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Lil’ Wayne’s Former Manager Files Lawsuit Over $500k In Back Commissions

Cash Money Records rapper Lil Wayne is the focus of a new lawsuit filed by his former manager.

In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday (April 5) in U.S. District Court in Miami, Lil Wayne (born Dwayne Carter) told White Tides Entertainment

president Melissa Philipian last December that he was firing her after he became angry over the quality of a hotel room booked for him.

As a result, the 23-year-old rapper refused to pay $500,000 in back commissions, according to Philipian’s lawyer Richard Wolfe, who added

that Lil Wayne also owes White Tides 15 percent of his earnings over the next two years under a three-year contract signed in June 2005.

“We’re probably looking at damages in excess of $1 million,” Wolfe told the Miami Herald. “Sometimes artists make it big, and they want to forget about the people who helped them get there.”

The lawsuit further stated that Lil Wayne’s contract with White Tides only allows him to end the agreement in writing after one-year of

service for specified contract breaches.

The company booked at least 21 concerts for the rapper as well as arranged product and publicity deals and organized guest performances on other artists’ videos and albums.

The quality of a hotel room does not qualify as a reason to end the contract, so Lil Wayne is liable to pay White Tides for the next two years, Wolfe said.

News of the lawsuit comes as Lil Wayne enjoys the success of his latest album, Tha Carter, II.

Since debuting at number two on Billboard’s Top

100 albums chart in December, the album has gone platinum.

The rapper, who serves as head of Cash Money and Young Money Entertainment, is currently studying psychology at the University of Houston this

semester, according to his website.

Lil Wayne and his lawyer, Ron Sweeney, could not be reached for comment Thursday (April 6).

Former Roc-A-Fella Exec Kenny Burns Launches New Label

Kenny Burns, former Vice-President of Roc-A-Fella Records and Co-Founder of couture fashion line RyanKenny, has launched a boutique record label, Studio 43.

Studio 43 is the latest musical venture from Burns designed to show case Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop and Rock music.

Burns, a seasoned music industry veteran, has helped shaped the careers of Kanye West, Akon, Monica, 702 and Bad Boy’s girl group, Dream.

During his tenure at Roc-A-Fella Records, Burns served as vice president of Roc-A-Fella Records and president of Roc Music.

“After leaving Roc-A-Fella, I started Studio 43 because music has always been my passion,” Burns told AllHipHop.com. “The first artist of Studio 43 is Wale, he’s a rappers rapper. He’s from DC, I think he’s gonna be the next Jay Z. He’s got the most requested song in DC right now. We’re in the studio now working on his project and getting singles ready. As far as other artists, I’m working with a few R&B and rock acts as well. Everything I do is going to be a multicultural experience.”

Burns also stated he was working on expanding the RyanKenny brand of clothing.

“With the new line, we’ve continued our tradition of focusing on attention to details and the quality of the clothes. Plus, we’ve got a lower price point. You’ll see RyanKenny in Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Parisian and a host of other upscale stores.”

The self-proclaimed Lifestyle Specialist recently unveiled the RyanKenny Fall/Winter line at the 2006 Fashion Week in Miami Beach.

The high fashion production was capped off by special runway walk from super-model Tyson Beckford.

For more information on Studio 43 or RyanKenny, log onto www.studio43group.com and www.ryankenny.com.

Natural Selection

Artist: Nature Sounds Presents…Title: Natural SelectionRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Max Herman

Brooklyn’s Nature Sounds is not your typical independent label. Unlike most indies that focus on harvesting up-and-coming talent, this still relatively new imprint has made a name for itself by putting out records by some of the New York’s top veteran MCs (and a few underappreciated beat makers as well). On Nature Sounds Presents Natural Selection (Nature Sounds), the roster of featured talent is not huge, but when you have a DOOM/Ghostface track, the Boot Camp Click and Tragedy in effect, it’s hard to complain.

Aside from the draw that arises purely from the names featured, it’s the unexpected collaborations and the end results that make this compilation so solid. One of the most pleasant surprises, “No, No, No,” sees Boston’s DJ Fakts One of The Perceptionists connect with BK’s Buckshot and the Boot Camp Click. Fakts’ extra bouncy drum and horn-driven beat brings an energy out of the BCC not seen in some time. And on the magnetic posse cut “ The Renaissance 2.0”, Hell Razah, Black Market Militia and R.A. The Rugged Man take us back into the best times in Hip-Hop history, embodying defining moments and people like “Grand Wizard Theodore when he invented scratching.” Rarely has a posse cut been this focused.

Being that Nature Sounds is a primarily New York-centered label, the two tracks from the L.A.-area’s Strong Arm Steady are the only real misfits on the compilation. Not taking anything away from Strong Arm, but their clunky g-funk (on “Gold Chain Music” specifically) just doesn’t mesh with the rest of the East Coasters featured. Ironically enough, one of the strongest tracks, DOOM and Ghostface’s “Angeles,” is a riveting crime story set in L.A. of all places.

All in all, Natural Selection accomplishes exactly what it was intended to: get heads ready for their ridiculously impressive lineup of forthcoming albums in 2006 from DOOM/Ghostface, Pete Rock, Masta Killa and more. If all goes as planned, Nature Sounds may soon become one of New York’s premier Hip-Hop imprints.

