Music

Eric Bellinger understands his longtime collaborator Chris Brown's perspective when he hurled a fan's phone deep into the audience last week, but ultimately thinks it was overkill.

We caught up with EB at LAX, where he assessed both sides of CB's interaction last week with a fan in Berlin. In Eric's view ... the fan wanted to capture the moment firsthand, while Chris felt like his intimate performance was the moment.

EB couldn't help but laugh at Chris' zany nature at the end of the day and noted being the lead performer with dancers, bright lights and an earpiece can be a lot to take on.

The Grammy winner also felt like Chaka Khan was out of pocket when she referred to Mary J. Blige's rendition of her "Sweet Thing" classic track as "flat" ... before apologizing when fans went on the warpath on social media.

Like many fans, EB disagrees Mary's version was flat and notes both iconic singers have totally different styles and strengths ... pointing out how Chaka can't bop on stage like Mary!!!

Chaka blamed her acidic comments on her disdain for Rolling Stone's best singers list and EB thinks her apology was much needed.

Kevin Gates doesn't agree with Melle Mel that Eminem's race gives him white privilege when it comes to hip hop props, and, personally, he's got Marshall in his Top 5 ... dead or alive!!!

We caught the "Bread Winner" rapper ahead of his bang-up Rolling Loud California set and he defended Em ... saying the fact he wrote the iconic track "Stan" back in 2000 should be enough to put him near the top of anyone's list.

Billboard's 50 best rapper list has stirred up emotions left and right, and Melle's just the latest artist to skewer it after he was placed at #48, while Em was #5.

KG acknowledges Melle's right to his own opinion, but says he doesn't see people as "black or white" ... just "real and fake," but ultimately he doesn't care the Furious Five legend is yapping about the list.

What Kevin does care about these days is eating and living healthy ... the primary reason he partnered with Ambrosia Collective last year for his custom line of superfood supplements and products.

He copped to being somewhat of a fair-weather vegan, though, on account of some of his bedroom activities with his woman, if you get our drift. If ya don't ... watch the clip.

Suge Knight's son was one of the many folks laughing his ass off at Chris Rock's 'Suge Smith' line ... but he's certain Will Smith's got nothing on the OG!!!

Suge J. Knight tells TMZ ... it was pretty dope to hear his dad's name thrown in during CR's comedy set -- even though it wasn't a positive reference, and his father will remain behind bars for years to come.

He says, "We all know Suge Knight as that guy who's all about that action. It's funny to see that Suge has been in jail for a minute but he still has this legendary status."

As we reported, Chris finally addressed Will infamously slapping him at the Oscars during his live Netflix special, "Selective Outrage."

CR didn't hold back at all, and the reality is ... calling Will "Suge Smith" was probably the most gentle jab Chris threw at him or his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

There's no hiding it anymore, Avril Lavigne and Tyga certainly look like they're dating ... kissing in front of cameras in the city of love.

Avril and Tyga locked lips Monday at the Mugler X Hunter Schafer Party during Paris Fashion Week ... and the smooching all but confirms a romantic relationship.

They certainly looked like a couple at the party, holding hands as they walked into the swanky bash.

Remember, Avril and Tyga sparked dating rumors earlier this year, and have been hanging out a lot both in Los Angeles and Paris, the same city where her ex, Mod Son, proposed.

TMZ broke the story ... Avril called off the engagement to Mod in February, about a year after he popped the question. Sources told us the former couple had been on and off for several months before she pulled the plug.

We've also seen Avril and Tyga grabbing dinner together at NOBU and hugging in the parking lot.

Angela Yee didn't paint "The Breakfast Club" as a great place for women to work while chatting with Tamron Hall ... but DJ Envy's rejecting her view, and, perhaps, reopening old wounds from December's abrupt breakup.

Envy denied Yee's claims she was the only woman on the staff during most of her time at 'BC,' noting they've had a female producer for years and even she replaced a different woman.

Yee was on "The Tamron Hall Show" last week and talked about her old show as a sorta "boys club" -- but on Monday, her former cohosts said the allegation diminishes the women who propelled the show behind-the-scenes.

Envy says he spoke to Yee directly on Sunday, and claims she owned up to misspeaking during the interview ... claiming she was referring to a lack of female cohosts, despite her saying the complete opposite during her confessional.

