Music

Elton John struggled to power through his performance Saturday night, but eventually, he was forced to throw in the towel due to a bad case of walking pneumonia.

Sir Elton performed in Auckland and made it clear to the crowd ... he was hurting. Nevertheless, he performed until he couldn't. He had already performed for about 1.5 hours.

Check out the video ... Elton sounds really good as he performs "Tiny Dancer," but eventually he just couldn't continue. The crowd was with him all the way, giving him a standing O as he left the stage ... clearly upset.

Elton later apologized, "I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible. I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I'm disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had."

The strip club cavalry has arrived in Chicago with THOUSANDS of dancers, literally, making sure NBA superstars and fans are well entertained during All-Star Weekend!!!

The good folks at Ocean Gentleman's Club, Factory and Club O tell TMZ Sports ... they've hired Last Coast Entertainment to promote events at all the clubs this weekend. We're told that means 3,000 strippers will be swarming around poles all over Chi-town.

The forecast calls for some serious rain, because we're told each club will have $450,000 in single dollar bills on deck each day for customers -- NBA and otherwise -- to spend on the dancers. The clubs are ready to bring in the Brinks trucks too, if they need even more Washingtons.

As for who's leading all this fun ... Offset will be front and center hosting an epic after-party Sunday at Ocean Gentleman's Club, following the All-Star Game. Also, Kid Capri's hosed that club's Saturday night bash.

The clubs also tell us they already have 10 tables reserved each night, exclusively for NBA ballers -- and their kitchens will be working OT to serve up lamb chops, burgers, wings and shrimp. BIG dudes have BIG appetites!

BTW, NBA All-Star Weekend is like an annual Super Bowl for the strippers ... so there's high-demand to get work in the host cities each year. We're told the dancers have to fork over $300 to $350 per night to a club just to get their high heels in the door.

Other gentlemen's clubs around Chicago -- like Scores and Rick's Cabaret -- are adopting NBA themes. Dancers will wear basketball uniforms, to start anyway, and of course, there will be VIP sections just for NBA studs.

Justin Bieber seems to see himself in Billie Eilish -- whom he says he wants to protect at all costs from going through the same sort of hell he did as a rising child star.

Biebs sat down with Beats 1's Zane Lowe for a new interview to plug his new album, "Changes," and during the convo ... Billie was brought up. Justin says he wants to let her do her thing, but also notes ... if she ever needs him, he's just a phone call away.

JB even tears up talking about her, adding that he wants to protect her and shelter her from the sorts of experiences he went through growing up. It's incredibly touching.

As you know ... Justin's been through a lot over the years, including arrests, lawsuits, self-admitted substance abuse, depression, relationship woes ... and on and on.

The honest moment certainly caught Billie's eye -- she captured a snippet of the interview and posted it to her own Instagram ... adding photos of her when she was younger, which show she was a huge Bieber fan. Clearly, the love here goes both ways.

As for Billie -- who's got an older brother, Finneas, navigating the music industry with her -- she's a rock star right now, and at the young age of 18 to boot. BE has racked up several Grammys already for her debut album, and is heading up the new Bond theme song.

In any case, it would appear she appreciates Justin looking out for her. She captioned her post, "stream changes." Both the interview and the new album are on Apple Music, and streaming platforms everywhere.

Two members of Machine Gun Kelly's crew are still feeling the sting over their involvement in a 2018 brawl ... 'cause they just got indicted by a grand jury.

MGK crew members Brandon Allen and John Cappelletty have each been slapped with 2 counts of felony aggravated battery for unleashing a can of whoop-ass on the actor Gabriel "G-Rod" Rodriguez ... this according to the Fulton County D.A.'s Office.

The case had been under misdemeanor review by the Fulton County Solicitor General's Office but it got kicked up to the D.A.'s Office for felony review ... and clearly the D.A. felt felony charges could be warranted and got the case to a grand jury.

