Music

It's been an incredible 24 hours for Joe Burrow -- after defeating the Chiefs to advance to the Super Bowl, the Bengals star QB says his childhood idol, Kid Cudi, hit him up to congratulate him on the victory.

"One of my idols growing up, Kid Cudi, reached out to me yesterday," Burrow told reporters after the huge win.

"You’ve got LeBron [James] tweeting at me or whatever you said it was ... That part is surreal. The football part, not so much. That stuff is crazy."

Cudi -- who was celebrating his 38th birthday on Sunday -- tweeted at Burrow saying, "Man this has to be the illest s*** ✌🏽❤️😭 beautiful f***in' game today brother!!"

BTW -- Joe says he listens to "New York City Rage Fest" -- one of Cudi's Songs -- to get himself ready mentally every game day. But, Burrow likes too many of Cudi's songs to pick a favorite.

Of course, Cudi is a native of Ohio (shoutout Shaker Heights) ... so it's not hard to see why he's so fond of the former LSU standout and #1 overall draft pick in 2020.

Speaking of the NFL draft ... the seeds for the bromance between Burrow and Cudi were planted when the Bengals selected Joe with their first-round pick.

"Congratulations on being the number 1 draft pick," Cudi said at the time. "That's wild. That's crazy. You on your way. You just gettin started brother."

Joe Cool even said Lakers star LeBron James tweeted about him, calling him a "generational talent" and saying we all knew and saw that he'd be special.

High praises coming from one of the greatest players in NBA history ... and a figure familiar with the sports landscape in Ohio. After all, Joe did just beat Patrick Mahomes when he erased an 18-pt deficit on the road.

Joe Rogan vowed to do better in the wake of criticism his podcast is spreading COVID misinformation ... and he says he knows how to make things better and more responsible.

Rogan broke his silence Sunday ... this after Neil Young and others yanked their music off Spotify in protest.

Rogan said he's down with Spotify's disclaimer when guests go against prevailing science ... a disclaimer urging folks to talk to their physician. The disclaimer will also note the views discussed are contrary to those of experts.

But, Rogan went further, acknowledging he should have done more ... like immediately after saying goodbye to a guest who goes against the grain, he'll bring on someone with mainstream views. He says he will do that from now on.

Rogan was contrite, telling Spotify he was sorry the platform has taken heat over his podcast. Joe also said he's a huge Neil Young fan and has no hard feelings toward him.

That said, Rogan began by saying the term "misinformation" is relative ... he says some of what was considered irresponsible to say early on in the pandemic has become a conventional point of view.

Blake Shelton made a dream come true for a 6-year-old fan who is waiting on a new heart, bringing him up on stage to sing a song together ... and the video is awesome.

The wholesome moment went down Saturday night during Blake's concert at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, OK ... with little Wyatt McKee getting the experience of a lifetime.

As you can see, Wyatt's sitting next to the stage with some signs about his condition, and Blake notices and starts reading ... and when he learns Wyatt is waiting on a heart transplant, he gives the kid a guitar pick and invites him up on stage.

The cherry on top ... Blake and Wyatt sing the kid's favorite song, "God's Country," and the crowd goes wild.

Wyatt's mom, Harley, tells TMZ ... her son was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where the left side of the heart does not grow, and Wyatt's already had 2 open-heart surgeries.

She says Wyatt's a huge Shelton fan and they brought the signs hoping Blake would see them and come say "hello."

Car sales go down every day, but how often can you say you bought a tank from Kanye West???

Kanye struck a deal with the Diesel Brothers to sell them his Ripsaw EV2, and this thing's insane!

Dave 'Heavy D' Sparks tells TMZ ... the partnership between Ye and the two friends (not real brothers, BTW) started a few years back. West's team reached out to them to get some work done on his trucks, but unfortunately, the timing never lined up.

Fast forward to last October, when someone from Kanye’s team reached out once again, looking to see if they’d want to buy the Ripsaw he was trying to unload. It was a no-brainer because the waiting list to get one is around 3 years, so they rushed down to his ranch in Wyoming to pick it up.

