Music

A$AP Rocky's felony assault trial got underway Friday morning ... days after the Grammy-nominated rapper rejected a plea deal -- and we're live streaming the whole thing. Rocky faces a potential 24-year prison sentence if he's found guilty.

Rocky's attorney Joe Tacopina and prosecutor Paul Bradley started the morning off addressing the judge in the downtown L.A. courtroom before the jury was seated.

The two sides were arguing over evidence related to bullet casings -- and, Judge Mark S. Arnold decided the defense is free to consult a firearms expert on the court's dime ... but, no evidence was excluded. The judge ruled nothing the two attorneys argued about is allowed to be mentioned in their opening statements, and the jury was then brought in.

Billy Ray Cyrus has a family feud on his hands ... because Trace Cyrus is beefing with his brother Braison ... and throwing some serious shade Braison's way.

Trace just called out Braison on social media for claiming Billy Ray is happy and healthy ... Trace has suggested Billy Ray is battling addiction and is now insinuating Braison is fighting the same demons.

In response to a fan who asked, "Braison is posting your dad is happy and healthy. I'm confused" -- Trace takes a shot at Braison ... saying, "Birds of a feather flock together."

11:26 AM PT -- A source close to Marilyn Manson tells TMZ ... The D.A. reviewed sworn testimony of witnesses and claimants that contradicted the claims they made. Including Smithline who sued and was interviewed by the press over her claims, only to later swear under oath that the claims were false and she was manipulated by Evan Rachel Wood into making false claims. And the sworn testimony of Ashley Walters that flatly contradicted both her claims and claims of Esme Bianco. And the latest claims by a claimant who never met Brian.

Marilyn Manson will not be charged by the L.A. County District Attorney's Office in his sexual battery case ... TMZ has learned.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Friday ... after a comprehensive four-year review by the D.A.'s Sex Crimes Division and sheriff's detectives, they've determined they won't charge Manson.

D.A. Hochman announced in a press release the department has determined the statute of limitations has lapsed in the domestic violence case, and the office can't prove the sexual assault allegations beyond a reasonable doubt ... so, they're not charging the singer.

Billy Ray Cyrus is taking the "Old Town Road" back to a studio, announcing a new album with his son -- but not the one who made an emotional plea for him to get help after his shocking inauguration performance.

The "Achy Breaky Heart" hitmaker announced Friday he has new music dropping this summer with his son Braison Cyrus. The album seems to mean a lot to him ... he says he's "proud" of the "special" project, especially because he got to work on it last year with his son.  after collaborating on an unnamed project throughout the last year.

Braison shares the same sentiment ... saying he's gotten to know his pops on a deeper level thanks to working with him.

8:40 AM PT -- A source connected to the film tells TMZ ... the film is not imperiled, and there will be re-shoots in March. The source declined to comment on whether the re-shoots have to do with eliminating the scenes involving Jordan Chandler.

One of Michael Jackson's accusers is the reason the highly-anticipated biopic will be delayed 6 months -- specifically, it's the film's reference to Jordan Chandler that has the production in total chaos.

Director Antoine Fuqua had already completed filming of "Michael," when it was announced late last year the scheduled April release date was being pushed to November 2025 -- and that's because they have to rewrite a chunk of the script related to Chandler ... according to Puck.

Basically, someone forgot some key details in Jackson's $23 million settlement with Jordy's family back in 1993. The whole storyline of "Michael" reportedly begins and ends with the then-13-year-old's accusation Jackson molested him ... and the movie aims to convince you Michael was completely innocent.

Kesha is mourning the loss of one of her beloved cats ... confirming the death of her adored feline, Carl, in a somber update for fans.

The pop star shared the sad news on her Instagram early Friday morning, where she posted a poignant tribute featuring several pics of herself snuggling her white and gray furry friend.

Alongside the upload, the singer shared how Carl's death "really broke my heart this time."

A$AP Rocky rolled the dice and rejected a plea bargain in his felony assault case because the deal would have cost him his livelihood, sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ.

Rocky's trial starts this morning with opening statements, and he now faces 24 years in prison for allegedly shooting A$AP Relli in November 2021.

The plea deal he was offered included 180 days in jail, a guilty plea to the most serious of the 2 felonies for which he was charged -- assault with a semiautomatic weapon -- a 7-year suspended sentence, 3 years probation and 500 hours of community service.

