The Dawg is putting his "American Idol" career to sleep -- Randy Jackson just announced he's leaving the show for good at the end of the season. Jackson -- who's been with the show from the very beginning -- just released a statement saying, "Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided it is time to leave after this season." Randy continued, "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

KRIS KROSS FAMILY & FRIENDS SAY GOODBYE

Kris Kross rapper Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith broke down in tears today during the funeral for his former KK partner Chris Kelly -- telling the congregation, "It's been like a struggle for me every day ... I know Chris is in heaven." During the service, which took place at a Baptist church in Atlanta, Smith said, "He was a true friend ... I just wanna say I love you man ... and I'm gonna miss you dearly."  He added, "My life  ... it ain't ever gonna be the same, but I just hope our legacy for hip-hop is never forgotten. I'm gonna do my part to make sure Chris' legacy will live on." The funeral was filled with Chris Kelly's famous friends –Jermaine Dupre, DaBrat and  R&B singer Keke Wyatt and the members of Xscape, all of whom performed songs. You can see video and pictures from the funeral at TMZ.com

KOBE GETS HIS WAY

A judge just gave Kobe Bryant a reprieve from his mother's attempt to sell his memorabilia ... by shutting down the sale ... at least for now. TMZ has learned a judge issued a temporary restraining order against Goldin Auctions, prohibiting them from selling Kobe's jerseys, championship rings, trophies, and lots of other stuff until a full hearing can be held next Monday.  Kobe's mom claims her son gave her the stuff outright, but Kobe says his mom is just bitter because he wouldn't buy her an expensive house.  He also says she stole some of the stuff from his house.

LAURYN WRITES THANK YOU LETTER

Lauryn Hill is very thankful to the people who penned letters on her behalf to the judge that recently sentenced her to three months behind bars due to her tax delinquency issues. Hill was facing seven years for the evasion charges, but after securing a few more weeks to come up with the money, the judge gave her a light sentence. In a letter to supporters around the world, including legend Stevie Wonder and R&B songstress Alicia Keys, Hill delivered her sincere appreciation: (click here to read the letter) I appreciate the well wishes, and I thank you for your prayers. Also, to anyone who may have written letters that we did not know about, thank you also, all of you. I will have more to say soon, but did not want to further delay expressing my appreciation. * Thank you again, MLH

Recognized choreographer and "So You Think You Can Dance" star Wade Robson has filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson's estate alleging "childhood sexual abuse." In documents filed May 1, Robson, who has worked closely with Usher, P!nk, Britney Spears and more, alleges that he was abused by the late "King of Pop" and should be compensated under a "late creditor's claim" against the estate. Wade Robson actually met Jackson at the age of five and they developed a friendship that would lead to sleepovers at Jackson's homes, including the Neverland Ranch. According to TMZ, Robson also testified on behalf of Michael Jackson in 2005, denying that he ever molested him. "In the 2005 molestation trial, Jackson's former housekeeper, Blanca Francia, testified she witnessed Jackson in the shower with Wade when the boy was 8 or 9 years old," reports TMZ. In other news, Michael Jackson’s estate is calling choreographer Wade Robson a liar for suddenly claiming the singer molested him when he was a child. Howard Weitzman, the estate’s lawyer, tells TMZ: “Mr. Robson’s claim is outrageous and pathetic. This is a young man who has testified at least twice under oath over the past 20 years and said in numerous interviews that Michael Jackson never did anything inappropriate to him or with him.” Weitzman continues: “Now, nearly 4 years after Michael has passed, this sad and less than credible claim has been made.” Robson is claiming he suffered from “repressed memory” and that’s why he didn’t file his creditor’s claim on time. Weitzman tells TMZ , “We are confident that the court will see this for what it is.”

TIMBERLAND’S NEW APP

Now that the rush to make profits from headphones and speakers are dying down, artists are looking for the next lucrative investment. Timbaland is a making a bet that social media is a viable option by investing in HangWith, Inc. "I've seen the power of social media and how a simple tweet or Instagram pic can bring awareness to an album," said Timbaland. "I think Hang With takes things to the next level. I believe the entertainment industry will line up behind this application and I intend to be at the head of the line." The “Hang W/” app enables live, real time video to be sent from one phone to several phones. Can it become the next Instagram?  The app has already received over 100,000 downloads in the Apple App Store.

