Music

Drake paid homage to LeBron James on Monday night, but on Tuesday, he tipped his cap to another Laker legend -- Kobe Bryant -- and the impromptu tribute to the Mamba was pretty cool.

Drizzy was performing yet another show at Crypto.com Arena as part of his "It's All A Blur" tour -- his sixth stop in the City of Angels this month -- and when someone threw a black, Bryant Lakers jersey on stage ... he paused his show to remember the Hall of Famer.

The 36-year-old rapper picked up the No. 24 uni and told the sold-out crowd at the venue where Bryant played almost all of his home games for his entire NBA career, "I'mma hold this up 'cause we got to show love to Kobe one time."

"Ya'll make some noise for Kobe at this time," he added.

The fans in attendance roared for several moments ... before Drake continued on with his performance.

It's the second time in as many days that Drake has urged his crowd to support the Lakers -- at Monday's show in Crypto, he featured James and the L.A. star's son, Bronny, a couple times during the concert.

Tuesday's tribute, though, was perhaps the most fitting ... considering this week is a special one for Bryant and his family.

Jhene Aiko and Big Sean are seeking court-ordered protection from a creepy fan they say keeps showing up to their concerts, events and home.

Jhene beelined it to court Monday and filed for a temporary restraining order against a 29-year-old man named Ian Craig Lees, who she claims recently snuck onto her Pacific Palisades property.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Jhene says despite being a total stranger, the guy appears determined to make contact with her ... and now she says she fears for her life.

Jhene claims the guy's been going to her shows and events, and things reached a head earlier this month when he allegedly got into a physical altercation with the residential security in her neighborhood.

The singer claims the guy breached their gated community's security post and got inside the home she shares with Big Sean, their son and her daughter.

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari shared 5 dogs between the two of them, and have already come to an agreement on who gets each pup ... TMZ has learned.

Sam was spotted walking the couple's Doberman, Porsha, Monday -- the same dog he bought as protection for Britney a couple years ago. We've learned Sam now has Porsha full-time, and got her back last week in an arrangement with Britney.

While she might be without Porsha, we're told Britney gets to keep 4 of her 4-legged friends as her own. She's got her Australian Shepherd, Sawyer, her Yorkie, Hannah, and 2 other smaller dogs.

We're told both Sam and Britney are happy with the agreement on how the dogs were split.

As we first reported, Britney's pushed almost her entire support system -- including her family -- away in the past few months -- and is really only left with her manager, Cade Hudson, and lawyer, Mathew Rosengart.

The City Girls are at odds over which project should be considered their debut album ... a shocking yet not-all-that-surprising revelation once you hear all the details.

Caresha and JT were both tasked by Complex to pick the greatest hip hop album of all time and naturally picked their own projects ... but when JT referred to "Girl Code" as their debut project, Caresha argued that its predecessor, "Period," was their inaugural album.

Here's where it gets tricky ... both projects were released through their longtime label, Quality Control, 6 months apart in 2018 with "Period" arriving first.

However, Quality Control billed "Period" a mixtape when it dropped, so technically JT is correct. Record labels tend to use the mixtape tag to test the waters for a project, which means there's little consequence if it fails.

A rep for QC tells TMZ Hip Hop the label officially recognizes "Girl Code" -- complete with City Girls' Billboard-debuting singles "Twerk" and "Act Up" -- as their first project, so that's that.

If we're gonna get even more technical, one could argue the City Girls' never had a proper debut, at least as far as rollout goes.

"Girl Code" was released while JT was in prison for credit card fraud, and its follow-up, 2020's "City On Lock," leaked prematurely in summer 2020, forcing the duo to piecemeal the project and promote it as it was.

Calling it a comeback is an understatement, but Fyre Fest founder Billy McFarland is actually selling out tickets for a sequel to that infamous flop ... and he's telling us how he's pulling it off.

McFarland joined us Tuesday on "TMZ Live," revealing the first round of FYRE Festival II pre-sale tickets were scooped up quickly ... and, interestingly, Billy thinks all the buzz around his 2017 tropical failure is driving curiosity and interest around his second attempt.

He tells us why the "no publicity is bad publicity" model really works in his favor. BTW, folks who've already purchased tix, dropped $500 bucks without knowing the exact location or which artists will perform!!!

Billy also chats with us about how the hell he found backers for Fyre Festival II ... saying it wasn't until a Broadway production company supported a musical based on the first Fyre that financiers got interested in his return to live events.

You'll recall, Billy teased the new festival last October -- about 6 months after he served 4 years in prison for wire fraud related to the OG Fyre Fest disaster.

Months after the teaser, Billy reunited with Andy King -- the guy who famously revealed Billy asked him to give oral sex to a customs officer to get shipments of bottled of water -- and they sold grilled cheeses in NYC to raise money for Bahamas workers who still haven't been paid from Fyre.

