Music

NBA YoungBoy scored one sweet plea deal in his assault and kidnapping case ... the most serious charges have been dropped.

The rapper pled guilty to misdemeanor simple battery family violence. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault ... this according to the Ware County District Attorney's Office in Georgia.

YB will avoid jail time. He's been sentenced to 12 months probation, fined $1,500, must attend anger management classes and have no violent contact with the victim ... his GF.

Marc Anthony's luxury yacht caught fire in Miami, sending fire crews scrambling to battle the blaze and save other boats from the massive flames.

Anthony's 120-foot Andiamo yacht became engulfed Wednesday night ... and was a total loss. The boat began to capsize as crews fought to save the vessel, but luckily, it doesn't appear any other vessels were caught in the flames.

It's currently unclear what caused the massive fire to break out, but luckily no one was on board at the time of the incident.

O.T. Genasis' hilariously off-key cover of Keyshia Cole's "Love" ballad is a viral sensation ... so he's determined to find out who got it yanked from YouTube ... and put 'em on blast.

We got O.T. at LAX Wednesday and asked why his pitchy new party anthem, "Never Knew," has vanished ... and he's nothing if not suspicious. Signs point to Keyshia as a likely suspect, but the singer's recently admitted she likes the cover and thinks O.T.'s take is funny.

So, whodunnit?? The rapper might not know for sure just yet ... but his savage side-eye in this clip speaks volumes.

His investigation seems to be all in good fun, though, and the rapper tells us he'd love to collab with Cole ... if it's true she's a fan of his comedic reboot. Still, he warns ... if Keyshia turns out to be the mystery hater, he'll let the world know.

Despite the YouTube deletion ... Genasis is free to perform "Never Knew" live ... as he did Tuesday night at Teyana Taylor's ugly sweater party.

Gotta say, we can see why it's a hit -- but don't sleep on the original.

R. Kelly is officially responding to prosecutors' allegation he bribed someone to make a fake ID for Aaliyah ... in order to marry her.

The singer entered a not guilty plea Wednesday to the revamped federal indictment against him out of the Eastern District of New York. TMZ broke the story ... the indictment now includes an allegation of bribery pertaining to the alleged purchase of a fake ID for Aaliyah in 1994.

The ID falsely stated she was 18, and made it possible for Kelly to marry Aaliyah on August 31, 1994.

The feds added the Aaliayh allegation to an existing count of bribery in his racketeering case. Kelly joined the hearing by video from the Chicago jail where he's being held until trial. As you know, he's facing several other cases -- federal and state -- in Illinois, as well as Minnesota.

As for the Aaliyah thing ... R. Kelly's ex-tour manager, Demetrius Smith, has publicly backed the feds' claim his old boss had the ID made for his future bride, which was used to obtain their marriage license under false pretenses.

Aaliyah's family reportedly filed to have the marriage annulled the following year.

Tekashi 6ix9ine is facing the judge in federal court, and he's about to find out exactly how long he'll be locked up -- AKA, how much all that snitching shaved off his time.

The sentencing hearing got underway Wednesday at 10 AM ET, and prosecutors are breaking down exactly how valuable Tekashi was in helping them convict 2 members of the Nine Trey Bloods ... Anthony "Harv" Ellison and Aljermiah Mack.

Prosecutors told the judge they met with him 2 to 3 times a week, and he sang like a canary -- about his involvement in numerous crimes.

And, this was interesting -- did you know there's a rating system for criminals? For purposes of sentencing, the feds calculated Tekashi's criminal history at a category 2.

Here's the math on that: 6ix9ine got 1 point for his 2018 conviction for using a minor in a sexual performance (in a music video), and 2 more points for his involvement in the Nine Trey Bloods while on probation. Those 3 points put him in category 2. Keep in mind the highest/worst criminal history rating is a 6.

Tekashi was originally facing a minimum of 47 years in prison before agreeing to assist prosecutors by ratting out his former gang members. As we reported, he pled guilty to 9 counts when he entered his plea back on January 23.

Tekashi 6ix9ine's in for a very emotional day when he finally learns his fate in his federal racketeering case, but odds are no matter what happens ... he'll cry about it.

The folks at sportsbetting.ag have released the betting lines for the rapper's sentencing hearing on Wednesday ... and they set it up for some exciting courtroom drama.

First of all, the oddsmakers don't expect 6ix9ine to get out anytime in 2020 -- they've set the "No" on that prop bet as the heavy favorite at -1000 ... meaning a bettor has to drop a grand to win $100.

However, anyone who bets on Tekashi to get released from prison in 2020 will get a 5/1 payout ... the "Yes" is currently +500.

As for the length of his prison sentence ... the line is set at 5.5 years, meaning bettors can take a shot at betting either over or under that length of time and hope the judge rules in their favor.

