Controversial S#!T

ICE is a terrorist organization trying to stop musicians from sounding off against immigration policies, and that's why 21 Savage is now behind bars ... so says U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson.

We got the congressman Monday at Reagan National Airport, and he didn't hold back, claiming ICE was up to no good when it nabbed 21 just days after he released a song critical of the agency.

Johnson says ICE is trying to make an example out of 21 Savage, to scare other musicians into silence.

As we reported ... 21 Savage and his people believe his arrest by ICE may have been motivated by revenge for his song, "A Lot," which includes the 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."

Johnson, who reps the county where 21 was arrested, has been lobbying ICE to release the rapper on bond.

Bottom line for Hank ... ICE needs to be reigned in.

A$AP Rocky just declared himself the best music video director of his generation ... humblebrag much?

We got the rapper out Monday at LAX, and Rocky kinda jokes -- we think -- about how he needs a Grammy for Best Music Video. In case you missed it ... Childish Gambino got the statue Sunday night for "This is America."

And, in case you didn't know ... Rocky does direct a bunch of his own videos, so he knows a thing or two about what goes into making them. Our photog jokingly tells Rocky he shoulda ran up onstage and snagged the award, and this image had Rocky laughing at the idea of busting a Kanye.

Kareem Hunt deserved a second chance in the NFL and it's GOOD the Browns signed him Monday ... so say 2 NFL players, who tell TMZ Sports they're happy for the RB.

We got Titans TE Jonnu Smith and Eagles DB Jeremiah McKinnon out in L.A. just hours after Cleveland inked the ex-Chiefs star ... and both say they're glad the deal went down.

"I think it's good, man, that he got another opportunity," Jonnu says ... "Everybody makes mistakes. I'm just glad the NFL is giving guys second chances."

Added Jeremiah, "We're just glad he got a second chance."

Remember, Kansas City shockingly cut the superstar in November after TMZ Sports posted a video showing him getting violent with a woman in a Cleveland hotel.

Hunt apologized almost immediately after ... and has said he's undergoing treatment for alcohol and anger management to make sure similar incidents never happen again.

The Browns clearly think he's done enough to earn another job in the NFL ... 'cause they signed him to a reported 1-year deal -- with GM John Dorsey saying, "Given what we know about Kareem through our extensive research, we believe he deserves a second chance."

Chris Pratt is squarely disputing Ellen Page's claim Hillsong Church -- to which he belongs -- is anti-LGBTQ ... but emphasizing he doesn't speak for the Church.

The actor responded to Page's tweet last week calling Hillsong "anti LGBTQ" -- she doubled down over the weekend, saying there's no excuse for anyone patronizing an org that hates.

But, Chris says nothing could be further from the truth, adding that Hillsong opens its doors to "absolutely everyone." He says that although the Bible teaches divorce is wrong, Hillsong was there through his every step of the way ... never judging him.

Hillsong's Senior Pastor, Brian Houston, said in 2015 ... "We do not affirm a gay lifestyle and because of this we do not knowingly have actively gay people in positions of leadership, either paid or unpaid."

Chris didn't address Houston's comment, and seemed to couch his support, saying, "[N]o church defines me or my life, and I am not a spokesman for any church or any group of people."

Jennifer Lopez hit it outta the park with her Motown tribute at the Grammys ... and anyone who disagrees is missing the point about music and race ... so says Whitney Houston's sister-in-law.

We got Pat Houston out Monday morning at LAX and got her take on the criticism J Lo faced before, during and after she honored Motown ... in the middle of Black History Month.

J Lo, of course, is of Puerto Rican descent and the Internet's been teeing off on her and the Grammys -- but Pat has a different view, which is ... there is NO color when it comes to music.

Many, many Motown fans disagree, saying things like ... "Sorry everyone, but I agree. She's a great performer, but they should have chosen someone else. No doubt Latinos would be upset if they had a black soul singer doing a tribute to Latin music."

As you know ... J Lo hit the stage with Motown legend Smokey Robinson and Ne-Yo. Houston's not the only one supporting her -- Tyler Perry admits he was skeptical, but adds J Lo won him over.

J Lo has said Motown producer Berry Gordy was thrilled she was involved in the tribute. Count Pat in that category too ... based on her rating for the night's most talked about performance.

9th Wonder says XXXTentacion absolutely deserved to be part of the Grammys' In Memoriam segment, because the guy left a musical legacy that's bigger than life.

The legendary hip-hop producer made no bones about it Monday at LAX, where he told us Grammy producers missed an opportunity to include someone who gave a lot to the industry and changed lives ... adding that every big artist deserves recognition in death.

9th -- who's worked with Jay-Z, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and MANY other giants -- says X's impact on the culture is undeniable ... citing even his own son as proof the controversial MC was making waves before his tragic murder.

He suggests X's exclusion might have something to do with older Recording Academy members not knowing X -- but adds there were plenty of far less famous people honored on screen.

Our photog raised the issue that's reportedly the real reason X didn't make the cut -- his many legal issues and allegations of domestic violence.

The Cleveland Browns have announced they've signed Kareem Hunt -- the former Chiefs star who was cut after TMZ Sports posted a video showing him getting violent with a woman in a Cleveland hotel.

Browns general manager John Dorsey announced the signing today -- a reported 1-year deal -- saying there were two important factors to signing the RB:

"One is that Kareem took full responsibility for his egregious actions and showed true remorse and secondly, just as importantly, he is undergoing and is committed to necessary professional treatment and a plan that has been clearly laid out."

Hunt had previously said he was getting treatment for alcohol and anger management after multiple allegations of off-the-field violence. We broke the story ... Hunt shoved and kicked a woman during a Feb. 10, 2018 altercation.

For his part, Hunt has issued a new statement saying, "First off, I would like to once again apologize for my actions last year. What I did was wrong and inexcusable."

"That is not the man I was raised to be, and I’ve learned a great deal from that experience and certainly should have been more truthful about it after the fact."

"I’m extremely grateful that John Dorsey, Dee and Jimmy Haslam and the Cleveland Browns organization are granting me the opportunity to earn their trust and represent their organization in the best way possible on and off the field."

"I am committed to following the necessary steps to learn and to be a better and healthier person from this situation. I also understand the expectations that the Browns have clearly laid out and that I have to earn my way back to the NFL."

"I’m a work in progress as a person, but I’m committed to taking advantage of the support systems that I have in place to become the best and healthier version of myself."

The Browns are pretty solid in the running back position after a strong rookie year from starter Nick Chubb. It'll be interesting to see how Hunt fits into the offensive plans.

John Dorsey acknowledges the Hunt signing is controversial -- and says the team thought long and hard before signing him.

"We fully understand and respect the complexity of questions and issues in signing a player with Kareem’s history and do not condone his actions," Dorsey said.

"Given what we know about Kareem through our extensive research, we believe he deserves a second chance but certainly with the understanding that he has to go through critical and essential steps to become a performing member of this organization, aside from what the NFL determines from their ongoing investigation."

At this point, the NFL still has not decided on a punishment for Hunt -- he could face a serious suspension.

We recently spoke with Hunt's former teammates, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, who told us they're rooting for Hunt to get a second chance and still consider him a friend.

2/12 -- Katy Perry and her brand management group, Global Brands Group, have responded to the backlash, stating that the shoe collection was released in 9 different colors and "envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism."

They continue, "I was saddened when it was brought to my attention that it was being compared to painful images reminiscent of blackface. Our intention was never to inflict any pain. We have immediately removed them."

12:53 PM PT -- The shoes have officially been scrubbed from both Walmart's and Dillards' websites.

Katy Perry's shoe that is under scrutiny for resembling blackface is about to be yanked ... TMZ has learned.

Katy's got a whole shoe line for sale at retailers like Dillard's and Walmart -- and a couple of her designs feature what looks similar to blackface ... the "Rue Face Slip On Loafers" and its high-heeled counterpart, "Ora Face Block Heel Sandal."

The "face" shoes have two eyes, a nose and red lips on them, and they come in two different colors ... black and beige. The black one is problematic, because it looks a lot like classic blackface makeup, which the fashion world does not seem to recognize time and again.

