Music

If ya needed any more indication Kendrick Lamar will perform "Not Like Us" on the world's biggest stage, the Super Bowl LIX halftime performer walked out to his pre-show presser with the Drake diss instrumental booming from the speakers.

The Compton MC had a sit-down with Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis on Thursday ahead of Sunday's gig ... and he talked all about his monstrous 2024 and what it meant for his career.

Kendrick also addressed his big night at the Grammys thanks to 'NLU' ... calling it a reflection of the entire rap culture and how it's just as big as any other genre.

Lady Gaga, Tom Brady and a bunch of celebs are banding together for a special Super Bowl LIX segment ... filming a tribute to a series of tragic events across the country.

Check out this video from Bourbon Street ... Tom is front and center in a Los Angeles Fire Department shirt as a group of sports stars flanked by law enforcement and first responders walk down the street with a camera crew capturing their every move.

Michael Strahan's talking into the camera with a NOLA Strong shirt ... and you hear him reference the New Orleans terror attack, the devastating North Carolina hurricane and the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

LiAngelo Ball's already got the hottest song in all hip-hop ... and now the hooper-turned-rapper locked down one of the greatest artists in the genre's history to jump on the remix for "Tweaker," Lil Wayne!

The remix doesn't drop until Friday, but fans got a bit of an early look at the cover art for the tune ... hours before it'll be streamed by scores on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.

The pairing absolutely makes sense ... as a lot of people have said the song gives off an early 2000s, southern vibe (in fact many said Gelo sounds like Mannie Fresh) ... perfect for Wayne's style.

Rihanna isn't letting A$AP Rocky's ongoing trial get in the way of her plans ... the singer showed up at Nobu in L.A. Wednesday night in an oversized snake print coat!

She rocked the leather coat while celebrating her cousin's birthday -- and photogs were there as she left the building with Rocky, bundling into their vehicle and taking off before the rapper's assault trial resumes this morning.

Oversized coats are in for Riri this season ... she sported a black leather one while dining at the swanky L.A. restaurant Verse with her hubby last week after one of his court appearances.

7:53 AM PT -- Irv Gotti's children released a statement Thursday morning about their father's passing ... "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Irving 'Irv Gotti' Lorenzo, on February 5, 2025. Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched."

The tribute -- signed by Angie, Sonny, and JJ -- honors their dad's professional achievements and passion for music ... and the family asks for privacy as they grieve his loss.

Music mega producer Irv Gotti -- who worked with big acts like DMX, Ja Rule and Ashanti -- is dead ... TMZ has confirmed.

Multiple sources close to his family tell us he died Wednesday in New York City. It's currently unclear exactly how he died.

Irv's battled health problems recently since suffering a stroke last year, and has had to walk with the aid of a cane.

Folks worried about Bianca Censori after her naked Grammys stunt are giving Kanye West a taste of what his wife went through ... courtesy of some X-rated A.I.

Check it out ... days after Ye and Bianca shook up the Grammy Awards with Mrs. West arriving in nothing but a sheer dress, a new photo is going viral -- it's reversing the nudity, depicting Ye butt naked and showing his former Yeezy architect wife in his all-black ensemble.

Whoever created the pic spared the world a vision of Ye's naughty bits ... they censored the beans and frank.

Selena Gomez stepped back into the spotlight alongside Jennifer Aniston at a beauty event -- her first public outing since tearing up over recent mass immigration arrests.

The "Only Murders in the Building" star stepped out for her Rare Beauty Galentine’s Day bash alongside Jen’s LolaVie haircare brand Wednesday … and while the vibe was chill, Selena kept it real, doubling down on her message that women should always have each other’s backs.

SG had her girl Jen right by her side -- sticking close and even holding hands as "The Morning Show" star added it had been a rough couple of weeks and hoped everyone was staying safe.

50 Cent trolled Irv Gotti's death on Instagram, writing "LOL" as he was pictured next to a tombstone emblazoned with the phrase "RIP."

The rapper jumped on IG after news broke Wednesday that Irv had died ... 50 posted the photo of himself sitting next to the "RIP" scrawled tombstone and exhaling smoke from a hookah.

In the caption, Fitty wrote, "I'm smoking on dat Gotti pack," but then softened his language with "nah God bless him LOL," alongside an image of Irv -- the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records.