But, here's the really good stuff -- will Tekashi 6ix9ine cry after sentencing? The oddsmakers think it's likely ... "Yes" is favored at -300 while "No" is a +200 underdog. It doesn't matter if they're happy or sad tears either ... it cashes the same.

Bret Michaels is on a mission to give the folks in the Bahamas something to believe in ... including 15,000 lbs. of supplies and toys for all the good girls and boys!

The Poison lead singer is teaming up with The Paradise Fund to deliver gifts to 200 families in the Coopers Town village on Abaco island. We're told along with toys, Bret and members of the organization are packing planes with meals, winter clothing, books, school supplies and even Christmas trees.

Sources connected to the giveaway tell us Michaels will be flying in on his own plane Friday to deliver the goods ... and fittingly, he'll be wearing a Santa hat. We're told the Paradise volunteers will match him -- in elf garb.

All in all ... $20,000 worth of gifts and supplies will be dispersed to the families in need.

American-born Bill Withers (real name William Harrison Withers Jr.) was only 33 years old when he shot to stardom in the 70s with a laundry list of super-smooth songs like "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lovely Day," "Lean On Me," "Use Me" and "Grandma's Hands."

Bill Withers' success didn't stop in the recording studio ... Withers went on to win a handful of Grammy Awards -- three total -- over his career for Best Rhythm & Blues Song and a nomination for Record of the Year.

Withers was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

Quality Control CEO "Pee" Thomas is completely incapable of handling his kids -- which is why he doesn't -- according to Lira Galore ... who's calling his recent fatherhood claims into question.

The custody battle between Pee and his baby mama is getting nastier, and according to new docs ... Galore says he's unfit to take care of their 8-month-old, Khaleesi, because he doesn't take care of ANY of his 5 minor children.

According to the Galore ... Pee also lied about her allowing him unsupervised visitation with their daughter, which he claimed in response to her accusing him of abuse and asking for $15 million for her injuries. She says that is "simply untrue."

Galore alleges Pee always has his "current female friend, girlfriend, or any other women" take care of his kids whenever he has one or more of them in his custody. She claims he just uses his children for photo opportunities on social media ... then hands them off.

Lira says this even happened to her when she was in a relationship with the record exec behind Migos and Cardi B -- she often acted as a "babysitter" to Thomas' other children because she says he was not interested in spending time with them.

There's more -- Galore also doubles down on Pee being abusive toward her, and claims to have evidence he was physically abusive to 2 of his other children's mothers ... and even his own mother.

Galore says Pee lives a dangerous lifestyle that's unsafe for their child. She adds in the docs that his statements about her being physically abusive toward him and abusing drugs are flat-out lies ... and she vehemently denies them.

Tekashi 6ix9ine should remain behind bars and suffer like those impacted by the crimes he helped to commit ... so say his victims in a letter to the judge.

In letters submitted Tuesday, 2 people describe the April 2018 armed robbery in NYC, which the rapper testified was intended as a revenge hit on Rap-A-Lot Records and its honcho, J. Prince.

As we reported ... 6ix9ine claims members of his Nine Trey gang planned to rob JP and his people after a perceived diss, and pulled off an armed robbery on Rap-A-Lot reps in the lobby of a building.

Problem is ... the 2 people they robbed were a couple publicists unrelated to Rap-A-Lot -- a case of mistaken identity. According to their victim impact statements -- obtained by TMZ -- the attack has had a lasting, negative effect on them.

One victim, a 33-year-old male, says the incident "destroyed the normal adulthood that I was striving for." He says he was far removed from a life of gangs and guns and adds ... "never have I been so scared as a cold, hard metallic gun was pressed against my abdomen."

He claims the attack made him scared for his life, and afterward, he became a recluse who was afraid to sleep in his own home. He says he still lives in constant fear someone associated with Tekashi will be sent to "finish the job." He ends his letter by asking the judge ... "Why should this person, who nearly ended my life, be free when I am not free?"

Miley Cyrus is adding more fuel to the fire amid rumors she's forming a band with Cody Simpson ... the singer is trying to lock down the rights to what could be their band's name.

Miley's company filed legal docs asking the feds for ownership of the name, Bandit and Bardot ... which is super interesting because the same phrase is the handle on a new IG account that's only following Miley and Cody.

The trademark would cover entertainment services, including live music performances by a band and live performances by a professional singer, musician and entertainer.

It also would cover a website focused on live concerts, plus the production of sound recordings on all types of mediums -- CDs, DVDs, downloads, ring tones and more.

Connect the dots and it sure seems like Miley is gearing up to start a band called Bandit and Bardot ... ostensibly with Cody, who she's been getting super close with following her breakup with Kaitlynn Carter and split from Liam Hemsworth.

