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Famous Dex stole an expensive timepiece, and then made up a story about getting robbed to cover his tracks ... at least that's the alleged watch owner's story.

The rapper is being sued by a man who claims Dex agreed to advertise the guy's luxury watch on social media -- but in a lawsuit he's filed, the guy says his first meeting with the rapper went south quickly.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, he handed over the timepiece so Dex could check it out and take pictures for social media posts. He says it was all good until Dex drove off with it and went radio silent.

In the suit, he claims Famous Dex contacted him later, and claimed 4 men robbed him and took the watch. He's not buying that, and claims the robbery is BS -- he believes Dex still has the timepiece. According to the suit, he says he saw it on Dex's Instagram, and that Dex tried to sell it to a jeweler.

TMZ broke the story ... Dex even reported the alleged robbery to cops last month, telling them the crooks jacked a $50,000 watch and cash at gunpoint.

But, the plaintiff claims he was there when Dex talked to police, and somehow HE actually got handcuffed and detained for a while. He wasn't charged, but now he's suing Dex for at least $90,000 in damages.

Shock G will be laid to rest not far from where he died ... his funeral plans are set, and we're told his group Digital Underground will be well represented at the service.

The late rapper's manager, Atron Gregory, tells TMZ ... Shock's funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Tampa and a large Digital Underground contingent will be front and center, including founding member Money B and DJ Fuze.

Money B's manager says ... MB's been working with Shock's family to help prep for the funeral, but it won't be a Digital Underground reunion. We're told members have seen each other recently and they regularly stay in touch.

As you know, Shock was famous for his work with Tupac Shakur, and a rep for the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation tells us Pac's stepbrother, Mopreme Shakur, will also attend the funeral, as well as rapper Ray Luv, a close friend of both Shock G and 2Pac.

As we first told you ... Shock G was found dead last week in a Tampa hotel room, and his father said there were no signs of trauma.

We've also learned new details surrounding Shock's death ... the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner tells us Shock was last seen the day before he died, when a hotel manager noticed him outside the building.

We're told the manager grew concerned when Shock missed his scheduled check-out time -- so he went to his room, opening the door to find Shock unresponsive laying in bed. The manager immediately called 911.

Questlove says he had the time of his life DJ-ing the Oscars over the weekend, but his one regret ... he couldn't shoo away winners who took forever with their acceptance speeches.

We got "The Tonight Show" band frontman heading into work Tuesday at NBC Studios in NYC and he told our guy he was ordered by Oscars producer Steven Soderbergh to stand down on playing any kind of wrap-up-your-speech music.

The famous DJ said compiling his walk-off music was one of the first tasks he completed when he got the gig ... but Soderbergh, one of 3 producers of the Oscars, foiled the plan.

That's too bad ... 'cause Questlove said his playlist was tight and a perfect sendoff to long-winded winners.

All good though ... Questlove says he's been going to the Oscars for a decade now and really enjoyed the new format. So much so ... he said he hopes it's the new normal.

There were some pretty cool moments (albeit scripted) ... like when Questlove played EU's classic "Da Butt" and got Glenn Close to play along and dance her ass off.

Sounds like Moneybagg Yo's new line for any promoters looking to book him for live gigs is, basically ... "New album, who dis?" -- and he says they better be ready to spend top dollar!!!

We ran into the red hot rapper Tuesday at LAX, where we congratulated him on his new album, "A Gangsta's Pain" -- which is getting tons of praise, and also jacking up his rate for shows. Moneybagg confirms it's a cool $200k to book him now.

That's a huge leap from where he was just a year ago ... check out what MBY says he used to charge not too long ago. Not to get all math-y on ya -- but it's an 80% increase!

You can see Moneybagg's crowds have gotten exponentially bigger over the past year or so. Not just that, but he's starting to gain some ground with new, broader audiences ... due, in part, to appearances on the 'Tonight Show' and elsewhere.

