Music

Britney Spears now has a new temporary conservator ... and, as expected, it's Jodi Montgomery.

The appointment was made official Monday in an L.A. courtroom where a judge appointed Jodi after Britney's father, Jamie Spears, formally requested to relinquish his powers of conservatorship due to personal health reasons. As we first reported ... Jamie filed the docs last week to step down at least through January 20, 2020 -- and handpicked Jodi, Brit's care manager, to be his replacement, temporarily.

We know no one involved opposed Jodi's appointment, but the bigger issue will come within the next week ... once a court appointed evaluator files a report about Britney's care and medications she was given. TMZ broke the story ... Dr. Timothy Benson -- who was responsible for her treatment -- died from an aneurysm.

The evaluation could be critical of Jamie's stewardship and, if so, could open the door for Kevin Federline and/or Lynne Spears to launch a challenge to Jamie returning to the conservatorship.

As you know, Jamie is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly getting physical with Britney's 13-year-old son, Sean.

Jamie's asking the judge to give Montgomery the same powers he has, including:

1. The power to restrict or limit visitors by any means.
2. The power to retain caretakers and security for Britney on a 24-hour basis.
3. The power to prosecute civil harassment restraining orders.
4. The power to communicate with expert medical personnel regarding Britney and to have full access to her medical and psychiatric records.

Bobby Brown was removed from a flight and the incident ended with everyone having to deboard while cops sorted out the mess ... causing Bobby to miss his flight.

Sources onboard the jet -- which was scheduled to leave LAX for Boston Monday morning -- tell us ... Brown was sitting in first class when he was involved in some sort of altercation before the plane took off.

We're told the incident led to the airline ordering everyone off the plane. Brown was held at the entrance door while everyone else got off, and cops were called to the gate to speak with him.

Our sources say, once he was off the plane, Brown could be heard yelling at the officers that he had to get to his brother's funeral. At one point, there were 4 cops surounding him ... but they were able to calm him down.

BTW, as far as we know ... a Brown family source tells us it was actually one of Bobby's cousins who passed.

Eventually, everyone was allowed back on the plane -- except Bobby. It's unclear if he was arrested, but we've confirmed he did not get back on the plane ... which has since departed.

Flight records show the flight was delayed almost an hour.

We reached out to Bobby's camp ... so far, no word back.

Guess is in hot water with a mural artist who claims the clothing giant straight-up jacked his work to pimp reggaeton megastar J Balvin.

Mural artist Douglas Hoekzema -- aka Hoxxoh -- is suing Guess claiming the company never got his permission to use one of his popular murals, dubbed "HoxxoH," as the background for its J Balvin collection campaign.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ ... Hoxxoh says he completed the mural in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood back in 2015, and owns the copyright to the mural.

In his suit, Hoxxoh says Guess -- as part of its marketing campaign -- photographed the "Mi Gente" singer in front of the mural with models wearing his Vibras collection. Hoxxoh says Guess plastered the images on billboards, catalogs, social media posts and videos -- all without his greenlight.

The artist -- known for his large-scale murals across Miami -- says his work is instantly recognizable because of its "distinctive motif of interlocking and radiating curves" ... which is easily visible in the Guess campaign.

Post Malone is preparing for the apocalypse with a $3 million compound tucked away in Northern Utah ... and the first images of the property prove it's a pretty sweet place to await the end of the world!!!

We did some digging on the compound Post's been quietly living in, since buying it early last year ... and the place is simply amazing.

Post's pad is in a super secluded area outside Salt Lake City, and the property sprawls over 6.75 acres of natural beauty, with breathtaking views of the canyons, mountains and city skyline ... best seen from the expansive pool deck in the backyard, and through the floor to ceiling windows covering the home.

The rapper spared no expense keeping himself occupied as he waits for doomsday ... the 5-bed, 6-bath mansion is 12,702 square feet with a fire pit, basketball court, wine cellar, home gym and hot tub ... and Post is putting in a recording studio and 30 bunk beds for his best buds.

Post says he's adding to the home with a massive underground bunker, which he says will survive the end of days. He says he loves living out in the sticks, where he can do what he calls, "cowboy s***," like shooting guns.

Looks like a pretty sweet place to kick back and smoke his own weed. Hopefully, Post doesn't put the apocalypse bunker to the test any time soon.

Madonna's concert series in New York City should be a great time for fans of the "Material Girl," but anyone trying to sell rip-off materials -- hats, t-shirts, posters, etc. -- better think twice.

