TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Tory Lanez is not going down without a fight ... he has just asked a judge to throw out his conviction for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, claiming, among other things, prosecutors tried to dirty him up with irrelevant evidence.

Tory's lawyer, famed criminal defense attorney Jose Baez, claims in legal docs obtained by TMZ, prosecutors submitted a shirtless photo of Tory with a firearm tattoo on his chest. During trial, prosecutors said it was merely for identification purposes, but Baez is calling BS, saying prosecutors used the photo to underscore to the jury his client had a fondness for weapons.

There are numerous other grounds ... notably Baez says it was a reversible error for prosecutors to threaten to present Tory's rap lyrics to the jury.

And there's this ... Baez says the jury heard an 80-minute interview prosecutors had with Kelsey Harris -- Megan's friend who was in the car the night of the shooting. The audio was devastating to Tory's case, but Kelsey later recanted a lot of what she said in that interview.

Baez also says it was wrong to admit an Instagram post that included a comment from one of Megan's producers, claiming cops had matched bullets from Tory's gun to the fragments in Megan's foot.

Another claim ... it was wrong to allow statements Megan made to cops that Tory said to her immediately after the shooting, "Please don't say anything because I'm on probation."

Tory is facing 22 years in prison for three felony firearms violations. He's scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Ice Spice is not the victim of a chain-snatching, but rather the target of a big ol' attempt at clout-chasing for Internet fame!!!

Video of a man claiming to have possession of Ice's icy "Queen" necklace made its rounds across social media Wednesday -- and while many fans reacted with concern for Ice, the whole drama was merely a TikTok user looking to make a viral breakthrough.

The TikTok user fended off a wave of backlash ... we mean, he was bragging about robbing a woman for her chain 😐 ... and a source close to the "Munch" rapper doubled down against the shenanigans, assuring TMZ Hip Hop that Ice has never even owed such a piece.

"Queen" branding actually belongs to Nicki Minaj ... and a closer dive through Ice's jewelry box reveals the Bronx-bred rapper rocked her custom "Isis" name pendant the past couple of years as her star power grew.

In January, she dropped her "Like..?" EP and upgraded to her current $100k chain and showed it off when she pulled up on Kim Kardashian and North West ... for an authentic viral TikTok moment.

Killer Mike and El-P are hitting the road this fall to celebrate their 10th year together as Run The Jewels ... and fans in New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles will reap the benefits!!!

The dynamic duo lifted the veil Wednesday on their "RTJX" tour series, which will see them playing 4 nights in each city ... and each night they'll perform a different album set.

We're hearing plenty of special guests are expected along the way and they're making up for lost time, having performed some of the records only a few times in their 10-year existence.

It's a big year for RTJ ... they've also collaborated with Nike for a furry, active pink SB Dunk High colorway that drops on Mike's birthday this 4/20.

DJ Drama is using his all-time favorite film to promote his upcoming album, and he's literally doing his best Tupac Shakur impression to bring attention to the project!!!

On Wednesday, Drama unleashed the Jim Jones-directed video teaser to his "I'm Really Like That" album promo, recreating the testy apartment scene from the hip hop classic film "Juice."

Drama takes on Pac's iconic and deranged "Bishop" character and recruited the film's original costars -- Omar Epps, Khalil Kain and Jermaine Hopkins -- to reprise their roles. Hell, Omar even put on the same sweater he wore in the film!!!

It was a full circle moment for Drama ... he credits Omar's fictional portrayal of DJ Q for inspiring his real-life career as a legendary DJ!!!

Drama and Jim really dug deeply into 1992 flick -- another scene has the "Gangsta Grillz" artist reimagining the audition scene that starred Queen Latifah (and a bonus Juelz Santana cameo) ... while another duplicates the record store conversation.

Plies is taking his ass to Church's ... a declaration arrived at after his latest trip to Chick-fil-A got his blood boiling over what he, obviously, considers ridiculously high prices.