It was reported that Kanye bought it for $500,000. 'Heavy D' wouldn’t say how much change they handed over to seal the deal … but he did say Ye gave them a sweet deal. Kanye posed with the vehicle for a GQ photoshoot back in 2020, and featured it in his “Closed on Sunday” music video.

One odd thing -- the DVD player's built into the dash. Heavy D says for whatever reason, it only plays a K-Pop music video on a loop. We don’t know if Ye is a BTS fan, but they can’t figure out how to turn it off without ripping the player out entirely.

The Diesel Brothers made it big when their YouTube videos caught the attention of Jay Leno, who brought them on his show. Since then, they’ve started their own TV show on Discovery and even kicked it with the Paul brothers recently.

The Rams' huge win didn't go off seamlessly on Sunday ... 'cause the Jumbotron operator at their stadium mistook Big Sean and Jhene Aiko for Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. -- and the scene was hilarious.

Just before L.A. beat the San Francisco 49ers to advance to the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium ... someone really screwed up as the camera was panning around to celebs in the crowd.

When it got to Big Sean and Aiko ... the graphics below them read "Sarah Michelle Gellar" and "Freddie Prinze Jr."

Fans noticed the gaffe quickly -- pointing out the blunder all over social media ... and even Michelle Gellar had to poke fun at it all on her Instagram page.

"@bigsean do you get mistaken for me as often as I get mistaken for you?" she said.

"somebody about to get fired," she added.

Of course, Big Sean and Aiko didn't seem bothered by it ... they were spotted livin' it up in their on-field suite throughout the game, and the two appeared to even celebrate the Rams' win afterward.

As for Prinze Jr., he didn't even attend the game -- and he's yet to respond to it all, but we're sure something witty is coming shortly.

Kanye West needs a shot in the arm ... if he wants a shot at performing down under.

Kanye reportedly has his eyes set on performing a couple of stadium concerts in Australia in March ... but he said recently on the "Drink Champs" podcast he's only one jab in. Australia requires 2 shots for entry into the country.

If anyone is wondering whether Aussie officials are serious, take a look at how they booted Novak Djokovic from the country on the heels of the Australian Open. And the government fought hard to boot him ... there were court hearings that went back and forth for nearly 2 weeks.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it clear Saturday ... celebs are not exempt from the rules of COVID, saying, "Those are the rules. They apply to everybody, as people have seen most recently. It doesn’t matter who you are, they are the rules. Follow the rules. You can come. You don’t follow the rules, you can’t."

It's unclear if Kanye has received the second dose or plans to ... Ye said, "I traveled to Paris a couple of weeks ago, and I had to go through Lisbon because you can go through Lisbon without being vaccinated."

Kanye has had issues with the vaccine in the past ... in 2020 he called it "the mark of the beast" and claimed it was an attempt to microchip people.

It's interesting ... it seems Australia kicked Djokovic out because he's an anti-vaxer and his views are damaging to a country promoting vaccines. Kanye's past comments may not serve him well if there's an issue with the Australian government.

Neil Young has more company in his Spotify bailout campaign ... this time the likes of the guitarist for none other than The Boss himself.

Nils Lofgren is 86'ing his music from Spotify ... to protest the vaccine misinformation on Joe Rogan's podcast.

Nils said, "A few days ago, my wife Amy and I became aware of Neil and Daryl [Hannah] standing with hundreds of health care professionals, scientists, doctors and nurses in calling out Spotify for promoting lies and misinformation that are hurting and killing people."

He went on ... "When these heroic women and men, who’ve spent their lives healing and saving ours, cry out for help you don’t turn your back on them for money and power. You listen and stand with them."

Nils is a major musician ... a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, longtime Crazy Horse and E Street Band member ... but he's not one of the younger musicians who might make this a horse race for Spotify.

As we reported, Neil Young gave his ultimatum before yanking his music off the platform, and Joni Mitchell followed.

Nils is now asking other musicians to follow his lead.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have jumped into the Spotify/Joe Rogan fracas ... urging the platform to blunt "serious harms" over COVID misinformation.

