TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Kanye West has unveiled his bigoted views to the world, yet there's still a market for Ye24 merch as he noodles on another run for president.

A quick search on eBay and Amazon reveals dozens of listings, with everything from shirts and hoodies to hats and flip-flops ... all with either Kanye's imagery or his Ye24 slogan. It's unclear exactly who's selling the stuff ... whether it's Kanye or 3rd parties. Pricing ranges from $20-30 for hats, up to $50 for hoodies and flip-flops, plus shipping.

While we've yet to see any designs of Kanye with a swastika or anything Hitler-adjacent, some merch includes Ye holding a cross, and another where he's standing next to Iron Man.

As for the resale value of Yeezy shoes, those have remained shockingly unchanged -- despite Kanye's proclamation of loving Hitler and giving props to Nazis.

Remo from Walk Like Us, a digital marketing company working with resellers, tells us one of the more popular Yeezy designs -- the 2015 Turtle Doves which retailed for $160 -- are still reselling at an average price of $793.

Big Daddy Kane is starring in a theater production of 'New Jack City' -- which he says is touring now ... and which is going to be hosting the director of the cult classic in due time.

We got the rap legend in New York this week ... where our photog chopped it up with BDK about the Je'Caryous Johnson's 'NJC Live on Stage' -- a Broadway-like play that brings the movie to life in front of audiences all these years later.

Check out the clip, 'cause Kane's got some cool insights for us -- including the fact that actor Allen Payne (who played Gee Money in the OG) is reprising his role in this new cast!

Not just that, but Kane says Mario Van Peebles -- who directed 'New Jack City,' and also acted in it as the cop who was out to bring down Wesley Snipes' operation -- will be coming to check out the show when they come to L.A.'s Orpheum Theater in late January.

The reason that's significant -- beyond the fact that it's awesome to host MVP at all -- is 'cause Big Daddy is actually playing his character from the movie ... AKA, Stone. Kane says Mario's swinging by to take it all in, and maybe give him some notes on performance.

Ya gotta wonder if Wesley himself has caught wind of the play and if he's curious to give it a peek. He hasn't said anything about it, from what we can tell, on social media thus far.

Juice WRLD would've turned 24 Friday, and while his memory lives on through his family, friends and fans ... there's a massive tribute show on the horizon in Chicago, his hometown.

December 8 marks the third anniversary of the rapper's death, and will also be the day the United Center will fill up with supporters passionately celebrating what's being deemed as "Juice WRLD Day."

TMZ Hip Hop has learned the lineup is jampacked -- DDG, Trippie Redd, G Herbo, Cordae, Lil Tecca, Ski Mask the Slump God, Lucki, Sleazyworld Go, Tana and Bankrol Hayden are all in ... repping for the 999 movement this year.

Bankrol tells TMZ Hip Hop, “Juice WRLD has always been a big inspiration to my music and helped me through my toughest times. Opening up for Juice in 2018 to now performing at the celebration of his legacy means the world to me.”

Juice’s personal friend and collaborator DJ Scheme also tells TMZ Hip Hop the event is truly important because it flips a negative situation into a positive occasion, saying, “On the day he passed away, we get to celebrate it in a positive way so his supporters never forget his main ideal ‘999.’”

Juice died from an accidental drug overdose of oxycodone and codeine in 2019 at just the age of 21 ... but his popularity remains unchanged.

Chrisean Rock appears to have admitted to hitting Blueface ... which left him with two black eyes that she proudly showed off to their followers.

The volatile couple were both featured on a recent IG Live stream from Blueface's account, during which he said Chrisean was "10-1" but had not yet taken "his belt." While it's unclear what exactly he's referring to, Chrisean seemed to suggest it was about their fights.

She showed off a photo of Blueface from her phone -- flashing it to his own phone so the IG Live crowd could see it -- and it looks to show the rapper with a couple of shiners.

Chrisean is definitely trying to one-up Blue here, saying he looks like a raccoon there. BF, meanwhile, laughs it off ... noting he took it like a "snack" (champ?) and that he didn't even hit her back, as if that's something to be commended.

