Music

Johnny Depp is the most popular man in England ... is what you'd have to assume once you see the insane scene outside his latest rock star gig.

An absolute wall of fans pressed up against barricades in Newcastle, England Thursday night, desperately trying to get a piece of Depp after his latest appearance with guitar great Jeff Beck.

You can see security struggling to keep the crowd at bay.

Johnny's been congratulated everywhere he's been in the U.K. since Wednesday's verdict in his defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, but this scene takes the cake -- and for the first time, he stopped to engage with fans.

JD signed several autographs and took selfies before security whisked him away, but he's definitely heading to his hotel feeling like he just left an award show or movie premiere from his Hollywood heyday.

Young Thug's lengthy day in court was all for nothing, a judge denied his bond, and the rapper will stay locked up until January 2023.

The YSL rapper and his legal team argued for his freedom Thursday in a Georgia courtroom where prosecutors argued Thug was the most dangerous member of the 28 Young Stoner Life members rounded up in the highly publicized Georgia RICO case.

Not only that, but prosecutors also tried to get YT's attorney, Brian Steel, removed from the case, saying his past associations with YSL were a "conflict of interest" ... but Steel is staying on.

During the hearing, Kevin Liles, music mogul and CEO of 300 Entertainment tearfully testified on Thug's behalf, recognizing him as an influencer and charitable person but most importantly, was willing to co-sign on his bond.

Another witness, Garfield Larmond, part of Thug's management team, testified he was in the house when Thug got arrested and there were no weapons on him.

This case is being watched closely by the hip hop community ... Chris Brown, Lil Baby, Cordae, Meek Mill, and most vocally, Metro Boomin have all called for YSL's freedom within the past few days.

As far as the rest of the case ... The Fulton County District Attorney recently claimed the YSL crew could actually be a gang with ties to 50 murders in the area.

Forget a hot girl summer for R&B star Ari Lennox, 'cause she's all boo'd up.

The First Lady of J. Cole's Dreamville Records hit Instagram Thursday to reveal she's been chilling heavy with Keith Manley II of "Married at First Sight" fame.

Both appear to be in San Diego for a wedding with Ari sharing pics of the pair together and Keith giving it a more subtle touch with a pic of their hands bound in a loving grasp.

Keith appeared on the 9th season of 'MAFS,' and enthused audiences with the ups and downs of his marriage to Iris Caldwell ... but obviously, they're not a thing anymore.

In an interview with Essence last year, Ari revealed how she had trouble landing a man because they were scared of her dog: a large male Akita.

The music industry is a prehistoric artist trap that needs to end … so thinks Russ, arguably one of the most entrepreneurial-minded rappers the game has ever seen.

We caught up with the digital disruptor fresh off the heels of releasing his mini-movie "Handsomer (Remix)," which co-stars Snoop Dogg and Tiffany Haddish.

In March, Russ and his business partner Bugus launched their label DIEMON a.k.a. "Do It Everyday Music or Nothing" — an offshoot from a traditional record deal as their artists won't be held to crazy overheads and will be encouraged to have more authentic relationships with fans.

Russ called out labels for overcharging artists for services and even went as far as to say "digital marketing" — one of the most buzz-worthy terms in music — was all a sham.

According to his experiences, artists only sign to labels for the convenience of not wanting to handle their business affairs but Russ feels the DIY mantra can still be applied even without the giant corporation eating into your record and ticket sales.

Here's what's even more interesting … Russ openly admits his label deal wasn't a bad one, especially compared to some of the other contracts out there.

He owned his masters and didn't fall into the red with his finances.

But, he rather use his own money for a $300,000 video than have a label use his money for a $300,000 video — and then charge interest.

Ciara twerked on a Bronco ... but we're not talking about her husband!!

The singer and Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model held a random dance party at a gas station this week ... shaking it with all her friends as her upcoming single, "J.U.M.P." played in the background.

Russell Wilson's wifey put herself through the open sunroof and propped her leg up on top of the car ... as two dancers posted up on the doors, and one more took the front of the whip.

"It's time to pull up and make that thang J.U.M.P 😎," the "Level Up" artist said on Instagram.