Live Nation -- the company promoting Madge's upcoming shows at Brooklyn's Howard Gilman Opera House -- has filed legal docs as a preemptive strike against "bootleggers" attempting to hawk bootleg Madonna merchandise nearby the venue.

According to the docs ... Live Nation wants folks attempting to sell unauthorized concert gear to be banned at all 17 shows scheduled in September and October. This includes apparel, buttons, tour books and anything else that jacks Madonna's trademarks without permission.

Live Nation claims bootleggers cause huge financial losses, and it's asking the court to order them to turn over any rip-off merch for destruction ... and give cops the power to seize unauthorized items found in the area.

The doctor who was responsible for Britney Spears' medical treatment died suddenly, just weeks before the judge in her conservatorship case will receive a report focusing on whether she was receiving appropriate treatment.

Dr. Timothy Benson died in Santa Monica, CA on August 24. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but sources tell us the 48-year-old psychiatrist died from an aneurysm.

The timing is significant. Sources connected to Britney tell TMZ the judge will receive a report within the next 10 days from a court-appointed evaluator who has spent more than 3 months determining if her medical and other care was appropriate.

Our sources say, during a hearing last spring, questions were raised about Britney's medical care. It's no secret ... Britney's mom, Lynne, has been critical of Jamie Spears handling of the conservatorship and the medical care her daughter has been getting. The questions revolved around the medications Britney was receiving for her serious mental health issues.

The evaluation was ordered after questions were raised over Britney entering a mental health facility earlier this year. Sources connected to Jamie claim the medicine she was taking had lost its efficacy, and doctors were struggling to find a new combination. But, others say they were baffled by what they felt was a sudden turn -- they say Britney was going full steam ahead with a new show, and then suddenly became all but incapacitated.

Some have questioned Dr. Benson's expertise in treating serious mental health issues. He developed a name for himself working with NBA and NFL teams, inspiring athletes to achieve success. He's a board-certified psychiatrist, but we're told some people in Britney's life felt she needed someone who worked full-time on serious mental health issues.

The evaluator's report is just one issue facing the judge. As we reported, Jamie has filed papers and will appear in court Monday asking a judge to temporarily relieve him of conservatorship duties until January, and put her case manager, Jodi Montgomery, in the conservator's role during the interim.

Jamie says he's ill and can't perform the duties, but there's a bigger issue. He's prohibited from having any contact with Britney's kids after allegedly putting his hands on 13-year-old Sean. Kevin Federline filed a police report and cops are investigating.

It seems improbable Jamie could be Britney's conservator until the case is resolved, since the conservator is ultimately responsible for the welfare of the children and that's hard to do when you can't interact with them.

Our sources say Monday's hearing should be non-eventful. We're told there's no real objection to Montgomery stepping in for the short term. But, depending on the evaluator's report and the way the assault investigation goes ... Jamie's long-term prospect for staying conservator is up in the air.

Swae Lee's ex-girlfriend allegedly struck him with her hands and her skull, cops were called ... and she ended up in cuffs.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Rae Sremmurd rapper and his ex, Marliesia Ortiz, had an argument at Swae's home outside L.A. in early August, and she allegedly began throwing objects at him.

We're told Ortiz then went on the attack -- striking Swae and delivering a headbutt -- before his security kicked her out.

According to our sources ... she actually then called 911 claiming Swae sexually assaulted her, but when cops arrived she changed her story. We're told Marliesia admitted to starting the altercation by breaking items in his house and hitting him, but claimed the rapper also strangled her.

However, we're told neither Swae or Marliesia had any visible marks on them, but based on the evidence ... cops decided to arrest her.

The L.A. City Attorney has decided to hold a City Attorney hearing with both parties over the incident, but so far ... no charges have been filed.

Interesting note -- Marliesia told us she was done with Swae back in March, and accused him of cheating and being verbally abusive. Seems like she wasn't done with him for good.

Eddie Money's ready to get back on the road to recovery ... after he was forced to stop cancer treatment during a 3-month hospitalization after an unrelated health scare.

Sources close to the rock star tell TMZ ... Eddie has spent the last 3 months in the hospital following complications related to his heart valve procedure back in May. We're told he was discharged late last month. He's currently at a private rehab center recovering from his lengthy hospital stay.

The bad news ... Eddie had to stop treatment for stage 4 esophageal cancer because he developed pneumonia from the surgery and there were lingering issues. The good news ... we're told Eddie's cancer did NOT take a turn for the worse. In fact ... our sources say doctors consider Eddie's cancer in check.

