Monday, October 31, 2011

Rick Rock Talks 2Pac And Jay-Z's "Weird" Writing Processes, Slaughterhouse's New Sound, & Frequently Sampling Digable Planets

Rick Rock Talks 2Pac And Jay-Z's
Exclusive: The Hyphy pioneer producer explains why he believes Tupac Shakur and Jay-Z have comparable writing approaches, what his new sound for Slaughterhouse consists of, and why he loves Ladybug Mecca.

While most consider the Hyphy movement to have fizzled out a few years ago, the man who can be credited with creating the sound of that movement, Rick Rock, is still going strong.

The Alabama born, Bay Area based beatmaker, whose credits date back over 17 years to MC Eiht’s “Compton Bomb” from 1994’s We Come Strapped, and who has since crafted standout sonics for the likes of 2Pac, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Fabolous and several other notable names, is not only still getting it in behind the boards for your favorite rapper but will soon be releasing his own solo effort, Rocket. His formal debut as a producer/rapper for his own SouthWest Federation Records label (distributed by EMI) will also boast some supporting rhyme assistance from Tech N9ne, Crooked I, E-40 and Ras Kass.        

On Friday (October 28th), Rick spoke to HipHopDX (courtesy of media mammoth Hoopla Worldwide) about his forthcoming solo debut. The once heavily in-demand sound provider also talked about how “The Town” abandoned Hyphy “like it was a piece of dog shit or something,” but that his “new sound” for Slaughterhouse will do more than just “Change The Game.” And lastly, the “Tradin’ War Stories” trackmaster revealed his theory on why seemingly disparate emcees 2Pac and Jay-Z were actually similar in their lightning-fast approach to rhyme writing. 


HipHopDX: My first question for you is kind of a dated one, but I gotta ask if your sampling of Digable Planets for E-40’s “Yay Area” and Snoop Dogg’s “Candy” was just a tactic to get to meet Ladybug’s fine self? [Laughs]

Rick Rock: [Laughs] It’s crazy, ‘cause when I stayed in Alabama I had this little [Emu] SP-1200. And I still have the discs. So, way back in the ‘90s I sampled Digable Planets and I made a beat for me – I used to try to rap back then. I always had it in my head; I always wanted to use that [line from “9th Wonder (Blackitolism)”]: “You want it, I got it, drippin’ like water.” I was a big fan of theirs back then, especially Ladybug [Mecca]. And it just came out like that. So then I tried a couple beats like that and they ended up getting picked. Snoop [Dogg] picked one. And then Ladybug came to the video shoot, so I was like, “Yeah, I gots to meet her.” She still look cool. She’s so Hip Hop that she brings an extra gorgeousness to it. She was real cool people.           

DX: I think you need to go back to weaving in them classic Hip Hop vocal samples like you did for Too Short’s “Keep Bouncin’,” with the A Tribe Called Quest sample.

Rick Rock: Yeah! Yeah, I am. I mean, I stay doing it, I just need to get ‘em out there. I love that one by the way. There was a different version to it though as well, and will.i.am put a remix on it. So it has produced by me and him. But, yeah, I’m just into that. I’m old school Hip Hop. I definitely gotta get back into that though, you right. But I be sampling myself too. I’m the one saying “Candy,” and I’m on that Xzibit [“Concentrate” saying] the “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.” I like doing voices and just sampling myself. So that’s fun to do that too.  
DX: While we’re on the ’06 tip, five years ago you had crazy credits for the just mentioned Xzibit, Tech N9ne (“Jellysickle,” “No Can Do”), Ray Cash, etc. But over the last few years, your credits have been almost exclusive to E-40. Did the mainstream game shun you after the Hyphy movement faded from the national spotlight?

Rick Rock: I don’t know? I don’t think so. I think I just spent an enormous amount of time working on my own projects that I had with Warner Brothers Records, the Federation. And I spent a lot of my time trying to do that. So that took away from being out there. But I’d still get a 50 Cent joint (“Stretch”) here or a Snoop joint (“My Fucn House” ) there. Or you might not hear me doing New Kids On The Block or something. I’m placed on these records, but it’s just not that same presence. And I think that just comes. Everybody wanna look in different apartment buildings sometimes. They get bored in one building. So then they go look at another one. It’s cool. I just stay at it, and so when they come looking back at my apartment again I’m ready.              

DX: I didn’t know New Kids On The Block was peepin’ in ya windows.
 
Rick Rock: Oh yeah, they peeped in. We wriggled. They real Hip Hop though. Donnie [Wahlberg], that’s who I really worked with putting it all together. We mixed the stuff, and I got to really feel his Hip Hop. Like, it’s rooted in a lot of people. The real shit, they get it.   

