Controversial S#!T

Kanye West's friend, G.O.O.D. Music artist Malik Yusef, says the rapper's comments about slavery were hurtful, but he insists Kanye was on point and could have won people over if he had more time.

Malik tells TMZ ... Kanye's take on slavery -- that it was "a choice" -- could have been developed into a compelling argument, but an hour show isn't the place to make the case.

Yusef agrees with Kanye -- slaves had a choice -- just not the black and white version Kanye suggested. He points out if a slave chose to revolt, he'd be making that decision based on options -- bleak options like not being able to read, having no food ... and putting himself and his family in danger.

A famous Trump-friendly pastor says Colin Kaepernick and others with a voice on the subject of race are cordially invited to a proposed White House summit, with the centerpiece being Kanye West.

We got Darrell Scott Wednesday at Reagan National Airport and asked if he was, in fact, talking to the President about hosting a summit on race relations at the White House, which has apparently gotten fast-tracked thanks to Kanye's professed love for 45.

Scott says it's all true. But it's not just Ye he wants at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. -- he says his camp has reached out to Kaep as well.

David Banner says Kanye West needs a brain filter -- 'cause he oughta know that not everything he thinks needs to be said.

We got the Mississippi MC Wednesday at 96.7 The Beat's radio station headquarters in Atlanta, where he weighed in on Ye's slavery comment. Dave's got more than just a few thoughts -- it's like a societal lesson he's imparting here. But he's got words for Kanye.

Young Dolph's latest music video is set on a plantation ... and the rapper compares signing to a major record label to modern-day slavery.

Dolph dropped his latest EP, "N***** Get Shot Everyday," a few months back and drops the video for his single, "Slave Owner," Thursday. In the video, Dolph plays an unsigned rapper who arrives at Liberty Land Records Plantation.

Upon his arrival, a white man -- presumably the plantation owner -- declares Dolph will make Liberty Land a lot of money. Dolph is accompanied to Liberty Land by a ton of strippers in a new Bentley truck.

The timing of the video's release seems suspicious given Kanye West's slavery comments on "TMZ Live" earlier this week ... but sources close to Dolph tell us it's purely coincidental -- it has been planned for months.

You can watch the full video here.

The dog that died of suffocation on a United Airlines flight is about to be the centerpiece of a looming lawsuit and possible criminal charges ... according to the grieving family's attorney.

The lawyer for the Robledo family, Evan Oshan, tells TMZ United has yet to adequately answer questions about Kokito's death. The dog suffocated in an overhead bin after a flight attendant ordered the dog's owner to stash it up there. The dog barked persistently ... but no one came to its rescue.

Oshan says United's moves thus far have been nothing but face-saving -- and the airline has not provided the family with what they want ... the ID of the person responsible for killing their pet. Oshan has been demanding the flight attendant's name.

T.I.'s having a hard time understanding what's going on with Kanye West, but he's willing to give him the benefit of the doubt -- for now -- for one major reason.

We got Tip at LAX Wednesday and asked if the message of his new song with Kanye -- "Ye vs. the People" -- has been lost with Kanye's slavery comments. T.I. tells us he's uncertain, but implies his message to Kanye was definitely not received.

The rapper also says he's unsure what direction Kanye's going in, or what he's trying to do, but he suggests some patience ... even though he admits he's having trouble with that himself.

T.I.'s pretty adamant about one thing, though -- Kanye's not trying to hurt anybody. In fact, Tip says Kanye believes he's doing the opposite ... to the point of being a sacrificial lamb.

Damon Wayans Jr. thinks Kanye West's forgetting what life was like before he was a celebrity, and that's why he put on the MAGA hat, but ultimately, he's willing to let the whole thing slide.

We got Damon Wednesday at LAX, where he admitted he's not the biggest fan of Kanye's music -- but he thinks the comment he made about President Trump and slavery during "TMZ Live" will earn him a new fan base. Damon's even got a name for them.

Dr. Phil believes Kanye West saying whatever he thinks and feels is either an attention grab or a serious impulse control problem, but either way ... it needs to stop because he's fueling hate.

Dr. Phil gave us his take on the rapper's behavior and racially-charged comments on "TMZ Live" Tuesday. While he says he can't diagnose Kanye without spending time with him, Dr. Phil believes Kanye's demonstrating "disregulated thought" -- basically ... he has no filter.

What's worse, according to Dr. Phil, is Kanye's motormouth isn't stopped by having a lack of info ... so what he's saying is both ignorant and irresponsible.

A former Dallas Cowboys player is going to bat for Kanye West -- telling TMZ Sports he truly believes Kanye is trying to make America great ... despite his "bad choice" of words.

We spoke with Gerald Sensabaugh -- who's now running for mayor of Sullivan County, Tennessee -- and he tells us, "I understand where Kanye was coming from" in his "TMZ Live" interview.

"His whole thing is that we're choosing to be enslaved by choosing to listen to the media outlets, we're letting people influence our thoughts, influence the way we do things, and I think that's what he meant."

