Music

Elton John says Michael Jackson came off as "genuinely mentally ill" late in life -- which left the Rocket Man himself believing the King of Pop had gone off the deep end.

The singer makes some pretty big claims about MJ in his new memoir, "Me," which is coming out Tuesday. Certain outlets have obtained an advanced copy of the book -- and one excerpt about Michael is making the rounds ... in which Elton discusses his mental state.

Per reports, Elton writes ... "I’d known Michael since he was 13 or 14 ... He was just the most adorable kid you could imagine. But at some point in the intervening years, he started sequestering himself away from the world, and away from reality the way Elvis Presley did."

Taylor Swift won't be showing her face banner anymore when the Los Angeles Kings are in town -- 'cause the fans don't wanna see it ... and the team is obliging.

L.A.'s pro hockey team made the announcement over the weekend ... saying that, going forward, the Kings will be covering up Taylor's banner during their home games at STAPLES Center. It's hanging in the rafters next to Lakers banners and retired jerseys.

A marketing rep for the Kings told Arash Markazi of the L.A. Times that fans just weren't digging it, so the team wants to show 'em they're listening. Michael Altieri says, "The connection to our fans is our highest priority and through our engagement they have made it clear that the banner shouldn’t be part of their Kings game experience."

Tinashe has no doubt that Tekashi 6ix9ine will get a record deal somewhere when he gets released from prison --and the reason is simple ... he's a polarizing cash cow.

We got the R&B singer Saturday night while she was leaving TAO in Hollywood, and picked her brain about Tekashi's chances at reviving his music career after this snitching saga is over. Tinashe makes no bones about it ... dude will absolutely be back in the studio.

She poses an interesting question to our camera guy -- asking if he knows anything about the industry, and then answering herself ... saying they're all about $$$$.

Eddie Van Halen has been flying between the United States and Germany to get treatment for throat cancer ... and we've learned he's been doing it very quietly for years.

As for how Eddie developed the cancer ... we're told he believes it's from a metal guitar pick he used more than 20 years ago. Seems Eddie would cradle the pick in his mouth, and he's been told that could well have been the source of the cancer, despite the fact he was a heavy smoker. Back in 2000, shortly after he was diagnosed, doctors removed around 1/3 of his tongue.

Eddie was diagnosed nearly 20 years ago. Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... over the years there were times some of the cancer cells migrated down to his throat, and doctors would scrape them out.

Our sources say ... Eddie has flown to Germany for 5 years to get radiation treatment, and for the most part it's worked to keep the disease in check.

As for his current condition ... there are lots of rumors, but people who know him say he's seems to be doing okay -- at least on the surface.

Travis Scott took a nasty fall Saturday night during his performance at the Rolling Loud festival ... a fall that messed up his knee something bad.

Travis was performing "BUTTERFLY EFFECT" at Citi Field in Queens when he jumped up and landed wrong on his right knee ... then tumbled to the ground.

Kylie's ex was clearly injured and could barely move around the stage. He ended up staying in the same spot, as members of his crew jumped on stage to check on him.

Travis told the crowd he thought he broke his knee, but nonetheless the show went on. He told the crowd, "Nothing can ever stop this show."

DMX has canceled shows because his addiction struggles have forced him back into rehab.

DMX's team says, "In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility. He apologizes for his cancelled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support."

The New York-born rapper was scheduled to perform Saturday at the reunion concert for Three 6 Mafia in Memphis and Day 2 of Rolling Loud in New York on Sunday. Both appearances have been canceled. The Ying Yang Twins replaced X Saturday night.

Madonna wrapped up her Madame X Tour in New York Saturday night, and by the looks of things, she's back in the game.

Madge left the Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in NYC with Ahlamalik Williams, a 25-year-old dancer and choreographer. He was also featured in Madonna's music video she released last June which shined a light on gun violence in America.

