Music

Multiple eyewitnesses to the Boosie Badazz shooting tell a different story from initial reports about the chaotic scene, his getaway from the shooter ... and what the shooter was driving.

TMZ's obtained the emergency dispatch audio from the day Boosie was shot in Dallas back in November, and based on 3 different callers who dialed 9-1-1 ... it sounds like the sprinter van in question -- which we'd been told Boosie was cruising in with his team -- is perhaps the vehicle in which the suspects fled.

Check out the audio ... the first caller gives a brief description of a scene they passed on the road, telling the dispatcher they saw something going on with a bunch of men at the Big T Bazaar ... claiming to have seen a guy in a red shirt going after someone with a gun.

The second caller appears to have witnessed the actual shooting itself ... saying somebody was hit, and they were taken to the hospital in a grey Acura. She also told the dispatcher she saw an Audi SUV (presumably the sprinter) following behind before ultimately darting off in another direction.

The third caller confirmed they saw a black Audi SUV driving down the road nearby, claiming to have seen four guys inside ... with one hanging out the window and pointing a gun.

Of course, it makes sense Boosie and co. would be the ones in the SUV -- as artists often use them when they're on the road or touring. It's possible these folks who called for help might have things mixed up.

Obviously, cops had all this information, but Dallas PD has closed the investigation without making any arrests because the victim refused to cooperate with detectives.

Timbaland and Swizz Beatz went head-to-head again Sunday night for a Verzuz rematch, and it did not disappoint!!!

The 2 founders of the super popular music competition squared off at Miami's Club LIV, and they dedicated the evening to the late DMX.

DaBaby, Nas, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes and many more were on hand watching the 2 rap icons do their thing. And, Missy Elliott paid her respects to Swizz and Timbaland on video. Missy was effusive ... "First I want to say congratulations to you (Timbaland) and Swizz. And, thank y'all for creating Verzuz for us to relive some of the best moments in music." She then took sides, rooting for her fellow Virginia native, Timbaland.

The music was awesome ... songs that included collabs with Aaliyah, DMX, Missy, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, and on and on. 20 rounds in all.

BTW ... Timbaland and Swizz sold "Verzuz" to Triller earlier this year ... so that had to be a nice chunk of change.

Courteney Cox isn't quite done with the whole "Friends" reunion thing ... because she partnered with Ed Sheeran to recreate one of the greatest TV dances ever!!!

If you didn't know where this dance came from it would still be awesome ... but there's history here, folks.

You recall the dance where Monica and Ross appeared on Dick Clark's "Rockin' New Year's Eve" show? Well, Courteney hasn't lost her moves one bit ... and Ed was more than up to the task. BTW, the OG dance number was choreographed by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin ... so, those are pro moves they're putting down!

Ed reflected ... "Had a reunion of our own this weekend @courteneycoxofficial #theroutine #iknow #friends4eva #obviouslybetterthanross"

There was one small technical error ... Courteney overshot the jump into Ed's arms and they crashed to the ground. Otherwise, perfect!!!

Simon Cowell has 86'd his plan to travel to Israel for his TV franchise ... and although he isn't saying specifically why, it seems the cancellation is due in part to the recent violence.

Simon was scheduled to be a judge on "X Factor Israel" but a rep for the production announced Simon would not be part of the show. As for why, the rep would only say Simon canceled "for his own reasons" which involved "legitimate concerns" -- this according to Variety. There was no specific reference to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but it's not hard to read between the lines.

We tried reaching out to Cowell's rep ... so far, no word back.

As you know, Simon broke his back last year after hopping on his new e-bike and crashing to the ground. It's unclear if the back injury was a factor, but Simon has bounced back so it seems unlikely.

Representatives for Cowell did not respond to multiple requests for comment. A Jewish News report last week cited a source close to Cowell as saying that the media mogul was “bitterly disappointed” that he could not take part for “a number of reasons.”

Lil Yachty's so pumped for live music festivals to make their return this summer ... he's ready to dive backflip right in.

The rapper says the absence of in-person concerts over the past year has been really tough, so just the thought of taking the stage with a packed crowd gets his blood pumping.

Yachty -- who's set to perform at Portugal's Rolling Loud festival in July and at Chicago's Summer Smash in August -- tells us the connection he gets with his fans at a live show is unique ... and he expects the energy to be 50 times as intense after the long COVID break.

