TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Young Thug's name has been floating all over social media in wake of the YSL plea deals but 2 of his biggest supporters -- his sister Dolly White and his protégé Lil Gotit -- say just about everything people see is cap!!!

We caught Gotit and Dolly out in LAX earlier this week and they doubled down on the notion that no one has spoken to Young Thug ... especially about how Thug feels about Gunna's Alford plea deal.

Gunna has been catching a lot of flak in the hip hop community and judging from Gotit and Dolly's reactions when we brought the "Drip Too Hard" rapper's name up ... there's definitely some lingering tension in the camp!!! 👀

On Tuesday, a man who claimed to talk to Thug through rapper YNW BSlime said Thug disapproved of the onslaught of pretrial pleas, but Gotit and Dolly say they're the only credible source.

They both recently spoke to their big brother Jeff and say he's in good spirits. Dolly also called out Akademiks for posting information she says is big 🧢!!!

To date, rappers Slimelife Shawty, Lil Duke, Thug's brother Unfoonk and YSL co-founder Walter "DK" Murphy have all taken plea deals leading up to the case.

YSL rapper Lil Keed's died of natural causes stemming from a battle with eosinophilia ... according to officials.

As we reported, the 24-year-old died in May 2022, and on Tuesday, The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed his death was linked to eosinophilia, a condition defined to be caused by "a parasitic infection, an allergic reaction or cancer," according to the Mayo Clinic.

Sources close to the "Trapped On Cleveland" rapper told TMZ Hip Hop at the time he had been complaining of excruciating stomach pain days before his death -- and was recently sober from drugs and alcohol. People first reported the ME's findings.

Keed's passing happened just as Young Thug, Gunna and several other YSL members were arrested on various RICO charges.

Since his death, Keed's brother Lil Gotit has been going the distance in keeping his sibling's name alive ... and free from disrespect.

SZA is riding high with her new album "SOS" -- which has topped the Billboard 200 for 3 weeks in a row now -- so it's only right she's taking a lavish vacation with the guy who helped her make it.

The "Kill Bill" priestess was spotted out in Hawaii, grinning ear-to-ear with producer ThankGod4Cody, who's credited on 7 songs on the history-making R&B album.

SZA and Cody have been collaborators for years, but appear to be closer than ever ... judging from the video he posted of SZA taking a scantily clad dip in the Pacific Ocean, fueling the situation for fans even further.

SZA also took to Instagram to put her body-ody-ody-ody on display ... after shocking fans with her plastic surgery revelation the moment they pushed play on the album!!!

On the titular track, SZA crooned "So classic, that ass so fat, it look natural, it's not" and successfully put audiences into a frenzy with her honesty.

"SOS" was certified Gold just days after it was released and owned the biggest streaming week ever for an R&B album!!!

While 50 Cent's steadily building a TV empire, he's still pulling in big numbers on the music front ... and his "Power Book IV: Force" lead, Joseph Sikora, is happily attesting to that!!!

We got Joseph out at LAX this week and he totally wasn't surprised 50 was one of the biggest performing rappers of 2023 ... despite not releasing much music -- just one single to promote "Power."

50 ranked in the top 10 YouTube views for rappers last year -- a feat that prompted the G-Unit rapper to tease the younger, more active generation ... but Joseph says 50 has earned his legend status in the game and his music is timeless.

Fif's monster debut album "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" just hit a Billboard milestone with 150 weeks on the chart and turns 20 next month.

Anniversary concerts will surely follow for this RIAA Diamond certified artist, but Joseph tells us his favorite executive producer is still cooking in the studio!!!

Joseph says the "Power" honcho will randomly round up anyone who's hanging in the G-Unit offices to hear snippets of the music, which 50 says he's releasing sometime this year.

Vic Mensa is making the most of his co-headlining festival in Ghana this week -- he's also leading the charge on a project to bring clean water to 3 villages there!!!

