TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Flavor Flav couldn't believe his ears when we told him what Melle Mel said about Lil Wayne ... but one thing's for sure, he has no problem with hearing artists using Auto-Tune!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught the legendary Public Enemy rapper and his icy new clock Tuesday outside Il Pastaio in Bev Hills ... and he instantly became intrigued when he realized Melle was capping on Wayne.

Ultimately though, he disagreed with the notion Auto-Tune is a stain on the Young Money lyricist's career.

Flav says Auto-Tune is simply an instrument, no different than a horn or piano, but he drew the line when we asked if Public Enemy ever got their T-Pain on in the studio.

Flav also has a soft spot for Wayne's raps -- he still gets namedrops and shoutouts from Weezy from time to time!!!

Flav isn't the only Public Enemy member attempting to clarify Melle's dated delivery ... Chuck D recently compared the Furious Five rapper to NBA great Wilt Chamberlain ... who often gets omitted from conversations as the years go by.

Eric Bellinger understands his longtime collaborator Chris Brown's perspective when he hurled a fan's phone deep into the audience last week, but ultimately thinks it was overkill.

We caught up with EB at LAX, where he assessed both sides of CB's interaction last week with a fan in Berlin. In Eric's view ... the fan wanted to capture the moment firsthand, while Chris felt like his intimate performance was the moment.

EB couldn't help but laugh at Chris' zany nature at the end of the day and noted being the lead performer with dancers, bright lights and an earpiece can be a lot to take on.

The Grammy winner also felt like Chaka Khan was out of pocket when she referred to Mary J. Blige's rendition of her "Sweet Thing" classic track as "flat" ... before apologizing when fans went on the warpath on social media.

Like many fans, EB disagrees Mary's version was flat and notes both iconic singers have totally different styles and strengths ... pointing out how Chaka can't bop on stage like Mary!!!

Chaka blamed her acidic comments on her disdain for Rolling Stone's best singers list and EB thinks her apology was much needed.

Kevin Gates doesn't agree with Melle Mel that Eminem's race gives him white privilege when it comes to hip hop props, and, personally, he's got Marshall in his Top 5 ... dead or alive!!!

We caught the "Bread Winner" rapper ahead of his bang-up Rolling Loud California set and he defended Em ... saying the fact he wrote the iconic track "Stan" back in 2000 should be enough to put him near the top of anyone's list.

Billboard's 50 best rapper list has stirred up emotions left and right, and Melle's just the latest artist to skewer it after he was placed at #48, while Em was #5.

KG acknowledges Melle's right to his own opinion, but says he doesn't see people as "black or white" ... just "real and fake," but ultimately he doesn't care the Furious Five legend is yapping about the list.

What Kevin does care about these days is eating and living healthy ... the primary reason he partnered with Ambrosia Collective last year for his custom line of superfood supplements and products.

He copped to being somewhat of a fair-weather vegan, though, on account of some of his bedroom activities with his woman, if you get our drift. If ya don't ... watch the clip.

Suge Knight's son was one of the many folks laughing his ass off at Chris Rock's 'Suge Smith' line ... but he's certain Will Smith's got nothing on the OG!!!

Suge J. Knight tells TMZ ... it was pretty dope to hear his dad's name thrown in during CR's comedy set -- even though it wasn't a positive reference, and his father will remain behind bars for years to come.

He says, "We all know Suge Knight as that guy who's all about that action. It's funny to see that Suge has been in jail for a minute but he still has this legendary status."

As we reported, Chris finally addressed Will infamously slapping him at the Oscars during his live Netflix special, "Selective Outrage."

CR didn't hold back at all, and the reality is ... calling Will "Suge Smith" was probably the most gentle jab Chris threw at him or his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

ESPN's Bomani Jones is planting 🚩🚩🚩 all around the Ja Morant gun situation, and thinks the NBA star could find himself in a fatal tragedy -- much like Young Dolph -- if he keeps messing around in Memphis.

Bomani and Domonique Foxworth were discussing the now infamous scenario on "The Right Time" podcast when they brought up former Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Zach Randolph ... who experienced a few obstacles himself trying to shake the streets once he began playing in arenas.

According to Bomani, Zach's credentials in the streets actually stacked up while Ja's hood demeanor is questionable -- and he thinks it's highly relevant that Dolph was murdered at a seemingly neutral zone, like a cookie shop.

The popular Memphis-born rapper was shot and killed on the way to his annual Thanksgiving turkey drive in 2021 ... and Bomani says Ja's playing with guns with "regular people" in a city that is currently in the top 10 for murders.

For his part, Randolph started the NLess Entertainment record label that propelled Moneybagg Yo to prominence and has become a philanthropic beacon for years. Ja might need a similar turnaround.

Angela Yee didn't paint "The Breakfast Club" as a great place for women to work while chatting with Tamron Hall ... but DJ Envy's rejecting her view, and, perhaps, reopening old wounds from December's abrupt breakup.

Envy denied Yee's claims she was the only woman on the staff during most of her time at 'BC,' noting they've had a female producer for years and even she replaced a different woman.

