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Allee Willis -- best known for writing the "Friends" theme song and Earth, Wind & Fire's classic "September" -- has died ... the Songwriters Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

Allee died after on Christmas Eve in L.A. after reportedly going into cardiac arrest. It's unclear if she had been suffering from other ailments. Willis -- who was inducted into the SHOF in 2018 -- is credited with tons of iconic songs that transcended generations.

The theme song earned Willis an Emmy nomination but she lost to the theme of "Star Trek: Voyager." In addition to writing The Rembrandts' most famous song, Willis also wrote the EW&F classic "Boogie Wonderland." She co-wrote the Broadway musical "The Color Purple." In fact, Willis was so prolific ... she became the first woman -- and fifth person ever -- to have written music for 2 shows opening on Broadway in the same season. In 2006, seven of her hits were featured in the Earth, Wind & Fire-themed musical "Hot Feet."

Pharrell's crib was the scene of a massive police presence after someone called 911 claiming a person there had been fatally shot ... but it was nothing more than a swatting call.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops rushed to the artist's LA-area home Monday night around 6:30 PM after someone called police claiming a friend had been accidentally shot in the stomach and died.

Our sources say when police got to the house, people inside were confused as to why cops had shown up at all. We're told cops checked everyone to make sure nobody had been shot. Law enforcement, we're told, ultimately determined it was a swatting call. Our sources say Pharrell was NOT home at the time. Cops are continuing to investigate.

The wait is over ... Kanye West and his Sunday Service choir have finally dropped its "Jesus is Born" gospel album.

Kanye had everyone waiting with anticipation since he teased the album in an interview back in October. The 19-track album hit all major digital streaming platforms today ... just in time for Christmas. Instead of going with a major label to release his album, Ye chose a New Jersey-based Indie distributor, Vydia.

Some of the track titles include "Count Your Blessings," "That's How the Good Lord Works" and "Satan, We're Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down." Kanye, of course, dropped his "Jesus is King" album back in October after many delays. That album featured 11 tracks.

Yeezy had a massive album listening event at The Forum in L.A. when that album dropped. Fans were also treated to a screening of his "Jesus is King" IMAX project.

Adam Carolla resents people telling him what to think and how he should speak his mind, so speak his mind he did on "TMZ Live."

Adam's got a new movie out -- "No Safe Spaces" -- which deals with the intolerance in America and the cancel culture which he says is out of control.

Adam thinks we've gotten soft because we coddle everyone who feels aggrieved. He's especially critical of what goes on on college campuses, where students have a super strong sense of entitlement.

Demi Lovato added new ink on her bod for the holidays ... and like much of her last year, it's inspirational.

Demi spent most of her Monday getting inked up by Alessandro Capozzi at a private studio in downtown L.A. We are told he started on Demi's tattoo around noon and finished around 8 PM. The finished product? An angel representing the rebirth of the spirit.

Capozzi says he and Demi created the image together. The dark wings represent the bad times but the fading wings represent how Demi's moved forward. The light from within represents the inner strength that's necessary for the change in her life ... and the doves pulling her up symbolize the reach of a higher state of consciousness. Deep stuff.

Martin Scorsese got absolutely owned on Christmas ... by his own daughter, who poked fun at her pops with some simple gift wrapping paper.

The famed director's daughter, Francesca, shared on Twitter the wrapping paper she used for Martin's gift ... and it's hilarious -- Marvel Comics!!! In case you missed it ... earlier this year, Martin created one helluva firestorm when he said Marvel movies aren't cinema.

It was the comment heard around the world ... cause pretty much the entire universe came after Martin for shading Marvel films. Things got so bad ... the "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas" director was forced to write an op-ed in the New York Times to explain himself.

The storm has since passed ... that is until Martin's 20-year-old daughter went there and used wrapping paper featuring Hulk and Captain America.

Cardi B and Offset just showed off the incredible ATL mansion they just bought, and it's entirely possible they'll never leave the crib ... because it's got pretty much everything they need.

It's a pretty amazing Xmas present for each other ... 22,500 square feet of house, which includes a gun range with steel walls. Didn't even know that was legal, but there it is.

That's just the beginning ... Cardi's seriously thinking of becoming a wine connoisseur now that she has a vino cellar that could service a restaurant.

And, then there's Offset's man cave, an amazing pool and on and on. The entire property sits on nearly 6 acres.

The girl who infamously hurled a chair out of the 45th floor of a Toronto condo building can no longer be seen in Drake's new "War" video ... because the singer 86'd her.

Marcella Zoia was an extra in the vid, and people noticed ... many assuming it was Drake himself who decided to include her and they went after him hard. Drake made it clear ... he doesn't cast extras, but when he found out what was up, he took matters into his own hands and removed her.

Zoia has got some serious legal issues ahead of her. She pled guilty to mischief causing danger to life and is awaiting sentencing next month. She could get 6 months in jail. She doesn't seem particularly contrite over the whole thing ... she tried to use her new-found fame to become a social media influencer.

Seamus the pit bull mix has a lot to be thankful for this Christmas ... he got adopted after spending 5 years in a shelter.

The 9-year-old pooch was scooped up at the Fresno Bully Rescue after spending half his life in a cage at the facility.

It's a no-kill rescue shelter that houses 40 dogs. The folks at the shelter have placed a number of other animals in foster homes.