The "face" heeled sandals are also problematic ... and Katy's catching major heat for having the shoes on store shelves. Even singer Masika Kalysha is calling for Katy to answer for this, saying on social media ... "So we just gonna let Katy Perry slide?"

Sources connected to Katy tell us these specific shoes are just part of an entire line of shoes she's designed and released ... and they were never intended to be offensive. However, we're told, "In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the process of pulling the shoes."

More beef for Baker Mayfield ... this time the Browns superstar is getting into it with Arian Foster -- blasting the ex-NFL RB for being "too cool to show any personality."

It all went down on Twitter this weekend ... when a video of Baker dancing his face off caught Arian's attention.

"Your QB could never," the Cleveland Browns official account tweeted.

"*would never," Arian responded.

Mayfield saw the shade from the former Houston Texans superstar ... and went off.

"Respected you before this... I get it dog, you’re too cool to show any personality. Everybody’s different, though. No need to speak on it."

For his part ... Foster tried to squash the beef -- sending out a tweet telling the QB to not take things so personally.

We're still waiting for Mayfield's response ...

The drama is the latest in a growing line of beefs for the QB ... remember, he's been feuding with his ex-coach, Hue Jackson, for months -- even taking a shot at him on a pregame show in January.

Doesn't seem Baker's too concerned about it all ... TMZ Sports got video of the dude out at Poppy in L.A. over the weekend with MLB superstar Christian Yelich.

Here's video of Colin Kaepernick arriving in Los Angeles while the rest of the non-NFL football world shows out for jobs by playing in the AAF ... something Kap clearly has no plans of doing.

Kap wasn't saying much when we got him at LAX ... dodging questions about politics, the Super Bowl, and even what he was listening to on his AirPods.

Though Kaepernick was quiet ... his inaction is loud ... because while former NFL players like Trent Richardson, Christian Hackenberg and Zac Stacy got busy in the new upstart league, Kap didn't.

Colin has shown ZERO interest in furthering his football career anywhere other than the NFL, seemingly because he believes he's proven he's got what it takes for the league, and his absence is about politics, not performance.

Post Malone is taking heat for seemingly avoiding the subject of 21 Savage's arrest and detainment during his Grammys performance -- but PM was definitely showing love ... ya just couldn't see it.

Post performed his hit song "Rockstar" Sunday during the award show -- which, of course, features 21 Savage. Thing is, Post didn't directly address Savage's situation during his stage time ... and appeared to avoid Savage's verse altogether.

Some folks thought PM was doing 21 dirty by not taking the opportunity to speak out for his fellow MC -- who's currently being detained by ICE for being in the country illegally.

While Post didn't shout out Savage on camera, he was spotted backstage wearing a 21 Savage t-shirt -- which was presumably on him during the"Rockstar" performance.

He joins a movement that was out in force in front of the Staples Center before showtime -- the #Free21Savage coalition ... which had people marching with signs in support of the Atlanta-based rapper.

It's Grammy season, which means we're due for another outlandish Joy Villa outfit to grace the red carpet ... this time, she's here dressed as President Trump's border wall.

The alt-rock singer -- who's super conservative -- showed up to the Staples Center Sunday ahead of the big show wearing a silver "build the wall" gown, complete with faux barbed wire on her shoulders and a spiked crown on her head. Lady Liberty would be ... proud?

Joy told reporters that her 'BTW' ensemble was custom made by Designers Allinger of Desi Designs -- and, of course, she wore it to make a political statement, per usual. If her "steel" colored dress didn't tell you that ... her MAGA handbag hits the point home.

This isn't Joy's first rodeo with right-leaning outfits. She showed up to last year's Grammys wearing a pro-life dress, which also had an on-the-nose accessory.

Her 2018 fashion choice was apparently a big hit with DT's fam ... Joy told us that Eric Trump's wife, Lara, gave her rave reviews ... calling her dress "stunning."

Considering Joy has been rockin' MAGA gear to the Grammys since at least 2017, something tells us this is gonna be an ongoing thing as long as Trump's in office.

