Music

Flying Lotus is moving full steam ahead with the feature film, "Ash" -- his second time directing -- and he's got new cast members Eiza González and Aaron Paul on board for the space thriller.

Sources connected to production tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Fly Lo is going the "untraditional" route when it comes to scoring this particular sci-fi film, which begins filming in New Zealand this May.

On Tuesday, it was revealed Tessa Thompson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were no longer attached to the project ... after they were previously announced as leads.

We're told the switch was just a matter of scheduling conflicts, but the studio is extremely happy moving forward with the new leads.

Fly Lo has been letting his production prowess soar in movies for years now. His first film "Kuso" dropped back in 2017, and his last released project was the soundtrack to "Ozzy's Dungeon," the segment he directed in the 2022 film "V/H/S/99."

Magic Johnson may soon be adding the title of NFL owner to his legacy ... the NBA icon is part of a group that just submitted an offer to buy the Washington Commanders that meets Dan Snyder's asking price.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Lakers Hall of Famer, alongside 76ers owner Josh Harris and billionaire Mitchell Rales, officially submitted a $6 billion bid to buy the franchise on Tuesday.

The development is substantial ... because Snyder -- who revealed in late 2022 that he was exploring selling the Commanders -- had been reportedly seeking $6 billion for his club ... which could mean a sale to the Johnson/Harris/Rales group is now imminent.

The move would spell bad news for Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z ... as the two titans had big interest in buying the Commanders, even grabbing dinner in L.A. back in November to formulate a potential purchase plan.

Others with interest in buying the Washington franchise reportedly included Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta.

If the Commanders do sell ... the $6 billion deal would break the previous record sale for an NFL franchise set last summer, when billionaire Rob Walton purchased the Denver Broncos for $4.65 bil.

Tom Sandoval has opened up publicly, at least kinda sorta, saying he couldn't handle the whole cheating thing better, but at the same time, he gives himself some wiggle room by talking about the clarity of hindsight.

Tom was outside Pop Music Studios in the San Fernando Valley Monday night when a photog asked if he had regrets about cheating on Ariana with Raquel. He says he does, but also says, "Hindsight's always 20/20, man."

As for why he's taking so much heat, given it's not the first-ever cheating scandal on "Vanderpump Rules," Tom passes it off this way ... "I just think it was really unexpected."

He says he regrets cheating, but the fact is ... he's still with Raquel. We got photos of Tom and Raquel out after the explosive reunion show. They were chowing down at Musso and Frank in Hollywood and looked very much like a couple.

TMZ broke the story of details from the yet-to-be-aired reunion show, in which things got so heated Andy Cohen had to step in between 2 cast members to avert a physical fight.

There has been financial fallout. Tom acknowledges, his restaurants have taken a hit since the scandal broke.

Lil Uzi Vert is fully supportive of his girlfriend JT's decision to start going to therapy ... and he's urging anyone on the fence to take control of their mental health.

We got the Pink Tape lyricist Monday in NYC, fresh off his energetic performance of “Just Wanna Rock” on 'The Tonight Show' ... fully engaging the fans outside 30 Rock while openly lending his support to JT.

Last weekend, the City Girls rapper announced she was excited to begin therapy sessions, and said she wanted to encourage all of her fans to do the same.

Uzi's definitely on board with that message -- he told us JT's move is entirely positive and he echoed her sentiment, saying he wants fans to love and embrace themselves.

Taylor Swift took home top honors during iHeartRadio's big award show -- and while her acceptance speeches were touching ... it was her wardrobe that really drew eyes.

The pop star won Song of the Year and the Innovator Award Monday night, and in both instances ... she delivered some powerful remarks about what it takes to stand out and succeed in the music biz -- noting that the formula of a hit song isn't cut and dry.

Of course, she was talking about her fan fave track "Anti-Hero" -- picking out certain lyrics, words like "narcissism" and "altruism," as examples that not everything has to be so catchy and cookie-cuter ... arguing that artists can be real with their art.

