Lil Kim', Chilli & Mya Black Girl Magic Down in Barbados To Shoot New VH1 Show!!!

Lil' Kim and Mya are taking a cue from TLC, because they ain't chasing waterfalls ... they're chasing the sun down in the Caribbean -- and it's all for their TV show.

TLC's Chilli joined forces with Lil' Kim and Mya on Monday, hitting a beach in Barbados for an epic photo shoot ... and we're told the hip-hop stars are working on a new show for VH1!

We're told the show is called "Girls Crew" and Barbados is just one stop on their itinerary. The singers will be heading off to several other Caribbean islands while shooting.

Check out the gallery of the trio in action ... and get ready for all the throwback feels.

Safaree Fails to Show for 'L&HH' Reunion VH1 Threatens Legal Action

6:40 PM PT -- A show source tells us Safaree just arrived to the reunion in the last hour ... making a dramatic entrance halfway through the reunion. We're told he failed to make his contractual obligation of the full day and it's still possible there will be consequences from the network.

Safaree just did a total 180 on his commitment to attend the 'Love & Hip Hop' reunion ... a move that could cost him some serious cash.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ, Safaree was supposed to appear in Atlanta Wednesday to shoot the 'LHH' show. We're told last Friday he was committed to do the special -- but he had a change of heart on Monday -- backing out due to what he called safety and mental health concerns.

Our sources say VH1's parent company, Viacom, promised Safaree they'd put necessary measures in place to make sure he felt safe -- including additional security if a fight broke out -- but he wouldn't budge.

Safaree's no-show certainly didn't sit well with network honchos ... who fired off a legal letter warning Safaree if he didn't attend, he could be on the hook for substantial damages.

Safaree's manager, David Weintraub, tells us he's encouraged the reality star to fulfill his obligations to the network. However, the decision on how he handles his contractual commitments is ultimately up to Safaree.

Viacom has also threatened to bar Safaree from appearing on any other TV shows while under contract ... limiting his ability to make additional income.

'L&HH' Star Tresure Price Busted for DUI ... Lands in Hospital

"Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" star Tresure Price had no idea her night was about to get even worse after getting busted for DUI ... with a trip to the hospital following a bumpy ride in the back of a cop car.

It all went down last week in the ATL after cops say they saw Price run a red light. According to a police report, obtained by TMZ, Price drove several blocks before finally pulling over. Cops say Price reeked of booze, though she insisted she only had a shot of vodka and a lemon drop martini.

Cops administered a field sobriety test ... which she bombed. She was cuffed and arrested for DUI, reckless driving and failure to obey. But, the night was just beginning for Price.

On their way to the police station, the arresting officer said he had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting someone on a bicycle who came outta nowhere. Cops say he could hear Price slide forward in the back seat but couldn't tell if she hit the cage.

According to the police report, Price complained of face, nose, cheek and chest pain ... and said she was going to press charges and/or sue over her injuries. Cops then drove her to the hospital.

She later posted bail.

'Black Ink Crew: Chicago' Star Alleged Sucker Punch 'On Set' ... Cops Called

A party for VH1's "Black Ink Crew: Chicago" turned violent when one of the stars got into a fight with a guest ... well, it wasn't much of a fight.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Junior Diaz got into a heated convo with someone during the party in Chicago. During the argument, we're told Junior called the other guy a bitch ... then immediately sucker punched him in the face. In the face!!!

When cops showed up at the Dec. 1 bash ... they found the punchee disoriented and bleeding from the mouth. He was transported to a hospital where he got stitched up.

Our sources say the party was being shot for 'Black Ink' ... although it's unclear if cameras captured any of the fight. Remember, it didn't last that long. Two hits: Junior's punch, then the guy hitting the ground.

We're told Junior had bounced when cops arrived, and witnesses weren't down to talk.

We've reached out to VH1 ... so far, no word back.

Monica Let Me Explain Why I'm a Mortician ...