While the short clip is surely an attention-grabber, some followers pointed out the steep gas prices listed behind the group ... with comedian Jasmin Brown saying, "Them gas prices chile 😵‍💫😭 I like this song tho 😍"

Another user added ... "$6.70 A GALLON 💀"

It's been a hot streak for CiCi -- she just graced the S.I. cover and the Wilson fam just made the move from Seattle to Denver.

The late great Phife Dawg famously quipped he liked his girls "brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian" ... and while Joe Budden's observation of NYC strip clubs doesn't see it that way, Waka Flocka Flame disagrees with Joe.

JB compared the personal crusade to a declaration of war ... because someone has to do it, right?

The rapper-turned-podcast host went outta his way Thursday to call out shuttered NYC strip club Cheetahs Gentlemen's Club & Restaurant for exclusively employing fair-skinned Hispanic women.

Joe says, "NY strip clubs, not only are you not hiring Black women, but you're purposely hiring the SAME exact girl." Your promoter having a type is gonna lose y'all money this Summer.. this is disgusting (not the girls, the optics)."

Waka Flocka not only disagrees, but calls Joe "soft" for the commentary. WF hails from Atlanta -- the reigning mecca of pole dancers -- so naturally, he wasn't going to sit for disrespect to the industry.

"Hot Boy" rapper Bobby Shmurda was ice-cold to a Tampa Bay Lightning supporter during the New York Rangers game on Wednesday -- trollin' the fan by waving an NYR towel right in his face!

The hilarious moment happened during Shmurda's epic night at Madison Square Garden -- when the Brooklyn rapper was in the stands cheering his face off for the Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Video shows Shmurda was gettin' his dance on ... and then he turned to a TB fan sittin' right behind him, and waved a "No Quit in New York" Rangers' towel in the guy's grill.

To his credit, the fan took the trollin' in stride -- responding with nothing more than a thumbs down.

Bobby had a hell of a night during the game in between going crazy for big plays -- taking a bunch of photos with fans both inside and outside of the venue.

TMZ Sports has learned this was Bobby's first-ever hockey game ... and he attended it after getting invited by Icy Ventures -- a talent management company (founded by Josh Stone and his brother Troy Stone as well as NHL agent John Osei-Tutu) whose focus is to bring hip-hop culture to the sport.

"Bobby’s energy could not be contained," Troy told us of Shmurda's night. "Fans were shocked to see such a high-profile rap artist in the building for a Ranger game."

"Bobby was so excited he started taunting the opposing team’s fans, which lead to a viral moment which the NHL has desperately needed."

Troy added, "The experience for Bobby couldn’t have gone better as he saw the Rangers win and got to witness a real NHL fight.”

Bobby Shmurda's seeing a clear pattern in where America's mass shooters choose to wreak havoc -- and he says it's time the government realizes it too and put the proper, armed, protection in place.

We caught up with Bobby and "Million Dollaz Worth Of Game" podcast co-host Wallo267 in NYC ... and they both called out active shooters for cowardly targeting schools and hospitals.

Bobby breaks it down -- as only he can -- and sees at least one solution being better-armed security, because ... well, we're all paying high enough taxes for it.

A gunman opened fire inside a Tulsa hospital Wednesday, killing 4 people and then himself. That tragedy comes as the nation is still reeling from the Uvalde mass shooter who killed 19 children last week.

In the video, Bobby passionately explains where these mass shooters never seem to go, and adds ... it's because they know it wouldn't end well for them.

The licensing company gunning to kick Elvis impersonators out of wedding chapels is making an epic blunder ... so says a couple of look-alikes that aren't ready to leave the building.

Jesse Garon and Dean Diamond, both of whom have worked countless weddings over the years, say Elvis would roll over in his grave if he knew what Authentic Brands Group, which handles all licensing for the Elvis estate, is trying to pull off.

They say Elvis was a giving man and would've been humbled knowing his legacy lives on through their work, so this is a slap in the face to those trying to keep his spirit alive.

Their circle of impersonators has been huddling over the next steps. Dean says the city of Vegas has their back ... as does the Nevada Governor. Jesse wants to get his fellow look-alikes together and picket the new Elvis biopic to send a message.

These guys aren't strangers to the big-name wedding game ... Jesse was the one that married Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner back in 2019, while Dean's the guy who "married" Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker a couple months back.