He goes on to say that if he hit her like that, she'd go to sleep ... and kinda gives himself a pat on the back for not retaliating. In the end, he tries to kiss and make up, but Chrisean isn't having it -- making for a super awkward interaction and a lot of tension.

It's more of the same from these two, frankly -- an apparently toxic relationship that seems to include violence ... allegedly from both sides.

Remember, it wasn't too long ago that Chrisean showed off what she claimed were injuries at the hands of Blueface -- only to take it back completely some 24 hours later. Their apparent nonstop ups and downs certainly seem to be laced with mutual combat, which we've seen on camera time and again.

French Montana's late Coke Boys artist Chinx Drugz is still dropping new music 7 years after he was gunned down -- a fact his wife sees as a testament to the countless hours he spent recording.

Chinx's widow, Janelli Caceres-Pickens, and his former manager, Doug "Biggs" Ellison, painstakingly compiled verses, snippets and unfinished tracks to complete "CR6," his third posthumous project, and the sixth installment in the "Cocaine Riot" series.

TMZ Hip Hop spoke to Janelli about the release and she admitted it was exhausting, yet rewarding.

She also touched on the rash of rappers who've been killed at an even more alarming rate than when Chinx was murdered.

Janelli says she's been vocal about the recent string of tragedies -- such as PnB Rock and Takeoff both getting fatally shot in recent months -- and she insists it's misplaced to blame the pattern on hip hop culture.

Instead, she says it's criminals who are ruining the vibes ... although, she admits if she and Biggs weren't A&Ring "CR6," she'd be listening to R&B.

Nevertheless, Janelli is proud of the Chinx project, citing the song "Lonely" with Offset as one of her personal faves.

Bella Thorne is not only friends with Elon Musk, she's also a big fan of his decision to temporarily kick Kanye West off the platform for spreading antisemitic hate.

We caught up with Bella in Miami, where she's hitting Art Basel, and asked about her relationship with the Chief Twit, and her thoughts about him shutting down Ye. Although Elon's said he wants Twitter to be HQ for free speech ... she's certain Ye's Thursday ranting is NOT that.

Bella says Elon has every right to ban the rapper's account, because IF that's what free speech is then he shouldn't have it ... and neither should anybody else.

You'll recall, Kanye was suspended from Twitter for inciting violence ... after posting a highly offensive mashup of a Nazi swastika with a Star of David. Of course, that came immediately on the heels of countless other vicious remarks he's made.

ICYMI, Elon and Bella had people talking about their unlikely friendship when he hit up her Halloween party with his ex-wife Justine Wilson.

Bella made it clear she's fond of the guy, calling him "very cool."

Proud D.C. rapper Shy Glizzy is living proof hard work pays off in the rap game ... his 2014 jam "White Girl" was certified platinum by the RIAA this week, a feat he accomplished from his own hustle and grind!!!

An emotional Glizzy took to Instagram to celebrate pushing "White Girl" to one million units sold without a major label's distribution, radio support or bankroll. Lil Durk would appear on a later remix to give the song an additional push.

Glizzy also reveled in the fact he actually owns all the masters and publishing to the party starter ... meaning he collects all the cash the song earns!!!

Seeing that the song was never "officially" released, Glizzy gave fans another reason to revisit the track -- dropping the official music video!!!

Directed by Whipalo, the visual features Glizzy in a blizzard of Caucasian girls and coke ... basically everything the song's described over the years.

Metro Boomin is gonna want plenty more of everything now that his long-awaited "HEROES & VILLAINS" album is out -- and he's getting it by using some cool tech to sorta clone himself.

The superstar producer recently debuted a hologram, in partnership with Spotify and Proto, where he let the beat build like Lil Wayne -- at CoolKicks in L.A. and also at Patron of the New in Miami.

His global visibility didn't stop there ... he also sent out call signs to promote his album near the Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris, and also in London, Sydney and Toronto.

Metro's "HEROES & VILLAINS" is an A-list affair ... with features from Future, Travis Scott and A$AP Rocky holding down the trap bops, and The Weeknd, Don Toliver and Chris Brown adding R&B garnish along the way.

All the features were unveiled through comic-book covers ... giving more credibility to the album's cinematic theme.

Houston PD says they've made an arrest in the shooting death of Takeoff.

