Music

R. Kelly has just been sentenced in Chicago to 20 years for his federal sex crimes case.

The disgraced singer was in federal court in Illinois Thursday ... 19 of the years will be served concurrent with the sentence he's carrying out now, while the final year will be consecutive.

Prosecutors recommended a 25-year sentence and asked that it be served on top of the time he's already serving behind bars.

As we reported, Kelly was accused of abusing 4 people, 3 being minors, in this case and faced child pornography charges. He was found guilty on 6 of 13 charges, with the jury convicting him on the child pornography counts, but acquitting him on charges of conspiracy and enticement.

U.S. Attorney Jon Lausch at the time said his sentencing could range anywhere from 10-90 years ... but Kelly seemed to catch a small break earlier this year -- even if it won't make a big effect on his time in prison.

Charges against Kelly from Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx were dropped in January, with Kelly's attorney Jennifer Bonjean telling us Foxx decided to not pursue the case because he's been convicted twice of similar crimes and is already looking at the possibility of a lifetime lockup.

As you know, R. Kelly's currently serving a 30-year sentence for federal racketeering from a conviction in New York.

Master P and Jess Hilarious' ongoing money dispute has unearthed another one -- DJ Envy says Murder Inc. Records boss Irv Gotti owes him $10K, and claims he's been dodging him for years!!!

"The Breakfast Club" cohost was on the air Thursday when the Master P convo prompted Envy to spill the tea -- he says he and DJ Mono were recruited by Irv for a track, and while he received the front-end payment ... he claims he was told "keep it moving" when attempting to receive his final cut.

Envy hadn't yet reached his current financial status of massive car collecting, and says he was looking forward to the money Irv allegedly owed him. He says he and Mona end up splitting the front-end payment.

We reached out to Irv's team to get his side of the story ... which only came to light because Master P is calling "fake news" on Jess' claim he still owes her $15K for her appearance in the critically panned film, "I Got the Hook-Up 2."

The No Limit Records Colonel dropped off an extensive IG post Wednesday ... claiming to have proof of the contract Jess signed. He's also swatting down Fat Trel's allegation P released some of the D.C. rapper's music without authorization, and got paid handsomely from it.

Jess insists she's still owed the 15 racks, and Trel shared a DM from P's son Romeo Miller vouching for his version of events ... which is alarming, considering father and son supposedly reconciled over the holidays.

Being stuck on a plane for 7 hours sounds terrible, right?! Not if you're Damian Lillard or the Portland Trail Blazers ... 'cause the NBA team turned the unfortunate incident into a rap music video!!

So, the Blazers were supposed to be flying from Portland International Airport to Sacramento, California for Thursday's game against the Kings, but a severe snowstorm delayed their chartered flight for 7 hours.

Though the flight was ultimately canceled, the team took advantage of their time together on the plane by making a dope music video!

Blazers star Lillard dropped it on Wednesday via Instagram ... showing the 7-time NBA All-Star spittin' a freestyle over GloRilla and Cardi B's "Tomorrow 2" beat, while his teammates played hype men in the background.

"Man, how the f*** we stuck up in the snow? Guess we fly this bitch tomorrow." Lillard rapped.

"Back stuck on the plane, I might have to buy a fit tomorrow. And it's cuffin' weather, grab ya bitch, she might get hit tomorrow."

"Shooters in the locker room like we the Wizards, got me tight -- stuck up in this f***in' blizzard."

Of course, anyone familiar with Lillard knows outside of basketball, he loves to rap ... in fact, many consider Dame the best athlete rapper.

The 32-year-old Oakland native -- who goes by the rap name Dame D.O.L.L.A -- has released several albums during his 10-year NBA career, with some songs featuring several artists including Snoop Dogg.

Kay Flock's legal problems continue to pile up while he awaits trial on murder charges ... the Bronx drill rapper was just indicted by a federal grand jury for a slew of racketeering conspiracy charges.

The new indictment accuses Kay Flock and 5 others of running the Sev Side/DOA gang ... and tacks on several counts related to his separate December 2021 murder charge, when authorities claim the rapper murdered Oscar Hernandez in cold blood outside a Bronx barbershop.

