Music

Tekashi 6ix9ine and Meek Mill came an inch from trading punches early Sunday morning ... as their long-standing beef reached a boiling point.

The 2 men were at KOMODO in Miami and as Meek was getting in his car to leave, Tekashi appeared and they both started jawboning. In the video, you hear both rappers and their security yelling at each other. It looks like Tekashi is trying to lunge at Meek.

Tekashi is hurling insults at Meek, accusing him of working with cops ... yes, the irony is not lost on us.

They went from face-to-face to social media where it continued, 6ix9ne posting, “STOP LETTING THESE RAPPERS LIE TO YOU! THEY TO TOUGH FOR SECURITY @meekmill RUNNING AROUND WITH POLICE.”

Meek's response ... "69 waited out side the club for me they tryna get usssssss wtf ... We did not run into eachother I was getting in my car he just popped out ....we almost was smoking on that 69 pack for the love of a viral moment ..... he tryna get something locked up no cap lol"

And then, Meek lowered the boom ... “The feds sent him to take me out wtf. [I] had to spit on him so he retreated lol he really waited outside the club for me. I thought I was dreaming wtf we almost smoked him lol he posed a lil threat popping up in the parking lot waiting for me.”

Meek and Tekashi have squared off ever since Tekashi cooperated with the FBI in getting members of the Nine Trey Bloods locked up.

Yella Beezy was arrested Saturday on weapons charges, but the rapper says this was a set-up ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Yella Beezy was driving in Dallas when cops pulled him over after they claim he was running stop signs. They searched his car -- unclear why -- and allegedly found an unlicensed weapon.

Video surfaced online where you see a police car with flashing lights and a cop checking inside the black SUV's trunk.

Yella Beezy's manager Adrian Low Brown tells TMZ... the rapper told him he was driving his armored-plated, bullet-proof truck in his old neighborhood to get Valentine's Day flowers for his GF when police stopped him and said he blew a stop sign.

He says they told him they smelled weed, which he says was an excuse to search his car.  Beezy says he doesn't smoke and cops didn't find any marijuana and didn't charge him for possession.

As for the gun they found ... Beezy's team says his entire arsenal is registered.

The manager says he's currently trying to bail Beezy out. The manager says this is a case of harassment by cops.

Janet Jackson got more than an apology from Justin Timberlake ... she got a revival.

Janet's 1986 album, "Control," has skyrocketed on the charts since Justin issued his mea culpa Friday over her 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction. As you know, she was skewered by critics, while Justin remained silent and unscathed.

Well, "Control" hit #1 on the Apple Top 40 U.S. Pop Album Chart a week ago -- before Justin's apology.  It was the 35th anniversary of the album.  But after the apology it's going really strong ... now the 8th most downloaded album on Apple iTunes.

Janet took to social media and said, “I was at home just the other day by myself, and I began to cry. I was crying because I was so thankful for all that God has blessed me with, all that he has given me, and I’m so thankful for him being in my life.”

She went on ... “I’m so thankful for all of you being in my life. You’re so special to me, and I want to thank all of you for making ‘Control’ number one once again. After 35 years, never in a million years would I think that this would happen. I really appreciate you, and I love you so, so much. Thank you.”

Justin's apology was driven by a radio interview that surfaced in the new Britney Spears documentary, where he bragged about taking her virginity. He apologized to Britney, but also to Janet for the Super Bowl incident.

Britney Spears does NOT have her own documentary in the works ... we're told fan speculation and media reports to the contrary are not accurate.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... a doc from Britney and her team is definitely NOT happening. We're told a project of this magnitude would need to be vetted and authorized by Brit and her conservators, which is a big hurdle.

Another source tells TMZ ... a female filmmaker has been reaching out to people in Britney's inner circle, telling them she's working on a doc about Britney's life, and the filmmaker claims she's going to pitch the project to Netflix.

There are reports and speculation circulating that Britney is quietly working on a doc with a top female filmmaker and Britney fears her father, Jamie Spears, could hijack the project to make himself look better ... but we're told neither Britney nor her team are involved in the production.

There's no shaking Jamie at this point either ... as we first told you, a judge denied Britney's request to have her father removed as her co-conservator during Thursday's court hearing.

Britney and her conservatorship are all the rage again these days ... the new doc 'Framing Britney Spears' is getting a lot of buzz, and it's resulted in Britney's boyfriend ripping Jamie, and Justin Timberlake offering her an apology for the things he said after their breakup.

Frankie Staton -- a Nashville musician who's worked to increase diversity and inclusiveness in country music -- doesn't think Morgan Wallen's really getting what he deserves ... and it sounds a lot like what's described as white privilege.

Staton -- who co-founded the Black Country Music Association in an effort to produce Black country stars -- isn't among folks willing to accept Wallen's apology for using the n-word ... at least not so readily.

She suggests Wallen's situation is more of a societal issue, but the consequences he's experiencing demonstrate the difference in a fallout between a popular white celeb ... and someone else.

To prove her point, she mentions how Wallen's popularity and sales are skyrocketing despite dropping a racial slur ... so it seems his career won't be adversely affected by his actions.

We asked if she thinks that's fair -- Frankie says "not really." However, she says she doesn't like seeing other musicians' careers go down the drain because of a mistake ... but as a Black woman, she underscores what Wallen said is unacceptable.

Taylor Swift's experiment with her old songs is proving to be fruitful out of the gate -- the early numbers are in for the first song of the big batch ahead of her, and they're not too shabby.

Billboard documented the single-day download and radio play data that has come in since Taylor released "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" on Friday ... the initial, re-recorded mega-hit track of hers in what could be a long line of re-releases she's vowed to distribute anew.

Based on the figures, it's doing alright ... especially compared to the OG on the same day (Feb. 12, 2021). Billboard reports MRC Data for Feb. 12 show Taylor's new version got downloaded some 10,000 times, compared to just 200 downloads for the 2008 track.

There's also a radio play element here that has yet to bear out fully -- Billboard notes that Taylor's new 'Love Story' (which sounds virtually identical to the old one) has not gotten a big push by her team for it to be played on radio ... but a handful of stations across the country did blast it on Friday -- and even those numbers are greater than the OG's same-day stats.

"Love Story (Taylor's Version)" got 144 radio plays among 89 stations on Friday, compared to the original ... which got just 67 plays on Friday. 2008's "Love Story" is still king (for now) -- as we know, it sky-rocketed in the charts over time -- so Tay-Tay's got a ways to go before her new take comes close. Still, pretty promising early signs of what's to come.

Remember, Taylor's doing this to stick it to Scooter Braun and other execs who have come to control her catalog since she left Big Machine Records and settled at UMG. She wasn't able to get the rights to her masters, and decided she'd reclaim them by re-recording all her hits.

The catalog is now in the hands of a private equity group -- and Scooter made a bundle in the sale -- but TS is still moving forward. She teased the refreshed 'Love Story' in a Match.com commercial featuring Ryan Reynolds, and there was hardly a discernible difference ... leading many to believe her other re-recordings will follow suit.

Cardi B is one happy lady, because she got a pretty spectacular pre-Valentine's Day gift from her hubby.

Cardi, with Kulture in tow, surveyed Offset's handiwork Friday ... their living room filled with beautiful floral arrangements. Cardi and Kulture were gleeful as they checked out a bed filled with rose petals in the shape of a heart, along with "Love" balloons.

It really looked like a professional decorator designed the surprise, and that's why Cardi questioned Offset to see if he did it. He said he did, but we're not sure if he's saying he arranged the flowers himself or if he hired someone to do it. Either way, it's awesome.

The room is really beautiful ... it's a nice peak in.

Avril Lavigne and Mod Sun have a big day in store Sunday ... Valentine's Day, because they made it clear Friday night -- they're a couple.

They hit up BOA Steakhouse in WeHo for Mod Sun's album release party for "Internet Killed the Rock Star." It's his 4th album and Avril's featured in one of the songs -- "Flames."

They were hand-in-hand as they had their temps checked at the door, before walking in. Two things seem clear -- they're a couple, and they both take COVID super seriously. Both Avril and Mod Sun are masked up and, as they hop in their SUV after dinner, they immediately hit the hand sanitizer pump.

Before leaving, Mod Sun drops $100 on roses ... a little pre-Valentine's Day celebration.

It's interesting ... a dude in an "Internet Killed the Rock Star" shirt is filming, so maybe Avril and Mod Sun are going to the next level ... a reality show?!??

Nelly's flip turned out to be a flop ... so he's unloading this Missouri mansion to finally 86 it from his real estate portfolio.

The "Hot in Herre" rapper has put this Wildwood, MO home on the market for $599,000 ... 19 years after he purchased the home. The plan was to remodel it and flip it with a contractor friend, but those plans never panned out ... so it's been sitting empty for years.

At this point, we're told Nelly just wants out. Whoever gets it is getting a steal. The house is definitely a fixer-upper but it has tons of potential. The 6-bedroom, 7-bathroom crib sits on nearly 12 acres of land with vast outdoor recreation space, which, BTW, includes a private basketball court.

It's located just 30 minutes west of St. Louis and offers stunning views of the Meramec River Valley. It's got good investment written all over it.

Britney Spears' younger sister and her former business manager insist they didn't hop on Zoom for a virtual #FreeBritney rally, despite how it appeared ... we're told it was just a total catfish.

Thousands of Brit's fans were buzzing Thursday when they noticed a profile claiming to be Jamie Lynn Spears appear on the virtual rally ... but the profile's mic and camera weren’t on and just showed a stock image. Ditto for Brit's former biz manager, Lou Taylor.

The law firm representing Lou and Jamie Lynn tells TMZ ... neither woman was on the call, and instead, it was someone else posing as them by inputting their names and images on Zoom and making it appear as though they were attending the virtual rally.

The Zoom call came on the heels of Britney's latest court hearing in her conservatorship case, which as we first told you, saw the judge deny Britney's request to have her father, Jamie Spears, removed as her co-conservator.

Justin Timberlake says he's remorseful over the unkind things he said about Britney Spears after their breakup ... and while he's at it he also apologizes to Janet Jackson.

Justin posted his apology, which reads, "I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed."

He goes on to place the blame more broadly on show biz ... "The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. It's designed this way. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this ... I have not been perfect in navigating all of this throughout my career. I know this apology is a first step and doesn't absolve the past."

As you know ... Justin and Britney's infamous relationship began way back in the early '90s when they were both stars on the revived 'Mickey Mouse Club,' and their puppy love blossomed years later as their popularity soared.

The 2 went public with their relationship in 1999 as Britney's "Baby One More Time" was skyrocketing and Justin was with NSYNC. When they broke up, there were rumors posted that she cheated on Justin, and Justin went on a radio show and bragged about taking Britney's virginity. He also targeted her in his hit, "Cry Me a River."

Morgan Wallen's apology for dropping the n-word after what he calls a 3-day bender has not moved radio stations to play his music again.

Sources at Entercom -- which owns 235 radio stations, 20 of which are country music stations -- tell TMZ ... the company has no plans to reinstate Wallen's music to their playlists.

Likewise, a rep for Emmis Communications tells us its country-programmed station in Indianapolis -- Hank FM -- is likeminded ... it's a Wallen-free zone for the time being.

We reached out to other major media companies in the radio industry with the same question but got a no comment.

As we reported ... Wallen posted a lengthy apology Wednesday for casually dropping a racial slur that was captured on video. He said he's met with Black organizations to learn the error of his ways, and wanted to collect his thoughts before offering up the mea culpa.

Morgan says he's been sober for more than a week and vows to become a better person.

He says he accepts all the backlash he's gotten ... which includes radio stations pulling his music, his record label suspending his contract, and getting disqualified from awards shows.

