Music

Nicki Minaj says she's leaving the music biz ... she's decided to retire because HER family's the next priority.

The rapper made the stunning announcement in a Thursday morning tweet ... saying she's gonna retire because she's ready to become a mom. She wrote, "I've decided to retire & have my family. I know you guys are happy now. To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me, X in the box- cuz ain't nobody checkin me. Love you for LIFE."

Nicki seems to be saying 2 things ... 1. that she wants to become a mom, and 2. that she's sick of the trolls.

What's not clear ... is she blowing off steam or is this the real deal?

If Nicki's in fact done with the rap game ... she leaves behind a storied legacy. The pride of Trinidad and Tobago and Queens earlier this year became the first female rapper to officially sell 100 million units across her albums, singles and features as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Nicki's been nominated for 10 Grammys, earned a Guinness World Record in 2017 for most Billboard Hot 100 entries by a solo female artist and hauled in five MTV Video Music Awards. It's unclear if retirement means she's also done with the popular "Queen Radio" show.

TMZ broke the story ... Nicki and her boyfriend, Kenneth Petty, got a marriage license not long ago. She's called him her husband since then but we haven't been able to confirm they've actually tied the knot.

But one thing's clear, they seem to be going full steam ahead ... with starting their family seemingly on the horizon.

Originally Published -- 11:50 AM PT

Nipsey Hussle's estate owes a singer her fair cut of the money the rapper made off his hit song, "Hussle & Motivate" ... according to a claim she just filed.

Tasleema Yasin says she wrote and performed a vocal phrase used throughout the track ... according to the docs filed Thursday in L.A. Superior Court. Tasleema also says her voice is prominently featured in a countermelody, which she sang in her higher register ... and she says can be heard throughout the song's chorus.

She claims she's a coauthor of "Hussle & Motivate" ... which means she's entitled to a big cut of any dough the song earns.

Tasleema doesn't list a specific amount she's due, and wants the estate to provide a proper accounting ... so she can figure out how much.

Kevin Spacey's getting more comfortable returning to the spotlight, at least when he's overseas ... and out and about in the wee hours of the morning.

The actor joined a street band in Seville, Spain to sing AND play acoustic guitar on a couple oldies but goodies ... and everyone appeared to be having a fantastic time.

Spacey and the band, reportedly known as Tuna de Derecho de Sevilla, first performed Ritchie Valens' 1958 hit "La Bamba" before turning it into a medley with The Beatles' version of "Twist and Shout."

Members of the band told Spanish media the former "House of Cards" star was at a nearby restaurant with some friends and they approached him last Saturday for a photo ... at around 2 AM. The time seems relevant when you see how everyone's carrying on in the video.

This is at least the second time Spacey's made a public appearance since his sexual assault criminal case in Massachusetts was dropped by prosecutors in July.

As we reported ... Kevin put on a solo pop-up poetry production in Rome last month, but it was much more staged than this street performance.

R. Kelly's far from sleeping with one eye open now that he's back in general population because he feels totally at ease among his hometown inmates ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the singer tell us ... Kelly doesn't anticipate any problems in gen pop at the federal prison where he's being held in Chicago, because he feels he's still considered a "legend" there.

We're told he believes his fellow prisoners all look up to him and wouldn't harm him ... despite facing sordid charges that include sex with minors -- which makes most prisoners a target.

Our sources say this is strictly a Chicago thing, though -- Kelly would not be so fearless if he were to be placed in gen pop in one of the other jurisdictions where he's facing sex crime charges ... like New York federal court or Minnesota state court. He's just not as confident in his clout that far from home.

Also, Kelly's lawyer, Steven Greenberg, reminds us ... even in Illinois, security measures are in place to keep his client safe -- but he confirms Kelly's not sweating his safety, anyway.

Aaron Carter is no longer getting court-ordered protection from his ex-girlfriend ... and her attorneys say he blew off a court hearing because he knew his allegations were false!!!

The singer failed to show up in court Tuesday for a hearing to make his temporary restraining order against Lina Valentina permanent and as a result, the TRO has been dismissed.

We broke the story ... Aaron got a TRO against his ex after claiming she threatened to stab him with a knife. He also alleged she physically abused him during their relationship and carried a blade.