Clearly, things are going well for him -- and it also sounds like he's being smart with his money ... telling us he definitely does some spending, but throws some in the bank as well.

Since he likes to flaunt a bit, we had to ask ... as his stacks continue to pile up, what's the big-ticket item he's eyeing???

His answer might surprise you a bit -- seems like he might wanna dip his toe into real estate, but on a larger scale than just one new crib.

Kanye West has the Midas touch ... a pair of shoes he wore during his performance at the 2008 Grammys just sold for a record 7-figure price.

The prototype Nike Air Yeezy 1 brought in a whopping $1.8 million in a recent private sale, according to Sotheby's, which brokered the deal.

Kanye famously wore the kicks, known as the "Grammy Worn" Nikes, at the 2008 Grammy Awards, when he performed "Hey Mama" and "Stronger."

The $1.8 million sale price completely shatters the record for the most expensive pair of sneakers ever sold ... it's the first pair to sell for over $1 million, nearly tripling the previous high of $615k for a pair of 1985 Nike Air Jordan 1s Michael Jordan wore when he broke a backboard during a preseason game in Italy.

MJ's record didn't last long ... those kicks sold last year, and now Kanye's got the top spot.

Ye and Mark Smith designed the size 12 shoes, a combination of Nike and Yeezy signature brandings. There's a classic Nike Swoosh, plus a Yeezy forefoot strap and a bright pink "Y" medallion lace lock.

The Kid LAROI is still a few months shy of turning 18, but he has many reasons to celebrate early ... and we're thinking a Benjamin Franklin-themed party is fitting after his new deal with Sony.

The Australian singer, songwriter and producer known for hits like "Without You," and his collaboration with Juice WRLD on "Go," finalized a contract that will pay him $4.2 million in advances alone ... according to his minors contract.

The Kid LAROI -- gov't name Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard -- got $1.2 million immediately after signing the deal. He's also getting $1.75 million after his publisher gets the deal approved by the court ... and another $1 million payable in 12 monthly installments after that.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, it says KL will get another $250k on the 1 year anniversary of the deal -- and all of that is before his royalties kick in.

The Kid LAROI became known to mainstream audiences when the late rapper Juice WRLD mentioned him while on tour Down Under. They eventually collaborated on a couple of tracks ... and LAROI's singles soon started gaining serious traction in the U.S.

His popularity's still on the rise ... 'cause even Miley Cyrus recently teased an upcoming remix of LAROI's 2020 single "Without You." She uploaded a 20-second clip featuring the track and headlines of her past relationships.

DMX's family and closest friends gathered together to honor the rapper one last time before he is laid to rest in New York ... and the private funeral service was full of emotion.

Sunday marked the second service for the late rapper and this one, at an NYC church, was restricted to those who knew X best. A larger event went down Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn which featured a choir, X's kids all taking the stage and words from his closest celeb friends like Nas, Eve and the original Ruff Ryders.

The church service started around 11:30 AM PT and was broadcast on BET ... as well as here. Right from the jump, the service proved to be incredibly poignant and heartfelt -- especially when some of his children stepped to the podium to remember their father.

One of X's daughters, Sasha, delivered a tearful remembrance ... sobbing throughout. She said she finds it difficult to know that the world will go on without him around, not to mention the fact that X won't be there to see her graduate college ... or walk down the aisle.

Despite this, she said X being at peace was more important than any of that -- and that she finds comfort in the fact that he's no longer in pain and resting easy in heaven. She also said she knew he'd be encouraged that all of his children had gotten together under one roof.

Her speech was very moving ... and drew a big round of applause from the crowd. More of his kids also spoke, and all of their words were touching ... with some comic relief sprinkled in as they reminisced on their dad's life and memories with him.

X's young children were so well-composed and eloquent in their remarks ... it was incredible to watch. One of his sons, Manny, joked about his dad always asking him about how many girlfriends he had ... while also relaying that X wanted his boys to listen to him, but not necessarily follow in his footsteps, as X had traveled a rocky road. Manny said he'd remember that ... and that his dad was right. The crowd responded well.