NICKI M. PISSING MORE PEOPLE OFF

Turns out that Mariah Carey and a few “Idol” fans are finished with Nicki Minaj and her regular antics. But now journalists are getting pissy with the artist. “Access Hollywood” correspondent Laura Saltman was on the “Idol” red carpet interviewing contestants and judges, where she apparently rubbed the Young Money rapper the wrong way. The reporter asked Nicki about her recent Twitter exchange with Mariah, but Nicki, instead of expecting that question due to the public nature of her conversation about the singer, quickly snapped. “That question didn’t even make sense. So you want me to insinuate what you’re talking about. I’m not going to.” Before Laura could get out a follow-up question Nicki rolled her eyes and quipped, “Okay, goodnight,” and walked away. Laura don’t play that and took to the “Access Hollywood” blog, calling Nicki “a mean girl, a cyber-bully. But Laura didn’t stop there read what else she had to say aout Nicki at eurweb.com

KANYE’S PERFORMANCE CRITCIZED

Kanye West — who scored an invite for his pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian to this year’s Met Ball — may have worn out his welcome at the gala after a confusing performance of “screeching” for the punk-themed event. Sources told us West, who’s been living in Paris while working on an album that’s due out this summer, annoyed organizers by performing new music unfamiliar to the audience rather than a set of well-known hits that was prearranged. After Debbie Harry and Blondie played, loose cannon Kanye appeared in a studded, bejeweled mask and “started screaming,” spies said. “He played all new tracks that no one knew from his new album, and none of the crowd favorites,” a source said. “His songs were basically screeching into the microphone.” Another source sniffed, “Every minute of that gala is programmed, and Kanye went off-program and played whatever he wanted.” (Wait, isn’t that the punk ethos?) A Metropolitan Museum of Art rep said: “We were thrilled to have Kanye perform.” A rep for the evening’s host Vogue said they agreed.

Kobe Bryant has fired off a lawsuit of his own over more than a million bucks worth of memorabilia ... claiming his own mother stole some of the stuff right from his home. TMZ previously reported ... Kobe's mom, Pamela Bryant, has given an auction house 100 items from Kobe's basketball career from grade school on -- including jerseys, championship rings and trophies and lots of other stuff. Pamela told the auction house the stuff was hers and got a $450,000 advance.  Kobe told the auction house the stuff was his, so the auction house sued Kobe and asked a judge to rule they had the right to sell the memorabilia. Now Kobe has countersued the auction house, claiming Pamela stole some of the items from his home and refuses to return many other items that Kobe left at her house when he grew up and left. Kobe is asking a judge to shut down the auction and order the return of the items to him.

JA RULE A FREE MAN

Ja Rule is finally a free man ... TMZ has learned, the rapper was released from prison tuesday after serving out his sentences for attempted illegal gun possession and tax evasion. Mr. Rule -- real name Jeffrey Atkins -- was released from Ray Brook Federal Prison in New York  morning. A source close to the rapper tells TMZ, his wife picked him up around 10AM and drove him straight home, where he'll remain on home confinement until July 28th. The rapper was hit with the 2-year sentence in 2010 when he pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon -- stemming from a 2007 incident in which cops found a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his sports car. He turned himself in to authorities in June 2011. In July 2011, Ja Rule was also sentenced to 28 months behind bars for tax evasion, after failing to pay taxes on more than $3 million in earnings from 2004-2006. Ja Rule served the tax evasion sentence concurrently with his gun possession sentence. He was originally set for release in July ... but he got out early.

CELEBS & FASHION AT THEIR BEST

The Met Gala’s red carpet, undoubtedly one of the most exciting fashion events of the year, took place last night with actors, designers, models, musicians, comedians, and industry insiders attending under the theme of “Punk: Chaos to Couture.” Beyonce hosted the annual affair, which benefits the Costume Institute’s “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibit, opening to the public later this week. For some red carpet highlights and  why moments head over to eurweb.com.

USHER TAKES ON BIG ROLE

Usher has been recruited to play the role of Sugar Ray Leonard in “Hands of Stone,” a new film about another fighter, Roberto Duran. Usher told the Associated Press that he’s been preparing to play the fighter with fast hands, smooth feet and a wide smile – for more than a year and still needs to lose nearly 25 pounds before shooting begins in October. The cast also includes Robert De Niro as Duran’s Hall of Fame trainer, Ray Arcel. Edgar Ramirez, who was recently in “Zero Dark Thirty,” will play Duran.