Young Dolph No Fear or Feuds Before Return to Hometown

Published | Updated

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.

111721_young_dolph_kal 11/17/21
MOMENTS AFTER THE SHOOTING

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.

Dolph and Gotti have had feuds in the past, but there was nothing recent, and Gotti has not been linked to his murder at all.

Tyga For My Birthday ... Let it Snow, Let Me Snowboard!!!

Published | Updated
112021_tyga_party_kal
WINTER WONDERLAND

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.

It looked like a total blast.

Bill Maher I Can Look into the Future What's in Store for Britney, Biden, Rittenhouse

Published | Updated

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.

Maher's theme for the show was centrism ... from the guests he chose to the extremes on both sides that he groused about. Definitely worth watching.

Young Dolph Turkey Giveaway Continues Despite Tragic Killing

Published | Updated

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.

One constant story that continues to be echoed in his loss is how much Dolph did for his community, and thankfully the people around him seem to want to carry that tradition forward.

Soulja Boy I Don't Need To Be Sad About Dolph ... People Would Be Happy If It Was Me

Published

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.

Lots of celebs are showing remorse for Young Dolph, but there's a history of beef between him and Soulja ... and SB sounds like he's tired of being criticized online.

Cricketer Alex Hales Sorry For Tupac Blackface Costume ... From 2009

Published | Updated

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.

The allegations are under investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Marilyn Manson Sells Home In Hollywood Hills

Published

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.

Jon Grauman from The Agency had the listing.

Young Dolph's Murder Cookie Store Staff 'Traumatized'

Published | Updated

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.

111721_young_dolph_kal 11/17/21
MOMENTS AFTER THE SHOOTING

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.

With the store closed indefinitely, the Hills are crowdfunding to help stay afloat and pay their employees ... raising more than $14,000.

Jadakiss on Young Dolph 'We Have To Stop Killing Us' ... Put the Guns Down Now!!!

Published

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.

111821-jadakiss-job-fair-kal
A SECOND CHANCE

Jada's doing his part to make a positive impact -- he was at MSG for the Roc Nation job fair, telling us about all the benefits available for folks looking to get back on their feet.

Young Dolph One Man Shot Near Memorial ... Caught On Video

Published | Updated
UPDATE

7:07 AM PT -- 11/19 -- Memphis PD just released the names and photos of the 3 men involved in the shooting, Terrance Jones, 23, Jailon Nelvis, 19, and Tavis McQueen, 22. Cops say there's no evidence Thursday's incident is related to Dolph's murder.

UPDATE

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.

Originally Published -- 11/18 2:13 PM PT

Travis Scott Legal Woes Grow ... $2 Billion Lawsuit

Published | Updated
UPDATE

5:09 PM PT -- Travis' attorney, Edwin F. McPherson, tells TMZ ... "There has been multiple finger-pointing, much of which has been by city officials, who have sent inconsistent messages and have backtracked from original statements."

UPDATE

He continues ... "Houston Police Chief Troy Finner was quoted in the New York Times as saying, 'You cannot just close when you got 50,000 and over 50,000 individuals. We have to worry about rioting, riots, when you have a group that’s that young.' Yet, just a short time later, Chief Finner states the responsibility to stop the show falls on Travis."

UPDATE

Travis' lawyer adds ... "It was reported that the Operations Plan designated that only the festival director and executive producers have authority to stop the show, neither of which is part of Travis's crew. This also runs afoul of HPD's own previous actions when it shut down the power and sound at this very festival when the performance ran over 5 minutes back in 2019."

UPDATE

And there's this ... "Investigations should start proceeding over finger-pointing so that together, we can identify exactly what transpired and how we can prevent anything like this from happening again."

UPDATE

Sources close to Travis tell TMZ ... the incident caught on video from the crowd in which a fan is seen on a camera platform asking a camera operator to stop the show occurred 50 yards from the stage and was impossible for Travis to see.

UPDATE

We're also told not only was it far from the stage, but the man operating the camera was from a separate company and did not have a direct line of communication with Travis and his team.