The Charm

Artist: Bubba SparxxxTitle: The CharmRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Nadiyah R. Bradshaw

Warren Anderson Mathis, known to many as Bubba Sparxxx , is trying to cause a fire with his newest effort, The Charm (New South/Purple Ribbon/Virgin). The aptly named title alludes to this album being his third release and, God willing, the album that makes him a household name. Well, Bubba has to hope that the fourth is the lick because this ain’t it. After rolling onto the scene with his comical debut album Dark Days, Bright Nights followed by the respectable Deliverance, both produced by the hit-making factory Timbaland under his Beat Club record label, Bubba has traded his overalls and tractor for a track suit and a Jesus piece and heads back to GA to work with one-half of the uber-duo OutKast, Big Boi. But even with Atlanta’s finest helping, this album still falls flat.

The first single sure to grab mad radio play is the formulaic “Ms. New Booty” featuring the Ying Yang Twins. It’s one of those songs you love to hate but don’t turn off when you hear it. With lyrics like “Get it right, get it right, get it tight…yeah, I’m a country boy but that big city bottom feels me up with joy.” Is as elementary as it gets. The Ying Yang Twins’ chorus will inevitably make you laugh but it won’t make you rush out to cop it. But don’t fret there are some cuts that help to round The Charm out. Without a doubt the best track on the CD is “Ain’t Life Grand” featuring newcomer Scar. A smooth, melodic beat with soft drums immediately grabs your attention and an uplifting chorus completes the smooth groove. He big-ups his new crew the Dungeon Family (DF) and you feel the family heavily influenced this track. Everyone struggling to come up can relate to this song. The road to success comes with many ups and downs and Bubba lets us know it was not easy and it never will be when trying to overcome life’s hurdles.

The production roster is pretty thorough, with the likes of Organized Noize (“As The Rim Spins”) who were pivotal in shaping the DF sound and Timbaland (“Hey! (A Lil Gratitude)”) there are some definite smashes on this album. However, there are also some that could have been left on the cutting room floor, particularly, “The Other Side” featuring Petey Pablo.

Overall, The Charm is decent. There are some definite tracks worth downloading but plenty that are not. Is this effort gonna make Bubba Sparxxx spark? Nah, he’s gonna have to try again, but he’s on to something.

The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol. 2 – I Am What I Am

Artist: B.G. aka B GizzleTitle: The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol. 2 – I Am What I AmRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: ambers mom

B.G. aka B Gizzle couldn’t have chosen a better title for his latest effort, The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol. 2 – I Am What I Am (Chopper City/Koch). At a time when Soundscan or MTV’s TRL would have you to believe that the hottest joints from the South come with a bounce or a booty shake, B.G., the self-proclaimed “original Hot Boy” makes it clear that this isn’t for the dance floor – this is strictly for the streets. Bearing the pain of his city on his shoulders, the young Chopper General may just be the one to breathe life back into Chopper City.

Much like his native town, B.G. has gone through a number of his trials and tribulations in the public eye. After overcoming a highly publicized drug addiction, separation from his former mentor Baby and an alleged beef with Lil Wayne – B.G.’s focus is evident here. And for the haters who wrote him off or doubted him, refer to his comeback anthem, the aptly titled, “F### Em’ featuring The Show, produced by Crack Tracks.

The albums most exceptional street worthy tracks are led by the commendable production of Crack Tracks, as illustrated on “Kill or Be Killed” a dark and vivid reminder that New Orleans is repeatedly considered the nation’s murder capital. “I Aint Got Nothing” follows the ghetto’s laws against snitchin’ and is the only response B. Gizzle has for the Feds. Paul Wall shows up on another highlight, “Deuces Up” along with newcomer Young Redd. A certified favorite for the parkin lot, B.G. holds his own against Houston’s latest draw.

Despite the catchy current single and video, “Move Around” featuring his former Cash Money partner Mannie Fresh, female friendly attempts like “Get Yo Mind Right” and “P***y Poppin” come off weak and recycled.

Cocky yet composed, B.G’s signature drawl flows slow and easy like a shot of Bourbon on this convincing assortment of corner anthems. Solid production coupled with his unique braggadocio and persuasive pen game make this selection one worth listening to. B.G. did right by the citizens of “Uptown” New Orleans here, uninfluenced and undaunted by what mainstream says, he’s honest and candid and unapologetic about who he is, just as the title suggests.

Confidential

Artist: M-1Title: ConfidentialRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Starrene Rhett

Instead of emulating Scarface and Al Capone, dead prez (DP) channeled Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey on their debut Let’s Get Free (2000). They garnered a strong fan base as a result of their audacious Black Nationalist message and hard body production-i.e. “Hip-Hop,” the classic DP joint featured on Chapelle’s show, which people are still rocking to six years later. Following up their debut were a few mixtapes and their delayed second LP, Revolutionary But Gangsta. Now solo, for the moment, M-1, half of the controversial raptivist duo has dropped his debut, Confidential [Sotti/Koch].

“One thing ’bout music when it hit you feel no pain,” said M-1 (“Hip-Hop”). What’s painfully obvious about Confidential is that he is trying to reach a broader audience by removing some of the gritty edge signature to the typical DP sound. Don’t fret DP enthusiasts, it’s still there and it still holds true to the usual RBG modus operandi. The album is wrought with politics, Black Nationalism and an overall progressive message of “power to the people.” However, it’s clear that it’s also diversified.

“Til We Get There” is the first single off the album featuring Stori James and K’Naan. The laid back beat and Stori James crooning “I am by your side ‘til we get there” on the hook gives it an R&B-radio-friendly sound without being corny — and it’s all about uplifting the people. “I took a page from the book of Martin Luther and decided that it’s better to hug you than to shoot you/I’m sorry homie if it’s not what you’re used to but the way that we livin’ these black lives is beautiful.”