As we first reported ... Eddie was diagnosed with cancer last fall, but no one knew until recently. No one knew until now he had other serious issues involving his heart.

As we reported in July ... Eddie caught pneumonia just days after his heart valve procedure. The pneumonia put his touring on ice for the rest of the year.

Our sources say Eddie's on the mend ... and will resume cancer treatment soon.

Michael Jackson's artsy jungle gym is going on the market ... so you can take home some of the most interesting pieces of art ever displayed at the famed Neverland Ranch.

A collection of bronze sculptures depicting different animals and a huge tree with a special engraving from the King of Pop is now for sale at $1.75 million ... Gary Zimet of Moments in Time tells TMZ.

Michael displayed the artwork at the expansive Neverland Ranch for 11 years, from 1994 to 2005, and it was super popular among kids. MJ hosted lots of terminally ill kids back then, and the tree was hollowed out so they could play inside.

A special plaque was added to the tree sculpture with words from Michael ... "Magical children don't worry how, don't delay - this moment's now."

Check out the gallery ... there's a zebra, gecko, tarantula, snails, salamander, python, mouse, warthog, ostrich, orangutan, hippo, giraffe, tortoise, crocodile, monkey and even a toucan!!!

Lots of items -- all things Michael Jackson -- have been bought and sold over the years, and the value has varied wildly. Some items seem like a bargain ... others seem like the King of Pop's ransom.

Queen Latifah says Nicki Minaj will probably come out of her recently-announced "retirement" -- but before that, she just needs to live some life first.

We got the iconic femcee Sunday heading into a reception hall in North Bergen, NJ for Treach's wedding, and right before she made it inside ... our photog broke the news to her about Nicki abruptly announcing her retirement from rap this past week.

At first, QT couldn't believe it -- but when we explained why Nicki was doing it -- to start a family with her fiance, Kenneth Petty -- the Queen was totally down with NM's decision.

Queen Latifah suggests that Nicki deserves this, as she's been in the game for a long time now. Then she drops a bit of knowledge on us, saying once you're a rapper ... you're always a rapper. Short story long, she thinks Nicki will make a comeback ... one day.

It's unclear if Nicki's serious about her retirement, as we've been told by people close to her that her team was blindsided by the news. The retirement also flies in the face of studio time and collabs Nicki's already got lined up, so the whole thing's a little hazy right now.

If she is serious though ... she's well within her right to do so -- and, apparently, expected back in due time, from one Queen to another.

Kanye West resurrected in his hometown -- with Chance the Rapper, no less -- and the people of Chicago did NOT miss the opportunity to come out and bear witness.

Ye held his Sunday Service in Chi-Town this week, hosting a massive crowd at the Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island ... and it seemed to be a packed house. The venue has a 30,000-person capacity -- and it seems like they filled that and then some.

It appears this was more of a traditional concert than his usual gatherings -- which has been hittin' the road A LOT lately -- but also nontraditional in some respects too.

For example, it looks like the stage that both Kanye and Chance performed on was closer to ground level than your regular concert venue stage, which made this Sunday Service feel much more intimate and interactive. Folks also seemed to respect the closeness -- there are no reports of anyone rushing Ye, so it seems people kept their distance.

That's not to say that security wasn't on hand -- it absolutely was. Funny enough, at one point, Kanye told a guard to stand down as he made his way through the audience to the stage ... telling the guy to "watch this" ... and then parting the human sea, if you will.

Very on-brand, right?

Anyway, ya gotta imagine Kanye fans are eternally grateful for this road trip -- up until recently, Ye had been hosting Sunday Service in secret areas in and around L.A. and to attend, it seems like you needed a special invite.

Mac Miller's alleged drug dealer richly deserves time behind bars for contributing to the death of the rapper ... at least according to Ariana Grande.

Sources close to Ariana tell TMZ ... she believes Cameron James Pettit -- the 28-year-old feds believe supplied Miller with counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl -- took advantage of someone suffering from addiction and should face harsh consequences for his role in Mac's death.

We're told Grande feels ANYONE who was involved in supplying Miller drugs should be charged and convicted for contributing to his death from an accidental overdose.

As we reported ... prosecutors arrested Pettit and allege he was one of three people who supplied Mac with the fentanyl-laced drugs. The other 2 are possibly a madam and a prostitute also associated with Pettit and Miller.

Our Ariana sources also say the recent arrest has brought some sense of closure to her, though she knows this isn't the end of the story until justice is served.