Malik was also a dancer in the Cirque Du Soleil's Michael Jackson ONE show back in 2014. Before that, he was a street performer on the Vegas strip. He's been on tour with Madonna since 2015.

Madonna posted a video in June of dancing on Malik to celebrate "Madame X" reaching number one around the world.

The two have been spotted together several times over the past month in Brooklyn, but there's been a buzz about the 2 hooking up since June.

Erica Mena is turning tradition on its head by buying the father of her upcoming child a lavish gift for the pregnancy ... though you gotta expect Safaree will return the favor.

Sources close to the 'Love & Hip Hop' newlyweds tell TMZ ... Erica dropped nearly $50k on a 14-carat rose gold, diamond Cuban chain for her new husband. The chain's encrusted with 36.65-carat diamonds ... and appropriately comes with a white gold "Daddy" lock.

We're told Erica gave Safaree the "push present" this week because he's on his way to becoming a dad for the first time ... so she wanted him to have something special.

Paris Jackson was hauling ass near Universal Studios Hollywood -- according to cops, anyway -- and ended up with a ticket in hand, but not for the amusement park.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Michael's daughter was busted on the 101 freeway last month by the California Highway Patrol for going well over 90 MPH in a 65 MPH zone.

We're told she was driving in her 2017 Jeep Wrangler around 1:00 AM when the cop pulled her over, and she was cited for speeding.

It's unclear if there was anyone else in the ride with her at the time.

We know Paris has been focused on her music career this year -- playing gigs around L.A. from time to time -- and seems like she's got the right stuff to be the next Danica Patrick.

Casanova and other NYC rappers appear to have been effectively blackballed from performing in their own town by the NYPD, getting nixed from Rolling Loud after a mere request.

A letter that's purported to have been written by the City of New York and signed off by Asst. Police Chief Martin Morales surfaced over the weekend, and it appears to show the NYPD asking Rolling Loud organizers to block Casanova and co. from getting on stage.

The letter -- addressed to Rolling Loud and Insomniac, LLC -- reads ... "The New York City Police Department requests that the below individuals be removed from performing at the 'Rolling Loud Festival' taking place at Citi Field on Saturday October 12, 2019 and Sunday October 13, 2019, due to public safety concerns."

It goes on to list 22GZ, Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G and Don Q as artists who shouldn't be allowed to perform -- with cops citing affiliation to recent acts of violence in the city.

They say it quite clearly ... "The New York City Police Department believes if these individuals are allowed to perform, there will be a higher risk of violence. I look forward to working with you in an effort to keep this event safe."

It would seem the letter -- and the not-so-subtle plea -- was taken to heart, because Casanova announced he was, in fact, not performing ... and wasn't happy about it.

On IG, the rapper -- who's had past beefs with Tekashi 6ix9ine -- wrote in part ... "My last felony conviction was 2007. I lost everything I ever loved and I’m STILL losing. So much so that 'they' won’t allow me to perform at Rolling Loud NYC on Sunday."

Casanova added, "It’s unfair and unfortunate that my past, which I’ve dealt with legally and personally, continues to stigmatize me and my career as a recording artist."

Cardi B celebrated her 27th birthday with enough ice to sink the Titanic.

Offset did not disappoint ... first a huge dinner spread which featured lobster, a seafood tower, steak, truffle mac 'n cheese and lots more. Rose petals were scattered about the room for a romantic touch.

Then the blinding present is unveiled ... Cardi's hubby presented her with a gigantic diamond ring, appropriately called the Titanic Diamond. It was crafted by NYC-based Pristine Jewelers.

That wasn't all ... Cardi also got a giant pendant with a picture of her daughter, Kulture, in the middle, courtesy of her pal, Layton Greene.

Kulture was also blinged out, with more than 100 carats of diamonds in necklaces and bracelets.

But, wait, there's more. Cardi scored some Birkin bags to add to her collection -- she now has 10. There was even a cake in the shape of a Birkin bag. After the party Cardi showed off her Birkin bags in all different colors saying, "taste the rainbow."