The Travis Scott legal saga surrounding Astroworld has just reached a new orbit ... an attorney representing more than 200 alleged victims just filed a $2 billion lawsuit against the rapper and others.

In what has become an apparent rat race among Houston attorneys to scoop up clients in the festival fallout, attorney Thomas Henry just upped the ante. We should note, this is Henry's 5th amended complaint he's filed, but now, he's asking for $2 billion in damages.

The lawsuit, filed against Travis, Drake, Live Nation, NRG Stadium and others alleges fans were "incited into a frenzy" when Travis started to perform and started a surge toward the main stage, trampling and crushing some in attendance.

Henry's latest filing represents 280 plaintiffs and blames organizers for not taking Astroworld safety concerns from 2019 into account when planning 2021's version.

Clearly, Henry's been paying attention to the media coverage from the festival, pointing out the fact fans even climbed platforms during the chaos, begging concert organizers to stop.

The lawsuit is asking for $2 billion, saying, "The Defendants stood to make an exorbitant amount of money off this event, yet they chose to cut corners, cut costs, and put the festival attendees at risk."

Originally Published -- 12:46 PM PT

Young Dolph Last Time Seen Alive ... Filling Up His Ride

Published | Updated

New video shows Young Dolph in his final moments ... just down the street from the cookie store where he would be gunned down and killed.

As you know, Dolph was rolling around his hometown of Memphis Wednesday in his Corvette Stingray. It's a pretty distinct ride as it's camo-wrapped, and before he hit up Makeda's cookie store ... he stopped to fill up at a nearby gas station.

The video, shot by someone at a neighboring pump, momentarily shows Dolph in a yellow t-shirt, jeans and a ball cap.

Witnesses say the rapper went straight from the gas station to Makeda's where the gunmen opened fire with a pistol and an AK-47 ... killing Dolph.

As we first reported ... his next stop was supposed to be at his annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in his old neighborhood.

The murderers escaped in what cops say was a lighter-colored Mercedes. No one's been arrested yet.

Madonna Filthy Rich German Shepherd Selling Singer's Former Mansion

Published | Updated

Madonna's former Miami mansion has hit the market for more than $31 million ... and we have the poop and the scoop about the seller.

It's Gunther VI ... a German shepherd with some pretty impressive lineage. Turns out Gunther inherited the property, along with a fortune estimated at $500,000,000!!!

Yeah, it seems absurd, but here's the deal. A German countess named Karlotta Leibenstein created a trust and made Gunther's great grand-paw, Gunther III, the beneficiary. When Karlotta died in '92, Gunther III struck gold.

A succession of pooches have come before Gunther VI and embraced lavish lifestyles with trips to Milan and the Bahamas, etc. In fact, Gunther VI has a thing for the Bahamas, where he dined at various restaurants.

And, there's more ... Gunther has a chef cook him breakfast. He likes caviar and travels by private jet, and not in the cargo hold.

As for his digs, well, Gunther sleeps in Madonna's former bedroom. The house sits on more than an acre, and it's one of the best pieces of real estate on the market. Madonna bought it for $7.5 million 20 years ago, so the current $31.75 million price tag is eyepopping.

The realtor selling the home is clearly impressed with the canine, saying, "He literally sleeps overlooking the most magnificent view in an Italian custom bed in the former bedroom of the greatest pop star in the world."

If Gunther's looking for a shelter, we suggest the Canine Islands.

Britney Spears Recommendations to Protect Her ... Post-Conservatorship

Published | Updated

Britney Spears is a free woman now that the conservatorship has been terminated, but TMZ has learned there was concern voiced by medical professionals and the judge to make sure Britney is protected ... and a document was created outlining the areas of concern.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Jodi Montgomery, who served as Britney's personal conservator and is still working with the singer, consulted with medical professionals to come up with recommendations on how Britney should transition from being in a conservatorship for nearly 14 years to being a free woman. We're also told the judge wanted to make sure such recommendations were in place to protect Britney.

