TMZ.com

Britney Spears is going dark -- and "RED" -- with her recent Instagram posts ... but a disturbing black-and-white photo of a woman cradling a skull baby tops them all.

The singer's string of IG posts the past week has been baffling fans as she's been sharing photos of red objects -- lips, a refrigerator, gloves, and a kitten in a red drawer -- along with videos of herself dancing ... and captioning them "RED."

But, on Monday night she dropped this creepy Victorian era photo with a skull-faced baby and wrote ... "Devil is in the details."

She added ... "wouldn’t want this baby to hit me one more time!!!!" with some LOL emojis, an obvious reference to her 1998 hit, and one she found amusing.

Shortly afterward, Brit shared a dance vid of herself with the caption, "I'm an extremely wicked looking vampire but really that's the whole point !!!!"

In the vid, she's wearing the same outfit as similar RED-themed vids she's shared over the last 6 days.

The bizarre posts come as Britney fans are ramping up the #FreeBritney movement, and she's requesting changes in the ongoing legal battle over her conservatorship. She is NOT, however, requesting to end the conservatorship.

Some of her fans believe the posts are cryptic messages to the public about her life, while others believe they are simply indicators she's not well.

Nick Jonas is about to become an inspiration to an untold number of kids, because his life story is about to be memorialized in a new comic book.

The comic book -- which we're told has not been approved by or worked on with Nick or his  team -- will drop next month ... this according to Darren G. Davis at TidalWave Productions. It's 26 pages long, and it orbits around Nick's accomplishments and struggles.

The book centers around Nick's drive to become an accomplished singer and star while he battled a serious disease -- type 1 diabetes, which he disclosed to the world in 2007.

The comic book starts with Nick's rise to fame with the Jonas Bros. The group was incredibly popular but busted apart within a matter of a few years. Lots of folks wrote Nick and his brood off for good, but Nick wasn't about to wave the white flag.

The comic book then hones in on Nick's plan to become a solo artist ... something that lots of people in the music industry thought was a non-starter. Nick proved them wrong with "Jealous," and it cemented him as a lone singer.

Of course, the Jonas Bros. got back together and became more popular than ever. And, don't forget Nick also became a movie star with the blockbuster film "Jumanji." He then married another movie star ... the amazing Priyanka Chopra.

The hook -- he did all this and he's 28 years old.

TidalWave has entered these waters before, with a Dolly Parton comic book, so he's in good company.

Here's your chance to own a big piece of Notorious B.I.G. history ... a hubcap from the SUV the rapper was shot in is hitting the open market.

The folks over at Moments In Time are brokering the sale of one of the 4 hubcaps from the infamous GMC Suburban Biggie was riding in when he was gunned down March 9, 1997, as he left L.A.'s Petersen Automotive Museum.

We're told the seller originally got the hubcap from a family friend who owned the rental company which owned the SUV ... so it's been around the block. We're told the seller had the hubcap for years and just decided to unload it, with an asking price of a cool $150,000.

As you can see ... the hubcap still has part of the sticker that was slapped on it some 24 years ago, and you can still make out the advertisement for his 1997 album, "Life After Death."

The sticker says, "THINK B.I.G. MARCH 25 1997," which was the album's release date.

You can see the hubcap with the sticker in the crime scene photos from back in the day ... after B.I.G. was shot 4 times in a drive-by while the SUV was stopped at a red light on Fairfax and Wilshire Blvd.

You wouldn't know COVID is out of control in Europe and, in particular, Spain, looking at this concert Saturday night with thousands of folks packed into a concert hall.

To be specific ... 5,000 fans showed up in Barcelona for the biggest commercial event in all of Europe since the pandemic exploded more than a year ago.

The fans came to see Love of Lesbian, and there were some precautions, as in masks. As for social distancing ... not so much. Concertgoers did get tested Saturday AM. The way it worked ... if they tested negative, they got a code on their cellphones which they then presented at the door.

The event had the seal of approval from Spanish Health authorities, along with folks from the Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation.

Kodak Black's creative juices have been flowing since his prison release, and we're not just talking music -- he's launched a clothing line that'll benefit a cause dear to him.

Kodak's attorney, Bradford Cohen, tells TMZ ... the rapper's starting a new clothing line dubbed L.O.V.E. ... an acronym for "Loyalty Out Values Everything." The brand's only in its infancy but Bradford says major retailers like DTLR, Hibbett Sports, City Gear and Snipes have pre-ordered the apparel.

So far, biz is boomin' ... we're told L.O.V.E. has nearly sold out its first run of pre-orders. There are also plans to roll out a sneaker line and possibly partner up with national brands down the road.

The best part of this venture is Kodak plans to donate a portion of the profits to local, national and international charities dedicated to empowering minorities and judicial reform ... according to his lawyer.

As you know, former President Trump commuted Kodak's sentence in January.

Lil Nas X is fully leaning into his new hellish aesthetic -- teaming up with an idea org to release "Satan Shoes" ... this on the heels of his polarizing music video on the same subject.

The rapper/pop star is putting out a limited release of Nike sneakers that are all about the Prince of Darkness and his kingdom ... right down to the box artwork and even the shoe design itself, which features a pentagram emblem sitting on the laces.