"Kanye's a different guy," the former safety said ... "He's outspoken. He said Trump's his boy so expect him to have some Trump-ish ways but I don't think he means any harm."

Julius Erving says he's not hurt by Kanye West's comments about slavery being a choice -- he's more hurt by comments that have come out of Donald Trump's White House.

We spotted the NBA Hall of Famer at Ronald Reagan airport in Virginia on Wednesday -- and with such an extensive background in civil rights activism, we had to ask about the Kanye West interview on "TMZ Live."

"He's entitled to his opinion," Erving said.

As for the impact of Kanye's statements on slavery, Erving explained -- "It doesn't hurt me personally because he's only one individual."

"It hurts more to hear things that are coming out of the White House."

10:56 AM PT -- Starbucks just announced it has also reached a financial settlement with the 2 men. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 2 black men whose arrest at a Philadelphia Starbucks sparked an uproar have settled with the City ... for a symbolic $1 each and a promise from city officials they'll set up a $200k program benefiting young entrepreneurs.

You'll recall Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson were arrested last month after the manager at the coffee giant's Philly store said she called police because the men refused to buy anything or leave. The arrest sparked outrage ... from customers in the store and ensuing protests, to T.I. calling for a boycott.

The men had said they were waiting for a business meeting about a potential real estate deal. The Associated Press first reported the settlement. The Starbucks manager who called cops has since left the company.

Kanye West is not taking his meds, and people close to him believe some of the comments he made on "TMZ Live" were a result of that.

Kanye himself said he was shunning doctors who ordered him to take 3 pills a day ... he says it seriously messed with his mind in a big way and he's now taking 1 or 2 a week.

People close to Kanye say he's talked about slavery before as a metaphor, and was unartfully expressing himself when he said slavery was a choice. In fact, Kanye tweeted, "the reason why I brought up the 400 years point is because we can't be mentally imprisoned for another 400 years. We need free thought now. Even the statement was an example of free thought ... It was just an idea."

We're told the meds have been problematic ... doctors aren't even sure what works and what doesn't, and Kanye is controlling his own destiny by self-regulating ... for better or for worse.

Eric Reid has followed Colin Kaepernick's lead and has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL ... and sources tell us President Trump's name is involved.

The 26-year-old safety has not been signed since his contract with the 49ers ended at the end of the 2017 season and many believe it's because he participated in Kaep's kneeling demonstration during the national anthem.

Reid is a former Pro Bowl safety who racked up 67 tackles and 2 interceptions last season -- and many believe he should have easily gotten a roster spot in 2018 based on his talent.

Bleacher Report had Reid ranked as the 10th best safety in the league in 2017.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells us ... Reid's grievance invokes Trump's name -- essentially claiming POTUS has intimidated owners into not signing players who kneel.

In fact, one NFL source described it as the "Bezos Effect" -- meaning owners are afraid if they cross Trump, he'll publicly attack them like he did to Amazon because he doesn't like Jeff Bezos.

Trump has regularly trashed players who took a knee during the anthem -- in fact, he just went after them during a rally in Michigan last week.

The NFLPA has issued a statement saying, "Our union is aware that Eric Reid and his legal representatives filed a collusion claim, which will be heard through the arbitration process as spelled out in our collective bargaining agreement."

"Last Comic Standing" star Ty Barnett is HOT over Kanye West saying 400 years of slavery was a choice black people made -- and says Chicago should be done with the rapper.

Ty, who's from Chicago, was in Hollywood Tuesday when he tore Kanye a new one, and not just for the slavery comment. He's also pissed Ye had the nerve to bash former President Obama for not doing anything to help their hometown.

While Kanye's tried to clarify some of the controversial comments he made on "TMZ Live" ... Ty's not having it, and says Mr. West needs to shut up and let a different Chi-Town rapper take the lead.

Toronto Raptors fans got straight-up PERSONAL when taunting Tristan Thompson during Tuesday night's playoff game ... with hundreds of people in the arena shouting, "KHLOE!!!"

Tristan and the Cavs were at Air Canada Centre for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals -- when Tristan stepped to the free throw line in a VERY close game.

The fans tried to do their part in messing with Tristan's head ... and began chanting the name of his baby mama whom he famously cheated on with multiple women.

But somehow, Tristan was able to tune out the haters ... and hit ALL FOUR of his shots from the line. The Cavs ended up winning the game in overtime.

Kanye West shouldn't just laugh off gang threats in L.A. ... so says Matt Barnes who says the real gangsters in Los Angeles don't mess around.

The ex-NBA star was leaving Catch when we talked about Kanye's appearance on "TMZ Live" -- including Yeezy's reaction to Daz Dillinger's recent call for the Crips to "f*** up Kanye."

"You gotta be careful," Barnes said ... "They don't play out here with gangs so you're treading on thin ice."

Barnes also reacted to Kanye's confession about getting liposuction -- and says it shows Kanye is "not in a comfortable, secure place as a man."

Barnes says a lot of what Kanye is talking about these days -- from Trump to his views on slavery -- are "bullsh*t" -- but he believes the old Kanye can still be saved.