FOCUS ON FAMILY
TMZ.com

Monica says anyone shocked to learn she's a mortician should understand one thing ... she's more than just a Grammy-winning singer.

We got Monica at LAX on Monday and had to talk to her about recently revealing she's a legit mortician. She revealed her side hustle's actually something she's been doing for YEARS. It's true ... she's been working at her uncle Gus Thornhill's funeral home since 2013.

She tells us her uncle's been at it for nearly 50 years and she grew up around the occupation. So, it's no surprise when you hear the passion in her voice about being a mortician. She tells us why it's a calling and why it's important to get out of your zone.

'The Godmother of Cocaine' Son Gets VH1 Reality Show The Cartel Goes H'Wood!!!

Move over, "Mob Wives" ... there's a new show getting ready to mark its territory on VH1 with ties to drug cartels.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... VH1 is done casting for its non-scripted show that will feature people whose family is closely associated with the drug trade. We're told one person who made the cut is Michael Corleone Blanco -- the son of the notorious gangster, Griselda Blanco -- aka "The Godmother of Cocaine."

If VH1 wanted a member closely associated to the cartels, look no further than Michael Corleone Blanco, whose mom was Pablo Escobar's inspiration.

For the uninitiated, Griselda -- also nicknamed "The Godmother of the Medellin Cartel" -- reigned terror in Miami during the cocaine wars of the 70s and 80s. She reportedly ordered hits on hundreds and served nearly 2 decades behind bars in the U.S. for drug trafficking and 3 murders.

Griselda -- who once allegedly plotted to kidnap JFK Jr. -- was portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie "Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story." She was eventually deported to Colombia and gunned down 6 years ago outside a butcher shop in Medellin.

Her son, named after the 'Godfather' character, owns a clothing line. His website touts Griselda as "the first self-made female billionaire" ... and says his brand is "by hustlers for hustlers."

'Black Ink' Stars & Viacom Sued You Turned My Pad Into a Sex Den!!!

The stars of the VH1 reality show "Black Ink Atlanta" are posers and nymphos who had no business doing biz in a rental house ... so claims the landlord, who is now suing.

Hussein Abdelhadi is suing Jakeita Days -- aka "Sky" and manager of the Atlanta tattoo shop featured on the show -- along with Ceaser Emanuel -- who owns the joint -- claiming Sky broke her lease by filming scenes at the ATL crib.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Abdelhadi claims his lease specifically says his rental house is for residential purposes only. He also says Sky was the only one allowed to stay there under the terms of the lease and screwed up letting Emanuel also live there.

What's got Abdelhadi even more pissed off is Sky essentially allowed Emanuel to use the crib as a motel to not only stay there but also bang chicks. Abdelhadi says he's haunted "by images of the property being used as a house of ill repute" after the show aired.

What's more ... on numerous occasions Sky falsely represented on the show she owned the house. Abdelhadi says he used to live there with his family and planned on moving back in after Sky left, but is embarrassed after "Black Ink Atlanta" depicted the property in such an immoral manner.

He's suing Sky, Emanuel and Viacom -- which owns VH1 -- for unspecified damages. We've reached out to the defendants, so far no word back.

BTW, if you're keeping score, that's 2 lawsuits for Emanuel in less than 2 months.

VH1's 'Black Ink' Star You Stole Floyd vs. Conor Fight!

Arghhhhh ... the star of the VH1 reality show "Black Ink Crew" is also a PIRATE who allegedly stole the Floyd Mayweather, Conor McGregor fight -- this according to a new lawsuit.

Ceaser Emanuel -- who owns the Black Ink tattoo shop featured on the show -- is being sued for a FORTUNE after he allegedly rigged the TVs at the parlor to play the fight without paying the proper fees.

Remember, the fight cost most people $99 on Pay-Per-View -- but if you wanted to show the fight in a commercial business, you had to pay thousands of dollars extra in licensing fees.

