TMZ Hip Hop - Page 50

Singer-songwriter and "Love & Hip Hop" alum Lyrica Anderson says she learned about Industry Rule No. 4080 the hard way ... after doing all the heavy lifting getting Beyoncé an 8X platinum certified hit!!!

Lyrica was a recent guest on Shirley Temple's podcast and shared her regret on forfeiting her credits on Beyoncé and Jay-Z's mega-hit "Drunk In Love" back in 2013.

The credits are stacked with names outside of Bey and Jay ... Timbaland, Detail, SoolGotHits, Dre Moon -- which was exactly the problem for Lyrica.

Pusha T is giving insight that The Neptunes' production powerhouse had fizzled long before things got taken to court -- even in the making of his group's marquee album!!!

The Clipse recently sat down for Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli's "Popcast," where they discussed the fallout between Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo ... a ho-hum ending after the duo delivered countless hits throughout the music industry.

Malice and Pusha are backed by Pharrell with their comeback album "Let God Sort Em Out" next month, but denied having any personal issues with Chad -- it's all love when they see him in person!!!

Rapper Silentó began his 30-year prison sentence this week with an unrecognizable appearance, sporting a completely shaved head.

The 27-year-old rapper -- born Ricky Lamar Hawk and best known for his multi-platinum single "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" -- was processed into the Georgia Department of Corrections this week for his role in the 2021 shooting death of Frederick Rooks III, his cousin.

Silentó's expression is emotionless in the mug shot, and his T-shirt appears oversized and hanging off his neck.

In a stunning move, the day before closing arguments in Diddy's federal criminal trial in NYC, prosecutors have pulled back on some key testimony during the trial -- specifically attempted kidnapping, attempted arson, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking.

Prosecutors said in a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, the Government is following His Honor's instructions to "streamline" the jury instructions.

Prosecutors are still arguing Diddy allegedly kidnapped former employee Capricorn Clark (who was taken to a building and given a lie detector test to determine if she stole Diddy's jewelry), and Cassie (when she was allegedly held at the London Hotel) -- but, they're simply suggesting the "attempted kidnapping" language be removed from the instructions to the jury.

More drama in the Fat Joe civil case ... his accuser's attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, just got arrested for allegedly mowing down a process server with his car in NYC.

A rep for the New York Police Department tells us ... Blackburn was taken into custody Wednesday morning and booked for assault.

Cops say it all started on the night of May 12 when Blackburn got into his vehicle as a 66-year-old messenger was serving him a complaint in the Fat Joe case.

The Diddy trial is putting his freak-offs on the world stage ... and a famous sex therapist says there are elements from the now-infamous sex marathons that couples can use to spice up their relationships -- and there's a legal way to make it happen too.

Dr. Laura Berman, best known for her show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, tells TMZ ... lots of folks are struggling in their sex lives, either from a lack of sex or boring sex, and that's why the freak-off element of the case -- for all its appalling elements -- is also titillating to some.

The sex doc says there are lots of ways for couples to spice up their sex life without putting their relationship at risk ... like sex toys and baby oil, which Diddy allegedly stockpiled.

After 28 days of intense witness testimony the prosecution and defense in Diddy's criminal trial in New York have rested their cases ... and they're gearing up for closing arguments.

Prosecutors rested Tuesday after their 34th and final witness, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, and then the defense rested without calling a single witness.

Diddy did not testify, but he did briefly speak up in court when confirming it was decision not to take the stand ... he said he was doing good and he thanked the judge for doing an "excellent job."

Post Malone shocked his fans when he debuted his newly slimmed-down figure, which was a far cry from the beefy physique many of his listeners had become used to during the early stages of his career, in 2023.

However, much of his fanbase reacted to their idol's reveal with shock and surprise, and several even became convinced that he had fallen into dangerous habits.

Here's a look at how Posty managed to push off the pounds ... and why he's had to assure his loyal listeners about his physical and mental well-being on several occasions.

The rapper first set off alarms in February of 2023, when a video of him performing in Australia began to circulate within his fanbase.

The singer was visibly svelte in the clip, which led many of his fans to speculate if he had been dealing with an unspecified illness or using drugs.

However, several sources spoke to us to dissuade the rumors - they insisted that Post Malone was doing just fine, and that his drop in size was the result of a strict diet and regular workouts.

The hitmaker's extensive touring schedule was also said to have kept him physically active, as he was regularly pulling off 90-minute sets for his fans.

Post Malone's father also stepped in to dissuade the rumors about his son's alleged issues, and claimed that the singer was the "healthiest he's been in years" in the comments section of an Instagram post that was shared at the time.

