TMZ Hip Hop - Page 36

Rapper Kevin Gates is getting served ... because his wife just filed for divorce.

Dreka Gates, who used to manage Kevin, beelined it to court Wednesday and filed for divorce from Kevin after 9 years of marriage.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Dreka lists the date of separation as July 10 ... and she's going with the boilerplate "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

Joey Bada$$ is fed up with Columbia Records as a staff, record label, and crew ... the rapper recently told TMZ Hip Hop his album was dropping Aug. 1 and they're turning him into a liar!!!

A furious JB took to his Instagram to call out Columbia Records, armed with both middle fingers, even demanding they taste his babymaker at one point.

If you recall, Joey was excited to roll out his "Lonely at the Top" album on Friday -- perfect emceeing synergy to recent releases from Clipse, Joyner Lucas and Freddie Gibbs.

Lil Jon is admitting one of his biggest club hits needed a lil' tinkering before it saw the light of day ... that "Get Low" song you dance to at every wedding almost came out as a techno track!

The King of Crunk was a recent guest on the "One Song" podcast with musicologists Diallo Riddle and Blake “Luxxury” Robin, where he revealed his 2003 collab with Ying Yang Twins was once titled "Let It Go" ... and played the never-before-heard OG version, which he's proud got left on the cutting room floor!!!

Jon also credited his longtime engineer, Ray Seay, for possessing the genius to bump Ying Yang's melodic mumbling at the top of the track, giving the track an instant spark of energy the moment it comes on.

The offseason adventures of Klay Thompson and his new boo, Megan Thee Stallion, continue ... as the NBA star took the rapper out on the open waters for a fishing trip!!

Klay shared their excursion on his Instagram on Wednesday ... with Meg calling herself the "first mate" to his "captain."

Before the two even left the harbor, the 12-year NBA veteran was feeling some type of way ... saying "you're so fine, baby" as she sat on his lap.

Diddy's got a mountain of civil lawsuits to fight now that his criminal case is over, and he's getting started while he sits in a federal detention center ... and one of them is a suit involving his son Christian "King" Combs and a yacht party.

The Bad Boy founder is a codefendant in a civil suit accusing King of forcing himself on a woman on a yacht Diddy allegedly chartered.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Diddy is arguing the case, filed in California, should be tossed because the court has no jurisdiction over him ... he says he's been a Florida resident for more than 5 years and points out he's been incarcerated in a Brooklyn jail since his September 2024 arrest.

Ty Dolla $ign distanced himself from Kanye West during one of Ye's antisemitic tirades this year, and now he appears to be handling some of his legal issues on his own, too ... Ty just settled a copyright infringement case brought forward by Memphis rap vet Criminal Manne ... even though it looks like Kanye hasn't given up yet.

We broke the story back in November 2024 ... Ye and Ty Dolla $ign were both sued by Criminal Manne, DJ Squeeky and Rayna B. Rufus, who claim they never cleared samples that appeared on the short-lived duo ¥$'s chart-topping "Vultures 1" album released in January last year.

According to docs obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Ty Dolla $ign and Create Music Group reached a confidential settlement in principle with the parties that they expect to be finalized in the next 30 days ... but the agreement does NOT include Ye or his Yeezy Record Label LLC.

Donald Trump's White House has been in communication with Diddy's legal team about a potential pardon for the music mogul, and we've learned the decision may be determined by the judge's ruling on bail.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Donald Trump is "more than open" to pardoning Diddy, but he wants to wait to see what Judge Arun Subramanian does with Diddy's latest bail petition. We're told if Diddy is granted bail, Trump will not make a decision on a pardon until Diddy is sentenced. If the judge denies bail, a decision will be made immediately.

As you know, Diddy was acquitted on the 3 major charges, and convicted on 2 counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits the interstate transportation of prostitutes. The Mann Act is rarely used by federal prosecutors as a singular charge. Most legal experts agree ... if Diddy's case only involved the Mann Act, no charges would have been filed against him.

Chris Brown's American leg of his "Breezy Bowl XX" tour kicks off today in Miami ... where a brand new lawsuit courtesy of Breezy Swimwear awaits him and Live Nation!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained court documents filed by Breezy Swimwear on Wednesday for alleged trademark infringement.

