Music

Miley Cyrus and Kaitlynn Carter just touched down in L.A. following their very eventful Italian getaway ... and the two grabbed a ride together after the flight.

The pair was spotted driving around the City of Angels Wednesday after arriving back in town from their European vacation -- where they seemed to have a great time together -- right as Miley and Liam publicly announced their separation to the world.

ICYMI, the two gals were seen getting pretty cuddly near a pool outside their hotel in Lake Como ... kissing at one point. Sources connected to the pair tell us the two are currently seeing each other, but wouldn't call it dating.

Kaitlynn is newly single as well ... calling it quits with Brody Jenner. It's all good on that end -- BJ's already moved on, and is dating Josie Canseco.

Jay-Z talked to Colin Kaepernick ahead of announcing his new partnership with the NFL -- according to reports -- but the rap mogul said his deal with the league goes beyond Kaepernick's kneeling protest.

Some thought Jay -- by signing on to help the NFL with entertainment and social justice issues -- was undercutting Kap's cause ... but both Jay and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed that Wednesday at Roc Nation's NYC offices.

The two men sat next to each other and discussed the partnership with about 30 invited media members. Referring to Kaepernick and other NFL players kneeling during the anthem, Jay said ... "I think that we forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice so in that case this is a success — this is the next thing. There’s two parts of protest: the protest, and then there’s a company or individual saying ‘I hear you, what do we do next?’ For me it’s about actionable items, what are we gonna do about it?"

As you know, Kaepernick still doesn't have a job in the NFL, and Goodell was asked if he's been blackballed. He said "any team" can sign him. Both Jay-Z and Goodell said they had spoken to Kaepernick ahead of Tuesday's announcement they'd be teaming up. However, neither would reveal what Kaepernick said.

As far as whether Kaepernick would be involved in the partnership -- where the NFL will support Jay-Z's social justice causes and Jay will produce the Super Bowl Halftime Show -- Jay said, "You'll have to ask him, I'm not his boss. That's for him to say."

Goodell and Jay seemed like a old friends ... shaking hands and laughing through the event.

We've reached out to reps for Kaepernick to see if he has any reaction to Jay's sit down with the NFL Commissioner.

By the way, the NFL and Roc Nation only allowed one still photographer in the event. The NFL shot the only video which it plans to release later Wednesday.

It started out amicable, but the breakup between Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth is now in nasty territory ... with claims of drug use and infidelity.

Sources with direct knowledge of the breakup are telling radically different stories. Sources from Miley's side tell TMZ, she tried valiantly to save the marriage and the dealbreaker was that Liam was drinking a lot and using certain drugs, and she wanted no part of it ... especially since she struggled with substance abuse in the past.

Sources from Liam's side are calling BS, saying the drug and alcohol claims are designed to mask what they say really destroyed their marriage ... they claim infidelity on Miley's part.

As you saw, Miley and Kaitlynn Carter were making out in Italy last Friday ... though our Miley sources made it clear ... she had broken up with Liam months earlier -- we're told Liam begs to differ. He was also without his wedding ring weeks ago.

As one source put it, "This is another attempt by Miley to distract from her infidelity and recent outrageous public behavior."

R. Kelly wants to change up his legal team ... by bringing on one of the most powerful, successful criminal defense lawyers in the country ... Tom Mesereau.

Sources familiar with the case tell TMZ ... Mesereau is in Chicago right now, meeting with Kelly, who is charged with various sex crimes in 4 different jurisdictions -- Illinois State, Illinois Federal, New York Federal and Minnesota State. Raed Shalabi -- one of R. Kelly's current attorneys -- accompanied Mesereau into the jail to meet with Kelly behind bars.

In case you don't know ... Mesereau has worked miracles in the courtroom. He got Michael Jackson acquitted of child molestation in 2005, and got Robert Blake acquitted of murdering his wife, also back in 2005.

We're told Mesereau has not officially signed on, but that's the plan. If he does, he will be the lead attorney and possibly the sole attorney representing Kelly.

The big question ... how's Kelly paying his legal and other bills? As you know, he's struggled to pay child support and was even jailed for a time before someone footed the bill.

A$AP Rocky did not beat the rap in Sweden, because the judges in his assault case have found him guilty ... but he will NOT have to go to prison.

