Jussie Smollett Returns to Chi-Town & 'Empire' Set ... Cops Wanna Talk Again

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Jussie Smollett is back to work in Chicago on the set of "Empire," and detectives want to chat with the actor while he's in town ... TMZ has learned.

A production source tells us Smollett flew back into the Windy City Sunday, after his weekend show in Los Angeles. We're told Smollett shot scenes for one of the final episodes of the season Monday and did a table read with the cast Tuesday ... security was present the entire time.

Law enforcement sources tell us cops want to speak with Jussie while he's in town as part of their ongoing investigation.

As for where he's staying while in town ... a source close to Jussie tells us he's back at the same apartment complex where he was living at the time of the attack.

Jussie made his first public appearance at a concert at the Troubadour in Los Angeles Saturday, where he very proudly stated, "I couldn't let those motherf*****s win!" The show was supposed to have a meet and greet, which was canceled due to security concerns.

Police revealed Monday they've found additional surveillance footage surrounding the time leading up to and after the incident ... but the new video hasn't been released. Our sources say cops have not found any video of the attack or anyone fleeing after the attack.

A$AP Rocky To 21 Savage So What, He Wasn't Born In Atlanta??? 'I F*** With London Boys!'

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NO CRED LOST

A$AP Rocky says there's no shame in 21 Savage's true birthplace ... because he's totally down with his brothers from across the pond!!!

We got A$AP at LAX Tuesday, and you gotta hear him professing his love for all things British ... including his fellow rapper.

As you know, it's been revealed that 21 Savage was actually born in the United Kingdom -- despite him repping the ATL -- with the truth coming out after he was taken into custody by ICE for possible removal from the U.S.

It's interesting ... A$AP and 21 have collab'd on songs in the past, and A$AP says he too had no clue he was working with a Brit.

As for 21's ongoing detention ... A$AP says he's hopeful his friend will soon be walking the streets in Atlanta again.

No word on if A$AP is a big fan of bangers and mash.

Rapper Blueface Check the Fingerprints, Surveillance I'm Innocent in Gun Case!!!

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Rapper Blueface says he can point cops in the right direction to prove he's innocent.

Blueface's manager, Wack 100, tells TMZ ... Blueface never had a gun when cops busted his posse last week in downtown L.A. and, for good measure, says there should be plenty of surveillance footage to prove it.

What's more ... Wack says if investigators check for Blueface's prints against the guns cops recovered ... they WON'T find his fingerprints on any of the weapons.

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BUSTED

TMZ broke the story ... law enforcement sources told us Blueface and his crew scattered and tossed their guns away after LAPD rolled up on them. But, Wack says Blueface was actually sitting in his car before cops told him to get out. He was arrested for felony possession of carrying a loaded firearm.

We're told the man behind the Bust Down dance craze wants to put this episode behind him and focus on music ... especially because Wack insists Blueface had no knowledge of anyone packing heat.

Wack says Blueface, who is out on bail, did wanna give cops props for this -- they drove his expensive ride from where the bust went down ... and parked it near the station to keep it away from car thieves.

Remember, there was concern about robberies in the area. Good looking out, Five-0.

21 Savage ICE Out for Revenge ... Because I Slammed Them in New Music

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21 Savage and his people believe his arrest by ICE may be motivated by revenge ... revenge for his new music that condemned the behavior of immigration officials.

21's people just released a stinging statement in which they clearly think ICE's motives are corrupt ... "Many have speculated as to possible ulterior motives for his arrest and detention, including that he released music five days prior to his arrest by ICE, which included new lyrics condemning the behavior of immigration officials for their detention of children at the border."

The song in question, "A Lot," has the following lyrics ... "Been through some things so I can't imagine my kids stuck at the border. Flint still need water. People was innocent, couldn't get lawyers." He performed it on 'The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon at the end of Jan.

The statement also says ICE knew how to find 21 Savage since 2017, when he applied for a U-Visa and gave his address. So the insinuation ... they weren't going to arrest him until they got pissed off by the new song.

As we reported ... 21 Savage was picked up by ICE early Sunday morning in Atlanta and taken into custody for possible removal from the U.S. We learned the arrest may have been triggered by the rapper applying for a U-Visa ... which led to a background check that discovered his visa had expired.

