Music

R. Kelly might as well be record label-less right now -- because his current one has frozen him out ... putting new music on ice until the dust settles in his latest scandal ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with R. Kelly's contract and dealings with RCA/Sony tell us ... the label will not produce any of the singer's new music, it will not put money behind any of his projects, and it will not release any additional music until the criminal investigations in Georgia and other fallout resolve one way or the other.

We're told R. Kelly is pissed because he's been in the studio recording new music to fulfill the obligations under his RCA contract ... which requires 2 new albums.

Our sources say he's especially annoyed RCA/Sony won't provide money for music videos.

RCA/Sony is in a tough spot -- they can read the tea leaves and know they will have hell to pay in terms of PR if they release R. Kelly's songs in the wake of the growing #MuteRKelly movement.

On the other hand, the label has a deal with R. Kelly, and if they formally walk away from him now without any criminal charges to justify ending the contract ... they could be sued. We don't know if there's a "morals clause" in R. Kelly's contract ... which would allow the label to give him the boot for crossing the line.

It sounds like they could mutually agree to end things because we're told R. Kelly is very unhappy and if the label doesn't embrace him, he wants out. The problem ... where to go? On top of that, our sources say other artists are now turning him down for possible collabs.

In case you haven't noticed, Kelly has been releasing new music via social media and SoundCloud for a minute. Yes, R. Kelly is a SoundCloud singer ... at least, for now.

We've reached out to RCA/Sony for comment ... so far, no word back.

For Lady Gaga, her victories at the Critics' Choice Awards are totally overshadowed this morning by the news her beloved horse is dying.

The singer hauled in 2 awards Sunday for Best Song and Best Actress for her performance in "A Star is Born" -- but skipped all the after-parties because she'd just found out about her horse, Arabella.

Lady Gaga posted an emotional tribute, saying, "Our souls and spirits were one."

No doubt Arabella was a huge part of Gaga's life. She's posted tons of pictures of her trusted steed over the years.

DJ Paul says R. Kelly will continue being a musical legend despite what happens with the fallout from Lifetime's docuseries -- even if the guy gets charged and convicted.

We got the Three 6 Mafia rapper Sunday at LAX, where he agreed with French Montana that R. Kelly should be allowed to enjoy his legacy ... despite allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse.

Paul takes it one step further, saying R. Kelly's personal life is separate from his music. He says Robert Kelly is totally distinguishable from R. Kelly.

The MC seems to be well aware of what Kelly has been accused of, but even so ... he insists R. Kelly's music will live on forever no matter what comes from all this.

The family of one of R. Kelly's alleged sex slaves is demanding a meeting with their daughter ... but ONLY if her alleged captor isn't there.

A family attorney for Joycelyn Savage's parents fired off a letter to Kelly's attorney, Steven Greenberg, Monday morning that spelled out a request for an in-person meeting between Joycelyn and her folks, Timothy and Jonjelyn Savage. They don't want R. Kelly there.

In the letter, obtained by TMZ, the Savages' lawyer says some of Kelly's former associates have made threats against Tim and Jonjelyn, which they say are now being investigated in Henry County, GA. This appears to be a different criminal investigation than the one that's already underway in nearby Fulton County, GA.

The Savages also make another thing clear ... they're terrified for their lives and refuse to meet with Joycelyn in Chicago without the presence of law enforcement.

The Savages say they want to meet with Joycelyn to determine once and for all whether her relationship with Kelly is in fact consensual. Ideally, they'd like to meet in Atlanta ... but say they're willing to meet in Chi-Town, only if it's at the State Attorney's Office.

There's no holding Tekashi69 down ... 'cause he's crankin' out music in the slammer like crazy.

Sources close to 6ix9ine tell TMZ ... Tekashi's spending most of his time behind bars writing and producing songs for his next album. He's even created visuals for the record.

We're told the circumstances of his incarceration have worked in his favor. On the negative side, he's facing possible life imprisonment for the various charges, and the negative forces have inspired some serious writing.

On the positive side, the rapper's getting strong support from family, close friends and girlfriend Jade, who proudly displayed this butt grab behind bars.

6ix9ine's been working out and is actually healthier now than before he was locked up.

He's actually been getting inspiration from some of his fellow inmates ... listening to their life stories.

R. Kelly knew good and well that his one-time protege (and future wife) Aaliyah was a 14-year-old child the same year he married her -- which debunks a claim put forth by his lawyer that the singer was oblivious to her being a minor.

An old video of a documentary about R. Kelly from 1994 has resurfaced online and in this section ... Kelly clearly acknowledges Aaliyah's age (apparently, 14 at the time this was shot) as she records a song in the studio, with him serving as producer.