Kanye West's financial portfolio may be "Stronger" than anyone realizes ... the rapper is declaring he's a billionaire again -- and claims to have proof.

The "Heartless" artist shared an update on his net worth on Instagram Thursday evening, when he posted a statement from Eton Ventures, a business valuation company ... which claimed Bianca Censori's husband was now worth $2.77 billion.

Per the statement, the company came to this valuation based on his "music portfolio" and Ye's "sole ownership of the Yeezy mark."

Alexis Skyy says everybody's gotta pump the brakes when it comes to the new video allegedly showing her assaulting a man ... claiming it doesn't tell the whole story -- 'cause she didn't start the violence.

The "Love & Hip Hop" star took to Instagram Live Thursday to tell her side of the alleged altercation ... claiming she let Anthony Gaskin -- the man accusing Skyy of assault -- into her life as a business partner and even gave him a place to stay.

Skyy says Gaskin paid back her generosity by stealing from her ... before one day coming to her front door, hitting her and throwing an air freshener at her face.

Swedish pop music group and cover band, A*Teens, rose to fame with their hit singles "Mamma Mia" "Dancing Queen" and "Upside Down" -- landing on the top 10 Swedish music charts and the U.S. Billboard top 100 in the late '90s - early 2000s.

After performing together for 6 years, the group -- who consists of Marie Serneholt, Dhani Lennevald, Amit Paul and Sara Lumholdt -- parted ways in 2004. The foursome reunited 20 years later at the Swedish music competition show "Melodifestivalen" ... and most recently performed in Chile.

"Upside down bouncing off the ceiling, inside out stranger to this feeling, got no clue what I should do, but I'll go crazy if I can't get next to you!"

Maren Morris is clearly feeling herself while away in Mexico for a girls trip ... she's put her fit frame on display in an itty-bitty black bikini.

Check it out ... the country singer looks beyond relaxed while soaking up some vitamin D in a teensy bikini during her vacay in Tulum, Mexico. She's enjoying all the beachside property has to offer, including a fresh coconut ... which she happily sips on while gabbin' with pals.

Maren appears to be coco-nuts for the refreshing treat, having her friends snap a couple pictures of her lounging on a recliner in the sand.

Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show just got even more exciting ... 'cause SZA is joining in on the party!

Apple Music -- which sponsors the gig -- dropped the news out of nowhere on Thursday, announcing the 4x Grammy Award winner would be joining K. Dot in NOLA on February 9.

The platform also shared a new teaser for the show, featuring Kendrick on the phone discussing the possibility of adding someone to his set list ... when SZA creeps up behind him and dumps a jug full of blue liquid all over the "Not Like Us" MC.

Travis Barker says he's been blown away by the inmates battling the Los Angeles wildfires ... telling us it's proof people who've made bad decisions can still do good things.

The Blink-182 drummer joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and we asked him about this week's visit with a group of prisoners working 24-hour shifts as firefighters.

Travis was super inspired when he heard about the nonviolent security inmates battling the blazes for a dollar an hour ... and he wants to use his platform to give them the appreciation they deserve.

Barry Goldberg, a renowned keyboardist who performed with Bob Dylan, has died ... the musician's rep has confirmed.

The blues-rock performer died surrounded by his loved ones -- including wife Gail and son Aram -- in hospice care ... 10 years after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Goldberg was a notable part of the '60s American music scene as a member of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band ... famously supporting Dylan on the keyboard when the folk legend debuted his new electric sound at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

Trace Cyrus is deeply concerned about Billy Ray Cyrus' achy breaky everything ... on the heels of his dad's disastrous inauguration performance.

The country crooner's eldest son reached out to him in an emotional plea Wednesday night, begging him to get the help he needs following his attempt to perform at one of President Donald Trump's inauguration balls.

While Billy Ray coped with technical issues, and an apparently hoarse throat ... Trace is saying there's something deeper troubling his father. He says, "You're not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it," and fears the world may lose Billy Ray "far too soon."

Rihanna's keeping "Love on the Brain" and her body on a bed of flowers ... lying on a floor covered in rose petals and striking a sultry pose.

The singer-songwriter threw on a tight lingerie top -- covered in roses -- and a pair of see-through stockings... leaving her backside basically exposed.

She hits a few different poses in these pics ... lying on her side in one before getting down on all fours and arching her back in a pair of sexy snaps.