Music

Cardi B and her legal team are slamming a former security guard's attempt to get a new trial after she lost her case against the rapper ... saying the woman is grasping at straws!!!

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Emani Ellis and her attorneys are pushing for a do-over in the case ... complaining, among other things, that the judge should have excluded two witnesses from the case ... but Cardi is calling BS.

Cardi's legal team says it's rich of Ellis to say the witnesses shouldn't have testified, because she says Ellis tried to enlist one of them to help sue Cardi shortly after the incident back in 2018.

Sydney Sweeney's leaving her troubles behind in Los Angeles ... enjoying the sun, surf and sand in Santa Barbara with Scooter Braun days after her new movie "Christy" flopped on opening weekend.

The actress was photographed in the coastal Southern California town wearing a sweater to cut through the seaside chill and a pair of tiny shorts ... grabbing a bite with Braun, who dressed casually in a long-sleeve white shirt, gray shorts and a dark blue cap.

The two giggled their afternoon away ... chowing down before hopping on bikes and riding to their next destination this week.

As if Swifties weren't swooning enough ... Travis Kelce is featured in Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour docuseries -- and has a major stamp of approval from her mom!

Check out the official trailer for "The End of an Era" -- there's no hiding Trav and Tay's love as the singer's mother, Andrea Swift, gushes over the NFL star ... saying he "brings happiness" to their lives.

There's also an adorable moment that documents the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and "Fate of Ophelia" singer on the phone, drawing similarities within each other's lives.

Reneé Rapp has the Internet in a frenzy after a TikTok video sent fans thinking she quietly got engaged to her girlfriend ... but TMZ did some digging and got to the bottom of it.

Here's the deal ... social media detectives went into overdrive when Reneé flashed what looked like a sparkler on that finger in a recent TikTok, and within minutes engagement rumors were trending with fans convinced Towa Bird popped the question.

However, sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Reneé is not engaged. We're told it's simply one of the rings she regularly wears on that finger.

Ozzy Osbourne’s death stunned the world ... and even Donald Trump felt the shockwaves so deeply he actually reached out to the late rocker’s grieving family to offer his condolences.

Jack Osbourne spilled the tea on the latest episode of "The Osbournes Podcast" with mom Sharon and sister Kelly ... playing Trump’s voicemail, where he’s heard saying he’d met Ozzy a few times and just wanted to say how talented and unique the rock legend was.

Donald added, "I just wanted to wish you the best and it’s a tough thing. I know how close you were and whatever I can do. Take care of yourself. Say hello to the family. Thanks, bye."

Boosie Badazz will be facing a judge later this month when he's sentenced in California for gun possession ... but he's still making the most out of his November with a birthday album release with NBA YoungBoy!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Boosie today at Amy Ruth's chicken and waffles hut in Harlem, and we took a few minutes to remember Alaicha Johnson -- the young fan whose funeral Boosie performed at in October, after being contacted by her family.

Alaicha abruptly died from cancer and didn't get to see Boosie when he popped up in Detroit ... but the Louisiana rap star tells us fulfilling her last wish was his honor!!!

Flyysoulja of the Island Boys was going through a drug-induced psychotic episode leading up to his detainment and mental health evaluation in Florida over the weekend ... TMZ has learned.

The rapper told us the psychosis came about after he took "multiple substances like pills."

He recalled, "In the psychosis, I was trying to find something for my hair for hours, and destroyed the home while unknowingly being on Live."

10:27 AM PT -- Akon was busted because he had a bench warrant issued for failure to appear for a suspended license ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Cops say it all started back in September, when Akon was driving a Tesla Cybertruck in Georgia. Police say they were on patrol when they spotted a Cybertruck stranded in the middle of the road ... they say Akon was the driver and he told cops the battery died.

Police say they called a tow truck to move the Cybertuck and while waiting, the officer says he discovered Akon's license was suspended for a failure to appear from back in January 2023. Cops say Akon was issued a citation for driving while his license was suspended and released from the scene.

The officer also noted in the report, "An illegal vape in the center console was seized during the inventory and submitted for destruction."

After a long legal battle, all five NewJeans members are returning to their record label ADOR.

