TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Saweetie says the rash of violence against Asian Americans that's stirring fear across the country has affected her family as well ... but she's aiming to put a stop to the hate she believes is at the root of it.

The "Fast (Motion)" rapper joined "TMZ Live" Monday to discuss Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ... which is perhaps more important than ever as hate crimes against Asian Americans have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saweetie -- who's of Filipino and Chinese descent -- explains how the widespread violence has hit close to home ... especially the video of the elderly Asian woman getting randomly attacked in NYC.

She tells us that could have very well been her own grandmother, and says incidents like that have caused concern among families just like hers.

The bright side, according to Saweetie, is she believes the age of social media is opening people's eyes to how rampant this problem is ... and she's doing her part to raise awareness too.

She'll be performing with Jhene Aiko on Friday for the AAPI Heritage Month special, "See Us Unite for Change" ... hosted by Ken Jeong and featuring appearances by Daniel Dae Kim, Lisa Ling and more.

J. Cole's own sideline story is finally coming full circle on the court -- the guy just made his professional debut as a basketball player ... and he did it in none other than Africa!

The rapper -- who's fresh off a fire sixth studio album -- put on his hooping shoes this weekend not too long after signing a brief three-to-six game contract with the Rwanda Patriots Basketball Club, which is part of the Basketball Africa League.

On Sunday, the club was set to face off against Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers -- a game that was broadcast on national television here in the States. Sure enough, it looks like Cole was part of the starting five at tip-off -- and the dude showed off his famed athleticism early and often.

Different clips captured from the game show Jermaine grabbing rebounds, playing D and hustling up and down the court. He even got his first bucket with a put-back after one of his teammates attempted a layup. It's clear -- the dude can still ball, even at the ripe age of 36.

We say "still" because -- whether you're aware or not -- J. Cole is a noted hooper ... having played competitively in high school and even earning himself a walk-on spot with the St. John's Red Storm team for a while. He ended up leaving basketball behind to pursue his career in music -- but like many among the rich and famous, Cole can hold his own.

He played for the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game back in 2012, and proved himself there ... and now, it looks like he's getting back to his on-court roots in a whole other country.

Unclear what the end game for Cole is here -- but by the looks of it ... he's taking this contract pretty seriously, and based on how big a draw he is -- they may even extend him.

It's official ... Tessica Brown is now forever etched, or glued, into pop culture, now that Nicki Minaj is shouting her out on a new track, and Tessica's flattered!!!

The Harajuku Barbie just dropped her song, "Fractions" and it includes lyrics referencing the moniker Tessica will have forever... Gorilla Glue Girl. Nicki raps, "... head game slicker than little miss gorilla glue."

Pretty dope, and Tessica tells TMZ ... she thought the line was cute. She says normally she's offended if someone calls her Gorilla Glue Girl, instead of her name, but Nicki gets a pass.

She says even though Nicki didn't reach out in advance to brief her about the shout-out, she hopes to meet her in person one day.

Nicki's still working on her next album -- which Tessica says she'll cop, for sure -- and the new track is part of the "Beam Me Up Scotty" mixtape she just dropped on streaming platforms.

Jerry Jones played beer pong with Post Malone, rocked an icy Dallas Cowboys chain, AND made it rain on his team's best players -- and the amazingness was all captured on video!

It was all part of the Cowboys' surprise schedule reveal film on Wednesday evening ... and the cameo Posty made with the Dallas owner for the flick was pretty damn incredible.

The video starts with the singer playing the role of a postman delivering Dallas' 2021 schedule to Jerry ... and then things get wild.

78-year-old Jerry tells Post, "You know, I love this day. Let's go celebrate" ... and then the two hit the BP table!!!

There were shots made, shots blocked, and even some custom "Jerry" Crocs involved!!!

Post then slapped his famous Cowboys drip on the owner ... before the two grabbed some pocket schedules and made them rain all over Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.

It's hilarious. Seriously.

Of course, it's all fun and games right now ... but the reality is Dallas has to now open its season against Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Bucs in less than 4 months.

Jack Harlow is finally speaking out about the fatal Louisville nightclub shooting for which his DJ's been indicted for murder -- and his first words are ones of sorrow and regret for the victim.

The rapper shared his thoughts Wednesday about the chaos he was smack in the middle of 2 weeks ago on the eve of the Kentucky Derby ... violence that led to a grand jury indicting his DJ, Ronnie Luciano.

Jack says, "My heart is broken by the events that occurred over Derby weekend. My heart breaks for Kasmira, her children, and everyone else touched by this tragic death."

He goes on to explain that he's been in touch with Kasmira's family, who've apparently been pretty receptive to talking. Jack adds, "Nothing can reverse what happened. Too many lives have been changed forever. My life will remain committed to making Louisville a better place."

As we reported, Ronnie turned himself in Tuesday after the grand jury indictment for his alleged role in the shooting.

It appears that Kasmira -- the 37-year-old woman who was killed -- was the one shown in our video ... which captured the moment a gunshot went off and sent everyone scrambling, including Jack, who was close to the action.

