Music

Drake had to fend off the "20-v-1" attack in the 2024 Rap Wars -- but the battles didn't hurt his Spotify streams ... he's maintained his place on the throne for all rappers!!!

On Wednesday, Drake came in as the closest rapper to Taylor Swift's record-breaking Spotify Wrapped, making him the platform's top Hip Hop draw for the 8th year in a row!!!

While The Weeknd's fusion pop and Bad Bunny's Latin trap ranked higher overall ... Drake was the platform's most-streamed rapper on the Global and United States artists charts.

Tina Knowles is one proud mama -- so confident in Beyoncé’s talent, even the biggest achievements don’t surprise her anymore!

We caught up with Tina in West Hollywood Tuesday, and while she said it was nice to see her daughter named the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century by Billboard, she made it clear -- titles like that are just part of the gig for the both of them.

Check out the clip ... 'cause Tina also spilled the tea on Beyoncé’s upcoming halftime performance for one of the NFL’s Christmas Day matchups on Netflix!

Jason Kelce seems to believe Taylor Swift is working her magic on the Kansas City Chiefs ... but Travis is having none of that talk -- calling his brother a "d***head" for entertaining a popular internet conspiracy.

The playful back and forth went down on the latest episode of the Kelce brothers' "New Heights" podcast ... when the two were having a conversation about sports movies.

Travis brought up the classic "Angels in the Outfield" film and explained he'd love to feel what it's like to have a higher being on his side during games ... and Jason hinted the tight end's girlfriend is generating a similar effect on his Chiefs.

Drake aimed a couple jabs at Mustard on a live stream chat last night … turning Kendrick Lamar’s viral shoutout on their newest collab totally AGAINST HIM!!!

YouTuber Los Pollos TV was ranting about Kendrick's current No. 1 record "Squabble Up" being a terrible follow-up listen to Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” album.

Drake wasted no time and hopped in the chat to throw shots at Mustard’s weight, typing, "CUSTAAAAARRRRD" ... and then adding another zinger, "We need a donut emoji in the chat🍩"

Taylor Swift is set to close out her "Eras" tour shows this weekend, but is still making time for her friends ... stepping out for a girls' night with BFF Gigi Hadid in NYC.

Check it out ... the pop star hit the town Tuesday evening in an all-black ensemble, featuring a simple quarter-length sleeve top and a chic bubble skirt. She rounded out her look with some noticeable bling ... carrying a sparkling purse and wearing a diamond bracelet, necklace and earrings.

Gigi brought a bit of color to their night out, wearing a monochromatic look made of nearly all burgundy -- aside from her dark leather purse.

Britney Spears is back at it, dancing through her latest drama -- sharing some new clips the day after she touched down in Mexico, fresh off her claim she’s moving there.

After her birthday Monday and amid her whirlwind trip, Britney’s giving her fans a taste of the familiar, serving up some of her eccentric dance moves.

Britney's all decked out in a revealing silver dress as she twirls, snaps, and strikes a series of poses. She even throws in a seductive walk away from the camera for some added allure.

Diane Warren ain't about that drama -- she’s shutting down the Beyoncé vs. Taylor Swift debate, saying both are icons in their own right, no matter what the polls claim about who's reigning supreme.

ICYMI, Billboard crowned Queen Bey as the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century, and Swifties weren’t having it, calling it a total robbery, even though Taylor snagged the No. 2 spot.

But legendary songwriter Diane Warren weighed in Tuesday, saying there’s no competition -- they’re both G.O.A.T.s in their own way!

Before this cutie pie chillin' on the sofa was grabbin' hold of the mic and spittin' tracks, she was just showing off her adorable pigtails, growing up in Atlanta, Georgia and started rapping at 10 years old!

Her talents led her to win the Lifetime reality series "The Rap Game" with Jermaine Dupri and Queen Latifah ... Today, she's got several Billboard Hits!

Fun fact: before she became a popular rapper, she was a drag racer! Not much has changed since she was a little kiddo ... she's still got "Big Energy!"