Well, according to the suit ... Emanuel was so cheap, he tried to bob and weave his way out of the fees by illegally obtaining the fight and showing it at his Atlanta location ... hoping he wouldn't get caught.

Problem is ... the company in charge of the licensing, Joe Hand Promotions, said they busted him red-handed.

Joe Hand is suing Ceaser and Black Ink Atlanta for satellite and cable piracy along with copyright infringement ... and they're hoping to get more than $100,000 in damages.

Ray J on 'L&HH' What Had Happened With My Damn Moving Hat Was ...

CAT IN THE HAT
TMZ.com

Ray J says the reason his beanie seemed to have a mind of its own this week on 'Love & Hip Hop' has more to do with Hollywood magic than any real hat trick.

Ray broke down the 50 seconds of the episode everyone's talking about -- not for anything he or Safaree Samuels said, but because Ray's hat seemed to have a mind of its own!! In the brief scene, the knitted hat was in at least 6 different positions.

Fans of the show noticed, then made sure the Internet noticed. Viral video and meme hilarity ensued.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Ray gently put the blame on editing, as he revealed exactly how long they were actually shooting the scene. Hint: It's MUCH longer than what you saw on VH1 or the web.

Considering the hat has stolen the spotlight, Ray tells us it could be getting a bigger role in upcoming episodes. As he puts it ... the hat's in negotiations.

It's so Hollywood, baby.

VH1 Star Kamal Givens I Want to Find Love ... Give Me Another TV 'Chance'

Kamal Givens wants to take another crack at finding love, and hopes a TV comeback can make it happen.

The former VH1 star -- who went by Chance on "I Love New York" and "Real Chance of Love" -- is developing a new dating show with his former producers, Scott Teti and Matt Odgers.

Scott and Matt tell us they're excited to team up with Chance again, and describe the new show -- "Chance @ Romance" -- as a modern take on the dating game with a strong influence from social media.

Chance will choose dates from a pool of women who reach out to him on social. Basically, next level sliding into the DMs. Kamal says. His goal is to find the woman of his dreams while traveling the world. Hopefully, he has better luck than when he traveled abroad last year.

"Chance @ Romance" is still being shopped around, and we're told some networks are interested ... but no takers so far.

Faith Evans & Stevie J Eyeing $40 Mil Yacht To Host Wedding Bash!!!

Faith Evans and Stevie J's quickie Vegas wedding ain't gonna cut it ... which is why they're planning a lavish Miami ceremony on a massive luxury yacht.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Faith and Stevie are serious about locking down The Vessel, a 222-foot yacht that's really more like a cruise ship. They recently toured the $40 million craft, and loved the fact it's got tons of space for up to 600 guests.

We're told Faith asked about the ability to film on the yacht, which has us thinking VH1 cameras will capture the elaborate ceremony for Stevie's reality show, "Leave It to Stevie."

The ceremony could smooth things over with friends and family who, as we first reported, were pissed the couple didn't give 'em a heads-up about the surprise marriage.

We're told Faith and Stevie didn't even discuss a budget when they toured The Vessel.

As they say ... if ya gotta ask, ya can't afford it.

'Basketball Wives' Star Wants LeBron's Wife On The Show ... 'We Need You!'

LOVE TO HAVE HER
TMZSports.com

Move over LeBron ... you ain't the only James wanted in Hollywood -- 'cause 'Basketball Wives' star Jackie Christie is BEGGING Savannah to join the show.

"Come on Savannah," Doug Christie's wife tells TMZ Sports. "We need you!"

Jackie's been a staple on VH1's hit ... and when we got her out at LAX with her NBA hubby -- she was all for sharing the show's limelight with LBJ's boo.

"Savannah, come be on 'Basketball Wives,' we think you're adorable!"

Of course ... Jackie IS one of the few 'Wives' stars still with her NBA connect -- so there might be some angling for a new storyline here.

