Music

Contrary to popular belief, Bun B isn't wishing eternal hell on Tory Lanez amid his 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion -- the UGK legend wants the rapper to become a better man in prison.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Bun Thursday in NYC, where he said Tory's case is a lesson for society, in general, and less about hip hop culture ... as he sees Tory's punishment as a wake-up call for domestic violence.

Following the shooting in the summer of 2020, Bun was one of the few prominent figures to publicly defend Megan while also calling out Tory, effectively making him a target for Tory's song, "Sorry I Had To" ... a record that later came back to haunt him in court.

Despite that past beef, Bun still offers up OG advice for Tory, telling him to keep his head up and he wants him to return from prison safely after the term is complete.

On a much lighter note, Bun also talked about successfully carving out a niche for his Trill Burgers franchise ... which may be adding Trill Tacos to the menu soon.

Mike Posner says he's going through some challenges in life, but he's using the bad times to work on becoming a better person ... telling us he's embarking on a spiritual warpath.

We got the singer at LAX and he told our photog he's a troubled man these days, though he's determined to spin the curveball life's throwing at him into a positive.

Mike says he knows a lot about darkness and waking up feeling like there's no point to life, but the thing is ... he says challenging times are what make folks grow, and growth doesn't happen when it's smooth sailing.

For Mike, many of his accomplishments have been tough ... just listen, he's absolutely convinced he will come out a stronger person once he navigates this storm.

Mike's climbed mountains and walked across the freakin' country ... and he says they were both extremely hard and awful journeys, but they made him learn and grow.

Ice Cube is giving several of his fellow rappers the opportunity to live out their hoop dreams once again ... with the return of his Big 3 Celebrity Game.

On Thursday, Cube and Monster Energy unveiled this year's lineup... he and Big Daddy Kane for Team Webull will be defending their title against Clyde Drexler and Doug E. Fresh's Team PrizePicks ... come August 19 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Rappers NLE Choppa, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Symba, Rico Nasty, Millionz Dollarz Worth Of Game's Gillie & Wallo will be joining ex-NFL stars such as Terrell Owens and Vernon Davis, among others ... a collaborative effort to raise money and awareness for underprivileged youth.

"We are enthusiastic about this collaboration as it brings funds and attention to significant causes as well as joy on the court,” Cube said of the upcoming event on Thursday.

Cube's been going hard in the paint for the Big 3 this year, ripping "the powers that be" that block his league from expanding.

Harry Styles and his suspected new boo, Taylor Russell, were getting pretty close to each other across the pond ... all smiles at the debut of her brand new play.

The singer was spotted cozying up to Taylor at press night for "The Effect" at the National Theatre in London Wednesday ... we're told Harry was keeping a low profile during the play, making sure Taylor got her props.

After the show, Harry and Taylor were certainly friendly in the crowd -- he even introduced her to his pal, James Corden. While Harry and Taylor never kissed or showed serious PDA, it was clear they wanted to stay close.

We're told Harry left the shindig after a while, jumping into the back of a car by himself while carrying Taylor's stuff. However, sources say Harry's ride pulled up to the stage door not long after, with Taylor jumping in the back seat before pulling off.

In case ya forgot, rumors about HS and TR have been circling for a while ... she was spotted at his Vienna concert last month, getting the true VIP treatment. It looked like she was in an area where members of his crew worked their magic behind the scenes.

Desiigner allegedly admitted to breaking the terms of his pretrial release in the case where he was accused of masturbating on a plane in April ... and now he could land behind bars.

According to docs obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the "Panda" rapper's probation officer told the court Desiigner admitted to using marijuana and then failed to show up for drug testing in July. The PO is now asking the judge to see if his pretrial release should be revoked.

We broke the story ... Desiigner was charged with indecent exposure and was ordered not to have any contact with any alleged victims, abstain from alcohol, and refrain from using controlled substances.

You'll recall he said the ordeal in the air was caused by some mental health issues.

Desiigner was also supposed to attend counseling sessions ... something the PO also said he's failed to verify he's doing.

The documents also say Desiigner hasn't signed his co-payment agreement for drug testing and failed to supply a P.O. Box address to the probation department.

Sexyy Red has earned clout in hip hop saying whatever comes to her dirty mind … even if it’s not exactly the truth.

The "Pound Town" rapper had to call cap on her own self after her Lil Yachty interview comment about never using condoms went viral on Thursday -- and many fans started calling her out for sexual irresponsibility.

Sexyy Redd referred to herself as the "raw dog queen" while retelling a past encounter where her ex-boyfriend accused her of sleeping around and leaving used condoms as evidence --only to walk back those comments on Instagram as fan outrage grew.

Elsewhere in the interview, she spoke on being a victim of revenge porn, but things have since done a 180° for the St. Louis rapper, much like her anti-condom comments.

Her Nicki Minaj-featured hit remix "Pound Town 2" was recently certified Gold by the RIAA and her breakout album "Hood Hottest Princess" continues to twerk on the charts as well.

