TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Multiple videos of Diddy beating up Cassie in a hotel hallway show "significant distortion" ... this according to a forensic video technician working for the rapper's team.

Conor McCourt -- a former New York City Police officer with years of experience analyzing video footage -- says in a sworn deposition that he has reviewed the clip CNN published, as well as another video of surveillance footage that was recorded on an iPhone 6 directly.

It's a bit confusing, but basically McCourt takes issue with both versions he's seen, first claiming the CNN vid appears sped up because it was converted from one file type to another in a process called "transcoding" ... which he claims adds, subtracts and duplicates frames.

9:54 AM PT -- A spokesperson for Universal Music Group tells TMZ ... "Drake, unquestionably one of the world's most accomplished artists and with whom we’ve enjoyed at 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another. In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster. On Monday, they quietly dropped the case."

They continued ... "In New York in January, Drake's counsel filed a defamation lawsuit. Fearful of being sanctioned by the court for asserting false allegations, tonight they amended the complaint to withdraw them only to add more baseless allegations. Two weeks ago, his representatives celebrated a 'win': the granting of a routine discovery motion. That 'win' will become a loss if this frivolous and reckless lawsuit is not dropped in its entirety because Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’

They concluded ... "Both the Texas and New York proceedings are an affront to all artists and creative expression. Should his legal representatives senselessly keep the New York lawsuit alive, we will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue. They are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success."

Drake says he has new ammo in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group ... and it's all because of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime show.

Champagne Papi just filed an amended complaint where he specifically mentions Kendrick's performance of "Not Like Us" at Super Bowl LIX.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Drake claims the show "assassinated" his character ... and he says Kendrick excluding the word "pedophile" from the lyrics backs up his claim that the song's content is defamatory.

Nearly 133 million people watched Kendrick Lamar diss Drake during this year's Super Bowl LIX halftime show ... but Lil Wayne swears he wasn't one of them!!!

The legendary rapper is claiming the NFL dangled the opportunity in front of him, only to flip the script and claim they weren't in control of the prestigious show ... while squaring the blame on Jay-Z and Roc Nation!!!

If you recall, Wayne had been campaigning for the hometown SB halftime gig in New Orleans for more than a year, only to reveal how much the snub gutted him in a very public fashion.

Megan Thee Stallion wants a judge to reprimand Tory Lanez for his alleged conduct during a recent deposition ... calling it "disruptive, inflammatory, and inconsistent with the basic norms of civil litigation."

The rapper's attorney has filed a motion asking for the court to show cause why Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, shouldn't be held in contempt in the civil case Megan filed against Milagro Cooper.

If you don't know, Cooper is a blogger who MTS alleges "has used her social media accounts to spread defamatory statements, deepfake porn videos, and outright lies about [Megan] at the behest and command of Mr. Peterson."

Wiz Khalifa is in high spirits and has plenty of good vibes to give out this weekend with the release of his "Kush & OJ 2" album!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Wiz, Will and the rest of Taylor Gang out in NYC on Wednesday, exercising their right to toke in the streets and promoting the project the old-fashioned way.

Wiz flat-out admitted he couldn't keep count of all the Js that went into the making of the upcoming sequel ... we say many, many, many!!!

Wiz Khalifa is celebrating his "Kush & OJ 2" album ahead of schedule -- by turning a ripe navel orange into a bong!!!

The wavy party trick is usually reserved for apples, but not only does Wiz not want scurvy -- he's been out in NYC giving his anticipated project the ultimate promo run.

For what it's worth, the orange appears to be smoking Wiz -- and not the other way around!!! He still taught the folks over at The Good Talk Show a new convo starter!!!

Nas and Mass Appeal are coming in hot for 2025 to restore hip hop to its classic album glory days ... by enlisting several of his fellow rap legends to release new albums!!!

The album project is being billed under the name "Legend Has It..." with Nas and DJ Premier releasing their long-delayed joint album, Ghostface Killah doubling up with a sequel to his 2000 album "Supreme Clientele," and Raekwon The Chef is also dropping his 7th studio album, "Emperor's New Clothes."