According to the indictment, Sev Side/DOA's primary purpose was to commit robberies, acts of violence and financial fraud in their Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx ... they also face several counts of attempted murder and illegal firearm possession.

The 19-year-old rapper managed to maintain a nice buzz while behind bars last April, thanks to his collab with Cardi B "Shake It" which peaked at No. 51 on the Hot 100.

Quavo's dropped another Takeoff tribute track ... one that seemingly puts a cap on the Migos legacy while honoring his slain nephew at the same time.

The superstar rapper dropped a new song and video Wednesday entitled "Greatness" -- and it compiles clips of him playing basketball with Cordae, behind-the-scenes footage of his recent Grammys tribute and older images of Takeoff during the group's come-up days.

Quavo also answers questions about the Migos' future later on the track, "Came in, swept the game like a storm with the muthaf***ing flow, n***a, Take did that/ So don’t ask about the group, he gone, we gone, young n***a it can’t come back, damn!"

He also hoists up the group's collective chain they all copped to celebrate the release of 2021's "Culture III" album.

News of the legendary group's conclusion comes as little surprise to fans, especially considering the story TMZ broke about the Grammys -- Quavo and Offset had a backstage spat ahead of the Takeoff tribute.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are highlighting their modern family as they celebrate her 2 kids turning 15 with a bunch of pics ... some showing Ben in full stepdad mode.

J Lo posted a video Wednesday for her twins Max and Emme's birthday, and the reel has a ton of images throughout their years -- some younger pics and some more recent where they're clearly bonding with Ben.

In one instance, Ben is cradling Max in his arms while the family's out for a drive.

Now, the video also features other behind the scene family moments with Jennifer and Marc Anthony's twins ... such as shots of the twins' and their new step-siblings -- Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel ... Ben's kids with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

J Lo's note to her kids read, "Happy birthday to my beautiful, brilliant coconuts 🥥🥥 I am so proud of you both in every single way. You bring so much joy and happiness to my heart and soul..."

A longtime hairstylist for KISS says the rock band didn't act fast enough to help a COVID-stricken guitar tech while they were on tour, leading to his death.

According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, David Mathews accused KISS' manager Doc McGhee, of mishandling the grave situation involving Francis Stueber. KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are also named defendants in the suit.

Mathews claims the group was on a tour stop in October 2021 when he learned Stueber had contracted a severe case of COVID while staying in an Illinois hotel room.

He says he urged Stueber to contact Stanley to arrange being sent to the hospital, and  Stueber agreed to do so.

Mathews says he then went to Stanley's dressing room and told him, "Call Fran. He's very sick. I can hear the fear in his voice. He needs to go to the hospital."

Stanley allegedly responded, "I get it. I was afraid too when I was sick with COVID." The rock star, according to the docs, phoned Stueber and advises him to go to the hospital, explaining that the disease was "nothing to mess around with."

But, hours later, Mathews says McGhee told him Stueber didn't want to go to the hospital, which conflicted with Stueber's earlier statements to him.

Still, Stanley called Stueber again and told him to go to the hospital, the docs say.  Stueber apparently agreed, and McGhee promised to have a Live Nation rep take him to the medical center.

That allegedly never happened. Nearly an hour later, according to the docs, Matthews inquired about Stueber with McGhee, who said Stueber was being tested with an oxygen meter to see if he really needed to go to the hospital.

Matthews says, "Unfortunately, it was apparent that Mr. McGhee did not act in a timely manner. The Live Nation representative did not arrive until the following morning. When visitors entered Mr. Stueber's room at about 1 a.m., he was found dead."

Rolling Stone magazine then ran an article about Stueber's death, blaming KISS for having lax COVID protocols while on tour. The band was allegedly furious and blamed Matthews for the anonymous leaks to the R.S. reporter.

Although Mathews denied being the source of the information, the band apparently didn't believe him and allegedly ended up canning him the following May after 30 years of service.

