Music

Public Enemy is moving forward without one of its original (and more memorable) founders -- the one and only Flavor Flav is out ... this after a big argument over a Bernie Sanders rally.

The legendary hip-hop group permanently fired their longtime member Sunday night, saying ... "Public Enemy and Public Enemy Radio will be moving forward without Flavor Flav." They continued, "We thank him for his years of service and wish him well."

The ax comes after Flav fired off a cease-and-desist letter to the Sanders campaign last week, accusing them of using FF's image and likeness in a scheduled performance Chuck D and the rest of the guys had planned to put on in support of Bernie out here in L.A.

The writing was clearly on the wall from the get-go -- Bernie and co. announced they were having Public Enemy Radio perform at their rally ... which confused some folks.

That group is an off-shoot of the OG Public Enemy, and they do shows without Flav, which they've apparently been doing for a little while on and off. Fact is ... Flav and Chuck haven't been cool for years -- ever since FF sued the group over profits he claimed he was owed.

As for this final salvo ... Chuck went on Twitter and wrote, "last final note the last final note was my last straw was long ago. It’s not about BERNIE with Flav... he don’t know the difference between BarrySanders or BernieSanders he don’t know either."

No love lost between old friends, it seems.

Nate Dogg's new headstone is a masterpiece ... no better way to pay homage to a legend.

The late rapper's new headstone was unveiled over the weekend at Forest Lawn in Long Beach, his hometown. Fans, family and friends of Nate came out to show their love ... including Nate's brother, Sam, and the LBC's own Daz Dillinger.

The new tombstone honors Nate's legacy ... from his music career and love for Long Beach to honoring his time in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted after high school.

Nate Dogg was also universally respected as a brilliant collaborator. The "King of Hooks" also had lyrics from his "Music and Me" track emblazoned on the headstone, which also pays homage to his G-Funk Classics.

TMZ broke the story ... the same guy who gave Eazy-E's final resting place a face-lift put in some serious work on Nate Dogg's headstone. This had been in the works since last September after Nate Dogg's family hit up Cemetery Tim to spruce up Dogg's plot with a new headstone.

Megan Thee Stallion says a simple request to renegotiate her contract turned into a stalemate that's keeping a lid on any new tunes.

The rapper took to IG Live Sunday to call her out her record label, 1501, claiming they're not allowing to drop any new music for the time being -- all because, as she claims, MTS asked them to tweak some fine print in the deal she's signed with them at a young age.

Megan says she signed with 1501 when she was about 20 years old, and there were a lot things in her contract with them she simply wasn't aware of -- that is, until she started getting managed by Jay-Z's Roc Nation, which pointed a lot of stuff out to her.

Long story short, Meg says everything was all good and dandy until one day she approached the label and asked to renegotiate ... at which point, she says things went "left."

Megan claims as a result of her asking ... the label has put her and any new tunes on ice. She likens the move to nothing more than greed in its purest form -- and it's clear, there's beef.

Interestingly enough, we actually spoke to the co-founder of Meg's label, ex-MLB player Carl Crawford, and he told us he basically discovered Meg and helped put her on. Didn't sound like there was much friction between her and them at the time -- seems things have changed.

The bad news is for fans, of course -- 'cause if what she's saying is true, it can mean a whole year without some 'Hot Girl' seasons to bless us. Shame ...

Justin Bieber turned 26 this weekend -- and as much as you might think the guy had every reason to cut loose ... he kinda did the exact opposite when it was time to make a wish.

The Biebs' party went down Saturday night at Delilah in L.A. -- this after a reported 1-on-1 romantic dinner with the missus, Hailey -- where a bunch of their pals came out to help him celebrate the big 2-6. It looked like a sweet shindig -- there was a live band, drinks being passed around and, of course, lots of pastry sweets ... including candle-lit cupcakes.

He had a cake to himself though, and as everybody sang him "Happy Birthday," Justin looked a little ... dare we say, somber? Yes, some of that -- but mostly content and chillaxed.

He had Hailey right in front of him, naturally, and it appears he kept his eyes mostly on her the whole time. Clearly, the married couple is head over heels to this day. He was later seen cradling her from behind, and they snuck in some smooches where they could.

Even with a ton of cameras on them, they didn't seem to care. Justin and Hailey just couldn't keep their hands off each other as they hugged, kissed, swayed and canoodled. Young love at its finest, right?

Now, just to be clear ... it wasn't all lovey-dovey and heart eyes all night -- JB DID get down and bust a move at different points in the party. He also got on the mic for a bit, but for the most part ... Bieber seemed to be acting pretty freaking responsible and playing the good hubby all night.

Vic Mensa was hit with the ol' good news and bad news sitch in his brass knuckles case and TBH ... it was more good than bad.