Some of X's other children -- including his younger daughters -- also spoke, reading poems and delivering parting words, including thanks ... which were brief but poignant. His kids seriously stole the spotlight throughout the beautiful church service.

There were a lot more speakers who stepped to the mic ... including members of the Ruff Ryders, and Swizz Beatz once again -- who was a lot more chill with his remarks this time around. He kind of explained why he was so fierce on Saturday ... and it became clear they were like family, so Swizz going to bat for him like he did is understandable.

Another powerful moment presented itself when two mothers of DMX's children came together at the podium -- his ex-wife, Tashera Simmons, gave a stirring speech about how she met X and their time together. Then, she intro'd DMX's fiancee, Desiree Lindstrom, who delivered a somber account of their loving relationship ... all while crying and sobbing throughout.

The two women embraced ... and it got everyone clapping and cheering. There was no shortage of tears either -- you could hear people choking up in the audience as Desiree wept, ending her remarks with "Forever X."

There was a slight disturbance toward the end of the service -- when a man who said he'd actually toured with X in recent years got up and started going on a bit of a rant ... only to be interrupted by the pastor who was running the show and walked off stage.

That didn't ruin the good vibes, though, and the event ended in a sweet prayer. The whole thing ran somewhere in the ballpark of 4 hours or so ... and it was never a dull moment, full of musical performances in between all the speeches given.

It was just over 2 weeks ago when X died in a New York hospital following complications from a drug overdose. He was on life support for a week before he passed away, and while he was hospitalized friends, family and loved ones gathered to pay their respects.

Kanye West turned out to be quite present throughout DMX's tributes this weekend -- and he'll continue to be ... because he's got a seven-figure gift for the man's family.

Sources close to Kanye tell us the custom DMX T-shirt designed by Balenciaga -- which was commissioned by the Yeezy brand and put up for sale Saturday as X's memorial got underway -- ended up cranking out huge profits quickly ... upwards of a million bucks.

Balenciaga had already said they'd be giving the net profits back to the fam -- but the fact those sales produced a million dollars is staggering. Then again, the shirt was retailing for $200 a pop ... so we suppose it makes sense. The DMX tribute shirt sold out in 24 hours.

There's another way Kanye got involved in Saturday's ceremony -- which Swizz Beatz actually alluded to during the event. Yes, we've heard Kanye and the Yeezy team did, in fact, design the stage where the Sunday Service choir performed, and where guests also spoke.

You might've noticed the elaborate set pieces at play -- the stage looked like an inverted pyramid ... or maybe even two. Our sources say Ye recruited renowned visual artist Akeem Smith to help with the layout ... and it looks like their joint efforts paid off, because it definitely made for quite a spectacle -- one that was worthy of DMX and his loved ones.

Tekashi 6ix9ine performed before a live audience for the first time since his release from prison, but it was abruptly cut short.

Tekashi headlined a concert Friday night at Tier Nightclub in Orlando and, as he performed "GOOBA," he jumped into the crowd from the VIP balcony.

The crowd was lovin' it, but according to a fan who was there, Tekashi got pissed when someone knocked his hat off and others started messing with the chains around his neck. He told everyone to chill out but, according to the fan, one of his chains fell to the ground and his security scooped it up.

The show abruptly ended.

Tekashi's lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, tells TMZ, Tekashi was happy with the show and 69 did not lose any of his prized jewelry.

What's remarkable ... that Tekashi felt emboldened to hurl himself into the crowd, given the trial where he turned on several gang members and got a plea deal for his cooperation. Lazzaro says 69 isn't worried about a thing and, if anything were to happen, he's confident his security would handle it.

DMX's Celebration of Life featured was an emotional event that featured his children, celeb friends, Kanye's Sunday Service Choir and a stern message from Swizz Beats to the people who failed X when he was still alive.