The hip-hop star also weighed in on one of hip-hop's biggest feuds over the past few years -- one in which he landed smack dab in the middle of ... and is still trying to do damage control.

LY reminds us why he sided with Cardi B over Nicki Minaj back in 2018, but explains why it's not nearly as controversial as it's been made out to be ... or at least that's how he sees it.

Watch the video though ... sounds like Nicki's still not over it.

Tessica Brown -- aka, 'Gorilla Glue Girl' -- is having another moment on the internet -- only this time, she isn't the one who kicked it off ... which is a huge problem for her and lawyers.

TB, through her attorney Jeffrey R. Klein, has fired off cease and desist letters to several different people/entities over a now-viral song called "Bad Idea" ... which rips her voice from her infamous Gorilla Glue video and remixes it into a song, using her own voice/lines.

The "remix" was taken off social media -- including on TikTok, IG Reels and even on streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify ... which all seems to have been started by someone named Cocoa Brown, whom posted the track -- helping it spread like wildfire.

Welp, Tessica and co. aren't too amused by the stunt -- even if everyone seems to love it -- because, frankly, she had no part in making the track ... nor is she getting any dough from it.

That's why she sent Cocoa -- and every other platform that's using the song -- to STOP immediately, and to take down the content ... as Tessica claims it's good old-fashioned copyright infringement -- both by using her image and likeness, as well as her vocals.

The letter to Cocoa, obtained by TMZ, is worded firmly. It reads, in part, "To the extent it becomes necessary, Tessica intends to seek the recovery of all penalties, statutory damages and punitive damages for such knowing infringement as applicable." So, yeah ... she ain't playing.

Now, we will say this ... the tune IS catchy, which is exactly why folks like Aniya Wayans -- Damon Wayans Jr.'s daughter -- and even Cardi B's daughter, Kulture, have posted it or recited it online ... not to mention countless other accounts who've made their own "Bad Idea" videos.

Boosie Badazz has found himself right in the middle of gun violence once again -- a shooting occurred on the set of a music video of his ... which has left one person seriously injured.

Check out this video of the moment that shots were fired while the rapper was filming Saturday in Huntsville, AL -- and you can see Boosie and everyone else around him scatter and run for their lives.

Unclear from which direction the gun was shot -- different people on set were carrying what appeared to be firearms -- but in any case ... somebody unloaded at least one round for real.

Huntsville PD tells TMZ ... cops responded to a report of shots fired around 4:30 PM, and when they arrived on the scene -- we're told they came across between 50 and 100 people making a run for it, either by foot or in vehicles. HPD says hardly anybody wanted to talk.

We're told the police found one man who was in 20s laid out on the ground with a gunshot wound. EMTs arrived and he was transported to a hospital -- we're told he's listed in critical condition. HPD says there are no suspects in custody at this time ... no motive either.

We should note ... Boosie was NOT the one was shot, nor is suspected of carrying out the shooting. Considering his recent history with public shootings like this, though, he's lucky to have dodged any direct harm this time around. Be safe out there, man.

Metro Marrs vows to pull off the same stunt next year and make it rain at his brother's HS graduation ... but the forecast will call for twice as much rain.

The budding rapper tells TMZ ... he plans to throw $20k in the air next year when he hits up his bro's ceremony at Langston Hughes High in nearby Atlanta. But, now that the cat's out of the bag, how does he plan on pulling off the stunt if he's giving school officials a heads up?

Don't fret ... Marrs says the school's cool with him and, even though he was detained by police for the stunt, he says it's totally worth it because in his eyes he's giving back.

And, to show the school's got no hard feelings ... Marrs tells us he actually visited his principal's office the day after graduation, and they pretty much dapped it up.

As we reported ... the "Bye Felicia" rapper was busted for throwing $10k after crossing stage at his own HS graduation. The crowd went nuts ... but the stunt ultimately led to him being detained for inciting a riot and disorderly conduct. He also got ticketed. 😑

B.J. Thomas -- the famous crooner behind hits like "Hooked on a Feeling" -- has died.

The singer's management team announced Saturday that Thomas had passed away of complications from stage 4 lung cancer ... which he'd been diagnosed with in March. He'd been receiving treatment at a Texas hospital, and was hopeful for a recovery.