As for what that justice might entail ... law enforcement sources tell us Pettit could be hit with an enhanced drug trafficking charge resulting in death. This charge requires more investigation, which we're told is currently underway.

DJ Paul is ready to tear the club up on the upcoming Three 6 Mafia reunion tour ... and the rapper says if things go well, the group could finally record another album!!!

We got the rapper at LAX and he told us he's excited to get back onstage with his old crew after 19 years apart. DJ Paul says a trio of concerts this fall will be a good barometer for whether the group can get back in the studio and record an album.

Three 6 Mafia is slated to play shows this month and next in Atlanta, New Jersey and just outside their hometown of Memphis. Paul says he can't wait to perform with Juicy J, Gangsta Boo, Crunchy Black and the rest of the gang.

Fans are clamoring for the "Stay Fly" rappers to drop their 10th studio album ... but DJ Paul says don't hold your breath.

Actually, Paul says there's only one reason to hold your breath at all ... and ya gotta hear his lone exception ... dude's got a potty mouth!!!

Robin Thicke and his fiancee were just involved in a car accident that sent one vehicle flying into the side of the road in Malibu -- but it appears everyone's alright.

Eyewitnesses tell us the singer was riding passenger in an Escalade Saturday along PCH in Malibu near Point Dume and Zuma Beach. We're told a woman who was driving -- which we've confirmed was his fiancee and baby mama, April Love Geary -- somehow collided with another car full of what we're told were younger people.

Eyewitnesses say that Robin got out of the SUV and walked over to the other vehicle, which was lying on the side of the highway ... nearly tipped on its side. Luckily, this looks a lot worse than it actually was, as nobody seems to have suffered major injuries.

Law enforcement sources tell us no one was transported to a hospital in the two-vehicle collision, and that a report was taken on the scene. Fault will be determined at a later date.

In video of the scene, obtained by TMZ, you see Robin picking up car parts off the road and attempting to direct traffic away from the accident. At one point, you see Robin's SUV pulling out ... and the extent of the damage on it is on full display.

Based on what Robin posted on IG a little while ago, it doesn't appear their kids were with them -- looks like he and April did a solo lunch date, and they both seem okay.

Eazy-E would've been happy about this -- his family just put in a new tombstone over his grave that's worthy of his excellence ... and that's properly fact-checked too.

The unveiling of E's new headstone went down Saturday at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Whittier, CA -- where his kids, friends, fam and die-hard fans came out to show the world a newly commissioned engraving that was way more decked out than his OG slab.

It also included his correct date of birth, with the right year ... 1964, not 1963 as his tombstone had indicated for years since he was buried in the '90s.

Besides that, the headstone is truly a work of art -- with photos of Eazy from his NWA days, and a new title that reads, "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap." It includes the same line from his old tombstone -- "We loved him, but God loved him more" -- but has an additional remembrance as well ... "He Put Compton On The Map." Yep, he sure did.

Eazy's kids have told the media that this is something they've wanted to do for a long time for their dad, as the old grave site was, frankly, not up to par ... not to mention misleading.

What makes the day so special in addition to the new headstone itself is the fact that it was put on display on what would've been Eazy's 55th birthday. People were certainly in a celebratory mood too, as the crowd rapped his lyrics and released doves to boot.

We talked to Cemetery Tim, the creator of the new tombstone, and he told us about the pressure he felt in creating this new one in the ground. Looks like he did a job well done, 'cause his daughter was pretty ecstatic with how it all played out.

The rapper died in 1995 from complications due to HIV/AIDS. He was only 30 years old.

Chester Bennington's widow is moving forward with her life because we've learned she's now engaged ... and at the same time she's honoring her late husband with some pretty noble work in the field of mental health.

Our sources tell us Talinda Bennington got engaged in April to a Los Angeles County firefighter. She says, "I can find love after tragedy." She adds, "To all suicide loss survivors, you CAN be happy again. You CAN have space in your heart for grief, joy, happiness, sadness and love."

We're told Chester's relatives are super supportive of Talinda's new relationship. They think her fiance's a good guy and they're especially pleased he's involved with Chester and Talinda's kids. The family thinks Talinda's fiance will help provide stability for the children. We're told the kids are happy, especially because it makes their mom happy.

TMZ broke the story ... Chester took his own life in his Palos Verdes home back in 2017, while Talinda and their children were out of town.

Talinda has now made mental heath her life's work to honor her late husband. She's the executive director and co-founder of 320 Changes Direction, a mental health awareness org created in honor of Chester.