This dispute kicked off in late 2024, when the successful K-pop group announced their plan to depart from ADOR due to what they said was mistreatment and manipulation, as well as certain demands not being met – with one being to reinstate CEO and mentor Min Hee-jin.

After a series of court battles went in ADOR's favor, members Hyein and Haerin announced they were going to "respect the court’s ruling and return to the company,” according to ADOR’s official X account.

Kanye West is currently on a repentance tour for his past antisemitic comments ... but the São Paulo State Prosecutor’s Office in Brazil is giving him a stern warning not to entertain Nazism one bit -- or be thrown in jail!!!

Ye is scheduled to perform there on Nov. 29, but a complaint was filed with a prosecutor's office Tuesday with strict orders to arrest the hip hop megastar if he performs his track, "Heil Hitler."

Councilwoman Cris Monteiro is leading the political charge against Ye with the complaint, and prosecutor Ana Beatriz Pereira de Souza Frontini issued a ruling prohibiting swastika T-shirts or Nazi symbolism of any kind.

São Paulo's mayor said police will arrest Ye or anyone "who makes any apology for Nazism" -- as in, anyone who justifies the fascist ideology. Police will have a team of officers on standby just in case things go haywire. Ye and his team could be charged with crimes of racism and collective moral damages.

The promoters of the show -- Guilherme Cavalcante and Jean Fabrício Ramos -- also face arrest for omission should Ye not fully comply.

Tickets are still on sale ... but Ye & co. are scrambling for a location to perform!!!

Miles Teller's making it clear the "Man in the Mirror" isn't playing Michael Jackson ... reiterating to anyone still confused that he isn't starring as the King of Pop in the flick.

The actor jumped on Travis and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" podcast to explain what might have caused the initial mix-up ... revealing many of the original headlines read "Miles Teller to Star in Michael Jackson Biopic."

The headlines proved confusing to some, Teller says ... 'cause he actually plays Jackson's longtime attorney, John Branca, in the film -- not the hitmaker, who is being played by MJ's nephew Jaafar Jackson.

Global girl group Katseye have only been around for about a year ... but they say they've already received thousands of death threats.

The group, composed of 6 women from all over the world -- Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae Jeong, Manon Bannerman, Lara Raj, and Megan Skiendiel -- seemingly has a member anyone can relate to ... but they're not resonating with everyone.

They told BBC News music correspondent Mark Savage they've been sent thousands of death threats ... even their families have been threatened.

Salt-N-Pepa are riding high following their grand induction at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame -- and are hinting the party won't stop ... because they'll be touring next year!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Pepa and Spinderella outside Jennifer Hudson Studios in  Burbank this week, and they were beaming in light of their massive accomplishments through hip hop culture.

The group took their lumps internally just like any long-running act, but Spin tells us they've displayed a solid sisterhood to the world to cap off their 40-year history.

Paula Abdul is remembering late "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" band leader Cleto Escobedo III of Cleto and the Cletones ... honoring him with a heartfelt tribute post on social media.

Cleto toured with Paula, as well as Earth, Wind and Fire, and had his own record deal before Jimmy got him on late-night TV ... and Paula says Cleto's "talent and energy were undeniable."

Paula says she first met Cleto back in the day when he was playing saxophone at a small bar inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas ... and from the moment she heard him, she knew she had to hire him for her band.

Tragedy for friends and family ... Jimmy Kimmel just announced his show's longtime band leader and childhood friend, Cleto Escobedo III, died Tuesday morning.

Jimmy paid tribute to him in an IG post Tuesday ... saying he's heartbroken, especially since he and Cleto had been inseparable since Jimmy was 9 years old.

Jimmy writes ... "The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers."

AJ McLean wants to capitalize on a viral mashup of an old Backstreet Boys hit and a new Taylor Swift song ... and he's asking Taylor if she wants to perform with his band in Las Vegas ... telling us such a collab would "break the planet."

We got AJ at LAX on Tuesday and our photog asked him about potentially working with Taylor ... who has indicated she likes the "Elizabeth Taylor" and "Everybody" mix.

AJ posted a video on Instagram with the mashup, showing him lip synching ... and Taylor commented, "OH HI AJ OH MY GOD."