DX: Now, I mentioned Hyphy – you know we gotta talk about it. I understand you’re about to drop a third Federation album, so is this the resurrection of Hyphy?

Rick Rock: Nah, I’m not dropping another Federation album. But I am dropping my album. And that’s what I been working on [of late]. Federation, I know they working on they shit – and they’re my guys – but I haven’t worked on it. But they let me hear stuff, and shit be sounding cool. So they should be cool. They have core fans. And their fans kinda splintered when they came with the “Stunna Shades.” So they can do a broader spectrum of music as opposed to just the Hyphy sound.

It was amazing to me to see how many people jumped off of Hyphy like it was kryptonite, like it was a piece of dog shit or something. It was funny how everybody claimed it out here and then how … now they didn’t.        

DX: Is the solo album gonna be – I mean, would you call it Hyphy?

Rick Rock: Nah. It’s a little of everything. If you like [Jay-Z’s] “Change The Game,” it’s that. If you like a lot of E-40, it’s some of that. If you liked the Federation, it’s maybe some of that. If you like any record I’ve done, it’s on there but I’m like … it’s just evolved. I wanted to change – I don’t like where everything is at. Everybody don’t have to do a south track. … I think we can have the same impact and make music equal in hit quality but just do it our way, or your way. I’m all about putting paint where it ain’t, doing what they ain’t doing. That’s what I’ve always tried to do: have my own original sound. I just think people be cheating now, they don’t have to be original. I hear the same sounds on every track. It used to be a crime when you would take Pete Rock’s snare pattern. You know you bitin’. It was a crime, crucified by Hip Hop.


DX: I saw the “Rocket!” video. And, I was a little surprised to see you rhyming. Are you gonna be rhyming for the whole album, or is this like a compilation where you’re producing other cats?

Rick Rock: I’ma be rhyming the whole album, but I don’t know if that song is gonna be on the album. I just dropped it to … just to drop it. It’s not mixed, it’s not mastered, it’s not nothing. Shot a little video myself with my guy and D-Buck and Marvin. And we shot it just to have something out while I’m working.
I been working a long time. I was super-critical of the shit; I want it to do well. It is me rhyming, but it’s a lot of features. I know my limitations. I couldn’t get past my own producer ear as an artist, so I started getting artists on it. So it’s kind of both. But mainly you’ll find out who I am on my album. It’s called Rocket [because] all the homies call me Rocket.
But, this album, it’s nothing like that song. I like that song, but it’s nothing like that. … It’s what we missing I think. I think it’s an important album. Now, whether or not it gets accepted that way – ‘cause I’m doing it all with my own label now through EMI. But whether or not it gets what it deserves, I think it’s a classic and I think for what it’s worth it’s an important album.  

DX: Besides your solo project, Royce Da 5’9” told me you got some extra work on your plate. Back in May he told me that you contributed to Slaughterhouse’s upcoming Shady Records debut. Did you give them some Bay Area flavored beats or did you do something different for them?

Rick Rock: Nah, I did something [specifically] for them. Like, it’s not a Bay thing, it’s a Hip Hop thing. But, it’s my shit. I feel like it’s my new sound. It’s not like a “Change The Game” or not like [Mase’s] “Breathe, Stretch, Shake” or not like [Busta Rhymes’ “I Know What You Want” with Mariah Carey], now it’s a different sound. I think it’s that new Hip Hop bar. It’s big. It’s all original music. I play it, but it sounds like sample-y. It’s hard though, and it leaves ‘em space and they get in there and they just get down.

DX: Have you heard the finished songs?

Rick Rock: Nah. If my song makes it – ‘cause I know they’re still working – I’m just waiting for the call where they say it’s gon’ be on. But the songs are hard … so we’ll see.

DX: Besides Slaughterhouse, are there any other recent Rick Rock beat placements we should expect to be hearing in the coming months?

Rick Rock: Check for Tinie Tempah. He’s over there in London. We did a cold one called “Mosh Pit.” And, I’m always working with Snoop, and Fabolous and Busta Rhymes – all the same people [from before] I’m working with again.

DX: I saw an exchange of tweets you had recently with Xzibit. Are we getting some more “Symphony In X Major”?

Rick Rock: I hope so. I did some shit, but my nigga, Ishmael The Rebel, dropped my MPC and it fucked the sequence up. So we had to go back and do some different shit. But he’s been overseas doing his thing, so when he get back in L.A. – that’s why I was telling him [on Twitter to] get at me. ‘Cause I’m right up the road. I’ll get out there and we’ll make some more history.
 