The 4 judges in the case issued their written ruling Wednesday ... concluding A$AP was guilty of assaulting a man during a street fight in Stockholm. The judges said Rocky, and his 2 friends who were also standing trial, "were not in a situation where they were entitled to self-defense."

The case hinged on whether A$AP threw a bottle at the victim during the all-out brawl in late June. Prosecutors argued Rocky hurled the bottle and badly cut the guy, but they couldn't produce a single witness who saw a bottle fly during the melee. Rocky conceded he was holding a bottle for protection, but put it down and it never made contact with the guy.

The judges said prosecutors did not prove the bottle was used to hit the victim. As a result, the judges said the crime did not warrant any further time served, and added Rocky will NOT have to do community service.

Rocky got a suspended sentence ... meaning he'll have to pay various fees and fines, and if he does he's in the clear. The judges felt Rocky and his co-defendants got ample punishment already with time served -- 1 month in a Swedish jail.

The upshot ... the court found hitting and kicking the victim while he was on the ground was a crime -- namely, assault -- because A$AP and his crew were not in danger of imminent harm, but prosecutors failed to prove the biggest issue ... that A$AP struck the victim with a bottle, and that's why he got no jail time.

A$AP and the co-defendants will, however, have to pay restitution to the victim, and also cover Sweden's court expenses.

As we reported, the alleged victim was the initial aggressor, harassing Rocky and his crew despite pleas from the rapper to leave them alone. The guy also attacked Rocky's bodyguard before A$AP took care of business.

A$AP was jailed for a month, and 3/4 of that time spent behind bars was before he was even charged. A$AP never claimed his arrest was racially motivated ... but his mom and G-Eazy had a different view.

The case became an international incident -- claims of racism and inhumane conditions in the jail. President Trump intervened ... but that didn't sit well with the Swedish Prime Minister who told him to butt out.

After a month in jail and a 3-day trial, the judges allowed Rocky to fly home to the states while they decided his fate. Prosecutors wanted Rocky to remain in jail pending the verdict, because they said he was a flight risk.

A$AP blew out of Sweden on a private jet, and was gleeful when he touched down at LAX.

As we reported ... Rocky performed last weekend at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA for the first time since his arrest and told his fans, "Hopefully I'm not guilty and hopefully we ain't gotta go back to jail or nothing like that."

Rocky seemed to indicate he would have returned to Sweden to do the time if found guilty -- however, that won't be an issue.

Legendary musician today ... the next Don King tomorrow?!?!

It sure sounds like Usher is considering that route ... 'cause when we got him out at Avery Sparrow's pre-Ryan Garcia fight event -- he told us he's dead serious about possibly getting in the boxing business!

"I'm obviously here for a reason," Usher says ... "Who knows? I may be bitten by the bug."

Usher's had some history with the sport ... he famously played Sugar Ray Leonard in "Hands of Stone" back in 2016 -- and he's close with Sparrow and his boxing family.

But, the 40-year-old tells us he's inspired by what Al Haymon and Jay-Z have done transitioning into representatives for sports stars ... and he says he might just follow suit!

"Who knows? It could be great promise there."

Usher ain't a stranger to running a sports biz ... remember, the guy is a minority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

So, could boxing promoting seriously be next??

"Playing in this space could be fun ..."

Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign's "Hot Girl Summer" got chilled down by LAPD who nearly torpedoed their music video -- but there's a happy ending. Ya like those, right?

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ, cops crashed Meg's attempt to shoot her video for 'HGS' last Friday, in the Mount Olympus neighborhood of L.A. -- right in the heart of the Hollywood Hills.

The reason? We're told she didn't have the proper permits.

Major drag too ... because our sources say Meg and her featured guests, Nicki and Ty, were all set to go at a house they'd booked as the main set for the shoot. Nicki and Meg were in costume, rocking matching neon striped outfits, which showed off all their good sides. As in, all of them!!!

The problem is ... someone snitched!!! Law enforcement sources tell us someone called the cops, and officers rolled up to find production didn't have the necessary paperwork. LAPD sent everyone packing, shutting down production.

Not to worry though, Stallionaires ... we're told Meg and co. improvised and were able to lock down another location about 50 miles East of L.A. in Chino Hills. It's just like the Hollywood Hills ... of Chino, anyway.

We're told the team was able to finish the scenes they needed without issues that same night, and the music video is scheduled to be released as planned.

Spoiler alert ... this thing appears to feature some wild animal cameos. Saddle up, folks!!!

