Rick Ross may have 50 Cent and his forthcoming album, Deeper Than Rap, on his mind, but the rapper recently took time out to provide a boost for his group, Carol City Cartel (Triple C’s).

Sources told AllHipHop.com that Ross has secured a distribution deal for the collective through Def Jam Records.

The new deal provided an opportunity for the Miami rapper to introduce the newest Triple C’s member, Young’n Breed.

The Maybach Music Group artist’s alliance with the group as well as the distribution deal comes as a major milestone for everyone involved.

“On my first trip ever to New York I showcased for LA Reid and celebrated our deal with Jay Z, Timbaland and Nas – it don’t get better than that,” Breed said.

Prior to the deal, Triple C’s was known for their association with Ross, who recently spent time in New York collaborating with R&B crooner Ryan Leslie for the song “Diamonds and Maybachs” and working out details for the video to the Nas-featured tune “Usual Suspects.”

The group, which also includes rappers Gunplay and Torch, has appeared on Ross’ debut album Port of Miami as well as the rap star’s 2008 sophomore opus Trilla.

The Def Jam deal comes as Ross gears up for the release of Deeper Than Rap.

Maybach Music Group, Def Jam, XO Management and Serious Promotions will celebrate the album’s release on April 20.

Invited guests for the event include Jay-Z, Nas and Timbaland.

Deeper Than Rap is Ross’ follow-up to Trilla.

The release, which spawned the hit singles “The Boss” featuring T-Pain and “Here I Am” featuring Nelly and Avery Storm, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart upon its first week of release.

Ross, who is currently engaged in a war of words with rap rival 50 Cent, is currently enjoying the success of his latest hit, the John Legend-assisted “Magnificent.”

The tune is the first single from Deeper than Rap, which is slated to hit stores April 21.

Just months after being released from prison and and reuniting with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, group member Flesh-N-Bone is back in prison for violating his probation.

Flesh, born Stanley Howse, was pulled over yesterday (April 2) in Canyon County, California, for driving with a defective brake light.

A search of his vehicle turned up unnamed narcotics and a firearm, in direct violation of his probation.

Flesh was released from prison in July of 2008, after serving over nine years in prison, which derailed his career as a member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, a rap group that has sold over 30 million records.

He appeared on the group’s critically acclaimed 1994 debut Creepin on Ah Come Up and the follow up full length, E. 1999 Eternal, released in 1995.

Flesh released his debut solo album T.H.U.G.S.: Trues Humbly United Gatherin’ Souls in 1996.

A year later, he was arrested when police raided his home and found a stolen gun and explosives.

In September of 1999, Flesh was finally sentenced to ten years for threatening a friend with an AK-47.

Flesh was released from prison on July 13, 2008, and has since reunited with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

“Words can’t even begin to explain the feeling that I had after being locked down for damn near a decade,” Flesh told AllHipHop.com shortly after his release. “The best way for me to describe it is to tell you that it was like a rebirth, a second chance at a new life, and a relief. It was over the top. I’ll never forget it. I thank God for giving me the immense blessing of the sense of complete freedom.”

Flesh-N-Bone is currently being held at the Santa Clarita jail and is not eligible for bond.  “At this time all the facts have not been revealed publicly, however I can assure you 100% that Mr. Howse has not walked backwards,” a rep for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony told AllHipHop.com. “We live in a great American country where one is innocent until proven guilty.”

This week, legal documents were made public of a February 2009 lawsuit launched by Cash Money Records against DJ Drama’s Aphilliates Music Group.

The lawsuit brought much speculation on the current status of Drama and Wayne’s relationship, as the two have collaborated regularly since 2005 on their acclaimed Dedication mixtape series.

According to Drama, the current litigation does not extend to their personal or business relationship.

“The accusations against me are misplaced,” Drama explained to AllHipHop.com. “This is not a case of Lil Wayne vs DJ Drama. Me and Wayne are good. I am confident that this matter will be resolved quickly without harming the relationships between myself, Wayne and Cash Money Records.”

Several Drama tapes are named in the suit, including Happy Father’s Day, When the North and South Collide, Dedication (Chopped & Screwed), and the Dedication 2.

Although Cash Money Records has yet to make an official statement, the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the sale of these mixtapes in retail outlets.

This is not the first time DJ Drama has run afoul with labels over sale proceeds.

In 2007, Drama and colleague DJ Don Cannon were arrested following a racketeering bust on the Aphilliate’s Atlanta office.

During the raid, over 81,000 CD’s were seized as evidence.

When asked why Cash Money would sue him after all their work together in building Wayne’s current popularity, Drama respectfully decline to speculate.

“Due to the ongoing nature of this litigation I do not wish to make any further comments.” he stated.

DJ Drama is set to release his second album, Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2), on May 19.

West Coast rap mainstays Kurupt and DJ Quik are prepping the release of what will be the eighth non-group release for each.

The new project, titled The Blaqkout is set to hit stores June 9 via Quik’s Fontana/Universal distributed imprint, Mad Science Recordings.

With Quik handling all production duties on the LP, the two artists were able to create an album truly representative of their home state and musical backgrounds.

“Kurupt does in rap what I do in music,” DJ Quik explained of the partnership, which was conceptualized while both contributed to Snoop Dogg’s album Ego Trippin’.

“It just made sense. Kurupt is a gangster rapper in the sense of being raw, bare-bones and uncut,” Quik continued. “I wanted to do music that evoked certain feelings and could show his microphone superiority.”

Leading up to the release of the album, which features a rare appearance by Cali’s female pioneer Yo Yo, two singles will be released digitally.

The first, “Hey Playa (Moroccan Blues),” which finds DJ Quik flexing his production muscle with a North African inspired track, is beginning to garner radio spins.

The follow up single, “What Cha Wan Do” is already receiving the support of club and mixshow DJs.

The week of The Blaqkout’s release, Kurupt and DJ Quik will embark on a 30-day tour, bringing the California experience to audiences across the country through July 4.

Kurupt is also currently working on his next solo LP, Street Lights, due out later this year.