Music

Geto Boys rapper Bushwick Bill turned to alternative medicine in his final days, and he went to the Mile High State to find some peace of mind before his death ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the hip-hop pioneer tell us Bill passed away Sunday night in Colorado. Our sources say Houston was relayed to the media to protect the family's desire for privacy. We're told BB had checked into a Houston hospital in late May -- but when doctors said he could catch a blood infection due to his deteriorating immune system ... he opted to head for the clean air of the Rockies.

We're told Bill decided to try holistic treatments at the Colorado facility where he checked in late last week. It was exactly the kinda setting he wanted -- in nature surrounded by majestic mountains.

As we reported, he died Sunday with his kids by his side after a hard-fought battle.

BB was able to tie up some last-minute business as well -- we're told he was able to finish his final album, "Check Morals/Turpitude Balance" and also put the final stepping stones in place to launch a Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

New York-born singer Robin S. (real name Robin Stone) was only 30 years old when she shot to fame when her dance jam, "Show Me Love," hit the airwaves in 1993 and made the world move with its infectious groove.

Robin S. also had success on Billboard's Dance Club Songs with the jams, "Luv for Luv" and "What I Do Best" ... also on her "Show Me Love" album on Big Beat and Atlantic records -- solidifying Robin as a singing icon in the '90s club scene.

Robin S. resurfaced last weekend and performed on stage at the 49th annual Boston Pride Festival.

Tim McGraw is a strong believer in country over party ... not country music, but country U.S. of A.

We got the country singer leaving the ABC building Tuesday in NYC, and asked what it's like to be a notable Democrat among a predominantly Republican music genre. He tells us above all else ... he just loves being an American.

Tim doesn't offer any scorching hot political takes, but instead reminds folks the most important duty for U.S. citizens is to get out and vote ... and vote your conscience.

Justin Bieber might be going through a mid-20s crisis -- first, he's challenging Tom Cruise to a fight out of the blue ... now he's gifting himself a fancy new crotch rocket.

At least he's got a loving Instagram wife by his side.

The Biebs got a brand new motorcycle delivered to his home Tuesday, wrapped in the brand name of his new Drew clothing line ... and Hailey snapped some quality pics of her hubby for the 'gram.

The 2-wheeler also features his favorite number, 6 ... as if it's going to be entered in some sort of race.

Wouldn't put it past JB.

As we reported ... Justin surprisingly challenged the famed 56-year-old actor to an MMA fight this past weekend and enlisted Dana White to set it up. His motive for beefing with Cruise is still unclear.

Also unclear ... whether or not Justin took Hailey for a spin on his new hog. Either way ... their photo shoot was a success.

Hailey captioned the final product, "Boys and their toys," followed by 3 eye roll emojis. That seems about right.

Lil Xan can claim he pulled a gun on a stranger in self-defense, but right now cops are looking at the incident as a possible case of assault with a deadly weapon.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... LAPD's elite Robbery-Homicide Division has taken over the investigation which could lead to a very serious felony. We're told when the alleged victim first went to police over his Friday night run-in with the rapper -- captured on video obtained by TMZ -- the officer filed a report for assault with a deadly weapon.

Although, Xan never fired ... it rises to assault with a deadly weapon if the alleged victim feared he might be shot.

In addition to cops seeing the video we posted, our sources say detectives are also looking to pull video from nearby businesses and high-rise residential buildings. There's also a restaurant across the street that may have surveillance vid of the full encounter. That could provide more context beyond our video, which starts when the argument is already in full swing.

We're told detectives want to speak with Lil Xan to get his side of the story. After that, cops could present their case to the D.A.'s Office ... OR get a warrant to arrest him.

TMZ broke the story ... the alleged victim called out Xan for calling Tupac's music "boring" last year. Things quickly escalated ... with Xan pulling a gun out multiple times, and pointing it at the man.

The 22-year-old rapper said he only pulled the gun because he thought he was about to be attacked.

The man who copped to giving Demi Lovato a near-fatal overdose -- but was never charged with a crime -- is now facing what many Demi fans would call karma.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Brandon Johnson is facing 3 misdemeanor counts for shoplifting and possession of heroin and ketamine after allegedly trying to swipe some pricey merchandise from a Macy's.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Johnson walked into a San Fernando Valley Macy's and picked out a Michael Kors backpack, a pair of pants, a Puma hoodie and went into a fitting room. We're told Johnson walked out with just the backpack and tried to bolt after not paying for the items, but store security stopped him.

Our sources say the backpack was stuffed with stolen items, totaling $440, and the drugs.

4:55 PM PT -- A rep for Woodstock tells us, "We are in discussions with another venue to host Woodstock 50 on August 16th - 18th and look forward to sharing the new location when tickets go on sale in the coming weeks.

It's not looking good for Woodstock 50 again -- the music festival doesn't have anywhere to set up shop.

The hammer dropped Monday afternoon when Watkins Glen International -- an upstate NY race track -- terminated Woodstock 50's site license ... leaving the troubled concert without a home. The racetrack cited its contract with Woodstock 50 as its reason for scrapping the permit.