Rick Ross' Georgia estate is crawling with sheriff's deputies after a man allegedly armed with a gun led cops on a wild chase ... and now there's a hunt for the weapon.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Clayton County Sheriffs started a vehicle pursuit with a driver Tuesday after they got a call for a male with a gun. We're told the pursuit ended when the driver crashed near Ross' property and took off.

Our sources say law enforcement apprehended the driver, but sheriffs have not found the alleged gun and deputies are searching for the firearm on and around RR's property.

It's unclear if Rick was home at the time of the crash, but as you can see, his estate is the scene of a heavy police presence ... there's a boatload of sheriffs vehicles and tons of police.

Lil Pump is fuming after his luxury whips were broken into on Mother's Day, but the only good news is ... we've learned the 4 suspects were caught on camera committing the crime.

According to a Miami Beach PD report, obtained by TMZ, 4 unknown suspects hopped the wall of a house around 6 AM and found the 3 pricey whips -- a Range Rover, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Rolls-Royce Wraith -- parked there.

Cops say surveillance video shows the suspects looking inside the cars before one of them smashed the left rear panel of the Range Rover and swiped a cosmetic nail kit worth $600.

Cops say another suspect is seen getting into the Wraith through an unlocked passenger door, though that person apparently didn’t take anything. Cops say another suspect smashed the rear windshield of the Cullinan ... triggering an alarm that prompted the headlights and taillights to flash.

According to the report ... the alarm startled the suspects who then hopped back over the fence and fled the scene.

Lil Pump is NOT named in the police report but his mother is listed as a victim of the alleged crimes. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... this is the incident the "Gucci Gang" rapper described while going off on Instagram Live.

Pump was visibly outraged saying, "That’s how y’all wanna play? I’mma be up for the next 3, 4 days. Come back to my f***ing house. I’mma blow your fucking head off."

Jack Harlow's DJ has just been indicted on a murder charge for his alleged role in a nightclub shooting in Louisville.

Prosecutors in Kentucky charged Ronnie Tyshon O'Bannon -- who goes by Ronnie Luciano -- with murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the fatal shooting ... and there's reportedly a warrant out for his arrest.

TMZ broke the story ... video shows the moment shots were fired inside Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge, where Jack was partying with his DJ.

The footage appears to show an altercation between a woman and at least one man, who lean into each other before falling over in a scuffle. At that moment, you hear what sounds like a gunshot, and everyone in the club makes a run for it, including Jack.

Cops say a 37-year-old woman was found dead from the shooting, and a man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Tory Lanez packs a serious punch ... at least according to a 'Love & Hip Hop' cast member who told cops he needed medical attention after the rapper socked him in the face, but Tory's denying it.

Prince Michael Harty, a rapper/promoter who's on "L&HH: Miami," claims Tory reignited their longstanding beef this month at club Vendome on South Beach. According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Prince told cops he was at his table around 4 AM last Monday when he was approached and struck on the left side of his face.

Prince told cops he turned around and made eye contact with Tory, who ran out of the club and took off in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Tory is named in the police report as a suspect for an alleged battery.

According to the report, Prince also told cops he went for medical treatment and the responding officer said Prince had a visibly swollen area on his left cheek.

A rep for Prince tells TMZ ... he was hanging out with NFL star Malcolm Butler, when he noticed some guys staring at them.

We're told the DJs and hosts made it well known Prince and Malcolm were in the building, and when Butler left Prince alone in their section, Tory came up with his entourage and allegedly threw the punch, leaving Prince with a massive headache and a swollen mouth.

A rep for Tory tells TMZ ... Lanez was nowhere near Prince at the time he alleges and the guy's "obsessed" with Tory. Even further, the rep says there are no witnesses or footage to back up Prince's claim -- 'cause, again, Tory says it didn't happen ...

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott are showing signs that they're back together ... grabbing dinner at a celeb hot spot with famous friends and family.

Stormi's parents did a triple date night Sunday at West Hollywood hot spot, Catch LA, with Justin & Hailey Bieber and Kendall and her NBA star boyfriend, Devin Booker.

The 6-some all brought their own sense of fashion and style -- with JB still proudly rocking yet another new hairdo -- but Kylie was the only one who managed to duck the photogs all night. She's a pro!

We know she was there for the triple date, though, which only fuels speculation she's back together with Trav ... something that really kicked up a notch when she flew to Miami last weekend to celebrate his birthday with him.

You don't do fancy dinner dates with other happy couples unless you are feeling those same vibes yourself, right???

Saweetie did what a lot of street performers do in L.A. ... take centerstage on a makeshift platform, and ask for donations -- but it looks like this was just a way to plug her new song.

The rapper -- who's fresh off a very public breakup with Quavo -- was out at the Santa Monica Pier Friday ... where she put on an impromptu performance for anyone who was nearby. She did at least a couple songs ... "My Type" and her new single, "Fast (Motion)."

Saweetie didn't shy away from this either, BTW ... she posted a video of her performing herself, and her caption is very cheeky -- "rent was dueee 🤷🏽‍♀️ streetie in the streets catch me next time luhhh y’all 🤣🤣🤣 #fastmotion." On its face, it seems this was all intentional.