Lina and her attorney, Michael Malak, were at Tuesday's hearing, but Aaron was not, and they say he's full of it. Malak says Lina does NOT carry a knife and never threatened Aaron.

Sources close to Aaron tell TMZ ... he didn't plan on following up with the restraining order because he's just over it and wants to move on with his life. We're told Aaron still stands by his allegations in the TRO.

Lina wants to move on too, and her attorney says she's hopeful Aaron will "get the help he needs."

We're guessing Aaron might have a bone to pick with that, because as he continues stockpiling firearms ... Aaron insists his mental stability is just fine.

Hurricane Dorian's decimation of the Bahamas is igniting the generosity of the masses -- and showcasing the power of social media.

The very simple -- yet clearly effective -- "Pray for Bahamas" post spread like fire on Instagram following the Category 5 hurricane crushing the string of islands. DJ Khaled himself and "Insecure" actress Amanda Seales were among a number of celebs who reposted to their millions of followers.

It seems that's when that confounding IG algorithm got busy ... leading to a flyer posted by Smiles Trust Inc. -- a grassroots group spearheading relief efforts -- then going viral.

The org's flyer, posted Monday, listed items the island nation desperately needs. When IG users started reposting both the "Pray for Bahamas" post AND the Smiles Trust list -- the group was almost instantly inundated with TONS of donations.

Smiles Trust tells us in just 2 days ... it raised more than $34k and counting. What's more ... we're told around 2,000 of EACH item listed on the flyer came pouring into the group. Nice!!!

Smiles Trust got so much attention, we're told its website crashed on Tuesday. There are now at LEAST 50 pallets worth of supplies ready to go ... hopefully by next week.

As you know, Hurricane Dorian killed at least 20 people in the Bahamas and reduced houses, hospitals and harbors to rubble. Basic necessities like fresh water, food and medical care are almost nonexistent right now.

The group is now working on setting up 20 drop-off sites for anyone who wants to donate to the cause.

Mac Miller was supplied deadly, fentanyl-laced pills that directly contributed to his death -- according to federal prosecutors, who just filed charges against his alleged dealer.

Charges came down Wednesday against 28-year-old Cameron James Pettit, whom the feds allege supplied the rapper with counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl in a new 42-page criminal complaint out of the Central District of California.

Per the docs, prosecutors claim Mac had asked Pettit for "percs" -- short for percocet, a prescribed painkiller full of oxycodone -- and that the dealer ended up supplying the pills that contributed to Mac's overdose death last year. The AP was first to report the story.

TMZ broke the story ... Mac Miller was found unresponsive in his Studio City home. His death was later ruled an accidental overdose from alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl.

According to the charging docs, authorities served search warrants at multiple locations while investigating Mac's death. They say that two days before his death on Sep. 7, Mac received two deliveries of drugs -- one from Pettit, who allegedly supplied the fentanyl-laced oxy pills, cocaine and Xanax -- and another from a prostitute, who allegedly gave him pure oxy, hydrocodone, amphetamine, Xanax and coke on top of what Pettit had dropped off.

Prosecutors say that the prostitute works for a madam, whom is allegedly associated with Pettit. They claim that when Pettit had not immediately responded to Mac for a second delivery, he hit up the madam, who sent the prostitute to leave him the additional drugs.

There's more -- prosecutors allege that Pettit directly messaged about Mac's death shortly afterward on Instagram, allegedly telling friends that he probably shouldn't post anything as a reaction "just to be smart." Prosecutors say he later wrote, "I am not great ... Most likely I will die in jail" when someone asked how he was doing.

The criminal complaint that Pettit was one of three people who supplied Mac with the counterfeit drugs. It's unclear if the two others -- presumably the madam and the prostitute -- have been charged yet.

Pettit was taken into custody Wednesday morning.

Originally Published -- 11:39 AM PT

The Motown Historical Museum is giving Vegas show producers the blues ... slapping them with a lawsuit for allegedly stealing its iconic name.

The museum's suing the folks behind a Las Vegas show called "Hitzville the Show: Motown Revue" ... claiming the name is too similar to its Detroit museum, Hitsville U.S.A. -- the iconic home of the Motown sound.

According to docs, the museum -- the original site of Berry Gordy's Motown record studio -- claims producers originally created the one-night show as a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser.