Another stand out track is “Love You Can’t Borrow” with Q-Tip and Cassandra Wilson. Straying away from politics and onto love for a couple of minutes, this one is for the ladies; “This ain’t a mind game shorty this is mind sex…I’m here to serve and protect cuz you deserve some respect/ I’m just a soldier for your love to the death.” Moving away from sweet and gangsta, leaning to the left are “Comrade’s Call” with Styles P and Bazaar Royale which is about busting a cap for the homies, revolutionary style, and “5 Elements,” a number about economic empowerment, discipline, and inner and outer strength. Lastly, there is “Early,” graced by Stic.man, M-1’s partner in rhyme. Produced by Fabrizio Sotti this one will definitely break some necks.

Despite the aforementioned tracks, which are dope, the overall production is a bit lackluster. Cheesy tracks like “The Beat,” “Don’t Put Down Your Flag” and “Gunslinger,” which sounds like a plantation work song, could have either been revamped or left off the album all together. Although M-1 and Stic.man complement each other well, M-1 has proven capable of standing on solid ground…alone, and Confidential is a nice attempt at going solo and appealing to a wider audience.

Menace 2 Society

Artist: CaponeTitle: Menace 2 SocietyRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Angus Crawford

After watching Noreaga’s rise as a solo artist from prison, Capone returned stronger than ever on the group’s second album, The Reunion. While Noreaga remained visible as a solo artist, Capone had to wait another six years to release his solo debut, last year’s Pain, Time & Glory, but he is back much quicker this time with Menace II Society (Sure Shot Recordings).

The album opens with the show tune sampling “King of New York”, with Capone claiming he is inline for the crown after Jay and Nas. Strangely the lyrics on the song do not support Capone’s high opinion of himself, but songs like the D.R. Period produced “38 Special” and the clever “Aura” show that he is an underrated MC. On “Aura” he gets grimy and spits lines like, “My aura be the type that bite the night shift/ While your aura play the village sipping on white zinf.”

On the album’s bonus track, “Fallen Soldiers”, Capone borrows some flow and lines, from Tupac, Biggie and Big Pun, doing a decent impression of all three. Sadly, the rest of the album is devoid of creativity with Capone sounding like he wrote some lines in his sleep. Couplets like “I love to party and b####### like Christopher Wallace/ Play hard, pimping, watching my dollars” from “Mac on Chill” and “Try to catch me at the light like the queen/ I pull out a machine about the size of a stretch limousine” on “Recognize” are too elementary for someone aspiring to be the next Frank White.

Amazingly its been almost a decade since CNN released The War Report, and fans have been yearning for that same sound ever since. Unfortunately on Menace, Capone only provides fans with glimpses of that hungry MC.

Floyd Mayweather & Zab Judah: Hip-Hop, Boxing & Beef

On April 8, 2006, The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and HBO pay-per-view, will host the biggest battle between two Hip-Hop-like individuals since the war between Jay-Z and Nas. This time the opponents have just as much at stake, and it ain’t going down on wax.

During their teenage years, former comrades turned “sworn enemies,”

undefeated “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr., who recently turned 29,

and three-time world champion “Super” Zab Judah, 28, would often find

themselves joking about the day they’d square off in the ring- deep

down both knowing that one day it would become a reality. With the two

Welterweights having so much in common, it’s no wonder they once held

such a close bond. Both men were guided by their fathers. Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a former world Welterweight champion who once took on Sugar Ray Leonard. And Yoel Judah is a 6-time kick boxing champion and seventh degree black belt owner, who worked closely with Martial arts Guru Chuck Norris. Both Floyd and Zab were instilled with old-school discipline that would eventually lead them to the domination of the boxing world.

Mayweather, with 35 wins, 0 losses, and 24 KO’s, earned the name "Pretty Boy" early on as a result of his ability to always leave a fight unscathed. As an orthodox fighter, his lightning speed, defense, and punching power, has him ranked at number one on just about everybody around the world’s list of boxing’s best pound-for pound kings. Mayweather, ever the businessman, offers a Hip-Hop sensibility, but refuses to be pigeonholed. On the other hand, remains a fixture in New York’s Hip-Hop scene, but has also managed to handle business inside the ring. Judah has 34 wins, 3 losses, and 25 KO’s. He’s the southpaw underdog amongst the two, was once compared to his idol, Pernell Whitaker, because of his fancy footwork, speed, and relentless power. During the pre-fight promotions for his bout with Carlos Baldomir, Mayweather’s name was rolling off of Judah’s tongue more so than the present contender and the Brooklyn native eventually lost to the underdog. He had Mayweather on the mind as Team Judah rocked t-shirts during the Baldomir fight that read, "Pretty Girl, You’re Next!"

Will the Zab Judah hit Mayweather with a dose of Ether? Or Will Floyd

knock out Zab Judah, Roc-A- Wear’s first spokes/sports model, in front

of Jay Z as he promises he will? AllHipHop spoke to both warriors shortly before the media blitz that presently surrounds them. Read On.

MAYWEATHER ON BUSINESS AND HIP-HOP:

AllHipHop.com: Tell us about your record label &

Floyd Mayweather: It’s called Philthy Rich Records. We would have dropped the album a long time ago, but everything is a learning experience. Everybody knows that I was with James Prince [CEO of Rap-A-Lot Records] for a while, he’s the guy I brought into the boxing game. I helped his company blow big in the boxing game. He was supposed to help me in the music game, it never happened, things happen, so I moved on. One of my artists was Jumbo from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Then we got another artist, Dirt Bomb, from Chicago, we bring him out, we showed him a lot of things, he’s good but not good enough to be on a major level. Then we gotta another guy Earl Hayes, who’s coming out on Interscope, extremely talented artist. He’s under Dr. Dre’s schooling right now, and his album will be coming out in ’06 or ’07. Our main guy is H-Flow from Cleveland, Ohio. He’s unbelievable, he’s the total package and he’s going to blow huge.

