Music

Jay-Z and Damon Dash's tug-o-war over rights to the "Reasonable Doubt" album is getting more complicated -- New York City's now entered the chat, accusing Jay of intentionally sabotaging the auction of the album's rights.

Over the weekend, Dame took to social media to read docs filed by NYC lambasting Jay-Z for deflating enthusiasm for the auction ... which will sell off Dame's one-third share of the album.

In new docs, the NYC Department of Social Services straight up claimed Jay-Z was "poisoning" the auction through public statements indicating Dame's piece of "Reasonable Doubt" would revert back to Jay in 2031. The City claims that's not how it'll work per the recording deal Jay-Z signed, and insists rights for 'Reasonable' will remain with Roc-A-Fella until 2098.

Music journalist Touré says he's uncovered new context to Diddy's downfall ... claiming the rap mogul's drug use fueled him to throw X-rated "Freak Off" parties.

We caught up with the writer Monday on "TMZ Live," where he reflected on his connection with the Bad Boy Records founder, and how he believes drugs changed Diddy's mindset over the years.

As Touré put it ... Diddy was a different person decades ago, describing the rapper as "extremely sharp, motivational, [and] very strategic" in the early days of his career. While Touré didn't get into specifics, he did say he thought Diddy's mind had been "clouded" for the last 15 years.

Diddy seemed to predict his own downfall 25 years ago, talking openly about the wild parties he loved to throw -- long before his recent arrest and indictment last week.

In a resurfaced 1999 interview, Diddy made it clear the whole point of his parties was just to have a good time, and he was determined to keep them rolling -- permits or not -- despite authorities trying to shut him down or even arrest him.

Diddy told ET, "They're going to be shutting them down. They're going to probably be arresting me, doing all types of crazy things just because we want to have a good time."

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck showed up at their WeHo office building Monday morning, along with famed divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, and it's not hard to read between the lines.

Sources tell TMZ Wasser is mediating the divorce ... something that has been going on for several months.

TMZ broke the story ... J Lo and Ben shockingly did not have a prenup, and the 2 have been involved in multiple projects during their 2-year marriage, and deciding who gets what has been tricky.

Romeo Miller says Diddy will have his day of reckoning -- in court and with God -- but adds the youth should be taking notes ... on what not to do with the clout you create!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Romeo out in WeHo this week and the prince of No Limit Records did something rare in showbiz these days -- he actually discussed Diddy's sex trafficking case in public.

The feds put Diddy in handcuffs last week in a NYC hotel, and Romeo wants young people to use the shocking scene as a teachable moment.

The 3 men charged with murdering Young Dolph are now on trial, and it kicked off with a bombshell allegation about who was behind the 2021 shooting.

During the opening statements, Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman accused the late Big Jook -- brother of Young Dolph's rival, Yo Gotti -- of being responsible after he offered $100,000 to anyone who would kill Dolph to end their ongoing rap feud.

Hernandez Govan, Justin Johnson, and Cornelius Smith are all charged with first-degree murder where they plead not guilty.

Diddy's arrest and subsequent indictment have not deterred his fans from listening to his music ... in fact, he's seen a spike in streams in the wake of the controversy.

Luminate, a data and analytics company, claims the rap mogul's expansive music catalog has seen an over 18% increase in streams in the week since he was put in handcuffs at the Park Hyatt in midtown Manhattan.

TMZ broke the story ... the Bad Boy Records founder was arrested last Monday, 6 months after his Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided in connection with a sex trafficking investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Usher's hitting back hard, saying "No, No, No!" to those speculating he’s hiding something in the wake of his former mentor Diddy's arrest ... especially after his X posts mysteriously vanished over the weekend.

The singer had an explanation for the social media wipeout ... writing on the platform Sunday evening, "Account got hacked and damn y'all ran with it! 😂😂😂."

Usher sidestepped the Diddy drama but seemed to make it clear he’s got nothing to hide. He wrapped up the post by promoting his next show, saying, "See you tonight at Intuit Dome✌🏽👀✌🏽."

Chingy suddenly became the center of hip hop political collusion over the weekend when he was announced as the master of ceremony at an upcoming Republican rally -- a gig that's still happening despite a social brouhaha!!!