But, the museum's pissed producers brought the show to Vegas ... where the museum alleges producers have been cashing in on its name and the Motown sound for 6 nights a week.

Motown Museum -- which has owned the trademark for decades and licenses the "Hitsville" name to films and stage musicals -- says producers blew them off when they sent them a cease and desist letter in January, and the show continued.

It's now suing Jennifer Reeves and William Shack -- as well as their production company, Jabara Records, and the theater at which they perform -- demanding they drop the act and turn over profits producers have made while using the "Hitsville" name.

Meek Mill and Meghan Trainor will make a crucial visit to kids in Chicago to set the tone -- a $400k tone -- for the NFL and Roc Nation's nationwide social outreach.

Sources connected to the league tell us its Inspire Change program is donating $400,000 to 2 Chicago groups which give at-risk kids alternatives to gang and gun violence. Meek and Meghan -- as well as Vic Mensa and Rapsody -- will visit both programs this week.

We're told the groups were hand-selected and vetted by Roc Nation, which started working with the NFL when Jay-Z launched his new partnership with the league.

One of the groups is BBF (Better Boys Foundation) Family Services -- which, we're told, Vic and Rapsody will visit Wednesday. Founded in the 1960s ... BBF says it provides education, employment and youth services, as well as family health programs to more than 400 families.

The other group, Crushers Club, says its mission is to help Chicago kids "restore their lives and improve their neighborhoods." Meghan and Meek will be at Crusher's on Thursday ... ahead of their NFL Kickoff concert.

As we reported, Meek and Meghan came on board, not just to perform the NFL Kickoff concert, but as advocates for Inspire Change -- the league's arm to support player and team efforts to focus on education, police and community relation and criminal justice reform.

Add this to the reasons why Lizzo is 100 percent that bitch ... she's got no problem taking bottles of champagne straight to the dome!!!

Lizzo had a helluva holiday weekend, that was only beginning when she performed at the Made in America festival. Turns out things got REAL afterward when she partied with DaBaby and Megan Thee Stallion -- hitting up NOTO Philadelphia and handling the bottle service all on her own.

The "Truth Hurts" singer had good reason to celebrate Sunday night ... her catchy track's been one of the summer's hottest hits, and it just snagged the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts after she killed it with her VMAs performance.

No wonder Megan gave Lizzo a huge hug!!!

Lizzo stole the show at Jay-Z's annual music fest, and everyone went WILD when DaBaby joined her on stage and started grinding on her!!!

The good times kept rolling deep into the night as she rocked a "100% That Bitch" t-shirt while turning up.

Aaron Carter is adding to his home arsenal ... hitting up a pawn shop to purchase 2 guns and a bunch of ammunition.

The singer dropped by Rick's Pawn Shop Tuesday in Lancaster, CA ... and we're told Aaron bought a handgun and a rifle, plus 300 rounds of hollow tip bullets.

Looks like Aaron is dead set on starting his own gun collection after inheriting a massive cache of weapons from his father. Aaron got his gun license less than 2 weeks ago, and he immediately bought a 9mm handgun and 2 assault rifles.

After Tuesday's purchase, Aaron owns at least 5 firearms -- still a long way to go to catch up to the 500 guns he says his pops passed down to him.

We broke the story ... Aaron told us last week owning assault weapons is a necessity, because his dad taught him to protect himself and his family by any means necessary. Aaron also said his mental stability is "infinite" -- despite loved ones being concerned about his mental health.

BTW ... Aaron had his background check flagged two years ago when he tried to buy a gun in Florida, which was around the time he entered rehab.

R. Kelly is finally out of solitary confinement and will join the general population, even though prosecutors called BS on his isolation woes.

The singer's attorney, Steven Greenberg, tells TMZ ... Kelly was moved Tuesday and claims the singer was only kept in solitary by prison officials as a form of punishment -- due to his celebrity and the prurient nature of his alleged crimes.

Greenberg tells us that although R. Kelly will be in gen pop -- which is normally considered more dangerous, especially for high-profile inmates -- he claims there are going to be security measures in place that should keep his client safe.

We're told R. Kelly will now be allowed 10 non-attorney visits instead of the previously allowed one. He'll also have a longer leash for phone calls and emails.

Perhaps most important -- for R. Kelly it seems -- is the fresh air he'll be able to experience now with other prisoners during rec time. He'll get to hit the yard if he wants.

Now, prosecutors confirmed R. Kelly was being moved to gen pop in a court filing of their own -- but added he was only in solitary briefly and at his request.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, state prosecutors say R. Kelly had previously asked to be placed in a secluded wing of the prison called the Special Housing Unit with no cellmates, at first. They say he eventually did get cellmates.

R. Kelly's alleged sex slaves aren't staying locked up inside just because he is ... they're out cruising the streets of Chicago, looking carefree as can be.

Azriel Clary and Joycelyn Savage were spotted together over the long Labor Day weekend riding around the city in a Vanderhall Venice 3-wheeler ... a pretty slick ride for Kelly's so-called girlfriends.

Azriel's behind the wheel in video captured by Fox News correspondent Matt Finn ... all smiles as she leans over to check something on Joycelyn's phone before speeding off down Michigan Ave.

Hard to tell what the ladies are listening to ... but ya gotta assume some R. Kelly's on their playlist.

We broke the story ... Clary and Savage have a master plan to use the money they make on a couple potential deals to help Kelly score legal funds for a powerhouse defense team. They're also aspiring to launch careers in Hollywood.

It's unclear how the fun new car fits into that plan ... but we ain't judging.

Haley Smith -- a former contestant on "American Idol" -- died over the weekend after crashing her motorcycle in Maine ... TMZ has learned.

The singer passed away early Saturday morning in Millinocket, Maine in a one-vehicle crash after police say it appears she failed to make a sharp turn along a residential road that becomes a highway in certain sections. Police say she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her father, Mike Smith, tells TMZ ... Haley was riding on a country road and her family believes a deer might've caused the accident -- as he implied she was a good rider, and they doubt she simply lost control of her bike.

Haley's time on 'AI' was relatively brief in 2012, when she auditioned in Colorado during season 11. She didn't make it beyond the second Hollywood round, but Haley certainly left an impression on the judges at the time in her audition.

She sang Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good," putting a folksy twist on it that left Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler pretty impressed.

Steven even said it was an honor to hear her sing, 'cause he said she was out of his "era" with her look, sound and vibe.

Haley was 26, and her family says they were preparing to celebrate her birthday this upcoming November.

RIP

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline are making changes to their child custody arrangement official in court docs.

TMZ has learned that they have formally agreed Kevin will gets custody of their 2 boys 70% of the time. We're told this has actually been the arrangement since August of last year but wanted to see how it worked before formalizing it -- and they made it official last week in docs filed on Aug. 28.

This is a shift from the previous agreement where they each had 50-50 custody. It's been that way ever since Britney stabilized following her mental health struggles that began in 2007.

Sources with knowledge tell us under the new arrangement Britney's 30% custodial rights with 12-year-old Jayden and 13-year-old Sean are not supervised.

TMZ has been reporting ... Britney has struggled over the past year with her mental health, in no small part because the medicines she was taking for her mental health condition stopped working. She entered a facility earlier this year to stabilize herself ... however, our sources say doctors were having trouble finding the right mix of medications.

Britney's been out and about in public, but privately ... we're told she still struggles to get back on an even keel. Her career remains on ice while she tries to get better.

Ariana Grande said thank u, but no thank u to Forever 21 when they pitched her an endorsement deal, but the clothing store went and launched a ripoff Ariana ad campaign anyway ... according to a new suit.

The singer alleges Forever 21 and her team were in talks for a deal in December 2018 into January, but the company wouldn't pony up enough dough to use her name and likeness.

Instead, Forever 21 allegedly stole it from Grande for a campaign across their website and social media ... and also hired a look-alike model to make it seem even more like the real deal.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, F21 published at least 30 unauthorized images and videos misappropriating Ariana's name and likeness, and did so by piggybacking off of the huge success of her "Thank U, Next" album.

Grande claims the company stole imagery from her album to create a false perception Ariana was backing the Forever 21 brand. The suit alleges F21's look-alike model also reenacted scenes and shots from the album's singles and music videos ... specifically "7 Rings."

The store Riley Rose, which was launched by the daughters of Forever 21's founders, was also allegedly involved in the ripoff campaign.