TMZ Hip Hop - Page 6

Tekashi 6ix9ine has done his time, and he's back on the streets -- and he's leaving federal prison with a can't-miss souvenir.

The rapper shared a clip from the moment authorities let him back out on the streets Friday morning -- Tekashi's attorney Lance Lazzaro and the BOP both confirmed with TMZ the rapper was let out today.

In the clip, Tekashi seems in high spirits after 90 days in MDC Brooklyn -- coming out the gate hot and dapping up a pal.

Kanye West just played his biggest show in years ... and it seems a lot of people have looked past his antisemitic meltdowns -- but Donnell Rawlings says there are definitely sides in that grace.

We caught up with the comic-actor at LAX on Thursday after the first of Ye's two sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium ... and asked if Kanye had been forgiven.

As you can see in the video ... DR is dead serious when he says Black people have forgiven Kanye ... but white people still hold a grudge -- that is, unless they want to make money off him by doing business -- then, it's all good.

Pooh Shiesty allegedly kidnapped and robbed Gucci Mane -- this, according to the Department of Justice.

The DOJ announced the news Thursday morning ... claiming Shiesty and his pal Big30 kidnapped and robbed several alleged victims at gunpoint in a Dallas music studio.

Eight of the nine suspects -- including Shiesty -- were arrested Wednesday across three cities -- Memphis, Nashville and Dallas -- according to the DOJ.

Kanye West hit a snag during his comeback show in Los Angeles ... where the lights during his concert became a bit of a "runaway" -- with Ye halting the show to fix it his way.

The rapper performed for a packed SoFi Stadium Wednesday night -- his first show in Tinseltown in five years -- and, much to the delight of his fans, ran through a bunch of his biggest hits.

But things took a turn during his 2007 track "Good Life" ... when Ye suddenly stopped mid-song and called for production to cut the music. He addressed the crew directly ... taking issue with the disco-style lighting, saying it didn't pair well with the smoke-filled stage and needed to go.

Ye restarts the song from the top ... but seconds in, shuts it down again -- this time calling the lights "corny."

Megan Thee Stallion was hospitalized Tuesday night after she had trouble breathing while performing on Broadway, but TMZ has learned she'll be OK.

A rep for the superstar singer and actress tells TMZ ... she was diagnosed with extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction, and low metabolic levels ... all of which led to the scary moment when "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" was halted mid-show.

We're told Megan was treated and discharged ... and is resting at home.

She's skipping the Wednesday "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" performances ... a decison would-be ticket buyers were told when trying to snap up a seat. The plan is for her to be back on stage on Thursday.

We're told she's incredibly grateful for the prayers and well-wishes from her supporters.

A home owned by rapper Pooh Shiesty's family is crawling with federal agents ... the FBI is on site executing a search and arrest warrant.

The home is in a Memphis suburb, and records show the house is owned by Lontrell Williams ... that's Pooh's government name, and also his father's name.

FBI agents have been going in and out of the home since at least 6 AM Wednesday ... according to FOX13 in Memphis.

It's unclear why the FBI went to a federal court and obtained a search and arrest warrant. We don't know if anyone has been arrested ... we're working on it.

Grammy-winning producer Sidney "Omen" Brown -- who worked with artists like Drake, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and more -- passed away last year ... and now his cause of death has been released.

According to the medical examiner, Brown passed away from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The manner of death was determined as natural.

The disease -- otherwise known as ASCVD -- is caused by plaque buildup in your arteries.

Megan Thee Stallion was rushed to a NYC hospital Tuesday night ... after falling "very ill" during her Broadway show, "Moulin Rouge! The Musical."

A rep for the singer and actress tells TMZ ... “During Tuesday night’s production, Megan started feeling very ill and was promptly transported to a local hospital, where her symptoms are currently being evaluated. We will share additional updates as more information becomes available.”

No additional info was offered ... but hairstylist Kellon Deryck asked people for prayers on X.

The superstar made her Broadway debut in the show last week ... in the role of The Zidler at New York’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Before this cool kid in his tank was spittin' his magic, he was just growing up in Queens, playing basketball and rapping when he was just a teen ...