Charlamagne Tha God didn't have much to add to Yee or Envy's side, but thinks Tamron and her producers are out to fill the sensational void left due to the departure of Wendy Williams on daytime TV.

Envy says Yee will be clearing the comments up on her "Wake Up" show later today ... as they angered many women working at the station, including the Executive VP of Programming, who happens to be a woman, 🙈

The band's manager and drummer, Jason Bader, tells us while the group hasn't yet seen the offer, they'd never accept it.

"Vanderpump Rules" star Tom Sandoval's cheating scandal is worth six figures to a site pushing adult content ... he's got a live streaming offer on the table, and a possible way to avoid some potential nastiness on his band's upcoming tour.

CamSoda is making an offer they hope Tom and his band can't refuse ... $540,000 to stream 12 concerts live on their site, instead of taking his show on the road and playing in front of an audience.

Tom's Enemy No. 1 in the Bravo realm now that he's destroyed a nearly 10-year relationship with longtime girlfriend and castmate Ariana Madix by cheating on her with fellow 'VR' cast member Raquel Leviss ... and CamSoda thinks Tom's going to catch tons of flak if his band plays before a live crowd, so they're offering him a way out.

Tom's band, the aptly named Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, is scheduled to play 12 shows across the country from April through June, and CamSoda is trying to convince him to scrap the shows and live steam instead, warning him it may not be safe to play in front of a live audience.

CamSoda's vice president, Daryn Parker, fired off an offer letter to Tom, pitching the $540k live stream deal as a way to save the band from potential "Justice for Ariana" chants and tomato throwing.

In the letter, obtained by TMZ, CamSoda tells Tom, "livestreaming your tour from a safe place would make the most sense" ... and they're offering the band $45k per show to pull the plug on the tour and go virtual.

Of course, CamSoda is still CamSoda, and the adult live streaming porn site adds ... "You can dress in your outfits, show some skin, and even tell your side of the story if you'd like."

Melle Mel of the legendary Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feels some kind of way about being ranked so far below Kendrick Lamar and Eminem ... and he's slapping both emcees with backhanded compliments.

The veteran rapper recently argued to "The Art Of Dialogue" that while both Kendrick and Em are lyrically proficient, their styles and music aren't influential or mimicked by enough rappers to earn high-class status in hip hop.

According to Billboard's list, Melle Mel is the 48th-best rapper of all time, compared to Kendrick at #2 at Em at #5 -- but Melle says their music doesn't get burn in the streets or clubs ... or so he's heard.

Melle doesn't deny he's an old fart but still thinks his radar works well enough to know Kendrick doesn't deserve to be ranked that high.

In the case of Em, Melle thinks Slim Shady benefits from reverse affirmative action ... earning more attention simply because he was a capable white rapper in an arena dominated by Black artists.

Melle says if he was white, his legacy would be in line with Elvis Presley's ... a debatable point but he's not the only pick on the BB list upset with the final count.

When we spoke to Ice Cube -- who placed #18 -- the N.W.A legend shredded the entire operation for lack of credibility and reminded us that opinions aren't facts!!!

Ice Spice had fans in a frenzy during her Rolling Loud California set Sunday ... one of 'em even attempted to rush the stage, until Ice's bodyguards treated the guy like a true munch!!!

The Bronx-bred rapper riled up the Inglewood crowd as she walked out to her recent theme song, “Princess Diana" ... when the guy attempted to profess his love to Ice in person, only to be met with the stiff hand of security.

Fans were chanting loudly for Ice when she hit the stage and even got creative with their signs, competing for a chance to be the 23-year-old's part-time snack.

Air-tight protection has been a huge part of the rap conversation as of late, especially for female artists, in light of GloRilla's security guard getting arrested for an illegal gun charge ... but Ice had wiggle room to perform and twerk for the fans.

She also performed her hits “Munch (Feelin’ U),” “In Ha Mood" and her reigning smash collabo with PinkPantheres “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2.” ... which is currently No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was recently immortalized on TikTok alongside Kim Kardashian and North West!!!

North recently went viral by drawing a portrait of Ice and scoring the video with "Boy's a Liar" ... and the breakout rapper returned the favor in person right ahead of her RL set.

Gary Rossington, the last original member of legendary rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died.