As for Seamus, it's a Godsend. He's had trouble handling the weather of late ... the winter is too cold and the summers are too hot for him. Now he has a home and lots of comfort.

A little about Seamus ... he loves doughnut holes, taking long walks and pilfering toys out of the shelter bin on he way back to his cage.

The Kardashians mixed it up for Xmas 2019 ... this time Kourtney did the honors at her home, and gotta say ... pretty spectacular.

Check out the video ... The night before Xmas was filled with choir members from Kanye's Sunday Service, and they sounded amazing.

Kim narrates the vid ... calling the decor "woodsy" and "homey."

Everyone got all gussied up ... no t's or sweats here. Kylie and baby Stormi wore matching custom Ralph & Russo haute couture emerald dresses. BTW ... Travis Scott was there too.

Kendall wore a black column gown with a feathered neck. Khloe was in a gold dress, and Kourtney chose red.

The Royals have had a tough year no doubt, but at least some of them tried to put on a happy face for Xmas.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte clutched the hand of parents William and Kate as they made their way to church. They joined grandpa Prince Charles as they entered the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Queen's Sandringham estate, about 100 miles from London.

Prince Louis wasn't there ... he's 18 months old and too young for the festivities. Louis hung out with Kate's parents.

James Corden stars in the movie musical "Cats," so it seems only appropriate for him to join the chorus ... that the movie sucks!!!

James was on a BBC radio show and told the hosts he hasn't seen the musical yet, but he heard "it's terrible."

It's hard for him to argue otherwise. "Cats" has been a spectacular flop. It cost $95 million to make, and pulled in just $6.6 million in its opening weekend.

Critics and a lot of Average Joe's have ripped the movie to shreds ... despite some big star power, including Jason Derulo, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson.

Dan Spilo -- the first-ever "Survivor" contestant to get kicked off for unwanted touching -- got major support from some big names in his quest to become a contestant ... and wasn't shy about flaunting it.

TMZ has seen Spilo's audition tape footage for the long-running reality competition show -- which helped the Hollywood agent get on the current 'Island of the Idols' season -- and it's an interesting watch, to say the least ... albeit a little uncomfortable.

Dan's tape starts with him in full camo gear trekking through a jungle while the "Mission: Impossible" theme plays ... and he describes why he has what it takes to win.

It then cuts to Dan in a business suit in his L.A. office, revealing he's a "top talent manager." He explains why his 20 years in the industry translates to being on "Survivor" ... and he includes photos of himself rubbing elbows with stars like Jack Black, Javier Bardem, Bon Jovi and Olivia Wilde.

It seems like a standard "Survivor" audition tape -- maybe slightly more produced -- but now that Spilo's been removed from this season after multiple reports of unwanted touching ... there are certainly some eyebrow-raising moments.

The tape features various interviews from his clients, one of which is an actress who calls him "polarizing" and a "walking contradiction," but then insists he'll make for good TV.

NBA star Trae Young is beastin' for the Atlanta Hawks right now ... and he's rewarding himself by buying a $1.5 million crib in his home state of Oklahoma!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... Trae bought himself a new 8,100-square-foot pad in Norman Oklahoma where he grew up --- his first LEGIT house ... and it's loaded!!!

The pad comes with 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, a massive kitchen, a pool with a cool slide, a pool house ... and you can put up to 7 cars in his giant garage!

It doesn't stop there ... the baller is also adding 14 TVs and a dope audio system --- and because of that, he's spending TONS of money on security. Not bad for a 21-year-old huh?

And, Trae -- who's averaging 28 PPG and 8 assists right now --- is serious about uppin' his game that he's having his trainers and nutritionist live with him at his new home during the offseason.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Wish Bone says one of these days he's gonna shoot Krayzie Bone -- not to kill, but just to get even for a caper gone wrong from their younger days.

We got Wish Bone, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone and Flesh-n-Bone at LAX and asked them about Bizzy Bone's wild story about the time Krayzie shot Wish in the leg while they were riding around in a stolen car.

Krayzie chalks up the bloody mishap to doing dumb stuff back in the day, but Wish says he's been plotting his revenge for years.

There's no beef, it's just part of the brotherhood ... to them, anyway. Wish tells us he's gonna shoot Krazyie in the fleshy part of the leg with a .22 -- and Krayzie says he'll, pardon the phrase, bite the bullet and let it happen ... with one condition.

Layzie also chimes in with his own hilarious version of what happened ... telling us why he thought the fellas were drunk when the robbery took a turn for the worse.

The newest New York Knicks coach is ... Kenyon Martin????

Don't rule it out ... 'cause the ex-NBA superstar is officially throwing his hat into the ring for the open job -- telling TMZ Sports he wants to be NY's next head man!!

And, get this ... the dude says he wants Metta World Peace to be an assistant on his staff!!

We got the 41-year-old out at LAX ... and when we asked him who should replace David Fizdale at Madison Square Garden next, he told us straight-up, "Me!"

When our photog informed him Metta has also been gunning for the job ... he said that's cool, saying, "Me and Metta, head coach and assistant coach!"

So, could it happen? Almost certainly not ... the rumored favorite for the opening is Mark Jackson -- but others like Stan and Jeff Van Gundy have also reportedly been linked to the job.