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Former boxing champ Rocky Lockridge -- who later had the most famous appearance on the show "Intervention" -- has passed away at age 60, his family confirms.

Family members tell us Rocky died Thursday morning from complications from a stroke he suffered a while back.

Lockridge was a stud fighter back in the '80s -- racking up multiple titles with victories over guys like Roger Mayweather.

But, he later became addicted to crack cocaine ... and his family brought him on the A&E show, "Intervention," in an effort to get him cleaned up.

During one famous scene, family members were pouring out their hearts to Rocky and he belted out a cry that went viral. It later became an Internet meme known as "best cry ever."

Rocky's son Ricky Lockridge confirmed his father's passing and said, "It is with great pain but a whole heart that I tell you family and friends that my father Ricky Lockridge aka Rocky Lockridge has passed away."

"All he wanted was to be in the comfort of his home with friends/ family. God has called him to walk through the gates of heaven."

Lockridge had reportedly been in hospital care for the past few weeks.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are back in the luxury real estate market, because the couple is pulling out of a $14 million deal for a super exclusive Miami Beach condo.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Kim and Kanye are no longer going through with the deal after deciding their money would be better spent on a piece of property that's more private and secluded.

We're told Kim and Ye are looking into real estate in the Bahamas and other tropical destinations ... and they want something the whole family can enjoy.

There aren't exactly gift receipts for $14 million condos ... and we're told Kim and Kanye are losing their $600,000 down payment.

As we reported ... Kanye surprised Kim with a condo in an uber-exclusive building, dubbed "Billionaire Beach Bunker," as a Christmas present.

But, after they were photographed on their new condo's balcony, we're told Kim and Kanye realized the place wouldn't be right for them, because it lacked privacy for them and their fam.

2/6 -- Turns out the absurd amount of money spent on strippers at "Stripper Bowl" may have been even more ridiculous than we previously thought, according to one of the strippers working that night. 5 Star Jazzi posted a photo after the fact, claiming that she and her coworkers actually made a cool $3 MILLION Monday ... and split their earnings 25 ways. That's $120k per stripper!!!

However, other strippers there insist she's just fronting for the 'Gram, and that between the 111 strippers working that night, they all left with $2k each.

Big difference but, either way, not a shabby payday for 1 night's worth of work.

Pardon the stupid question, but do you wanna see what it looks like when more than half a million's floating around a club? Welcome to the Stripper Bowl!

ATL's own Quality Control Music, which reps Migos and Lil Baby, threw the ultimate send-off Monday night at the Gold Room club for all the exotic dancers who came to town for Super Bowl Weekend. We say the "ultimate" send-off, because they promised a full downpour of $500k ... and you gotta see how they delivered.

The bash drew a bunch of hip-hop stars -- Boosie Badazz, 2 Chainz, T.I. and Tiny, YFN Lucci, Trey Songz ... as well as Saints superstar Alvin Kamara.

The trophy for best entrance arrival easily goes to Lil Baby, though -- chopper for the win!

We're told QC's Pierre "Pee" Thomas was personally handing out stacks of cash to make it rain on the talent, and in the video you see several bankers boxes full of singles getting ripped open.

When it was all said and done, our sources say close to $600,000 was tossed, and you can see it all lining the club floor and bar surfaces.

Offset was there too, but as we told you, he's under a strict "no groupies" ordinance right now ... so tough environment, we're guessing. He and Cardi B hit up another club together earlier in the weekend but, surprisingly, no sign of her at Stripper Bowl.

Guess the AVNs are more her style.

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.

Liam Neeson's own words -- about looking for a "black bastard" to kill 40 years ago -- are derailing the NYC rollout of his new movie.

"Cold Pursuit" is premiering Tuesday night in NYC, but the studio's decided to cancel the red carpet event -- meaning Neeson won't have to face the media. That change was announced just hours before the premiere -- and a few hours after Neeson tried to soften the blow of his bombshell revelation.

He went on 'GMA,' attempting to further explain why he'd tried to avenge a friend's rape -- when he was in his 20s -- by seeking to assault random black men. Neeson didn't know the attacker's identity but only knew he was black.

Neeson first told the puzzling story to The Independent on Monday, and the backlash has been building ever since.

For instance, we spoke to Killer Mike outside SiriusXM's office in NYC and he said he's been dealing with people like Neeson all his life.

Mike ripped Neeson for his "incredibly racist, bigoted and wrong" comments, but added he's not worried about the actor because he doesn't have to work with him.

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.

10:20 AM PT -- We now have the transcript of Tekashi's plea hearing from last week, and he opens up about how he got involved in the criminal activity, and does a lot of snitching.

In court, he says he joined the Nine Trey Bloods in the fall of 2017 and in March 20, 2018 ... he admits helping members of the gang attempt to kill a rival to "increase my own standing in Nine Trey." Then on April 3, he says he, and other members, robbed a rival at gunpoint.

He got into the Chief Keef shooting ... saying in court, "I paid a person to shoot at a rival member of Nine Trey to scare him. The shooting took place in Manhattan. I did this to maintain or increase my own standing in Nine Trey." He admits knowing a fellow gang member was the trigger man.

Tekashi also admitted to selling a kilo of heroin in 2017 -- and offered an apology for all his crimes, saying ... "I apologize to the Court, to anyone who was hurt, to my family, friends and fans for what I have done and who I have let down."

Based on what we know, Tekashi has struck a plea deal which will increase the likelihood of a significantly reduced sentence in return for ongoing cooperation. Although the minimum sentence is 47 years, the way it typically works is the prosecution will ask for significantly less ... which is his incentive to keep singing like a canary.

The problem Tekashi faces ... by agreeing to cooperate for the next year -- while the prosecution dangles the carrot of a light sentence -- he's increasing the possibility someone will try to silence him.

BTW, he did indeed plead guilty to ALL 9 counts -- there was a discrepancy in the documents.

Tekashi69 appears to be striking a deal with the feds -- he's pleading guilty to 9 counts ... TMZ has learned.

Tekashi entered the plea on January 23 ... pleading guilty to the federal indictment. He copped to multiple counts of racketeering, conspiracy, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking.

The rapper was initially indicted back in November ... and had been facing the possibility of life in prison. It's unclear what sentence he'll face now after entering the guilty pleas.

According to federal docs just unsealed this week, and obtained by TMZ, 6ix9ine was involved in dealing heroin, fentanyl, ecstasy, amphetamines and marijuana.

The feds say the conspiracy consisted of multiple acts of murder, robbery and extortion.

In docs, the feds refer to video TMZ first posted of Tekashi boldly offering, on camera, a $30,000 bounty for someone to shoot Chief Keef's cousin. According to the feds, he "aided and abetted the shooting at rivals of Nine Trey [Bloods gang] at a hotel in Times Square."

As you know, someone opened fire on Keef and his cousin back in June, in Times Square, just days after Tekashi's offer.

The unsealing of Tekashi's plea came just one day after 3 of his associates were also indicted. We broke the story ... law enforcement sources tell us Tekashi dropped a dime on the alleged trigger man in the Keef shooting.

6ix9ine's sentencing is scheduled for January 24, 2020.

JWoww's estranged husband, Roger Mathews, is firing back after his ex made explosive abuse allegations against him and posted some damning video ... and he's generally denying them, and promising to take JWoww to court.

Roger just threw up an Instagram post, which included a video of himself addressing JWoww's claims ... and he kept it pretty brief, denying what she's alleged ... and vowing to solve this in court. He also says he's not going to stop fighting for custody of his kids.

Roger also posted a letter that his legal team fired off to a judge -- which we've confirmed has been filed in court -- which says JWoww's post violated a restraining order that Roger claims he's obtained against her ... namely, by harassing him. His lawyers call it a "campaign of cyber bullying, harassment, intimidation, and embarrassment."

Roger's lawyers are demanding an immediate conference between the parties to stop what they call "economic damages" that Roger is suffering, not to mention potential danger. The lawyers claim Roger believes JWoww is trying to mobilize her millions of social media followers to cause him harm.

Additionally, Roger's legal team is asking for a mental evaluation of JWoww because they feel her behavior resembles that of someone with a "personality disorder with narcissistic tendencies." Roger's lawyers also want to know whether JWoww's own lawyers knew she'd post these allegations, and allude to a potential lawsuit.

Interestingly enough, in additional court docs, Roger's lawyers say JWoww tried getting them kicked off the case with false allegations about how they've been conducting themselves.

Roger's legal team tells TMZ ... the reason JWoww made her post Wednesday is because Roger declined a settlement proposal she recently offered up and responded with one of his own that he deemed fair. Clearly, she wasn't down with his terms.

Roger's lawyers also tell us that Roger is a great father, and that she has acknowledged as much many times before. Regarding JWoww's allegation of domestic abuse ... his lawyers say they want to review the unedited video she posted before commenting.

As we reported ... JWoww made bombshell claims Wednesday in a very lengthy online post, which detailed what she alleges was persistent abuse from Roger over the course of their 3-year marriage. She says he'd spat on her, pushed her and prevented her from closing doors.