DX: Yeah, “Concentrate” and “Symphony In X Major,” those are two of his standouts.

Rick Rock: [For] “Symphony In X Major,” they called me when I was in Montgomery, Alabama [visiting family]. And Xzibit, at first he wanted me to speed it up. And I [didn’t wanna do that], so he was like, “Alright, keep it the same.” Then he went in the lab, [and afterwards] he called me with [Dr.] Dre on the phone and Dre was like, “Yeah, shit’s hot.” I was juiced! That’s still one of my idols right there. And it was just amazing to hear what they did to it. I just didn’t understand why he didn’t jump in the video. So, maybe one day Dre will pull me to the side and say, “Hey Rick Rock, let me jump in your video.” [Laughs]  

DX: [Laughs] Now, there is another project I gotta ask you about. Did you do anything for E-40 and Too Short’s long-overdue duo album, The History Channel?

Rick Rock: Yeah, I’m slated to get down for five tracks. We haven’t got in yet. [Too] Short’s finishing his album right now. And me and 40 is working on his shit. So I think once they finish that, then they can get in.

DX: I know it’s not your track, but I’m hoping they come with some more shit like “Bitch” ...

Rick Rock: Yeah! [Starts singing] “Nigga don’t act like a bitch.” Yeah, that’s what they definitely aiming for. They know what they hit with. They smart. They ain’t been here this long for nothing. I’m just glad I got to work with ‘em. I was soaking up game from them muthafuckas, mayne.

DX: Switching gears here, since you did “Tradin’ War Stories” for 2Pac, I wanted to see if there was maybe a ‘Pac story left you haven’t shared that you could bless the HipHopDX readers with?

Rick Rock: The best one for me, from my life, was when we were all sitting there listening to his album, [All Eyez On Me]. He played all the album for everybody. We were at the video shoot, and then we all caravanned up to Can-Am Studios from where they were shooting “California Love.” I’m in the “California Love” video if you wanna find me in there. I got a C-Bo shirt on. But anyway, so we caravanned back, we get to Death Row [Records'] studios, and he’s playing his whole album. And everybody – Richie Rich, D-Shot, B-Legit, C-Bo, Outlawz – was up in there, but I’m like a fly on the wall.
So, after he played the album, he’s ready to get down with everybody in the studio [and record some more music]. But there ain’t no producers there but me and Mike [Mosley]. And I have beats on my SP-1200 discs like that [one with the Digable Planets sample] “I want it, I got it, drippin’ like water.” Those discs was all in a bag I carried with me everywhere I went. That was my life. So, while they was waiting for a producer and some equipment, I just slid my little ol’ discs in and loaded it up. And a beat came on and it was “Tradin’ War Stories.” He was like, “What’s that?” And I was like, “Man, that’s you.” And then he sat there for about 10 minutes – it was like he was tracing his writing. It was like he was writing it but it was already written. That’s how fast he was writing. It was weird as shit, man. Him and Jay-Z was the weirdest experiences in the lab that I’ve had. So, he went in the booth and laid that shit. And I ended up loading a couple more, and he picked a couple more.
I just thought as a man – He didn’t know me from shit, and he was like, “What’s that?,” and I was like, “That’s you,” and he got my credits on there. It had Mike Mosley’s name on there too. But it was through Mike Mosley though [that I was there], so it was all good. And ‘Pac made sure I got paid. My contract shit was straight. And, I just thought that shit was stand-up like a muthafucka.

DX: I think you’re the first person that’s ever compared Tupac’s writing process to Jay-Z’s.

Rick Rock: Yeah, ‘cause – ‘Pac wrote it though, on paper. But it was like he was [makes slashing noise] Zorro. And then with Jay-Z, I was doing “Change The Game” and then he wanted to do [another] track. So I ended up doing a beat there [on the spot that became “Squeeze 1st”]. So when he was writing that, he was just kinda rubbing his hands and walking around and just bobbin’ his head, [and] then he’s like he’s ready. I had never seen that before. We recorded three songs that day: “Parking Lot Pimpin’” and all that. And seeing how his writing process was, how he didn’t write it down, was just something I hadn’t seen at the time. A lot of people try to mimic it now – and I heard [Notorious B.I.G.] got down like that – but I had never seen it at that time. It just struck me as … how people are put here to do something. It kinda puts things in perspective with your own skill when you see people that are like that. You really see a separation with them from others. I think Tupac and Jay-Z just have that.