Her Innovator Award speech was similar ... TayTay said she'd made a lot of bad choices in her life, but those had led her to make good ones ... including some that have spurred her to activism in the LGBT community and elsewhere, which was highlighted in the lead-up.

Now, we're sorta burying the lead here ... namely, TS was rocking an interesting getup for Monday's ceremony. It was a sparkly jumpsuit that was complete with a hood over her head that kinda made her look like a hip teen stuck in their backpack hip-hop phase.

Okay, maybe the fashion isn't the lead, but she looked cool in the hood. Hell, Lenny Kravitz was impressed.

Kanye West watching an old Jonah Hill movie and saying it made him like Jewish people again does not erase his antisemitism ... not in the eyes of some prominent Jewish orgs.

Watchdog group StopAntisemitism and the American Jewish Committee both tell us they need to see much more than a simple social media post from Kanye to believe he's sincere in his new feelings towards Jewish people ... and they're willing to meet with him to discuss further steps while calling on him to do way more to prove he's a changed man.

Liora Rez, SA's Executive Director, tells TMZ, "Joking about a movie with Jonah Hill is not the apology that the Jewish people deserve from Kanye, particularly when his antisemitic tirades continue to have a dangerous trickle-down effect of hatred against Jews."

Remember ... it was only a few months ago when Kanye professed love for Hitler, and he also hung out with white nationalist Nick Fuentes ... and tweeted about going "death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE." To think a Jonah Hill movie changed his thinking is insulting.

Liora Rez, whose watchdog group named Kanye the "Antisemite of the Year" for 2022, says forgiveness is a major Jewish value and Ye can still be forgiven, starting by publicly denouncing Fuentes.

The AJC isn't rushing to forgive Kanye just yet either, with spokesperson Richard Hirschhaut telling TMZ ... "It is a little odd that all it might take for Kanye to renounce his vile antisemitism is to watch and 11-year-old Jonah hill movie. Whether Kanye is sincere, only he knows."

The AJC says Kanye's still got a lot of explaining and apologizing to do, but they're willing to meet with him in his effort to turn the page, do the right thing, and become better a better person ... if he's being authentic

The Jewish org is also issuing a call to action for Kanye ... telling us they want him "to take a serious and detailed look at his constant doubling down on antisemitism over these past several months and renounce each of these repeated, threatening and vile expressions of antisemitism. Then and only then could we contemplate a fresh conversation."

Incarcerated Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight is aiming to turn his drama-filled life story into a TV series that goes even deeper into his infamous timeline than anything the public already knows.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Suge and his brother, Brian Brown, are collaborating on a TV project that begins filming this summer.

We're told the series will have a similar feel to 50 Cent's hit show "BMF" ... with plenty of plot time allotted to tell Suge's pre-music industry backstory as a kid growing up in Compton who aspired to be a football coach.

Suge, who's serving a 28-year sentence for the 2015 killing of Terry Carter, has plenty of time to oversee the project behind bars and we're told he's very hands-on in the process of selecting a director and actors ... especially when it comes to the Tupac Shakur role.

Our sources say Suge's putting acting chops above on-screen resemblance for whoever plays 'Pac, and they've gotta capture the icon's mannerisms and style too.

Times have changed tenfold since Suge went away ... Snoop Dogg has since acquired the rights to Death Row's catalog and distributed the music in a $1 billion initiative with Larry Jackson -- and Dr. Dre threw a party to celebrate 30 years of his "Chronic" classic's release.

Trae Tha Truth fell out of the sky with angel wings ... at least, that's how Alabama resident Martha Menefield sees things.

You might recall, Martha's the 82-year-old who was hauled off to jail right before Christmas for failing to pay a $77 trash bill ... but Trae just poured thousands of dollars in upgrades into the very spot where she was arrested, turning it into her dream home!

Trae tells TMZ Hip Hop the absurdity of the "crime" sparked a friendship with Martha, and after spending time at her Alabama home, he realized she needed assistance.

He then teamed up with BEL Furniture in Valley, Alabama for $15k worth of items ... including a full couch with multiple recliners, a queen bed and new dressers.