The Florida rapper called out the chicken chain Tuesday right after he ordered three items -- a cobb salad with nuggets, a large fruit cup, and a bottled water ... all of which ran his pockets $18.74.

Plies immediately rethought his decision to hit Chick-fil-A and began to compare its prices to Church's and Applebee's ... and all the value he missed out on.

Chick-fil-A is renowned for its drive-thru speed, but Plies says he's willing to wait a bit if the meal is more reasonably priced.

Jonah Hill was in no chatty mood Tuesday night -- beelining it to his car after dinner ... and ignoring questions about Kanye West.

The actor was in the middle of a brisk walk as he left dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, exiting by himself ... and getting ready to drive away by himself, but photogs were waiting for him outside and ready to flash and talk.

Check it out .... Jonah wasn't having any of it. The dude tells one of the paps to clear the way so he can get to his ride, and then he was asked about Ye.

The photog asked the obvious ... how do you feel about changing KW's POV on Jews -- something the controversial artist said this past weekend on social media. Remember, he insultingly attributed JH's performance in '21 Jump Street' for making him Jew-friendly again.

It would appear Jonah might agree with just about everyone else on the issue ... namely, it's utterly ridiculous -- and not even worthy of a discussion. That's what we can glean, anyway.

We will say this ... Jonah seemed to be somewhat in a good mood -- flashing a big smile as he left Giorgio, which is encouraging. As you may have heard ... the guy's been going through some mental health stuff lately.

Ed Sheeran is admitting Jay-Z was in the right to decline a guest verse on his 2017 monster hit “Shape of You.”

The bubbly record went Diamond in the United States alone and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks throughout the year ... and Ed says Jay had the foresight to leave the record as it was when he was approached for the feature.

"We were in touch,” Ed explained in an interview with "Rolling Stone." “I sent him the song, and he said, ‘I don’t think the song needs a rap verse.’ He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear. He usually gets things right. It was a very natural, respectful pass.”

Ed still found assistance on the "Shape of You" remixes ... he recruited Stormzy for the official remix and Zion and Lennox for a Latin version.

He's looking toward his anticipated 5th album, "Subtract," which he played in full for the first time earlier this week at Hammersmith Apollo.

Bhad Bhabie and her mom have come a long way since Dr. Phil, but not that far -- on her 20th birthday she's still living up to her moniker by shaking what her momma gave her ... for her momma!!!

A source close to the family tells TMZ ... Bhad Bhabie, aka Danielle Bregoli, turned 20 on March 26, and to celebrate she flew private to her home in Florida ... where she was surrounded by close friends and family, and ready to really cut loose.

We're told the birthday shindig was an intimate gathering at her home ... which, included her mom Barbara, her mom’s friend and BB's friends. As you can see, the birthday girl was rocking a pink bikini and was NOT shy about showing off her dance moves for mom.

Up close and, seemingly, too personal for Barbara!

Guess you could say we caught Bhad Bhabie outside, putting on a show by the pool ... bending over in her swimsuit and putting her butt cells in motion.

At one point, she puts her leg across the chair where Barbara is seated and continues twerking. How 'bout dat?!?

While her mom doesn't seem to be moved by the show, she says ... "She didn't learn this from me because I don't know how to do it."

Screw birthday cake candles -- nearly seven years post-Dr. Phil, Bhad Bhabie's still doing it her way!!!

Producer Bangladesh is entering the chat started by Hit-Boy and Hitmaka's beat-making feud ... and is accusing both of those guys of mailing it in.

The "A Milli" creator took to IG Tuesday to deliver a PSA about original compositions -- and how both Hit-Boy and Hitmaka were lacking in that department.

Here's how Bangladesh views sampling ... he says it's “cool, but it’s not as impressive as creating your own beats from scratch."