Desiigner had a not-so-friendly exchange with cops after getting pulled over ... leading to a shouting match while things got sorted out.

The whole thing went down Wednesday in L.A. after law enforcement sources tell us the "Panda" rapper was pulled over for driving without license plates and tinted windows. We're told Desiigner got out of his car and approached the motor cop who pulled him over.

Video from the encounter is intense -- the officer has his pepper spray pulled, which sets Desiigner off -- letting the cop know he doesn't pose a threat, and there's no reason for force to be used. He also calls the officer a "racist bitch."

The verbal back-and-forth continues -- and it sounds like the officer claims he can take the vehicle -- but Desiigner isn't phased, shouting, "I got money all f**king day."

Desiigner then notices a bystander filming the interaction, asking the guy, "You know who I am right? Desiigner. Panda." Seemingly making a further point to the officers that he's a big deal and shouldn't be messed with.

Baltimore rapper Young Moose is $300,000 richer now that the city of Baltimore's reached a settlement with him over a dirty cop who was caught planting crack on him back in 2012.

Young Moose joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday in hopes his situation would help uncover other potentially corrupt police officers, and their victims, in the Baltimore area. He filed a lawsuit last March against the city and several Baltimore cops ... most notably, Daniel Hersl.

The saga surrounding Hersel, formerly a member of the city's Gun Trace Task Force, is at the center of the HBO series "We Own This City" ... and actor Josh Charles plays the crooked cop.

YM was also featured in the series, playing himself, but says that role almost went to someone else. He says since his acquittal and settlement, his DMs have been flooded with folks looking for legal advice, or even a hook-up with his attorney.

Although he admits harboring anger at Hersl, Young Moose says he's found ways to channel his emotions, such as rapping!

His latest album "My Life Story" chronicles much of his journey up to this point and features Boosie Badazz on several tracks.

Going forward, Moose plans to continue to build awareness for his career as well as other citizens who've been wronged by the justice system.

Celina Powell, the infamous rap fan -- and alleged dater of some rappers -- is going from social media sensation to prison inmate ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the 17th Judicial DA's Office tells TMZ ... the 26-year-old was sentenced to 2 years in a Colorado State Prison for violating probation from a 2015 conviction for driving a getaway car in a theft ring.

Cops say she failed to comply with the terms of her probation in that case by, among other things, missing multiple drug and alcohol tests. Powell was eventually arrested on May 1 after missing a court date.

She'll be eligible for parole in December.

Celina claimed to have links to Snoop Dogg and Offset and appeared on the popular hip hop podcast "No Jumper" several times.

Her last podcast appearance was in April, when she stated Young Thug was her "favorite" alleged hookup.

A$AP Rocky's newfound joys of fatherhood might be hitting a few bumps in the road, courtesy of some stewing beef ... cooked by one of his own A$AP Mob teammates.

On Wednesday, A$AP Bari all but confirmed his string of sneak Instagram disses these past few days weren't inside jokes because he called Rocky's next album trash before it's even finished.

In a new interview with Dazed magazine, Rocky debunked the long-rumored "All Smiles" title but did promise an "industrial, subversive and polished" sound for the album.

A day prior, Bari called Rocky "burnt out" on one of Rocky's IG posts, fueling speculation there's some serious friction between them.

Although no A$AP Mobbers have publicly addressed any conflict, Bari's bone to pick could stem from Rocky's recent "Drink Champs" interview where he casually referred to Bari as a "Lil n****" while reliving a Jay-Z tale back in the day.

Jay-Z apparently wasn't feeling the "Goldie" lyrics comparing his Ace of Spades champagne to "racist" champagne and had a word with the crew.

As a co-founding member, Bari is one of the few members of A$AP Mob who doesn't rap, opting to focus on fashion as CEO of streetwear clothing label VLONE.

Master P's family is grieving the loss of his daughter, Tytyana Miller, and cops are working to determine exactly how she died, with initial evidence suggesting it was an overdose.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... drug paraphernalia was found at the scene of Tytyana's death, indicating it might have killed her ... but there were no substances present on the scene.

We're told the autopsy has been completed, but toxicology results will take several weeks.