AllHipHop.com: How has Hip-Hop influenced you? Were you a real Hip-Hop head growing up?

Floyd Mayweather: I love Hip-Hop, and I love R&B, and I love rap artists, but I’m a little different from Zab Judah. I got my fame from putting fighters on their back pocket, and putting them on their face, and racking up victory, that’s how I got my fame. He got his fame from being a video groupie. I like rap artists and they’re good, some of them even come over my house and hang out. But I ain’t into being in everybody’s video and all that.

AllHipHop.com: Raekwon was on Hot 97 FM with Miss Jones, and they asked him…

Floyd Mayweather: There’s a difference, there’s a difference. I was with J. Prince, and he had an artist Tela, so I was in a little clip for him. And I

did a little clip for Raekwon because he brought me out into the ring

one time, and I gave him a little exposure, a favor for a favor, two

times in ten years. Every time you see me, I ain’t tryin’ to light no

lighter and dance behind Lil’ Kim or chase Jay-Z, that ain’t my style! I

got my own fame, I’m my own man.

JUDAH ON BUSINESS AND HIP-HOP

AllHipHop.com: What’s you’re affiliation to Roc-A-Fella?

Zab Judah: I’m the first athlete to ever become a spokesperson for

Roc-A-Wear – not State Property, not Team Roc, but Roc-A-Wear.

AllHipHop.com: Tell me about your record label &

Zab Judah: My record label is called Super Cartel. It started out about two

years ago, and it’s going pretty well. I got artists: Synthero, Young

Geo, Desperado, E-Money and I got young Zion, he’s 11 years old right

now, and he plays the piano and sings crazy!

AllHipHop.com: And you also previously mentioned that you have a deal under a major record label too?

Zab Judah: I got a deal not too long ago with Warner Music Group. I’m also

working on a distribution deal with Koch for a Zab Judah Compilation

album, which will feature the artist on Super Cartel and other artists

too.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your relationship to Lil’ Kim?

Zab Judah: She’s a sister to me.

AllHipHop.com: How’s she doing?

Zab Judah: She’s doing really well in there, she got a job in there, she’s aight, she’s thuggin’ it BK style.

AllHipHop.com: I hear that she’s been running up all of the phone minutes [300 a month] that they give her.

Zab Judah: Yeah, we all know Kim, everybody that knows Kim knows that she loves the telephone, and she can talk a lot. Every month believe me, she runs up her minutes. But otherwise, health-wise, she’s okay. She’ll be in the streets real soon.

MAYWEATHER, THE BUSINESSMAN:

AllHipHop.com: This is the biggest fight between two Hip-Hop entrepreneurs since Jay-Z and Nas battled.

Floyd Mayweather: I’m not a Hip-Hop entrepreneur, I love all type of music and it’s more like I’m just a businessman. He’s more on the Hip-Hop level , I’m more all around. We’re two guys that are loved in the Hip-Hop world, I

would say. And come April 8th, I’ll be the last man standing.

AllHipHop.com: Any opening acts lined up for Saturday night?

Floyd Mayweather: We don’t know, we’ve been talking with a few people. The only deal I want to cut is this: Mobb Deep is a hell of a group, they’re great artists, they want to bring me out [to the ring] but I told them the only way

they can bring me out is by H-Flow becoming G-Unit. Me and 50 are going

to cut a deal, we’re going to put something together cause we’re real

good friends.

AllHipHop.com: I spoke to Havoc and Prodigy recently and asked them their view on

the fight and they said that they’re cool with Zab, but they’re betting

their money on you. Actually, about 98% of the people I surveyed say

that you’re going to win.

Floyd Mayweather: Oh yeah! For some many years, I’ve been what you call that fo’ Sho’

money, I’ve been that fo’ sho’ money for over a decade now.

AllHipHop.com: Don King mentioned that the music industry has taken a big interest

in this fight, and I also heard you say “Jay-Z’s going to be there, and

I’m going to knock Zab out in front of Jay-Z.” Can you give me any

insight on the music industry participating in the fight?

Floyd Mayweather: There’s supposed to be music conference in Palm Springs, or somewhere

in California. They say everybody’s leaving [California] Saturday night,

and going back Sunday. They said it’s supposed to be crazy. I don’t

focus on that though. I always knew time would tell everybody and

they’d soon wake up and see that I’m truth.

JUDAH ON BOXING:

AllHipHop.com: When did you start boxing?

Zab Judah: I started boxing at the age of two. Most guys say they’ve been a

pimp since age two, I’ve been a boxer since two. I had had my first

competitive fight at the age of six in a tournament in New York City called the Kid

Gloves.

AllHipHop.com: What challenges do you think you will face with Mayweather,

considering that he has no loses out of the 34 fights with 23 KO’s?

Zab Judah: He ain’t fought nobody!

MAYWEATHER ON BOXING:

AllHipHop.com: What sets you and Zab apart?

Floyd Mayweather: Zab do what he do, I do what I do. I guess he only prepares for the

big fights. Small fights, he don’t care too much about. Me, I prepare for

all fights. All fights are big fights to me, and that’s the difference

between us. Our styles are totally different, my hair is clean cut, and

he’s bald headed, he got diamonds in his mouth, I got diamonds on my

neck.

