Music

Anita Pointer, one of the founders of the iconic group bearing her name, has died.

Anita's rep tells TMZ ... her death was the result of a "somewhat lengthy and heroic battle with cancer." We're told she died peacefully at home Saturday, surrounded by her family.

The Pointer Sisters formed in the late '60s after Anita quit her job as a secretary and formed the soon-to-be-famous group with her sisters Bonnie, June and Ruth.

They became one of the most popular groups in the '70s, with iconic hit after hit.

To name a few ... "I'm So Excited," "Jump," "Slow Hand," "Fire," "He's So Shy," and "Neutron Dance." If you haven't heard all these songs, you should take a listen, because they're awesome.

The group won Grammys and many other awards, and they were the first African American group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

Anita's sister and group member Ruth, along with brothers Aaron and Fritz, said,  "While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace."

They went on ...  "She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us. Please respect our privacy during this period of grief and loss. Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there."

Jennifer Lopez rang in the new year in traditional fashion, sippin' the bubbly as the clock struck 12, and she was not alone.

Tons of celebs put on their Saturday/Sunday finest and mugged for the cam.  Khloe Kardashian rocked 2023 shades, in case anyone forgot what year we were entering.

Bad Bunny stripped it all down to the essentials ... partying with a red solo cup.

David Beckham and fam celebrated with fireworks, while Gwyneth Paltrow escaped L.A.'s cement jungle for a tropical vacay with her brood.

Courteney Cox got all sentimental, planting a big smooch on BF Johnny McDaid, and Nick Carter dined with friends at Carbone in Vegas.

There were more ... Kylie and Kendall Jenner grabbed some grub with pals Hailey Bieber and Stassie Karanikolaou in Aspen after a day of skiing.

Jeremiah Green, co-founder and drummer for Modest Mouse, has died just days after the band announced he was battling stage 4 cancer.

The group made the announcement on New Year's Eve, saying ... "I don’t know a way to ease into this: Today we lost our dear friend Jeremiah. He laid down to rest and simply faded out. I’d like to say a bunch of pretty words right now, but it just isn’t the time. These will come later, and from many people. Please appreciate all the love you give, get, have given, and will get. Above all, Jeremiah was about love. We love you."

As we reported, Jeremiah was in treatment for cancer and all indications were it was going well. The band had asked fans to think of Jeremiah because they felt the positive energy would work.

Jeremiah and Isaac Brock found the group in 1992 and for the most part -- except for a short break in 2003 -- Green stayed in the band.

He was listed as #37 of the top 50 best rock drummers by Stylus Mag.

The band had success ... it was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammys in 2005.

Modest Mouse released 7 albums, including "This Is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About." Music aside, it's one of the best titles ever! Some of their songs, including, "Lampshades on Fire," "Float On," "Ocean Breathes Salty," and "Dashboard" were especially popular.

Ice Cube says he's never giving up on the fight to obtain the rights to his beloved "Friday" franchise -- but won't go to court to get the job done.

TMZ Hip Hop recently caught the legendary rapper outside of Dash Radio, asking him about his struggle to own "Friday" and about any potential spin-off opportunities for the franchise.

Cube, clearly amused by the question, reminded us the contracts he's got with Warner Bros for the film have a ton of fine print -- including that using the same characters in any capacity on a new project wouldn't fly.

Cube has been pushing to get the rights back from WB for years now ... and it's been an uphill battle. Several original cast members like Tommy Lister Jr. and Anthony Johnson have passed away and Cube recently scoffed at the suggestion from Mike Tyson to buy his own rights back.

Taylor Hawkins' death has loomed large in the world of the Foo Fighters for much of 2022 -- but as the new year fast approaches, the band says they're moving forward as a unit.

A message was posted to FF's socials Saturday, serving as a tribute to their late drummer ... who died earlier this spring while overseas. It's a heartfelt note honoring Taylor, but it also seems to be a sign of the next chapter for Dave Grohl and co. as they head into 2023.

