Music

Fears a Las Vegas strip club tryout would turn into an Astroworld-esque fiasco got officials to shut down the event, and video shows organizers openly worrying they'd end up in the same shoes as Travis Scott.

Club Ice is a new strip joint in Vegas, and owners hosted open tryouts for dancers this week at Blume Lounge. We're told more than 1,000 girls signed up to show off their stuff, but interested patrons also showed up in droves to watch the dancers.

Problem is, too many people crowded into Blume ... pushing in from the back and squeezing people at the front.

In this video, obtained by TMZ, you can hear one of the event organizers telling everyone to take a step back to avoid a possible Astroworld crush situation. He yelled at the crowd, "Y'all gonna try and trample each other. Y'all not gonna be suing me, talking about 'I let y'all do this s**t.'"

We're told that effort still wasn't enough, and the fire marshal shut down the audition to avoid any potential injuries.

The mystery over who murdered Young Dolph may be one step closer to being solved -- because it looks like the cops have tracked down the getaway car in which the killer fled.

The vehicle was located Saturday in the Orange Mound neighborhood of South Memphis -- on the 1100 block of Bradley Street ... this according to a reporter with FOX13, who confirmed the news with local law enforcement officials, who believe they may have it.

Several different photos and videos have surfaced showing a white 2-door Mercedes Benz being towed out of a driveway of a residential home ... with neighbors looking on, and police surrounding the area. Per reports, the car appeared to be abandoned here -- and still intact.

At first glance ... the vehicle depicted in these clips certainly does look like the one cops posted photos of when asking the public for help in identifying it.

While a clear license plate wasn't visible in the photos that the police threw up ... you can kinda make one out in these videos circulating online. Unclear if the person whose property this was found on is being taken in for questioning or not -- but ya gotta imagine they're a person of interest, assuming this turns out to be the car they're after.

As we reported ... two men rolled up to Makeda's Homemade Cookies -- where Dolph was inside at the time -- and jumped out, opening fire on him in broad daylight. After unleashing a barrage of bullets that ultimately killed him on the spot, the perps fled in said Benz.

Memphis PD has yet to speak on the discovery -- they wouldn't confirm to us either way if they thought they had something, but based on this preliminary evidence, it could be a match.

Here's the crazy part ... the car was left just a mere 3 miles from the site of the shooting.

Kid Rock feels like PC culture is going too far -- so much so, in fact, that he wanted to put it into a song ... complete with a visual element that's getting some attention.

The rapper just dropped his latest track, 'Don't Tell Me How to Live,' along with a music video ... which is all about how he thinks woke-ness, as it were, is ruining the country -- not to mention the next generation of kids, whom he thinks are gonna be raised to be "p****es"

It's an interesting tune -- and definitely NOT subtle whatsoever in the message KR is trying to communicate ... namely, his apparent frustration with what he considers over-sensitivity.

With lyrics like ... "So what the f***'s up with all the backlash? // You snowflakes, here's a news flash!" ... it's pretty on the nose. In fact, he gets even more direct ... singing, "And, these minions and their agendas // Every opinion has a millennial offended // But this amendment one, it rings true // And if you don't dissent, bitch, then see number two."

Yeah ... he weirdly invokes the Second Amendment, which seems to imply violence. That aside, though -- there's actually a lot of people who might agree with Kid, generally, about cancel and/or call-out culture -- but the thing is ... his own behavior of late has warranted it.

Just earlier this year, he was caught on camera dropping the homophobic f-slur super casually -- and a couple years ago, he was filmed yet again going on another bizarre rant against Oprah, which appeared to have some racial undertones.

If Kid Rock thinks being anti-woke is equivalent to hurling slurs and unabashed insults whenever you want -- well ... he might wanna check the definition again, 'cause it ain't that.

Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction is getting reexamined anew -- and there's a lot of finger-pointing ... especially as it relates to Justin Timberlake and Les Moonves.

The 2004 debacle receives a deep dive courtesy of a Hulu documentary, titled 'Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson' -- which discusses what happened before, during and especially after JJ's breast was exposed on live TV during the Halftime Show.

The one-hour special doesn't shed much definitive light on how exactly the snafu came to pass -- other than alluding to a secret convo allegedly had between JT and Janet's stylist in her dressing room before the show -- but the fallout is certainly front and center.