Before the shindig, Offset posted a video with some of the couple's memorable moments, writing, “MY BEST FRIEND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, MY GUARDIAN ANGEL, KK’s MOM, THIS DAY IS YOUR SPECIAL DAY I LOVE YOU, HAPPY BDAY!!NOT JUST ME AND FAMILY BUT THE WORLD LOVES YOU.”

Kanye West took his Sunday Service on the road again, this time landing at Howard University ... and it's interesting -- one of his lyrics, "13th Amendment, Gotta end it, that's on me."

Kanye, Kim Kardashian, along with North and Saint, showed up at the historic, African-American college Saturday for an 8 AM show, and it did not disappoint.

Grammy-award winning R&B singer Tony Williams led the service, which was complete with a brass band and a choir.

The performance dovetailed with Howard's homecoming, called Yardfest. The University did not announce Kanye's appearance until hours before the event, but that was enough time for students and others to swarm to the quad for the service.

Kanye's making the short trek later today to George Washington University in D.C., where another Sunday Service will go down.

The Weeknd and Bella Hadid hit it off at the model's birthday party, but only as close friends ... TMZ has learned.

Reports surfaced Friday claiming the once inseparable pair were dating again after celebrating Bella's 23rd birthday together in NYC Thursday night. The bash was held at L'Avenue at Saks and Le Chalet and was allegedly attended by celebs like Taylor Swift and Hailee Steinfeld.

It was The Weeknd's attendance to the party that got people talking, the two were seen hanging out the entire night.

However, sources close to the couple tell us there's nothing romantic about the rendezvous, the pair are simply good friends now.

It was about two months ago when Bella and The Weeknd called it quits ... sources told us he wanted to take the time to focus on his new projects, including music.

Snoop Dogg is all about forgiveness -- even if it's the guy who left his beloved team lookin' like a soap opera -- 'cause the rap legend says Antonio Brown deserves another chance in the NFL.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Steelers superfan about AB wanting to get back in the league ... and despite the state he left Pittsburgh in when he was traded (there was a bit of drama if you recall)... Snoop says he should get a shot.

"Everybody deserves a second shot. Everybody deserves a second and third shot. Look at me!"

Snoop knows about getting second chances ... he has a history of run-ins with the law, and all these years later, the drop is still hot.

As for Antonio, the Raiders and Patriots cut bait with him due to off-the-field drama ... from illegally recorded phone calls to much more serious allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. The NFL is currently investigating Brown and some people think his career in the league is finished.

Snoop hopes there's a team willing to give AB another shot -- he's still an elite athlete -- but it's definitely an uphill battle.

In the meantime, check out Snoop's badass Bentley.

Mariah Carey thinks Nick Cannon is just being silly when he says he wants to rekindle their flame ... and she's definitely not on the same wave.

We got Mariah leaving her Friday lunch at Mr. Chow in Bev Hills and our guy asked how she feels about her ex-husband's recent comments about wanting to get back together.

In case you missed it ... Nick was on T.I.'s podcast recently and told the rapper he would happily jump back into marriage with Mariah, calling the singer his "dream girl."

Mariah, who finalized her divorce with Nick way back in 2016, thinks he's just kidding about the whole remarriage thing ... and it sounds like she's not taking his comments seriously.

As for the single life, Mariah's keeping her options open ... and Nick apparently ain't the only one who could win her over.

Danielle Bregoli's strained relationship with her mother is arguably what made her famous -- or infamous -- but she's turning over a new leaf by tatting Mom's name on her neck!!!

Bhad Bhabie was strolling through LAX Friday afternoon when a pap caught a glimpse of the new ink -- and she revealed Barbara Ann's name is permanently branded on her neck.

As you can see ... Danielle got the tatt done in black cursive, and it stretches across a good chunk of skin. Sounds like the homage to Mom is pretty fresh too.