Vic tells TMZ Hip Hop he was moved after seeing the desolate living conditions, including contaminated water, firsthand … and partnered with his father, a Ghana native, to launch their initiative.

The Chicago-born rapper says, "We're building 3 boreholes in different communities in Ghana to provide clean drinking water; the first being the Asokore Zongo in Koforidua where my family lives, which is already built."

Vic adds, "The other locations are a nearby community called Effiduase and then our ancestral village in the Volta Region, Amedzofe. Most people in communities like this in Ghana experience constant waterborne diseases."

We’re told Koforidua is home to around 200k people, Effiduase is estimated at 20k people and Amedzofe has a population of around 6k -- so, the project will make a significant contribution to the health and welfare of the region.

Barring any hiccups, drilling for the boreholes is said to take 3-4 weeks and includes 10-15 days of on-site drilling, followed by pipework and cable installations.

All the operations appear to be first class … water will actually be tested in a lab prior to human consumption, and we’re told the boreholes cost $45k to complete.

Vic will have his hands full pulling double duty, too. He’s slated to perform with Chance The Rapper, Erykah Badu and more on Saturday for the Black Star Line Festival ... which sounds like fun.

Dave Chappelle’s already having a ball in Ghana … and that was just at the airport!

Dave Chappelle got into the b-boy spirit for his arrival in Ghana on Tuesday ... letting off a few pop-lock moves as African dancers sent by the Diaspora Affairs at the office of the President greeted him personally!!!

The comedic genius looked genuinely happy from the warm cultural welcome ... puffing on a cig as he took the moment in.

Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa are spearheading their Black Star Line Festival in Ghana this week, and Dave's joining in for the upcoming conversation with Chance ahead of the round of performances.

Chance, Vic, Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Jeremih, Sarkodie, Tobe Nwigwe, and several others will perform on Saturday, January 6, inside Accra’s historic Black Star Square.

Black Star rapper Talib Kweli also landed in the Motherland with Dave and thanked Chance and Vic ... which could be telling.

While there aren't any Mos Def sightings reported just yet ... it would almost be criminal for Black Star not to perform at the inaugural Black Star Line fest!!!

Pretty Ricky vocalist Pleasure P isn't letting Rolling Stone's hot button 200 Best Singers list screw with his emotions -- mainly because it's missing one of his favs ... Anita Baker!!!

We caught Pleasure P out at LAX Tuesday ... and he tells us the worst snub in his eyes was the incomparable AB ... the Grammy-winning singing legend who has famously boasted a three octave range.

Pleasure P also made the case for Celine Dion's inclusion, who by the sheer number count, was brutally shunned from the list and angered thousands of fans on social media.

CD has 7 Diamond albums and over 250 million records sold to date -- and Pleasure, hailing from Miami himself, gave the legendary Canadian's sound an ambassador role ... as she lived in his sunny hometown much of last decade.

Pleasure P also scoffed at the notion that any particular race births superior singers, especially because the list's top 10 consisted of all African-American singers. 👀

Gucci Mane's latest 1017 Records rapper Mac Critter will now need a criminal lawyer as opposed to an entertainment one -- the Memphis rapper is facing a first-degree murder case.

According to law enforcement docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Mac (real name Daniel Bates) was booked late last month in connection with a December 21 shooting in Memphis that left one person dead.

He was officially charged on December 29 and currently sits in Shelby County Jail ... but is still assuring fans he'll be home soon, at least according to a message on his Instagram account.

The 25-year-old rapper signed to Gucci's 1017 back in October and the 2 collaborated on the song "Dawg" a month later ... but the label has been with a severely depleted roster as of late.

Rae Sremmurd rapper Slim Jxmmi wants to start 2023 on a brand new foot ... without his PlayStation 5 console, because it's way too much of a distraction!!!

Jxmmi dropped off his New Year's resolutions on his IG stories, revealing he wanted to ditch the PS5 in order to revamp his rapping skills.

The gaming console won't go to complete waste ... Jxmmi revealed he wanted to gift it to a single mother.

Jxmmi and his brother Swae Lee linked up with producer Sonny Digital for their latest single "Torpedo" ... and plenty of fiery "4's" to signify their fourth album together!!!

He just celebrated his 31st birthday on December 29 ... so there's probably a bit of newfound maturity coming into play.

The last time we spoke to him, Jxmmi admitted he wanted to get his life right and was dabbling in the world of boxing.

Pioneering rap group, De La Soul have been battling their ex-record label for YEARS to have their music on streaming services, and that war will officially end ... come March 2023!!!

Reservoir Media revealed they had acquired De La's catalog from Tommy Boy Records on Tuesday, laying the gateway for fans to consume their first albums online ... legally, at least.

The grand unveiling happens on March 3, which coincides with the 34th anniversary of their debut album "3 Feet High and Rising," famous for the singles "Me Myself and I" and "Buddy" ... as well as pioneering a new era of hip hop.

For their part, De La Soul said, “We can’t believe this day is finally here, and we are excited to be able to share our music with fans, old and new. Golnar, Rell, Faith and the Reservoir team have been great partners in this entire process. We’re grateful that our relationship with them all has enabled this to happen.”

Sounds like TLC's Chilli will have a partner when she goes chasin' waterfalls  ... because we're told she's officially dating "Boy Meets World" star Matthew Lawrence!

A rep for Chilli tells TMZ ... she and Matthew are in an exclusive relationship, moving past the friend phase just before Thanksgiving.

We're told the 2 spent turkey day and Christmas together in ATL, where Matthew met Chilli's fam.

ICYMI, the couple went Instagram official a couple of days ago ... dancin' to "Take On Me" while wearing matching pajamas -- total relationship goals!

As we reported, the 2 were spotted on a Waikiki beach in August ... getting in the water together and sharing some intense convos, according to beachgoers.

Despite signs pointing to a love connection, we were told at the time they weren't dating -- TLC had a show on the island, and Matthew and his pals simply came to watch ... linking up later.

The end of a year means Uncle Murda's "Rap-Up" series is bound to ruffle some feathers and the G-Unit rapper clipped plenty of wings with his 2022 edition!!!

Like he always does around this time, Murda tackled the top events of the past 365 days with unapologetic aggression ... clowning Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, Yung Miami for letting Diddy have a side-baby and slamming all things Ye '22.

Murda's fellow Brooklynite Bobby Shmurda reacted with glee over his favorable mention ... which outlined the short-lived beef between the "Hot N***a" rapper and NBA YoungBoy.

On the contrary, Murda also addressed Freddie Gibbs' getting jumped during his tour stop in Benny The Butcher's hometown of Buffalo ... and called him a sucker for it.

Gangsta Gibbs didn't take too kindly to the comical shoutout ... and claimed Murda will have the opposite energy when they see each other in real life.

Murda has been raising eyebrows with "Rap-Ups" since 2014 but he originally got the idea from veteran Virginia rapper Mad Skillz, who called it quits in 2021 after starting back in 2002 -- and is apparently still ducking the friction.

He deleted all his social media accounts!!!

Shy Glizzy is now facing sexual misconduct allegations from OnlyFans model Sky Bri ... after the two collaborated on his long-delayed "White Girl" video last month.

Sky was a recent guest on "No Jumper" ... where she claimed to have been coerced into taking a strange pill during the shoot, only to have Glizzy allegedly propose she perform oral sex on him, after he exposed his penis without warning.

Sky admitted to Adam22 she previously worked with Glizzy for a photoshoot a few months ago and immediately took him up on the offer to appear in the  "White Girl" video ... despite haggling to get her pay from $5K, down to $3K.

She claims the D.C. rapper made repeated sexual advances to her during the 10-hour video shoot ... and things finally came to a head when Jefe and "his posse" allegedly cornered Sky in the kitchen.

