Music

Missy Elliott is soaking up the well-deserved spotlight ... and what started during the MTV VMAs, continued afterward as Cardi B, Lil Mama, and Lizzo all toasted her amazing career.

Fresh off her Video Vanguard Award at the VMAs ... Missy was surrounded by huge celebs who came to kiss the ring, as it were. Cardi presented Missy with her special Moon Man statuette during the show and was still by her side later in the night.

Other legends in the house for Missy's bash included Queen Latifah, Treach and Ice-T. Check out the gallery to see who else came to get their freak on with Missy.

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift was turning up at NYC's Moxy Hotel ... and Monday night her squad was FULLY glam.

Gigi and Bella Hadid were practically draped on T-Swift whose VMA performance was one of the night's standout moments.

Taylor's label, Republic Records, threw the event with other hit makers like Bebe Rexha, Joe Jonas and Hailee Steinfeld.

Miley Cyrus just performed her new single -- which mirrors her recent split with Liam Hemsworth -- at the VMAs ... and it was super emotional.

Miley took the stage Monday night rocking a skin-tight black dress, singing her heart out as she performed her latest track, "Slide Away," which makes some not-so-subtle references to her breakup with the Australian actor.

It was a stirring performance, filmed in black-and-white ... and Miley got the crowd off its feet inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey where the awards show is going down.

Miley dropped the single earlier this month, only a few days after announcing her split with Liam ... and the lyrics seem to reflect the real-life struggles of their failed relationship, including drug and alcohol references.

We broke the story ... sources close to Miley told us she desperately tried to save their marriage, but she became tired of Liam's partying. His side says the drug and alcohol accusations are only a cover for Miley's recent outrageous public behavior.

Miley and Liam have a long history together ... they were together on and off for a decade, and tied the knot back in December, hosting family and friends at a wedding celebration inside their Nashville home. But, the good times didn't last.

As we first reported ... Liam just filed for divorce from Miley, and she gets to keep their pets.

The 2019 VMAs were all about Shawn Mendes and some sexy senoritas ... and they dazzled behind the scenes.

The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ was the center of the music world Monday night, with tons of A-listers in the house for MTV's signature award show. Shawn performed his hit duet, "Senorita," with Camila Cabello ... but she wasn't the only mamacita turning heads.

Bella and Gigi Hadid looked absolutely stunning ... and the supermodel sisters stole the show in matching outfits.

Post Malone was practically speechless after witnessing a scary version of Russian Roulette, involving a fish hook, 4 strings and a trick that grabbed PM ... hook, line and sinker.

The impromptu magic show went down Saturday night at the Reading Festival in the UK, where Post was performing. While hanging backstage with Tyla Yaweh, local illusionist Ryan Tricks gave the "Beerbongs & Bentleys" rapper a chance to inflict some serious pain.

Here's how the trick works -- Ryan puts a fishing hook into his mouth, which has four strings looped through it ... but only one of them is actually tied and firmly attached.

Now the queasy part ... Post was tasked with yanking on three strings (his manager, Dre London, ended up helping in the end) to see if he could pick the string that wasn't knotted.

You gotta watch this -- it's totally reminiscent of Christopher Walken and Robert DeNiro in 'Deer Hunter' -- except this is REAL LIFE. Honestly, we can't tell if this was a trick or just Ryan getting super lucky.

Post didn't seem too sure either, but he was more than happy to celebrate with the guy. Beers, of course ... what else???

The only thing on the menu when Camila Cabello does dinner with Shawn Mendes is ... Shawn Mendes -- and she enjoyed seconds, thirds and fourths on a NYC sidewalk.

The pop couple took the most visible table possible at Extra Virgin Sunday night in the West Village, and proceeded to make out almost non-stop through their meal. Honestly, there are plates and glasses on the table, but doesn't seem like Shawn or Camila touched 'em -- too busy kissing.

On the lips, on the cheek, on the neck ... they couldn't get enough of each other. It's almost like they're reliving their high school years -- y'know from like 5 years ago.

A lot of people blew them off initially as a publicity stunt -- they started dating back in June, right around the time they dropped their hit song, "Senorita."

We'll say this ... IF it started as just good PR, it's looking like more than an act at this point.

For what it's worth -- "Senorita" is #2 on the charts.

A$AP Rocky has returned to the Big Apple, and his happy-go-lucky vibes are palpable ... this after his turbulent experience in Sweden.

We got the Harlem-based MC Sunday night going in and coming out of The Bowery Hotel in NoHo, Manhattan, where our camera guy asked how he was feeling being stateside again after being held in Swedish custody for about a month. "Happy AF" is an understatement.

Rocky was even more ecstatic as he was leaving, telling us what his takeaway is after going through what he did -- an arrest, a long holding period, a trial, and an eventual guilty verdict (but no further jail time), just to recap. Watch ... life's simple when you're free.

As we've reported ... A$AP's been on the West Coast quite a bit since touching back down in America -- going to Kanye's Sunday Service, and even headlining a show in Anaheim.

Based on how he's been acting since he's been back ... you can tell the dude's got a new outlook on life. As he says here, he's no troublemaker ... just a "pretty motherf***er."