They also fully refurnished her living room, dining room and bedroom, but still have to solve the problem of her lack of central heat and AC.

Trae tells us the work is far from done ... he's currently looking for a team to fix the foundation in Martha's home to prevent flooding, and working to secure her a car, as she doesn't have any transportation at the moment.

Hold up wait a minute ... Lamar Jackson wants to be a New England Patriot?!?

According to Meek Mill, yes!!!

At least, that's what Robert Kraft is saying ... 'cause the New England Patriots owner said Monday the rapper texted him recently, telling him the Ravens QB now wants to be under center for Bill Belichick in 2023.

Kraft dropped the eyebrow-raising update while at the NFL's Annual League Meeting in Phoenix ... telling reporters in the desert he got the texts from his good buddy (they've worked constantly on social justice issues for the past several years now) three or four days ago.

But, Kraft said no move will be made unless Belichick gives the OK -- saying the Pats head coach will ultimately make the final decision.

The news came just a couple hours after Jackson -- a 2-time Pro Bowler -- revealed he requested a trade from the Ravens earlier this month ... claiming the team won't give him what he deserves, money-wise.

"You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I," the 26-year-old signal-caller said.

"No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again."

The Pats have a bit of a crowded QB room -- Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe both logged starts for the team last year -- but Lamar is a former MVP who could change the complexion of New England's offense.

Maino is rejecting any notion Troy Ave's hands are clean following Taxstone's guilty verdict for manslaughter.

In fact, he's in total defense of the podcaster and says Troy is simply moonlighting as the victim!!!

The "Hi Hater" rapper made his return to "Way Up With Angela Yee" on Monday ... painting Troy Ave and his crew as the aggressors during the deadly night of May 26, 2016.

Maino says he and Uncle Murda were inside Irving Plaza and scheduled to perform when he witnessed the scene unfold.

According to Maino, Tax was simply chilling inside the venue and enjoying the T.I. concert when trouble confronted him, and the tables were turned.

Following the trial, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. slammed Tax for "killing a man and shooting 3 others" ... with the deceased being Troy's bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter.

Troy's been going on the rampage with multiple diss tracks, and even took the stand in the case -- but Maino's calling BS and says Troy finagled a deal with prosecutors to erase his own gun possession charge from the altercation.

Maino says Troy thought he was going to get a "WorldStar moment" by messing with Tax, and doesn't think Troy should be dropping diss tracks bragging about his enemy's conviction.

Akademiks thinks big-name rappers Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar have gotten big heads and are now too afraid to sit and talk to the very hip hop outlets they once used to build industry clout.

Cole recently conducted his first on-camera interview in years with ESPN's Bob Myers, with the biggest headline being the North Carolina-bred rapper smoking cigarettes at age 6 ... and Ak says the entire set-up screams "weirdo."

Ak is adamant he's not bitter for not personally getting face time with the hip hop heavyweights -- but, instead, says he's speaking for the loads of scaredy-cat journalists who don't want to rock the boat.

Translation: They're all playing the PR game, but Adademiks is refusing to join 'em.

He recalled a time he criticized SZA -- a Top Dawg Entertainment artist -- while working for Complex, and claims the mag's staff was frantically trying to patch things up in hopes of scoring an interview with Kendrick, TDE's flagship rapper.

Kendrick jetted off to Ghana following the release of his long-awaited album "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" and later conducted a softball interview with "W" magazine -- a complete distancing from traditional rap culture outlets, Complex included.

Drake spoke to Lil Yachty during a seaside chat for the release of his last project "Her Loss" .... but Ak says the Canadian megastar is overdue to return the favor to publications that first threw him street cred.

Ak scolded the rap stars for falling into "white boy conversations" ... but added, in his eyes, there are still some real ones out there.

Gladys Knight's husband says President Biden straight up told them he didn't have 15 minutes to chat with them about what they see as a huge problem ... Black businesses being passed up for government contracts.

The singer and her husband, William McDowell, joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday and explained their experience trying to nail down a meeting with Biden ... which has so far proven impossible, much to their chagrin.