You can tell she was joking around ... because she had a little donation basket at the base of her feet, which read "Pretty Bitch Summer Donations." So yeah, a bit of viral marketing.

Of course, some people saw this and didn't get the gag ... taking jabs at Saweetie while also hyping up Quavo as the clear "winner" in their split. Folks are also playing on the false rumor that Quavo had repo'd a Bentley he gifted her ... saying things had gone downhill for her ever since they went separate ways. But, as we told you, that Bentley news was BS.

Keep in mind, Saweetie is a professional, signed artist ... and doesn't seem hard-pressed for cash at all. Her music is blowing up, she's been appearing in commercials of late, just dropped a new line of sunglasses ... and she's starting to break into TV roles too.

Jay-Z could be in the process of starting his own production company ... at least it seems that way based on the trademark application his company has filed.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Hova's company, S. Carter Enterprises, filed to trademark "2/J" on May 3 for "entertainment services in the nature of creation, development, and production" of television programming, TV series, movies and similar projects.

Too early to tell, but it sure seems like Jay's laying the groundwork to start a production co.

It would be rather fitting if Jay-Z, a music and business mogul, starts his own production company. He's already made a fortune on his own cognac with D'Usse, the streaming service Tidal and, of course, his massively successful entertainment firm, Roc Nation. And, just last year, he launched his own premium cannabis brand, Monogram.

Jay would be following in the footsteps of entertainment moguls who have their own production companies ... like Spike Lee's 40 Acres, Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and LeBron James' SpringHill Company, which reportedly has already amassed an impressive portfolio of deals and partnerships in the media world.

Antonio Brown invited 6ix9ine to work out at his personal training facility in Florida ... and you know who's pissed off about it??

Pretty much the entire internet.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champ posted video with the controversial rapper on Friday ... running some 1-v-1s and easily catching passes over the rainbow-haired MC.

But, there's just one problem -- a lot of people have distanced themselves from Tekashi recently ... after the rapper was labeled a "snitch" for ratting out his gang member friends during his 2018 RICO case.

Folks on Instagram didn't shy away from calling A.B. out for the questionable move ... with NBAer J.R. Smith commenting, "Bruh...," and NFL player Terrelle Pryor adding, "Damn AB."

Other critics were harsher... with one person saying, "AB they gonna clown you for this one dawg," and another commenting, "Oh Hell No."

There's more ... "From being the best receiver in the league to 3rd string at Tampa and now doing workouts with a snitch ... #rockbottom."

Canadian Football League player Ahmad Thomas added ... "Taking L’s all across the board?"

We could keep going ... but you get the idea.

Meek Mill's inviting just about everyone to celebrate his 34th birthday in the 305 ... but the club hosting the bash says Tekashi 6ix9ine is persona non grata.

Meek's just hours away from kicking off his so-called 'Meekend' with a huge birthday soiree Friday night at LIV Nightclub in Miami -- and party organizers are prepared to stop Tekashi, who's also in South Florida, if he tries to reheat his old beef with Meek.

The folks at LIV are all too familiar with Tekashi's rep as an instigator, which is why a source at the club tells us if he and his team show up, they'll be booted before they can get inside the bash.

As we reported, the last time Meek and Tekashi were in Miami they came within an inch of trading blows. Meek had just left KOMODO and was getting into his car when Tekashi appeared and started talking smack.

Things got pretty tense ... and Tekashi at least made it look like he wanted to lunge at Meek. Y'know ... the ol' "hold me back" routine.

Bobby Shmurda's fresh ink is meant to honor 3 heroes of his -- one historical, and 2 with whom he has a much more personal connection.

The rapper's tattoo artist, Daz Leone, tells TMZ ... he met up with Bobby at his studio in the wee hours of the morning Wednesday, where he was in a mixing session with his engineer for some new music.

Daz says Bobby wanted to get a Harriet Tubman tat on his arm because she's an idol of his, and so are his single mother and grandmother who raised him.

We're told Shmurda's body art is meant to honor strong Black women, and for Tubman specifically ... Daz says Bobby told him her story has always resonated with him as he first learned about her in school, and even more in recent years.

According to Daz, Bobby's planning to get more tattoos acknowledging Black history after this one. Daz also tells us he's known Bobby since they were kids and he's one of the first people he ever tattooed ... so his ink is always on the house.

If Quavo and Saweetie weren't broken up, they might be celebrating together -- neither of them will face criminal charges for their elevator altercation ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the case was referred to the L.A. City Attorney's Office, which declined to file charges. We're told, based on the evidence -- surveillance video of the then-couple in a physical confrontation -- there was no likelihood of a conviction for either party.

Remember, we'd been told the cops wanted to talk to both Saweetie and Quavo to get more info on what went down before and after the video, but we now know that never happened.

The exes were clearly looking to put the situation behind them, and, at least publicly, it didn't seem like either was holding a grudge over the fight. Quavo said, "We had an unfortunate situation almost a year ago that we both learned and moved on from. I haven’t physically abused Saweetie and have real gratitude for what we did share overall."

Saweetie said something to the same effect ... while also indicating this was far from the last straw in their relationship, noting there were other "hurdles" before they split.