In the aftermath of the embarrassing moment, different people who say they were in the know back then claim the then-top dog at CBS, Moonves, actually demanded a face-to-face apology from both Justin and Janet ... implying if they didn't, there'd be trouble.

Reporters who were covering the story at the time say Justin actually stopped by CBS's L.A. office and did exactly that ... metaphorically "kissing the ring," as these folks describe. Janet, however, apparently refused to bend the knee ... and rebuffed Moonves' alleged demand.

The way they explain it ... Moonves was supposedly furious over what had happened, and deeply embarrassed -- so much so, in fact, the documentary suggests he was working behind the scenes to torpedo Janet's career going forward. Meanwhile, JT's career flourished.

The doc also looks at how the media handled things ... and it's clear, Janet became the butt of a running joke that lasted a good while -- one she couldn't escape, and which some talking heads say was a misogynistic, sexist and racist double standard being applied to her.

By the end of it, JT and Moonves are painted as the villains from this saga. We'll say less on LM -- who ended up leaving CBS in disgrace -- but for Justin's part ... he has apologized for the 2004 moment many times, including just earlier this year in a fresh statement.

Many felt he left Janet hanging at the time, and Justin himself seems to acknowledge that ... saying he let her down. Still, on the heels of this doc -- it would appear his apology isn't enough, because folks online are seriously pissed at him over what they perceive as a great injustice that irreparably harmed Janet.

The peace treaty between Kanye West and Drake is about to get an official summit -- and it'll be happening on stage in about three weeks ... no kidding!

Ye confirmed Saturday, taking to Instagram to post a digital flyer promoting the benefit concert he's been pushing for -- one that's meant to raise awareness for imprisoned ex-gangster Larry Hoover, whose freedom he's been lobbying for behind the scenes.

The show is going down on Dec. 9 -- two days after KW had initially wanted, it seems -- and it's taking place in Los Angeles ... at USC's Coliseum, no less. It's only Ye and Drake who are listed as performers -- and there aren't any other details attached just yet.

In an even greater gesture of reconciliation, Kanye captioned his post ... "God's Plan," a clear nod to Drake's song of the same name. He also threw in a white dove to hit the point home that ... they're all good now.

Drizzy hasn't promoted the event himself, but we'll assume he's onboard ... especially since he hosted Ye and J Prince at his Toronto home last week, where this burying of the hatchet seems to have taken place.

This would appear to be one of the first times Ye and Drake have performed alongside one another in a very long time -- they've shared the spotlight a couple different times in the past ... but haven't been in each other's presence like this ever since they first start feuding in 2018. Needless to say, it's a big deal -- with 2 of the hottest artists in the game right now.

Like we said, there aren't any other acts that are part of the lineup at this point -- but frankly, Ye and Drake are more than enough to get asses in the seats. Also interesting to note ... it looks like Ye gave himself top billing here, and has Champagne Papi as a special guest.

Britney Spears went after fellow former Mousketeer Christina Aguilera Friday for refusing to open up about Britney's struggles over her conservatorship.

Christina was on a red carpet for the Latin Grammys when she was asked if she had any communications with Britney. It was a true Hollywood moment ... Christina and her publicist clearly did not want to open that door, so he hijacked the interview with this -- "No, I'm sorry, we're not doing that tonight, thank you though, bye." For her part, when the question was asked, Aguilera eyed her publicist and gave one big nothing of a statement -- "I can't, but I'm happy for her."

Fact is ... Christina actually did answer the question over her publicist's objection, saying she had not spoken to Britney.  That was what was asked, and she answered.

Nevertheless, Britney clearly feels Christina should have said more, saying, “I love and adore everyone who supported me … but refusing to speak when you know the truth, is equivalent to a lie!!!”

Britney wasn't done ... “13 years being in a corrupt abusive system yet why is such a hard topic for people to talk about???”

Now, Aguilera was actually supportive of Britney back in June, before the conservatorship ended, saying, "It is unacceptable that any woman, or human, wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish."

Young Dolph wasn't concerned about returning to Memphis -- he made the trip unaware of any ongoing beef, and without any recent threat to his life -- which makes his murder much more stunning to those around him ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the late rapper tell us Dolph was excited to be back in his hometown, and had booked a week full of charity events for his community.

We're told he had no fear of hitting the streets of Memphis without security guards, and that's exactly why he made the fateful stop at Makeda's Cookies -- one of his favorite local spots.