Then he really went in, adding, "Sampling is cheat codes. I ain’t talking about crate-digging sampling. I’m talking about sampling s**t that was just out 10 to 5 years ago, or even just like obvious samples that was already a hit. Of course, it was gonna be a hit again!!!”

Grammy-winning musician Larrance Dopson of 1500 or Nothin' recently told TMZ Hip Hop ... lazy samples have become a problem as rappers now repeatedly release tracks that are mid.

Bangladesh, who's earned Grammy noms with both Lil Wayne and Beyonce, is definitely with the smoke and is building his "BMG" empire as we speak.

Flying Lotus is moving full steam ahead with the feature film, "Ash" -- his second time directing -- and he's got new cast members Eiza González and Aaron Paul on board for the space thriller.

Sources connected to production tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Fly Lo is going the "untraditional" route when it comes to scoring this particular sci-fi film, which begins filming in New Zealand this May.

On Tuesday, it was revealed Tessa Thompson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were no longer attached to the project ... after they were previously announced as leads.

We're told the switch was just a matter of scheduling conflicts, but the studio is extremely happy moving forward with the new leads.

Fly Lo has been letting his production prowess soar in movies for years now. His first film "Kuso" dropped back in 2017, and his last released project was the soundtrack to "Ozzy's Dungeon," the segment he directed in the 2022 film "V/H/S/99."

Lil Uzi Vert is fully supportive of his girlfriend JT's decision to start going to therapy ... and he's urging anyone on the fence to take control of their mental health.

We got the Pink Tape lyricist Monday in NYC, fresh off his energetic performance of “Just Wanna Rock” on 'The Tonight Show' ... fully engaging the fans outside 30 Rock while openly lending his support to JT.

Last weekend, the City Girls rapper announced she was excited to begin therapy sessions, and said she wanted to encourage all of her fans to do the same.

Uzi's definitely on board with that message -- he told us JT's move is entirely positive and he echoed her sentiment, saying he wants fans to love and embrace themselves.

Kanye West watching an old Jonah Hill movie and saying it made him like Jewish people again does not erase his antisemitism ... not in the eyes of some prominent Jewish orgs.

Watchdog group StopAntisemitism and the American Jewish Committee both tell us they need to see much more than a simple social media post from Kanye to believe he's sincere in his new feelings towards Jewish people ... and they're willing to meet with him to discuss further steps while calling on him to do way more to prove he's a changed man.

Liora Rez, SA's Executive Director, tells TMZ, "Joking about a movie with Jonah Hill is not the apology that the Jewish people deserve from Kanye, particularly when his antisemitic tirades continue to have a dangerous trickle-down effect of hatred against Jews."

Remember ... it was only a few months ago when Kanye professed love for Hitler, and he also hung out with white nationalist Nick Fuentes ... and tweeted about going "death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE." To think a Jonah Hill movie changed his thinking is insulting.

Liora Rez, whose watchdog group named Kanye the "Antisemite of the Year" for 2022, says forgiveness is a major Jewish value and Ye can still be forgiven, starting by publicly denouncing Fuentes.

The AJC isn't rushing to forgive Kanye just yet either, with spokesperson Richard Hirschhaut telling TMZ ... "It is a little odd that all it might take for Kanye to renounce his vile antisemitism is to watch and 11-year-old Jonah hill movie. Whether Kanye is sincere, only he knows."

The AJC says Kanye's still got a lot of explaining and apologizing to do, but they're willing to meet with him in his effort to turn the page, do the right thing, and become better a better person ... if he's being authentic

The Jewish org is also issuing a call to action for Kanye ... telling us they want him "to take a serious and detailed look at his constant doubling down on antisemitism over these past several months and renounce each of these repeated, threatening and vile expressions of antisemitism. Then and only then could we contemplate a fresh conversation."

Brittney Taylor of "Love & Hip Hop: New York" fame has been arrested ... after allegedly assaulting her kids' father with a baseball bat ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Brittney got into a physical altercation earlier this month with Afeez, father of her 2-year-old and 8-month-old. She turned herself in last week after a warrant was issued for her arrest.