If convicted, the crew members face up to 20 years in prison.

TMZ broke the story ... Allen and Cappelletty were busted back in October but G-Rod didn't just want justice against them. He also sued MGK claiming the rapper's the one who ordered the attack.

A country singer under investigation for child sex abuse crimes has committed suicide ... TMZ has learned.

Daniel Lee Martin died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound ... this according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office in Florida.

Martin was arrested January 27th after the alleged victim, a child, told cops Martin exposed himself to them while the 2 were sitting on a sofa. Cops say the victim claimed Martin fondled himself and shared pornographic images. Cops went on to say there were numerous incidents where the victim spent the night at Martin's home.

He was released on $15,000 bail hours after his arrest.

Cops tell us they were attempting to serve a warrant at Martin's home Friday out of Tennessee, for 3-counts of sexual exploitation on a minor, along with aggravated sexual battery and solicitation of a minor to commit rape.

We're told when deputies entered the home, they found Martin dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Martin released several albums, including "All That I Am" in 2003 and "On My Way to You" in 2007.

What you want? Baby, Jennifer Hudson's got it ... especially if you're looking for someone to nail the role of Aretha Franklin!!!

Jennifer and Forest Whitaker were filming the upcoming biopic -- aptly titled "Respect" -- Friday in Manhattan's Washington Square Park. Props to the wardrobe and hair department too ... 'cause Jennifer's got the Queen of Soul down pat.

Forest is playing the role of Aretha's father, C.L. Franklin, a Baptist minister and civil rights activist also known as the man with the "Million-Dollar Voice."

As you know ... Jennifer was reportedly hand-picked for this role by Aretha before she died in 2018. Seeing the Oscar winner on set ... we gotta say, Franklin couldn't have chosen better.

We've already seen Jennifer as a young Aretha, kissing her onscreen husband, Marlon Wayans, in November ... and now we've got another look.

Bottom line ... Jennifer ain't gonna do you wrong when "Respect" hits theaters this summer.

Mya's been holding a big secret for months ... we've learned she said "I Do" in a super-secret wedding down in Seychelles.

Sources close to the singer tell TMZ ... Mya walked down the aisle back in December in a very intimate ceremony on the island nation off the African coast. We obtained these pics of her on the beach in her gown ... looking absolutely stunning.

If the wedding seems like a shock to you, it is to us too. It's unclear who Mya's spouse is -- and she hasn't publicly dated anyone in years.

In the past, she's been linked to NFL stars DeSean Jackson and Larry Johnson, plus rappers Jay-Z and The Game. So, her partner's got big shoes to fill.

This was Mya's first walk down the aisle. As for the 40-year-old singer's mystery ball and chain? We've got a call in to her people.

We know this ... they had killer weather! Always a toss-up with beach weddings.

Congrats!!!

James Brown was NOT murdered, regardless of what a woman who knew him is now suggesting ... so says the doctor who signed the legendary singer's death certificate.

Dr. Marvin Crawford tells TMZ ... the Fulton County D.A.'s Office is wasting its time in looking into so-called evidence from Jacque Hollander because he claims there was no evidence of foul play when he examined Brown right after he died.

Crawford says Brown suffered a heart attack on December 23, 2006, and was hospitalized. He suffered a second heart attack not long afterward ... and that's what killed him on Christmas Day.

The doctor tells us Brown had a long history of diabetes and hypertension, which contributed to his death ... and that's it.

Crawford admits he's never met Hollander and doesn't know how she's come to believe The Godfather of Soul might have been murdered.

As we reported ... Jacque presented Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard with a bin full of items and investigators have been directed to interview her. If her evidence holds up, Howard says he's open to launching a full-scale death investigation.

Crawford clearly believes that would be useless, and there's something else ... he denies he ever hinted otherwise.

As we told you, in a 2017 CNN interview Crawford did raise questions about Brown's death because the doctor reportedly wondered if James' heart attack was triggered by a toxic substance or an OD.

