Music

21 Savage is about to be a free man because he'll finally be released on bond pending a deportation hearing.

21's lawyers, Charles H. Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro tell TMZ, "21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters -- he says that while he wasn't present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and is grateful for the support from around the world and is more than ever, ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together."

The statement from 21's legal team ends with, "He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people, he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them."

Savage was arrested on Super Bowl Sunday by ICE. As we reported, he was in the process of attempting to get a U-Visa.

His attorneys say 21 was granted an expedited hearing.

It's unclear why ICE held 21 for so long because, by all rights, he should have been allowed to bond out the day he was arrested. He was neither a flight risk nor a danger to his community, which is the standard for holding someone in jail pending a deportation hearing.

A massive social media campaign titled "21 Ways You Could Be Detained If You're Undocumented in America" just dropped with tons of celebs in support of Savage. Stars like Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, DJ Khaled, Jesse Williams, SZA, J. Cole, T.I., Future, Mike Tyson and America Ferrera lend both their voices and faces to the project. Mic originated the #21Ways campaign and produced the video.

Chris Brown got a knock on the door from cops because someone's worried he's losing his mind ... after he challenged Offset to show up at his home ... and revealed his address.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... someone called LAPD saying they were scared and concerned for Chris' well-being. Friday, he posted his San Fernando Valley address on IG -- instantly giving not only Offset, but his more than 50 million followers, a road map to him.

We're told cops showed up around 10:30 PM Friday and spoke to CB's security, who said the singer's fine and added there have been no issues with Offset. Sources say cops advised Chris' team to remove the post that includes his home address, and it's since been deleted.

ICYMI ... Chris and Offset have been feuding since Chris posted a meme of 21 Savage, making fun of his ICE arrest. Offset said memes ain't funny ... triggering an expletive-laced response from Chris.

Offset -- who is pretty tight with 21 -- then laid down the gauntlet by saying, "coke head don't want" smoke. After a series of DMs, CB sent Offset his address and told him to fight him.

KISS is on their final tour ever -- or so they say -- and they kept plugging along Monday by going back in time and playing a club they'd never played before ... the legendary Whisky A Go Go, but the show really started out on the Sunset Strip.

The NYC face-painted boys marched across Sunset, from The London Hotel to the Whisky ... stopping traffic to pose in the middle of the street. Think Beatles on Abbey Road ... with way more makeup, hair and platform shoes.

Once inside, the band ran through a ton of their hits, including "Lick It Up" and "Detroit Rock City." Safe to say the packed house of about 500 loved it, along with the listeners on SiriusXM ... which aired the concert.

KISS cofounder Ace Frehley isn't with his former bandmates for this farewell tour ... something Gene Simmons was tight-lipped about prior to the show. As we reported, Gene claimed Ace got the boot for being unprofessional, but Ace fired back ... accusing Gene of groping his wife and being a sex addict.

Fun fact: If this really is the band's farewell, it's a damn good thing they played the Whisky, which has famously hosted the likes of The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Janis Joplin. Good company to keep.

8:05 AM PT -- Tulsa PD tells TMZ ... no arrests were made and no injuries were reported from the chaos. However, investigators are reviewing videos online and provided by witnesses, as well as the BOK Center's surveillance cameras, to try to identify people who vandalized the arena. If police can positively ID the vandals ... they will be charged.

Travis Scott's concert in Oklahoma did not go well -- it was called off before it even started, and angry fans stuck around to voice their displeasure ... and to vandalize.

The rapper was set to perform a sold-out show for his Astroworld Tour at the BOK Center in Tulsa Monday night, but at the last minute the venue announced it would be postponed until March 26 due to "technical production issues."

Instead of heading home peacefully, a horde of Travis fans waited and grew more irritated outside the arena ... before one guy threw a water bottle, shattering a glass door.

More fans rushed at an entrance that was briefly opened by security and shouted, "Let us in!" ... but didn't get their wish. Cops dispersed pepper balls into the crowd after they began banging on the doors and moving metal barriers, and eventually ... everyone left unharmed.

For his part, Scott apologized to his fans shortly after the postponement announcement, explaining he didn't want to give them an incomplete show.

