TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Ja Morant's publicity problems are now costing NLE Choppa, whose new song was all set to be featured in a Powerade commercial ... that is, until the NBA star flashed a gun on camera.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Hip Hop ... NLE's newest track, "Mo Up Front," was set to lead Ja and Powerade's "What 50% More Means" ad campaign. The TV spot was going to highlight the NCAA's March Madness tournament.

Those plans were scrapped, of course, in wake of Ja's infamous gun-waving video and subsequent eight-game suspension from the NBA ... thereby screwing NLE out of the commercial placement for his track.

Despite missing out on the national exposure, we're told the Memphis rapper is still a fan of Ja, and maintains a relationship with his hometown Grizzlies. He walked the team out onto the court for their home opener, so he's a diehard.

NLE is scheduled to partake in the team's celebrity basketball game on March 20 to benefit St. Jude's hospital. As for the music ... we're hearing he still has mo' heat in the can.

Avril Lavigne is looking iced out these days ... and the new, flashy jewelry around her neck comes courtesy of her new bf, Tyga.

Eric Mavani, a celebrity jeweler out of New York City, tells TMZ ... Tyga gifted Avril the custom diamond chain Thursday, and the piece is worth $80K.

Avril's already posted selfies flaunting the chain and was spotted wearing it Thursday night in Los Angeles.

We're told the bling features 50 carats of white diamonds, black diamonds and pink sapphires. Diversity matters! 💎😂

As you can see, the chain features several pendants ... one with Avril's first name, two with the letter "A" imposed over a pink heart, and a pair of skulls and crossbones with pink ribbons.

We're told Tyga reached out to Eric three weeks ago, right before Paris Fashion Week, to make the piece.

The timing is worth noting ... because Tyga and Avril started hanging out a lot more when they were in Paris, kissing for the cameras and strolling through the streets hand in hand.

TMZ broke the story ... Tyga and Avril are still in the early stages of dating, and they're not putting any labels ... like girlfriend/boyfriend on anything, at least not yet.

It will be interesting to see if the expensive diamond gift changes that.

Travis Scott's skills as a fashion innovator are coming under fire by Dennis Rodman ... who's accusing the superstar rapper of copying the look of his signature sneakers.

Dennis went after Travis at Got Sole's recent sneaker convention in Chicago as the NBA champ pointed out his high-top kicks originated the reverse Nike Swoosh logo before Travis' model hit the market.

The Worm's Nike Air Darwin shoe dropped in 1994, shortly before his days of playing with Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Travis and Jordan Brand connected for his popular mocha-colored AJ1 Retro High OG sneakers in 2019.

Dennis didn't seem to be a fan of Travis' shoe, and said he just wants his credit for putting out the design first.

Ja Rule is literally laughing out loud at Melle Mel's claims he ruined his own "New York" song by copying 50 Cent ... simply because the timelines don't add up!!!

The Furious Five rap legend recently accused Ja of mimicking 50's hood nature on the 2004 track, thus losing the NYC anthem race to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' hit collab "Empire State of Mind" ... but Ja tells us his record did exactly what it was supposed to do on the charts.

Ja explains his song, which featured Fat Joe and Jadakiss, was a street anthem while Jay and Alicia's classic was created for mainstream platforms like radio -- but he's still proud of its legacy, peaking at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

As for 50, Ja notes his career as a rapper-singer began first -- he says he laid the blueprint for 50's rap-singing success on songs like "21 Questions," but he adds ... Melle's earned the right to spew whatever opinion he wants.

He also bigged up another hip hop pioneer: KRS-One, whose 1990 "hundred guns, a hundred clips" lyrics fueled Ja's "New York" chorus.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott want to make their son's name change official in the eyes of the law ... TMZ has learned.

The famous parents filed new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, asking to switch the kiddo's name from Wolf Jacques Webster to Aire Webster.

The docs say Kylie and Travis are both on board with the change ... and they both signed the petition, which is now making its way through the courts.

In the docs, Kylie and Travis say they "regret the initial name choice of Wolf Jacques Webster. Now that Petitioners have had the chance to spend time with their baby, they believe the name Aire Webster is a better fit."

Remember ... Kylie and Travis announced in March 2022 they were scrapping their boy's original name, Wolf, because they felt like it didn't suit him. He had only been born a few weeks prior to the change of heart.

In January, a few weeks before the boy was set to celebrate his first birthday, Kylie revealed his new name, Aire. The name is of Hebrew origin and it reportedly means "Lion of God."

Kylie and Travis' first child is named Stormi ... so Aire fits in with his older sister's name.

Slim Thug’s key to staying rich is avoiding spending sprees on fancy clothes -- the Houston Boss Hogg admits he has no issue rocking discount threads ... even in da club.

