Music

Tekashi69 is now persona non grata at the Barclays Center, so he's been axed from the lineup of a big upcoming event there ... TMZ has learned.

A source connected to Brooklyn's Soulfrito Fest 2018 tells us ... 6ix9ine will no longer be performing at the show due to an ongoing police investigation of a shooting at the venue connected to the rapper's manager.

We broke the story ... the shooting allegedly went down inside the Barclays Center during last weekend's Adrien Broner fight after Tekashi's crew had an altercation with a rival rap crew headed by Brooklyn-based MC Casanova.

6ix9ine's manager, Tr3yway, is a person of interest in the shooting, along with another shooting hours earlier in the streets of Brooklyn.

The Soulfrito show was announced months ago, and Tekashi69 was one of the most highly anticipated acts on the lineup of more than a dozen performers. No word yet if Barclays will offer refunds to disappointed 6ix9ine fans. The venue declined to comment.

Kanye West is laser-focused on the release of 5 new albums, and based on a firsthand account, the people claiming he's erratic or in the middle of a meltdown are off base.

Kanye invited Harvey Levin to his offices after taking issue with a TMZ source who told us Ye had been acting erratically, and Harvey took him up on the offer, spending 2 hours with Yeezy and various music executives who were planning the release of the albums.

The execs at times struggled to keep up with Kanye, who was spewing ideas for a multi-platform release, beginning May 25 with the release of Pusha T's album, followed by Kanye's solo album, Kids See Ghost, Nas and Teyana Taylor. Each album has 7 tracks, and Kanye made all the beats.

During the meeting, Kanye played around 10 songs featuring him, Nas, Teyana, Kid Cudi and Pusha T -- a little editorializing ... they're awesome.

He freestyled for Harvey -- unclear if this is on any of the tracks -- but super fun to hear.

The album won't be released or marketed exclusively on Tidal or any other platform ... the plan is for it to go everywhere.

Avicii was struggling with major issues at the time of his death ... which his family is now strongly insinuating was a suicide.

The superstar DJ, whose real name was Tim Bergling, was found dead last week in Oman, and while there's been no cause of death released ... his family just released a statement referring to his struggles to find meaning in his life once he finished touring.

Here's the full statement:

Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions.
An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress.
When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music.
He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness.
He could not go on any longer.
He wanted to find peace.
Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.
Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed.
The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive.

Obviously, the passage ... "He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace" ... seems like a reference to Avicii taking his own life. Authorities have ruled out foul play in the 28-year-old's death.

Meanwhile, Avicii was commemorated in his native Sweden where a choir performed "Wake Me Up!"

Macy Gray tried to say goodbye to Kanye West, and she choked -- but rather than walk away and stumble ... she's reaching out to him with her own customized take on his MAGA ball cap.

The singer-songwriter posted a photo late Wednesday of herself rocking a red "Make Kanye Great Again" hat -- a clear response to Kanye's polarizing headwear choice Wednesday while hanging with some music execs.

Kanye's bold declaration of love for the Prez -- as he plotted out the release plans for his new albums -- ignited the Internet and prompted some of his celeb pals, like Snoop Dogg, Janelle Monae and John Legend, to post thinly-veiled criticisms.

DJ Khaled says he's ready to hop in the studio with Meek Mill whenever he's ready -- 'cause Meek's family ... and Khaled couldn't be happier that he's finally out.

We got Khaled Wednesday night at Matsuhisa in Bev Hills and asked if any new music could be coming down the pipeline between himself and Meek, now that the dude's been released from prison on bail. According to Khaled, it's not a matter of if ... but when.

There's no denying it -- Khaled clearly has love for Meek, who he praises for successfully being able to come back from a 5-month "vacation" ... as he calls it.

Rihanna's "Fenty University" gear is a total rip-off -- not because that college doesn't exist, but because it jacked its initials from another clothing brand ... so claims that other brand.

The singer's Fenty label through Puma is in hot water with Freedom United, an American fashion brand that happens to use the initials FU on its gear ... which it boasts has been worn by celebs like Demi Lovato.

Freedom sent Puma a cease and desist letter in January, spelling out how Rihanna had knowledge of its FU mark for at least a couple of years, yet still chose to use 'F.U.' for her line of Fenty University products.

The company asked Puma to stop making the 'F.U.' gear ... and hand over a full accounting of how much cash RiRi made from her 'F.U.' line.

Puma fired back in March with its own letter -- obtained by TMZ -- insisting there was no infringement on Freedom's 'FU' because Rihanna's 'F.U.' used a completely different font. Besides, Puma claims, FU is not a unique trademark ... it's just initials. Puma also says the Fenty U merch ran its course and is no longer being produced.

We're told this explanation isn't good enough for Freedom United, though ... and it plans to file a lawsuit against Puma soon.

Everyone who thinks Kanye West's red MAGA hat photo also features a man flashing an alt-right symbol needs to chill, because it's not true.

The man giving the OK sign -- which many believe is a gesture used by the alt-right or white supremacists -- is YouTube's Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen ... but it's not even an OK sign to him.

A rep for YouTube tells us ... Cohen's gesture is meant to represent the company he founded -- 300 Entertainment -- and nothing more. He's also done it several times before.

As we reported ... Kanye's been on the Trump Train Wednesday, sending out several tweets about his love for the Prez, including the provocative selfie with Cohen and Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music.

"American Idol" voters don't like voting for minorities, and the show's most recent elimination round proves it, according to Marcio Donaldson, one of the guys who got booted.

Marcio wasn't voted into the Top 10 Tuesday night, and believes minorities have it harder on the show ... because America tends to vote white. Sounds harsh, but he says the show's record stands for itself when it comes to minorities winning 'Idol.'

