Music

Too Short is advocating for Kendrick Lamar NOT to perform "Not Like Us" at Super Bowl LIX ... he thinks the Grammy-winning diss track has done its maximum damage!!!

We caught up with Short at the book launch for Hollywood Virgin by Jason Felts in West Hollywood as he got back into the groove performing at the fundraiser to raise money for the L.A. Fire Department following his brother's tragic murder ... and the "Blow The Whistle" star was happy to dish sports commentary.

In terms of the Big Game, Short says he's pulling for anyone but the Chiefs, so the Eagles in this case.

Kanye West shocked his longtime fan base when he unveiled plans to use A.I. on his new "Bully" album ... but the artist whose vocals he's sampling is perfectly in tune with the rollout!!!

Midway into his new interview with Justin LaBoy, Ye previewed a track that used artificial intelligence to transform his own voice into 10-year-old trap rapper Lil RT's voice to complete the track!!! 🤖

Lil RT's momager Yaya and lawyer Vince Phillips tell TMZ Hip Hop that Lil RT and his team just found out about the "collab" a couple days ago, after the interview was premiered at Ye's Grammys party on Sunday.

Folks looking to snag a suite for the Big Game are hoping to get a GREAT view ... but forget the action on the field -- they wanna peep Taylor Swift and President Trump!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... those willing to drop a fat check on a Super Bowl box are requesting spots that will put them near or in eyesight of the two biggest names that'll be at the Superdome on Sunday -- Travis Kelce's girlfriend and No. 47.

Mike Zandman, president and CEO of Entertainment Access -- a company assisting high-profile clients with luxurious hospitality for the weekend -- told us his clients' desires are no surprise ... but info on celebs' expected whereabouts is "sacred," so there's no way to grant their wishes.

Lance Bass' *NSYNC fans have been hoping to say "bye, bye, bye" to the waiting game for a biopic -- and now he’s telling us whether the band's story will finally hit the big screen, or not.

We caught up with Lance outside the book launch for Hollywood Virgin by Jason Felts at The Abbey in West Hollywood on Wednesday ... and he made it clear that talk of a biopic is actually news to him!

Catch the clip, 'cause Lance’s surprise over hearing the speculation is so obvious – even Lisa’s looking shocked, like he hasn’t spilled the big biopic beans to her yet.

Too Short was dealt a tremendous loss last week ... the rap legend's brother was found murdered in their Oakland hometown -- but he's slowly getting back in the saddle!!!

TMZ Hip Hop chopped up with Too Short in West Hollywood outside the book launch for Hollywood Virgin by Jason Felts Wednesday night, and while things are understandably heavy for him right now, he's got to keep pushing.

He says his emotions are too raw to convey what he's feeling properly but he felt he could bank on a bit of socialization to perk him up, so he stepped out to popular hotspot The Abbey with friends.

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.