One of the more powerful moments of the entire ceremony came from X's friend Swizz Beats. He shared love to X's family and his late friend ... but didn't hide his anger in seeing some faces in the crowd he knew didn't have X's back when the rapper was alive.

In fact, Swizz says if anything, X's death has taught him the importance of loyalty and keeping good people in his circle.

We're told Kanye and the Yeezy creative team were behind the stage design for the memorial, and Kanye teamed up with Balenciaga to create DMX merch ... with proceeds going to his family.

X's red casket was center stage most of the ceremony and was first accompanied by his widowed fiancee Diseree and their son, Exodus. His other children eventually joined them on stage, and his final wishes of loving Jesus and family were relayed.

Some of X's children even got on the mic and spoke as well ... delivering somber remembrances of their father. One of his younger sons read a eulogy from his phone, fighting back tears ... and his daughter shared an original piece as well.

Nas took the mic at one point as well, with remarks that were brief but impactful -- with him remembering X's rise to fame and how he knew he'd become a musical icon. Nas and X starred in a movie together -- the cult classic 'Belly' from 1998.

There were other notable speakers, including some of the original Ruff Ryders ... Eve, Jadakiss, Styles P,  and Drag-On were just a few to take the mic as well. All of them thanked X for putting them on and paving the way in the biz.

DMX's family is also planning a more private funeral service Sunday, at a church in the NYC area.

DMX is going out with a bang in the streets of New York -- where rows and rows of cars (big and small) are heading to the Barclays Center for his memorial ... including a monster truck that's carrying his casket.

Check out these videos of a straight-up monster truck that is carrying a red casket in its bed ... which some folks believe is X's. We've confirmed ... that is, in fact, DMX's casket -- making this perhaps the coolest gesture ever ... and just shows how much people love the man.

The monster truck was just one piece of the parade on wheels in Brooklyn -- like we said, the streets were jam-packed with exotic vehicles and motorcycles ... all of which seemed to be heading toward the Barclays Center, where X's celebration of life event is being held.

Of course, a majority of these whips were blasting DMX music at full blast ... which is appropriate. It speaks to the fact that X had a massive influence on street racing culture, and folks who have such rides are clearly down to pay respect to him as he's laid to rest.

X's memorial service is happening at 1 PM PT, and we'll be streaming it live here on TMZ. Not everyone from the public is allowed to go in ... due to COVID restrictions, only close friends and family will be inside. Still, from the looks of how many people (and wheels) are showing up ... something tells us the surrounding area is gonna be packed as folks look on from afar.

NYPD and Yonkers Police have already warned of traffic delays in the area -- and they were right and then some.

As we reported ... X died earlier this month after suffering a heart attack.

He was 50.

RIP

Baby Blue's a fast learner ... just one day after saying he'd have to learn to breathe and walk again he got up out of his hospital bed to start the process and take his first steps.

TMZ's obtained this video showing the Pretty Ricky rapper on Friday with hospital staff helping him get on his 2 feet and use a walker to stroll down the hallway of the Florida hospital where he's recovering from gunshot injuries.

It's clear Baby Blue's not completely out of the woods just yet ... but this vid is a good sign for his recovery. Plus, we're told he's now breathing on his own after he initially needed a ventilator.

TMZ broke the story ... Blue was shot in the shoulder area, with the bullet piercing his lung and getting stuck in his back. That prompted him saying he'd have to "learn to breathe & walk again" ... but he also added, "God Got Me."

As we reported, Baby Blue was trying to protect his cousin earlier this week during an attempted armed robbery. He grabbed the gun from one of the suspects ... and ended up getting shot.

Paul Stanley is starting over ... he's demolishing his mansion in Bev Hills to make way for a brand new home, so he had an estate sale to get rid of EVERYTHING inside.

Paul unloaded tons of KISS merchandise ... the collectibles were displayed in his master bedroom.