Mass Appeal will also be tugging at fans' heartstrings with several posthumous releases ... De La Soul and Mobb Deep will be rolling out their first group albums since Trugoy The Dove and Prodigy's deaths, and late '90s lyrical sensation Big L will also add a new album to the fold.

Bobby Brown’s exercising his prerogative -- and he’s not holding back, saying Britney Spears straight-up butchered his hit "My Prerogative."

The singer didn’t mince words on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, telling Shannon Sharpe that Britney’s take on his 1988 classic wasn’t just bad, it was a full-blown assault on his ears -- in fact, he said, it was so brutal he literally couldn’t take it.

Shannon stepped in with a reality check, reminding Bobby he did sign off on the cover -- but BB said he was lured by the magic of producer Teddy Riley and the star power of Britney at her peak. He thought she’d elevate the track … not take a wrecking ball to it.

"Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast co-host Wallo267 recently convinced a man NOT to leap to his death from a bridge ... a wild moment that also aligns with his motivational nature.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Wallo in Beverly Hills this week and he addressed the incident for the first time publicly!!!

Wallo tells us he had just landed home in Philly, and as he was driving home from the airport he spotted a huge police presence on a bridge.

Matt Ox -- the former child rapper hailing from Philly who got a huge look from the late XXXTENTACION at the age of 14 -- is older now, but staring down a potentially troubled future ... after he and his boys were arrested for drugs!!!

Burbank Police tell TMZ Hip Hop that Matt was in the back seat of a black Lexus officers pulled over in a traffic stop on April 5, 2025, at approximately 4:30 AM.

The vehicle was traveling through the area of Glenoaks Boulevard and Walnut Avenue, and was cited for vehicle code violations.

Justin Bieber let loose big time after Coachella, keeping the party rolling and showing no signs of slowing down -- looks like he's living his best life!

Catch the clip -- Justin was in his absolute element ... busting moves, vibing, and flashing that signature grin at Sexyy Red’s 27th birthday bash at The Player’s Club in L.A. on Monday.

JB was serving major style, rocking his signature tiny bucket hat with the rim rolled up, a massive furry coat, and some serious gold bling around his neck.

Serena Williams says her now-famous Super Bowl dance was "absolutely not" shade aimed at her ex, Drake.

The tennis legend was adamant during a recent interview with Time that her brief appearance at Kendrick Lamar's halftime show during the Eagles vs. Chiefs championship tilt was merely meant to be a shoutout to her hometown -- and nothing more.

The Compton native insisted she "would never" take a shot at Drake like that ... calling those who thought it was a diss "sad."

Diddy is looking to beef up his legal defense team ... with an attorney famous for defending Young Thug in court.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Georgia attorney Brian Steel wants to be admitted to practice law in the Southern District of New York so he can help defend Diddy at trial.

Brian's known for repping Young Thug in the rapper's YSL RICO case.

Tokyo Toni thought it would be a good idea to invite a stray fan to live with her ... an idea that exploded in her face when the two women began throwing blows!!!

On Tuesday, Tokyo let fans into her turmoil for the past 6 weeks since she opened her heart and the doors to her home.

Tokyo says the woman posed as a fan -- and as a music producer who was down and out and needed to get back on her feet.

Diddy's legal proceedings have created a new beef within his old Bad Boy camp ... Stevie J and New Orleans rapper Chopper of Da Band fame are now in a war of words -- and it's all over rapper Eve!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Stevie J and Miala Doche, the rock artist he's currently developing, and asked him about the lingering rumor that he's selling his musical catalog.

Stevie's produced some serious money-makers in his discography -- Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and "Notorious Thugs," Mariah Carey's "Honey" and even his ex-girlfriend Eve's biggest hit, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani.

Diddy wants a Black woman in his corner when his federal trial begins -- in less than 3 weeks -- and that's why he's searching for a new attorney to add to his defense team.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Diddy's lawyers are searching for a Black female attorney to join his current trial team of Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos.

Keep in mind, the mogul's attorneys have already raised race as a critical part of its defense ... accusing the feds of trying to take down a rich, successful Black man.