Meek Mill is attesting to Wendy Williams being isolated while under her guardianship ... saying he witnessed it with his own eyes.

The rapper says he lived in the same building as Wendy in 2023, and he would question why she would be sitting in the lobby by herself.

In fact, he shares a photo of Wendy -- presumably in their building's lobby -- where she is clearly alone, sitting on a bench. Meeks describes her as being in a "daze," although it's not exactly clear based on the pic.

Elton John burst into a fit of rage while recording his upcoming album "Who Believes in Angels?" ... and he even posted behind-the-scenes footage of his outburst for all to see.

Check it out ... the Rocket Man exploded after producer Andrew Watt stood up for himself ... telling the musical legend he has no patience. The next scene shows Elton mouthing off and slamming his headphones onto his keyboard.

His collaborator Brandi Carlile even admits she has no clue why Elton wanted to make a record with her ... adding that she had "a hard time connecting" with him. She also accuses EJ of being "prone to bouts of insecurity especially where the stakes are high." Yikes.

Britney Spears is very much back on with her on-and-off BF Paul Soliz ... because they're enjoying family outings together ... with some indoor fun.

TMZ obtained this photo of Britney in a black Mercedes Benz G-Wagon outside Lily Pad Playground in the San Fernando Valley ... and folks who where there tell us she was rolling with Paul and two of his children.

We're told Britney, Paul and two kiddos rolled up to the indoor playground Tuesday ... with Paul driving and Britney riding shotgun.

2/6 1:45 PM -- Surprise!!! Lil Wayne revealed on Thursday his big reveal is "Tha Carter VI" is dropping in June ... in addition to being featured on LiAngelo Ball's "Tweaker (Remix)!!!"

Lil Wayne is going to be absent from Super Bowl LIX ... even though it's taking place in his hometown of New Orleans.

The rapper confirmed he'd be MIA from Sunday's big game by uploading a video announcement to his Instagram Stories, where he shouted out The Big Easy and said a seat would need to be filled in his absence.

While the "Lollipop" artist clearly won't be a surprise guest during Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance -- something that's been long speculated by fans -- Wayne assured fans he had "something very special" in the works and encouraged people to keep their eyes peeled on Thursday, February 6.

Liam Payne's girlfriend is recalling the late One Direction member's final days ... and revealing why she left him behind in Argentina before his death.

Kate Cassidy breaks her silence in her first interview since Liam's October 2024 death, telling the Sun in an article published Wednesday she's still in shock over his loss.

Liam's GF says ... "It still doesn't feel fully real for me that he's not here." She says she thinks about him "every second of every day."

Kendrick Lamar is about to find out if his smash hit "Not Like Us" is as popular with NFL and network lawyers and execs as it is with the public -- and his Super Bowl Halftime Show hangs in the balance.

This is a big day down in the Big Easy, as Kendrick's set list is expected to be handed off to the NFL and FOX honchos gathered in New Orleans for the game. Wednesday is typically the day Halftime Show performers pull back the curtain for the league, and reveal the songs they're going to perform.

But, this year there's extra attention on Kendrick's plans, because of "Not Like Us," and the defamation lawsuit Drake filed against Universal Music Group over the diss track ... which, as we all know, flat-out calls Drake a "certified pedophile."

It sure seems like LeBron James is twisting the knife in his wounded relationship with Drake ... 'cause hours after the rapper dissed him at a concert, he took to social media to show love for Kendrick Lamar.

King James shared his excitement for K. Dot's upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show on Wednesday ... saying he can't wait to watch the Compton native "kill that [poop emoji]" in a matter of days.

While there's no direct shot, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to read between the lines -- after all, there's no way Bron wasn't aware of the stunt Drizzy pulled by switching up his LeBron lyrics while performing "Nonstop" in Australia.

Travis Scott was grabbed by a security staffer following the Lakers vs. Clippers game on Tuesday ... and TMZ Sports is told the whole ordeal was the result of a credential issue.

La Flame had courtside seats for the Battle of L.A. at the Intuit Dome ... where he was laser-focused on all the action throughout the night -- including Bronny James' first-career three-pointer.

But after the Purple and Gold secured the 122-97 victory, the fun briefly died down for the "FE!N" artist ... as he was yanked by a worker as he was making his way off the court and out of the arena.