Of course, it was the cookie shop where 2 men ambushed Dolph, opening fire and killing him on the spot.

We're told all Dolph wanted to do this week was spread positivity in Memphis, as evidenced by the multiple turkey giveaways he'd organized and projects he had with local rappers.

TMZ broke the story, members of Dolph's Paper Route record label organized a turkey giveaway Friday after others were canceled in the wake of Dolph's murder. Volunteers gave out hundreds of birds to families in need because it's what Dolph would have wanted.

The 2 suspects from Dolph's murder have not been caught. Surveillance images released from the attack show both of them, covered head-to-toe (including masks) and holding guns.

Shortly after the shooting, cops stood guard at Yo Gotti's restaurant in the area -- out of fear there would be more violence -- but the restaurant was never attacked.

Tyga celebrated his 32nd birthday in grand fashion Friday night ... with 500 guests packed into a winter-themed bash.

The soiree went down at Nightingale Plaza in L.A. ... a city where it never snows. So, cue the snow machine! There were women dancing inside gigantic plastic snowballs, photo booths where you could mug with Siberian Huskies, and on and on.

Lots of celebs on hand to celebrate ... Delilah Hamlin, Pia Mia, Mario, Dre London, James Goldstein and Amanda Steele. Since there were 500 folks jammed into the venue, there are probably others we didn't or couldn't eyeball.

There was plenty of candy, snow cones and hot cocoa with marshmallows ... and enormous ice sculptures with embedded Tequila.

Check out Tyga's duds ... a crazy winter coat and ski goggles. It's L.A. dude! Watch him snowboard down the snow-covered hill.

This is one of the first big winter-themed parties we've seen in L.A. with more to follow as the holiday season is about to kick into high gear ... despite COVID cases on the rise in CA and places beyond.

Bill Maher's seasonal swan song did not disappoint Friday night ... although this is a wrap for this season of "Real Time," he left us with future headlines that his crack staff claims are pre-ordained.

He has an ominous prediction for Britney Spears ... sort of Britney meets "Tiger King." And, there's news about a new FNC show, along with a name change for President Biden.

Maybe the most ominous and, dare we say hilarious, is the conflagration of Karens who come together for a fatal confrontation with each other.

And, then there's another "Jeopardy!" host who gets the ax for something said in years past ... many years past!

Oh, check out the headline about Meghan Markle that clearly perplexed the writer, and then there's a Putin prognostication that guest panelist Chris Christie is not dismissing out of hand.

And, finally ... the intersection between Sarah Palin's daughter and Kyle Rittenhouse.

Young Dolph was brutally murdered, but his efforts to lift his community up are still going strong, including one act of kindness he was supposed to complete the day he was killed.

Dolph was behind a series of charity events all this week, handing out turkeys and groceries to families in need. He was supposed to show up at one of those events Wednesday, but that plan was tragically cut short when two men opened fire hours earlier, killing the rapper.

While still devastated, reps from Dolph's Paper Route record label rallied to get the charity event back on track for Friday ... and giving out hundreds of birds to needy families on a day when Dolph would have done it himself.

Dolph had previously established the IdaMae Family Foundation -- named for his grandmother -- and we're told those closest to him know he would've wanted the event to continue, despite his absence.

As we reported, police have released photos of the alleged shooters and their getaway car ... but no arrests have been made and suspects have not been released.

Soulja Boy is clapping back at people who are saying he should be down in the dumps over Young Dolph's shooting death ... he says it would be a different vibe if he was the one who was gunned down.

The rapper went on Instagram Live on Friday and railed on his haters, saying they have him twisted if they think he should be more sad about Young Dolph. Soulja goes even further, he thinks people would be happy, laughing and cracking jokes if he was the artist who ended up dead.

As we reported ... Young Dolph was shot and killed this week in his Memphis, TN hometown, with the gunmen pulling up on him while he was inside a cookie store on his way to pass out Thanksgiving meals in his old neighborhood.

English cricketer Alex Hales is owning up to wearing blackface for a Tupac costume in 2009 ... saying it was "incredibly reckless and foolish."

32-year-old Hales is speaking out after a picture of him donning dark makeup on his face and body was published this week ... claiming it was supposed to honor his favorite rapper at a music-themed costume party.

"The theme was musicians and Tupac is, was and always will be my favorite musician, so I went as him," Hales said in the video.