Sky says she caved under pressure and took the pill that she deemed to be molly, but still completed her work for the video.

While packing up her stuff, Sky alleges Jefe came into the room demanding oral sex -- and when she refused, she says he pulled her appearance fee altogether.

Sky says she sought refuge with "White Girl" video director Whipalo and the film crew ... who ensured she got home safely in a separate vehicle.

Boosie Badazz is offering a very unique -- but also uneducated and uninformed -- take on America's opioid epidemic ... urging drug users to revert back to crack, instead of fentanyl, which might be connected to rap's most recent loss.

The outspoken Louisiana rapper hopped on social media to urge addicts to stick to crack ... claiming they live longer and are even better comedians than your average junkie.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl helped increase drug overdoses by 22% in 2021, while also driving down the U.S. life expectancy to its lowest point since 1996.

Boosie didn't mention her by name, but posted his video shortly after it was confirmed Three 6 Mafia member Gangsta Boo died in Memphis.

Sources close to the trailblazing female rap legend told TMZ Hip Hop police are investigating a possible drug overdose related to a fentanyl-laced substance ... but can't be sure until an official autopsy is conducted.

Boosie's ridiculous video doesn't account for the fact many fentanyl overdoses occur when users don't even know it's been laced in a different drug.

Mekhi Phifer has some bad news for "8 Mile" fans, on the heels of the flick's platinum anniversary -- don't waste time looking for a sequel, ''cause it ain't happening!!!

We caught up with the "8 Mile" star shortly after the classic film marked its 20th anniversary ... and we had to ask if there was anything in the works for a new story related to the OG characters.

Mekhi tells TMZ Hip Hop ... there will never be a follow-up to the film, as far as he's concerned. He says, sometimes it's best to leave the classics alone ... adding there's never been any convo about making one happen.

Now, he does acknowledge a sequel could be interesting -- just story-wise -- but he says he wouldn't want to be in it, and he doubts his costar Eminem would be a part of it either.

As far as their relationship goes ... he says they're still pals and they keep in touch. He adds, Em is focusing more on his music right now, so that's another reason they won't be returning to 8 Mile Road.

Since the film dropped in November 2002, Eminem's music career's had its ups and downs, but he's still widely recognized as a hip hop icon ... and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year.

Lola Mitchell, AKA Gangsta Boo -- a former member of Three 6 Mafia and a pioneer of female rap -- has died.

The hip hop star's passing was confirmed by her former labelmate DJ Paul -- who threw up a photo of her on IG ... seemingly as a tribute. Several prominent artists commented with messages of condolences. The exact circumstances surrounding her death are unknown.

Gangsta Boo's career officially started in the '90s, when she linked up with Paul, Juicy J and other founding members of the rap group -- which included the likes of Lord Infamous, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca and more. Gangsta Boo was one of the only female rappers with the crew, but she held her own and paved her own lane for years as part of T6M.

In addition to her own solo albums that she was cranking out at the time -- to much acclaim -- Gangsta was also featured on Three 6 Mafia's first 5 studio albums ... including their debut record in '95's "Mystic Stylez" ... as well as other notable projects like 'Chapter 1,' 'When the Smoke Clears' and even the 'Choices' album that served as the soundtrack to the movie.

Gangsta Boo left Three 6 in the early 2000s, but went on to have a notable career thereafter -- cranking out another solo studio album, and several mixtapes through the rest of the aughts and 2010s. This, of course, doesn't include the countless features she's been a part of -- working with rap titans like Gucci Mane, Lil Jon, OutKast, E-40, T.I., The Game and more.

She continued rapping into the 2020s as well ... often collaborating with Killer Mike and El-P in their hip hop duo Run The Jewels. Gangsta Boo was also continuing to partner up with different media outlets to put out music, such as UPROXX and others.

Gangsta Boo was a staple in the Memphis community and music scene -- and seems to have been beloved by the people there. She was active on social media quite recently.

She was 43.

RIP