It's reported Thomas died at his home in Arlington.

BJT is perhaps best known for singing the classic "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" -- which was featured in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" -- winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song and nominated for a Grammy in 1970 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Even before that, he had hit the charts with major success with his love song for the ages ... performing "Hooked on a Feeling," which garnered him mainstream success and going on to sell over a million records. He's also remembered for a famous cover of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" -- not to mention for singing the theme song to 'Growing Pains' ... 'As Long As We Got Each Other.'

'Hooked' went on to be covered over and over again as the years went on -- and it became a staple for Valentine's Day ... serving as the song stuffed animals would sing when you pressed a button. The band Blue Swede did the most famous cover -- and the tune was even featured on "Guardians of the Galaxy" ... included in Star-Lord's throwback playlist.

Thomas went on to have more success with songs like "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song," "Rock and Roll Lullaby," "I Just Can't Help Believing," "Don't Worry Baby," "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" ... as well as several gospel albums such as "Home Where I Belong."

He's survived by his wife Gloria Richardson and his three children. Thomas was 78.

You can't judge a book by its cover ... is exactly what you might say when James Caan reveals himself to be a hip-hop head -- who's got a take on the G.O.A.T.s of the last decade.

Indeed ... Sonny Corleone himself waded into the now-viral music debate over who deserves the fourth spot on the Mount Rushmore of rap from the 2010s ... with RapCaviar already deeming Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole as worthy for the first three slots.

A few different celebs have chimed in -- including one LeBron James -- but James got in on the discussion too this week ... nominating none other than Future as a possible fourth.

People couldn't believe James was privy to such knowledge -- and someone even accused his account of being run by someone else other than James ... but he shot that notion down with a swiftness, while also making sure to stick to his signature "End of tweet" postscript.

The guy wrote, "Party's over some social media dork is def running this account now :(" -- and JC responded, "Nobody speaks for me. End of tweet." Well then ... that settles that!

A bit of context on Caan's history with hip-hop -- he's got a son, Scott, who used to be in an actual rap group with famed producer The Alchemist way back in the day, which was called The Whooliganz. So yeah, Scott was a rapper ... which means James might know a thing or two.

James himself also dropped some insight into how/why he might be so in-the-know on this -- writing, "Guy acts like I don't have kids who play that stuff around here. End of tweet."

Kanye West is very much a single man ... just check out his hands, sans a wedding ring.

Ye was spotted in L.A. -- or at least parts of him -- tooling around with a super snug, cloth bag around his head. A fashion statement? ... for sure.  Uncomfortable? ... undeniable.

Kanye hasn't been seen much since his estranged wife, Kim Kardashian, filed for divorce. Last we heard, they were hardly speaking, but we're told the divorce is still rolling along.

Despite the divorce filing, many thought Kanye was wearing his wedding ring as recently as last month -- when DJ Khaled posted a pic of him rocking the band. Now, even though Khaled threw that up in April, we're told the photo was actually taken sometime in 2019, well before the filing.

With that said, it's unclear when exactly Kanye 86'd the ring. What we know for sure though is ... it ain't there now.

If you thought Future was done talking smack about Lori Harvey ... well, you were wrong -- 'cause the dude had even more bars for her, as well as her new man, Michael B. Jordan.

Rapper 42 Dugg previewed an extended version to his new single "Maybach" -- which initially featured Mr. Hndrxx and a memorable bar aimed at Lori and her dad, Steve -- but this time ... it looks like Future had far more to say about his ex, whom he split from last year.

The OG line was a not-so-subtle dig at Lori/Steve -- it goes ... "Tell Steve Harvey, I don't want her." Nothing too bad on the face of things ... although he was catching flak.

Welp, that backlash is only doubling now in light of what else he apparently had to say about the whole situation in the booth. The extended verse goes something like this ... "Must've forgot to tell her daddy she begged me not to leave ... She didn't have a choice but to go f*** a lame after me // Realest n**** hit the t*** she damn near OD."

Lots to unpack there -- but the takeaway, really, is that Future clearly isn't over Lori ... at least that's what the consensus on the Internet seems to be, anyway. After hearing that, it's hard to argue against ... Future does sound quite salty about the relationship, both old and new.

The diatribe against the Harvey's seems to stem from an interview Steve gave back in February ... when he was asked about Lori dating Michael -- and Steve responding with something to the effect of ... at least she's with one I can actually approve of now.

It appears Future took that personally as a shot -- but, frankly, it could've been about Diddy too. Who the hell knows??? In any case, Future got what he wanted off his chest, and threw Mike under the bus too.

Jay-Z had mad love for DMX, despite their fierce competition ... and he felt this way for years.

Jay was on the season premiere of "The Shop: Uninterrupted" with LeBron James and Maverick Carter, and talked about years past when he boycotted the Grammys after X was overlooked for a single nomination, despite having 2 #1 albums in 1999. Jay won his first Grammy but was a no-show as a way of standing with X.

As Bad Bunny, WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike and SpringHill CMO Paul Rivera looked on, Jay recounted his relationship with DMX.

Jay went down memory lane, remembering his first meeting with X at a Bronx pool hall. He paid homage to his friend, saying he became a better rapper by watching X perform.

Gene Simmons appears to be making good on his plan to leave California for Nevada ... he just dropped over $8 million for a rockin' mansion near Las Vegas.

The KISS star nabbed a 6-bed, 8-bath palace in Henderson with 11,000 square feet of living space and distinctively modern features ... like a floating pathway entrance over a koi pond and floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Gene and his family jewels will have room to move -- the place has seriously spacious rooms inside ... and outside there's a pool, hot tub, built-in barbecue and a courtyard. Desert cool, baby!

We broke the story ... Simmons put his recently renovated Beverly Hills mansion back on the market in March for $25 million.

He'd initially listed it for $22 mil, but then took it off the market and made several improvements.

Around that time, he told reporters he was leaving California, saying ... "There are earthquakes, fires and pandemics every year. Even though there is nice sunshine, I’m done."

Gene must be serious, because along with buying a new home in Henderson ... he slashed the asking price on his Bev Hills home to just under $20 mil. As they say, priced to move!!!

Marilyn Manson raped one of his ex-girlfriends and forced her to watch a gruesome home movie that made it seem like he killed a young fan ... this according to a new lawsuit.

The shock rocker is being sued by a Jane Doe who claims she started dating him back in 2011, and while she claims their relationship was romantic and gentle at the outset, she says things quickly took a turn for the worse.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the woman claims Manson once showed her a home video he called "Groupie" and kept locked in safe. She claims Manson told her the video was shot in 1996 after his band played a show at the Hollywood Bowl, and she claims the footage includes sex acts, humiliation and a gun.

In the docs, the woman claims Manson's home movie shows him tying a young fan to a chair and forcing her to drink a glass of a band member's urine, threatening her with a gun and possibly pistol-whipping her. Doe claims the video left her scared for her own life.

The woman also claims Manson raped her when she went to return a key to his home. She claims Manson forced her to the ground and raped her while she was face-down. After the alleged rape, she claims he threatened to kill her.

Doe is going after Manson for damages and she wants a declaration that Manson's acts and conduct broke the law. As we've reported ... Manson is also being sued for sexual assault by his former assistant, plus "Game of Thrones" actress Esme Bianco. Cops also say he's wanted in New Hampshire for an alleged assault at a concert.

We reached out to Manson's reps ... so far, no word back.

Juice WRLD ripped off another musician's beat and tried to pass it off as his own ... this according to a new lawsuit against the rapper's estate.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, a guy with the stage name Ghost Loft claims he made a song called "So High" way back in 2013, only for Juice WRLD to rip off 16 bars for his song "Scared of Love" on JW's 2018 album "Goodbye & Good Riddance."

In the docs, Ghost Loft claims Juice WRLD and Mitch Mula are the only credited writers on 'Scared,' even though he says Mula later admitted to sampling his beat, and he says 'Scared' wouldn't exist without him.

Ghost Loft is suing Juice WRLD's mother and executor of his estate, Carmella Wallace, as well as Mula, Universal Music Group and Interscope ... and he's going after them for damages, an injunction prohibiting Juice's estate from profiting off the song and a writing credit.

TMZ broke the story ... Juice WRLD died in December 2019 at Chicago's Midway airport, the result of an accidental overdose of oxycodone.