An ICE agent claimed 21 has been living a totally false public persona ... and had overstayed his visa.

Savage's manager says since he got busted, he's been spending 23 hours a day in lockup, with his only communication being 10-minute phone calls.

21 Savage Visa Application May Have Triggered Arrest

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9:15 AM PT -- 21 Savage's manager says the rapper's "in lockdown for 23hrs of the day no tv or any communication besides our 10 min phone calls." He says 21's in good spirits, though ... thanks to hearing about the huge amount of support from his fans.

21 Savage was not turned over to ICE by the Dekalb County Police... turns out, ICE was on the scene when they pulled over the car in which the rapper was riding.

21's lawyer was irate over Sunday's arrest for being in the U.S. illegally, saying ICE knew about the rapper's status since 2017, when he filed for a U-Visa. Thing is ... until Sunday, ICE had no interaction with Savage.

What's more ... 21's lawyer says ICE blew it by basing the arrest, in part, on the rapper's previous felony. As we reported, 21 pled guilty to felony drug charges in 2014, but the record was expunged last year. ICE does not have to honor an expungement ... the arrest and conviction can trigger deportation action.

Ironically, 21 Savage's move to become a legal resident may have caused the arrest, because USCIS investigates the application and does a background check, which apparently revealed he was born in the UK, came to the U.S. legally in 2005 with a visa, but it expired the next year and he has been here illegally ever since.

As for why Savage decided to ask for a U-Visa in 2017 ... there's a form of relief available for people who have been in the U.S. illegally for 10 years or longer, who have a qualifying U.S. relative living here. In Savage's case, he has 3 kids who were born here. Problem is ... ICE apparently believes the felony conviction knocks him out of the box.

Another reason he may have wanted the visa ... it would allow him to leave the country to tour.

As for why 21's cousin -- rapper Young Nudy -- was arrested in the same bust ... he had a warrant out, stemming from an incident in 2017. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Nudy is accused of shooting a man twice in the hip and once in the buttocks ... the man survived the attack.

Originally Published -- 1:00 AM PT

Antonio Brown Involved In Domestic Dispute ... Not Arrested

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11:43 AM PT -- The Steelers issued a statement saying they were just made aware of the incident involving Brown today, and are currently gathering information.

11:08 AM PT -- Brown's attorney, Darren Heitner, issued a statement calling the allegations "baseless and false."

He added, "It's unfortunate that the media is trying to use distractions like this and prior stories in an effort to tarnish my client's name and reputation. We have no further comment."

Pittsburgh Steelers superstar Antonio Brown was involved in a domestic dispute in January -- but he was NOT arrested ... TMZ Sports has confirmed with police.

Our sources tell us a woman contacted the Hollywood Police Dept. in Florida in mid-January and made a report alleging misconduct by Brown.

The details surrounding her allegations are unclear -- but we know cops investigated.

A rep for the Hollywood Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports, "Mr. Brown was involved in a domestic dispute. No arrests were made."

We've reached out to Brown's camp for comment multiple times -- so far, no word back.

It's just the latest in a string of off-the-field drama for Brown -- who's not only been feuding with the Steelers, but he's also being sued over an alleged furniture-tossing tirade back in April.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the man behind the lawsuit claims Brown almost killed his 22-month-old son by throwing furniture off the balcony of his Florida apartment.

Brown claims the man is lying and has said in a statement, "I'm innocent."

Antonio has been in Florida training for the NFL season -- he's from Miami.

Story developing ...

'A Dog's Way Home' Dog Owners Sue PETA ... Quit Bitching, We Don't Abuse Pups!!!

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2/5 -- A rep for PETA tells TMZ, "PETA has not, to date, received any communication from Paws for Effect and stands by its claim."

Shelby -- the adorable pooch starring in the movie, "A Dog's Way Home" -- is at the center of a defamation lawsuit against PETA, which flat-out lied about animal abuse ... according to Shelby's owners.

Paws for Effect is the company that adopted and trained Shelby for her starring role. She's reportedly a mixed-breed pup who was rescued from a shelter in Tennessee -- so, a true Hollywood rags to riches story. However, Paws for Effect says it was blindsided by what it calls PETA's smear campaign ahead of the movie's release.