Trav's next gig is Wednesday night in Houston. He could use the hometown love.

You don't think the people at Fortnite were gonna back down from a fight, did you?

TMZ has learned Epic Games has loaded up their metaphorical Battle Bus to go to war with 2 Milly, the rapper who claims the video game stole his signature Milly Rock dance move.

Remember, 2 Milly sued Epic Games back in December for copyright infringement claiming ownership of the Milly Rock, which Fortnite players can use to celebrate a victory on the virtual battlefield.

But, Epic says they have done nothing wrong -- because 1) No one can own a dance step. And, 2) The dance in Fortnite is different than the Milly Rock.

Epic's argument isn't too complex -- they claim copyright law does NOT allow people to own individual dance steps and simple dance routines because they are "building blocks of free expression."

The other argument ... Fortnite claims their characters aren't even doing the Milly Rock, but rather a similar dance called the Swipe It ... which is a slower version of the M.R.

Rapper Sheck Wes is being labeled an abuser of women by his ex-GF but he's vehemently denying the allegations ... calling them all lies.

Justine Skye -- a singer, actress and model -- put Sheck on blast, calling him pathetic and claiming he put his hands on her in the past. She said there was an instance when she was "taking a walk with my friends and my man and Sheck Wes (my abuser) and his friends decide to STALK US and attack my friends.. two cars full of n****s while he sat in the car like a bitch."

She went on to say on Twitter, "You're pathetic sheck and you beat women. You hit your girl before me and you'll do it again." The rapper broke his silence just after midnight ... calling BS.

It's not the first time Justine's accused the Harlem rapper of abuse. Back in October, Justine wrote a lengthy post on Instagram saying she experienced domestic violence ... and then went on to like a bunch of tweets that specifically named Sheck as her abuser.

Justine's now been linked with rapper GoldLink, who appears to address Justine's abuse allegations head-on in his track "Justine's Interlude," which he dropped last month.

Some of the lyrics go, "So many stories 'bout you and so-and-so who from Harlem. It ain't too many from Harlem, so take a guess ... I'm tired of hearin' 'bout if this n***a put hands on you. Tired of tryna smile through s**t that's affectin' us."

Originally Published -- 2/12 7:00 AM PT

2/13 -- Sheck's legal and management team tells TMZ they are "fiercely standing by him through this. He has denied any wrongdoing whatsoever or violence of any kind and we believe him."

Childish Gambino is being called a "house slave" by an artist who claims his own tune was ripped off for Gambino's latest Grammy-winning work. Warning ... VERY hot take ahead.

Jase Harley explained to us Monday in NYC why he was upset with CG walking away with 4 Grammys for his monster hit, "This Is America" -- which took home Record of the Year among other top accolades during Sunday night's award show.

It's a bit tough to follow Jase's logic, but he apparently feels Gambino set black culture back by not attending the show and speaking on behalf of the racial issues he raises in the song ... and, perhaps most importantly, not acknowledging Jase as an inspiration.

This was a thing a few months back when the song first dropped -- people accused Gambino of ripping Jase off, 'cause 'TIA' sounds a lot like Jase's track, "American Pharaoh."

At the time, Jase appeared to be chill with the whole situation ... and even said he was "extremely humbled" that 'Pharoah' might've served as an influence for Gambino.

Well, it looks like all that is out the window now -- 'cause Jase makes a very controversial analogy that invokes slavery.

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.

Future bailed on a performance at Clive Davis' pre-Grammys party at the last minute -- maybe not coincidentally, considering Ciara and Russell Wilson were front and center at the event.

Eyewitnesses at Clive's Beverly Hilton bash Saturday night -- which was a who's who of Hollywood event ahead of Sunday's award show -- confirm Future was booked to perform, but hightailed it when his team realized his ex-fiancee and her new hubby were in the front row.

Our sources -- who were present during the exchange -- say someone in Future's camp accused the event organizers of being "messy" by having Ciara and Russ there, and said their guy wouldn't perform. We're told Future was briefed about it outside, and then dipped.

HollywoodLife first reported Future's departure. Now, there's another side to this story -- sources close to Future tell us he didn't bail because of Ciara or RW.