Rapper Roddy Ricch allegedly grabbed his girlfriend during a heated argument at his home, and now he's facing possible felony domestic violence charges.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Compton MC got into a verbal spat with his girlfriend early Sunday morning at his Los Angeles pad. We're told the dispute eventually turned physical, and sources say Roddy put his hands on the woman during their argument.

Roddy was arrested and booked for felony domestic violence. We're told the alleged victim did not need medical attention.

The 20-year-old rapper was released on $50,000 bond.

Roddy Ricch has made a name for himself in the West Coast rap scene ... his music videos are getting millions of views on YouTube, and he was featured on Nipsey Hussle's hit track, "Racks In The Middle." Roddy's also working on a collab with Drake.

Jay-Z -- one of Colin Kaepernick's biggest supporters -- is teaming up with the NFL for a music and social justice campaign ... this according to reports.

The partnership is with Hov's Roc Nation company ... in which the rap mogul will be the league's "live music entertainment strategist" ... including working together on the league's Inspire Change activism campaign, according to The New York Times.

Here's where it gets interesting -- just last year, Jay-Z called the NFL out, dissing the league in a song called "APESH*T" ... where he rhymed about turning down the Super Bowl halftime show to show solidarity with Kaepernick.

The role will make Jay a consultant for the show he so publicly rejected.

It's clear the league is trying to make amends for all the backlash it received in the handling of the national anthem demonstrations ... and a man with Jay-Z's reverence and influence will certainly help him do that.

As for the Inspire Change initiative ... it was created earlier this year to "create positive change in communities across the country."

Robi Draco Rosa -- once a member of the super famous Latin boy band, "Menudo" -- wants out of his marriage ... he's filed for divorce.

Robi filed docs in L.A. to divorce his wife, Angela Lizette Alvarado, of nearly 30 years. They got married in 1991 and list June 22 as their date of separation. They have no minor children and he went with the ol' "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split.

As for spousal support, he wants the court to sort that out later.

Rosa, of course, was famously a member of "Menudo" -- arguably one of the biggest Latin boy bands in history -- around the same time when Ricky Martin joined as a 12-year-old in 1984.

They became lifelong friends and Rosa played a key role in Ricky's solo success. Rosa was a producer and songwriter for Ricky's "Livin' la Vida Loca" which was nominated for 2 Grammys (Record of the Year and Song of the Year) in 2000.

Miley Cyrus might've snatched up Brody Jenner's ex, Kaitlynn Carter, but he isn't batting an eyelash over it -- the guy's already found a new distraction ... one Josie Canseco.

Sources familiar with the new pair tell TMZ that Brody and Josie have been seeing each other as of late ... and that they seem like a good match for now.

We're told the Victoria's Secret model first met Brody during a 'Hills' press tour in New York, where they were introduced at a hotel party through Frankie Delgado and Brandon Lee -- both of whom are also on the hit reality show that was recently revived.

Our 'Hills' sources say Brody and Josie hit it off, and have been hanging out A LOT over the past few weeks, kissing each other and showing tons of PDA around friends. They seem to be taking things somewhat slow, we're told, but it's clear they're romantically involved.

Perfect timing, really ... Kaitlynn seems to be moving on with Miley ... who's apparently BEEN over hubby Liam Hemsworth for a while now.

Here's another thing -- our sources tell us even though Brody referenced Miley and Kaitlynn (and Liam too, cringey as it was) ... it's not a reflection on what's occupying his mind. We're told Brody's over Kaitlynn after their split and couldn't care less who she dates.

As for Liam -- who's been the most tight-lipped about all the drama out of everyone involved -- he piped up Monday in Australia, telling a pap he didn't wanna talk about it.

Billie Eilish has a vision of what hell is really like ... tarring and feathering herself on the set of her upcoming music video ... and the images will stick with you!!!

The 17-year-old alt-pop singer got down and dirty filming the video for her track, "all the good girls go to hell" ... throwing on a huge set of feathery wings and completely covering herself in heavy black makeup that looks just like sludge.

The imagery is pretty powerful ... you see Billie slowly rising up from the ground, bogged down by the tar and feathers, as she sings for the cameras. At one point, she switches into a pure white look with some perfectly clean feathers for some serious angel vibes.

If you paid attention in history class, you might recall learning about tarring and feathering ... an old form of public humiliation used in feudal Europe, and even here in America.