Mathews is suing the group for wrongful termination, retaliation in violation of labor code and failure to pay all wages.

Nipsey Hussle's pal Cowboy is satisfied with the sentence that came down on the rapper's murderer, but still believes the wound left by Nip's death is one that will never heal.

We got Cowboy outside the DTLA courthouse where the judge gave Eric Holder 60 years to life. He told us it's a big win for those closest to the superstar rapper, but he also filled us in on why it's a bittersweet moment.

While the sentencing brings an end to the tragic saga of Nipsey's murder ... Cowboy says he'll still have Nipsey's family's back -- just as he did through the trial -- because they all made an impact on his life.

As we reported, Holder was handed his lengthy sentence Wednesday after a jury found him guilty last year of 1st-degree murder. He gunned down Nipsey back in 2019.

We also got activist Najee Ali after Holder's sentencing, and he echoes Cowboy's feelings ... saying any amount of time behind bars could never bring back Nip, but he too calls 60 years fitting for the crime.

Before this kid curled up on the couch turned into a musical genius and a fan favorite to millions, he was braving the Canadian cold, becoming fluent in French and dreaming of making it big one day in La La land.

This guy does not mess around when it comes to fashion ... One might argue his signature look is a red suit jacket and black pants, but when he first appeared on the scene you'd probably recognize him by his tied-up locs and sleek goatee.

Need one more hint? He's headlined at Coachella and even stayed "After Hours."

Nipsey Hussle's killer, Eric Holder, was sentenced to 60 years to life behind bars, a sentence that came months after a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of 1st-degree murder.

Remember ... Holder gunned down Nipsey in broad daylight back in 2019, and the brutal details were outlined at trial, with prosecutors telling the jury Holder kicked Nipsey in the head after riddling his body with bullets, claiming it was proof the attack was personal.

Deputy District Attorney John McKinney then told the jury Holder told Nipsey, "You're through," to which the rapper replied, "You got me."

As we reported, Holder shot 2 other people while committing Nipsey's murder ... and he was also found guilty of 2 counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter, 2 counts of assault with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Holder may have to keep his head on a swivel in prison ... he was previously jumped by inmates in county jail while waiting for his transportation to court. Holder suffered a big gash to the back of the head that required staples, and the injuries delayed his trial.

Interventionist Ken Seeley is urging all the folks in Britney Spears' inner circle to get on the same page and get her some help ... saying if she continues to spiral, it could cost her her life.

The "Intervention" star joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday and, like many folks, he shared some major concern for Britney after someone in her world called off the planned intervention for her.

Ken tells us the key to pulling off a successful intervention is a united front from all the folks involved. He says if one person isn't on board, the whole thing crumbles ... and that's exactly what happened in Brit's situation.

Remember ... TMZ broke the story, those closest to BS wanted her to get help -- for mental health struggles and substance abuse -- but someone pulled the plug. Her lawyer Mathew Rosengart was mum about the failed plan when we asked what went wrong.

As we reported, some fans and folks close to Brit have become increasingly alarmed by her erratic behavior ... like her Tuesday post speaking in an Aussie accent while running around yelling, "Never be a rollercoaster!"

Kodak Black is putting his hard feelings toward Drake on full display ... and it's all over Champagne Papi's decision to record the "Her Loss" album with 21 Savage instead of him.

While talking to RAP on IG this week, Kodak shut down the possibility of any future Drake collabs, claiming to have previously told Drake he wanted to roll out a project right around now.

Kodak and 21 have a shaky history ... having previously screamed at one another over a potential Verzuz battle, and Kodak dragged 21 for his infamous Nas "irrelevant" comments -- but the beef is most likely brewing over "Her Loss" dropping around the same time as Yak's "Kutthroat Bill" album last fall.

Beyond its platinum certification, that meddling "Her Loss" album has had plenty of ripple effects among rappers.

According to N.O.R.E., Future also felt some kinda way about Drake linking with 21 for the project, as it overshadowed their 2015 album "What a Time to Be Alive" ... although Young Scooter called cap on the claim.

