Music

Afrobeats star Diamond Platnumz plans on putting his competition at Hot 97's annual "Summer Jam" concert to shame later today ... all from the bottom of his penny bank!!!

TMZ caught up with DP'z walking around New York this week and he was stoked about the radio station carving out an entire portion of the show just for Afrobeats -- an honor the Tanzania native doesn't take lightly.

Diamond Platnumz will join fellow Afro-beasts Ayra Starr, Asake, Masicka, Bobby Konders and Jabba ... and tells us he spent NO LESS than 250K crossing t's and dotting i's to ensure his Summer Jam will be a hit.

SZA and Lizzo were burning the midnight oil last night while cooking up something special in the studio -- hopefully to get a rise outta Candace Owens!!!

The two superstar artists enjoyed dinner together and then previewed their upcoming dance bop on Instagram, which SZA says will appear on Lizzo's new mixtape.

It's been 3 years since Lizzo dropped a full-length project, and she's clearing the air on her social media beefs.

Benson Boone brought some "Beautiful Things" onto the TMZ Tour Bus ... handing out cookies to the shocked riders in Hollywood.

The singer-songwriter is just the latest celebrity to ride along with the Thirty-Mile Zone ... pulling up alongside our bright red bus on the street, rolling down the window and giving a cheerful "hello" on Friday.

While seeing Benson Boone out and about on a trip to L.A. is already a treat in and of itself, the experience got a whole lot sweeter for the audience when he started handing boxes of Crumbl Cookies from his SUV to the bus.

Chris Brown's providing some shock factor here ... because there's a viral image coming out of a recent meet and greet ... and he's got his hands wrapped around a woman's neck.

Breezy had no issue posing for a photo with a well-paying fan who seemingly asked him to get handsy with her and glare menacingly into her eyes ... despite a long history of domestic violence convictions and allegations.

As you can see, CB has his right hand grasping the heavily tattooed woman's neck as she straddles him in a chair. He's also got an intense look on his face.

We could have a jury verdict in the Diddy federal criminal trial in NYC as soon as next week ... depending on how long jurors deliberate after the defense rests its case and closing arguments are made.

After the jurors were sent home Friday, prosecutor Maurene Comey told Judge Arun Subramanian the feds could rest their case on Monday ... and then Diddy defense attorney Marc Agnifilo told the judge if that happens, they think they would rest their case Tuesday or Wednesday.

The judge said closing arguments could happen Thursday ... and then the jury would start deliberations ... leaving open the possibility for a verdict by the end of next week, though that's on the early side.

Cassie told Diddy she felt like he was treating her like a prostitute during their relationship ... at least according to a text between the exes that was just read aloud in court.

Federal prosecutors in Diddy's criminal case in New York are introducing some old texts between Cassie and Diddy as new exhibits in his sex trafficking trial.

Prosecutors first read this text between Cassie and Diddy -- "You treat me like a hooker to be honest. You always want to call one and you have one. This hooker has been here for 10 years." They said Diddy responded, "wow."

Machine Gun Kelly is opening up about his newborn daughter’s bold name -- Saga Blade Fox-Baker -- and yep, there’s a deep, emotional meaning behind the unusual moniker.

The rapper got candid on the "Today" show Friday about how Megan Fox’s past miscarriages played a role in naming their daughter ... saying Saga reflects the emotional ride over 5 years disappearing, returning, and surviving it all.

In his words, it's all been an "epic story" ... and that’s exactly what the word saga means.

Ciara's finally breaking her silence on that old Rihanna drama ... and surprise, surprise, the beef's cooked -- 'cause it looks like they’re cool again.

The singer kept it cute on 'Watch What Happens Live,' saying, "CiCi got a lot of love for RiRi" -- and made it clear the two have moved on from the petty stuff ... all because they've got other responsibilities -- such as motherhood.

Ciara said the drama started back in 2011 when they were basically babies -- now they’re full-blown mamas. RiRi’s got boys and another baby on the way ... Ciara's got four kids, and it’s all love now. One good convo and the past got left behind.

Brendan Paul, Diddy's alleged "drug mule" -- who's been given immunity by Judge Arun Subramanian to testify in the music mogul's federal trial after confirming to the judge he's received a subpoena and intends to invoke the 5th Amendment -- took the stand in the federal trial Friday ... and the testimony is expected to revolve around drugs, TMZ has learned.

Remember ... Diddy's former assistant was arrested in March 2024 at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport when authorities allegedly found cocaine and marijuana candy in his bag. The arrest occurred at the same time federal law enforcement raided Diddy's properties in L.A. and Florida.

The charges against Paul were dropped after he completed a pretrial diversion program ... and, now he's testifying at his former boss' trial.

Kourtney Kardashian might be posing in front of a scenic view in these new pics ... but, she definitely overshadowed her background -- looking quite scenic herself in a sexy minidress.

The reality television star and mogul shared several snaps on her Instagram Thursday night ... striking sultry poses in front of a picture of rolling hills and lush trees.

No other fashion challenger to the eldest Kardashian sister could keep up with her black minidress ... connected by lace that let quite a bit of skin peek out.

Chris Brown was back in court Friday morning to answer a charge related to his alleged 2023 bottle-throwing incident at a London club.

The rapper showed up at Southwark Crown Court in the British capital and was greeted by a sea of fans and photographers outside.

Sporting a blue suit and black tie, Chris was all business as he stepped out of his SUV and walked inside the courthouse without uttering a word.

Megan Thee Stallion is bringing Hot Girl Summer to the villa ... 'cause this bombshell just made waves on "Love Island USA" by flaunting her bangin' bikini bod while hosting a twerk comp!

Talk about body-ody ... the singer exudes confidence while strutting onto the latest episode of the hit series in a teeny gold thong bikini.

The "WAP" hitmaker made sure the attention wasn't all on her -- she had islanders participate in a twerking contest ... and some of their moves were hot enough to melt the sun!

American singer-songwriter Greyson Chance was only 12 years old when he rose to superstardom with his 2010 performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" -- gaining a whopping 72+ million views on YouTube.

The viral star was quickly signed with Ellen DeGeneres' record label, eleveneleven -- and released his debut single "Waiting Outside the Lines" that same year. In 2011, his debut studio album "Hold On 'til the Night" dropped and peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200.

Fun fact: Ariana Grande was heavily featured in his "Unfriend You" music video.

DJ Envy’s got a few things to clear up -- mainly, his race -- and what better time to set the record straight than Juneteenth?

TMZ caught up with Envy, and he’s just as confused as everyone else about the chatter -- 'cause at the end of the day, he says he’s Black. Point-blank, no debate!

Catch the clip -- Envy breaks down his family tree, saying both his parents are Black, but his dad’s dad is from a lesser-known Caribbean island ... and that’s where folks might be getting twisted.

Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" tour got a major boost of star power -- courtesy of Miley Cyrus.

Bey shocked thousands of fans at Paris’ Stade de France on Thursday night when she brought out Cyrus for a surprise performance of their Grammy-winning collaboration, "II Most Wanted."

The crowd erupted as the two powerhouse performers took the stage together for the very first time, delivering the emotional ballad that earned them Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 2024 Grammys.

Lizzo’s keeping it real -- explaining that her weight loss wasn’t for fame, it was for herself ... and it’s paid off 'cause her life’s been totally leveled up.

Speaking on the 'Just Trish' podcast, the singer said she was hitting up the Met Gala carpet at her heaviest -- so size never blocked her shine. But now? She’s got that extra confidence and thinks she looks good as hell.

Lizzo said she actually believes the compliments now -- 'cause for once, she feels as good as everyone says she looks.