Yee was on "The Tamron Hall Show" last week and talked about her old show as a sorta "boys club" -- but on Monday, her former cohosts said the allegation diminishes the women who propelled the show behind-the-scenes.

Envy says he spoke to Yee directly on Sunday, and claims she owned up to misspeaking during the interview ... claiming she was referring to a lack of female cohosts, despite her saying the complete opposite during her confessional.

Charlamagne Tha God didn't have much to add to Yee or Envy's side, but thinks Tamron and her producers are out to fill the sensational void left due to the departure of Wendy Williams on daytime TV.

Envy says Yee will be clearing the comments up on her "Wake Up" show later today ... as they angered many women working at the station, including the Executive VP of Programming, who happens to be a woman, 🙈

Melle Mel of the legendary Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feels some kind of way about being ranked so far below Kendrick Lamar and Eminem ... and he's slapping both emcees with backhanded compliments.

The veteran rapper recently argued to "The Art Of Dialogue" that while both Kendrick and Em are lyrically proficient, their styles and music aren't influential or mimicked by enough rappers to earn high-class status in hip hop.

According to Billboard's list, Melle Mel is the 48th-best rapper of all time, compared to Kendrick at #2 at Em at #5 -- but Melle says their music doesn't get burn in the streets or clubs ... or so he's heard.

Melle doesn't deny he's an old fart but still thinks his radar works well enough to know Kendrick doesn't deserve to be ranked that high.

In the case of Em, Melle thinks Slim Shady benefits from reverse affirmative action ... earning more attention simply because he was a capable white rapper in an arena dominated by Black artists.

Melle says if he was white, his legacy would be in line with Elvis Presley's ... a debatable point but he's not the only pick on the BB list upset with the final count.

When we spoke to Ice Cube -- who placed #18 -- the N.W.A legend shredded the entire operation for lack of credibility and reminded us that opinions aren't facts!!!

Ice Spice had fans in a frenzy during her Rolling Loud California set Sunday ... one of 'em even attempted to rush the stage, until Ice's bodyguards treated the guy like a true munch!!!

The Bronx-bred rapper riled up the Inglewood crowd as she walked out to her recent theme song, “Princess Diana" ... when the guy attempted to profess his love to Ice in person, only to be met with the stiff hand of security.

Fans were chanting loudly for Ice when she hit the stage and even got creative with their signs, competing for a chance to be the 23-year-old's part-time snack.

Air-tight protection has been a huge part of the rap conversation as of late, especially for female artists, in light of GloRilla's security guard getting arrested for an illegal gun charge ... but Ice had wiggle room to perform and twerk for the fans.

She also performed her hits “Munch (Feelin’ U),” “In Ha Mood" and her reigning smash collabo with PinkPantheres “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2.” ... which is currently No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was recently immortalized on TikTok alongside Kim Kardashian and North West!!!

North recently went viral by drawing a portrait of Ice and scoring the video with "Boy's a Liar" ... and the breakout rapper returned the favor in person right ahead of her RL set.

Kodak Black lit up the stage at Rolling Loud California ... but we've learned it took a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure he stayed sober leading up to his performance.

Kodak's performance at the 3-day music festival was his last hoorah before he enters in-patient rehab next week. His lawyer, Bradford Cohen, tells TMZ Hip Hop ... the artist was in L.A. with a full team of folks making sure they steered him clear of any bad influences.

We're told that team included a physician to look after his eating habits, and another person was designated to be by his side at all times and ensure he stayed on the straight and narrow.

Cohen says the "Super Gremlin" rapper doesn't usually do the after-party scene, so that was one less thing to worry about while he was in La-La Land.

ICYMI, a Florida judge ordered KB to 30 days of inpatient rehab after authorities claimed he violated his bail conditions by testing positive for fentanyl.

You'll recall, Kodak was busted in Ft. Lauderdale back in July for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and drug trafficking ... after cops say they found upwards of 31 oxycodone pills in his car.

Cardi B and Offset's date night meal deal might be a hot seller with McDonald's customers, but some McDonald's franchisees still think they're not good for business.

It doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense by the numbers, but Fortune reports some of the brand's franchisees are making a stink about the partnership with the hip hop superstars ... on the basis their music includes profanity that isn't "family friendly."

The grimacing, if you will, franchisees are even quoting the corporation's "Golden Arches Code" (yeah, they've got one) ... which states, "Partnerships with celebrities and influencers that have potential risk to damage our brand based on statements they have made or their positions on certain issues” aren’t permitted.

Another section of the Code says, "Music partnerships associated with content that includes offensive language in the lyrics" are also forbidden.

McDonald's dropped a bundle to launch Offset and Cardi's meal deal ... buying at least $7 million worth of Super Bowl commercial time -- and it's been paying off.

Mickey D's insiders told Fortune there's been grumbling about the endorsement deal, but since it's successfully bringing in so many younger customers -- as we saw last month in Times Square -- they don't expect anything to come of the franchisees' complaints.

For what it's worth, franchisees do own about 95% of all McDonald's restaurants.

McDonald's chief marketing exec Tariq Hassan said, "We’re focused on putting McDonald’s at the center of culture" ... and, obviously, that's exactly where pop culture icons like Cardi B and Offset can take them.