It's terrible news for fans who were still holding out hope the festival would actually get off the ground on the heels of major money issues nearly shutting it down.

As we've reported ... Woodstock 50's previous financial backer, Dentsu, tried canceling the event altogether. Woodstock 50 recently found a new partner to bankroll the project, and organizer Michael Lang has vowed the show will go on, but Monday's news appears to be the knockout punch.

The clock is ticking, and right now you'd have to say ... it's gonna be difficult to host a music and arts fest in August without a venue.

Boosie labeled American Airlines racist as hell for refusing to let him board his flight ... but the airline says the rapper's got it twisted.

ICYMI ... the rapper went on a homophobic, profanity-laced rant Sunday ... calling AA as a bunch of racist punks for refusing to let him and his kids board a flight from Charlotte to Grand Rapids, Michigan. It appears Boosie confirms he showed up late to the gate because he wrote, "The captain told you that we could be let on but you did not want us on because of your jealousy towards me."

A spokesperson for American Airlines tells TMZ ... "[Boosie's] inbound flight from Jackson, Miss., to Charlotte, NC., was delayed, and he arrived at the gate for his connecting flight to Grand Rapids, Mich., after the airplane door had been closed."

The spokesperson added, "While we understand misconnections are frustrating, [Boosie] was not denied boarding for any other reason other than he arrived after the door had already closed for departure."

The airline booked Boosie and his family another flight later that night but that didn't stop the rapper from wishing death on AA's employee and hoping for a plane crash. #RealMature.

Sounds like Boosie's jeopardized his status with AA ... the airline tells us it's reviewing Boosie's interactions with employees as well as his rant to determine his status moving forward.

So ... what was so important in Grand Rapids that had Boosie burning up after missing his flight?

Justin Bieber doesn't believe for a second Tom Cruise is half the badass he seems to be in his movies -- and he's out to prove it in the Octagon.

We can only assume Justin was watching a 'Mission: Impossible' or "Jack Reacher" flick this weekend when he said enough is enough ... and called out Cruise.

Bieber not only challenged Cruise to an MMA brawl, but he pulled that schoolyard bully move, saying ... "Tom if you don't take this fight your [sic] scared and you will never live it down."

Now, we'd laugh this off as just a joke, except for the fact, he tagged UFC honcho Dana White -- and then Conor McGregor chimed in ... saying he'll host the fight IF Tom has "the sprouts to fight, like he does in the movies."

Something about this doesn't seem like a fair fight, although we're not sure who's the favorite.

Remember, Justin actually has boxing skills. His pal Floyd Mayweather Jr. has even vouched for him in the ring.

Then, there's age: Justin is 25, Tom is 56 (going on 57). JB's also about 2 inches taller than TC, and probably has a longer reach too.

Then again, Tom has experience AND ... he jumps out of tall buildings!!! That's gotta count for something, but apparently not for bookies.

Yes, BetOnline is already taking wagers, and has Bieber as the 2 to 1 fave over Cruise.

Red Cafe got hit with something way more than a late charge for not returning a rental car on time -- he got arrested, and now could be facing serious jail time.

The Brooklyn rapper was busted last week for vehicle theft after Beverly Hills PD learned of a stolen car -- a 2018 Chevy Impala rental -- parked on the street. According to law enforcement ... officers saw Red Cafe get in the car and start to drive away. He did not get far ... they quickly pulled him over and took him into custody.

Red was booked on a felony count of unlawful taking/driving of a vehicle -- and released on a $25,000 bond. The rapper's scheduled to appear in court next month.

In hindsight ... the "God Wanted Us To Be Lit" rapper probably would have been better off just booking a long-term rental. Live and learn, right?

8:45 PM PT -- Bill's reps confirm he died Sunday evening surrounded by family at 9:35 PM in Houston. His publicist says plans are underway for a public memorial.

His son, Javon, tells TMZ ... Bill's final words were, "I will love you forever."

Bushwick Bill, real name Richard Shaw, was 52.

RIP

10:05 AM PT -- Bill's daughter says her father is "fighting for his life" and needs prayers and support. She also hinted at some friction between Bill and unnamed industry people. She said on IG, "Certain people have been so quick to write him off as dead so they can capitalize off it."

She stressed, "There is no Geto Boys without Bushwick Bill."

8:55 AM PT -- Bill's publicist tells TMZ he is "still alive and fighting cancer" in a hospital. She says she spoke to hospital staff to confirm, and says some of Bill's family members are by his hospital bedside right now. Others are on their way.

As for why so many of Bill's friends, including Scarface, are posting that he's passed -- the publicist says someone got incorrect information which is spreading like wildfire.

The rumors were likely stirred by Bill's absence from a Saturday night Dallas gig. He was scheduled to make a special performance, but was unable to make it because he was hospitalized.

His publicist tells us event organizers were notified ahead of the show that Bill was not well enough to make it.

Bushwick Bill, one third of iconic rap group the Geto Boys, is in bad shape ... but still battling with pancreatic cancer.