Remember ... Gladys has been trying to meet with Biden since 2021 -- she wants to get a government contract so her company can provide PPE to the public -- and her husband says he finally cornered Biden in the White House and was told the meeting wasn't going to happen.

Biden presented Gladys with the National Medal of Arts last week, but her husband says when he brought up the meeting to POTUS he was immediately shut down.

Gladys and William are adamant they're not looking for a government payday or handout here ... they say Biden's refusal to meet with them is an example of a much larger problem ... Black businesses continually coming in last for federal contracts, which they feel is a civil rights issue.

It's a problem Gladys says is not unique to Biden, though ... she says the feds have always been unfair to Black business owners, dating back to when JFK was in office ... at least in her experience.

The issue here though ... Gladys and William say the Biden Administration is talking about wanting to create a level playing field, but actions aren't backing up words.

Quavo just announced he's been cooking a new "bun" in the oven and is ready to pull the finished product from the studio!!!

On Monday, Quavo posted a pic of himself in a fur coat, puffing on something ... and, in the post, revealed he had something called "Honey Bun" dropping this Friday. He dedicated the rollout to his late nephew Takeoff.

Sources close to the Huncho tell TMZ Hip Hop the announcement is for a new song that will find the former Migos leader back in his OG bag after he sought therapy through a string of tribute tracks.

The former Migos leader has, understandably, been in mourning since Takeoff's shooting death in November ... and released the songs "Without You" and "Greatness" in his memory, and even performed at the last Grammy Awards.

Quavo's first and only solo album dropped back in 2018 ... but with the end of Migos, we're told his solo discography is primed to be beefed up in no time!!!

Khia's not impressed with the loads of rappers who have repurposed her 2002 breakout hit "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" ... which mainly includes Saweetie's version, the one that actually took an artist's career to the next level!!!

The 'Thug Misses' rapper was quizzed on the spot about the legacy of her XXX-rated track — and immediately targeted Saweetie's 2017 song "Icy Grl."

Khia had a hard time reciting the song and began dubbing Saweetie "Sweet Pea" as a diss ... while digging into her further, claiming green peas were her least fav veggie as a kid.

YG and the City Girls were offered a handful of props for their songs that borrowed from 'My Neck, My Back,' but Khia ultimately doesn't think anyone has improved on the record she originally created.

TMZ Hip Hop recently talked to Larrance Dopson -- from the Grammy Award-winning outfit 1500 or Nothin' -- and he ripped some producers for being lazy, and dropping the ball when it comes to upgrading the samples. Much like what Khia's fuming about.

Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean is hitting pause on his marriage, separating from his wife, but not divorcing ... TMZ has learned.

AJ and Rochelle DeAnna McLean tell TMZ ... "Marriage is hard, but worth it. We have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on ourselves, and on our marriage with the hope of building a stronger future."

They continue, "The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another, and our family. We ask for respect and privacy at this time.

Separation is hard enough without the commentary, please be kind and remember there are children involved."

AJ and Rochelle tied the knot back in 2011 after 6 years of dating ... saying "I Do" at the Beverly Hills Hotel with the rest of his Backstreet Boys crew in attendance.

Here's Dan Reynolds dancing his face off on the high seas ... and the video is awesome!!!

The Imagine Dragons front man clearly had a blast onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise from Los Angeles to Los Cabos ... showing off his moves on the dance floor as the DJ played hits from Jay Z and Kanye West, David Guetta and Chris Brown.

As you can see, the dance floor wasn't always packed ... but Dan wasn't shy about cutting a rug. He's mostly dancing by himself, but did find himself in the middle of a circle at one point and appeared to chat up some fans too.

Dan's been the talk of the Internet lately after showing off his muscular body during a recent concert ... and while he sadly doesn't go topless in this portion of the video, you can still see his ripped physique under his tank top.

We're told the cruise set sail Wednesday and Dan tore up the dance floor Thursday night ... but now the ship's coming back to port today after making stops in Ensenada and Cabo.