Music

Megan Thee Stallion's gettin' down and dirty on a sandy tropical beach ... laying out in a series of skimpy bikinis while enjoying the sun -- and, we've got all the best photos for you to peruse.

The rapper dropped a series of pics on Instagram Friday ... apologizing to her fans for not posting much recently -- but explaining she's enjoying real life.

To prove how much she's loving it, MTS shared snaps from her on a ton of different beaches ... posing with her backside to the camera, throwing it back with a pal, and even getting sand everywhere -- and, we mean EVERYWHERE.

It is open season for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck ... marriage season, that is, because the exes are now officially divorced.

We're not saying J Lo's ready to walk down the aisle for a 5th time just yet, but as of Thursday they are both able to get married again.

Here's the deal ... TMZ broke the story when Ben and Jen filed their divorce settlement with the court on January 6, but after getting the judge's stamp of approval, they weren't officially single until February 21.

10:41 AM PT -- We're getting more clarity on Anthony Ricco's departure ... sources with direct knowledge of the case tell us Ricco and Diddy's relationship -- or lack thereof -- became an issue. We're told Ricco felt he was unable to establish or maintain the kind of relationship he'd need to have with the client in order to "effectively" defend him.

It's still unclear why exactly Ricco didn't feel closer to Diddy.

Diddy's latest legal drama is on his own team ... less than 3 months before his federal trial, one of the hip hop mogul's attorneys is abruptly bolting from the case.

Anthony Ricco filed a motion Friday morning in the Southern District of New York federal court to withdraw as Diddy's counsel. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Ricco states, "under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice."

He offered no further explanation for his departure, but did add that there are "sufficient reasons for [the] brevity" of his request. Ricco does say he's discussed the action with Diddy's lead counsel Marc Agnifilo, confirming there won't be any lapse in representation or delay with jury selection or trial commencement.

DJ Khaled has become the latest celeb to receive a spooky black coffin at his Florida home -- this after Tekashi 6ix9ine got one himself at his mansion days earlier, TMZ has learned.

Khaled's creepy coffin was dropped off at his Miami residence last Saturday ... by two people who rolled up in a truck to a security guard, claiming to be from a delivery company, according to a police report.

After they were given permission, the two drove to Khaled's property and deposited the black coffin outside his gate. Scrawled across the coffin was "RIP OVO" and "RIP Drake" in white letters, along with an upside-down cross.

Cardi B showed her versatility and toned DOWN her raunchy raps to kick off the soundtrack for the upcoming "Smurfs" summer blockbuster!!!

On Friday, DJ Khaled and Cardi reunited for their latest collab, "Higher Love" ... a bubbly sample of Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven Is a Place on Earth."

Cardi's been in her single-girl era this year but her G-rated bars still hint at some shade towards her ex, Offset, when she flows, "Everybody need love and I need some too / Diamonds look sad 'cause each one blue ... Sweet like dessert but do you deserve it? / Think about me, I'm on your mental."

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky went celebrating Thursday night ... toasting to RiRi on her 37th birthday -- and, Rocky's even got jokes about new music.

The Hollywood power couple hit up the Nice Guy in L.A. -- a cozy Italian joint with an old-school feel -- and, they were absolutely mobbed by photogs outside ... dozens of cameras flashing as they left the place.

Rihanna shields her eyes from the cameras, but doesn't say much as she's heading to the car ... while Rocky asks people to move so he can walk around to the other door.

Kanye West is PO'd he can't do a Nazi salute without getting canceled ... after Donald Trump’s former White House strategist Steve Bannon was accused of flashing the hate gesture during his Thursday night speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

You can see clearly in the video -- Bannon is pumped up ... encouraging the CPAC audience in D.C. to "fight, fight, fight" before briefly stretching his right arm out in a diagonal motion with an open palm facing down. He takes in the cheers from the crowd for a moment, then nods, concluding ... "Amen."

Ye seemed jealous ... tweet-quoting overnight the video with "Whits [sic] guys have all the fun."

Donovan Mitchell lost his train of thought during his postgame interview on Thursday ... and it was all thanks to Darius Garland breaking out in song.

