TMZ Live

Colin Kaepernick's star power is bigger NOW than when he was playing football -- and he doesn't need the NFL's platform to be effective in his off-the-field mission ... so says T.I.

There are some people who believe without being on an NFL roster, people will lose interest in Kaepernick -- and he'll eventually become irrelevant and fade away.

But, not T.I. -- who appeared on "TMZ Live" and explained why Colin's more influential now than ever ... and suggested going back to the NFL might actually take his focus away from the social justice issues he's been tackling.

T.I.'s new album pulls inspiration from his real-life experiences -- good and bad -- in recent years, and he's hoping the music has a positive impact on his fans.

The rapper dropped a dime on "Dime Trap" ... telling us he's learned a lot lately about being a better man, and a better husband. Tip says he poured some of those lessons into what he calls his most honest and personal track ever ... "The Amazing Mr. F**k Up."

T.I. was also excited about the dope lineup of guest stars on the record, including collabs with Teyana Taylor, Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti and Meek Mill. They're all singing and rapping but, spoiler alert -- there's also a spoken word part with Dave Chappelle!

Kanye West has a perfectly good explanation for why his new, publicly-announced album didn't drop Saturday night, as he said it would -- and it all has to do with Africa.

Ye came on "TMZ Live" Monday and dropped a bombshell about his 9th studio album, "Yandhi." Fans were anxiously awaiting the release this weekend -- but he says that was scrapped because he's not done recording yet.

He says he's heading to Africa in the next couple weeks to complete the project. Just watch ... his excitement over the trip is palpable. As Kanye put it, he wants to draw inspiration and energy from the Earth there.

You can see the full interview on Monday's TMZ Live. Click here to find your local airtime.

BTW, 'Ye is already getting inspired here in our office ... well, just outside the office. Kanye and Teyana Taylor are shooting their "We Got Love" music video here, and it looks like it's gonna be dope. We'll have the finished product for ya on Tuesday.

Kanye West says he used the wrong word when he said he wanted to "abolish" the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, and added ... there's a better way to change our Constitution.

Ye came into TMZ -- as he promised he would -- to explain further what he meant when he tweeted on Sunday. He started by saying the word he should have used was "amend" -- as in, he wants to tweak the 13th.

Kanye made it clear he's been discussing it with close friends and says the part of the Amendment he takes issue with is the part that allows for the enslavement -- or indentured servitude -- of anyone who's imprisoned.

As he told us Sunday, he's not happy about the fact the Constitution was drawn up solely by white men -- but he has a solution in mind. Check it out. He also made it clear he's still eyeing a run for Prez in 2024.

Kanye West says he's reached out to Colin Kaepernick -- and wants to bring him to Washington D.C. for a special meeting with Donald Trump.

West -- wearing his Make America Great Again hat -- sat down with Harvey Levin on "TMZ Live" on Monday and said he hopes to bring the two sides together so they can work out their issues.

Of course, Donald Trump has been extremely critical of Kaepernick -- strongly pressuring NFL owners to fire all of the "sons of bitches" who don't stand for the national anthem.

Kaepernick has said he began kneeling to shine a spotlight on police brutality against black people -- but Trump feels the demonstration is disrespectful to the flag and military vets.

So, will Kanye succeed in putting together a peace summit between Trump and Kaep?

He didn't say if either side was open to the idea -- but Trump has praised Kanye as a brilliant leader, so we're guessing he would be in.

Kanye West says he hasn't fully formed his views on abolishing the 13th Amendment -- which outlawed slavery -- but he promises he'll be ready to explain it when he appears Monday on "TMZ Live."

We got Kanye Sunday leaving Mel's Diner in WeHo after flying back from NYC, following his 'SNL' appearance.

Kanye started explaining the origin of the Constitution, but our photog called out the fact that the 13th Amendment was passed long after the Constitution was ratified -- December 1865 to be precise. And, the driving force was not a founding father -- it was Abe Lincoln.

Kanye insinuated there might be evidence Abraham Lincoln might have been black. FYI, there's no credible evidence to support this theory.

Kanye tweeted a clarification of his 13th Amendment comment ... "The 13th Amendment is slavery in disguise meaning it never ended. We are the solution that heals."

In case you're wondering, here's how the 13th Amendment goes ... "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

Lil Wayne doesn't have to look very far to find the biggest fan of "Tha Carter V" -- his own daughter tells us she's thrilled and relieved her dad's long fight for the album is over.

Reginae Carter was gushing with love and praise for the album on Friday. Not surprisingly, she told us she's been listening to it nonstop. After all, it's a big break for her budding music career too -- Reginae is the featured vocalist on "Famous," track 11 on the album.

As everyone knows ... the record's been 6 years in the making, and Weezy's endured tons of legal battles through all of it. Interestingly, Reginae says Wayne always shielded her from that nightmare.

She's not the only one happy as hell the fight to release it is over -- for the most part, its rave reviews all around.