The department's chief addressed the media Friday, announcing they arrested 33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clark and charged him with the murder of Takeoff.

As we reported, Takeoff was killed early morning November 1 after he and Quavo were partying at a local bowling alley. At some point, the celebration turned into an argument, which led to a physical altercation and a shooting.

Cops say Takeoff was not part of the argument and he was not armed, he was an innocent bystander who was hit by gunfire. What's more, investigators say nearly 30 people were at the scene when the shooting happened -- and almost everyone left without giving a statement to police. They still ask those who were in attendance come in and talk.

Takeoff was shot in the head and torso according to the coroner's report -- and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

TMZ obtained video of the incident from 2:30 AM -- you can see and hear Quavo arguing with someone, and Takeoff is a few feet behind him. There's some sort of a discussion about basketball before shots start to ring out.

Another angle -- also obtained by TMZ -- showed a man dressed in black with a handgun in his right pocket just seconds before the gunfire, showing multiple people were armed at the event.

2022 is the year of rappers beefing on social media -- from Nicki Minaj and Latto's Grammy snub feud, to Megan Thee Stallion taking on Drake, DaBaby and Tory Lanez -- but 2 huge voices in hip hop say there's a better path.

DJ Akademiks and Charlamgage Tha God are not impressed with the lack of response records from the artists ... and they're not biting their tongues about it!!!

Ak was a recent guest on VladTV where he was sympathetic to Megan and the upcoming shooting trial against Tory -- but still scolded her for not reacting to personal attack raps, especially since she's considered a critically acclaimed lyricist.

Drake questioned the validity of Meg's claims against Tory on his "Her Loss" album, and DaBaby exposed an alleged sexual tryst with her on his latest project.

Megan's been quick on the Twitter draw all year to defend her name, but Ak thinks she should return fire on a mic.

Charlamagne feels similarly and called out Nicki Minaj, Latto and City Girls' JT this week on "The Breakfast Club," asking why they didn't at least drop a diss record to set the record straight when their names were trending.

Nas and 21 Savage recently went the musical route to settle their misunderstanding following a Clubhouse chat gone astray ... which feels like the logical route.

Chuck D feels ALL hate speech should be equally ostracized on Twitter ... especially following Kanye West's recent suspension for posting Nazi symbolism.

The Public Enemy frontman put out a big signal for Elon Musk on Friday ... challenging him to permanently ban all versions of the n-word on the platform.

Chuck argued the n-word's power was just as damaging as the Nazi swastikas and his swift action could influence Mark Zuckerberg to do the same on Facebook and Instagram.

Naturally, Chuck's Twitter take left some of his longtime fans scratching their head ... with one even digging up PE's 1990 song "Anti-Ni**** Machine" from their seminal album "Fear of the Black Planet."

Chuck noted the song was recorded over 30 years ago and we're currently playing with a different set of rules in America.

He also dismissed the notion that the use of the n-word in songs and Twitter were the same ... and wasn't concerned with people getting their pretty little timelines disrupted!!!

Elon banished Ye from Twitter on Friday, but The College Dropout did exit in a blaze of glory, ... flaming Elon for his infamous vacation pic with Ari Emanuel.

Kanye West is doing everything he can to deflect attention away from his praising of Hitler, even throwing out false allegations about his ex-wife Kim Kardashian and an affair with NBA superstar Chris Paul ... according to sources with direct knowledge.

Before he was kicked off Twitter Thursday night for posting a swastika, the disgraced rapper made a wild allegation claiming he "caught" Kim Kardashian cheating with NBA star Chris Paul.

A source close to the situation tells us the allegation is absolutely false, and just another example of a desperate man trying to shift the focus away from his own wrongdoings.

The source says, "This is not true and sadly it’s an ongoing pattern with Kanye — attacking Kim to redirect everyone’s attention after a day of crazy antics where he has said every hateful and offensive thing he can possibly dream of."

They continue, "He has a history of falsely accusing her of also having affairs with Meek Mill, Drake and countless others. Kanye has for years deflected his own awful behavior, infidelities and obsession with porn and sex addiction to abuse and slut shame Kim. She wants to be left alone so she can focus on the well-being of their children.”