AllHipHop.com: Floyd, you have an impressive record 35-0-24, what is it that drives you to

stay on top?

Floyd Mayweather: Victory, not money. If any athlete chases victory, then money comes

along with it – just like in the music game. If you make good music, money

is going to come. I’m always hungry for victory. It don’t

matter if you love me or hate me, God loves me &I’m always able to get

up for big fights no matter what. That’s why we work so hard. The

entertainment and sports business are the same it’s all about selling

tickets; it’s all about selling that arena out and having that

adrenaline rush.

AllHipHop.com: At the press conference, you gave a lot of thanks to God what’s your relationship?

Floyd Mayweather: Out of everybody in the world he could’ve chosen anyone but he chose

me.

AllHipHop.com: What’s you’re everyday lifestyle like?

Floyd Mayweather: I’m always preparing &when I chill I’m at the crib, riding around

in my cars, driving my son in the Ferrari. I’m driving in the Maybach

with the kids and the nanny – the kids get food everywhere, but you know.

JUDAH: ZAB FOUGHT A LOT:

AllHipHop.com: Zab, What is it that makes you strive to be the best?

Zab Judah: As long as there’s guys out there like Mayweather, it’s not even money. It’s just being the best, I love what I do. My idol, Pernell Whitaker, told me one time, "Once you start fighting for money, it’s over. When you lose the thrill and the drive to get up and want to go to the gym and spar or fight it’s a wrap." At the end of the day, when you’re a winner, money is gonna come but when you’re a loser, you can’t get money.

AllHipHop.com: The majority of boxing fans around the world have been waiting for the big day when Judah vs. Mayweather.

Zab Judah: Floyd got a good strategy going on; he knows what he’s doing. He’s a good fighter, but as far as him having notoriety within the hood, outside of boxing, he really can’t get it. The only other alternative for him is to go after a fighter that’s out there and more popular than him and say, I want to fight him and make a name for himself. It’s a smart campaign though. For people who don’t know who he is, they finally get a chance to learn about him. When they hear him shout my name out, people say, "Oh, this guy is fighting Zab." But he doesn’t even have to take it to that extreme. If he gives me a couple of hours, I’ll market him right. I’ll let the world know who he is. It’s going to be bad. He pops a lot of s**t, but I’m going to knock him the f**k out, man!

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned to me before that because of your status, growing up in

Brooklyn, people used to often test you in the streets. What was that like? And

does that pertain to the present?

Zab Judah: If you go up to Brownsville, and ask about me as a kid coming up, everybody will tell you, "Zab fought a lot." That’s all I would do is beat mothaf**kas up. I was known for that, I was a product of my environment. Once I got out of my environment, I moved on to bigger and better things. I adapted to a new mentality. More or less, if I’m in the city and I’m in a club that might consist of a couple wild out cats in there, sometimes you got to adapt to your environment. But most of time, when I’m out or even out of town people got love, so it really ain’t nothing.

"THREE FIGHTS AND I’M FINISHED!"

AllHipHop.com: What do you want to accomplish as a boxer before retirement?

Zab Judah: If things can go the way I want it to go, I want Mayweather first,

Mosley and go out with Delahoya. Three fights, and I’m finished, if I could

get it that way, with wins and knock-outs on those three guys, they’ll

be no way you can’t mention my name when you mention Muhammad Ali.

Kim Airs Eminem Out, Eminem Responds To Drug Abuse Accusations

Rapper Eminem issued a statement regarding his recent divorce from his wife, Kimberly Mathers.

Em, born Marshall Mathers, filed for divorce from his childhood love for a second time earlier this week, after being remarried in January.

The rapper addressed a recent radio interview Kim conducted on the Mojo in the Morning show on channel 95.5.

According to Kim, the split occurred because the superstar rapper is still hooked on drugs.

She also claimed a lawyer surprised her with divorce papers on Wednesday (April 6).

“It was really quite a shock to me. It’s in his best interest that he does return to rehab, but yeah that’s one of the main problems, ya know. He’s not been honest and he left a month and a half ago.”

Kim, who was in and out of trouble and rehab over the past few years, said she has been clean and sober for two years.

Eminem responded to his ex’s comments in a statement.

“The details surrounding both my marriage and subsequent filing for divorce are private and I hoped to keep then that way for the sake of my family,” Eminem said in a written statement released by his manager Paul Rosenberg and spokesperson Dennis Dennehy. “However, a few of Kim’s statements in a radio interview this morning need to be addressed. First, her allegations regarding my status post-rehab are both untrue and unfortunate. Second, she was aware that I was filing for divorce. We both tried to give our marriage another chance and quickly realized that a wedding doesn’t fix the underlying problems.”

According to Kim, the couple’s ten-year-old daughter Hailie found out about the divorce listening to the radio.

Eminem’s grandmother, Betty Kresin took the time to call in to The Drew & Mike Show on channel 101.

“I told him from the beginning it would not work. I’m glad he came to his senses early. Marshall I’m sure gave it 200 percent, where Kim probably gave it 1 percent,” she said.

Eminem and Kim Mathers married in June of 1999, but divorced one year later amidst maritial problems.

Kim also expressed regret for the way their relationship ended.

“I love you and I’m here for you if you need anybody,” Kim said. “And I’m really sorry that things happened this way.”

New ‘Dirty District’ CD Coming To Stores

Barak Records is set

to drop the third installment of its Dirty District Series, which is scheduled

to be released nationally on June 6.