But, history lessons are boring, so Billie's music video also has FIRE ... massive flickering FLAMES and a HUGE EXPLOSION!!!

Miley Cyrus and Kaitlynn Carter are seeing each other -- something we're told didn't start until they had both broken up with their spouses -- but our sources say this all came AFTER a valiant attempt by Miley to save her relationship with Liam Hemsworth.

Sources connected to Miley and Liam tell TMZ ... the 2 were struggling with various issues for months, and she pushed for the 2 of them to go into therapy and took other steps to make their marriage work. As one source put it, "He didn't come close to meeting her half way."

It became apparent a while ago it wasn't going to work and they drifted apart. We're told they've been separated for "months." Check out the photo of Liam from back in June, grocery shopping without his wedding ring.

There are new pics of Liam in Australia with brother Chris, and he looks sad. That may well be the case, but we're told in no uncertain terms ... nothing was sprung on him -- it was a long time coming.

As for Miley and Kaitlynn, we're told they did not get together until after their respective splits, but they have history. Miley and Liam were friends with Kaitlynn and Brody Jenner for years. They all lived in Malibu and after wildfires destroyed their neighborhoods late last year, we're told the foursome became even closer.

As we reported ... Miley and Kaitlynn were making out poolside in Lake Como over the weekend. We're told they're seeing each other, with no labels attached.

Cardi B, French Montana, Yo Gotti, City Girls and Master P all sampled a beat in some of their most famous tracks but when it came time to pay the DJ who created it, they went radio silent ... so claims the DJ in a lawsuit.

Kirk Edwards -- who goes by DJ JMK -- is suing the rappers claiming he produced a beat Master P famously rapped over in 2002. JMK says his track, "Choppa Style," has over 9 million streams on YouTube, and a small chunk of that track has been sampled in other notable tracks.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Cardi B and City Girls sampled a portion of 'Choppa' last year for their mega hit, "Twerk." JMK also says Yo Gotti and French Montana did it on "Oh Yeah" in 2017.

Specifically, JMK says he should have been paid for the samples, but never got his dough.

JMK -- who said he made the instrumental in November 2000 and played it at clubs where he DJ'd -- says the rappers have all "misappropriated many of the recognizable and key protected elements" of his work. He's now suing for copyright infringement.

Liam Hemsworth's looking as devastated as you'd expect, and even his nieces, nephews and big bro Chris are struggling to lift his spirits.

Liam, Chris and Chris' 3 kids hit up a frozen yogurt shop Monday in Australia ... and it's obvious Liam's hurting, fresh off his split from Miley Cyrus. Chris, who turned 36 on Sunday, and his kids -- 7-year-old India and 5-year-old twins Tristan and Sasha -- entertained themselves while waiting for their treat. They obviously couldn't do the same for Uncle Liam.

His only expression was somber ... after he and Miley shockingly split just 8 months into their marriage. While he's hanging with Chris, Miley kept herself busy over the weekend.

As we reported ... Miley and Brody Jenner's ex, Kaitlynn Carter, were spotted canoodling poolside in Italy. The longtime friends weren't shy about expressing their affection -- hugging, kissing and holding hands while they soaked up the sun.

Brody's reaction was to joke pics of him and Liam holding hands are coming soon, which quickly drew Miley's ire. She fired back with a mic drop of her own.

A$AP Rocky's first live show since his arrest overseas proves he still has swagger, showmanship and bravado -- but he's also been humbled, and his fired-up fans gave Sweden an earful.

Rocky performed Sunday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, where he was headlining the annual Real Street Festival -- which also featured Cardi B, Future, Migos, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and lots of other superstars. A$AP brought out some special guests himself -- A$AP Ferg, Tyler the Creator, and YG were just a few.

In this footage from his set, A$AP shared some of his experiences in Sweden with the crowd and thanked them for continued support.

You can tell the audience wasn't happy over his predicament ... they literally chanted "F*** Sweden" at one point in the show, and Rocky didn't try to stop them. He did clarify that he's got nothing against Swedish people, though -- sounds like some Swedes there were holding it down and demanding his release, just like folks here at home.

Before he bowed out, Rocky asked the crowd to pray for him before a verdict is reached this coming Wednesday in his assault case -- which wrapped up about 10 days ago, giving Rocky a chance to finally fly home.

He was ecstatic to be home, and has been keeping busy with some of his staunchest supporters in the days he's been back.