The rapper went on to shut down the rumors about his supposed struggles by sharing a post on his Instagram account in April of 2023.

Post Malone began by crediting the birth of his daughter, which took place the previous year, with inspiring him to adopt healthier habits, writing that "dad life kicked in."

He also pointed out he wasn't using drugs and attributed much of his weight loss to his high-energy performances.

The performer also expressed that while he was planning on giving up "smokes and brews," among taking on other healthy habits, he wanted to take his time with those.

He concluded by writing that, despite the rumors, he was much happier than he had been in the past.

Post Malone provided further insight into his physical change during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience that was released in August of 2023.

During his sit-down with the UFC commentator, the rapper claimed that his weight peaked at 240 pounds, although he had made it down to a more moderate 185 pounds at the time of the interview.

Post Malone went on to claim that cutting soda out of his diet was a major factor in his physical change, and he described sugary beverages as "so good, but so bad."

Jadakiss now has a masterful German-made chain to match the German automobile engineering he's always whipping around.

Vikar Ahmed AKA "The German Jeweler," tells TMZ Hip Hop ... there's a growing demand for American rappers seeking legit quality and craftsmanship, which led to his collab with Jada.

Vikar tells us he and Jadakiss worked on the piece for 4 months ... resulting in a pendant that spells out The LOX rapper's name in full as it curves into the letter "J."

Rare moment in the Diddy criminal trial ... the music mogul just spoke up in court ... telling the judge how he's feeling, thanking him for doing a good job, and confirming his decision NOT to take the stand before his defense rested their case.

The brief exchange Tuesday started with Judge Arun Subramanian asking Diddy how he was feeling.

Diddy said, "I'm doing great, your honor. I've been wanting to tell you thank you, you're doing an excellent job."

The end is near ... federal prosecutors just rested their case in Diddy's criminal trial in New York.

SNDY prosecutors just finished questioning the last of their 34 witnesses Tuesday afternoon and told the judge they were resting their case ... and then the jury was dismissed for a lunch break.

With jurors out of the room, Diddy's army of defense attorneys is now arguing a motion to dismiss the five charges against Diddy ... they say the judge should throw out the case against Diddy before it even gets sent to the jury because prosecutors did not prove their case.

Offset doesn't seem to have Cardi B or her new album on the brain anymore -- he spends his days dreaming about Sabrina Carpenter!!!

Complex recruited Offset for the debut episode of their "Interview With A Magician" series, where internet magician Anna DeGuzman probed his celebrity crush directly from his brain.

Offset was asked about his celebrity crush and played coy during the line of questioning, but did say the object of his affection had great taste in her total artistry.

Diddy's federal criminal trial is winding down with more testimony about what jurors have been beaten over the head with for nearly 2 months ... Diddy had sex parties with male escorts and his girlfriends.

The prosecution is expected to rest their case Tuesday after their 34th and final witness, Homeland Security Investigations special agent Joseph Cerciello, is done on the stand ... and Diddy defense attorney Teny Geragos is doing cross-examination.

Geragos is having Cerciello read texts between Diddy, his ex 'Jane' and various male escorts they hired for freak offs ... and there's really nothing groundbreaking here.

Brandy and Monica are making their dreams of collaborating together a reality -- with their upcoming joint “The Boy Is Mine" tour!!!

The R&B legends made the announcement on 'GMA' on Tuesday, and also revealed an R&B bonanza ... Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and reigning "American Idol" winner Jamal Roberts from Season 23 would all be joining the 24-city tour.

Gayle King inquired about the two's past feud when they were teen stars, a rift both Brandy and Monica agreed occurred due to miscommunication ... and their famous duet, "The Boy Is Mine," didn't help patch things up quickly.

Saturday was definitely a good day for Ice Cube ... his favorite MLB team honored him with a bobblehead giveaway!!

The L.A. Dodgers released the mini-Cube just ahead of their tilt with the Washington Nationals ... and right before thousands of fans got their hands on the memento at Dodger Stadium, he raved about the honor.

During a chat with a photog at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Ice Cube called it a keepsake he "never expected to have."

Universal Music Group says they are catching legal strays when it comes to an explosive lawsuit against Diddy ... and they want a judge to cut them some slack.

Here's the deal ... former "Making The Band" singer Sara Rivers is suing Diddy for alleged hostile and inhumane treatment ... and her lawsuit named UMG as one of several dozen defendants.

The music corporation just filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against them ... arguing they have no business being sued by Sara.