The Miami-based swimwear brand prides itself on being centered around "female empowerment" and claims it has been using the "Breezy" trademark since 2018 and developed the "Breezy Bowl" in 2023 to promote the brand.

Soulja Boy is celebrating another year around the sun -- with some shiny new toys and bragging rights for SeaWorld's hot concert ticket!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Soulja Boy in DTLA for his birthday party on Monday ... he copped a new Tesla Cybertruck to stay visible in the fast lane.

Soulja first went viral performing with Bow Wow at SeaWorld last year and now several rappers -- Ying Yang Twins, Waka Flocka Flame, and everyone but Fat Joe -- have been feeling the Shamu love!!!

Sydney Sweeney is the newest face and voice of American Eagle ... a point of contention for much of the internet -- including Doja Cat, who couldn't help but guffaw and ridicule the ad!!!

Doja hopped on TikTok and mocked Sydney with an exaggerated backwoods country accent, with extra drawling emphasis to make the "Euphoria" actress sound stupid.

The American Eagle spot centers around Sydney touting her biological makeup, where she breathily says, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color ... my jeans are blue."

Mary J. Blige wants the lawsuit filed against her by her former stylist Misa Hylton and Harlem rapper Vado tossed ASAP ... no more drama for these baseless claims!!!

According to legal docs spearheaded by MJB’s lead attorney, Lisa Moore, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop ... Misa filed the lawsuit "for the sole purpose of harassing and causing malicious injury" to Blige, calling the claims "patently frivolous."

Here's the 411 ... Misa and Mary's friendship dates back 30 years -- but back in April, Misa broke the family affair by slapping Mary with a $5 million lawsuit for breach of contract over the signing of Vado.

Diddy is taking another bite at the apple ... because his legal team just filed a new motion for bail ... and they say he's the only man in America behind bars for hiring male sex workers to bang his girlfriend.

Diddy's legal team -- spearheaded by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos --  just sent a new bail package proposal over to Judge Arun Subramanian ... rattling off a list of reasons why they believe Diddy should be released from jail before his Oct. 3 sentencing.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Diddy's lawyers argue most folks convicted on Mann Act charges -- Diddy was found guilty of two Mann Act counts -- are released from custody before sentencing.

DDG has been swimming in a labor of love as of late -- his friendship with fellow influencer India Love, that is!!!

We caught up with the "Blame The Chat" rapper at LAX on Monday and first things first, he cleared up his recent viral moment with his streamer bud BenDaDonnn.

ICYMI over the weekend, DDG and Ben found themselves in a viral debate after a woman partying on the yacht they rented appeared to lack the financial funds to hang in the affluent circle.

Mack Maine is in mourning ... he says his son died from a seizure.

The New Orleans rapper says his son, Isaiah, suffered the fatal seizure July 16 at his home in California.

Mack Maine says he's still in shock and is still processing his son's death. He says it's left him confused and caused him to question life ... wondering why his son died before him.

Lil Baby ensured the kids of Atlanta went back to school fresh and equipped with essential supplies for the 5th straight year -- but for the first time, he funneled the goodwill through his new nonprofit!!!

The chart-topping "WHAM" rapper launched his new nonprofit initiative, "The Jones Project," over the weekend in conjunction with the fifth annual Back to School Fest ... held at West End Production Park, Baby's old neighborhood.

The ATL summer jam provided thousands of students with free sneakers, exclusive gear from Fanatics, school uniforms, backpacks, haircuts, and even hair-braiding services were offered on the spot.

This month has brought heat to American rapper GloRilla, but for her 26th birthday we're gonna turn up the temp even more -- and set off her special day with a bang -- with her smokin' hot shots!

No shirt? No problem! You can catch the Tennessee native ditchin' the humidity by going shirtless and accessorizing with diamond chains ... She sure is drippin'!

GloRilla may hit it hard in the club, but she hits it harder in the gym ... Posting workout selfies like this one -- showin' off her toned bod in a gray workout set. She stays stage-ready 365 days a year!

These sexy shots should be illegal ... Check 'em out if you dare 😉!