As we've reported with other cases, fentanyl has been a silent killer in many OD deaths. Our law enforcement sources tell us there's no evidence right now it's connected to Tytyana's death -- but if it shows up in toxicology, we're told LAPD investigators will go into overdrive to find out who supplied the drugs.

As we reported, Master P made the devastating announcement he'd lost Tytyana over the holiday weekend. While he and his family are mourning, Master P tells TMZ ... "The only way that we are going to heal and grow from this is with the truth. It has been a long and painful journey for our family, my daughter has been battling with this since 2015. Mental illness and substance abuse is a real issue and we hope to turn this tragedy into a testimony."

He adds, "As a father, I have always established parameters to protect my children. Unfortunately, when they become adults, they have the legal right to choose who to have relationships with whether healthy or unhealthy."

Tytyana's brother, Romeo Miller, also posted a heartfelt message about his sister, saying, "We appreciate all of the prayers, love, and support, and although this is sad times, I'm forever grateful for the memories I did have with my amazing sister."

Amazingly, even as he grieves, Master P is thinking about other families in the same situation -- "I put my faith and trust in God, I realize that no person is exempt from pain or death. Every day families are dealing with the loss of their loved ones due to mental illness and substance abuse. I have committed to invest my time, resources and passion to help other families affected by these same issues. Our healing process will not end in grief, we will celebrate my daughter's life. Tytyana was inspiring, uplifting, artistic and a loving person who deeply cared for others."

Kate Moss will do more than just beam in virtually for Johnny Depp -- she'll even show up for him in the flesh ... so long as he's in her town, that is.

The supermodel and former girlfriend of the actor -- who's in the middle of waiting for a verdict with his other ex, Amber Heard, here in the States -- paid a visit to London's Royal Albert Hall Tuesday night ... where she watched JD shred on his guitar with Jeff Beck.

There were rumblings earlier in the week that Johnny had invited KM to catch one of his gigs while he was across the pond -- and wouldn't you know it ... she took him up on it!

You can see Kate heading out after the show Tuesday in photos obtained by DM -- where she seemed to be by herself with just a bodyguard in tow ... no sign of Johnny or really anyone else around her as the night wrapped up. Still, it's fascinating to see her out here.

Of course, Kate testified on Johnny's behalf last week during rebuttals -- this after Amber had invoked Kate's name the week prior when describing a fight she had with JD in 2015.

Johnny's team later got Amber to admit she only said that based on a rumor she'd apparently heard -- one in which JD supposedly pushed Kate down some stairs while they were dating in the '90s -- but KM herself shut that down and then some with her video deposition.

Not only did she deny that ever happened ... she actually made Johnny sound fantastic by saying he came to her aid and cared for her after she'd injured herself at the time.

It was pretty incredible that Kate was willing to do this for Johnny after all these years -- in fact, her doing so actually sparked online re-shipping between the two from fans online ... who wanted to see them back together, and who felt there was still something there.

We thought that sounded silly when it'd bubbled up on the bird app -- but after this, we're not so sure ... maybe there is actually an old flame that could be rekindled at this point.

Sorry, impulsive lovebirds -- looking at you Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker -- you're gonna have to help falling in love without Elvis Presley, because corporate is blocking those famous Las Vegas chapels from using his image.

In a move that's gotta have the Vegas wedding biz all shaken up ... Authentic Brands Group is playing the Scrooge, if you will, of love. The company, which handles all licensing for the Elvis estate, fired off cease and desist letters last month to all Vegas chapels.

Make no mistake, quickie nuptials are big money makers for Sin City -- generating about $2 billion each year -- and city officials say "The King" plays a role in a significant number of those ceremonies.

Just ask the newlywed Mr. and Mrs. Barker ... who threw their own Elvis-themed "wedding" back in April. Yes, it turned out they did it just for the pics -- a sort of dry run for their actual wedding(s) -- and the camp of it all, but you get the point. Who doesn't love Elvis-hosted love???

The answer is, apparently, Authentic Brands Group ... which basically said it's now or never for the chapels to knock off all unauthorized use of "Presley's name, likeness, voice image, and other elements" of The King's persona because all of that stuff is trademarked.

If you're wondering ... any Elvis-themed stage productions are still in the clear -- live performances with impersonators are protected under Nevada's right of publicity law.