JWoww also posted a clip of surveillance footage from inside their home that appears to show Roger pushing her to the ground, with their kids screaming in the background.

JWoww and Roger are in the middle of a messy divorce. Looks like it's about to get even worse.

Originally Published -- 6:24 PM PST

Jussie Smollett is back in Los Angeles and ready to get in front of a microphone -- with a show this weekend -- and we're told it's likely he'll address the Chicago attack.

The "Empire" star landed in L.A. Thursday, two days after the Chicago incident. Jussie has a concert Saturday night at the legendary Troubadour, and we're told the show will go on.

Tickets for the venue -- which has a capacity of 400 -- were available Tuesday, but with all the hubbub it's now sold out. The tickets were going for $20-$35 a pop, but they're being resold for 70 bucks and more.

We're told Jussie, who still bears scars and swelling, will almost certainly make reference to homophobia, racism and MAGA.

As we reported ... Chicago police are on the hunt for two persons of interest who were across the street from Jussie just before the incident.

Jussie's family said Thursday this was a case of domestic terrorism fueled by hate speech, which seemed like a shot at Trump.

3:04 PM PT -- A rep for FIJI tells TMZ, "This lawsuit is frivolous and entirely without merit. After the Golden Globes social media moment, we negotiated a generous agreement with Ms. Cuthbert that she blatantly violated. We are confident that we will prevail in court. Throughout our history, we have had a sterling reputation working with talent."

The viral sensation that was the "Fiji Water Girl" photobombing every celeb at the Golden Globes is back -- just not in the flesh ... which is why she's suing the water company.

Kelly Steinbach -- who goes by her modeling name, Kelleth Cutbert -- is suing Fiji Water over a cardboard cutout campaign that she says the company launched without her permission. Steinbach claims Fiji used her unauthorized image holding the tray of Fiji water bottles at the award show.

She says they tried coaxing her into signing away her rights, and even though she did a mock video that appeared to be doing just that ... Steinbach claims she never actually put ink to paper on a real deal. It was all for show. Nonetheless, she claims Fiji moved forward.

Steinbach says that cardboard cutouts of herself started to pop up all over L.A., and one of those is pictured in a photo with John Legend from earlier this month.

She says the "Fiji Water Girl" viral moment generated upwards of $12 million in brand exposure, and now she's asking a judge to give her a piece of the pie.

Forget diamond Super Bowl rings ... Sean McVay's smokin' hot GF is opting for crystals for Sunday's big game -- 'cause she just got a custom jacket made with 4,000 of 'em in it!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Veronika Khomyn hit up Leah Miller at Bella Artistry to have a one-of-a-kind piece made to cheer on her BF during the Rams-Pats game ... and the fit came out GREAT.

We're told, the satin bomber jacket was hand-cut and hand-sewn ... and had 4,000 Swarovski crystals hand-placed into it.

The jacket also features a "Mob Squad" patch and a whole bunch of Rams logos ... and, in total, took about 14 HOURS to complete.

We're told similar jackets run for around $1,000 ... and Khomyn completed the outfit by adding a custom Rams hat that featured 600 crystals hand-set into it!!!

Veronika won't be the only WAG stuntin' at the Super Bowl ... tons of BOTH Rams and Patriots wives hit up Leah to get their own one-of-a-kind gear made for the game.

So, you be the judge ... who's winning the Rams-Pats swag battle in the box suites this weekend???

Even 9 lives can't withstand 20 degrees below zero -- which is why Chicagoans are on a mission to save hundreds of thousands of stray cats ... with the help of tons of straw.

A grassroots community in Chi-Town called "Chicago Community Cats" has been bracing for a week for the polar vortex temperatures by prepping makeshift shelters for stray and feral cats. Erica Roewade, who runs the group, says about 200 people have been working around the clock to build straw-stuffed bins to keep the kitties warm.

It's a huge undertaking. Chi-Town reportedly has roughly 200k feral cats roaming its streets and alleys.

Roewade says the group has also purchased about 100 "Snuggle Safe Disks" (which also keep pets warm), heated water bowls and other supplies to distribute throughout the city.

Considering temps are expected to stay in the negative all week -- Roewade says the most important thing is to keep the frigid wind and airflow off the kitties.

Grammy-winning R&B singer and songwriter James Ingram has died from a battle with a form of brain cancer ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the singer tell us James had been fighting the cancer for an extended period. Actress and choreographer Debbie Allen reacted to the news Tuesday, saying ... "I have lost my dearest friend."

Ingram recorded several chart-toppers in the '80s, including his #1 duet with Patti Austin, "Baby Come to Me" ... as well as "Somewhere Out There" with Linda Ronstadt, "100 Ways" and "Just Once."

