Music

Kanye West won't face any charges for grabbing and throwing a photog's phone ... TMZ has learned.

A release from the Ventura Co. District Attorney's Office Wednesday revealed the phone suffered minor damage -- only affecting the $30 case around the device -- and stated the female paparazzo declined to press charges against Kanye.

It was back in January when West was filmed taking and tossing the phone into the street close to a facility where his daughter, North, was playing basketball. Kanye had asked the paps in the video not to film him while he was trying to spend time with his kids.

As we reported, it was only a few weeks after the phone incident when Kanye was seen outside the West Hollywood Sheriff's Department ... proceeding inside to ask deputies to take care of the paparazzi following him. The photogs were not causing harm.

Young M.A is addressing the viral video that sparked concerns over the condition of her health, telling TMZ Hip Hop she's bouncing back after a string of medical scares.

M.A tells us, "As many of my supporters know I’ve been dealing with various personal health issues the last few years. I recently was hospitalized and was successfully treated for several conditions. I’m doing better now, will take some time but I’m on the road to recovery and look forward to the future!!!"

She continues, "Rest assured I’m in good spirits and everything will be explained in the MUSIC ... plus a documentary. Love y’all MAB! Don’t worry I’m good!"

Young M.A, however, wouldn't disclose specifics on exactly what she's been battling.

ICYMI, a video of the rapper at a barbershop blew up online where M.A appeared to be slurring her speech and her eyes looked yellow in color. Regardless, she says better things are on the way.

Diddy is officially throwing his Sean John hat in the ring to purchase BET, a necessary buy in his eyes as he believes Black Entertainment Television should be ... well, um, Black-owned!!!

As far as Diddy's concerned, media is the world's most powerful industry and Black people should control their own narratives and timelines.

The Bad Boy music mogul outlined his plans Wednesday to obtain the network, sharing a video clip from the "Earn Your Leisure" podcast that stressed the need for African Americans to scoop up BET from the clutches of Paramount Global.

Diddy's desire to head BET could pit him against Tyler Perry and Byron Allen -- who are also reportedly trying to get the network -- but the 53-year-old also isn't shying away from possibly becoming a co-owner.

Diddy says his goal is to assemble a team of leaders who are looking to purchase the network as a unit to consolidate all the money, power and respect!!!

Obviously, the acquisition would strengthen Diddy's existing Revolt empire, and allow for maximum levels of content to be shared -- but sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Hip Hop they're still a long way from any official negotiations.

BET Media Group's properties include BET, BET+, VH1 and BET Studios ... so the eventual owner will have plenty of platforms for content.

Veteran Atlanta rapper Yung Booke has assembled the A-Town Avengers -- T.I., Killer Mike, and Skooly -- on his latest track, but we're no longer dealing with the "Magic City" celebrated by Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris.

Instead, these guys are rapping about big trouble in their once lil' city!

On Wednesday, the quartet rolled out the video for "The Real A (WHTA)," directed by Zae Williams, where they vent over the current state of ATL ... and blame non-natives for disrupting their once peaceful utopia.

Killer Mike recalled ATLiens's early days battling for territory against encroachers from Miami and later details his friend beating up a visitor when he was fresh out of jail.

T.I. also rapped with nostalgic recollection while slamming the city's expanding population with the bars ... "I can't tell if it's the switches or out-of-towners/A youngin' mixing X and Adderall with all them downers/We used to have a code of conduct and ecosystem/Takin' the time to tell 'ol Atlanta we really miss her."

Chance the Rapper joined scores of artists mourning Bobby Caldwell Wednesday ... and his tribute included proof of the late singer's admiration for his music being sampled.

Last September, Caldwell apparently reached out to thank Chance for sampling one of his tracks, and the Chicago-born rapper thanked the blue-eyed soul singer for giving him career inspiration.

DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose music also benefitted from Caldwell interpolations, had a similar reaction of shock upon learning about his death.

Caldwell passed away Tuesday night at age 71 after long battles with neuropathy and a ruptured Achilles tendon -- and Chance says the news has left him broken, despite never actually meeting Caldwell in person.

Ja Morant is a product of the gangsta rap he hears every day -- so says his elder NBA statesman Patrick Beverly, who also thinks the embattled All-Star can make a proper comeback.

Pat Bev recently weighed in on the Ja situation on his Barstool Sports podcast, and pinpointed today's rap music as the catalyst for the 22-year-old's shocking downward spiral.

PB said, "I think music has a lot to do with this now. Especially with this culture, everybody holding a gun in the video is okay, bling on your teeth that's okay, pants halfway down your ass, that's okay."