Hosted by the

legendary Brucie B, Dirty District Vol. 3 is highlighted by appearances

from Slum Village’s Baatin and a special DJ Scrap Dirty Slum Village mix containing

unreleased remix material by late producer Jay Dee.

The album also

features Planet Asia, Frank N Dank, Phat Kat, Black Milk, Aftermath Records’

Bishop Lamont, Proof of D-12 and Detroit soul sensation Dwele.

RJ Rice, CEO of

Barak Records entrusted the sound and direction of Dirty District Vol. 3 to

DJ Scrap Dirty, the label’s new general manager.

"We brought

him in as the G.M. because of his awareness and broad diversity, particularly

in the South and Midwest regions," Rice told AllHipHop.com. "Scrap’s

business acumen is off the charts and he’s well-versed in so many different

facets of the music business. He’s a wonderful addition to our staff."

Dirty District

Vol.3 is produced in its entirety by the new face of Detroit Hip-Hop, Young

RJ, who has previously worked with Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound, Proof and Slum

Village.

Young RJ is also

the sound architect behind Slum Village’s single "EZ Up," which is

currently featured in a national advertising campaign for Chevrolet.

B.G. Inks Deal With Atlantic Records

New Orleans rapper

B.G. is officially part of Atlantic Records. The former Hot Boy, who has racked

up more than 7 million albums sales, signed a multi-album deal Wednesday (April

4) to distribute his Chopper City record label.

The signing concludes

months speculation of which label B.G. would call home.

Atlantic representatives were not available to comment on the deal. According to reports, Atlanta, Georgia rapper

T.I. will executive produce the B.G.’s Atlantic debut.

B.G.’s latest

album, The Heart Of Tha Streetz: Vol.2 (I Am What I Am) debuted at number

six on The Billboard Top 200 Chart and number one on the Independent Album Charts.

The album sold over 63,000 units in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.

B.G. is currently

in the studio crafting his Atlantic debut. The album, executive produced by

T.I., and B.G., is set for a fall release.

DJ Clue Leaves Hot 97 For Rival Power 105

DJ Clue has left

New York radio station Hot 97 to join rival station Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM).

The Queens, N.Y.-bred

DJ will man the 6 p.m.-10 p.m. slot at Power 105, joining former Hot 97 personalities Ed Lover (afternoon) and Star & Bucwild (morning).

The time slot puts

DJ Clue in direct competition with Hot 97’s longtime jock, Funkmaster Flex,

who airs Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m.-12 a.m. and reaches over 2 million

listeners a week.

Clue had been hosting

Hot 97’s Monday Night Mix Tape show from midnight-2 a.m.

"I’m really

looking forward to being part of the Power 105 team," Clue said. "I

try to be the voice of the streets. From wherever I am to wherever I go, people

are always feeling what I’m feeling."

DJ Clue is currently

signed to Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint. In addition to hosting MTV’s

Direct Effect, the DJ is also CEO of Desert Storm Records, home to rappers

Fabolous and Joe Budden.

"We’re thrilled

to have an A-List talent like DJ Clue join Power 105 and flip the switch,"

stated Power 105 program director Nate Bell. "I’m excited because I know

Clue’s skills, creativity and work ethic will take evenings on Power to the

next level."

This spring, Clue

will release his new album The Professional Part III, which features

such artists as The Game, Fabolous, Snoop Dogg, Nas, MOP, Mobb Deep and Beanie.

The first edition

of the mixtape has sold over a million copies.

Hot 97’s Cipha Newest MTV VJ

Hot 97 DJ Cipha Sounds in now a part of MTV.

The turntablist, who will debut as the network’s newest VJ during Sucker Free Week, is prepared to invade the small screen.

“When I consider everything I’ve done in my career so far I’d have to say this ranks as one of my highest accomplishments, said Cipha, who also spins records on his Cipha Sounds Effect morning show on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Shade 45 . “I’m excited and ready to bring more of the hotness to MTV.”

In addition to Direct Effect, Cipha will take on various projects for MTV, MTV Overdrive and MTV Wireless.

“Cipha Sounds is a dynamic talent across the board,” said Tony DiBari, Sr. VP of MTV Production, “His credibility coupled with our brand of innovative multiplatform music programming sets the stage for the next phase of MTV.”

A celebration of Hip-Hop and R&B, Sucker Free runs from April 10-14.

T.I.’s #1 On The Charts, Ghostface Debuts In Top 5

Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. scored a #1 debut on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart with his new album, King.

The album sold a total of 521,702 during its first week on the shelves.

In addition to its #1 debut on Billboard’s Top 200, King is also #1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #1 on the Top Rap Albums chart, #1 on iTunes, and #1 on the Top Digital albums chart.

“From the day exactly three years ago that we signed T.I., we knew he had what it takes to become a bona fide superstar,” said Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman. “Since then, his career has been on an exponential rise, as he has made his mark as an artist, writer, label chief, entrepreneur, and now actor. T.I. is a true renaissance man who has only begun to reveal the depth and range of his many talents. Congratulations to T.I. and everyone at Atlantic for an extraordinary job. And thank you to our friends at Warner Bros. Pictures for joining us for a fantastic roll-out campaign on behalf of both ATL and King‘”

T.I. was equally successful at the box office in his acting debut in the movie ATL.

The film was produced by Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment along with Warner Bros. Pictures.

ATL ranked #3 and pulled in almost $12 million at the box office.

“His natural charm and instinct for the camera will serve him well as he journeys toward a great career in film,” Smith added.

In other chart news, Ghostface Killah’s highly-anticipated new release, Fishscale, sold over 110,000 units, almost double the first-week numbers posted by 2004’s The Pretty Tony Album.