In docs obtained by TMZ ... Paws says PETA first fired off an email to an exec at Sony Pictures, the distributor of 'Dog's Way Home' ... alleging Paws had racked up citations under the Animal Welfare Act. PETA allegedly repeated that claim to an "unknowable" number of film industry types.

Paws says PETA's email is a straight-up lie, and insists it's never received a single citation under the AWA. According to docs, PETA either knew its statement about Paws was false, or could easily have found out if it did the slightest bit of research.

In the suit, Paws says even now -- after PETA's been informed its statement is false -- it has yet to correct or retract it.

Shelby's owners say the potential fallout for them is no one in Hollywood will work with them in the future -- and, as a result, they want PETA to pay through the snout.

Originally Published -- 2/4 4:12 PM PT

21 Savage ICE is Trying to Intimidate Me ... Into Leaving The Country I Love

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21 Savage never hid the fact that he was in the U.S. illegally, and ICE is now trying to intimidate him into leaving the country he calls home ... this according to his lawyer.

Attorney Charles H. Kuck just delivered a blistering attack on the federal agency that arrested 21 Savage Sunday and is holding him for deportation proceedings.

Kuck says his client actually applied for a U-Visa back in 2017 and the application is pending, and ICE has known about it yet took no action until this weekend.

The attorney also takes aim at ICE for putting it out there that 21 Savage has prior criminal charges, suggesting he does not. Point of fact -- Savage pled guilty to felony drug possession back in 2014, but that conviction was expunged last September.

Kuck slams ICE for detaining his client, claiming he is not a threat to his community nor is he a flight risk ... he also has children here.

And, the attorney goes on ... "As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no fault of his own." Kuck says his client has "U.S. citizen children" whom he supports and is eligible for relief from deportation.

The attorney accuses ICE of trying to "unnecessarily punish him," claiming the agency is trying "to intimidate him into giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States."

Now, this is interesting ... Kuck says the Visa 21 Savage applied for is based on him being a victim of crime. Kuck tells TMZ, 21 Savage was shot during a 2013 incident where his best friend was murdered. Kuck says he was "severely affected physically and mentally." He goes on to say being a crime victim puts 21 Savage in a position for permanent residence.

An online petition, started by the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors, was just stared in an attempt to stop the possible deportation of 21.

Liam Neeson Wanted to Kill 'Black Bastard' After Friend Was Raped

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Liam Neeson is copping to going on the hunt for revenge decades ago against some "black bastard" ... after a close friend was raped by a black man -- and says the experience taught him a valuable lesson.

The actor says he walked the streets for days with a cosh -- a baton-like weapon -- as he looked for an opportunity to kill a random black man. We're told the incident happened more than 40 years ago. Neeson opened up about it for the first time while talking to The Independent about his new movie, "Cold Pursuit."

He said a female friend had been raped, and although she didn't know her attacker's identity, she knew he was black. Check out the clip ... Liam says he walked outside bars hoping to be approached by a black man so he could "kill him" as revenge for his friend's rape.

Neeson makes it clear nothing ever happened, and says he learned from his "awful" and "horrible" behavior ... revenge isn't the answer.

Revenge is the main theme of 'Pursuit,' which is why Neeson decided to share the story. He seemed just as shocked as the interviewer at what he was saying.

Kardashian Sisters $10 Million Victory In Cosmetics Lawsuit

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The super-rich are getting super-richer ... the Kardashian sisters are celebrating like Tom Brady Monday morning after winning $10 million in a legal war over a cosmetics line ... TMZ has learned.

According to docs, Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian emerged victorious over Hillair Capital Management ... which had sued the sisters nearly 3 years ago. As we first reported, Hillair claimed the sisters didn't hold up their end of a licensing deal ... after it sunk $10 mil into a "Kardashian Beauty" line with Haven.

The K sisters didn't take that lying down -- insisting they had nothing to do with "Kardashian Beauty" -- and the case ended up in arbitration. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, a 3 judge panel completely rejected Hillair's claims and ordered the company to pay Kim and co. nearly $7.4 mil. It also has to fork over another $3.2 mil in interest.