Liam Payne's friend is not off the hook for allegedly leaving him just an hour before his death -- a judge has cleared the way for prosecutors to continue their investigation against Roger Nores ... TMZ has learned.

As we reported, Nores insists he has not yet been charged with abandonment of a person followed by death -- and his attorney had filed documents claiming any case against him should be handled by local Buenos Aires prosecutors.

However, according to new docs obtained by TMZ, a judge now says Argentina's national prosecutors can move forward with their investigation into Nores' alleged role in Liam's death.

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan are reportedly going their separate ways after dating for about a year.

According to People ... the pop star and the Irish actor have called it quits on their romance, despite being inseparable for much of the past year.

Per the outlet, Sabrina and Barry are both "career-focused" and have chosen to "take a break" ... though, the update notably came as unsubstantiated cheating rumors circulated online.

Tinashe is showing off some of her tropical explorations in Costa Rica ... she just dropped some pics on social media this week and it looks like it was a holiday event to remember.

The R&B singer was taking her adventuring seriously, while clearly having the time of her life as she experienced all the outdoor fun. She didn't elaborate on where she went ... but her Instagram pics tell the story -- she titled the post "Giving thanks 🤍" -- safe bet a Thanksgiving getaway was the theme.

From taking a dip in a spring, to hanging upside down zooming on a zip-line, Tinashe was decidedly not lounging around the hotel pool the whole time -- though she did find time to do some of that.

Taylor Swift is once again serving as one Illinois family's inspiration for their holiday decorations ... bringing back their viral "Eras" tour design, which now features 3 new eras.

ICYMI ... in 2023, Amy and Brian Scott went viral after they decked out their home in Naperville, Illinois with decorations honoring Swift's "Red," "Speak Now," "1989," and "Evermore" eras.

With the pop star's record-breaking tour coming to a close this month, the Scott family brought back their Eras Tour-themed holiday decor ... but this time integrated in TS' "Reputation, "Folklore," and "Tortured Poets Department" albums.

Britney Spears stayed true to her word -- well, kinda ... the pop icon landed in Cabo San Lucas on her birthday, the same day she announced she had moved to Mexico for good.

Check out these snaps of Britney beaming brighter than the Cabo sun Monday -- rocking a white trench coat and a stylish fedora as she strutted out of the airport, fully embracing her life's apparent new chapter.

Judging by these pics, Britney's already soaking up the good vibes from her fresh start South of the Border ... which she boldly declared on IG, on the same day, is all thanks to the cruel L.A. paps.

Victor Willis, who is best known for being a founding member of the Village People, is calling out the media for perpetuating the idea that "Y.M.C.A." is a gay anthem.

We caught up with the songwriter on "TMZ Live" Tuesday, where Victor elaborated on his feelings about his song's reputation and its longtime ties to the LGBTQ+ community.

As he put it ... he never intentionally wrote the song with the intention of it having a queer double entendre. While he has no problem with the LGBTQ+ community adopting the song, he's frustrated with the media for repeatedly perpetuating the idea that track was crafted in order to be a gay anthem.

Drake's claiming UMG and others steered the masses toward Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" diss to spite him, but Apple Music is reporting fans couldn't get enough of the song ... so much so, it's their biggest song of the year!!!

Apple Music rolled out its Top Songs of 2024: Global and Replay recap on Tuesday and the verdict is in ... "Not Like Us" conquered their Global Daily Top 100 the moment it dropped in May, where it spent 6 weeks at the top.

Benson Boone's “Beautiful Things," Sabrina Carpenter’s "Espresso," Shaboozey’s "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and Taylor Swift’s "Cruel Summer" rounded up the top 5.

It wasn't really a mystery ... when you take Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake and Lady Gaga out of the equation ... it was pretty clear Billboard would name Beyoncé the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century ... and that's exactly what it just did.

Billboard ran through all of Bey's achievements in music, including "Countdown" and "Love on Top." It's all pretty impressive.

They also directly addressed putting Bey at the No. 1 spot over Taylor ... who is technically the bigger artist based on numbers alone.