(hiphopdx)

50 Cent Explains Why He Never Used Drugs & Doesn't Drink

50 Cent Explains Why He Never Used Drugs & Doesn't Drink
Fif speaks with Piers Morgan about why he abstains from using substances.

50 Cent has previously spoken on the fact that he’s never used drugs, but now, he’s explaining why he abstained from illegal substances. During an interview on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” Fif opens up about his background, noting that while he sold drugs, he never used them.

“I got a chance to watch a lot of my mother's sisters and brothers at different periods experiment with the use of drugs or alcohol and I see them respond so differently that I stay away,” he explained.

He also reflected on a bad experience he had with alcohol and why it’s driven him away from drinking. "I've had an experience that made me paranoid because of it and I stayed away from it following that," he said.

50 Cent’s full interview airs tonight on CNN at 9 p.m. EST.

(hiphopdx)

Maino Addresses Beef With Big Sean, Talks "King Of New York" Title


Maino Addresses Beef With Big Sean, Talks
The "Hi Hater" rapper says the discrepancy with Sean was all a "misunderstanding."

Maino recently implied that there was some sort of beef when he called Big Sean “Lil’ Sean” during an interview, but he says that it was just an accident and misunderstanding. During an interview with WGCI’s DJ MoonDawg, the Brooklyn, New York rapper said that he said Sean’s name wrong and cleared up the unintended shot at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards.

“I was making a point to some of my homies that a lot of the rappers of today, you look foolish beefing with because they ain’t about that type of energy. They ain’t about that. They ain’t about the gangsta, thug imagery. They ain’t into the street credibility or what have you. They more or less cool dudes. There’s nothing wrong with that. I gave examples like Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean. In the heat of my conversation, I called him ‘Little Sean.’ People thought I did it on purpose, and I really didn’t.”

He said he held off until he saw him in person so that he could personally discuss the matter with the G.O.O.D. Music rapper.

“I ran into him at the BET Awards on the red carpet and I wasn’t going to reach out through no phones. I was going to see him whenever I saw him and told him that wasn’t really what I was about, because that was contrary to everything I was saying. Why would I say in one breath, ‘You look crazy beefing with dudes like that’ and at the same time trying to diss him?” he said. “He not even talking like that. These artists not even talking like that. They cool dudes and had jobs and was just existing. Drinking, getting high, smoking, partying, that’s cool. That’s fine with me. It wasn’t really me trying to get at him. It was really a misunderstanding.”
The “Hi Hater” rapper also spoke on Papoose’s recent claim of being “King of New York,” stating that no one is yet to one-up him.

“Ain’t nobody from New York outdo me yet, not even new artists,” he exclaimed. “Did he say he was the king of New York? I’m out here moving. I didn’t catch it, I heard some things.”

(hiphopdx)

Mixtape Release Dates: Jim Jones, A$AP Rocky, Nipsey Hu$$le, Waka Flocka Flame and French Montana


Mixtape Release Dates: Jim Jones, A$AP Rocky, Nipsey Hu$$le, Waka Flocka Flame and French Montana
This week a bunch of Halloween mixtapes surface while 
 November delivers some new music from not so new artists.

If you're living in the Northeast then you know that winter came too early this weekend. Snowfall, power outages, and slippery weather made Halloween weekend an all around miserable experience. Fat Joe came through at the close of the weekend with "The Dark Side Vol. 2" just as the snow melted. While today it's eased up in time for costumes and candy, there are several mixtapes today to keep the early winter soundtrack going.

Today, Freddie Gibbs' long-awaited mixtape "Cold Day In Hell" arrives. Gangsta Gibbs has been promising this one for a while now, but surfaced on a few projects like "Executive Decision" on the first A3C compilation and "Look Easy" for NBA 2K11. With "Cold Day In Hell," Gibbs delivers some rawness on tracks like "Let 'Em Burn" produced by the Olympicks and the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-produced "187 Proof." Looks like CTE has another star on the rise. Along with Gibbs, newcomer A$AP Rocky comes along with “Live.Love.A$AP." After boasting a $3 million record deal online this past week, Rocky brings this mixtape out to curious minds eager to find out what exactly earned this emcee millions. A glimpse into the mix arrived at the close of this week with "Bass," produced by Clams Casino. Thirdly, Jim Jones comes with the aptly titled "Vampire Life." Da Capo dropped two Sen City assisted cuts last week: "Millionaire's Wife" and "Ridin' On Empty" with Mel Matrix. This one came as a surprise from the Dipset kingpin, but it's one for heavy rotation. Just don't wear any garlic. As previously reported, Young Chris also drops his collaborative mix with producer Cardiak today called "The Revival." Fred the Godson (who also has a mixtape "City Of God" dropping November 14th) appears on the mixtape with "Triple Threat" alongside Vado.