Travis Scott is getting blamed for shutting down all concerts at an ancient Italian stadium ... this after his performance Monday sparked numerous calls from concerned residents fearing there was an earthquake.

The rapper did his Monday night show at Rome's Circus Maximus near the famed Colosseum, but it turned into a fiasco when someone pepper-sprayed 60 fans who then needed medical attention. A 14-year-old was injured in a fall after climbing a wall, according to CNN.

During the unrest, Romans reportedly inundated the local fire department with calls about a possible earthquake writing on social media, "Anyone feel an earthquake?"

But all the shaking residents were feeling was not from a natural disaster ... rather, it was coming from the multitude of fans jumping around at Travis' concert when Kanye West made a surprise appearance onstage and started rapping with his longtime friend.

As a result, Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Colosseum Archeological Park, has now called for the end of concerts at Circus Maximus with the exception of operas and ballets.

Russo told CNN ... "The Circus Maximus is a monument. It is not a stadium, not a concert hall. These mega rock concerts put it at risk."

This must feel a little like déjà vu for Travis, who had to endure the whole controversy surrounding his Astroworld debacle in which 10 people died and thousands injured at his 2021 show in Houston, Texas.

Taylor Swift wrapped up the final night of her L.A. shows with a bang -- tons of stars showing up to watch her perform, and a big reveal onstage to stir up Taylor's diehard fans.

SoFi Stadium was packed to the brim Wednesday night for her 6th and final concert, but it wasn't just your regular Swifties in the crowd -- because A-listers like Sydney Sweeney, Emma Stone and Karlie Kloss were rocking out to her hits all night long.

That's not all ... Adam Sandler, Sadie Sink, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kerry Washington, Hilary Duff, Jason Bateman, Miranda Cosgrove, Halsey, Miles Teller, ex-NFL star Andrew Whitworth and Becky G showed up to jam out.

Even John Krasinski and Emily Blunt headed to Taylor's sold-out show for a date night ... but it certainly wasn't a quiet place at SoFi.

Taylor took some time out of Wednesday's show to announce the release date for her "1989 (Taylor's Version)" album ... which obviously drove fans crazy.

As we reported, celebs have been showing up at her L.A. shows over the past week, including folks like Flavor Flav, Kevin Costner and Vanessa Bryant with her daughters.

You'll recall, Taylor kicked off her "Eras" tour back in March in Arizona, and has been crossing the country with her 3+ hour setlist. L.A. is, technically, the end of her U.S. leg -- she's going international next year -- but she's now added a few more U.S. shows for late 2024.

So, we're saying there's still a chance if ya missed her this time.

As for her overseas shows ... she's starting 2024 in Tokyo, and then globetrotting to places like Australia, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany and the U.K.

Tekashi 6ix9ine was back in a familiar spot Wednesday night ... posing for a booking photo after getting arrested in Florida.

The rapper was busted for failing to appear in court and brought to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he mugged for his mug shot. He was later released after posting $2,000 bail.

The arrest stems from 3 traffic tickets Tekashi received after he was pulled over by police in June for driving way over the speed limit.

According to court docs ... Tekashi was going 135 mph in a 65 mph zone on the Florida Turnpike before he was given a ticket for speeding. He was also issued citations for having an unregistered vehicle and no car insurance.

Tekashi failed to appear for a July court hearing to address the tickets ... leading a judge to issue a warrant that resulted in last night's arrest.

6ix9ine has always been a magnet for trouble. His many brushes with the law are notorious and he's perhaps best known for cooperating with the feds in his 2018-2019 racketeering case in which he testified against members of his former gang.

Taylor Swift made a HUGE announcement during her final California concert Wednesday night ... she's re-releasing her "1989" album with 5 never before heard songs!!!

The pop legend was performing for the sixth night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood when she surprised the packed crowd with news of the re-release, motioning to a large screen, which pictured fresh art for the record due out on October 27.

Check out video, obtained by TMZ, which shows Taylor revealing her exciting plans for the new album after thanking her gazillion fans for watching her play live during her "Eras" Tour.

Taylor originally released "1989" in 2014, featuring 13 tracks on the standard album and 16 tunes on the deluxe version. The records contained some of her biggest songs, such as "Shake It Off," "Blank Space" and "Style."

Now, Taylor is treating everyone to 21 songs on the "1989 (Taylor's Version)" ... which includes 5 previously unreleased, soon-to-be hits, which she also promoted on Instagram.

Taylor wrote the "1989" re-release was her "most favorite re-record I've ever done because the 5 From The Vault tracks are so insane."

She added, "I can’t believe they were ever left behind. But not for long!"

American pop rock rock band Hot Chelle Rae emerged on the music scene back in 2005 and has continued to captivate their fans to this day. Their 2011 hit songs, "I Like It Like That" and "Tonight Tonight" put the stamp on their success and fame.