It was Thursday when Kanye was on Alex Jones' "Infowars" spewing hate, claiming he liked Hitler, questioning the Holocaust and giving the Nazis props. Jones, a controversial figure himself, made several attempts to reel Kanye in, but the rapper only doubled down.

Of course, it was earlier this week when Kim and Kanye finally settled their nearly two-year divorce ... he's agreed to pay her $200k a month in child support, and they'll have "equal access" to their kids.

Michael Jai White has several black belts in various martial arts, but it's even better that he's mastered the practice of restraint, at least for Kanye West's sake!!!

When asked by DJ Vlad about some of Ye's wild and erroneous comments -- like claiming George Floyd died from a drug overdose -- MJW admitted he's been detached from Ye's antics for years, and avoids running into him because it could get violent ... and end badly for the embattled rapper.

MJW says his personal Kanye breaking point came way back in 2009 after the infamous Taylor Swift mic-snatching incident -- and he feels Ye's arrogance is fueled by the fact he has money.

The "Black Dynamite" actor compared consuming Ye's social media posts to eating junk food while trying to stay in karate shape -- an act in futility -- but he says he's not pushing his anti-Ye beliefs on friends.

Kanye West's antisemitic ranting is now on the White House's radar ... and President Biden is not only calling him out, but also anyone who does NOT speak out against Ye.

The prez doesn't mention Ye by name, but it's clear who and what he was referring to Friday morning when he tweeted, "I just want to make a few things clear: The Holocaust happened. Hitler was a demonic figure."

The tweet comes immediately on the heels of Elon Musk shutting down Ye's Twitter account because he posted a graphic combining a swastika with the Star of David. He also ranted all day -- on Twitter and on "Infowars" with Alex Jones -- about loving Hitler and Nazis.

President Biden's tweet also adds what seems like a shot at Donald Trump. He said, "Instead of giving it a platform, our political leaders should be calling out and rejecting antisemitism wherever it hides. Silence is complicity."

Remember, Trump's been widely criticized for having dinner last week with Ye and white nationalist Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago.

Even Sen. Mitch McConnell, a former Trump ally, condemned him by saying, "There is no room in the Republican Party for antisemitism or white supremacy."

Kanye West is back in Twitter's doghouse for spreading more antisemitic hate ... but this time his account was PERSONALLY suspended by the platform's new CEO -- Elon Musk.

The rapper ran afoul of Twitter's policy against inciting violence after posting an altered image showing the Jewish symbol of the Star of David with a Nazi swastika.

Elon wasn't having it, tweeting a reply to Ye early Friday ... "I tried my best. Despite that, he again violated our rule against incitement to violence. Account will be suspended." Kanye's tweet was swiftly removed ... it's not clear how long his suspension is for. His account was suspended once before in October (pre-Musk) after he posted antisemitic remarks.

Kanye's final tweet -- one of Elon getting hosed down by Ari Emanuel -- to which Elon called "fine" and said, "Frankly, I found those pics to be helpful motivation to lose weight!"

Before his latest Twitter drama, Kanye appeared with white nationalist Nick Fuentes on Thursday's "Infowars" show hosted by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Ye praised the Nazis and Adolf Hitler, seemingly in the throes of a mental breakdown.

During their bizarre discussion, Jones tried to denounce the Nazis, but Kanye wouldn't let him, insisting, "They did good things too, we are gonna stop dissing the Nazis." And, before a commercial break, Kanye shockingly admitted, "I like Hitler."

Metro Boomin just dropped his sophomore album, "HEROES & VILLAINS," after a 4-year hiatus ... and the superproducer channeled a classic rock album to gift wrap the project.

The album cover finds Metro paying homage to Pink Floyd's 1975 album "​​Wish You Were Here" ... famous for its depiction of a man shaking another man's hand as he's smothered in flames.

Metro alluded to the fiery imagery on his Instagram writing, “must be [two] sides” ... and flames appear to be the motto this go around.

The album's promotional trailer doubled as a mini-movie starring Morgan Freeman and LaKeith Stanfield ... with its premise largely being about LS burning down the city of Metropolis.

21 Savage, Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd and even incarcerated YSL superstars Young Thug and Gunna make appearances.