In new announcements territory, November 1st brings Nipsey Hu$$le back on the scene. Neighborhood Nip will drop "The Marathon Continues" on the same day as 2Chainz' "T.R.U. REALigion” and Trey Songz' doubly whammy of “#Lemmeholdatbeat2” and "Anticipation 2." Yung Berg also announced a "Reality Check" on November 11th, and in the limbo world Peedi Crakk gears for "Crakk Files 4." As December nears, Waka Flocka Flame announced that he and his labelmate French Montana will be dropping a mixtape titled "Lockout" on December 9th as a precursor to his album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans, and Family arriving sometime after that in December as well.

Late Pass
Fat Joe – "The Dark Side Vol. 2"
Soulja Boy – "Skate Boy"
Immortal Technique – “The Martyr”
PUSH! Montana – “When PUSH! Comes to Shove Vol. 2”
Big Sean – “Finally Originals” 
Freeway – “The Intermission”
Waka Flocka Flame – “Lebron Flocka James”
No I.D. – “D.I. On Classics ’92-‘11”
Estelle x Don Cannon – “AOM: The Prequel”
Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, & Curren$y – “1st Class Cabin Pt. 2”
Snoop Dogg – “Throw Your Dubs Up” 
DJ Scream – The Battle
Mac Miller – “I Love Life, Thank You”
Lil B – “The Silent President”
Machine Gun Kelly – “Rage Pack”

October 31
Freddie Gibbs – “Cold Day In Hell”
A$AP Rocky – “Live.Love.A$AP”
Jim Jones – “Vampire Life”
Short Dawg – “The Adventures Of Drankenstein”
DJ Scrap Dirty & DJ SUPA – “Violator Radio”
Young Chris x Cardiak – “The Revival”
Play-N-Skillz – “Red October”
L.E.P. Bogus Boys – “Now Or Neva”
November 1
Trey Songz – “#Lemmeholdatbeat2”
Trey Songz – “Anticipation 2”
2Chainz – “T.R.U. REALigion”
Nipsey Hu$$le – “The Marathon Continues”
November 11
Roccett – “By Any Means”
Yung Berg – “Reality Check”
November 14
Fred The Godson – “City Of God”
November 15
Ludacris – “1.21 Gigawatts: Back To the First Time”
Layzie Bone – “The Law of Attraction” (hosted by DJ Smallz)
November 23
OJ Da Juiceman – “The Lord of the Rings”
December 9
Waka Flocka Flame x French Montana – "Lockout"

TBA
Consequence – “Curb Certified”
Young Buck – "Bond Money"
Lloyd Banks – “Cold Corner 2”
Peedi Crakk – “Crakk Files 4”
Mac Miller x DJ Jazzy Jeff – “’92 Til Infinity”
Hell Rell – “Black Cloud”
Slick Pulla – “Uday Hussein”
Jadakiss – “The Champ Is Here 4”
Jadakiss – “Top 5 Dead Or Alive”
Asher Roth – “Paps & Jazz”
Shawty Lo – “Dun It All”
Pusha T – “Long Live the ‘Caine”
JD Era – “No Handouts”
Ne-Yo – "101 (Hosted by Kevin Hart)"
Melanie Fiona – "The MF"
Triple C's – "Money Burning Motherfucker"
French Montana, Three 6 Mafia & Project Pat – "Cocaine Mafia"
Zaytoven – "Zaytown 3"
Truck North and The 3rd – "Reconstruction"
Wale – Untitled
Raekwon – Untitled
B.o.B. – Untitled
DJ Holiday – "Holiday Season Vol. 4"
SL Jones – "The Number 23: Editor's Cut"
Jackie Chain x Nick Catchdubs – "After Hours"
DJ Spinatik – "Street Runnaz 60"
Maffew Ragazino – "Rare Gems: The Collection Pt. 2"
Kingpen Slim – "Pass The Roc"
Cam'ron - "Family Ties Vol.1"

(hiphopdx)

Odd Future Member Accused Of Hitting Woman, OF Rep Responds

Odd Future continues to remain in music headlines, however, its group member Left Brain who is being accused of attacking a female photographer over the weekend in New Orleans.