Their post reads, "As we say goodbye to the most difficult and tragic year that our band has ever known, we are reminded of how thankful we are for the people that we love and cherish most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us."

They go on to explain that their band was formed 27 years ago as a representation of what it has come to be through their fanbase and peers -- a music community for people to express all the highs and lows of life ... for which Foo Fighters say they're eternally grateful.

FF adds, "Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were -- and without Taylor, we know we're going to be a different band going forward. We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you. And we know that when we see you again -- and we will soon -- he'll be there in spirit with all of us every night."

In other words, Foo Fighters is going to continue performing ... and it appears they're going to replace Taylor on percussion. As for who that may end up being, it remains to be seen.

The band has been doing several shows over the past few months to pay their respects for Taylor ... and there have been a lot of drummers who've filled in, including Dave himself ... and even Taylor's own son, Oliver, stepped up during one performance.

The tribute shows have spanned the globe, but now ... it appears Foo Fighters is ready to turn the page. It's a tough decision obviously -- while they could just as easily shutter the band, the fact is ... they're still incredibly popular and in high demand among music lovers.

Taylor died in Colombia in March. Medical experts say a number of substances were found in his system, and his death was reportedly ruled as an overdose by the authorities there.

He was 50.

Coolio's family got a supercool headstone so they can pay their respects to the rap legend ... and it includes an homage to his most famous song.

The late rapper was cremated, but we're told his family wanted to make a headstone so they had a physical place to go to remember him.

The family enlisted Cemetery Tim, who has also done headstones for Nate Dogg, Eazy E and Anthony Johnson.

Cemetery Tim tells TMZ ...  he was put in touch with Coolio's girlfriend Mimi about making a headstone, and he delivered it this week to the family and it's since been set in the ground at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles.

As you can see, the headstone has a few images of Coolio plus a Hollywood Walk of Fame star ... and the bottom reads, "I'm home now in gangsta's paradise."

We're told Coolio's headstone is in a private area that's not open to the public, so the family can pay their respects.

Tim says he does a lot of headstones for folks who are cremated ... the reason being families like to create a marker or memorial for a loved one who isn't buried.

Britney Spears is totally in control of her own life, social media, and especially her meals ... so says husband Sam Asghari.

The singer's husband was running errands in Los Angeles on Friday when photogs asked him if he was controlling Britney.

Sam flat out says "no" ... going even further to say he doesn't even control what the recently married couple eats for dinner.

There are various conspiracy theories being floated on social media in regard to Britney's social media presence ... with some of her fans under the belief Sam is pulling the strings on her posts.

But, Sam says that's just not true. He says he understands why those notions are out there, given all of what went on during Britney's conservatorship, but he says concerns about Britney just illustrate how she has "good fans."

As we first told you ... Britney's fans think she may be missing, in trouble or even dead, but sources close to her tell us she's safe and sound.

Tory Lanez told Megan Thee Stallion's friend Kelsey Harris he was wasted the night of the shooting and sounds incredibly remorseful ... according to leaked audio of the rapper's jail phone call from when he was arrested.

In the audio, which is now surfacing online, Tory tells Kelsey ... "I was just so f*****g drunk that I ain't even know what the f*** was going on."

Tory adds ... "I ain't never done some s*** like that ... I didn't even understand what the f*** was going on. Regardless, though, that's not gonna make anything right, and it's not gonna make my actions right."

The Canadian rapper apologizes to Kelsey, telling her he was "sorry" for what happened.

As for why Tory claims he was so drunk, later on in the jail call he explains ... "When I got to the house, I assure you, off the top n*****, they gave me like five shots off the door. I was outta there." He also says he forgot what the argument was about before the shooting.

Tory made the call after his initial arrest for the July 2020 incident ... and during the conversation, he asks Megan's ex-friend to bail him out of jail.

While the audio is just now leaking, Tory's jail phone call to Kelsey was played to the jury during the recent trial.