The 11-year-old violinist for who Simon Cowell hit the golden buzzer on "America's Got Talent" is onto the semi-finals, and his next performance could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars ... TMZ has learned.

Tyler Butler-Figueroa is not only Simon's pick to win it all this season, but the young leukemia survivor has impressed the judges and become a fan fave with his visionary violin work and energy ... and he's on the cusp of landing a huge recording deal.

According to Tyler's semi-finalist contract -- obtained by TMZ -- if he wins 'AGT,' he'll score a $100,000 advance on his first album, with the possibility of making another $100k in bonuses based on sales. Plus, he'll get royalties on the music.

If he DOESN'T win ... he only gets a $25k advance. The good news -- win or lose, it's all about sales. If people are buying Tyler's album, he can still make up to $100k in bonuses.

And, there's this -- according to the contract, if Tyler goes on to make a second, third, fourth or fifth album with his label, his earning potential's the same regardless of how he finishes on 'AGT' ... up to a $275k advance if he gets to album #5.

Seems like he's already a big winner.

Tyler advanced to the semis earlier this week after nailing "Don't You Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia. This, of course, after he wowed Simon with his talent -- and his story -- in the auditions round.

Dem Franchize Boyz lost one of their own this weekend -- Gerald "Buddie" Tiller passed away from what appears to be cancer, according to the group itself.

DFB posted the sad news Sunday, writing on Instagram ... "R.I.P. Buddie you Will be Missed #demfranchizeboyz." Jermaine Dupri -- who signed the group to his So So Def label in 2005 and pretty much put them on with their smash hit, "Lean wit It, Rock wit It" -- also spoke on Buddie's death, and seemed to suggest he'd died from cancer.

On his own IG page, the hip-hop mogul made reference to a line from Buddie's verse on 'LWI,RWI,' writing ... "'They call me Doctor Doc I prescribe what a n**** need' #ripbuddy may your soul rest easy #demfranchiseboyz #f***cancer."

Other rappers offered up their condolences as well -- including Da Brat and fellow DFB member Parlae.

Dem Franchize Boyz are perhaps best known for their two hits, "Lean wit It, Rock wit It" and "I Think They Like Me," both of which appeared on their debut album "On Top of Our Game." They did a mash-up of 'Lean wit It' with Korn called "Coming Undone Wit It."

Kendrick Lamar may be small, but the man is mighty -- that much we can tell by the way he trains in the ring.

The Grammy-winning rapper has been getting his box on lately at a gym in Northridge, CA -- about 20 minutes north of L.A. -- and TMZ Sports got a hold of what appears to be the only footage of Kendrick in the ring doing his thing. This clip is from earlier this year.

Dude's from Compton, but it seems he's been looking to keep an even lower profile than usual ... 'cause we're told this specific facility is pretty dang discreet.

As for what Kendrick has been getting into inside, welp ... take a looksy for yourself. As it turns out, Kung Fu Kenny's got hands -- you can see him doing a vigorous round of focus mitt drills with a trainer ... and we gotta say, KL could go toe-to-toe with any Joe there.

We're told Kendrick went about four rounds of mitts on this outing -- and he looked sharp all the way through. It's unclear what he's training for -- maybe he's just keeping fit?

Either way, the MC is no stranger to combat in his art. During his "DAMN" tour, he embraced the martial arts aesthetic in a video that accompanied his set, and homeboy could move.

Whether it's boxing or kung fu fighting ... Kendrick has made major strides from the way he used to throw down (jokingly, of course).

Ariana Grande is coming back to Manchester to spread love more than 2 years since her benefit concert following the bombings there -- now doing a show for Pride.

The pop star will be in Manchester Sunday, where a live concert is being put on ... this following two days of other festivities, including a parade. Ariana is set to take the stage in Sunday's lineup, which includes other artists like Pixie Lott, Tulisa and Becky Hill. It's unclear what time exactly she'll come on -- she's the headliner for Sunday, so probably late.

This will be the first time AG has stepped foot in the city since June 2017, when she hosted the One Love benefit concert a couple weeks after a bomber detonated a homemade device that sent a bunch of nails flying in the rotunda area of Manchester Arena.

Ariana's concert at the time was winding down, but at least 22 people were killed nonetheless ... with several others being injured. It caused a massive panic inside.

The free benefit concert she put on afterward, which was organized with the help of her manager, Scooter Braun, drew tons of people and raised a lot of cash, upwards of $3 million.

Ariana was joined by other music acts like Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas and others -- which made for a really sweet moment in the city.

We'll be on the lookout for her performance. Stay tuned ...

The audience loved it.

Kanye West is in Dayton, Ohio right now, presiding over his Sunday Service to honor those who died and were injured during the mass shooting earlier this month.

The service is going down at the RiverScape MetoPark to a large crowd.

Kim Kardashian and at least 2 of their kids -- Saint and North West -- are on hand for the event. They were all dressed in white as they headed to the service. We don't know if Chicago made the trip. We're told Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock are also in attendance.