However, Crawford tells us ... "CNN said I said that but I didn't say that about the drugs."

Brown was 73 when he died.

James Brown might have been murdered ... so claims a woman who knew Brown, and just handed prosecutors stacks of what she believes is possible evidence of foul play.

A Fulton County D.A. spokesperson confirms Jacque Hollander met with Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard on Wednesday and gave him a bin full of items. Howard now says he's directing his investigators to interview Hollander ... and if evidence she presented to the D.A.'s Office holds up, Howard says he's open to launching a full-scale death investigation.

We're told Hollander -- who unsuccessfully first tried to meet with the D.A. in 2019 -- reportedly gave a list of possible witnesses and handed over a stack of printed text messages. She also reportedly explained how she came into possession of the bin.

James, of course, died on Christmas Day 2006 at an Atlanta hospital. His death certificate cites a heart attack and fluid in his lungs as the cause of death.

Jessica Simpson's sending a message to the angry anti-fur protesters who've been crashing events on her book tour -- faux fur's just fine with her.

In a possible attempt to get in the good graces of the animal rights activists who've been calling her out for wearing fur, the "Open Book" author shared a series of pics of herself rocking a Stella McCartney belted, vegetarian leather and faux fur coat.

Of course, it's also possible the protesters had an impact on Jessica. The faux-fur move comes after we broke news extra security measures are being put in place at upcoming stops on her book tour to keep protesters at bay.

As we reported, Simpson was accosted at a book signing and outside a restaurant in NYC last week, and earlier this week at an L.A. book signing.

Jessica doesn't address wearing fake fur explicitly in her posts, but says ... "I pray every day that I can use my platform for good. I promise to continue to be open and to lead with my mistakes."

Sounds like she's suggesting she's heard the animal abuse accusations from the protesters about her history of wearing fur, and instead of laughing it off ... she's learning from her mistakes. Or, maybe she just likes Stella's design.

Rebecca Black poured her heart out for the anniversary of her song, "Friday," and says the honesty paid off ... and might even unlock some doors in the near future.

We spoke to the singer Wednesday in L.A. after she posted an emotional reflection on her viral hit 9 years to the day that it went up on YouTube ... which she tells us has been reciprocated with folks opening up to her right back, and being just as vulnerable.

ICYMI, Rebecca said she wishes she could go back in time and talk to younger versions of herself, whom she says were going through it in the wake of the earworm ... and all the hate that followed. RB says she went through depression, rejection and food feathering.

She found the light at the end of the tunnel though ... adding that despite all that, she now knows no one thing has to define a person -- and each day is an opportunity to start fresh.

As it turns out, the message resonated with a ton of people, who've been blowing Rebecca up with support and stories of their own. Check it out ... she tells us she'd never been quite that honest about her experience, and it clearly struck a chord in a good way.

When it comes to regrets ... Rebecca says she doesn't have any and actually doesn't think she would have stopped herself from doing the song/video if she knew what was to come.

We'll let her explain why for herself. But, get this ... a super-famous music producer has apparently been in touch with Rebecca. For new tunes??? Maybe ... a "Friday" remix might be in the cards, folks.

Brandon Casey doesn't want to dignify the allegations of harassment Mathew Knowles directed at his R&B group with a response ... other than to say those involved already know the truth.

If you don't know ... Beyonce's dad claimed recently that Bey and Kelly Rowland were "constantly being harassed" by members of Jagged Edge back when they were touring together in the late '90s, though it was initially misreported as sexual harassment.

Mathew said the harassment caused a rift in Destiny's Child that led to the original members, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, leaving the group.

So, we asked Brandon about Knowles' accusations as he was leaving Zari in Atlanta Wednesday night ... he tells us he has too much respect for Beyonce, Kelly and all the other women involved to dish out dirt on Mathew.