The victim, photographer Amy Harris, claims she was assaulted at Sunday's Voodoo Experience music festival.
Harris claims she was slapped by rapper Left Brain, real name Vyron Turner, who knocked her camera out of her hands during the group's performance at the Voodoo Experience on Sunday (30Oct11). Reports suggest Turner took aim at the snappers in the photo pit after Odd Future frontman Tyler, the Creator, voiced his dislike for photographers, insisting the fans should be allowed to stand closer to the stage. Turner is said to have showered the photographers with water, before pushing them and kicking their equipment and allegedly assaulting Harris. Harris has decided against taking legal action against the band, although she admits she felt unfairly targeted. (Chicago Tribune)
Although she is not seeking legal action, Harris has addressed what went down.
"I have worked many shows before, and I've had to deal with a band flinging water at the photographers, but I never expected this to happen," Harris told NBC after the incident. "In the pit, the male to female ratio is about 20 to 1. There were way more men in that pit than women." (Exclaim)
In light of the photographers' remarks, Odd Future's publicist, Heathcliff Berru has denied the claims.
"There simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet," Berru tells Billboard.com's The Juice. "It's no secret that Odd Future has a love/hate relationship with photographers at shows. [It's] simply because sometimes they are given access the group wishes there fans would have instead. After telling the photographers to clear out multiple times (as they've done before) Vyron (Leftbrain) took a swipe at a few cameras, NOT people. To manipulate the situation [and] to insinuate an attack on a woman specifically is careless and manipulative" (The Juice)
The news comes weeks after Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne praised the hip-hop collective.
"I just rock with 'em. Shout out my man Taco that's my dude," Weezy F. said of OF and member Taco in particular. "I'm just realcool with the homies. Shout out Tyler." While Wayne is surely busy touring, prepping releases for his Young Money collective and recording for his own I Am Not a Human Being 2, the fiery lyricist plans to catch the group while they are out on the road on there current tour. "I'm gonna catch a few of their shows, go check out a few of their shows and stuff," he said. "Shout to OF, Odd Future, Young Money, Cash Money, Wolf Gang." (RapFix)

Kim Kardashian Files For Divorce, "I Had Hoped This Marriage Was Forever..."

Hollywood reality star Kim Kardashian has had enough of the married life and filed for divorce from her husband of 72 days, NBA star Kris Humphries, this Halloween.
Divorce documents began to circulate online Monday afternoon.
Kim Kardashian filed for divorce Monday morning, after 72 days of not-so-wedded bliss to Kris Humphries ... TMZ has learned, and now we have the documents. We're told even though the marriage was short, she is not seeking an annulment. It's a garden variety divorce, in which Kim cites "irreconcilable differences." The date of separation is listed as today, Oct. 31, 2011. According to the docs, Kim wants Kris to foot his own lawyers' fees and she'll pay hers. And, she wants the court to reject any move by Kris to get spousal support. (TMZ)
Confirming the divorce, the 31 year-old E! reality star released a statement on her now-public situation.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage. I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision," she told MTV News in a statement. "I had hoped this marriage was forever but sometimes things don't work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best." (Statement)
Reports of their engagement made headlines in late May.
It was a dream come true for Kim Kardashian when she walked into her Beverly Hills home May 18. Her boyfriend of six months, New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries, was waiting in her bedroom on bended knee with four words written in red rose petals: "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" "I didn't expect this at all," Kardashian, 30, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview (out Friday) of the romantic, surprise proposal. "I was in such shock. I never thought it would happen at home, and I never thought now." (PEOPLE)
Kardashian previously shared a brief marriage with music producerDamon Thomas in the early 2000's.
This will be Kardashian's second marriage, actually. She and music producer Damon Thomas tied the knot in 2000 when she was 19, but it ended four years later. She went on to date singer Ray J (her sex tape co-star), football stars Reggie Bush and Miles Austin and model Gabriel Aubry. This is Humphries's first marriage. (Pop Eater)

Kreayshawn Wants To Cash-In W/ Curren$y, "We've Been Trying To Link Up"

West Coast rapper Kreayshawn is looking to take her movement to the Big Easy by revealing plans to hook-up with New Orleans rapper Curren$y.