TMZ Hip Hop spoke to Chingy's rep Scott Adkins, who says the "Right Thurr" rapper is still on board to perform during the Log Cabin Republicans' "Red, White and Rock" event on September 29 ... going down at Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk & Steakhouse!!!

MAGA leaders Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle are the official headliners but Scott clarifies the event is not a Donald Trump presidential rally nor will the RNC nominee be making an appearance.

Carly Rae Jepsen is officially off the market -- she's just shared her exciting engagement news on IG, posting a bunch of loved-up pics with her new fiancé, Cole M.G.N.

The "Call Me Maybe" singer couldn't help but flaunt her dazzling new bling, snuggling up with her man in charming pics from their picturesque countryside getaway -- where it looks like the magic moment went down!

If the pics didn’t scream "smitten," her caption definitely did: "Very engaged over here 💍❤️."

A resurfaced clip from "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" is raising eyebrows ... with Khloe Kardashian spilling the tea about attending one of Diddy’s notorious parties, casually name-dropping that Justin Bieber was also in the mix.

In the clip from 2014, Khloe told sister Kourtney, "I got on a plane at 5:30 AM. Well, this party ... I think half the people there were butt-naked ... You would have loved it!"

When Kourtney asked who was with her, Khloe casually rattled off the guest list ... mentioning she was with a bunch of pals -- Diddy, Quincy, and Bieber, who was 20 at the time.

Seems we have further proof there's no bad blood between Brittany Mahomes and Taylor Swift ... because the wife of Patrick Mahomes rocked an outfit to the Chiefs game Sunday that appeared to be inspired by a look the pop star wore to Arrowhead Stadium just a week prior.

Check out the ensemble Brittany sported to Kansas City's road matchup against the Falcons -- it featured an oversized K.C. shirt, some short shorts and a pair of knee-high boots. She completed it all with a half-up, half-down blonde hairdo.

Of course, back on Sept. 15, Swift wore a nearly identical 'fit to watch Travis Kelce and the Chiefs take on the Bengals ... and while similar clothes don't exactly mean the two are BFFs forever, it sure seems to throw water on the rumors their friendship's hit a skid due to their political differences.

Still, the two didn't hang out during Kansas City's trip to Atlanta -- Swift wasn't seen at the stadium ... as she appeared to hang back in New York following dinner with Gigi Hadid on Saturday night.

Mrs. Mahomes still seemed to have fun, though. She was spotted cheesin' on the sidelines and in a luxury box throughout the game -- proudly putting her Swift-like look on display as her hubby and co. improved to 3-0 on the season.

Travis Kelce looked dispirited on the sidelines after Taylor Swift was an apparent no-show at Sunday's Kansas City Chiefs game -- prompting people online to theorize what if anything was wrong with him.

In a viral video, the Chiefs star tight end was captured with a long face as he took a break to watch his team play against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia.

Check out the brief clip ... Travis sat on a bench with his head down, wiping one eye with his hand and glancing to one side. He seemed a little sad, but it's not clear by what or if it was nothing at all.

Peyton Manning donned the Tennessee Orange once again on Sunday ... throwing on shoulder pads and his old No. 16 threads for Morgan Wallen's big concert in Knoxville!!

The country music superstar had a gig at the Volunteers' Neyland Stadium ... and as he made his way to the stage for the set, the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback helped walk him out.

Manning -- who tore it up for the Vols in the mid '90s -- understood the assignment ... even wearing a helmet as he escorted Wallen from the locker room.

Macklemore's landed himself in the middle of an all-out online war ... with people firing off at the rapper online for chanting "f*** America" in the middle of his recent show.

The singer-songwriter performed at the Palestine Will Live Forever Festival in Seattle Saturday night ... benefiting a charity known as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees.

Watch the clip ... Macklemore's walking around the stage -- telling people to "straight up" say the phrase 'cause he ain't going to stop them.

Perry Farrell's consulting with experts ... getting professional help after his outburst onstage ended the tour for Jane's Addiction prematurely -- with his wife saying he's going to see a neurologist.

Etty Lau Farrell -- wife of the Jane's Addiction frontman -- posted a statement Saturday assuring fans PF will recover after Perry appeared to throw a punch at bandmate Dave Navarro in the middle of their Boston show last weekend.

In the post, Etty says she's grateful for all the kind words of love and support during this difficult time ... saying kind people attract kindness -- and, despite his actions, Farrell insists her husband is very kind.