"Obviously, I realize this is incredibly disrespectful and I want to apologize for the offense this has no doubt caused."

He continued ... "It was incredibly reckless and foolish on my behalf and I apologize for that, and apologize to the club for the embarrassment it would have caused them."

"I deplore all forms of racism and discrimination."

The apology comes amid allegations of widespread racism in the sport ... as former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq says his experiences were so bad, he needed medication to deal with the mental health issues.

Rafiq accused Hales of other racism as well ... claiming Hales' dog, "Kevin" was named after a blanket racist term his teammates used to describe black people, which he adamantly denies.

Marilyn Manson's unloaded his mansion in the Hollywood Hills just weeks after listing it ... TMZ has learned.

The shock rocker just sold his 3-bedroom pad for $1,835,000 this week ... after putting it on the market in October for $1.75 mil ... so he got about 5 percent above the original asking price.

Marilyn's former digs feature 20-foot beamed ceilings and two master suites, complete with their own tiled bathrooms and walk-in closets. The place is 2,711 square feet and it's surrounded by private patios and gardens.

The pad also has French doors, wrought iron railings on the staircase, the garage was converted into a gym, and there's a recording studio and home office.

Worth noting ... this is NOT the place MM allegedly locked women in a soundproof room ... as we reported, that allegedly went down in his West Hollywood apartment. So the new owner doesn't have to worry about any of that.

Witnessing Young Dolph's murder at close range is having a powerful and painful impact on employees at the Memphis cookie shop ... but their bosses are doing what they can to support them.

As you know, the rapper was gunned down at Makeda's Cookies, and store owners Maurice and Pamela Hill tell us the 3 staffers working during Wednesday's shooting are traumatized, distraught and in disbelief.

Maurice and Pamela say the impacted employees will be allowed to take time off until they feel good enough to return, and in the meantime, they will remain on the payroll.

We're told none of the folks working in the store were hurt in the shooting -- strong evidence Dolph was targeted by the gunman -- and the Hills are grieving and praying for his family.

Maurice says Dolph -- a frequent customer and advocate for Makeda's -- had come inside to buy cookies and was on his phone when the 2 gunmen pulled up and started shooting.

As we reported ... cops have released surveillance footage of the gunmen and the getaway car -- a light-colored Mercedes-Benz -- but no arrests have been made.

There's a makeshift memorial outside the store, which is now boarded up ... and Pamela says they're not sure when they will reopen. They're taking time to let the community grieve.

It might be a while before things get back to business as usual. As we reported, there was another shooting Thursday -- not far from the store -- which sent mourners scurrying from the makeshift memorial to Dolph.

Jadakiss is torn up over Young Dolph getting gunned down ... he says hip-hop culture needs to stop killing its own artists, and the violence needs to end ASAP.

We got the "Why" rapper at Madison Square Garden and asked him how he's coping after the murder of Young Dolph -- an artist he's worked with in the past.

Jadakiss says the whole thing is very sad and he's tired of seeing hip-hop artists dying way too young, especially when it's because of violence or some old beef.

As we reported ... Dolph was shot and killed Wednesday in his hometown of Memphis while getting cookies from one of his favorite spots. His life was taken moments before he intended to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys in his old neighborhood.

Jadakiss says the whole thing is tragic and emblematic of a larger problem in the hip-hop community ... and he wants things to change STAT.

Fans hoping to pay tribute to Young Dolph at the site he was gunned down were faced with a life-threatening situation of their own when someone opened fire near the memorial.

In a video from the scene, you see multiple people gathered outside Makeda's Cookies where a lot of balloons and flowers have amassed. Off-camera you hear the loud "pop" of a gunshot, and fans scatter from the scene in the clip from ABC24 Memphis.

Memphis police tell us they're currently on scene at a location about half a mile from the cookie shop where one man was shot ... he's in non-critical condition. Cops say they immediately detained two suspects, and a third was detained after a short chase.

The shooting comes one day after Dolph was shot and killed outside the cookie shop. In his murder, Dolph was ambushed by two men with weapons, murdering him in broad daylight.

Cops have not named any suspects or made any arrests in Dolph's killing, but have released images of both the suspects and their getaway cars.

As we reported, officers descended upon a nearby restaurant owned by Yo Gotti -- who Dolph has beef with -- shortly after the murder out of fear of retaliation. Yo Gotti has not been linked to the death in any way.