But, still -- ball looks like it's in Savannah's court ... for a change.

Ex-'LHHA' Star Althea Busted for Smacking Benzino ... In Front of Cops!!!

"Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" star Benzino's baby mama, Althea Eaton, went upside his head during an argument Sunday night ... according to cops who witnessed it, and quickly arrested Althea.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... LAPD was called to Althea's home in the San Fernando Valley to check out a domestic dispute. We're told Althea wanted Benzino to get out, and he wasn't cooperating.

Responding officers tried to calm things down, but 'LHHA's' first couple of trouble didn't disappoint -- we're told Althea whacked Benzino in the head right in front of the cops. She was arrested and booked for misdemeanor battery.

Her bail was set at $20k, and we're told she bonded out early Monday morning.

As for Benzino, he might be shopping for jewelry ... again.

'Love & Hip Hop' James R.'s 'Bah Gurl' Track Triggers 'Bad' Lawsuit

James R. -- a newcomer on this season of "Love & Hip Hop" -- jacked a song that doesn't belong to him and is trying to pass it off as his own -- including on the show ... according to a new suit.

Music producer Luis Vargas is going after James R. and Viacom -- which owns VH1 -- claiming 'L&HH' used his song "Bad Girl" on 2 episodes of season 8 so far ... but the show has no right to do that.

Here's the backstory -- Vargas says he signed James R. to his label, Bully Sound Records, last year, and together they made "Bad Girl" ... but Vargas' company owns the rights to the track.

Vargas claims James R. tried to part ways with Bully and take "Bad Girl" with him, but when they couldn't work out a deal ... Vargas says James R. just jacked the song and changed the name to "Bah Gurl."

According to the docs ... James R. appears on 2 eps. of this season VH1's show making an unauthorized music vid for "Bah Gurl" and having a release party for it. To make it worse -- he claims James R.'s promoting the jacked version of "Bad Girl" online, as well.

Vargas is suing for damages ... which he believes are more than $1 million.

We reached out to Viacom and James R. ... so far no word back.

Coco Is Talking Outta Her Ass When It Comes To Her Ass!!! Says 'Flavor of Love' Star

GET OUTTA HERE!!!
TMZ.com

Coco better check with models Melyssa Ford and Esther Baxter among others who TRULY created the big butt movement ... so says former 'Flavor of Love' star Deelishis, who btw counts herself among the booty trailblazers.

You'll recall Coco posted a photo with a long-ass caption ... bragging how 21 years ago she embraced her ass and curves during a time when they were considered fat in the modeling world.

Coco also said she paved the way for thick girls well before the plastic surgery craze. Deelishis says Coco's talking outta her ass because Melyssa (The Game name-dropped her in "Wouldn't Get Far") and Esther (appeared in Kanye, Nelly and Ludacris videos) are the real booty queens.

Deelishis makes no bones about it -- just another white chick trying to steal the thunder.

Diddy's NYE Party Rah Ali Attacks Sky! 'L&HH' vs. 'Black Ink'

RED CARPET RUMBLE
TMZ.com

Rah Ali tried to exact vengeance against her archenemy and reality TV foe, Sky, in a sneak attack at Diddy's New Year's Eve "Black Excellence" party ... but Sky quickly caught on.

TMZ has obtained video of a fight between VH1's 'Love & Hip Hop' star and "Black Ink Crew" bruiser Sunday night at Diddy's crib in Miami, as the 2 met up on the black carpet.

You see Rah says "hi" to Sky, and then acts like she's going in for a hug ... before grabbing the back of Sky's head in an aggressive manner. Sky immediately starts hitting back, and the pair falls into Diddy's Ciroc backdrop before being broken up.

This ain't the first time the 2 reality stars came to blows -- they went at it in 2016 after getting into an Instagram beef about eyelash endorsements ... yep.

The question now ... who do you think won this round?!

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