The good news ... he was NOT charged with felony possession of brass knuckles. The bad news ... Vic WAS charged with possession of brass knuckles ... this according to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.

Vic was officially charged this week and pled not guilty. As we first reported, Vic was busted last month in Glendale after cops pulled him over for making an unsafe turn.

Cops patted him down and found the brass knuckles in Vic's pants pocket. Remember, while they're legal in most states ... brass knuckles are banned in Cali.

Waka Flocka is bringing self-awareness and self-deprecating humor to a whole new level -- saying he was a wack rapper at the peak of his career ... but honest nonetheless.

The hip-hop star was chopping it up with the team at Everyday Struggle, where he made the startling declaration ... that he was wack, he knows he was wack and probably should've stopped rapping way earlier than he actually did. His words, folks ... not ours.

Check out his explanation for yourself ... WFF says he made a massive amount of money around 2012 -- $30 million, apparently -- and says he'd achieved what he'd set out to do in the rap game ... which is to get rich. He insists he didn't need to keep going.

It's funny ... the Everyday crew tries to convince him otherwise -- that he's not wack and actually contributed a lot to the game -- but he remains firm, explaining his hip-hop idols are hardcore lyricists like Nas, KRS-One and others. He says he's simply not near them.

His one saving grace, according to him, was his ability to keep it real. Waka says people probably respected that more than his rapping ability.

Waka might be a little too hard on himself here -- fact is ... the dude put out tons of songs that landed on the Billboard charts, and while they weren't the most lyrically complex ... they were fun as hell for what they were -- and enjoyed by many.

Tom Steyer tried one last Hail Mary to gain traction in the South Carolina Primary -- bringing up Juvenile at a campaign rally ... and shaking what his momma gave him.

The billionaire Democratic candidate held one final event Friday night in Columbia before voters went to the booth the next day, and it seems he was trying to appeal to a younger (or older perhaps) demographic ... 'cause he invited Juvenile and DJ Jazzy Jeff onstage.

What happened next is quite a sight ... in a good way, of course. Tom and some of the other staffers attempted to get down to "Back That Azz Up," Juvenile's smash hit. It was ... interesting, to say the least. Yeah, let's call it that -- a good old college try in other words.

We'll give Tommy and co. this much ... they definitely go all-in on the poor dancing, cringe and all. And hey, ya can't really blame the guy -- this is kinda his last realistic chance at staying in this thing. Especially in light of him getting thrashed earlier last week by his key opponent in the race ... ex-Vice President Joe Biden, who's banking on a big win.

ICYMI ... Joe shut Steyer down during Tuesday's latest Democratic debate in the Lowcountry -- basically telling him to pipe down when TS tried chirping up and interrupting the Veep.

Pop Smoke's murder is still a mystery, and police are making little progress in finding suspects due to a variety of issues ... but they're still pressing on.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... detectives have hit a road block in the rapper's murder investigation, specifically with regard to witness testimony. We've heard it before -- a lot of people are simply refusing to talk. But also ... a lot of the info they're getting is sketchy.

Our sources say among the potential witnesses cops have spoken with, stories have either changed or are provably untrue. Also, because nobody was outside or nearby Pop's house when the crime occurred ... they have no neutral witnesses.

To make matters worse ... we're told investigators have wasted time looking into videos posted online allegedly connected to the murder, but they've all ended up unrelated to the case.

Likewise, with the case being bi-coastal -- Smoke was killed in L.A. but lived in NYC -- cops have had to spend extra time and effort tracking down people.

Finally, even though the murder appears to be a targeted hit and not a robbery ... our law enforcement sources say they're still having trouble coming up with a motive.

Cops are working all leads and resources possible in the meantime, but it seems they're in desperate need of a break in the case.

Adam Levine's owning his lackluster performance at a huge festival in Chile, saying he acted unprofessionally and struggled on stage ... and apologized to everyone in the crowd.

The Maroon 5 frontman and the band were widely criticized for their set during the country's Viña del Mar Festival Thursday, which was broadcast live on TV. Adam was singled out ... ripped for looking disinterested and cold, and was caught on video afterward complaining ... "That was a TV show ... that was not a concert."

Levine's now offering up an explanation, saying he was held back "sonically" -- his sound just wasn't right -- and it got in his head. He says the crappy performance wasn't a dig at the group's Chilean fans ... adding he loves performing in South America.

Unclear if the apology will be enough for the folks in Chile -- they were pretty pissed, -- but Adam promises it won't happen again.

Barry Sanders has entered the great Garth Brooks jersey scandal of 2020 ... hilariously asking the country singer if he wants to team up and run America together!!

Of course, some Garth fans lost their damn minds this week when he wore a Sanders #20 jersey at the Detroit stop on his stadium tour ... thinking the wardrobe choice was in support of Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders and not the Hall of Fame running back.