Slim gave his fans a masterclass -- with more than a dash of homophobia, though -- as he chastised dudes who flock to clubs wearing the same expensive designer outfits.

In his post Thursday, he said he keeps it playa for just pennies, and proved it ... yanking the price tags of his top and shorts to reveal he'd dropped less than $20 for both.

Seems like price isn't his only issue -- he also mentioned gay designers make all those high-priced clothes. Basically, Slim thinks Dior and Gucci shirts make people look gay.

Um, WTH? 🤔

Hard to take his advice on saving cash, since he also bragged about dropping millions on jewelry to distract from his frugal fashion choices.

ST says he's seen many rappers go broke splurging on their wardrobes. Yeah, we're sure it's the clothing bill and not the bling.

Anyway, fans found Slim's message confusing ... considering the rapper's selling cargo pants for $75 on his own website!!!

DJ Khaled can now add "model" to his always-growing résumé ... after making his runway debut at Hugo Boss’ fashion show last night in Miami.

Khaled bravely risked becoming a trending topic as he floated across a wet and slippery catwalk ... but never lost his footing, even while he escorted supermodel icon Naomi Campbell to the finish line.

After the show, Khaled celebrated with his team like they just won a championship, but he was likely most happy not to fall on his face.

The "We The Best" mogul shared the runway with other high-profile figures ... Pamela Anderson, Amber Valletta, Candice Swanepoel and celebrity stylist Law Roach ... who made his first public appearance after announcing his retirement due to "political corruption" within the fashion industry.

Vogue magazine praised everyone for braving the event's high winds but Khaled has officially been bit by the model bug.

Expect him to be back!!!

Mod Sun has seriously loyal fans who have his back in the breakup with Avril Lavigne ... and they proved it in NYC with a profanity-laced chant toward Avril's new love interest, Tyga.

Rapper Travie McCoy set it off when he got onstage during Mod's Wednesday night show at Irving Plaza. Before they rocked out to the Gym Class Heroes hit 'Cupid's Chokehold,' Travie called his buddy Mod one of the most loyal dudes he knows.

Seemed to be going in a sweet direction, but then Travie couldn't let the opportunity to blast Avril's new guy pass -- he yelled, "F*** Tyga!"

Mod ran to the back of the stage in shock, but with a big smile on his face ... and then the crowd joined in, chanting Travie's choice of words -- which might perfectly reflect Mod's feelings.

TMZ broke the story -- Avril broke off her engagement last month to Mod Sun just a few days after he kicked off his tour ... and soon after, she immediately started a new romance with Tyga.

We're told Mod was completely blindsided by the breakup -- and that goes double for her quick jump to Tyga.

Mod's fans are doing their best to hold him up.

A$AP Rocky is not among those who have an issue with Tems blocking the view of the people sitting behind her at the Oscars ... his reaction is quite the opposite.

We got the rapper and a very pregnant Rihanna leaving lunch at Bottega Louie in West Hollywood on Wednesday and we asked the parents about Tems' controversial outfit.

A$AP can only laugh at the people ripping Tems on social media for being rude ... and Rihanna seems to have similar feelings.

It's worth noting ... Tems was at the Oscars because of her musical work on 'Wakanda Forever' ... the Nigerian singer is a co-writer on a song RiRi performs for the movie.

So, there may be some bias here from Rihanna and A$AP.

Even Yung Miami's friends are still roasting her "BMF" cameo but Method Man, who's no stranger to the Starz spotlight, is telling the amateur actress to focus on her own lane!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Wu-Tang Clan legend out in NYC on Wednesday and while he admits to totally missing Miami's on-screen bomb ... he did appear to know about the backlash.

Regardless, Meth, who stars as Davis Maclean in "Power Book II: Ghost," didn't really have a care to give about people's opinions (he says they're too mean) ... but tells us Miami should just drown out all the "white noise."

Miami guest starred last week as Deanna Washington on the episode "High Treason" but quickly found herself a trending topic when fans unanimously called her performance trash ... and her BFFs MoMo and Saucy Santana are still trying to shake their chuckles!!! 🙈

Kanye West won't face any charges for grabbing and throwing a photog's phone ... TMZ has learned.

A release from the Ventura Co. District Attorney's Office Wednesday revealed the phone suffered minor damage -- only affecting the $30 case around the device -- and stated the female paparazzo declined to press charges against Kanye.

It was back in January when West was filmed taking and tossing the phone into the street close to a facility where his daughter, North, was playing basketball. Kanye had asked the paps in the video not to film him while he was trying to spend time with his kids.

As we reported, it was only a few weeks after the phone incident when Kanye was seen outside the West Hollywood Sheriff's Department ... proceeding inside to ask deputies to take care of the paparazzi following him. The photogs were not causing harm.