As you know, the couple has a lucrative deal with Spotify -- $30 mil -- but they've come out swinging, with their rep saying, "Since the inception of Archewell, we have worked to address the real-time global misinformation crisis. Hundreds of millions of people are affected by the serious harms of rampant mis- and disinformation every day."

The rep went on ...  "Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all-too-real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform. We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”

As we reported, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and now Nils Lofgren have yanked their music off Spotify, in protest of Rogan. Meghan and Harry have not pulled the plug ... instead, they're just asking.

Rapper BIA is joining Cardi B in raising awareness about the death of Lauren Smith-Fields, and going a few steps further ... meeting with the family lawyer and hoping to sit down soon with the fam.

Smith-Fields' family attorney Darnell Crosland tells TMZ ... BIA is actively helping by using her platform to focus attention on the case.

BIA and her manager have met with Darnell in Connecticut, not long after Lauren's death, to talk about the case and offer support. We're told the case hits home for BIA and she feels celebs have an obligation to speak on social justice issues.

As you know ... 23-year-old Lauren died while on a December date with a man she met on a dating app. The medical examiner announced this week Lauren died from an accidental drug OD, which the family questioned. With public pressure mounting -- from BIA, Cardi B and others -- police finally opened a criminal investigation into her death.

Britney Spears is outraged at her sister for hawking her book on TV ... a book she says became a best-seller off her back.

Britney said this of Jamie Lynn Spears ... "You are scum" -- posting video of conversations surrounding her sister's new book "Things I Should Have Said" on "The Talk" and "The Real."

Britney posted clips from the shows, where several hosts challenged Jamie Lynn for writing a book rather than talking it out with Britney privately. Britney wrote, "What these women are saying here is pretty clear!!! I'm just kinda shocked that more people like these real soul sisters aren't telling it like it is."

Britney went on ... "The nerve of you to sell a book now and talk s*** but your f***ing lying just like you lied about Alexa Nikolas !!!!"

And, Jamie Lynn's older sis challenged her to take a polygraph test.

Kanye West and Julia Fox posed for a scorching shot, presumably showing they're a full-on couple ... this in the wake of a slew of stories suggesting he's still obsessed with soon-to-be-ex-wife Kim Kardashian.

Kanye and Julia struck the pose for photographer Danielle Levitt. It's a full-on kiss with lots of touching.

It's classic Ye. She's wearing a Jetsons-like getup. Kanye settled for a black jacket and hoodie.

Apparently, the pics were snapped during a dinner in Paris with Mos Def and Pusha T.  They're in town for Paris Fashion Week, which seems to go down every other week.

The pics were posted on the heels of terrible allegations that Kanye has been spreading false rumors Pete has AIDS. Kanye's team calls it "nonsense," but sources tell TMZ they've heard the same thing DJ Akademiks claimed ... "Kanye's been telling everybody within earshot."

Kanye's also threatened in song to kick Pete's ass.

This is pretty awesome ... Cher is part of the upcoming tribute to Betty White, delivering a fantastic version of "Thank You for Being a Friend."

Cher shared a clip of the "Golden Girls" theme song, which she recorded on the same sound stage where the show was shot.

She'll be part of the tribute, which will air Monday, and the list of celebs who will appear is stunning ... President Biden, Drew Barrymore, Valerie Bertinelli, Bryan Cranston, Ted Danson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Goldie Hawn, Vicki Lawrence, Jane Leeves, Jay Leno, Anthony Mackie, Wendie Malick, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Jean Smart, Mary Steenburgen and that's not even a complete list!

TMZ broke the story ... Betty died just days before what would have been her 100th birthday. As we reported, she had a stroke 6 days before, which lead to her death.

Joe Rogan has triggered another Spotify exit ... this time Joni Mitchell.

The 78-year-old singer said, "I've decided to remove my music from Spotify. Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives."

The issue, of course, is Rogan's conversations about COVID ... which critics say contain false information about the virus and the vaccine ... information they say is dangerous and even deadly.