TMZ broke the story ... Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February. Just last month, he told us he was undergoing intensive chemotherapy, and had hoped to get back on the road.

Bushwick Bill, Scarface and Willie D became the Geto Boys in Houston back in 1988 and signed with J. Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records. The group was instantly controversial for its graphic lyrics which made radio airplay almost impossible. Their 1991 album "Can't Be Stopped" still went platinum, though, on the strength of classics like, "Mind Playing Tricks On Me."

Just a few weeks ago, the rap trio was trying to put together a reunion, but it fell apart at the last minute.

As we first reported, Bill had a falling out with tour organizers ... feeling like they were exploiting his cancer diagnosis to sell tickets. He was especially bent out of shape with the mini-tour's title, "The Beginning of a Long Goodbye: The Final Farewell."

Promoters pulled the plug on the tour on the eve of its launch. However, Bill told us he wanted to do a 20-city solo tour called "Phuck Cancer" ... and planned to donate a portion of proceeds to pancreatic cancer patients in each city.

Houston hip-hop icon Bun B paid tribute on Twitter, saying Bushwick "will always be a legend."

Britney Spears seems to be getting back to her normal life one couple's activity at a time -- this time she's jet skiing in Florida ... but not without some advanced planning on the part of her father/conservator.

The singer was down in Miami this weekend alongside her boyfriend, Sam Asghari, as the two of them mounted some WaveRunners and hit the water with a splash. She was riding solo, and seemed to be enjoying herself as she caught some speed.

Britney's been going out a lot more lately with Sam -- whether it's hitting the town on a date near Thousand Oaks or going for a bike ride with the dude ... she's very visible.

What's even more intriguing about her cross-country trip here is that her father and primary conservator, Jamie Spears, filed court docs last month seeking to extend the conservatorship to include 3 other states outside of Cali ... and Florida's one of them.

At the time, we were told Jamie knew the Sunshine State is one of the places Brit likes visiting, so he preemptively sought to get a handle on things amid all the #FreeBritney drama from last month ... which appears to have simmered down since her court appearance.

Nothing could stop Celine Dion as she belted out her hits for the final show of an amazing 16-year run on the Vegas Strip -- nothing except some guy with a small bladder.

Celine performed her 1,144th show Saturday night at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace ... where the crowd caught all the feels -- but at one point she delayed the show for one special fan's bathroom break.

She noticed him getting up, and waited until he returned to his front-row seat to restart the show. Celine joked it was the least she could do, considering he was probably broke after dropping big money on 2 tickets to the big Vegas finale. She also practiced good hygiene ... watch the clip.

That aside, Celine called the show "bittersweet" and said she never imagined doing so many shows in Vegas when she started on March 25, 2003.

At the end of the show, her 3 sons brought her roses and joined Mom for a final bow to a massive standing ovation.

Au revoir, Celine. C'est magnifique!!!

Warning to Yo Gotti fans: Wanna be tackled so hard by a muscle-bound security guard that your soul leaves your body? Simply jump onstage like this guy did, and ... good luck!

Gotti was rocking The Block Party festival Saturday night in San Antonio when one excited and very brave fan decided to get a little closer. What's amazing about the moment is ... Yo Gotti never flinches for a second.

Gotti was so unfazed by the fan ... it's almost like he knew what was about to happen.

One of his security guards rushed in, looking exactly like an NFL linebacker, and absolutely destroyed the fan!!! According to concertgoers, Gotti's security worked the guy over a little bit after the tackle ... and then police detained him.

Charlamagne Tha God is adamant ... if Americans collectively decide to get their mental health in order, there'd no doubt be a huge decline in violence.

We got Charlamagne out in NYC and straight-up asked him ... if rappers went to therapy, would there be less violence in the hip-hop world? The 'Breakfast Club' host shot back saying therapy wouldn't just benefit one industry, but the entire country.

He also thinks it would go a long way to curbing mass shootings and other violence in the hood.

The mental health topic, of course, comes on the heels of Charlamagne's interview with YG, who said showing his emotions and having a good cry is just NOT his thing.

Charlamagne got YG to confess the rapper did get emotional after his boy, Nipsey Hussle, was murdered 2 months ago. But, aside from that, YG says crying ain't his thing.

Punk rock singer Casey Chaos allegedly bloodied a woman at his house, and now he's facing a possible felony for domestic violence.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the lead singer for the group Amen got into an argument with a woman early Tuesday morning at his San Fernando Valley home. We're told the verbal dispute eventually turned violent, and when cops showed up they found the woman with a bloody face.

Casey, whose real name Karim Chmielinski, was arrested and booked for felony domestic violence. However, our sources say Casey told cops the woman is NOT his girlfriend, and he was adamant they aren't dating. The alleged victim refused medical aid on the scene.

The 53-year-old frontman was released on $50,000 bond.

It's not the first time Casey has been in trouble with the law ... as we first reported, Chaos was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles back in 2012 after he allegedly smashed his SUV into several parked cars and fled the scene.