In the YouTube clip, you hear Kelly say clear as day ... "Right now I'm producing a very talented lady -- a young lady. She's 14, Aaliyah. She's real street."

Kelly went on to marry Aaliyah that same year, which reportedly got annulled shortly after. Despite this evidence of Kelly clearly being aware of Aaliyah's age, the singer's new attorney, Steve Greenberg, insisted to ABC News last week that his client was unaware of her being 15.

He says she must've lied about her age to legally marry Kelly, and that Kelly had "no idea."

R. Kelly hasn't said much about his marriage to Aaliyah or her age, but he told GQ in 2016, "I can tell you I loved her, I can tell you she loved me, we was very close. We were, you know, best best best best friends."

Kelly and Aaliyah appeared together for a BET interview in 1994, where they denied they were in a romantic relationship ... and played coy about her age, calling it a "secret."

In light of this new video, Greenberg tells us ... he misspoke during the ABC interview, and probably shouldn't have put words in R. Kelly's mouth, as he says he never spoke to Kelly about Aaliyah specifically.

It's official ... Maroon 5 are headlining Super Bowl LIII, and they'll be joined by the likes of Travis Scott and Atlanta hip-hop legend Big Boi.

The band announced the news Sunday with a promo video which lists themselves, Trav and Big Boi as performers for the halftime show. The NFL confirmed on their end, saying M5 will take center stage and TS and BB will be featured as guest artists.

We broke the story ... Travis signed on to perform for Super Bowl 53 late last month, despite tons of backlash from the African-American community. According to a report, Scott only agreed to do the show after the NFL vowed to donate a ton of cash to Dream Corps.

The Big Boi announcement didn't come as a total surprise. We knew organizers were scrambling to snag either him or Cardi B. Looks like they went with a homegrown artist for the big game that'll be played in ATL this year.

Little Mix member Jesy Nelson is catching tremendous backlash for playfully singing along to one of R. Kelly's most famous songs in the wake of Lifetime's docuseries.

The British singer was at a dinner party in London Saturday night with some friends, and she recorded herself dancing in her seat and singing Kelly's "Ignition (Remix)" as it played over the speakers. Her buddy who was sitting next to her got in on the fun as well.

In the clip -- which has since been deleted from Jesy's IG story -- you hear her say, "'Ignition,' R. Kelly" with an added "Ooh" for emphasis. She continues to sing along to the first verse as she playfully touches her pal's face. It's clear she had no issue with the song.

Welp, her fans didn't like that a whole lot. Tons of people tweeted their criticism at Jesy, both with shock, disgust and disappointment. One user wrote, "Jesy Nelson what the f**k? First you film a white person saying the n word and put it on Instagram and now you are bopping along with R Kelly after what has just happened?"

The user continued... "Shame on you... I'm done with you, CANCELLED. You just ruin LM's reputation too. Bye sis."

Little Mix did not comment one way or another on the allegations leveled against Kelly in "Surviving R. Kelly." It's interesting too -- Kelly has continued to secure bookings for shows in Germany despite the airing of the docuseries and the uproar it's caused in the States.

12:39 PM PT -- French Montana is drastically changing his tune ... now claiming that his "heart is with the victims." He tweeted Sunday, "Let me be clear. My heart is with the victims. I never thought the people I looked up to as a kid, who sang and danced and gave me hope to become a superstar would become drug addicts, child molestors and rapists. I am hoping we as a culture create better leaders. We need them."

Definitely not in line with what he told us, but okay. Thanks, French.

French Montana seems to be saying R. Kelly should have a right to enjoy his legacy ... despite the flood of allegations that he's been a sexual predator.

We got French Saturday night leaving the L.A. Coliseum after the Rams game, and he invoked Michael Jackson's name, saying, "All the greats went down like that," adding, "Let somebody enjoy their legacy. Whatever happened, happened, man."

French said R. Kelly's M.O. was clear when he sang, "My mind's tellin' me no, but my body, my body's tellin' me yes" in his song, "Bump and Grind."

That's when our photog asks French if everyone should stop listening to R. Kelly, and French launches ... saying, "They [people] don't let nobody have their legendary moments."

"Love & Hip Hop Miami" star Amara La Negra tried to compose herself before addressing allegations against R. Kelly ... and then she ferociously unleashed.

The up-and-coming musical artist was leaving iHeartRadio in Atlanta Friday when we asked about the drumbeat to prosecute Kelly in the wake of Lifetime's docuseries, "Surviving R. Kelly."

Amara scoffs, saying there was plenty of proof to lock Kelly up years ago ... when he was accused of making a sex tape with an underage girl. Kelly was acquitted of the child pornography charges in 2008, but clearly ... Amara thinks there was more than enough smoke.

Mystikal is THIS close to getting the money he needs to post bail and get out of prison while he waits for his rape case trial to begin ... thanks to friends and a record deal.

You may recall the rapper was booked in 2017 for first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping after he turned himself in following a Louisiana woman who came forward.

He's been behind bars ever since (almost a year and a half), but people around him have recently rallied and he could be set free soon, pending his trial in May.

Mystikal's attorney, Joel Pearce, tells TMZ ... his client's friends and family have been raising money to help post the $3 million bail. But, what really helped is a new music deal.

Tim Yazbeck, another attorney for the rapper, tells TMZ ... Mystikal has a new record deal for 3 unreleased albums and he's hoping to get an advance within days.

Rae Sremmurd is no more ... at least that's what one half of the hip-hop duo's suggesting.

Slim Jxmmi dropped some disheartening Twitter bombs on fans of the "Black Beatles" rappers Saturday morning, including 3 he later deleted implying he's parting ways with his brother, Swae Lee.

One said, "Y'all won it's a wrap," while another was even more telling, with Slim saying ... "I'm not Rae Sremmurd I'm slim jxmmi and ima sink or swim by myself."

Jxm also boasted he'd bought his mom a home off the money he made from his own work ... which is a tweet he actually left up.

The 2 have both done recent solo work but confirmed they have a new album coming out in early 2019 ... called "SremmLife4."

This isn't the first time there have been rumors of a breakup, but they've denied them in the past and maintained all was well between the siblings. It seems like it could be different this time.

Interesting note -- the last time we heard from the rappers was last week when they were in New Zealand, but only Jxmmi was seen ... getting involved in a bloody street brawl.

R. Kelly is rationalizing his daughter's powerful condemnation of his behavior -- he believes his ex-wife cooked it all up, despite the fact he's been estranged from their child for years.

Sources close to R. Kelly say ... the R&B singer isn't upset with Joann Lee Kelly for breaking her silence and calling him a "monster," because he thinks his daughter was only parroting her mother, Drea Kelly's views. We're told he feels Drea's brainwashed all 3 of their kids into hating him.

Although our sources say Kelly loves and misses his kids, he seems to be ignoring the reality -- that he has no relationship with them -- and hasn't for some time now.

Kelly did have a musical collab in 2015 with Joann, who is a talented singer -- but we're told he thinks Drea drove a wedge between them after that, because she was furious Joann had been in the studio with him.

We're told Drea brought their kids to an R. Kelly concert in Atlanta a couple years ago, but since then he's had little contact with them, and he has no clue why things switched up.

However, anyone who's seen "Surviving R. Kelly" knows exactly how Drea feels about her ex ... and it ain't good. Worth nothing, Drea told us earlier this month she's open to Kelly reaching out to the kids because they're all adults now and free to make their own choices.

Tekashi69 is ghosting his kid since getting locked up -- making no attempt to reach out to her, according to the child's mother.

We got Sara Molina, 6ix9ine's baby mama, out in NYC and she says it's been radio silence since the feds took the rapper into custody, and he was indicted on racketeering charges. As we first reported, his 3-year-old daughter, Saraiyah, didn't get any Christmas presents from dear ol' dad.

That might be understandable -- since he's behind bars -- but Tekashi's GF, Jade, got to unwrap a G-Wagon. She also got a Rolex for her 22nd birthday. Sooo ... not a great look for him with the fam.

The fact he was all cozied up with Jade during a recent visit ... has also gotta sting for Sara.

You'll recall, just last October Tekashi seemed to be embracing his role as Saraiyah's papa. A lot's changed since then -- but still, Sara stopped short of trashing her baby daddy.

In fact, she has some advice for him on how best to use his time in lockup. Hint: It doesn't involve handsy photo ops with Jade.

Need that extra push headin' into the weekend?? Here's the Auburn women's basketball team to get you hyped ... with one of the best locker room dance-offs you'll ever see!!

The Tigers turned their locker room into to a dance party with an incredible choreographed dance to Lil Wayne's "Uproar" ... and they went OFF!! ... with a mashup of all the best moves.

Dougie, shoot, Harlem Shake ... you name it, they killed it.

The girls clearly took their time to plan it all out ... and the results are incredible.

R. Kelly and his record label are now being attacked by ground AND air, because a women's rights group flew a banner over the record label's owner, calling him a "sexual predator."

UltraViolet is the group behind the move ... and they just had an airplane tow a banner over Sony Music HQ in Culver City Friday morning, and it reads "RCA/SONY: DROP SEXUAL PREDATOR R KELLY."

On Thursday, Kelly's daughter released a statement denouncing her dad, saying, "The same monster you all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house."

With calls to drop and mute R. Kelly intensifying in the wake of Lifetime's "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries, RCA has largely remained silent. RCA, which is owned by Sony Music, has been Kelly's label throughout his successful solo career.