Fishscale debuted on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #4 this week, and #2 on the R&B album chart.

Roy Jones Jr.: Of Love & Boxing

To some, Roy Jones Jr. is the best pound-for-pound boxer of all time and the 90’s. He’s made history as the one-time Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight boxing champion. He struck silver at the 1998 Olympic games, even though most feel he was robbed of the gold.

Ever the warrior, the Pensacola, Florida native has sought to conquer other frontiers and a logical step was Hip-Hop, a culture that he feels parallels his profession of choice. Jones and his Body Head Entertainment have also teamed with 845 Entertainment and the two entities will release projects by Trick Daddy, Choppa [formerly of No Limit], Rush, Bone Crusher and 3D, a rap group that includes his own sons.

Still, as things change, others remain. Jones, a consummate fighter who has lost two of his last three bouts, is considering a return to the ring. Check out Roy’s connection to rap, his views on boxing, other fighters and how he plans to do a British boxer that keeps calling him out.

AllHipHop.com: You and Hip-Hop have been getting close for years.

Roy Jones: Yeah, we been real close. Yeah, I grew up on Hip-Hop and it’s been a part of my life for always.

AllHipHop.com: How did your last album do for you?

Roy Jones: It went well. It took a little while to put it together, but it went well. I enjoyed it. It was a wonderful album. Everybody took it as a compilation, but I thought it was a hell of an album. I had a bunch of features and I can’t wait to do it again.

AllHipHop.com: On the next album, do you intend to take more of a lead?

Roy Jones: Oh yeah, next album, I will. I’ll probably do another one at the end of this year.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the Trick Daddy DVD situation like?

Roy Jones: Everything Trick Daddy does is funny, entertaining – adult entertainment – but it’s entertaining. You know when Trick in the house, its gonna be fun.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have a personal relationship with these guys or is it just business?

Roy Jones: I have a personal relationship with Trick. Bone Crusher, we cool, but I don’t really have a personal relationship. I got a much more personal relationship with Trick, because we’re both from Florida. Bone Crusher, I had met him and we been cool since, but we never really talked a whole lot. It was more of a 845 situation. I ain’t have no problem with them so lets do it.

AllHipHop.com: How involved are you in working your label?

Roy Jones: I handle a lot of the day-to-day stuff. I make pretty much all of the decisions and that’s just how I am. That’s how I was with boxing and that’s how I’ma be with this. I make my own decisions and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be in it.

AllHipHop.com: Now, your sons are in one of the groups, 3D. Was it you or other artists that got them inspired to rap?

Roy Jones: It was probably a little bit of both. Probably me, probably other artists. I know they love Luda [Ludacris], which is a good thing. They got their own people that they listen to. I didn’t try to persuade them towards anything as far as music goes. They never stop surprising me. They have a song that completely threw me for a loop. It was their idea, and they came up with the concept [with the producer].

AllHipHop.com: Have they ever expressed interest in boxing?

Roy Jones: Yeah, they did for a minute. They have just to be able to know how to do it. Just in case they need it.

AllHipHop.com: I recently saw you a while back on ESPN Friday Night Fights. What keeps you driven to box?

Roy Jones: Its not just boxing…when you a warrior, it’s hard not to accept a challenge. I ain’t necessarily trying to keep boxing, keep boxing, keep boxing – I love to fight for real. I just been lacking motivation. [laughing] You do slow down a little when you get a little older. I’m looking at retirement, but [if I want] I can do what I want to do. If I want to whoop somebody, then that’s what I’m gonna do. I kinda like when people call me out, like this boy Joe Calzaghe calling me out after he beat [Jeff] “Left Hook” Lacy. That kinda stuff is, “Are you a man or a mouse?” That’s the kind of stuff you used to do for a living. It’s hard to say “No,” when that’s what you do. They know Roy Jones for what? Being a warrior, a dominating warrior. When somebody [like Calzaghe] says, “I want to call out Roy, I want to test my skills. I want to cross somebody legendary who I know is the truth. If I can deal with Roy, then I know I am ready for what I’m ready for.” He wants to fight be, because I’m a veteran in the game and he can make a statement. He can put another notch in his belt. Of course its not gonna happen that way, but I like to plan. As much as I want to say, “No, I’m not gonna do it, it ain’t gonna happen…” No, I’m going to show you [in the ring] it ain’t gonna happen.

AllHipHop.com: Now, when you fight, your defense is often your speed. I watched Lacy fight…he took a lot of headshots…You don’t worry…

Roy Jones: Well, he is offensive-minded. He’s about power. You worry, but when you are a champion like I am, you have to decide, “Are you gonna do it or are you not?” That can happen to anybody. You drive a car everyday, right?

AllHipHop.com: Yeah.

Roy Jones: You can have an accident at any time and it can kill you. Like when I get on the motorcycle. I know every time [I ride] that I could die. I do what I do and keep going.

AllHipHop.com: We always enjoyed you on HBO as a commentator, but you aren’t on there any more. Why not?

Roy Jones: HBO told me I had to start coming in there three times a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And, me, I love life, I love what I do and I really can’t give them three days a week. Two days, we’d be fine, but three days I can’t do.

AllHipHop.com: What was your greatest accomplishment?

Roy Jones: Winning the heavyweight title and going to the Olympics.

AllHipHop.com: James Toney [who recently had a draw decision against Hasim Rahman] is one of the best heavyweights out there.

Roy Jones: He is the best. I’m not surprised. I told him a long time ago, right after he fought me, that I would have sent him right to the heavyweight division right then. I knew he was a better heavyweight than he was a middleweight. I always said that, if was managing him.