The guitarist, behind such memorable songs as "Freebird" and "Sweet Home Alabama," passed away Sunday, according to a statement released by the band.

Although his cause of death was not disclosed, Rossington suffered from a series of heart-related issues over the years, including a heart attack in 2015. He also received an emergency heart procedure in 2019.

Members of Skynyrd paid homage to Rossington in their statement, "It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today."

They continued, "Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does."

As you may recall, Rossington was aboard a plane that crashed after it ran out of fuel over Mississippi in October 1977, killing three of his bandmates: lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines.

Three other passengers also died, including the group's assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

Rossington miraculously survived, but his arms, legs, ankles, and pelvis were shattered.

It took 10 years ... but the band got back together in 1987 and Rossington rejoined it with a new line-up. Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Rossington was 71.

Ryan McKenna, once famous for snapping a pic with Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl, stands accused of striking a cop during his allegedly drunken arrest ... but new video shows cops tossing him to the ground pretty hard.

The clip, obtained by TMZ, shows 18-year-old Ryan with multiple cops around him as they try to detain him -- they're struggling to get his arms behind his back.

After the attempts to cuff him don't work ... you can see one of the deputies yank him by the leg, flipping him down on a concrete floor. Even after the brutal takedown, Ryan kept his arms tucked to his chest, instead of putting them behind his back.

TMZ broke the story ... law enforcement was called on the eve of this year's Super Bowl to a CPK in Naples, FL for a report of a man who was drunk and hitting his friend.

According to cops, Ryan and a 15-year-old boy got into an argument, and things escalated to the point where Ryan aggressively pushed their table and started shouting obscenities at the boy's GF.

In their report, cops admit putting hands on Ryan to calm him down, but claim he yanked their hands off his chest. Deputies then tried to detain Ryan, which is apparently when the video begins.

Cops said Ryan was taken to jail and booked for felony battery on a law enforcement officer and 2 misdemeanors -- resisting arrest and obstruction of an officer.

BTW, Ryan's mom Tracy told us her son was NOT drunk during the incident ... and instead was just joking around with his friends, trying to be funny by pushing the table.

Kodak Black lit up the stage at Rolling Loud California ... but we've learned it took a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure he stayed sober leading up to his performance.

Kodak's performance at the 3-day music festival was his last hoorah before he enters in-patient rehab next week. His lawyer, Bradford Cohen, tells TMZ Hip Hop ... the artist was in L.A. with a full team of folks making sure they steered him clear of any bad influences.

We're told that team included a physician to look after his eating habits, and another person was designated to be by his side at all times and ensure he stayed on the straight and narrow.

Cohen says the "Super Gremlin" rapper doesn't usually do the after-party scene, so that was one less thing to worry about while he was in La-La Land.

ICYMI, a Florida judge ordered KB to 30 days of inpatient rehab after authorities claimed he violated his bail conditions by testing positive for fentanyl.

You'll recall, Kodak was busted in Ft. Lauderdale back in July for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and drug trafficking ... after cops say they found upwards of 31 oxycodone pills in his car.

New Zealand model and actress Rachel Hunter was 33 years old when she flaunted her smokin' bod and waltzed around in an itty bitty red bikini in Fountain Of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom" music video back in 2003.

Being a fan of the American rock band herself, Rachel was game to star in the music video. The song climbed to number 21 on the US Billboard's Top 100 and scored a Grammy nomination ... it's probably safe to say Rachel's 'hot momma looks' contributed to the song's success.

"Stacy's mom has got it goin' on!"

Rolling Loud got off to a somewhat choppy start this weekend with stop-and-go performances by some big-time talent ... including Travis Scott, who had his set end early.

The rapper was the headlining artist Saturday for the L.A. music fest, and while everything seemed to be going smoothly through his performance ... the dude's background tunes started to fade as he was in the middle of running through his hit song "Goosebumps."

Then, everything just stopped ... and Travis came on the mic soon afterward to say that "they" were making him cut things off early. No further explanation was offered.

There's rumblings that Travis was late for his gig, which may explain the strict time limit -- but, on its face, it feels like the Rolling Loud promoters might've not wanted things to get too crazy ... a la, Astroworld. It's hard to say ... the RL crowd didn't look to be in danger.