Young M.A is addressing the viral video that sparked concerns over the condition of her health, telling TMZ Hip Hop she's bouncing back after a string of medical scares.

M.A tells us, "As many of my supporters know I’ve been dealing with various personal health issues the last few years. I recently was hospitalized and was successfully treated for several conditions. I’m doing better now, will take some time but I’m on the road to recovery and look forward to the future!!!"

She continues, "Rest assured I’m in good spirits and everything will be explained in the MUSIC ... plus a documentary. Love y’all MAB! Don’t worry I’m good!"

Young M.A, however, wouldn't disclose specifics on exactly what she's been battling.

ICYMI, a video of the rapper at a barbershop blew up online where M.A appeared to be slurring her speech and her eyes looked yellow in color. Regardless, she says better things are on the way.

Diddy is officially throwing his Sean John hat in the ring to purchase BET, a necessary buy in his eyes as he believes Black Entertainment Television should be ... well, um, Black-owned!!!

As far as Diddy's concerned, media is the world's most powerful industry and Black people should control their own narratives and timelines.

The Bad Boy music mogul outlined his plans Wednesday to obtain the network, sharing a video clip from the "Earn Your Leisure" podcast that stressed the need for African Americans to scoop up BET from the clutches of Paramount Global.

Diddy's desire to head BET could pit him against Tyler Perry and Byron Allen -- who are also reportedly trying to get the network -- but the 53-year-old also isn't shying away from possibly becoming a co-owner.

Diddy says his goal is to assemble a team of leaders who are looking to purchase the network as a unit to consolidate all the money, power and respect!!!

Obviously, the acquisition would strengthen Diddy's existing Revolt empire, and allow for maximum levels of content to be shared -- but sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Hip Hop they're still a long way from any official negotiations.

BET Media Group's properties include BET, BET+, VH1 and BET Studios ... so the eventual owner will have plenty of platforms for content.

Veteran Atlanta rapper Yung Booke has assembled the A-Town Avengers -- T.I., Killer Mike, and Skooly -- on his latest track, but we're no longer dealing with the "Magic City" celebrated by Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris.

Instead, these guys are rapping about big trouble in their once lil' city!

On Wednesday, the quartet rolled out the video for "The Real A (WHTA)," directed by Zae Williams, where they vent over the current state of ATL ... and blame non-natives for disrupting their once peaceful utopia.

Killer Mike recalled ATLiens's early days battling for territory against encroachers from Miami and later details his friend beating up a visitor when he was fresh out of jail.

T.I. also rapped with nostalgic recollection while slamming the city's expanding population with the bars ... "I can't tell if it's the switches or out-of-towners/A youngin' mixing X and Adderall with all them downers/We used to have a code of conduct and ecosystem/Takin' the time to tell 'ol Atlanta we really miss her."

Chance the Rapper joined scores of artists mourning Bobby Caldwell Wednesday ... and his tribute included proof of the late singer's admiration for his music being sampled.

Last September, Caldwell apparently reached out to thank Chance for sampling one of his tracks, and the Chicago-born rapper thanked the blue-eyed soul singer for giving him career inspiration.

DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose music also benefitted from Caldwell interpolations, had a similar reaction of shock upon learning about his death.

Caldwell passed away Tuesday night at age 71 after long battles with neuropathy and a ruptured Achilles tendon -- and Chance says the news has left him broken, despite never actually meeting Caldwell in person.

Ja Morant is a product of the gangsta rap he hears every day -- so says his elder NBA statesman Patrick Beverly, who also thinks the embattled All-Star can make a proper comeback.

Pat Bev recently weighed in on the Ja situation on his Barstool Sports podcast, and pinpointed today's rap music as the catalyst for the 22-year-old's shocking downward spiral.

PB said, "I think music has a lot to do with this now. Especially with this culture, everybody holding a gun in the video is okay, bling on your teeth that's okay, pants halfway down your ass, that's okay."

The current Chicago Bull also valued music from "back in the day" over today's tunes ... "The culture now is ‘shoot 'em up, bang, bang, shoot 'em up, bend you over, I got this amount of money, I’m on private jets, that that that.’ That’s what the younger generation is."

Bev also speculated had Eminem rapped about totin' guns, his rabid fan base would've followed suit, but instead, they opted to copy Slim Shady's baggy hoodies and jeans from the "8 Mile" era.

On Monday, Ja entered a counseling program and is rumored to miss the remainder of the Memphis Grizzlies' season. He's been vocal about the hardcore hip hop he consumes before games -- citing Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, NBA YoungBoy and the incarcerated Pooh Shiesty as his go-to rappers.

Pat Bev's commentary may mirror old-school ethos -- repeated by OGs like Melle Mel -- but younger crops of rappers have been voicing similar opinions regarding the state of hip hop.