Dishing out her love for the South, Kreay said fans can anticipate something stirring with her and Curren$y  sooner than later.
"No, but I'm gonna call up Curren$y," Kreay said when asked if Snoop Dogg told her the hot spots to hang out in New Orleans for this past weekend's Voodoo Experience Fest. "He'll tell me what to do. We've been trying to link up, because he wants me to shoot a video for him. He keeps telling me "Come out to New Orleans!" So maybe we'll do a crazy Voodoo Fest video. I've always loved the music coming out of the south - the old-school Mannie Fresh beats and the Hot Boys." (NOLA News)
Recently, Kreay said in addition to being a rapper and a director, she is also a model.
"I'm a rapper, I'm a graphic designer director, model, deejay and a professional b*tch snatcher," Kreayshawn said. "There's a lot of people that want to push you down. One, for being a female and one for being white. It's hard but I don't see it like that. In Oakland, that's how you grew up...The best about everything that's going on is I have my head on my shoulders, I know what I want, I know my vision and it's not like I signed this record deal blindly -- whatever happens, happens. I know that I'm a good person and that I'm smart and funny. If the music thing doesn't work out, I'm talented at a million other things." ("Carson Daly")
Not only wanted by Curren$y, Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane previously told SOHH he would love to link with her.
"I think she hard," Gucci told SOHH when asked what he thinks about the West Coast newcomer. "She's got it. I seen a couple [of her videos] on the Internet and I think she goes hard. I could see us [hooking up musically] in Atlanta. Definitely. I would love to work with her." (SOHH)
While we await Curren$y and Kreay's music video to begin production, Spitta's latest Jet Life Recordings signee Mikey Rocks recently opened up about his new label situation.
"I really respect what the Jets been doing over the past few years. That's just been my people for a minute, I got sh*t with [artist] Trademark, I f*ck with [artist] Roddy tough, man," Mikey said in an interview. "Me and Curren$y done plenty of sh*t together. We kinda been edging towards that for a minute anyway, just through our friendship and us being around the same music circles and sh*t man -- It's kind of the best fit for what I'm doing right now. I kinda can identify with everything they got going on, and it's kind of like the best fit for what I'm doing. It really wouldn't be a better place for me right now, at this point in my career." (Ashley Outrageous)

"Suge Knight's A Real N*gga So I'm Just Saluting Him"

After recently confirming speculation claiming he is rubbing elbows alongside former Death Row Records owner Suge Knight, Atlanta's Waka Flocka Flame how now expanded on his real motivation for linking with the music executive.

While Waka sought out Suge's advice, he claims there was never an intent to use him to gain a stronger West Coast fan base.
"Suge is just here because I just grab game from Suge," Waka explained in an interview. "[He's] just giving me the game from a guy that had a multi-million dollar company. He's showing me this, this and this. He's showing me the mistakes he made so I don't make the same mistakes. I'm just getting game from him. He's just a real n*gga so I'm just saluting him. To tell you the truth, I wasn't looking [for a West Coast co-sign and fans]. Like, 'I got Suge, I got the West Coast.' ... I wasn't looking at it like that but it comes with it." (Hip Hop News 24/7)
Last week, Waka Flocka broke his silence on linking up with Knight.
"It's valid. It ain't no rumors. It's what it is," Waka said about working with the Death Row Records co-founder. "You gotta really start pulling in people in the game who know the game. Suge is not the only one. I'mma start snatching in the real ones. Suge helped me get a good movie deal. Now I need to get on the TV screen. Ain't nothing wrong with f*ckin' with some Gs. I f*ck with Master P too. They're just good for information homie. He's helping me oversee the company. I'm not trying to be 'Pac, I'm not trying to be Death Row. I'm Brick Squad Monopoly. My mother is still my manager. I ain't changing sh*t. It is what it is. But its like having [Michael] Jordan and Kobe [Bryant]. Why not play with both?" (XXL Mag)
A year ago, Waka Flocka and Knight were spotted together in Los Angeles.
Waka Flocka Flame performed in L.A. recently and Suge Knight popped up backstage. The two posed for pictures before Waka went about his business. I don't know why this is even news but I guess anytime Suge Knight pops up it's a story. What I do know is that if my boo Waka turns up missing, Suge will be my primary suspect. (Straight From The A)
He recently proclaimed his record label as the new version of Birdman's Cash Money and Diddy's Bad Boy Records.
"IM A TURN MY CITY UP CLAYTON COUNTY / ATLANTA SHINE LIGHT ON THE REAL GROVE STREET AND ATLANTA N***** #MARKMYWORDS #BRICKSQUADMONOPLY," he tweeted October 23rd.
"WE THE NEW #CASHMONEY #BADBOY ETC. #SQUAD http://FACEBOOK.COM/TAMMYRIVERA MY PERSONAL ASSISTANT"
"Brick Squad Monopoly #thisTheLife" (Waka Flocka Flame's Twitter)

50 Cent Calls "In Da Club" A Gift & Curse

G-Unit's 50 Cent recently opened up about the success of his 2002 "In Da Club" smash hit and how despite his later achievements, he still gets compared to his debut material.