Chappelle eventually took the stage to tell the large crowd that even after going through a tough time -- including tornadoes, Klan rallies and shootings -- "we're still here and we're still strong. And the only way, but not the only way, but the BEST WAY that we can honor our fallen is by getting up better than we were before." He finishes by thanking Kanye for coming out and reminds him that he and Dayton have his back.

Chappelle is also in Dayton for an event later in the day ... The Gem City Shine, a benefit concert, again honoring the victims of the latest American massacre. We're told around 20,000 people are expected to attend.

Speaking of Dave, Kanye led a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to him Saturday night inside what appears to be a hotel lobby. Dave turned 46. BTW, Kanye didn't sing -- he led his choir in a melodic rendition of the Stevie Wonder version. Dave toasted the crowd with a brewski.

David and Victoria Beckham are flexing their British roots with some of the best company the UK has to offer -- Sir Elton John is onboard with the couple on the same yacht.

The Beckhams and their children are riding on a luxury yacht right now with the legendary singer, his husband David Furnish and their kids -- where they're all enjoying the steady waters in the South of France ... and diving in feet first when the mood strikes, it seems.

Well, Dave is anyway -- he was snapped holding hands with his daughter, Harper, and one of Elton's boys ... jumping off the side of the yacht into the ocean as a group.

Based on what we can see here, the wife had a little something for him when he came back up dripping wet. Yes, you can feel the love today with these two ... it's as strong as ever.

As for boat wear ... DB went with the classic shirtless look, Victoria rocked a sun dress and Elton was in a floral design getup ... rockin' his shades too, per usual. Looks like he kept Victoria company at one point while Dave was splashing around with the kiddos.

Sofia Richie had the 21st birthday just about any 21-year-old would want ... a Vegas blowout.

Sofia and a bunch of her friends partied hard at the XS nightclub on the Strip, and it looked like a blast.

Scott Disick was there, but took a back seat to the action as Sofia danced wildly with friends. She went onstage with The Chainsmokers and just kept dancing.

There was the obligatory cake -- in this case, 6 tiers.

Sofia got some pretty awesome presents earlier in the day. Scott presented her with an Aston Martin and a Range Rover. Yep, 2 whips. When the cars were safely garaged, they jetted off to Vegas. Kylie was waiting at the airport where they all boarded the private jet.

In case you lost track, Scott and Sofia have been dating for about 2 years. They seem super serious ... she even hangs out with his kids, and she and Kourtney clearly get along. They've even all gone on vacay together.

Taylor Swift tripled down in an interview that aired Sunday, saying she's determined to get her OG music back, one way or the other.

Taylor appeared on CBS' "Sunday Morning," and made it clear ... she's going to rerecord the songs that made her famous. As we reported, Taylor surrendered any claim to the masters for her 6 original albums. The masters are owned by Big Machine, and she went ballistic when she found out Scooter Braun bought the company for $300 million.

Taylor made it clear ... she had no idea Scooter -- with whom she has a big problem -- was going to plunk down the cash for BM. She says she learned about the sale when the news broke online.

Kim Kardashian has now joined Kanye West's in Ohio ... and they're doing cheesecake for dinner.

Kim and Kanye were spotted leaving a Cheesecake Factory restaurant Saturday evening in Beavercreek, OH -- a city about 15 minutes outside of Dayton -- where they were ushered into a waiting SUV with security nearby.

We're told their son Saint, and daughter North, were with them for the hour-long dinner, which got started 6 PM. No word on what they chowed down on, but it's Cheesecake ... they got a lot of options (no specials though, apparently).

Anyway, Kim and Kanye definitely weren't trying to stay on the down low -- check out our video. You see them interacting with the crowd outside ... from a safe distance, of course. Kim said hi to some fans, and Ye flashed a peace sign.

Kim's appearance here comes a day after Kanye was seen roaming the streets of Dayton with other family members, including what looked like some of his kids.

Howie Day was arrested in NYC after a woman claimed he'd assaulted her -- this a year after he was arrested for something similar ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the "Collide" singer was busted Friday after he allegedly got into an argument with a woman at a hotel in Manhattan's Financial District. Things got so heated that cops were eventually called ... and the woman reported that Day had grabbed her, thrown her around, wrapped his hands around her throat and squeezed.

When cops arrived, we're told 8 Xanax pills were found in Howie's pocket. The woman, whose relationship to Howie is unclear, reportedly sought medical attention and got a protective order against Howie as well.

He was booked on charges ranging from assault with intent to cause physical injury, criminal obstruction of breathing and possession of a controlled substance. Howie was reportedly arraigned Saturday, where he's said not to have entered a plea. He bailed out on $500 bond.

This, of course, is a huge deal ... seeing how Howie was arrested in April 2018 for a similar alleged incident -- only that one was caught on video. In surveillance footage, obtained by TMZ, you can see Howie shove his then-girlfriend, Carrie Pencek, at least once.

He's also on tape slamming the car door, throwing his music gear around and looking visibly upset, which promoted Carrie to get out of the vehicle in a panic. At the time, cops showed up at his house to arrested him for fourth-degree assault.