The hilarious interaction went down after the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 110-97 road win over the Brooklyn Nets ... when Spida was trying to weigh in on Evan Mobley's impressive outing -- but Garland had other plans.

During Mitchell's response, Garland was heard in the background jamming to Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's "Gimme A Hug" .... and it's clear it wasn't the first time he belted out the tune.

Jerry "The Iceman" Butler, a legendary R&B singer and long-time Illinois politician, has died.

Marty, Jerry's assistant and "niece at heart," tells TMZ ... he passed away from natural causes on Thursday night at his home in Chicago. Marty notes Jerry was suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

She goes on to say, "An amazing man has relocated to heaven. Our loss here on earth."

There has been an onslaught of outrage since it was announced Cynthia Erivo would star in a short run of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in L.A. ... but one former messiah actor says haters need to chill and maybe ask -- WWJD?

Here's the deal ... Cynthia will play Jesus in the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in a three-night stint at the Hollywood Bowl in August ... and some people have gone berserk online over a Black queer woman being cast in the title role.

Ted Neeley, who played Jesus on Broadway and several world tours, as well as in the Golden Globe-nominated film, tells TMZ ... he's sadly not shocked the CE casting choice is getting backlash -- after all, he says the show has been polarizing since it opened decades ago!

Grammy-winning musician Nate Ruess was in his late 20s when he and his band, fun., reached their way to the top 3 on the Billboard charts with their 2012 album, "Some Nights."

In addition to their song "Some Nights," the other bangers include "Carry On" and "We Are Young" ft. Janelle Monae (which peaked at number one).

The group -- who also consists of Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost -- has collaborated with some of music's biggest stars like Queen ... and even toured with Paramore.

"Toniiiight, we are young, so let's set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun!"

Rick Springfield's got "Speak to the Sky" on repeat lately ... chatting with TMZ about all the wild plane scares going down recently -- including that Delta jet that flipped upside down this week.

The rock icon was at LAX Thursday when we caught up with him -- and he tells us the Delta scare's a bit freaky since he flies with 'em all the time. But hey, he says the chances of that happening are like getting zapped by lightning -- so no need to stress!

Catch the clip 'cause Rick spills on the one scary plane ride he did have -- but he says that’s the deal when you’re flying high and gotta hand over the controls.

Jim Jones is having a hard time wrapping his head around the bruhaha revolving around Snoop Dogg, Nelly and other rap stars performing for Donald Trump's Prezzy gala ... he remembers the time rappers were considered enemies of the state!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Harlem Capo on Thursday with Dyce Payso as he put the finishing touches on his upcoming album "At The Church Steps" inside the NYC Pelle Pelle store.

The pioneering hip hop fashion brand will add to his photoshoot, but it's the politics Jim says he doesn't have a handle on.

Tyler, The Creator is showing love to his hometown by providing meals to people on Skid Row ... and he's dishing out distinctive plates!

A rep for the Los Angeles Mission tells TMZ ... Tyler is donating enough food to feed around 100 people Thursday, and the items include shrimp tempura and Cream of Wheat.

We're told a member of Tyler's camp delivered all the necessary ingredients Wednesday to make the special meals, and L.A. Mission's executive chef Erik Grant is set to serve it all up!

Lizzo's clearly loving her slimmed-down body ... and, she's giving her fans another look at her fantastic form with a selfie focused on her booty!

The singer-songwriter shared the photo on Instagram Wednesday ... kicking off a post full of memes with one thing that's certainly not a joke -- her black underwear showing off her backside.

Lizzo's tossing a sultry look at the camera ... and, reminding everyone she's been working hard for a couple years to get healthier and reach her ideal weight.

A$AP Relli broke his silence for the first time since his ex-pal A$AP Rocky was found not guilty Tuesday ... by posting an IG story and telling his haters to shove it!!!

There's a push for the D.A. to go after Relli for alleged perjury after his testimony was rejected by the jury -- but he says he's not bothered!!!

"Gossiping is a form of entertainment for people who have no meaningful goals or purpose in life, hate me, bring shame to my name, say bad things about me, I don't care. Your existence doesn't add any value in my life." 🙏🏾