Check out the photos ... they're not leaving much to the imagination here.

The shoe body is a Nike Air Max '97, which MSCHF -- the company behind this campaign -- has reinvented with Nas X's new 'Montero' song and video in mind. It's got a bible scripture emblazoned on the side, Luke 10:18, which references Satan's banishment from heaven.

There's also a 666 reference toward the back of the shoe ... with another number in front of it, alluding to which limited unit it is. Word is, MSCHF/Nike are only dishing out 666 of these puppies to the public ... so if you have 6/666, that seems to mean you got the 6th model.

Here's the kicker ... apparently, these shoes will contain one drop of human blood somewhere along the soles. And no, not the metaphorical blood, sweat and tears of the factory workers who will presumably put these together ... like, actual plasma-filled red stuff.

Unclear whose blood exactly is being used for this ... but it's provocative, without a doubt.

Of course, the collab follows Nas X dropping a visual project for his track 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)' ... which got a lot of mixed reactions this past week.

It depicts him descending into hell and cozying up to Lucifer himself ... and giving him an erotic lap dance, no less. Some loved it, saying it's a celebration of Nas X's sexuality. Others, including some parents, felt it was over the top and NSFW ... especially considering Nas X's younger audience, aka children, who came to know/love him through 'Old Town Road.'

Someone hit the Beyhive ... Beyonce's storage units were broken into and burglars made off with more than $1 million worth of valuables.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... 3 L.A. area storage units filled with Beyonce goodies were hit twice by thieves earlier this month, and the culprits swiped her expensive handbags and dresses.

While the storage units are being rented out by her production company, Parkwood Entertainment, we're told the missing items from the first heist all belong to Queen Bey.

Our sources say burglars came back within a week, and took down 3 storage units in the same facility ... making off with handbags, kids toys and photos belonging to one of Beyonce's stylists.

Bey is the latest singer to have storage units burglarized, and we're told these kinds of crimes are on the rise. As we first reported, thieves recently stole clothes, family photos and mementos from Miley Cyrus' storage space.

Demi Lovato had a gut-wrenching, emotionally-charged reaction as she filmed her music video for "Dancing with the Devil," and TMZ has obtained the dramatic video.

Demi co-directed the music video with Michael D. Ratner, which they shot in the last week. The scene is a hospital setting, with Demi in a bed hooked up to all sorts of monitors -- mimicking the fight of her life after almost dying from an OD.

Production sources tell TMZ, Demi surprised everyone by saying she wanted to go off script and freestyle. Once the cameras were rolling, she began lip-syncing the song and began to sob uncontrollably.

As the song -- which was released Thursday night -- chronicled her journey as she lied about her addiction, her emotions got more and more intense.  At one point you hear Ratner say "Into camera" ...  Demi gazed into the lens and the sobbing became primal ... you can feel it even though you don't hear it.

The marathon continues, but the marathon feud Nipsey Hussle's estate had with the Crips is over ... thanks to a settlement of a lawsuit.

Nipsey's brother, Samiel Asghedom, just informed the court in writing that the estate's reached the settlement with Crips LLC. The notice was filed Thursday in L.A. County court.

As we first reported ... Nipsey's estate sued the gang's corporate arm back in October over the rights to Nip's "The Marathon Continues" slogan.

In the suit, Hussle's estate claimed the Crips org filed a trademark for the phrase less than 2 months after he was murdered outside his Marathon Clothing Store, despite Nipsey's family already owning several 'Marathon' trademarks themselves ... all related to his famous store.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the sides are still hammering out some of the terms -- but they expect to submit the formal terms of the agreement shortly.

Ja Rule is unloading some bad juju from the infamous disaster known as the Fyre Festival ... which is why he sold this painting for way less than his asking price.

The rapper who was tied to the dumpster fire of a festival sold the oil-paint portrait of the Fyre Festival logo for a cool $122k as a non-fungible token (NFT) -- meaning the buyer just gets a one-of-a-kind digital code linked to the image.

Ja originally wanted at least $600k for the physical painting, but a note Ja wrote -- and included in the sale -- shows his true feelings about the piece ... "F*** this painting."

Yeah, he wanted it gone, stat.

The image is 48" x 60" and was commissioned by Ja himself and created by Tripp Derrick Barnes. It once hung in the company's HQs in NYC before it was later moved to Ja's man cave at his NJ home.

But, when the Fyre Festival went to hell -- culminating with organizer Billy McFarland being sentenced to 6 years in prison -- Ja told Forbes last week he decided it was finally time to sell the painting because, "I just wanted that energy out."

Btw ... Ja sold the painting via his NFT exchange venture, FlipKick ... which will focus on selling NFTs that feature digital and physical objects.

The buyer is remaining anonymous, for now, but can also get Ja Rule's signature with the purchase. Pitiful cheese sandwich NOT included!

Village People founder Victor Willis is teeing off on the Grammys, saying it disrespects recording artists and has a Hall of Fame so lame ... the group's rejecting the recent induction of its biggest hit.

