TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Casanova is begging a judge for mercy ahead of his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and RICO charges ... and he wants the court to know he's no longer associated with the gang that got him into trouble in the first place.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the embattled Roc Nation rapper lays it all out in an emotional letter to the judge ... in which he fully renounces his gang ties to the Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods and promises to continue speaking out against gang life.

Casanova says he's not denying he's made some bad decisions, after all, he did plead guilty to the drug trafficking charge ... saying he used the gang life to build an image in the rap community and sell music but insisting he no longer wants to live that life.

The 36-year-old Brooklyn native also pointed to his hard upbringing and lack of a father figure as catalysts for his dip into the crime world but says music created a positive outlet for him.

Casanova thinks the government painted his raps as predominately violent ... but says that doesn't accurately reflect all his material.

He plans to speak out against gangs while locked up and says he's made new acquaintances to assist with his mission.

Casanova also submitted dozens of letters from family, friends, and colleagues vouching for his character and is hoping the judge takes it into account during his sentencing so he can serve his sentence and get back to his normal life and family.

50 Cent's booze brand is adding ice to the mix ... as in, a new partnership with the Stanley Cup champions ... The Las Vegas Golden Knights.

The NHL club, which hoisted professional hockey's trophy Tuesday night, announced a multi-year partnership Wednesday with the rapper's spirits company.

50 Cent's Sire Spirits, which makes Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi Champagne, will now be the official cognac and champagne of the Vegas Golden Knights ... giving 50's brand a presence in the team's arena and on its digital platforms.

In fact, Fiddy was on hand to watch the Golden Knights beat the Florida Panthers in Las Vegas to secure the franchise's first Stanley Cup Tuesday night ... and the team partied with his booze in the locker room after the series-clinching win.

The collab isn't just about alcohol ... 50 Cent's G-Unity Foundation is also teaming up with the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation to serve the community in Sin City.

50 Cent's Sire Spirits is on a win streak just like the Golden Knights ... as we first reported, the brand just squashed a beef with Remy Martin over its cognac bottle design.

Tony Yayo thinks if he was in Gunna's shoes, he'd do things a little differently ... as in not leaving his artist boss in the bing to fend for himself.

The G-Unit rapper was dissecting Gunna's new song "Bread and Butter" with DJ Vlad and admitted ... hypothetically speaking, that is ... that he wouldn't take a guilty plea for freedom if he was locked up on charges with 50 Cent.

As you know, Gunna took a guilty plea to spring himself from the ongoing YSL RICO trial where Young Thug is named the kingpin.

Yayo says doing a few years in jail is no sweat for him, especially if it'll prevent him from being labeled a snitch.

He was also fixated on Gunna's lyrics about the lawyers and the DA in the case doing "some sneaky shit" ... suggesting the Atlanta rapper was unaware of the terms of his deal.

Gunna's freedom has been subject to much scrutiny among rappers, especially Boosie Badazz, but that's not something anyone should take lightly.

LSU hoops star Angel Reese appeared in Latto's new music video for "Put It On Da Floor Again", but there was no sign of her teammate Flau'jae Johnson -- who literally did a remix of the same song last month -- and she clearly feels some type of way!!

Remember, Johnson -- who's signed with Roc Nation -- freestyled to Latto's hit single in May ... and despite having to re-do it due to lyrics that referenced the 9/11 attacks, the song went viral.

In fact, Latto reached out to Johnson about the remix, saying it was dope ... but a few weeks later, the Atlanta rapper dropped her music video with Cardi B and Reese and not Johnson ... and many were wondering why.

"Latto she hit me about it, the day before," Johnson explained to Baller Alert this week. "She was like 'I want you to be in the video.' I was like, 'I'm in LA right now. But yeah we can make it happen.' But we didn't make it happen."

"Her people never hit my people. I seen she had asked Angel like a week before. And I was like, 'okay, maybe she ain't really want me in the video for real. But she had to ask, 'cause we kind of had a relationship before and she put Angel in it.'"

Johnson continued, saying at the end of the day, she's happy Reese made the cut ... 'cause it's good for women's college basketball, but she just doesn't understand why she was left out.

"I didn't really care because Angel was in it and that was a big moment for women's basketball, and at the same time, why wouldn't you put me in it? It just makes sense."

"I did the remix, it went viral!" Johnson said.

The SEC Freshmen of the Year says hopes one day she and Latto can do a song together.

Johnson also told us earlier this month she wants to collab with J. Cole.

While he may have cleared the air in one case, Boosie Badazz was dragged back into another legal mess, getting arrested by federal agents ... TMZ has learned.

A spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney's office tells us Boosie was in court Wednesday for an appearance in his ongoing gun case. The good news -- the case was dismissed. The bad news -- he still had another pending legal issue.

We're told Boosie was arrested by federal agents outside the courtroom as soon as his gun case hearing wrapped.