Formerly known as Miracle Drug, the band originally consisted of members Ryan Follesé, Nash Overstreet, Jamie Follesé and Ian Keaggy (who parted ways in 2013). The band said their goodbyes in 2014 but reunited in 2018, and they've been performing ever since!

Hot Chelle Rae has toured with big music stars like Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato.

"Tonight tonight, there's a party on the rooftop top of the world!"

Robbie Robertson, songwriter and lead guitarist for legendary rock group The Band, is dead ... TMZ has confirmed.

Sources close to Robbie tell us he died Wednesday in Los Angeles after battling prostate cancer for about a year. We're told he'd been doing ok, recently, but on Tuesday he told his wife he wasn't feeling well, and she took him to a hospital.

We're told his wife got a call from the hospital in the early hours of Wednesday informing her Robbie had passed.

Robbie's group first formed in Canada in the late '50s as The Hawks -- including the late Levon Helm and Rick Danko -- but they gained wide notoriety when they backed Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour ... and after that launched their own career as The Band.

Robbie wrote some of The Band's most iconic hits like "The Weight," and "Up On Cripple Creek."

He also had a solo career that included the 1987 hit song, "Somewhere Down the Crazy River."

The Band was the subject of Martin Scorsese's classic 1978 film, "The Last Waltz" ... documenting their final show. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Robbie was 80.

Lil Wayne's historic career was stamped yet again last night as he was inducted into the Billboard Hip-Hop Hall of Fame ... an honor that apparently interrupted his studio time.

Weezy F. Baby embraced Billboard Executive Director Gail Mitchell and thanked the fans for their undying support … and also told the audience he was in the midst of recording when his team told him he had to be at the awards!!!

The veteran rap star assured the crowd he would be returning to the studio after he finished hobnobbing at the event … presumably to work on his long-awaited 'Carter 6' album.

Outside the venue, he and Nas shared a loving moment with their daughters while posing for pics.

DJ Akademiks apparently still has lingering trauma from interviewing Erykah Badu 5 years ago ... which all spilled out, with much acidity, while discussing the Tory Lanez case on his live stream.

After a commenter called upon Badu to work "her magic" on Ak for his involvement in the Tory trial, Ak exploded with disdain for the R&B songstress, harkening back to their 2018 encounter on "Everyday Struggle" when Badu said he looked like the mouse from "Tom & Jerry."

Ak made it clear the moment still bothers him and roasted Badu for having children with 3 different rappers -- Outkast's André 3000, The D.O.C. and Jay Electronica -- and vowed he'll never let up off the throttle.

When another commenter suggested Badu was just joking, Ak claimed his disrespectful barbs were jokes as well. He says he bottled in the pain for 5 years, after having a tarnished experience of being treated like a stepstool.

Ak was initially triggered by reporter Meghann Cuniff revealing a judge declared Tory was passing him information in the case, a claim Adademiks is denying.

He also spent 10 minutes laying into SZA for her cosmetic surgeries and weight gain, but they've been beefing since 2017 ... nothing new except a fresh round of insults.

Trippie Redd is owning up to a HUGE mistake ... the Diamond-selling rapper might specialize in "Love Letter" albums, but he's writing a breakup note to now ex-girlfriend Skye Morales for cheating on her!!!

On Wednesday, Trippie came forward, claiming Skye had been giving him the cold shoulder so he decided to find a warm bed elsewhere.

But, he says it's now eating him up inside that he cheated, and he's advising his fans to keep any love they find close so they don't end up like him -- spilling his personal tea all over social media.

Skye and Trippie had been going strong since 2020, and she was on hand for his beach birthday bash in June, but the tide has since turned.

He ended his heartbreak PSA cursing everyone who wished for their relationship to end ... but, surprisingly, says he doesn't wish for Skye to forgive him for his transgressions.

Skye didn't add much to Trippie's apology, outside sharing a meme that reflected her frustration, but the breakup could also be a marketing ploy for Trippie's upcoming "A Love Letter To You 5" album -- as the record's previously announced release date, Aug. 4, has come and gone without the project dropping.

Some Taylor Swift fans are shelling out thousands to get a seat for her L.A. concerts, while others are gaining access for much less ... simply bribing security guards working the venue.

Taylor's set to perform show 6 of 6 Wednesday night -- a stretch of shows that has felt similar to when L.A. hosted the Super Bowl. Resale sites like StubHub are charging at least $700 before fees just for the cheapest seats.

However, we have direct knowledge of a handful of fans who've gotten in without tickets -- several of whom bribed security guards with cash.

The method -- these fans make it past the security checkpoints and to the ticketing agent. On Monday night, we know of 2 fans who got in at a mere $60 a piece ... while another paid $100 to get into one of the shows last week.

Once inside ... it's a bit of a stressful process as the fans tell us they were constantly moving, trying to find open seats, or standing in aisles and open zones until they were asked to move along, or the seat's rightful owners came back.