Willis tells TMZ ... his legendary disco group told Grammy Interim President Harvey Mason that it's declining induction into the 2021 Grammy Hall of Fame because the Hall is "lacking" and "not taken seriously by the recording academy."

Willis -- the cop in the Village People -- takes serious issue with the lack of attention Grammy Hall inductees get, saying there's no mention of them during the actual Grammy Awards ... and there's no induction ceremony.

For the record, the group's iconic track "Y.M.C.A." specifically was inducted into the Grammys Hall of Fame in December, because it's only for singles or albums, not the artists -- but Victor's not even down with them honoring the song.

He calls the whole thing an insult the Village People want no part of until the Grammys "get their act together." He adds that when the group releases an album later this year, it likely won't even submit it for Grammy consideration.

He goes on to say the Grammys should "show respect for classic artists who built the recording business."

There's a new "Verzuz" matchup on the horizon ... and it's pitting Xscape against SWV for a battle of female R&B groups.

We got Xscape's LaTocha Scott in New York City Wednesday and she told us the rumors and speculation are true ... she's heading into battle May 8 alongside Kandi Burruss, Tameka 'Tiny' Harris and her sister, Tamika Scott.

Mark your calendars!!!

Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have managed to keep the epic matchup under wraps until now ... with recent flyers for upcoming "Verzuz" battles blurring out the opponents.

The Isley Brothers and Earth, Wind & Fire are next up on Easter Sunday, followed by Redman and Method Man for a "How High" April 20 special, and then it's on to Xscape and SWV!!!

Kandi first teased a "Verzuz" with SWV way back in December, and fans have been clamoring for the matchup ever since ... and LaTocha tells us how it all came together.

Sounds like Xscape is already deep into their preparation ... LaTocha says the group's had tons of meetings to hammer out their battle playlist, so SWV better come correct!

There's still at least 5 "Verzuz" battles yet to be revealed ... and LaTocha tells us she's hoping for a showdown between Missy Elliott and Timbaland.

Prince fans will soon have a chance to pay their respects to him, in person, when Paisley Park opens its doors to the public and displays his ashes in the museum's atrium.

Paisley Park officials announced it'll allow 1,400 people -- through reservations at paisleypark.com -- inside the Minnesota compound for a 30-minute visit to the atrium on April 21 ... which will be the 5th anniversary of Prince's sudden death.

The museum will offer 70 time slots ... and 20 people per slot will be allowed inside. But, the visit to the museum will be limited to the atrium because no regular tours will be offered on that day.

The best part about this to those lucky enough to get a reservation ... admission is free. There will also be an online memorial for those who can't get a reservation.

Paying their respects is long overdue for some fans -- a custom-made ceramic urn shaped like Paisley Park with Prince's symbol on it had been displayed a few months after his death, but it was ultimately removed from public view.

NBA YoungBoy is in FBI custody after LAPD cops pulled him over and tracked him down when he allegedly attempted to flee the scene.

We're told the bust went down Monday ... LAPD and the feds attempted to pull over a vehicle NBA YoungBoy was in because he has an outstanding federal warrant. That set off a short pursuit -- but once the car stopped, cops say the rapper bolted on foot.

Our law enforcement sources tell us the cops set up a perimeter and brought in a K-9 to help find YoungBoy. BTW, we're told the police dog didn't bite him -- but did sniff him out.

We're told the cops found a firearm in the vehicle -- unclear if that belongs to YoungBoy, but we know the feds have him now.

We've reached out to his camp, but no word back yet.

Bobby Brown's son, Bobby Jr., died after ingesting a deadly cocktail of drugs ... this according to his autopsy report.

The L.A. County Medical Examiner's Office just released its findings -- and according to the document, obtained by TMZ, the autopsy and toxicology found a deadly combo of alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl.

The report also says a witness told police Bobby Jr. had downed tequila and snorted half a Percocet and the cocaine. The manner of death is listed as accidental.

We broke the story ... Bobby Jr. was found dead at just 28 years old in his L.A. area home in November. Cops reported there was no foul play involved, and our law enforcement sources told us no drugs were found at the scene either.

Bobby's family said he was not feeling well in the days leading up to his death and was experiencing flu-like symptoms. However, a family source told us he did not have COVID-19.

Demi Lovato says her life was so out of control during addiction she couldn't make big decisions -- about her finances -- or even little things, like what she ate.

Demi made that revelation on CBS "Sunday Morning News" while talking about her documentary film, "Dancing with the Devil" ... and she admitted, "I didn't control any of my life at that period of time. But yes, I also needed to grow up and take control."

The singer says it's really only in the last 2 years that she's changed that, and much more. Demi adds, "I'm now in control of my finances, I'm now in control of the food that I eat, how often I work out."

Demi said things got so bad with her food intake ... every time she was in a hotel room her phone was taken away from her so she wouldn't order room service.

She also opened up a little bit about her recovery, and interestingly she says she's what they call "California sober." Demi didn't dig into what that means for her -- and explained why she didn't want to say -- but that's a phrase that commonly means someone who uses a little marijuana.

As we reported ... Demi told Smith she was about 5 to 10 minutes from death after her 2018 overdose.