We don't currently know the circumstances that led up to the arrest.

As for the gun case ... reports say Boosie was involved in a traffic stop last month when officers discovered two handguns.

Hit-Boy is genuinely surprised his iconic "N***s In Paris" record with Jay-Z and Kanye West gained Diamond status from the RIAA ... but he'll take the honor.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the ultra prolific producer as he cooked inside his studio, and he says his job as a musician is simply to craft beats to inspire artists ... and that's exactly what happened with Jay and Ye when they hopped on the 'NIP' beat.

Released in 2011 as part of their "Watch The Throne" album, the song became the highlight attraction of their global tour ... with them performing the song multiple times in a row each night — including 11x in Paris!!!

The song also won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2013 Grammy Awards ... and HB admits Ye removed layers of instrumentation from the original beat in order for it to be palatable to those types of audiences.

"NIP" is HB's 2nd Diamond plaque following his work on Drake and Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode" but he says there's plenty more gas in his engine.

His father Big Hit was released from prison after a 9-year stint last month, and the two linked with director THIRDEYERAZ for a half dozen videos and counting .. and HB tells us the new tunes will appear on his upcoming "Surf or Drown 2" album.

YK Osiris believed he had the right to grab Sukihana and plant an unwanted kiss on her lips, and for that, the internet is letting him have it ... accusing the singer of sexual assault.

The whole thing went down over the weekend at The Crew League event in ATL. Suki's sitting at the host table when Osiris comes up behind her and starts to rub her bare shoulders.

Suki appears uncomfortable -- but then YK ramps it up, grabbing her face and attempting to kiss her. Suki successfully avoids his first attempt, but then he does it again as she yells out ... this time planting one directly on her lips.

After the incident, YK seemingly oblivious to how awkward the whole thing looked, laughs it off -- apparently thinking what he did was funny.

Sukihana appeared stunned as YK walked away, but later tweeted, "I drink to hide that I'm very sensitive. I feel things more then the average person. I stopped drinking yesterday but today I've been crying all day. I asked God to strengthen me and use me to help others and to order my steps in his word. I just want to go away for awhile."

Sources familiar with what went down tell us Suki doesn't even know YK, and they don't have any sort of relationship. We're told Suki didn't want to make a big scene when it happened, and tried to stay professional ... but the whole thing was disturbing to her.

YK has not yet addressed the incident.

Drake was so floored by the instrumental for his future Toronto Raptors championship anthem "Money In The Grave," he shelled out $20k for the track on the spot, claims producer Lil CC.

The big bag payday rang especially monumental for CC, as the 2019 track was actually her first-ever placement as an artist!!!

Rick Ross wound up hopping on the track and the rest became history -- yet another Top 10 Billboard hit for Drake and a summer anthem to celebrate the Raptors' first chip as a franchise.

CC recalled hearing "Money In The Grave" for the first time during an appearance on "Shirley's Temple." She says she was out in London for a modeling gig and removed from English-speaking friends who would share her excitement.

Kanye West can't seem to get enough of his wife Bianca Censori ... grabbin' about as much as he could while the two were out in L.A. to grab some dinner.

Ye and Bianca were spotted outside The Lobster in Santa Monica Tuesday, as Ye squeezed his new wife on the booty as they chilled at the valet.

At one point, he even buried his face in Bianca's chest -- seemingly without any concern about who might be around them ... including their fellow dinner guests.

KW and BC came to dinner with two other guys -- unclear if the reason for this meal was business or pleasure, but all four took off together in the same ride.

As we reported, Kanye recently celebrated his 46th birthday, and Bianca showed up to the massive birthday bash hand-in-hand with Ye's daughter, North ... seemingly a sign the two are gettin' a lot more comfortable around each other.

As for Kanye and Bianca, it's obvious they're pretty comfy with each other, too.

Anita Baker's decision to erase Babyface from her tour doesn't surprise R&B singer CeCe Peniston all that much ... she calls it showbiz!!!

We caught the "Finally" singer out in NYC following the R&Beef heard 'round the world ... she attested she's seen her fair share of egos sinking ships before they leave the dock.

As we reported, AB claimed her boundaries were being violated by Babyface's fans, who were mad he didn't have more stage time. However, CeCe doesn't Babyface is guilty of any wrongdoing.

She also seemed to give AB a pass for being angry, which basically gets us to where they are now ... the stars going their separate ways.

One person who's not giving out passes is Tank, who gave AB a piece of his mind for his one million Instagram followers to see.

Babyface also didn't admit to any wrongdoing on his part ... but he's still out of an opener job!!!

Boosie Badazz is getting some heat for showing up to support YNW Melly in his double homicide trial from one of the alleged victim's fathers ... accusing Boosie of being a cheerleader for murder.

Christopher Thomas Sr., the father of YNW Juvy, one of the two men Melly is accused of killing, lashed out at Boosie for supporting Melly, someone he doesn't even know!!!