Billy says he won't be doing as much at next year's festival, but he's at least secured one job -- cookin' up those infamous cheese sandwiches with Andy!

Music executive Scooter Braun still has A-list clients like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande under his belt, despite reports ... but we're told he's got his hands full -- because he's stepping into a larger role.

Sources familiar with what's happening behind the scenes tell TMZ ... all of Scooter's clients, including Justin and Ariana, are still under contract with his company, SB Projects.

However, we're told contract negotiations have been going on for several months as he shifts into his bigger role as CEO of HYBE America -- his multi-billion-dollar South Korean entertainment company that manages the likes of BTS.

Sources say folks spreading rumors about Bieber and Ariana are off ... Scooter's team at SB Projects is still handling both Justin and Ariana as they work through figuring out what the new structure will look like.

For those unaware, reports have been flying recently about the 2 superstars leaving SB, but it's been a bit of a gray area until now.

There was also word that Demi Lovato has stepped away from Scooter -- our sources confirm her departure, saying it was a mutual decision.

GloRilla is pushing for all females to enjoy the "F.N.F." lifestyle all through their 20s, because ... YOLO!!!

The Grammy-nominated rapper put out the call Monday morning for women worldwide to display toxic behavior, and up their levels of delusion -- but only while they're in their early 20-somethings. Glo says, biologically speaking, they can't get that time back.

She also warned women not to wait until they're in their 30s to go on rampages -- such as slashing men's tires -- because that would make them old and toxic, instead of just toxic.

We wish she were joking, but Glo seems pretty serious.

Glo wasn't specific in what she considers toxic behavior, but on her last released single "Lick or Sum" ... she does brag about ghosting dudes and sneakily getting oral sex from their cousins. That would check ALL the bad dater boxes!!!

Social media users and fans didn't exactly embrace Glo's words of wisdom and pushed back considerably.

Flo Rida fans apparently come in all ages -- just ask the baby who joined the superstar rapper onstage after crowd-surfing through the audience!!!

The wild scene happened during Flo's performance at the CelebrateErie Fest on August 19 ... the baby was passed through the crowd, eventually making it to Flo's arms. At one point, Flo put the mic up the infant's mouth for them to sing along with the rowdy crowd.

Somehow, the child even found his way onto the main stage, where they were hoisted up in the air -- "Lion King" style -- while Flo jammed his hit "GDFR."

Lizzo looks and sounds unbothered by the lawsuit hanging over her head ... possibly using all the controversy as inspiration to create new art.

The "Truth Hurts" singer was spotted Monday for the first time since being sued by three of her former backup dancers who claim she sexually harassed them. Photogs asked her how she's been holding up in the face of the lawsuit.

Lizzo says she's doing good, and she was all smiles as she strolled into a recording studio in Hollywood. Her only other message ... new music is coming.

It's the first time we've heard Lizzo on camera since being sued ... she previously blasted the lawsuit in a statement, chalking it up to "sensationalized stories."

Lizzo said the days following the suit were "gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing" ... but now she seems at ease, at least publicly.

Remember ... Lizzo is being sued by a trio of former backup dancers, who claim she subjected them to nude entertainment shows in Amsterdam and Paris on tour earlier this year, claiming Lizzo pressured them to interact with the nude dancers despite their discomfort.

Two of Lizzo's accusers, Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams, previously joined us on "TMZ Live" and told us what it was like for them working under Lizzo ... alleging all of her backup dancers work in fear of losing their jobs if they don't go along with her demands.

Queen fans are pissed "Fat Bottomed Girls" was removed from their "Greatest Hits" on a children's music platform -- but we've learned the band signed off on that change.

For those unaware, the Freddie Mercury-led band's "Greatest Hits" album recently made its way to Yoto, a kids' audio player, and the big booty-themed track was notably missing from the lineup.

While there's been some fan outrage over so-called "woke-ism," a rep for lead guitarist Brian May tells TMZ ... he and the rest of the band agreed to "Fat Bottomed Girls" being omitted from the platform.

The rep stated that the band wouldn't be making any additional comment about the decision.

FYI -- Yoto's version of "Greatest Hits" includes songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Killer Queen," "We Will Rock You," and "Another One Bites the Dust."

A disclaimer on the children's site says the tracks used are "original and unedited recordings" ... adding, "Whilst no swear words are used parental discretion is advised when playing this content to or around younger children."

The Fugees' reunion is officially on, centered around the blockbuster album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" ... which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Friday.

Beginning in September, Lauryn will embark on a 17-date tour throughout New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and her New Jersey hometown, with Wyclef Jean and Pras reuniting for their first tour in years.

'Miseducation' is Lauryn's first and only solo album, but its impact has survived the test of time ... the project famously earned her 5 Grammys in one night and eventually got certified Diamond by the RIAA.