He won a Grammy for "Yah Mo B There" -- his duet with Michael McDonald -- and another for "100 Ways." He was nominated for 12 other times for Grammys.

James worked closely Quincy Jones over the years ... recording and writing hits. For instance, he and Q co-wrote Michael Jackson's smash hit, "P.Y.T." from the "Thriller" album.

James was one of the featured soloists for the all-star choir that gathered to record the smash charity song, "We Are the World" in 1985 -- singing parts between Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner and Ray Charles.

He started his professional singing career in the 70s when he joined the group, Revelation Funk, and even played for Ray Charles' band at one point.

During a Quincy tribute concert in L.A. last September, James was noticeably absent when Patti performed their hit song. It was not clear at the time why he soldiered on without him, doing her best impression of her dear friend while singing his parts.

James was 66.

RIP

8:33 AM PT -- New information about the Barstool Sports incident at the Super Bowl Opening Day event in Atlanta -- cops say PFT Commenter was NOT arrested -- but he was issued a criminal trespass warning.

A spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... both PFT and Barstool president Dave Portnoy were "in possession of fake Super Bowl LIII media credentials."

"The individuals ... were issued criminal trespass warnings by APD officers at the request of State Farm Arena security staff."

"Neither man was arrested or cited. Both had the fake credentials taken away and were advised they would be arrested for criminal trespass if they attempted to enter either State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, or Mercedes Benz Stadium property again."

We spoke with Portnoy who tells us the trespass warning means he's not allowed to attend the Super Bowl, even though he has a ticket.

Portnoy also delivered a message to NFL Commish Roger Goodell.

PFT Commenter -- the cohost of the "Pardon My Take" podcast on Barstool Sports -- says he was arrested at the NFL's Super Bowl Opening Night event in Atlanta on Monday night.

The Barstool star -- real name Eric Sollenberger -- had been having a pretty successful night, firing off questions to everyone from Rob Gronkowski to Todd Gurley ... even Bill Belichick.

But at some point during the evening, event organizers decided they wanted PFT Commenter out -- and they sent security to escort him off the property.

Eventually, PFT says the Atlanta Police Dept. got involved and arrested him for criminal trespassing.

PFT says officials even called in the FBI to question him.

PFT's boss -- Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy was also escorted out of the event. Portnoy says he was not arrested.

Barstool and the NFL have a rocky relationship -- Portnoy and his team have attacked NFL Commish Roger Goodell on several occasions ... and it's clear they're not welcome at official NFL events.

Story developing ...

Ya can't cheat on someone if you're not together anymore ... that's what Victoria's Secret model Josie Canseco is saying after getting tips about Mike Stud hooking up with chicks behind her back.

Here's what we know ... Josie began dating Stud in 2015. He put her in one of his music videos (wearing nothing but a bra and panties, straight FIRE!).

Josie's dad, Jose Canseco, famously threatened to shoot Mike if he mistreated his daughter -- but they eventually all hung out and got along.

But, the couple hit a rough patch in 2018 and after trying to work things out, they eventually decided it was best to part ways.

The split was pretty quiet -- so when people saw Mike getting close with other women, they started messaging Josie, thinking the rapper was being unfaithful.

But, Josie says that's just not the case -- explaining to her fans, "We've been split for a while now n to not worry!"

"Nothing but love for him always."

Meanwhile, Josie is 22-years-old and one of the top models in the world.

She won't have any issues finding a new guy ... if and when she chooses to do so.

11:00 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us ... Bates hailed a cab in Manhattan and was taken to his hotel in Queens, and the fare totaled $32.06. We're told, he told the driver he didn't have cash or a card and took off ... so the driver called the police.

We're also told before Bates attacked the sergeant at the station, he said, "I want to punch you in the face" ... then did exactly that.

Our sources say Bates has now officially been charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, along with theft of services.

A relatively unknown NFL linebacker just made a name for himself in the worst way ... by allegedly flying off the handle and punching a cop in the face!

According to law enforcement sources ... Lions LB Trevor Bates was arrested around 3 AM Saturday morning at a Hampton Inn in Queens, NY for refusing to pay his cab fare. Cops were called to the hotel and took him into custody for theft of services.

We're told while he was at the local station preparing for fingerprinting, Bates became irate and declared he didn't like one of the officers in the room. He then allegedly punched a sergeant ... causing a laceration above the cop's left eye.

Our sources say the sergeant received 3 stitches and was treated for a concussion at the hospital before being released.

Bates was taken to the hospital, as well, for a psych eval. We're told he has not formally been charged yet for assaulting an officer.