Among the concerns ... driving. We're told the document that circulated cautions that Britney has had issues behind the wheel, and in particular Montgomery's camp was aware of an incident on Sept. 26th, where Britney was speeding in Westlake Village and stopped by a CHP officer. She was traveling 62 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. The officer let her off with a verbal warning. TMZ has confirmed the incident with the CHP.

The document also recommends that Britney's home is drug and alcohol-free and that she abstains from both.

111621-britney-spears-kal
THANK YOU ALL

Our sources say there's a mental health component to the recommendations -- urging that Britney take her medication and attend regular therapy sessions, as well as attend appointments with various other medical professionals.

111221_mathew_rosengart_presser_kal 11/12/21
BRITNEY IS FREE

These are just recommendations ... Britney is free to accept or reject them.

As we saw Britney out and about over the weekend, hitting up L.A. hotspot Catch with her fiance Sam Asghari. She's also recently reiterated her want for more kids, posting a photo Tuesday with the caption, "I'm thinking about having another baby!!"

Young Dolph Alleged Shooters Caught on Camera

Published | Updated
UPDATE

1:14 PM PT -- Memphis police just sent out additional photos from Dolph's murder. You can see the suspects clearly and shattered glass on the floor.

UPDATE
UPDATE

They've also sent out an image of the getaway vehicle, a white Mercedez.

UPDATE

The gunmen who allegedly opened fire on Young Dolph, striking and killing the rapper at a Memphis cookie shop were brazen in their attack ... as shown in new images from the murder.

TMZ has obtained surveillance stills from Wednesday's shooting showing two men, with almost their entire bodies covered -- grey sweatpants, jackets, hat/hood and masks -- gunning Dolph down. One man appears to have a pistol and the other a Draco AK-47 pistol.

Cops were quick to the scene, blocking it off, but an employee at the cookie shop tells us the men immediately sped away in what is believed to be a lighter colored Mercedes after opening fire.

About an hour after Dolph's murder, more patrol cars and officers with weapons out stood guard outside Prive, a nearby restaurant owned by Yo Gotti. While Gotti has yet to be tied to the murder in any way, he and Dolph have beef that stems back several years.

111721_young_dolph_kal 11/17/21
MOMENTS AFTER THE SHOOTING

Law enforcement sources told us employees at Prive called, concerned there may be some sort of retaliation against Gotti for Dolph's killing.

As of this post, police have still not named the suspects or made any arrests in connection to Dolph's murder.

Dolph's attorney and friend, Scott Hall, tells us the rapper was supposed to attend a charity turkey giveaway later in the day on Wednesday.

He was just 36.

Originally Published -- 6:21 AM PT

Kanye West Michael Jordan Still Beefing W/ Me ... Over 'Facts' Lyrics

Published | Updated

It's been six years since Kanye West dropped his famous "Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman" lyrics -- but the rapper says it STILL has Michael Jordan furious with him.

Ye made the revelation on Revolt TV's "Drink Champs" this month ... saying MJ had big beef with him after he released "Facts" in 2015 -- and is still holding a grudge over it all.

"Jordan still won't meet with me," Kanye said. "I'm trying to meet with Michael Jordan. I'm like, 'Man! It's a song, man!'"

Ye's '15 hit is filled with Swoosh disses -- West raps over and over again in the song, "Yeezy, Yeezy, Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman." -- and, of course, Jordan took exception to it.

West, though, tried to apologize to His Airness in 2016 ... writing in a tweet that it wasn't meant at all as a shot at MJ -- but rather a top Nike exec Mark Parker, who Kanye had issues with stemming from their previous collabs.

"I'm sorry Michael Jordan," Ye wrote in the tweet. "I love and respect you. My beef was with Mark Parker. I respect you so much."

Kanye, though, says the apology still hasn't been accepted all these years later.

"Michael Jordan said this thing like, 'Why y'all acting like Virgil made me hot? These shoes is hot!'" West said. "This is from somebody that met with Michael Jordan that used to work with me."

West, who clearly wants to repair things with the NBA legend, still continued to take shots at Nike nonetheless ... saying, "Nike really ain't had s*** since the Yeezys."

No official response yet from Jordan, but we're sure it'll look something like this if it ever does come.