The current Chicago Bull also valued music from "back in the day" over today's tunes ... "The culture now is ‘shoot 'em up, bang, bang, shoot 'em up, bend you over, I got this amount of money, I’m on private jets, that that that.’ That’s what the younger generation is."

Bev also speculated had Eminem rapped about totin' guns, his rabid fan base would've followed suit, but instead, they opted to copy Slim Shady's baggy hoodies and jeans from the "8 Mile" era.

On Monday, Ja entered a counseling program and is rumored to miss the remainder of the Memphis Grizzlies' season. He's been vocal about the hardcore hip hop he consumes before games -- citing Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, NBA YoungBoy and the incarcerated Pooh Shiesty as his go-to rappers.

Pat Bev's commentary may mirror old-school ethos -- repeated by OGs like Melle Mel -- but younger crops of rappers have been voicing similar opinions regarding the state of hip hop.

Young M.A has some of her fans in a frenzy over a video she and her barber shared, but the "OOOUUU" rapper is reassuring anyone worried about her health ... she's blessed and highly favored.

On Tuesday, both M.A and FatsDaBarber lashed out at social media gossipers, in an attempt to extinguish heavy online speculation about the vid ... which shows M.A mumbling incoherently in the barber chair. Several fans also noted her eye color seems very yellow.

Her barber called for a stop to all the chatter, while M.A consoled him against the internet backlash -- some folks were angry he'd posted the video.

M.A added it was actually 4 months since her last hair appointment, not just one, as her barber had posted.

As for what's fueling the concern ... back in June 2021, Young M.A announced she was going to rehab, but quickly walked back that comment. She's also been absent on the music front since her May 2021 album "Off The Yak" -- a clear nod to guzzling cognac.

"Ay Bay Bay" rapper Hurricane Chris is now free to resume his life ... a jury found him not guilty on second-degree murder charges after his legal team used a "Friday" character to make his case.

The 34-year-old, whose real name is Christopher Dooley, told The Shade Room ... "I wanna thank God, my attorneys at the Washington & Wells law firm, and my family for standing with me as my life was on the line."

Chris was accused of fatally shooting Danzeria Ferris Jr. in 2020 at a Texaco station in Shreveport, LA -- but the rapper's attorneys claimed he acted in self-defense ... likening the deceased man to "Deebo" AKA  the late Tiny "Zeus" Lister from Ice Cube's 1995 classic "Friday" film.

Following the verdict, Chris told reporters outside the courtroom, Jesus was responsible for the outcome and his attorney, Alex Washington, applauded the jury for having the courage to step up for his client.

Singer Bobby Caldwell, known for his smooth blue-eyed soul voice, is dead after battling illness for several years ... TMZ has confirmed.

Bobby, whose biggest hit is the classic "What You Won't Do for Love," died in his sleep Tuesday night at home in New Jersey, according to his rep.

The singer/songwriter hadn't been able to walk for about 5 years as he coped with painful bouts of neuropathy and a torn tendon in his ankle. Last year his team revealed Bobby had a bad reaction to a prescribed antibiotic in 2017 -- they say it caused his Achilles tendon to rupture, which led to the neuropathy.

Caldwell dropped his signature hit in 1978 ... when it reached the top 10 on Billboard, and made his self-titled debut album go double platinum.

If you're of a certain age, you know every line of 'Do for Love,' and the song is so enduring you hear someone sing it practically every season on "American Idol" and "The Voice."

It's also been covered by countless artists -- including Boyz II Men, Snoh Aalegra and Michael Bolton -- and Tupac Shakur heavily sampled it for his song, "Do For Love."

Bobby also wrote songs for the likes of Neil Diamond, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack and Boz Scaggs. He even penned the 1986 #1 hit, "The Next Time I Fall" for Amy Grant and Peter Cetera.

Bobby was 71.

Bad Bunny might be pushing for a collab with Ariana Grande ... singing one of her songs at the top of his lungs with James Corden, and he says is the English song he knows best!

The Puerto Rican rapper was riding shotgun with JC during Tuesday's episode of 'Carpool Karaoke' -- a segment on 'The Late Late Show.'

The two fellas were driving around ... having the time of their lives and singing along to different songs. However, when Corden turns on Ariana's 2014 hit featuring Zedd, "Break Free," Bad Bunny really puts on a show.

He tells the talk show host ... "I think this is the most English song that I most know" as he sings along.

Ya gotta see the moment the chorus comes on, the guys are both in mid convo but they break free from all that and go full-fledged concert mode.

Bad Bunny even showed Corden what the life of a pro wrestler entails ... enlisting the help of future WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio to help teach James some moves inside a ring.

Of course, the car ride took many turns ... and the two talked about a number of things like how the "Me Porto Bonito" rapper, chose his stage name and his rise to fame.