Although he embraces the love people have for his early days, 50 said he is constantly having to outdo his own achievements.
"It's great. It's a gift and a curse," 50 said in an interview when informed CNN personality Piers Morgan works out to his 2002 "In Da Club" anthem. "When your first song is that good, that effective you are kind of up against that first body of work for the rest of your entire career. So until I make an album better than Get Rich or Die Tryin', I have people forget on me at different points. My second album, The Massacre, sold ten million copies and they'll go, 'His first album was great.' Like they didn't even hear the last three after. You know what I mean? I just have to make something that tops it." (CNN)
Last summer, 50 credited "In Da Club" for ultimately paving his career.
"I love [Dr.] Dre...Without 'In Da Club' and Dre's guidance on the first record...none of those other things would've happened," 50 said in an interview. "That's the biggest record of my career still. Dre can be difficult at times, and not intentionally. He can be on his own and in his world." ("Power 106")
Past album talk to the side, the G-Unit general recently dished out a few details about his upcoming new LP.
"My new album is epic it defines the struggle between good and evil. There's a bright side and a dark side on it. #SK," he tweeted October 23rd.
"I had to write it that way so I don't lose people. When you see someone say they miss the old 50 know that person hasn't grown with me. #SK" (50 Cent's Twitter)
Last month, 50 said the album was a go and ready to enter the mixing/editing stage.
"I feel like I'm done with the album, I'm going through the mixing process," 50 revealed in an interview. "Music, for me, it marks time. I believe a classic is timing. I haven't made a song that I felt like wasn't up to standard, where you listen to it and say, 'This is garbage.' You just got to be in the mood for it, maybe. The timing might have been bad during the release for some of the actual songs but it's not necessarily a record that you say, 'OK, I can't listen to this. What is this? Turn it off,' because I make all of my music up to standard. If that's the case, the stuff I did for promotional purposes, for free, wouldn't be talked about like it's so good." (Shade 45)

Gangsta Boo & Kreayshawn Squash Feud, "It's No Beef For Christ Sakes"

Despite publicly going after rap newcomer Kreayshawn last week, female emcee Gangsta Boo has officially retired any further beef or feud speculation.

Asking her Twitter followers to stop fueling beef talk, Gangsta Boo revealed she had a one-on-one with the West Coast rapper.
"@KREAYSHAWN Lets DM right qick," she tweeted October 28th.
"PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE STOP ALL THIS KREAYSHWAN AND BOO SH*T GOOD GOD HOW BOUT THEM BRAVES???? ITS NO BEEF FOR CHRIST SAKES"
"Just got off the phone w/ @KREAYSHAWN & I DID snap a lil bit in interviews but she took it like a G & she Luvs BAPS & she is not a "wiggy""
"New respect 4 her because she did not take it to heart & she got at me letting me know she was not talking abt me so HEY MEDIA :) BYE MEDIA" (Gangsta Boo's Twitter)
A couple days ago, Kreay unveiled her respect for the former Three Six Mafia member.
"I was just like kind of shocked because I'm a fan of Gangsta Boo and as a female, she was one of the females in the game that inspired me to rap," she said of the comments made about her on "RapFix Live." When I heard it I was like, 'What? Gangsta Boo? This sucks.' To hear that from somebody that inspired me." (MTV)
Last week, Gangsta raised eyebrows after initially dishing out her issues with Kreay.
"I don't listen to Kreayshawn," she said. "I'm really not feeling her. -- I think she's a wigger. I think she looks like she came out the movie B.A.P.S.; like the whole ghetto girl thing, I don't know if that's how white girls do it in Oakland. I got to meet her personally to feel her out, to understand like, 'OK, like, this is really this girl, like she ain't a wigger, she just her. She likes ghetto looks, she ain't trying to be a black girl. That's just her.' So until I meet her I have a lil' bitter taste in my mouth to her...To me it's an act and it's a gimmick but its not a funny one." (XXL Mag)
Recently, the rapper talked about possibly having a career outside of hip-hop.
"I'm a rapper, I'm a graphic designer director, model, deejay and a professional b*tch snatcher," Kreayshawn said. "There's a lot of people that want to push you down. One, for being a female and one for being white. It's hard but I don't see it like that. In Oakland, that's how you grew up...The best about everything that's going on is I have my head on my shoulders, I know what I want, I know my vision and it's not like I signed this record deal blindly -- whatever happens, happens. I know that I'm a good person and that I'm smart and funny. If the music thing doesn't work out, I'm talented at a million other things." ("Carson Daly")