Anyway, that's far from the only technical issue that went down ... another huge star, Nicki Minaj, also had to deal with missing backing tracks and audio -- which she actually addressed in the moment as well. Frankly, she was pissed about it ... calling out the DJ.

It was pretty harsh ... she kept saying "kill the DJ" and was firing off death stares as the guy continued to struggle playing the right song behind her. Also awkward ... Lil Wayne -- her former mentor -- was standing right next to her, as he'd brought her out as a special guest.

Nicki was none too pleased with the screw-up ... and she seemed to take it personally.

In lighter news (maybe) ... Justin Bieber popped up at Rolling Loud too, which took a lot of people by surprise. Obviously, the crowd was super pumped when he rolled up next to Don Toliver (who was scheduled to perform) and helped sing their joint song "Private Landing."

Thing is though ... his cameo appearance here comes on the heels of the Biebs canceling the rest of his world tour, without a proper explanation. You'll recall -- JB pulled the plug on tour dates spanning all across the globe, including several counties in Europe.

Most assume it's because of his health struggles -- which have forced him to hit pause in the recent past -- but this time ... he didn't speak on it at all ... just kinda threw in the towel.

Now, here he is onstage looking just fine ... which might raise an eyebrow with his fanbase. If he can do this ... why not come on the road for us? It's interesting for sure. Justin, meanwhile, didn't seem to bat an eyelash over it at all ... he was in the zone and chillin'.

Elsewhere at Rolling Loud ... more artists hit the stage, and most everything else appeared to go pretty well. Rappers like Kodak Black, Tyga, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, 2 Chainz and looootttts of others performed, and by most accounts ... it was all gravy in Los Angeles.

Kelsea Ballerini wasn't distracted by her "SNL" performance Saturday night... because just hours before she was lovin' it up with BF Chase Stokes.

Kelsea and Chase were strolling through Manhattan Saturday afternoon, holding hands, stealing a smooch from time to time.

We obviously knew they were together ... they haven't been able to keep their hands and other parts off each other for weeks, but Friday they verbally confirmed their relationship on the Today show.

Morgan Evans is clearly in Kelsea's rear view, although it's also pretty clearly top of mind for him still. One of his songs -- "Over for You."  Kinda says it all.

Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix seemed to be very much a couple just days before TMZ broke the story of their split ... and we've now learned more details about what specifically led to the couple's sudden end.

Sources close to the former pair tell us it was a series of text messages Ariana discovered Wednesday night between Tom and Raquel Leviss that caused her to believe he was cheating. We're told the messages and video were "sexual in nature" ... leading to a confrontation between Ariana and Tom.

Our sources tell us from there, Ariana told friends she found out Tom and Raquel had actually been seeing each other secretly for months -- as far back as the summer.

We're told there was growing suspicion between the former couple's friends that something may have been going on between Sandoval and Raquel ... but it was totally a surprise to Ariana.

As we told you, Ariana was spotted supporting Tom Wednesday night while he performed with his band and debuted a new single. In fact, eyewitnesses at the show say they were kissing and having a good time together -- very much still a couple.

Apparently, Tom has a different version ... a source close to Tom told us things had been unraveling between him and Ariana for quite some time ... but gotta say, that wasn't evidenced Wednesday before she'd discovered the text messages.

Tom and Ariana got together back in 2013 when she joined "Vanderpump Rules" as a full-time cast member ... while they never got married, they were certainly one of the anchor couples on the reality show for years.

"Vanderpump Rules" star Tom Sandoval tried his best to stay mum at his first gig since he was seen packing his bags after his breakup with longtime GF Ariana Madix.

The Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman took the stage with his band on Friday night at the City National Grove in Anaheim, CA ... and made a few comments to the crowd during his performance about the split.

Sandoval takes a sip of his drink after finishing up his new hit single, and you can hear some cheers ... but also others chanting, "Cheater, Cheater" or "Ariana!" from the audience.

In a TikTok video, you hear him respond, "We love her," while at another moment he addressed how most are choosing Ariana's side saying, -- "Have you ever been one of the most hated people in America?" according to Us Weekly.

The show comes just hours after TMZ broke the story of Tom and Ariana calling it quits after she discovered texts on his phone Wednesday night between Tom and costar Raquel Leviss. The messages and video were described as "sexual in nature" leading Ariana to confront him about his alleged cheating.