As you know, Rogan's the king of the hill over at Spotify with a reported $100 million deal. His podcast is also the most popular around. Neil Young took a stand earlier in the week, essentially saying, "him or me" ... knowing Spotify would not 86 Rogan. Young asked that his music be removed.

Young and Mitchell are both legendary musicians.  She won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Kennedy Center honor as well.

So far Spotify hasn't budged, in part because both Young and Mitchell are in their 70's and are not nearly the subscription drivers Rogan is ... it'll be interesting to see if younger singers jump on board, and if they do ... what will Spotify do?

Tyga and his ex-GF Camaryn Swanson were spotted out together for the first time since she accused him of domestic violence ... and though they seemed to be boo'd up, they are NOT together again ... at least, not yet.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Tyga and Camaryn are not together romantically. For now, things are casual. We're told that the two are easing back into hanging out again, since Tyga made headlines for allegedly getting physical with her during an argument a few months back.

And, they don't seem to be reuniting under the radar either.

Camryn recently celebrated her 23rd birthday in Cabo with her family and friends. And, although Tyga wasn't able to make it, he managed to celebrate her bday with her at celeb hotspot restaurant Nobu in Malibu.

Though our sources made it VERY clear that they are not a thing, they seemed to be getting on pretty well ... judging from the photos.

As we've previously told you, Camaryn accused Tyga of putting his hands on her when they got in an argument at the rapper's home, back in October. He was arrested for suspicion of domestic violence ... Tyga later turned himself in to LAPD and his bail was set at $50k.

We recently learned Tyga will not be charged with a felony for the case, The L.A. County District Attorney's Office has passed the case to the City Attorney.

Kanye West's bizarre behavior might be at a new low -- he's allegedly telling friends Pete Davidson's suffering with AIDS, and while the false rumor's gotten back to Pete ... people close to Ye are denying it.

Sources close to Davidson confirm what DJ Akademiks claimed earlier this week, "Kanye's been telling everybody within earshot" that Pete has AIDS. We're told Kanye's claim has made for a few awkward phone calls between Pete and mutual friends he has with Kanye -- who are confused and disturbed by the childish behavior.

Our sources say Kanye's brutal diss track, where he raps, "God saved me from the crash, just so I can beat Pete Davidson's ass" ... diss didn't come as much of a surprise to friends of either man, as he's been known to take shots in song.

But, those close to Pete are disturbed by the fact Kanye would allegedly use such a serious health issue to try and lash out at Pete.

However, one source close to Ye tells us the allegation he's spreading the rumor is "nonsense."

Yes, Kanye's made no secret of the fact he wanted to get back with Kim ... as recently as December he said as much during his concert at the L.A. Coliseum.

The power of K-Pop is real ... just ask Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins, who landed a spot in the NBA All-Star Game starting lineup with the help of one of the genre's biggest stars -- Got7 member BamBam.

The starting 5s for the ASG in Cleveland were officially announced on Thursday ... and while LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Ja Morant and Steph Curry unsurprisingly made the cut for the West, many were wondering how Wiggins landed the honor.

So, how did it happen?? As the SF Gate points out, BamBam -- who became the Dubs' global ambassador this season -- called on his millions of social media followers to vote for the 26-year-old baller on Twitter earlier this month ... and the Ahgase fan base clearly delivered.

Of course, the 2014 #1 overall pick is having a great year -- 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists per game -- and may very well deserve All-Star recognition this season, but getting the third-highest fan votes (3.45 million) among frontcourt players in the conference was completely unexpected.

But, if you know anything about K-Pop fans, they're the most loyal supporters in all of music ... and proved it by tweeting their fingers off to lock in the spot for Wiggins on Thursday.

FYI -- fan votes counted for 50% of the final results, with players and media accounting for the other half.

Wiggins finished with 46 votes from the players -- less than 1/3 of the other frontcourt starters -- earned 4 total votes from the media, and had 1 million more votes than the next frontcourt player, Draymond Green.

BamBam wasn't the only celeb trying to get their favs into the ASG -- Kendall Jenner rallied her millions of followers to vote for her boyfriend, Devin Booker ... but he came up short of Curry and Morant.