He adds that the truth speaks for itself, and makes it clear he thinks any talk of harassment or sexual misconduct -- which again, was never alleged by Knowles in the first place -- is ludicrous.

Now ... where the party at?

Miley Cyrus damn near brought New York Fashion Week to a halt with a surprise runway appearance ... thanks to a super-hot ensemble.

Miley closed out Marc Jacobs' fall/winter 2020 runway show Wednesday night in NYC ... much to everyone's delight. The crowd had no idea she'd be making an appearance ... strutting her stuff in a black bra-top and pants. She also wore long, black leather gloves ... not that anyone needed reminding who's in charge.

Naomi Campbell thought the performance was fire based on the comment she left on Miley's Instagram post. Hailey Baldwin summed it up with three words .. "YUP. STOMP QUEEN."

That Miley got the honor to close out the show should come as no surprise. She's known Marc Jacobs since she was 16, starred in his 2014 spring/summer show and collaborated with him last year for a special hoodie.

Taking New York by storm's one helluva way to countdown the days before she's officially single. As we first reported ... Miley and Liam Hemsworth's divorce becomes official on February 22.

Madison Beer splurged for her personal assistant's 30th birthday gift ... and we ain't talking expensive booze or jewelry, more like luxury wheels.

The surprise reveal went down Monday night in L.A. after the singer and some friends celebrated her assistant's birthday. When dinner ended, Madison handed her assistant a bag, but it turned out to be empty. It was also a ruse.

Check out the vid ... you can see Madison pull out a key fob to a brand new Mercedes-Benz C300. Suffice it to say ... Madison's assistant was stunned and damn near speechless.

Helluva gesture, especially 'cause Madison knew about her assistant's car trouble for a while. We're told her assistant's 12-year-old whip kept breaking down. It's a car she used a lot to run Madison's errands and whatnot. Madison also knew her assistant's dream was to one day own a white Benz. Madison delivered, and then some ... a white-on-white model that tends to run upwards of $50k.

Goes without saying, Madison is super close with her assistant, and knew this would blow her mind. She was dead-on, as you can see in the video -- which also reveals a sweet new nickname for boss Beer.

Akon's plan to bring a futuristic city to his childhood country of Senegal is getting closer to coming to fruition, and he's going to show it off soon ... a 3D rendering anyway.

The singer was at LAX Wednesday when he gave us an update on "Akon City" ... which he says is 7 years in the making so far, and he's still cutting through the red tape.

Akon confirms what he announced last month -- he's finalized an agreement for the city and secured the land ... but adds he's now working on a partnership with the government to implement tax-free policies and incentives he wants to attract business.

He says he's dead serious about his city resembling Wakanda from "Black Panther" -- with all the latest and most progressive technology -- and believes it's in the perfect geographical location to make it happen.

Akon drops some more facts about West Africa to paint a picture of what Akon City's going to look like ... and says he'll drop a YouTube video soon to share his vision.

City Girls rapper JT says she "spent a car" on Yung Miami's birthday gift, but clearly she was being modest -- it's easily the price of a house!!! Or maybe she drives really pricey cars.

JT surprised her partner with some shiny bling for her 26th birthday Tuesday ... leaving YM305 speechless. We're told the gift -- 2 months in the works -- was delivered Tuesday night.

The chain is a baller 130 carats ... and features everything YM's obsessed with -- diamonds, music notes, money, Chanel and her kids' names. Celeb jeweler Elliot Eliantte was the artist behind the masterpiece.

JT said on social media ... "Happy birthday to my EVERYTHING. I spent a car on this I F***ING LOVE YOU & if a b*tch ever think otherwise they crazy!!!! B*tch you love diamonds Chanel & your kids.... it's all there! Pop your sh*t!!!!"

YM's reaction can be summed up in 2 words. Speechless and tears.

As we first reported ... Miami hooked up JT with some serious jewels last year to celebrate JT's prison release.