We're told most of the band's merch still had the tags on, and folks were buying up all the KISS shirts, pins, license plates, cups and travel bags for anywhere between $15 and $50.

There were some pricier items too ... drinking glasses were going for upwards of $1,200, big French doors went for $900 a pop and Paul's couch went for over $2,000.

Paul's daughter, Emily, had a bunch of stickers on her bedroom door and it was up for grabs at $95.

Heck, Paul even put his lemon trees on sale ... as well as pots and planters starting around $400.

The estate sale went down last week, and by the weekend, pretty much everything had been sold ... so stuff was really flying out of the house.

Rich the Kid's injecting his own stimulus package ... for those lucky enough to catch it on Rodeo Drive 'cause that's where he was making it rain.

The rapper pulled up in his expensive Rolls-Royce Phantom on Thursday right outside the Burberry and Louis Vuitton stores in Beverly Hills, where he started throwing wads of cash in the air. It wasn't long before a throng of fans -- of the rapper and money, of course -- showed up to catch it.

Our guy asks him how much he's throwing but it's hard to tell if RTK gives a direct answer. He wishes a woman happy birthday before pulling out another wad of bills.

Then, things get interesting ... for Rich, anyway.

You can see near the end of the video he's taking a selfie and 2 police motorcycles pull up behind him. RTK's driver takes off ... and the cops follow right behind him. We never saw the sirens and lights go on, but our law enforcement sources tell us Rich did end up getting a ticket ... for littering. That's gonna cost him a few more dollar bills -- minimum $250, max $1,000 for a first offense.

BTW ... Rich was definitely in a celebratory mood 'cause we're told he had just been inside the Patek Philippe store on the eve of dropping his new track, "Richard Mille Patek."

As for the Phantom, we're told it's a brand new model and around $600k. Rich was cruising around town with his buddy, RD Whittington, who owns celebrity auto and aircraft super-firm Wires Only ... so you gotta imagine he helped hook him up.

Justin Bieber knows when it comes to showbiz, ya gotta know your audience ... which probably explains the song he chose to perform at a prison -- a tune that was sure to connect with inmates.

As we first told you ... JB and his pastor paid a visit to California State Prison in L.A. County to support the prison's faith-based programs -- but until we got this video, we didn't know he'd belted out any hits for them.

Now, we know Justin did a short set during his trip last month, and it included an acoustic rendition of his single, "Lonely."

We're told Bieber sang 3 or 4 of his songs, focusing on slower tracks that translate better with an acoustic guitar accompanying him ... but it's hard to imagine any of his lyrics hitting harder with the inmates than, "I'm so lonely."

We're told by people who were present that Bieber's mini unplugged set was emotional, empathetic and had him on the verge of tears. It was well received by the inmates and followed by a sermon.

Shock G, famous for Digital Underground's hit song "The Humpty Dance" and his work with Tupac Shakur, is dead.

The rap legend was found dead Thursday in a hotel room in Tampa ... according to his father, Edward Racker.

We're told the cause of death is unclear but there were no signs of trauma. Shock's father says authorities will conduct and autopsy.

Shock G was the lead singer for the pioneering hip hop group Digital Underground, and he gets into character as his alter ego, "Humpty Hump," for the group's famous 1989 song and dance.

Shock was also known for his collabs with 2Pac ... he's featured on Pac's 1993 song "I Get Around" and he was one of the producers on Tupac's 1991 debut solo album, "2Pacalypse Now."

In fact, Shock G helped introduce 2Pac to the music world ... Pac was a member of Digital Underground when he appeared on the group's 1991 song and music video, "Same Song," for his first published work.

Shock G was born and raised on the East Coast, but he eventually settled in Oakland, where he formed Digital Underground in the late 1980s with Chopmaster J and Kenneth Water.

In addition to his work with 2Pac, Shock G produced songs for Dr. Dre, Prince and KRS-One, just to name a few.

Shock G was 57.