On the reboot, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie picked 4 of the top 10 finalists from a pool of 8 who didn't make the cut with viewers. Almost everyone in the bottom eight was a minority.

Charlamagne Tha God's officially NOT on board with Kanye West making a run for the White House, because he says the last thing America needs is another Celebrity-in-Chief.

We got "The Breakfast Club" co-host leaving Barnes & Noble in NYC Wednesday, and asked him about Kanye crowning Charlamagne "The New Oprah." The compliment comes on the heels of Charlamagne sitting down with Ye last week ... but CTG told us why he's rejecting that comparison.

He's also got a strong message for everyone calling him after Kanye said someone's offering $10 mil for his interview with Charlamagne.

As for Yeezy publicly embracing Trump and talking about his own run for Prez ... Charlamagne had a lot of praise for Kanye the rapper ... but definitely NOT for Kanye the politician.

By the way -- we got CTG on the way out of a book signing for his "Black Privilege" -- he might not want to be Oprah, but he's already a NYT Best Seller.

Meek Mill enjoyed his first post-prison meal after the Philadelphia 76ers' big Game 5 win over the Miami Heat this week -- and it was a full VIP experience.

Sources tell TMZ that Meek celebrated with a group of 76ers -- including co-owner Michael Rubin and star player Joel Embiid -- and chowed down at Philly's high-end restaurant, Buddakan, where we're told Meek ordered the fish.

Interesting choice ... especially since sources present tell us there were lots of options -- from aged beef to peking duck and, of course, lo mein. Sounds like Meek just wanted some tuna, cod or bass ... we're not sure which dish he got ... but the fishy entrees all run from $29 to $37.

As we've reported ... Meek probably hasn't eaten this well since at least November, when his institution served him and the other inmates a proper Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, mashed potatoes and the like.

Russell Simmons and one of the women who accused him of sexual assault are no longer headed to court ... the lawsuit's been dismissed.

Jennifer Jarosik sued Simmons for millions of dollars, claiming he'd sexually assaulted her after she denied his advances. According to docs, the suit was dismissed Wednesday morning. It was dismissed with prejudice ... meaning she can't refile.

Typically, that's a sign there's been a settlement. Reps for Simmons had no comment.

The dismissal comes a couple weeks after Simmons filed a pretty strong response to the lawsuit, claiming Jennifer had sent him text messages and nude photos after the alleged assault.

Kanye West doesn't care what 'mob' mentality says, he loves President Trump ... even though he doesn't agree with all of his politics.

Kanye declared his allegiance to Trump's "dragon energy" ... in response to DJ Ebro saying Ye had confessed to loving Trump.

As you know, Kanye's not one to run from a controversy, and instead he fully leaned into POTUS, saying ... "You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does."

Kanye added, he's got love for Hillary Clinton, too.

Remember, he publicly embraced Trump right after his election ... and even went to visit him at Trump Tower.

It's pretty clear Kanye's gonna like whoever Kanye wants to like. It's just what Kanye does.

Kanye West and his legal team are working to deliver on Ye's promise to take over the consumer world, by slapping YEEZUS trademark protection on everything from audio recordings to kitchen appliances.

West fired out several tweets Wednesday that mentioned his growing of the Yeezy brand, saying he had 160 positions to fill. If his trademark filings are any indication of Ye's plans, the rapper might soon need more than 160 employees to help build his brand.

According to legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Kanye's refiled to protect just about YEEZUS everything ... athletics, cosmetics, a kitchen line, bedding, games, paper goods, press campaign buttons, clothing and so much more.

Kanye's also filed docs for a new California company called Yezzy Offshore Inc. at the beginning of the month.

Ye first filed the trademark docs in 2014, but later abandoned those in 2017 ... so it appears he wants to swoop everything back up again -- whether it's YEEZY or YEEZUS.

Something tells us Kanye's new lawyers are gonna be real busy over the next few months.

Judge Genece Brinkley is "a little sad and a little delusional" for not removing herself from Meek Mill's case ... so says Meek's lawyer.

Joe Tacopina is incredulous at statements made by Brinkley's lawyer that her honor will not recuse herself from Meek's case. Tacopina tells TMZ, Judge Brinkley needs to reread the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision springing Meek from prison, noting the court said, "[Brinkley] may opt to remove herself from presiding over this matter," then citing Pennsylvania law that says it should be done "in the interest of justice."

Tacopina thinks Brinkley can't take a hint ... he says the Supreme Court is clearly giving her a wink and a nod that she should get out of the case.

Chuck D says Meek Mill is not the same man -- or artist -- he was when he first went into prison 5 months ago ... and, as such, his music should reflect it going forward.

We got the Public Enemy MC Tuesday at LAX on the heels of the news Meek was being released from prison, and Chuck thinks the Philly rapper is a changed person for the better now that he is back on the outside.

Our photog asks if this will inspire Meek to start putting out tracks that will carry a message. Based on his answer (and also his own personal history) ... we're assuming Chuck wouldn't be mad if he started speaking for the people.

Prince's ex-wife doesn't buy Sinead O'Connor's claims he was violent toward women and abused hard drugs ... because she never saw a shred of evidence to support that.

Mayte Garcia -- who was married to Prince from 1996 to 2000 -- tells TMZ he was never violent with her and she never witnessed him being violent with anyone ... man or woman. She also says he didn't do hard drugs while they were together, and she only saw him drunk once.

Garcia's very skeptical of Sinead's self-proclaimed close relationship with Prince ... telling us she seriously doubts she could have known more than she did.

Mayte has a problem with the timing of Sinead's allegations, too ... because Prince wasn't alive to defend himself.

Garcia admits she found the reports of Prince's deadly pill stash shocking and heartbreaking, because she knew him for years and didn't see anything like that.