Chris says Boosie should focus his attention on his ex-friend Marlo Mike, who was sentenced to life in Baton Rouge

The trial's getting deeper already. Christopher Sr. has a daughter who's the sister of both YNW Juvy and Melly's alleged co-conspirator ... YNW Bortlen.

50 Cent and Rémy Martin are no longer beefing ... the famous alcohol brand settled its lawsuit over the rapper's cognac bottle design.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, 50 Cent’s company and Rémy Martin reached a settlement June 1 but asked the court to keep terms of the settlement under seal.

The beef dates back to August 2021, when Rémy Martin sued 50 Cent's Spire Spirits in Manhattan federal court ... claiming the rapper’s Branson cognac brand ripped off their distinctive bottle design.

In the suit, Rémy Martin claimed 50 Cent's cognac copied their famous jewel-shaped glass bottle design. Rémy Martin claimed the design was synonymous with their brand and could cause confusion.

Reps for Rémy Martin tell TMZ ... they're pleased to resolve the trademark and patent dispute, and the brand respects 50 Cent’s entry into the cognac market.

Tank couldn't bite his tongue after Anita Baker fired Babyface as the opening act on her tour, fiercely defending his friend and mentor, while still trying to be as respectful as possible.

While Tank admits he's biased toward Babyface, he just sang backup at the R&B legend's "Tiny Desk Concert," he claims Babyface is an innocent victim of AB's rage who he says is acting irrationally.

As we reported, AB officially pulled the plug on Babyface Tuesday, removing him from her Songstress Tour after she felt attacked by his fans.

The two R&B legends had been clashing over stage time, and Babyface was even barred from hitting the stage at the tour's New Jersey leg in May ... a fail Tank notes Babyface apologized for despite it being no fault of his own!!!

Tank says Babyface is too meek to issue a proper response to AB ... but not him!!!

To rectify the situation, Tank says the people need a "Protect Black Men" movement to counter what the women have going on. We'll see if it sticks.

Dillon Brooks continues to catch strays after his trash talk blew up in his face this season ... 'cause the NBA hooper is now a punchline in Polo G's new freestyle -- and it's harsh!!

The Chicago artist dropped the vicious bar while appearing on "Justin Credible's Freestyles" with Power 106 in L.A. ... where he flowed over Ja Rule's classic "New York" beat.

It only took a few seconds for Polo to name-drop the former(?) Memphis Grizzlies player ... saying, "If he a lame like Dillon Brooks, I take him straight off the roster."

Justin immediately started cracking up ... but Polo was just getting started, freestyling for another two minutes before it was all said and done.

Of course, Brooks has been the butt of many jokes after calling LeBron James "old" and washed up in the middle of Memphis' first-round matchup against the Lakers ... which L.A. ended up winning in six games.

After the Grizzlies were sent packing, there were reports Memphis had no interest in bringing Brooks back "under any circumstances" ... which was later refuted by his agent.

Anita Baker and Babyface's rocky road out on tour has come to an end ... as Baker made the decision to boot him off her Songstress Tour.

AB revealed she reached her breaking point Tuesday, and felt the best course of action was to go about the tour alone. AB says for the past 24 hours, she was forced to put up with violent threats on behalf of Babyface's fans and felt she needed to cut him for her own personal safety.

Anyone salty about his absence for the remainder of the tour dates will be allowed to refund their tickets. The week kicked off in shambles as AB and Babyface fans engaged in online unpleasantries.

Fans demanded AB bill Babyface as a co-headliner, but the tour is designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Anita's debut album "The Songstress" ... so she wanted to stay on as the project's headliner on her own.

We reached out to Babyface to see if he's stressed out over the news ... or if he's just gonna let it flow. Nothing yet!

We covered the drama in the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Ja Morant gave Lil Wayne the cold shoulder when the rapper tried to lend a helping hand following his recent gun controversy ... so says Skip Bayless, who claims he was given the information from the Young Money honcho himself.

The FS1 host shared Wayne's apparent side of the story on the "Skip Bayless Show" podcast this week ... saying the "Kant Nobody" M.C.'s personal experiences influenced his decision to reach out to the All-Star guard.

According to Skip, Wayne reminisced on his own time spent on Rikers Island for gun possession ... and made it known he didn't want Ja to end up in the same cell.

Skip says the message was delivered ... but claims Ja and his team never got back to Wayne.

Wayne isn't the only rapper concerned about Ja's well-being.

Cam'ron, who says he dashed his own basketball dreams to pursue moves in the streets, has also been publicly telling Ja to revert course ... especially since the Dipset rapper doesn't think a career in hip-hop is in the cards for the Grizzlies star.

Skip's gonna need to map out a game plan to discuss more of Ja's plight -- he's currently without a debate partner at "Undisputed" after Shannon Sharpe announced his departure on Tuesday.