Music

9:54 AM PT -- A spokesperson for Universal Music Group tells TMZ ... "Drake, unquestionably one of the world's most accomplished artists and with whom we’ve enjoyed at 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another. In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster. On Monday, they quietly dropped the case."

They continued ... "In New York in January, Drake's counsel filed a defamation lawsuit. Fearful of being sanctioned by the court for asserting false allegations, tonight they amended the complaint to withdraw them only to add more baseless allegations. Two weeks ago, his representatives celebrated a 'win': the granting of a routine discovery motion. That 'win' will become a loss if this frivolous and reckless lawsuit is not dropped in its entirety because Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’

They concluded ... "Both the Texas and New York proceedings are an affront to all artists and creative expression. Should his legal representatives senselessly keep the New York lawsuit alive, we will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue. They are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success."

Drake says he has new ammo in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group ... and it's all because of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime show.

Champagne Papi just filed an amended complaint where he specifically mentions Kendrick's performance of "Not Like Us" at Super Bowl LIX.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Drake claims the show "assassinated" his character ... and he says Kendrick excluding the word "pedophile" from the lyrics backs up his claim that the song's content is defamatory.

Nearly 133 million people watched Kendrick Lamar diss Drake during this year's Super Bowl LIX halftime show ... but Lil Wayne swears he wasn't one of them!!!

The legendary rapper is claiming the NFL dangled the opportunity in front of him, only to flip the script and claim they weren't in control of the prestigious show ... while squaring the blame on Jay-Z and Roc Nation!!!

If you recall, Wayne had been campaigning for the hometown SB halftime gig in New Orleans for more than a year, only to reveal how much the snub gutted him in a very public fashion.

Ben Affleck popped off with his raw thoughts about Jennifer Lopez at his movie premiere in Los Angeles Wednesday ... and, he couldn't say enough kind things about his ex-wife.

The actor stopped for an interview with Entertainment Tonight on "The Accountant 2" red carpet ... and, they asked him about bringing Lopez's kids to the screening with him despite their recent divorce.

Affleck says he feels the media is often looking for negative storylines ... but, he's only got positive things to say about his ex -- explaining she's great with his kids, he loves hers, and she's just an "enormously important" person of the highest character.

Fyre Festival 2 ain't happening in late May, early June like it was originally scheduled ... 'cause it's been postponed, without new dates selected yet -- and organizers are laying full blame on Mexico.

The website only says tickets are "currently not available" when customers try to make a purchase, but the event's infamous promoter Billy McFarland is now admitting it just ain't happening ... confirming the story TMZ broke 10 days ago.

FYRE Festival 2 organizers say ... "Over the past 18 months we've worked closely with experienced third-party festival operators to ensure FYRE Festival 2 is built to the highest standard" ... but he claims the government in Playa del Carmen screwed 'em.

A statement organizers are sending to ticketholders says, "When a government takes your money, issues permits, promotes the event, and then pretends it's never heard of you, that's not just dishonest -- it's theft."

As for how much dough organizers are allegedly out -- McFarland tells us, "Permits cost hundreds of thousands of pesos. Many times that spent on venues, hotels, etc. that [Playa del Carmen] directed us to book."

He also says they've been filming all their meetings with the same PDC government officials who've been telling the media they've never heard of Fyre.

While the show for sure isn't happening from May 30 to June 2, he says they are deciding on a new location and date soon.

As we told you ... Fyre Festival 2.0 was McFarland's shot at redeeming himself after the disaster of the first festival led to his incarceration for wire fraud -- for which he served more than three years in prison.

Wiz Khalifa is in high spirits and has plenty of good vibes to give out this weekend with the release of his "Kush & OJ 2" album!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Wiz, Will and the rest of Taylor Gang out in NYC on Wednesday, exercising their right to toke in the streets and promoting the project the old-fashioned way.

Wiz flat-out admitted he couldn't keep count of all the Js that went into the making of the upcoming sequel ... we say many, many, many!!!

Coachella draws headlines, but this past weekend, fans were buzzing with speculation after Cher’s longtime boyfriend, Alexander "AE" Edwards, was spotted at the festival surrounded by a gaggle of blonde women -- with no Cher in sight.

The sighting, which quickly made the rounds in the press and on social media, sparked speculation there may be trouble in paradise for the singer and her music executive beau.

However, a rep for the music legend is shutting down the speculation and gossip.

Wiz Khalifa is celebrating his "Kush & OJ 2" album ahead of schedule -- by turning a ripe navel orange into a bong!!!

The wavy party trick is usually reserved for apples, but not only does Wiz not want scurvy -- he's been out in NYC giving his anticipated project the ultimate promo run.

For what it's worth, the orange appears to be smoking Wiz -- and not the other way around!!! He still taught the folks over at The Good Talk Show a new convo starter!!!

Nas and Mass Appeal are coming in hot for 2025 to restore hip hop to its classic album glory days ... by enlisting several of his fellow rap legends to release new albums!!!