Tory never took the stand, but it appears the jail call likely played a role in his conviction.

As we reported ... the jury decided Tory was guilty of shooting Meg in the foot, finding him guilty on all three charges against him.

Steven Tyler sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl decades ago and carried on an illicit affair with her, which ended with him insisting she abort their child, this according to a new lawsuit.

The legendary Aerosmith frontman is not named in the suit, but he's one of 50 defendants identified as a “Doe.” The plaintiff/accuser, Julia Holcomb, has previously gone on record about their relationship and she quotes directly from the singer's 2011 memoir in the suit. Tyler's memoir made a cryptic reference to his time spent with an underage girl, but he maintained they had a "romantic, loving relationship."

According to the docs obtained by Rolling Stone, Holcomb first met Tyler just after her 16th birthday at a 1973 Aerosmith concert in Portland, Oregon. Tyler, who was then around 25, allegedly brought Holcomb back to his hotel room, where they chatted about her age and troubled home life.

Holcomb says Tyler then “performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct upon.” She claims he continued to have sex with her after illegally flying her as a minor across state lines -- a possible federal crime under the Mann Act -- to Seattle for Aerosmith's next show.

The docs also state Tyler tried to coax Holcomb's mom into turning over guardianship of her daughter to him so he could fully provide for her. But, Holcomb says, Tyler did not follow through with his plans “and instead continued to travel with, assault and provide alcohol and drugs" to her.

By 1975, Holcomb says she was 17 and pregnant with Tyler’s son ... Tyler allegedly ordered her to get an abortion after an apartment fire, insisting the unborn baby was suffering from a lack of oxygen -- an allegation dismissed by a medical professional.

Holcomb says she was torn about terminating the pregnancy ... but ultimately went through with it after Tyler threatened to totally cut her off. After that, she reportedly left Tyler and went back home to Portland to pick up the pieces of her life.

Holcomb's suit accuses Tyler of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

YFN Lucci is not a witness to be used against Young Thug in his RICO case ... this according to the rapper's attorney.

YFN Lucci’s attorneym Drew Findling, tells TMZ … Rayshawn Bennett, AKA Lucci, has not been named as a witness in the YSL case, whatsoever. He makes it clear that Lucci has never been interviewed or subpoenaed by law enforcement, the Fulton County District Attorney's office or any of the party's regarding the YSL case.

We're told, "Any party can announce for example that Abraham Lincoln is on their witness list, but those words alone are meaningless. So, to be 100% clear, Rayshawn Bennett (Lucci) will not be a witness in the YSL case."

In case you didn't know, Lucci is currently sitting behind bars and awaiting trial on murder charges. YT and YFN are both Georgia rappers, who are known to have beef for several years which caused folks on social media to suspect he might be working with Thug's prosecutors in order to cut his own plea deal.

However, Lucci's attorney says, "His focus, as it should be, is on his pending Fulton County case."

As we've reported, YT and fellow YSL rapper Gunna were arrested back in May on gang-related charges tied to a 56-count indictment.

Gunna was locked up for several months before taking a plea deal by pleading guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge. He was sentenced to 5 years with one year commuted for the time he's already served. The other 4 will be suspended and replaced with community service and other demands.

On the other hand, Thug has been in custody for 7 months and he's slated for trial in January.

Young Thug might soon be fighting more than charges ... as a COVID-19 outbreak has hit several of his codefendants in his RICO case.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a bunch of the defendants and attorneys in Young Thug's ongoing case have tested positive for COVID. The court order states Young Thug could also be at risk of getting COVID and says he must get tested.

The court order, stamped on 12/28, does not have results from Young Thug's COVID test.

As we reported, Young Thug has been in custody for more than 7 months ... he was arrested back in May on gang-related charges tied to a 56-count indictment. He's slated for trial in January, with jury selection beginning on January 5.

Where in the world is Kanye West?