One fan wrote ... "Good grief. Can’t you just do what you get paid to do ???? Why why why does it have to involve politics !!! 🤢 So sad. We don’t pay good money for anything other than to watch you perform. 😡 Thought you were different."

The confusion is absolutely hilarious ... and it just got even better, 'cause Barry has chimed in with a zinger for the ages.

"Hey @garthbrooks, want to be my VP? #Number20for2020" Sanders tweeted.

The Detroit Lions even got involved too ... making Sanders' first official campaign graphic.

Justin Bieber had all eyes on him on the set of his new music video ... and busted out some solo dance moves that look like prime GIF material.

The Biebs was down in Miami Thursday shooting the vid for his upcoming single with J Balvin -- titled "La Bomba" -- and packed several hip thrusts, toe taps and pirouettes into a very short take.

The JBs were shooting all day, and it looks like their music video will include a lot of classic cars driving around and colorful outfit changes ... and it's already being anticipated as a potential "Song of the Summer."

If it is ... ya better start working on these Bieber dance moves.

Knock on wood if you think this is hilarious!!!

Jon Gruden commissioned an impromptu Jon Gruden impression from Frank Caliendo at an Aerosmith concert recently ... and the video is laugh-out-loud funny.

FYI -- Caliendo has been doing an insane JG impression for YEARS ... and even famously did the bit for Gruden's Raiders at their training camp this past summer.

So, when Gruden was sitting next to the comedian in an arena waiting for the show to begin ... he whipped out his phone and created 25 seconds of magic with the guy.

JG starts the video by saying, "Yes, I'm sitting here at the Aerosmith concert with my good friend, Jon Gruden. How's it going, Jonny?!"

That's when Caliendo takes it away ... SOUNDING EXACTLY LIKE JON!!!

Frank, though, cracks up throughout the whole impression ... and his explanation for why is hilarious.

"1. Gruden recorded this on his phone," Frank said. "2. He didn’t tell me he was going to do it- and that's why I'm laughing so much. 3. I asked him to send it to me so I could post it. 4. He did... so that should tell you how great he is."

Prince Harry's wrapping up his time as a full-time royal, but he's going out with a bang ... by teaming up with rock 'n' roll royalty for a project in support of Harry's Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex met up with Bon Jovi Friday at London's famed Abbey Road Studios, where the rocker's re-recording his single, "Unbroken," with the Invictus Games Choir ... and it looks like we might get to hear Harry's pipes, as well.

The Invictus Games were founded by Harry in 2014 as a Paralympic-style competition for wounded veterans. Bon Jovi's song is about veterans living with PTSD and is meant to honor their service ... so this collab is a perfect match.

Even though this is one of Harry's last gigs as a senior royal, Buckingham Palace is still showing full support for his endeavors ... the Scots Guard cranked out some Bon Jovi Friday morn.

His new "Unbroken" track will be released in March and proceeds will support the Invictus Games Foundation. The original version without the choir will be will featured on Bon Jovi's upcoming album.

Of course, the timing will coincide with Harry and Meghan Markle officially transitioning out of their senior roles in the Royal Family ... which many folks consider a shot through the heart that gives them a bad name.

Diddy's ready to get down to recruiting in the ATL for his "Making the Band" reboot ... and he's relying on some serious hometown talent to help him get it done.

Production sources tell TMZ ... the music mogul's locked down Quavo, Monica and 112 to serve as advisers when 'MTB' kicks off its official open casting call Friday in Atlanta's famed Center Stage Theater.

And, get this ... Quality Control Music honchos Pierre "Pee" Thomas and Kevin "Coach K" Lee -- who claim Cardi B and Migos, among others, to their label -- have also signed on to help Diddy find the next R&B supergroup.

The casting call goes from 10 AM to 6 PM ... with invitation-only callbacks slated to go down Saturday. The casting call will eventually make its way to Houston, Charlotte and NYC.

And, speaking of Charlotte ... DaBaby's lending Diddy a hand in his hometown. He's already signed up to help there. The show returns to MTV later this year.

As we reported ... Diddy made a surprise announcement back in July 2019 about a possible "Making the Band" reboot. He had some doubts but ultimately forged ahead. And there's been no shortage of former 'MTB' stars wanting to get back in the game.

Lil Scrappy and his wife, Bambi Benson, are adding to their brood ... with baby No. 2 on the way!!!

Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... the "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" stars are ecstatic about expecting their second kid together. We're told Bambi is currently around 18 weeks pregnant but they don't know the gender just yet. It's still a tad bit too early to tell.

But, the celebration's most certainly underway. Lil Scrappy and Bambi -- who got married in September 2017 -- are overjoyed and excited to add to the family. They had their first baby together in September 2018 ... 1-year-old son Breland.

This will be Scrappy's third child. He has a daughter, Emani, from a previous relationship.