In a rare public statement, L-Boogie broke down the album's synopsis ... “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is and was a love song to my parents, my family, my people, my musical and cultural forebears, my teachers, my loves, my Creator. I wrote love songs and protest songs— (still love songs) about the subjects and interests that inspired and moved me. I was confident that what inspired me would resonate with an audience that had been led to believe that songs of that kind could only live in the past.”

She elaborated on her art further writing, “I loved music, I loved people, I truly felt grateful to God for my life, and genuinely blessed to have a platform where I could share wisdom and perspective through music. I felt a charge to challenge the idea that certain kinds of expression and/or certain kinds of people didn’t belong in certain places. I loved showing what could work or happen provided there was imagination, creativity and LOVE leading the way.”

The "Killing Me Softly" trio tested the waters at The Roots' picnic back in June and will also perform classics from their Diamond-selling album "The Score."

Drake is preparing to unleash the "Dogs" ... the theme around his upcoming eighth studio album.

Drake shared the cover art for the album on Monday, hand-drawn by his 5-year-old son Adonis ... a ghoulish-looking white dog with glowing red eyes.

If Adonis' vision is to be realized through the music, then Drake will be a lyrical Cujo on the project ... having recently barked up Childish Gambino's tree for his previous disses.

He's also been posing as dogs known for their bites ... wearing Doberman Pinscher and Bulldog masks to create buzz around the album.

Drew Barrymore was whisked off the stage during a recent interview with singer and actress Reneé Rapp ... as an alleged stalker rushed up to the stage, demanding to talk with her.

Here's the deal, Drew was chatting with Reneé about the singer's upcoming album, "Snow Angel," at a 92NY panel Monday when the man -- who said he's Chad Michael Busto -- said something to get Drew's attention, but her positive reaction to him quickly went away.

As he walks up to the front of the stage, he says, "You know who I am, I need to see you at some point" while in NYC. Security quickly stops him at the stage, and Reneé swoops in to walk Drew off stage.

The clip's been making the rounds online, and many are applauding Reneé for having Drew's back, especially as fast as things got bizarre during the panel. It's unclear if Drew's ever interacted with him before this ... but Busto makes it seem like she's aware of him.

Britney Spears has lost most of her support system to help with the care she desperately needs ... leaving her lawyer and manager essentially in charge of her well-being.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us it isn't necessarily a case of Mathew Rosengart and Cade Hudson taking the reins ... it's more they're the last people standing in Britney's life.

We're told they assist in getting Britney fed, to appointments and manage any potential professional opportunities that may come her way.

Our sources say Rosengart does not believe Britney's mental state is cause for great alarm, and there has been no plan to amp up her medical care and therapy. Some folks in Britney's world don't see it that way and believe she's in desperate straits.

As for her family ... Britney's very publicly shut her dad, Jamie, and sister, Jamie Lynn out of the picture. Her mom, Lynne, flew to L.A. a few months ago to help her daughter, but that relationship has since fallen apart as well.

Our sources say Britney's older brother, Bryan, has occasionally been trying to help Britney since her split with Sam -- going to her house to workout, and offering to do what he can -- but we're told Bryan's walking on eggshells, as Britney's just too volatile.

Britney threw a small divorce party over the weekend. She wore a green dress and surrounded herself by a bunch of shirtless dudes -- including Cade Hudson.

Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori is apparently showing too much skin for some residents of Italy ... because they want her to be booted from the country or arrested!!

The couple was galivanting around Italy over the past month ... and Bianca didn't leave much to the imagination during their outings. She was photographed braless, wearing sheer, tightfitting bodysuits that exposed her private parts.

In one instance, The Daily Mail reported, Bianca was forced to cover her nipples with a black bag strapped across her chest.

A number of Italians took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with Bianca showing off her naked body.

One critic wrote, "How about police in every country arrest anyone who is nude? It's called indecency ... Tired of being forced to see nude women and should be illegal for children to see this."

Another said, "I hope Italy kicks them both out of the country. They don't need this pair polluting it."

A third pointed out it was "Completely disrespectful to a conservative catholic culture; the Italians should have kicked them out."

We guess that's what they mean when they say, "When in Rome ..."

LeBron James may not wear No. 6 anymore, but he's still got love for the 6 God -- the Lakers superstar and Bronny were front and center at Drake's concert in L.A. on Monday ... escorting the rapper out to the stage at the start of the show!!

Drizzy has made it a thing throughout his "It's All a Blur" tour ... enlisting famous celebs and friends to walk out with him before his performance.

Fittingly enough, Drake decided to give the James Gang the honor at Crypto.com Arena ... and judging by their faces, the ballers were thrilled with the rockstar treatment.

It's great to see Bronny at yet another public outing ... considering he suffered cardiac arrest at a USC workout less than a month ago.

Drizzy also gave Bron a big shout-out during the show ... thanking the four-time champ for being a day one supporter.