Brendan Fraser's Oscars celebration is now a full-fledged family affair ... after his fun night at a legendary Sunset Strip club where his son hopped onstage to jam out.

TMZ obtained video of Brendan and his son, Leland, having a ball Monday night at Whisky a Go Go in WeHo ... chilling in the green room and signing the performer's wall.

Brendan takes a few beats to find the perfect space to leave his John Hancock, with onlookers making a wisecrack about his handwriting ... and then Leland follows suit, and gets an earful too.

Folks who were there tell us Brendan and his son got to the venue around 9 PM and watched an '80s cover band perform ... with Leland even jumping on the stage to play guitar with the band at one point.

Leland's dad was a big hit at the Whisky, as tons of people came up to his table to congratulate him 24 hours after his Academy Award victory ... and we're told he didn't turn away anyone. Folks who met Brendan described him as very down-to-earth.

Lil Nas X is known to crack jokes online, but even the "Old Town Road" rapper knew his joke about transitioning crossed a line ... so he's issuing an apology.

LNX had originally posted a photo of social medial influencer Glow Princess, and quipped "the surgery was a success" ... causing many clueless fans to believe he'd actually undergone a gender-changing procedure. 😬

When fans in the know began firing off angry tweet after angry tweet, Lil Nas owned up to his blunder.

He responded ... "Apologies to the trans community i def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool ... much love to you guys. sorry."

DJ Quik's time in Michael Jackson's presence proved to be off the wall -- considering the late King of Pop forced him to face the corner as he walked past him!!!

The prolific producer says he was recording out of Westlake Studios in L.A. back in the day ... when it was announced MJ would also be stopping through.

Problem was ... MJ didn't want to meet, greet or even make eye contact with anyone -- so, Quik says everyone in the studio had to face the wall when Michael arrived.

After realizing it wasn't a drill, Quik obliged ... but claims he still heard MJ's penny loafers shuffling across the floor as he made his way through the building.

Quik says he encountered MJ in a studio again, later in life, but still got the silent treatment.

As for why they never connected -- Quik says it was a Bloods and Crips thing! 😂

Upstart Bronx MC Connie Diiamond is currently basking in the glow of a King's cosign ... after LeBron James publicly approved of her show-stealing "Move" freestyle!!!

LBJ has been nursing a right tendon injury in his foot for weeks now ... but the NBA scoring champ's ears are just fine, and Tuesday he posted a celebration of Connie's flow and tenacity on the mic.

The Def Jam signee celebrated LBJ's validation on her IG page ... letting fans know the song -- which she recorded months ago -- is now on digital service providers.

The track samples Ludacris' stadium classic "Move Bitch" -- which was also released on Def Jam back in 2001, so the synergy is real.

Spice is alive and well and she's got some very exciting news -- she's having a baby, which is a huge difference from the rumors she'd disappeared due to a bad plastic surgery.

The Queen of Dancehall made her pregnancy announcement Tuesday ... posting a photo of herself in an all-blue getup with an obviously preggo belly. In the caption, she wrote, "God has been so good to me. 💙💙💙"

Unclear if all the blue is also a gender reveal.

The baby news comes not long after rumors began swirling about why she went MIA on social media late last year. The rumor mill worked overtime and cranked out theories Spice had disappeared or was in a coma due to a plastic surgery gone wrong.

ICYMI, she ended up clearing the air, telling her followers she was not in a coma or dead, but had actually suffered a damaged hernia and was rushed to the hospital for immediate surgery.

At the time, she said she was taking time to recover. She also took time to get pregnant, obviously ... and she's smiling from ear to ear about it. While we don't know how far along she is, it's clear from the pic she's well beyond first trimester.

Congrats Spice, on your dancehall heir!!!

Lil Uzi Vert is seeing clearer than ever ahead of his "The Pink Tape" album release and tells us he owes the 20/20 vision to his decision to go sober.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Uzi in Bev Hills and he popped the lid off his creative process for the project ... telling us he made his close group of friends sift through the 680 songs he recorded for the album!!!

The remaining pile of songs will be donated to rappers in a drought. The game needs saving, eh Melle Mel???

Fans will also hear a different side of Uzi on the album -- his sober side, as he's flushed all illicit substances from his system.

Uzi doubted he could make great music without drugs steering the ship, but he says the results came out even better ... his skin is better, he's no longer slurring his words and now he's making songs with more focused subject matter!!!

One of those songs is already getting buzz -- Uzi premiered a rager record at Rolling Loud California that spurned a public outcry for its lyrics, "I make a City Girl believe in Satan."

Uzi assured us he doesn't even believe in the devil and it was just a metaphor.