Let's get right to it ... You're mesmerized by his music, and he's always on time!

Cardi B and her record labels scored a legal win in the Lone Star State after being sued for allegedly using portions of another artist's song without permission ... the lawsuit against them has just been thrown out of court for jurisdictional reasons.

Here's the deal ... Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar (AKA Kemika 1956) filed suit against Cardi B back in July 2024, claiming Cardi and her producers stole their secret sauce by using parts of their 2021 song "Greasy Frybread" on her March 2024 hit single, "Enough (Miami)."

The lawsuit was filed in Texas ... but according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ, it was dismissed due to a lack of personal jurisdiction. Translation: the judge ruled Fraustro and Aguilar didn't establish that the Texas court had the power to deal with the case.

Nick Cannon expressed some distaste for the Democratic Party ... calling them the "party of the KKK" -- that said, don't expect the man to vote Republican either.

The actor and rapper laid out his raw thoughts about America's major political parties in a new episode of his 'Big Drive' show which came out Friday, while chatting with Amber Rose about her recent move to the Republican party.

In the clip, Cannon notes the Democratic Party's historic links to the Klan while pointing out the Republican Party, under Abraham Lincoln, actually freed the slaves.

2:35 PM PT -- Bianca Censori is giving fans a look at the artistic process behind being a music video director ... sharing an early mock-up of the set and thanking designer Cody Fusina for helping bring her vision to life.

There aren't many stars bigger than Kanye West ... but, when you put Michael Jackson in a music video, the "Smooth Criminal" is bound to steal some attention!

The rapper released the music video for his new song "FATHER" -- directed by his wife, Bianca Censori -- off his album "BULLY" early Saturday morning ... and it features an eclectic cast -- with a knight on horseback, a couple astronauts and even Travis Scott, who is also featured on the track, making an appearance in the clip.

But, the real scene-stealer sits a few rows behind Ye in the vid's church setting ... a man who appears to be Michael Jackson in an all-white suit.

Bhad Bhabie and Sophie Rain's new collaboration won't elicit any sour grapes from fans if the first pics are any indication ... because these shots look pretty dang sweet.

The pair shared a series of photos in matching leotards ... pressing chest to chest in one shot and showing off their impressive backsides in another.

A couple of pics show them in the bathroom ... while another shows them lying on a bed -- where Sophie is feeding Bhad Bhabie from a plate of juicy green grapes.

OJ da Juiceman's reps are rushing to his defense after what they say was an unjust arrest ... which led to a "serious medical emergency."

OJ's management tells TMZ ... "While in custody, OJ suffered a serious medical episode related to his Type 1 diabetes on March 21 and required emergency treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital. His health and safety should never have been put at risk in this way."

As we reported ... the trap rapper was arrested March 15 by the Georgia State Patrol and slapped with 10 charges ... after a trooper claimed OJ passed him on the interstate and pointed a gun at him multiple times.

YNW Melly has been in jail for 7 years waiting for another trial in his Florida murder case ... and he wants out on bond pending that trial.

In court docs, obtained by TMZ, the 26-year-old rapper -- legal name Jamell Demons -- is requesting a release from custody pending trial, through his attorney Drew Findling.

The papers go in depth about the purportedly "dehumanizing" living conditions in the Broward County Jail and their impact on Melly.

According to the docs, Melly started solitary confinement way back in December 2021 on a 23 and 1 schedule -- which means Melly is locked alone in a small cell for 23 hours a day while being allowed out for 1. And he says during that 1 hour, he's not allowed to interact with other detainees.

Ne-Yo gets his breaking news from TMZ, because our photog clued him in to the fact one of his music labels signed an A.I. artist ... and he told us why it could be a good thing for humans.

We got Ne-Yo at LAX, and our photog asked him about his Pan-Asian music and entertainment company, Pacific Music Group, signing Timbaland‘s A.I. artist TaTa Taktumi.

Ne-Yo said he didn't sign off on the deal and didn't even know about it ... but he says it's cool in his book, as long as human beings are writing the lyrics and producing the songs.