The album project is being billed under the name "Legend Has It..." with Nas and DJ Premier releasing their long-delayed joint album, Ghostface Killah doubling up with a sequel to his 2000 album "Supreme Clientele," and Raekwon The Chef is also dropping his 7th studio album, "Emperor's New Clothes."

Mass Appeal will also be tugging at fans' heartstrings with several posthumous releases ... De La Soul and Mobb Deep will be rolling out their first group albums since Trugoy The Dove and Prodigy's deaths, and late '90s lyrical sensation Big L will also add a new album to the fold.

Bobby Brown’s exercising his prerogative -- and he’s not holding back, saying Britney Spears straight-up butchered his hit "My Prerogative."

The singer didn’t mince words on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, telling Shannon Sharpe that Britney’s take on his 1988 classic wasn’t just bad, it was a full-blown assault on his ears -- in fact, he said, it was so brutal he literally couldn’t take it.

Shannon stepped in with a reality check, reminding Bobby he did sign off on the cover -- but BB said he was lured by the magic of producer Teddy Riley and the star power of Britney at her peak. He thought she’d elevate the track … not take a wrecking ball to it.

Matt Ox -- the former child rapper hailing from Philly who got a huge look from the late XXXTENTACION at the age of 14 -- is older now, but staring down a potentially troubled future ... after he and his boys were arrested for drugs!!!

Burbank Police tell TMZ Hip Hop that Matt was in the back seat of a black Lexus officers pulled over in a traffic stop on April 5, 2025, at approximately 4:30 AM.

The vehicle was traveling through the area of Glenoaks Boulevard and Walnut Avenue, and was cited for vehicle code violations.

Benson Boone is riding the Coachella high -- but he's making it clear to us, despite big-name comparisons, he’s doing it his 100% his way.

We caught up with Benson at The Living Room in Hollywood Monday, where he was still buzzing from his epic festival moment -- and who wouldn’t be?

He says having actual rock music royalty, AKA Brian May, shred the stage with him was insane ... especially as they belted out Queen’s legendary "Bohemian Rhapsody" together.

Justin Bieber let loose big time after Coachella, keeping the party rolling and showing no signs of slowing down -- looks like he's living his best life!

Catch the clip -- Justin was in his absolute element ... busting moves, vibing, and flashing that signature grin at Sexyy Red’s 27th birthday bash at The Player’s Club in L.A. on Monday.

JB was serving major style, rocking his signature tiny bucket hat with the rim rolled up, a massive furry coat, and some serious gold bling around his neck.

Serena Williams says her now-famous Super Bowl dance was "absolutely not" shade aimed at her ex, Drake.

The tennis legend was adamant during a recent interview with Time that her brief appearance at Kendrick Lamar's halftime show during the Eagles vs. Chiefs championship tilt was merely meant to be a shoutout to her hometown -- and nothing more.

The Compton native insisted she "would never" take a shot at Drake like that ... calling those who thought it was a diss "sad."

Wink Martindale is high rolling with God now ... the iconic TV game show host died Tuesday following a cancer battle.

Wink's publicists say the host of "High Rollers," "Tic-Tac-Dough" and "Gambit" passed away in the SoCal desert city of Rancho Mirage, and was surrounded by family ... including his wife Sandra Martindale.

He'd been battling lymphoma for about a year, and was doing well, according to his rep Brian Mayes ... but about 2 weeks ago, Wink took a turn for the worst, and was in a hospital getting treatment when he died.

Wink, whose birth name was Winston Conrad, got his start down South as a radio DJ in the early '50s in Memphis.

He was actually working at WHBQ when the station became the first to play Elvis Presley's debut hit, "That's All Right" in 1954 -- and he reportedly invited Elvis down to the station for his very first interview.

Rita Ora hit the road and joined recording artist Kylie Minogue on the "Tension Tour" -- recently hitting Atlanta and Orlando!

The actress-singer is havin' a blast Down South -- grabbin' hold of some gators, flauntin' her hot bod, and flexing her flexibility ... and serving up some fresh whipped waffles!

A true breakfast champion, "The Masked Singer" judge posted up in a Waffle House and snapped a selfie parading all the delight and deliciousness!

Backstage, Rita dropped the mic and showed off her bendy side as she prepped to rock out in front of thousands of concertgoers -- she sported this leotard and pair of black tights!

Diddy's legal proceedings have created a new beef within his old Bad Boy camp ... Stevie J and New Orleans rapper Chopper of Da Band fame are now in a war of words -- and it's all over rapper Eve!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Stevie J and Miala Doche, the rock artist he's currently developing, and asked him about the lingering rumor that he's selling his musical catalog.

Stevie's produced some serious money-makers in his discography -- Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and "Notorious Thugs," Mariah Carey's "Honey" and even his ex-girlfriend Eve's biggest hit, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani.