh Taka" the official FIFA Fan Festival anthem!!!

The song is a collaboration between Nicki, Colombian singer Maluma and Lebanese singer Myriam Fares and delivers lyrics in 3 different languages -- English, Spanish and Arabic to cater to the global soccer audience.

"Tukoh Taka" translates to "click clack" in Yankee talk and the 3 megastars all display their presence in the video.

Edgar Esteves and Juan Felipe Zuleta direct the high-octane visual ... which splices between cut scenes of fútbol highlights, Nicki gyrating on a school bus and Maluma and Myriam Fares performing in a green-screened desert.

World Cup action kicks off starting Sunday from Qatar ... but this year's event has many pundits raising eyebrows as festivities are underway.

Unlike Nicki, artists such as Dua Lipa and Shakira have refused to participate in Cup performances ... citing various alleged human rights infractions in the country.

FIFA also announced it's banning all alcohol sales in World Cup stadiums ahead of the opening games ... leaving many fans pissed.

NBA YoungBoy is targeting his former artist NoCap over a money dispute, and neither one is showing signs of backing down.

YoungBoy recently resurfaced on Instagram ... to throw subliminals at Kodak Black and, apparently, to very openly shade NoCap.

In an IG story, Youngboy accuses him of throwing undercover disses behind closed doors, and said they no longer collaborate because the respect is gone!!! Well, that's the cleaned-up version ... but you get the idea.

NBA also claims NoCap owes him money ... which was further explained through NoCap's fiery response.

According to him, NBA tried to charge him for their last collaboration, "Flags to the Sky," which appeared on the Alabama rapper's "Mr. Crawford" album.

"Mr. Crawford" was released through Atlantic Records and NBA's Never Broke Again imprint ... and NoCap can't believe his own label boss would try to tax his pockets.

NoCap alluded to the Kodak cheap shots while claiming he never badmouthed NBA, but also says he's never been supported in his 3 years signed to the label.

DDG is living his best life these days ... and wants his good friend Blueface to do the same thing in light of his recent legal troubles.

We got DDG out in Bev Hills Thursday, and he told us there's only a handful of rappers he considers a "real friend" ... and Blueface is one of 'em.

The 2 hit platinum gold with their "Moonwalking in Calabasas" collab ... and were working on a joint album before drama got in the way.

DDG says he wants Blueface to emerge victorious in his still-developing attempted murder case ... and he also sent positive vibes to Blueface's GF Chrisean Rock.

DDG and his GF, 'Little Mermaid' star Halle Bailey, double-dated with Blueface and Chrisean in the past, and says he's looking forward to better times once again.

TMZ broke the story ... Blueface allegedly shot at a man in a pickup truck outside a Las Vegas strip club, where they'd had an altercation.

Undercover cops arrested him this week for attempted murder.

On a lighter note, sorta, DDG introduced us to rising social media star Woo Wop ... the kid famous (or maybe infamous) for those "I Wanna Kill My Mom" viral videos blowing up TikTok!!!

Woo Wop -- who's DDG's nephew -- gave us a demo of his skills, but he doesn't seem the least bit impressed with his own fame.

Kanye West may have gotten the boot from Adidas, but he's clearly not done with the company ... still rockin' the brand as if nothing happened.

Ye was spotted Thursday night, leaving the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills with a glass of bubbly. He was with super right-winger Milo Yiannopoulos and a woman. Ye was decked out in his Balenciaga x Adidas collection -- a black sweatshirt and white crossover bag, all emblazoned with the Adidas logo.

Unclear how Adidas feels about Kanye's clothing choices after it cut ties with Ye in the wake of his antiemetic rants.

The company said they would continue to sell Ye-inspired shoes, but without a trace of the Yeezy name.

Blueface's allegedly opening fire on a vehicle -- and subsequently getting arrested for attempted murder -- was the end result of a joke falling flat and sparking a strip club fight.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Blueface and his crew were at Euphoric Gentlemen's Club in Vegas on October 8 ... and the alleged victim supposedly made a joke about the rapper talking with "some females in a cheap vehicle."

Cops say the joke set off members of Blueface's crew, who allegedly hit the man "multiple times."

The docs say the man then attempted to leave in his truck, and told cops Blueface's crew might have thought he was "going for a gun" ... leading to Blueface allegedly firing shots at the man's truck as he fled.

Cops say there were multiple bullet marks on the truck, and its owner suffered what appeared to be a "bullet graze wound" on his left hand.

As we reported, video obtained by TMZ showed the truck suddenly pulling up to the rapper and his crew in the club's parking lot -- and it appears to show Blueface pulling out a weapon and firing it in the direction of the truck.

Akon believes Chris Brown has all the talent to cement a legacy as big as Michael Jackson's ... that is, if he surrounds himself with someone other than Bloods.

The artist/producer/mogul was a guest on Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast, and while discussing the never-ending CB vs. MJ debate ... he made the bold proclamation about Chris.

Akon says if CB had MJ's caliber of management and handlers, the "Go Crazy" singer would've soared to iconic heights, but he didn't get that kinda guidance. Instead, Akon says Chris had gangbangers in his inner circle.

For what it's worth, Shannon does not share Akon's optimism about Chris assuming MJ's throne simply by detaching himself from the hood.

Michael debate aside, CB's doing just fine -- he had a huge tour with Lil Baby this year, and just got a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album for his "Breezy (Deluxe)."

R&B singer B. Smyth is dead ... at a very young age, and after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

The singer's brother, Denzil, broke the news to fans ... saying Smyth died Thursday from respiratory failure and had been hospitalized for a while, struggling with his lung disease.

Denzil says his little brother was in the ICU when he dropped his latest single, "Twerkaholic Part 2," just a few weeks ago, but the excitement around the release brought "a big smile to his face."

He says B. asked him to make the video for him before passing, so his fans would know he always appreciated them.

B. Smyth -- whose real name was Brandon Smith -- first jumped on the scene after covering hits like "Quickie" by Miguel or "Stay" by Rihanna in the early 2010s on YouTube ... before signing with Motown Records in 2012.

He dropped his first single soon after -- "Leggo" featuring 2 Chainz, and then released his first EP "The Florida Files" in 2013.

His big break came in 2014, when his song "Twerkoholic" blew up, gaining millions of views ... B. would go on to drop a studio album, "Thr3" in 2017, as well as a slew of singles over the years.

He was just 30.

Flavor Flav has a few reasons to give Spirit Airlines another shot after flipping out on the air carrier over a missed flight -- he's not only getting his money back, he's getting big-time perks.

A rep for Flavor Flav tells TMZ ... Spirit finished the investigation into FF's angry incident in Las Vegas, and decided to give the rap icon a full refund.

We're also told Spirit is upgrading his frequent flier status to "Gold" ... which is the airline's highest frequent flier tier. That status means Flav will never have to pay for any of the budget airline's add-on charges, like the ones for baggage and seat selection.

TMZ broke the story ... Flav narrowly missed a flight earlier this month in Sin City, and we got video of him flipping out on the gate agent who shut the door in his face.

Flav's camp said he typically waits to board flights after all the other passengers because folks like to take pictures with him and he doesn't want to hold up the boarding process. So, he waited, but the gate agent closed the door, shutting out Flav and 2 others.

FF eventually apologized to all the folks who witnessed his airport rant.

Young Dolph's Paper Route Empire is keeping his movement strong -- on the first anniversary of his death his estate is releasing new music, including tracks with Key Glock, and he's getting a day in his honor.

November 17 will now be recognized as Adolph "Young Dolph" Thornton Jr. Day of Service in Tennessee and Georgia. More on that in a moment, but the other big news is the release of "Get Away" ... the Dolph estate and EMPIRE Distribution unveiled the song to start the rollout for his upcoming "Paper Route Frank" LP.

The track finds Dolph longing to be with his deceased grandmother among other heapings of rich rapper flexing ... and Mia Jaye, his partner and mother of their two kids, wants the new tunes to inspire all his fans in spite of her sadness.

She says, “It is truly therapy and healing in helping others while you hurt," and adds ... "In your season of suffering, take on the spirit of Dolph, pay it forward, and watch a blessing or two come your way.”

Dolph's top lyrical gunner, Key Glock, is blessing fans, and boosting the PRE inventory, with the release of his "PRE5L" EP -- and its accompanying horrorcore video for the single "Jigsaw."

We're told Dolph’s special 11/17 Day will offer plenty of meritorious service examples throughout the country.

Makeda's Cookies -- the site of Dolph's murder -- is also marking the anniversary, telling TMZ Hip Hop it's preparing for a big crowd in remembrance of the Memphis rapper.

Young Dolph is being honored by the place where he died on the 1-year anniversary of his tragic murder.

Pamela Hill, owner of Makeda's Homemade Cookies tells TMZ ... they're paying homage to the late rapper Thursday, who was also one of their favorite customers, by pumping out a bunch of dolphin-shaped cookies -- and the kitchen's been cooking like crazy to get the job done.

The shop's got pics of Dolph hanging on the walls, alongside photos of the boarded-up shop following the fatal shooting. Pamela tells us they'll also have a DJ playing some of the rapper's tunes for customers.

Staffers are wearing shirts with Dolph's face on it, too -- with some reading "black men deserve to grow old."

As we reported, Dolph was gunned down a year ago at Pamela's shop in Memphis, the men who killed him were caught on a surveillance camera and were eventually arrested.

Pamela tells us her place had to shut down for 10 months after the shooting, and reopened this past September. The shop spent thousands of dollars fixing windows, framing doors, repairing the floor and more.

The late Tupac Shakur called many places home in his lifetime -- including Baltimore, and the residence where he began to hone his legendary penmanship is currently up for grabs.

The Greenmount Ave block where the 2-unit building resides has already been dubbed "Tupac Shakur Way," and now the home is listed for $179K.

Pac and his family moved into the first-floor apartment in 1984 when he was 13 and he eventually attended Baltimore School for the Arts ... where he met and befriended Jada Pinkett Smith.

The "Hail Mary" rapper's time in Baltimore famously developed his appreciation of the arts and theater and he began writing poetry ... with Jada sometimes being the subject of his prose.

Last year, the "Red Table Talk" host unearthed one of his writings for the world to see in celebration of his would-be 50th birthday, and an extensive collection of his poems was compiled for the 1999 book, "The Rose That Grew from Concrete."