A source familiar tells us the alleged beating came after Afeez flew to NY to see his kids, although he'd been keeping his distance due to some bad blood between him and Brittney.

As he and his mom were leaving the apartment with the kids, Brittney allegedly said something to him which he ignored, and we're told that set her off.

According to the criminal complaint, obtained by TMZ, Afeez told cops Brittney then punched him in the face while his kids were present.  Afeez then left the residence, but cops say Brittney followed him out with the bat, hitting him and leaving him with a laceration and significant facial bleeding.

Docs say Afeez ended up going to the hospital, getting stitches for a cut above his eye. She's now been charged with two counts of assault, one count of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon.

Afeez recently made some claims on social media about getting assaulted, which got fans wondering if Brittney was involved. It sounds like this incident may be what he was referring to in the posts.

Incarcerated Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight is aiming to turn his drama-filled life story into a TV series that goes even deeper into his infamous timeline than anything the public already knows.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Suge and his brother, Brian Brown, are collaborating on a TV project that begins filming this summer.

We're told the series will have a similar feel to 50 Cent's hit show "BMF" ... with plenty of plot time allotted to tell Suge's pre-music industry backstory as a kid growing up in Compton who aspired to be a football coach.

Suge, who's serving a 28-year sentence for the 2015 killing of Terry Carter, has plenty of time to oversee the project behind bars and we're told he's very hands-on in the process of selecting a director and actors ... especially when it comes to the Tupac Shakur role.

Our sources say Suge's putting acting chops above on-screen resemblance for whoever plays 'Pac, and they've gotta capture the icon's mannerisms and style too.

Times have changed tenfold since Suge went away ... Snoop Dogg has since acquired the rights to Death Row's catalog and distributed the music in a $1 billion initiative with Larry Jackson -- and Dr. Dre threw a party to celebrate 30 years of his "Chronic" classic's release.

Trae Tha Truth fell out of the sky with angel wings ... at least, that's how Alabama resident Martha Menefield sees things.

You might recall, Martha's the 82-year-old who was hauled off to jail right before Christmas for failing to pay a $77 trash bill ... but Trae just poured thousands of dollars in upgrades into the very spot where she was arrested, turning it into her dream home!

Trae tells TMZ Hip Hop the absurdity of the "crime" sparked a friendship with Martha, and after spending time at her Alabama home, he realized she needed assistance.

He then teamed up with BEL Furniture in Valley, Alabama for $15k worth of items ... including a full couch with multiple recliners, a queen bed and new dressers.

They also fully refurnished her living room, dining room and bedroom, but still have to solve the problem of her lack of central heat and AC.

Trae tells us the work is far from done ... he's currently looking for a team to fix the foundation in Martha's home to prevent flooding, and working to secure her a car, as she doesn't have any transportation at the moment.

Hold up wait a minute ... Lamar Jackson wants to be a New England Patriot?!?

According to Meek Mill, yes!!!

At least, that's what Robert Kraft is saying ... 'cause the New England Patriots owner said Monday the rapper texted him recently, telling him the Ravens QB now wants to be under center for Bill Belichick in 2023.

Kraft dropped the eyebrow-raising update while at the NFL's Annual League Meeting in Phoenix ... telling reporters in the desert he got the texts from his good buddy (they've worked constantly on social justice issues for the past several years now) three or four days ago.

But, Kraft said no move will be made unless Belichick gives the OK -- saying the Pats head coach will ultimately make the final decision.

The news came just a couple hours after Jackson -- a 2-time Pro Bowler -- revealed he requested a trade from the Ravens earlier this month ... claiming the team won't give him what he deserves, money-wise.

"You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I," the 26-year-old signal-caller said.

"No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again."

The Pats have a bit of a crowded QB room -- Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe both logged starts for the team last year -- but Lamar is a former MVP who could change the complexion of New England's offense.