Ye's ex-business manager says Kim Kardashian's ex has been playing a cat-and-mouse game for weeks, all over a lawsuit.

The biz manager, Thomas St. John, is suing Ye for $4.5 mil and is frustrated because he can't serve him with the necessary legal docs, this according to the US Sun.

The suit, over unpaid fees, can't move forward until Kanye gets served, either directly or through other means. St. John says he can't find a legit address on Ye.

Kanye has been spotted several times in the last 2 weeks ... both times in L.A.

TMZ broke the story, Kanye's been leading a nomadic life for months, traveling here and there and not really having a home base.

As for St. John and Kanye, that relationship blew up last January, according to St. John, when Ye screamed at him in aggressive fashion and pulled the plug on their relationship.

Drake is denying rumors from a woman who claims the rapper flew her out for a romantic night, but then gave her the boot once she started recording him.

The Canadian rapper issued a statement Wednesday on Instagram, apparently addressing the women's TikTok video about their alleged encounter. Drake wrote, "Never met. Never spoke. Never flew." He added, "I hope people start doing more with the one life we are given s*** is sad out here".

In her TikTok video, the woman states that Drake direct messaged her after she posted a story mentioning the music icon while she was clad in lingerie.

She says they began talking, which led to Drake booking her a flight to see him. Before anything went down between them, Drake made her sign an NDA or so she claims.

At one point she says, "he kept on rubbing on my stomach and asking me questions like 'do you want kids?'" She went on to say they started drinking and vibing ... and eventually, things escalated to them having unprotected sex.

The woman also claims Drake became angry when she began recording him ... saying he slapped her phone out her hand and kicked her out his crib.

Of course, the woman's video went viral  ... but the clip has been deleted now that Drake has entered the conversation, calling BS on her accusations.

But, the woman insists she has proof that what she says about Drake is TRUE!!!

The Jewish Federation of L.A. is fighting antisemitism with billboards all over the city ... and the org.'s CCO believes it can help thwart the proliferation of hate.

Rob Goldenberg joined us on "TMZ Live," telling us all about his org.'s new campaign -- focusing on harmony and love, while looking to shut down hate toward Jewish people.

He underscores the negativity's ramped up in recent years, and believes now's the time to bring positivity into the equation.

FYI -- the Federation's billboards use ancient Jewish texts as inspirational messages ... and with L.A. having the 2nd largest Jewish population outside of Israel, they've partnered with Outfront Media to spread the word.

Former Kanye West collaborator Theophilus London has vanished without a trace, so says his family ... who's now pulling out all the stops to lock down his whereabouts.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Hip Hop that London's relatives filed a missing person report with the LAPD on Tuesday ... and cops are now investigating the situation.

According to London's family, the last time the Trinidad and Tobago-born artist was heard from was July. They said they flew into L.A. this week to file the police report.

"Theo, your Dad loves you, son," London's father said in a statement this week in the hopes of locating the 35-year-old. "We miss you. And all your friends and relatives are searching for you. Wherever you are send us some signal."

"No matter what we will come get you son."

London's family described Theophilus -- who was famously front and center in the creation of Kanye's "Donda" album -- as 6'2", 175 pounds, with dark brown eyes. Of course, his likeness can be found all over YouTube from the millions of views his music videos amassed over the years.

Fivio Foreign pissed off his girlfriend/baby mama Jasmine Giselle after he got a little too cozy on TikTok with Asian Doll.

FF and AD have been teasing a music collab for some time ... but they recently connected on a TikTok video and enjoyed a bit of seductive teasing ... the two rappers were bumping and grinding to an Ice Spice song.

But, once Jasmine got wind of the clip, she laid into Fivio on Instagram Live … roasting him for putting on a facade that he was a single man. Jasmine said people had sent her the video and accused Fivio of trying to publicly embarrass her.

Fivio didn't seem to care much ... he danced the night away before climbing into bed and staying mum about Jasmine's claims.