12:40 PM PT -- Dapper Dan -- a Harlem-based fashion designer, who was recently at the center of a separate Gucci controversy -- says he is meeting with Gucci's CEO this week to discuss the company's blackface scandal. DD says there's no excuse for how Gucci's Balaclava knit top was greenlit, and he promises to hold "everyone accountable."

Dapper Dan is credited with turning Gucci into popular sportswear and streetwear for athletes and rappers. He's outfitted celebs like Run-DMC, Floyd Mayweather ... and even Beyonce has worn his designs. Gucci was accused of ripping him off in 2017, and after some backlash ... they partnered up with him.

Soulja Boy is kicking Gucci to the curb after its blackface scandal -- and considering how much he's repped 'em and spent on them ... this is really bad for business.

Young Drako was leaving Fendi in Bev Hills Saturday with Ray J and a posse of people behind him, when we asked him if he'd be disavowing the luxury fashion brand in the wake of their disastrous decision to hawk a sweater that greatly resembled blackface.

It's an easy choice for Soulja -- he says he's done with Gucci and is giving away all his Gucci gear ... which is kind of a big deal since he's usually a walking billboard for the company. Just last month, SB was wearing a very prominent Gucci headband during his viral 'Breakfast Club' interview ... and has been sporting the brand continuously for years now.

Here's what really sucks for Gucci ... Soulja says he's dropped upwards of a million-plus dollars on Gucci garments, so they're losing one of their best customers. Unless, of course, they do what Soulja's asking for here ... which will call for some serious $$$ to be handed out.

If that doesn't happen ... it sounds like there'll be a lot of less fortunate people who could be coming up on some new Gucci wear. Assuming they still want it at this point.

R. Kelly shows might be poison for ticket vendors in the U.S., but in Germany he's still so popular ... he's upgrading to bigger gigs.

We broke the story ... the singer's slated to perform a few concerts this spring in Deutschland, and he's being booked despite heavy backlash in the States following Lifetime's "Surviving R. Kelly."

Turns out Kelly's scheduled show in Ludwigsburg on April 12 is a hot ticket ... so much so it got bumped to a bigger venue. A rep for the original location -- MHP Arena, which has a capacity of 7,200 for concerts -- tells TMZ it was moved to a higher capacity spot in Sindelfingen 2 weeks ago, but got relocated again recently to Ratiopharm Arena in Neu-Ulm.

That venue holds 9,000 people and is about 75 miles away from Ludwigsburg.

As for whether Ratiopharm's worried over hosting an R. Kelly concert, it acknowledged organizers struggled but ultimately decided it believed in the court of law more than the court of public opinion.

The arena spokesperson adds, if facts change before the show, it has made contractual arrangements to cancel if need be.

As we reported ... Kelly's under investigation in Fulton County, GA and there's a potential for criminal cases in Illinois. There's also been a movement to mute the singer, with many musicians pulling their collabs with him online.

In Germany though, for now ... the show will go on.

Fashion designer Jerry Lorenzo says Gucci's got a serious problem -- either the brand's too dumb to realize it's promoting hateful imagery ... or it's doing it on purpose.

We got the founder of streetwear label Fear of God outside Delilah in Weho Friday night, who compares the Italian fashion house's recent blackface sweater blunder to a popular scene in the 1995 film "Casino" ... and it's pretty great.

Jerry's take is Gucci's at fault no matter how you slice it, because it's either not socially conscious of how an item like this would be perceived ... or it's flat-out being racist intentionally.

And, it's a bad look regardless.

Lorenzo thinks Gucci will recover, though -- despite calls for a boycott by Spike Lee and T.I. -- because that's just the nature of the news cycle these days.

Don Lemon IS GOOD at comebacks ... and it's never been clearer than with this video.

We got Don at LAX Friday and asked about the blackface scandals in Virginia ... specifically, whether people should be punished for what they do when they were much younger.

Don says there's a special carve-out for political leaders, which then leads to the hypothetical ... what should happen if the 2020 Democratic nominee for President is killing Trump in the polls, but 2 weeks before the election it comes out he/she wore blackface in his/her 20's? Don handles it deftly, for sure.