Boosie Badazz hates Mondays, like most of us -- actually, probably more -- because someone broke into his ride, and made off with some pricey rings and a $50,000 necklace!

While the rapper was grabbing a bite to eat at a Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen outside Atlanta, the perps smashed the rear passenger side window of his Bentley SUV ... according to police.

A man named Brian Wilcott reported the break-in, saying he saw a younger-looking black male by the car reaching into it. Wilcott -- better known as rapper B-Will -- works with Boosie and told cops he gave chase, but a suspect jumped into a waiting car and fled.

According to the police report ... B-Will says 3 pieces of his jewelry were stolen -- a "super bowl style" diamond ring valued at $10k, a large rose gold one with the diamond letters "BOSSMAN" valued at $10k, and a rose gold Cuban link chain with diamonds valued at $50k.

Offset is calling for Fortnite to lift the ban on his teammate FaZe Jarvis -- telling TMZ Sports a lifetime punishment sends the WRONG message to the kids.

As we previously reported, 16-year-old Jarvis -- one of the top Fortnite players in the world -- was banned for life from all Fortnite events after admitting to using illegal software to get an advantage during non-tournament play.

Jarvis claims he was just using the software to goof around while streaming -- and would never do anything to break the rules during competitive play.

Epic Games -- the company behind Fortnite -- has refused to budge ... but now Offset, who recently joined the FaZe Clan is speaking out in hopes of getting Jarvis back in the game.

"Fortnite says the game is for the youth. The youth makes mistakes a lot of times. Let the kids play, that what they love to do," the Migos rapper told us.

"Give him a ban. Like, ban him for 30 days. Give him probation terms or something like that and then if he keeps doing the same violations then you do that [suspend him for life]."

"But, a couple times messing up?! They kids ... know what I mean?"

By the way, Offset's not just involved in the gaming side of FaZe Clan -- he just dropped a new fashion collab and debuted the merch Monday night at the FaZe Arcade on Melrose.

Kanye West and Jay-Z's friendly greeting at Diddy's 50th is no surprise to people close to them -- turns out they've squashed their legal feud, and have already gotten back to making money ... together.

You'll recall ...both members of the "Watch the Throne" duo lawyered up in 2017 when Ye split from Tidal, Jay's streaming service. Kanye said he was owed $3.5 mil, and their professional relationship was on ice.

Cut to Saturday night at Diddy's crib ... where they smiled, shook hands and seemed totally cool with each other ... because they are. Sources connected to both moguls tell us they quietly reached an agreement in the Tidal dispute earlier this year. We're told both men are satisfied with the outcome and they're moving forward.

Case in point ... when Kanye put on his first opera, "Nebuchadnezzar," last month at the Hollywood Bowl ... it streamed exclusively on Tidal. We're told there will be future collabs for Ye and Tidal, too.

Of course, they've had an up and down relationship -- putting it mildly -- for years ... even before the Tidal lawsuit. Kanye was famously upset that Beyonce and Jay-Z didn't attend his wedding to Kim Kardashian -- and went off on him during a 20-minute rant onstage in 2016.

Lil Pump decided to forgo performing one of his mega-hit songs out of respect for Juice WRLD ... and honored his late friend instead.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Lil Pump and his team removed the track, "Drug Addicts" from his Rolling Loud Festival setlist in L.A. in light of the circumstances of 21-year-old Juice's death. Fans know it's a track he commonly performs live.

Pump replaced the song -- which glorifies popping pills and abusing illegal street drugs -- with a short tribute. He played Juice's hit single, "Lucid Dreams," along with a video displaying "Rest in Peace" ... while the crowd held their phone lights up.

Lil Pump followed it up with another tribute to XXXTentacion ... who was killed in June 2018.

What did Lil Yachty's 5 fingers say to the face of a man who allegedly trash-talked the rapper? Well, it wasn't friendly, and it was all captured in this violent video clip.

The incident went down Sunday night after Yachty had performed for the Rolling Loud Fest at the L.A. Coliseum. Yachty and his crew were exiting the venue, and in this video you hear someone on his team trying to talk some sense in an unknown man.

The talk didn't last long, and you can see Yachty lost his patience and threw the first blow ... a straight left to the guy's head -- and an all-out brawl ensued.

Yachty and co. chased down the guy, then punched and kicked him while he was on the ground. He tried to cover his head as Yachty unleashed some brutal kicks.

When team Yachty finally let up, the guy got up and ran away. Security approached, but the dust had already settled by then. We're told, not long after the guy ran outta there, Yachty and his crew hopped in a shuttle van and left.

We're told cops were not called to the area. We've reached out to Yachty, but so far ... no word back.