LL Cool J is throwing in the towel on his latest studio effort -- which would have been his first album in 10 years -- because he feels the music is pure 💩 to his own ears!!!

A frustrated LL was burning the midnight oil early Wednesday morning ... when he tweeted the official announcement he was flushing the project, saying it wasn't "worthy" for mass consumption.

LL's last album "Authentic," dropped back in 2013 -- the same year he made the critically panned "Accidental Racist" collab with country music star Brad Paisley. Hey, at least LL apologized ... lets all move on.

Now, the legendary rapper's album exit just happens to come as his ex-nemesis, Canibus, is reemerging on the interview circuit with tales of their legendary battle.

In a recent interview with Math Hoffa, Canibus revisited his "weird" first encounter with LL and detailed much of LL's demeanor, from his perspective.

As for present day LL ... just last month he was hyping his new project, boasting the fans just have to hear it.

Maybe he'll bounce back and work out the kinks, but for now, fans aren't gonna hear it. So, no ... don't call it a comeback.

Lil Duval sparked a global debate by declaring Afrobeats would put the nail in hip hop's coffin -- but RZA, one of the guys who helped put rap on the worldwide map, completely disagrees with the controversial comedian.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Wu-Tang Clan figurehead out in WeHo Tuesday and he argues Afrobeats artists are doing their form of hip hop ... no different from rappers in the trap or G-funk creators out West.

Duval was reacting to last Sunday's Afrobeats takeover of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game halftime show ... led by standout artists Burna Boy, Tems and Rema ... and RZA says they deserve a chance to shine and feed their families, just like his generation did.

RZA also tackled another one of Duval's recent hip hop hot takes -- that podcasting has overtaken the music's popularity, another point RZA understood but debunked.

Rappers-turned-podcasters such as Joe Budden and N.O.R.E. have achieved much success on their platforms, but RZA tells us he and the Wu-Tang Clan just sold out shows during their "NY State of Mind" tour ... without the industry spotlight.

Morgan Evans is pointin' fingers at his ex-wife Kelsea Ballerini, claiming what she's been saying about their relationship as it crumbled is far from the truth.

The Australian county singer shared his concerns Tuesday night, saying the things Kelsea has been touting "aren't reality" ... and adding she left out "what really happened."

He doesn't go too much into detail about his side of the story, but notes "If this is what she needs to heal, I hope it helps." He then asks fans to not be mean to him, Kelsea, or each other.

For those unaware, Morgan's post came soon after the trailer dropped for Kelsea's episode on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast ... which highlights the lead-up to their divorce from her perspective, and she calls it a nasty split.

The interview follows the Valentine's Day release of her new EP, "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat," which digs deeper into the collapse of their marriage. To be fair, Morgan dropped a breakup song of his own last year, too.

Britney Spears just took to her Instagram to post a very animated, bizarre video where she talks about everything from fashion to fans calling the cops for deleting her Instagram.

The whole thing is just under a minute long, and Britney talks in a semi-Australian/British accent. It starts out with Britney talking about a dress she made, getting help from a friend to sew it -- but then changes things up, and she talks about a dress that was shipped to her by a company.

Britney poses and dances with the dress -- moving it toward and then away from the camera several times.

She then shifts focus to a story TMZ broke, when fans called the cops to her house for a well-being check after she deleted her Instagram, saying, "So guys, I just want you to know if I shut down my Instagram, do not call the cops."

The next cut of the video shifts, with Britney exclaiming, "Don't ever be a roller coaster!" before darting off screen and running back across before disappearing again.

It ends with Britney yelling, "Never be a roller coaster!!!"

TMZ broke the story, those closest to Britney have become very alarmed by her recent behavior, even planning an intervention to get her help for both her mental health struggles and substance abuse. That intervention was then called off by someone in her camp.

We asked Britney's attorney, Mathew Rosengart, outside the courthouse last week who it was who decided to call the intervention off ... but he was uncharacteristically silent.

Our sources tell us she's taking meds that "hype her up" and she's been "flying off the handle" at various times through the week ... one source told us, "I'm afraid she's gonna die."