The Kardashians' attorneys don't think Hillair will just cut a check. They've filed the arbitration decision in L.A. Superior Court to get the $10 mil award locked in, but according to the docs ... they fully expect Hillair to fight the decision.

Bow Wow Jealous Rage Before Arrest ... Claims GF Threw Lamp During Fight

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Bow Wow and his GF were in a knock-down, drag-out brawl before they both got arrested ... according to cops.

Kiyomi Leslie Holden called Atlanta PD around 4 AM Saturday to report Bow Wow for assault. She told officers on the scene the whole fight started when they got home from a party. Kiyomi Leslie -- who appears on "Growing Up Hip Hop" -- claims Bow Wow was pissed she was talking to another man at the party, and lit into her about it when they got home.

In the police report, obtained by TMZ, Kiyomi Leslie says Bow Wow hit her in the head, pulled her by the hair, dragged her from her bedroom ... and told her to get the hell out.

For his part, Bow Wow acknowledged being pissed about the other guy ... telling cops she "disrespected him" by hanging "all over another man's body." He claims Kiyomi Leslie called him a "bitch ass n***er" when he complained about her behavior.

He claims he merely told Leslie to leave their home, and placed her bags by the door. He claims Kiyomi Leslie "grabbed a night stand lamp and threw it at him." He says she missed with the lamp, but scratched the hell out of his face ... which is obvious in his mug shot.

An officer on the scene says he saw the lamp on the ground when he entered the bedroom. Cops observed red marks on Kiyomi Leslie's fingers as well as broken fingernails.

TMZ broke the story ... Bow Wow and Kiyomi Leslie were arrested and booked for battery. Kiyomi Leslie says she broke 3 ribs during the brawl.

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HOURS BEFORE THE ARREST

Blac Chyna's Ex-BF, Kid Buu Child Abuse Charge Surfaces ... Punched Baby Mama in Face

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Blac Chyna's ex-boyfriend, rapper Kid Buu, was once charged and convicted of child abuse after cops say he punched his baby mama in front of their kid.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a then-19-year-old Kid Buu (real name Markquez Santiago) was busted in Florida in 2008 after he got into a fight with his girlfriend and baby mama, who was a minor. Their daughter was 2 years old at the time.

Cops say the squabble started over the girlfriend wanting to cash a check, which he snatched out of her hands while leaving their apartment. The GF told cops he later returned and found her in their bedroom, at which point she threatened to call 911.

Police say, at this point, he punched her in the face with a closed fist ... all while their then-2-year-old was present. According to legal docs, he then pulled out a gun and told her he'd "kill the cops" if they came.

She fled the home and called the police using a security guard's phone, and Kid Buu was eventually arrested after refusing to cooperate. He denied the allegations, and no gun was ever recovered.

Per court records, he pled guilty to charges of child abuse (without causing great bodily harm), intimidation, robbery by sudden snatching, and criminal mischief. He said he pled guilty "for my own convenience and to move on with life."

Kid Buu was sentenced to two years probation, which he completed in 2010.

This could have been problematic until recently, because Kid Buu was dating Blac Chyna. If Rob Kardashian knew about Kid Buu's conviction he might have pitched a fit because we're guessing he wouldn't want him around Dream.

But, Chyna and Buu got into a fight earlier this week, during which he allegedly slammed her into a wall and choked her. Chyna was not taken to a hospital and no one seems to have been arrested. We're told she has broken up with him.

Barstool's Prez Dave Portnoy Cuffed & Booted at Super Bowl LIII ... Breaks the 'Ban'

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The NFL tried telling Barstool Sports to stay away, but the company's president insisted on attending Super Bowl LIII ... and just got his ass thrown out in handcuffs.

Dave Portnoy was hauled away by security Sunday during Maroon 5's halftime show as he watched from the stand -- and by hauled, we mean his entire body was literally lifted up and carried out by a swarm of guards. He was trying to go incognito with a stache and shades.

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Dave was brought inside and appeared to be getting questioned by security personnel before armed police officers cuffed him and escorted him outside. It's unclear if he was ultimately arrested or not, but Dave and co. definitely knew they weren't allowed in.