Our Future sources say the show was behind schedule by nearly an hour, and he and his team were instructed to shorten his performance significantly, which, we're told, Future wasn't down with. We're told he had no idea Ciara or Russ was there.

2/12 6:55 AM PT -- YB and Thigpen were just released on bond.

3:35 PM PT -- According to cops, YB and a female companion named Starr Thigpen were hanging out in a hotel room that "was supposed to be unoccupied." Housekeeping entered the room, and YB allegedly told Thigpen to get them out ... that's when Thigpen attacked one of the maids, striking her in the face.

The police report -- obtained by TMZ -- states the fight spilled into the hallway until the housekeeper could get away and call the cops. When cops arrived, both YB and Thigpen were arrested.

NBA YoungBoy just got busted in Atlanta, and he's set to appear before a judge Tuesday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the Louisiana-born MC is currently locked up at the Atlanta City Detention Center, where he's been booked for three misdemeanors -- possession of weed (less than an ounce), use of fighting words and physical obstruction with another.

His bond hasn't been set yet, but he's got a court hearing early Tuesday morning. Details on the arrest are unclear, but an eyewitness tells us he was busted along with a female companion.

You'll recall ... YB was indicted last year for allegedly beating the hell out of his then-girlfriend, and one of the charges he faced was felony kidnapping.

We posted video of the alleged assault, captured on a hotel surveillance camera.

Originally Published -- 3:19 PM PST

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.

2:20 PM PT -- BET is making it clear the tweet targeting Nicki was unauthorized. The network says, “BET loves Nicki Minaj. We have supported her from the very beginning of her career and will continue to do so moving forward. Nicki has paved the way for so many performers and has solidified her place as one of the most powerful figures in the music industry."

The statement continues ... "Unfortunately the respect we have for Nicki was violated by this post that should never have been written. The post does not reflect how we feel about Nicki. And further does not reflect our company values. We deeply apologize for the hurt, disappointment and confusion that this post has caused. We are committed to doing everything we can to address the situation."

BET also says, "We are also conducting an internal audit to assure these types of posts are not published again. We have apologized to Nicki and her team. The post has been removed and we have taken additional appropriate action. We understand Nicki’s position and look forward to continuing our dialogue with her. Finally, we apologize to all of her fans. This should have never happened.

BET's social media team thought it was a good idea to make fun of Nicki Minaj on Twitter when Cardi B won at the Grammys... and now Nicki's getting a little payback against the network.

The "QUEEN" rapper announced Monday that she and her label, Young Money, would not be part of the BET Experience later this summer -- which is a concert series she and Cardi were booked to co-headline just days before the BET Awards in June.

Sources connected to Nicki tell us she did, in fact, cancel the gig in direct response to BET's crass joke -- and she made that quite clear with her follow-up tweets.

People were putting BET on blast, saying they owed Nicki an apology since the comment was a low blow. Nicki seemed to agree, saying ... "Meanwhile, BET is being dragged by their lacefront," adding a laughing emoji for good measure.

It's unclear who, if anyone, at the network green lit the controversial tweet, but Nicki clearly doesn't care. If she and Young Money stick to the boycott ... it's a big loss, because it means Lil Wayne's also pulling out of the BET Experience concert.

You'll recall, Nicki and Cardi have had a salty past, getting into it at a NYFW party last September -- but both women said they were squashing the beef. It sounds like Nicki's just pissed about the jab at her, not so much about the celebration of Cardi.

Originally Published -- 12:12 PM PST

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.

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."

Debbie Reynolds' famous dance studio, where tons of celebs rehearsed over the last 4 decades, isn't recognizable anymore -- because it's a giant pile of rubble now.

The building that housed Debbie Reynolds' Legacy Studios was torn down over the weekend ... and as you can see, all that remains on the North Hollywood site are mounds of bricks.

It's a super sad ending for a dance studio frequented by tons of A-listers ... Debbie opened the place in 1979, and it's where celebs like Michael Jackson, Cher, Bette Midler, Mariah Carey, Usher, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John rehearsed.

As we reported ... Todd Fisher, Debbie's son, planned on turning the building into a museum after she died of a stroke. Unfortunately, Todd's vision never materialized and in October the building was sold at auction.