T.I. says the recent beef between him and Boosie Badazz over a scrapped project is no more ... telling us Boosie knows he messed up by dragging his fellow rapper over snitching claims.

We got T.I. leaving The Cheesecake Factory in Bev Hills Thursday, and he starts our convo by laughing off the drama ... before telling us straight up "someone misspoke" -- that someone being Boosie.

He says Boosie's aware what he said wasn't accurate, and it'll be dealt with behind closed doors ... as Tip puts it, "The way it should've been in the first place."

He also tells us why he isn't focused on getting the music out there -- mainly, this stuff is bigger than a handful of tracks.

As we reported, T.I. clapped back at Boosie last month after he said he ditched their collab project, believing T.I. snitched on his late cousin to avoid a gun charge.

Tip wasn't having any of it -- accusing the rapper of not being truthful and claiming to have docs that proved he never snitched.

Pooh Shiesty has been ordered to cough up a bunch of dough ... and it'll be going to the victims of the shootout he was involved with back in 2020.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the rapper now has to pay $156,585 in restitution as part of his sentence. The docs say that some of that cash must be forked over from money he earns while working in prison.

As we reported, Pooh was busted in 2020 for a shootout involving himself and other men at a Miami-area parking lot, leaving 2 injured.

Surveillance video from the scene showed the whole thing unfold -- Pooh appeared to have an assault rifle while sitting in a McLaren, directly in the middle of all the action.

Travis Scott is under fire for yet another incident that unfolded just minutes before he allegedly punched a sound engineer in the face -- this time, he's accused of tossing a fan's phone ... and a lawsuit could be coming soon.

In video obtained by TMZ, you can see Travis behind the DJ booth at Nebula in NYC as he performed a surprise DJ set. Already agitated, it appears Travis doesn't appreciate a man with a cell phone filming while he spins.

That's when Travis snatches the phone -- the video is murky at that point, but the phone's owner tells us Travis tossed it -- striking him in the head and cracking his screen.

The man tells us reps for Nebula offered his table a free bottle of booze for his troubles, but he turned it down. However, he tells us he's lawyered up -- with plans to file both a police report and civil lawsuit.

As we reported, it was around 3 AM Wednesday when cops were called to Nebula after the rapper allegedly punched a sound engineer at Nebula in the face before allegedly destroying $12k in video and speaker equipment.

The sound engineer spoke with Fox 5 News Thursday from the hospital, claiming to have suffered neck injuries.

Rapper Lil Mosey has just been found not guilty in his rape case, TMZ has learned.

Lil Mosey, AKA Lathan Echols, was cleared of all charges by a jury Thursday ... as we reported, he pled not guilty and has maintained from the start he didn't do anything wrong.

We're told he passed a polygraph test with flying colors, too. He was potentially looking at a max sentence of life in prison if convicted.

You'll recall, Echols was charged with rape after a woman claimed she and a girlfriend were both raped in 2021 by him and another man after going to see them at a cabin.

The affidavit, obtained by TMZ, said one of the women consented to have sex with Echols while in a car but blacked out after drinking ... and claimed she later woke up to him and the other man forcing themselves on her.

Avril Lavigne and Tyga certainly aren't doing anything to help silence rumors they're dating, being spotted together in Paris ... the same city where she and Mod Sun got engaged.

The pair hit Leonardo DiCaprio's party Wednesday at Kuku, both dressed head to toe in black ... while trying to maintain a low profile.

Of course, the Paris trip comes about a week after TMZ broke the story Avril called off her engagement with Mod Sun about a year after he proposed. Our sources said the two had been on and off for several months before she called it quits.

At the time, Mod Sun was on tour, promoting his "God Save the Teen" album. His rep told us Mod was unaware things were over with Avril, but took to Instagram a few days later to write, "In 1 week my entire life completely changed…I just know there’s a plan for it all. I’ll keep my head up + always listen to my heart, even when it feels broken 💔."

Prior to ending the engagement, Avril and Tyga were seen embracing in the parking lot at NOBU after a dinner out with friends. They later left in the same vehicle ... though, sources close to Avril told us they were just friends.

Chris Brown is totally cool with giving his fans a complimentary lap dance onstage, as long as they don't film it ... as one fan found out the hard way.

CB was in Berlin Wednesday where he invited one lucky gal up for a lap dance for the entire audience to see. Nice gesture from Chris, and the fan wanted to film it ... bad idea.

Instead of being in the moment, she proceeds to keep trying to film herself, Chris, and his backup dancers -- after a while, Chris clearly is over it -- hurling the phone into the crowd.

Fans went wild ... and lucky for the woman, she allegedly got the phone back.

As we reported, Chris has been at the center of controversy recently -- after Chloe Bailey got dragged for collabing with him, with many bringing up his past domestic violence case with Rihanna.

Cheetah Girls & 3LW singer Kiely Williams called Chris out for his past, tweeting "I am swatting the f***ing air rn. Garbage." Chris clapped back, making fun of her lisp while calling her broken.

Maybe that phone on the stage was the straw that broke Breezy's back.