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If you'll recall ... Dave and fellow Barstool employee PFT Commenter got tossed from the Super Bowl Opening Day Event last week after officials discovered they were carrying fake press passes. Both men were issued criminal trespass warnings by police.

Dave told us he was told he couldn't attend SB LIII, even though he had a ticket. Looks like he went against the grain and paid the price ... again.

'L&HH' Star Yandy Pepper Sprayed by Guards in NYC ... Protesting Jail Conditions

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4:05 PM PT -- Lights have reportedly begun to come back on inside MDC, which got crowds still outside to cheer.

'Love & Hip Hop' star Yandy Smith-Harris was on the front lines of protests taking place in NYC over inhumane prison conditions -- and she got pepper sprayed in the process.

The reality TV star -- whose husband, Mendeecees Harris, is currently locked up in the New York prison system -- led a rally Sunday outside of Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center ... where inmates have reportedly been without electricity and heat for days now.

It's a remarkable scene. Yandy uses a speaker system to ask prisoners if they've been given blankets or if their toilets work yet, to which they respond no by banging on the windows. Later, you see Yandy and other protesters rush the building, demanding to see their loved ones ... only to be driven out by pepper spray from the guards inside.

Protests have been going on since at least Saturday, if not earlier, as families of prisoners have flooded the streets near MDC, demanding supplies be sent and that the power system quickly be restored. Prisoners have been using flashlights to signal for help at night.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons says a fire destroyed an electrical panel inside and prevented access to backup generators. It's unclear when power and heat is set to be back on.

The civil unrest did not go unnoticed on a city level. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Saturday that blankets and hand warmers were being sent to the prison, no matter what.

As to how bad conditions inside really are, law enforcement sources directly connected to MDC tell us inmates have been peeing in water bottles and using those for warmth. We're told prison officials have been hesitant to let prisoners out of their cells out of fear for potential riots.

Originally Published -- 1:10 PM PST

21 Savage Arrested By ICE in Atlanta

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21 Savage was arrested in Atlanta this weekend and taken into custody for possible removal from the U.S.

21 Savage was picked up by ICE early Sunday morning. He apparently entered the U.S. legally in 2005 but his visa expired and he reportedly is here illegally.

He reportedly is being held for removal proceedings ... this for being in the country illegally and for being a felon. He was convicted of drug charges in 2014.

His attorney, Dina LaPolt, tells TMZ, "We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with authorities to clear up any misunderstanding. Mr. Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in the country -- especially in Atlanta, Georgia and is actively working in the community leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy."

An ICE spokesperson says 21 Sav -- real name Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph -- is a U.K. national who is unlawfully in the country and has been since 2006 when his visa expired. They say he came to the States a year earlier at the age of 12.

The spox goes on to say that Sav is currently in ICE custody in Georgia and that he's been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts. They add that ICE will await the outcome of his case before a judge to determine future actions.

It's unclear what United Kingdom country or territory he's from exactly, but some reports say he hails from the Caribbean island of Dominica.

L.A. Rams NFL Warns Players to Beef Up Security At Their Homes While Away

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Before Rams players headed for Atlanta to prepare for their Super Bowl 53 matchup against the Patriots, they got some advice from the NFL -- protect your homes in L.A.

Our NFL sources tell us ... officials spoke with several players and coaches on the Rams who live in the Los Angeles area and suggested they take steps to ensure their homes are safe from potential burglars while they are out of town.

We're told they offered tips like having someone house-sit, parking an extra car in the driveway, adding alarms and surveillance, or even hiring security guards for the days they'll be away.

Other sources tell us many players heeded the NFL's advice by upgrading their home security systems and some indeed hired staff at their residences ... including private armed security and retired cops.

As you may know ... L.A. and the San Fernando Valley have seen a string of burglaries over the past couple of years, especially at the houses of celebs and famous athletes. In fact, Rams WR Robert Woods is on that list.

10 gang members were charged in connection with burglaries at more than 24 homes in late November, and cops say the break-in at Woods' pad -- while he was playing "Thursday Night Football" -- was a key to cracking the case.

This burglary crew allegedly also targeted stars like Rihanna, LeBron James, Yasiel Puig and Viola Davis.