Britney Spears' bid to have her father less involved in her life didn't pan out ... as he's to remain co-conservator after the latest court hearing about the case.

As you may recall ... Britney's legal team had requested the Bessemer Trust Company become the sole conservator of her business affairs ... booting Jamie Spears as a co-conservator.

The judge denied the request Thursday and ordered that everything stay the same. None of the parties, including Britney, have asked the judge to end the conservatorship ... and that's been the case for the last 13 years.

As we reported, Britney's legal team previously filed docs indicating she won't perform until her father steps down. We're told the relationship between Britney and her dad has deteriorated.

In related news ... the #FreeBritney movement is in full swing ... some of her fans gathered with signs outside the courthouse to show their support.

The movement has been re-energized by the new documentary, "Framing Britney Spears," along with her boyfriend's recent beef with Jamie.

Britney fans certainly remember ... Sam Asghari called Jamie a "dick" Tuesday and said he's got no respect for Britney's father, accusing him of meddling in their relationship.

Bruce Springsteen was glassy-eyed, swaying and reeked of booze when he was arrested for DWI ... at least according to cops.

According to legal docs, an officer watched Bruce take a shot of Patron Tequila, hop on his motorcycle and start the engine back on November 14. The officer says he informed Bruce drinking was prohibited in that area of Sandy Hook, NJ ... and observed the 750 ml bottle of Patron was empty.

Springsteen allegedly told the cop he was about to ride out of the park -- Gateway National Recreation Area -- even though he'd admitted to having 2 shots of tequila in the last 20 minutes.

The officer says Bruce smelled strongly of alcohol and his eyes were glassy, so he put the Boss through a field sobriety test, during which he was swaying, and took 45 steps when he was only asked to take 18. Cops say he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.

TMZ broke the story ... the rock icon was cited for DWI, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. There have been reports claiming Springsteen's BAC was only .02, far below the legal limit, however, cops can bust you for DWI based on other factors ... such as field sobriety testing or observing erratic driving. As we said, Bruce refused a breathalyzer test and the documents do not indicate he was tested after being arrested.

Morgan Wallen says he's gained an understanding of the hate his words carry and he's a sober and changed man since video of him casually using the n-word was published.

Wallen posted a lengthy apology video Wednesday, saying he's taken the last week to gather his thoughts and get an education. Wallen revealed he's met with leaders of several Black groups and listened to personal accounts from members that shook him to his core and made him realize the true meaning of the n-word.

Morgan claims he was given "hardly any time" to respond to our video of him using the n-word and that only a portion of the words he wrote for an apology were used. For the record ... we held off on publishing the video for nearly 4 hours so that Morgan's apology could be included, and we used the apology his team provided to us in full.

Wallen says the video was shot on "hour 72 of a 72-hour bender" -- which he's not proud of -- and he's been sober in the 9 days since it was taken.

Morgan addresses his supporters too, saying while he's appreciated them standing up for him, he accepts the backlash and penalties he's received. As we reported, radio stations, merchandise websites and even award shows banned the singer.

TMZ broke the story ... Wallen was recorded by a neighbor after a rowdy night out in Nashville calling a friend the n-word.

Taylor Swift's a businesswoman who knows how to sell, so she's giving fans more than just a re-recorded version of her "Fearless" album -- she's adding all-new songs to it.

The singer made a surprise announcement Thursday on 'GMA' that the first big step in her full album do-over -- "Fearless: Taylor's Version" -- is her new version of "Love Story" ... which drops at midnight, just in time for Valentine's Day.

That track was also the lead single when the OG "Fearless" album dropped in 2008, and Taylor says it was her favorite to re-record because she feels her voice is more mature now.

The bonus news is the full album remake will be different, because she's including never-before-heard "songs from the vault" ... 26 tracks total. The initial release of "Fearless" was 13 songs, and the platinum album had 19.

As you know ... Swift's vowed to independently re-record all 6 of the albums she originally released on her former label, Big Machine, so she will own the new master recordings. Scooter Braun purchased her original masters, along with the label, in 2019.