AllHipHop.com: Any opinions on Bernard Hopkins? You both seem pretty cool.

Roy Jones: Let me tell you something, me and Hopkins are cool. Never had anything against him. He was misunderstood. He misunderstood me, and he was misunderstood by people. He didn’t want to give people the majority of his money. He felt if he couldn’t make all of his money, they why should he fight. I told him, “I can’t take the hit because somebody else is taking your money.” Once we sat down and talked about it, he understood where I was coming from and I understood where he was coming from. [We didn’t fight again] Not because nobody was afraid, nobody was coward. It was because, the business wasn’t right.

AllHipHop.com: Fans were definitely looking forward to y’all fighting again.

Roy Jones: Him and [Antonio] Tarver got together, [a friend told me]. I said, “That’s cool.” I ain’t got nothing against that man. If that’s what he wanna do, that’s what he wanna do. If he wanna fight what he considers the best before he retires, I guess he considers Tarver that. I don’t have no beef or no problem with that. That ain’t necessarily true, but I don’t have no problem with that.

AllHipHop.com: Like yourself, Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah are often mentioned in the same breath as Hip-Hop. How closely related is the sport to the lyrics.

Roy Jones: They rap about what we do. Most of them come from the streets. They talk about what they do and what they been through. We understand what they do and what they are talking about and they understand what we do and what we are talking about. We gotta have respect for them. We right there parallel.

AllHipHop.com: Any truth to the rumor that you might sign a two-fight deal with Showtime?

Roy Jones: Yeah, there is truth to the rumor. I might do anything, you know me. [laughing] I’m my own boss. I can do anything. Joe Calzaghe keep talking, he gonna make me start running. I start running, its gonna spell trouble, I don’t care where he’s at.

AllHipHop.com: All respect due to Lacy, but fighting you would be a different experience.

Roy Jones: He’s knows it and that’s why he wants to do it. I can’t deny the man a shot, you know?

AllHipHop.com: Does it bother you that you were robbed in the ’98 Olympic games?

Roy Jones: Nah. Don’t nothing that happen to me bother me. I let bygones be bygones. Nothing at all. If it happens, its life. I do what I can. That’s that.

AllHipHop.com: If you could see any rappers square up in the ring, who would you like to see?

Roy Jones: Jay-Z and Nas. Everybody that’s got beef, they should settle it with a boxing match and we call it a day.

AllHipHop.com: But they are friends now.

Roy Jones: Well, that’s fine, but I’d still like to see it. [laughing]

Willie D: Bell Ringer

Any Geto Boys fan and Houston rap aficionado will tell you, Willie D is a bad dude. But there’s six professional boxers and a certain Hip-Hop legend who got “The Message” first hand. That’s because Willie Dennis brought the same energy he’s brought to the mic for the last 17 years, into a short, but celebrated stint in the boxing ring.

With a major weekend ahead for fight fans and enthusiasts, AllHipHop.com thought we’d get the opinion from one of Hip-Hop’s experienced boxing analysts. This feature chronicles the golden-gloved career of Willie, his former regiment, and the reason why he left it all behind. As a friend of both Zab Judah and Floyd Mayweather, you’ll get an unbiased preview of the fight, and some Geto Boy boxing history. Lace up the shoes and gloves, but one love!

AllHipHop.com: If I were interviewing Master P right now, I’d ask him who likes in the NBA. But with your boxing career, I gotta ask who you’re feeling right now?

Willie D: I look at consistency, and I’m a fan of heart, passion, and catalog. Meaning, I’m looking at the body of work – not, “Oh, this cat is hot today.” ‘Cause you can be hot today and not tomorrow. I like ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather. The boy got heart – and he got nuts too. Meaning, he’s a f**kin’ man! You can have heart and no nuts. He got [both]. He knows his history too. If you sit down and talk to that mothaf**ka about boxing, he gone’ dig up s**t like Mike Tyson do.

AllHipHip.com: People sleep on Floyd too. They think he’s flashy, and they try to lump him with a lot of the dudes who talk.

Willie D: Everybody they own man. See, with boxing, people don’t like s**t-talkers. Boxing, especially boxing experts, they like, “Mothaf**ka, don’t talk, just get your ass in there and fight!” I remember, I was whoopin’ on this mothaf**ka in Austin, [Texas]. I’m like, “Yeah motherf**ka, you want some more? BAM!” Every time I talked to him, I’d hit him. I’m fightin’ this dude. First of all, I was fighting the flu when I took the fight. So I go in, the first two rounds, I hear my boys screaming, “Stop playin’ with him. Knock that mothaf**ka out!” I got it under control. I’m dancin’ around. [Willie dances around the room and spars]. By the third round, all this s**t [in my lungs] started cavin’ in from that flu. My s**t started slowin’ down, and that mothaf**ka started hittin’ me – I could see the punches comin’, I just couldn’t get out the way. That’s a bad feeling! I was f**ked all up.

I lost the fight. I threw away the fight basically though, because I was talkin’ s**t to the mothaf**ka, and the judges don’t like that s**t. They basically called it a draw just to teach me a lesson. I got on his ass. The fourth round was a draw. The third round, he got me. The first two rounds, I shut his ass out. I should’ve won the fight, but they took the fight from me to teach me a lesson. That’s how it is, man. That’s how life is too. If you gonna do somethin’, do it. You ain’t gotta talk that s**t. Still, having said all that, Ali was a s**t-talker, and now they look at him as the greatest to ever do it.

AllHipHop.com: What do you think of Muhammad Ali?

Willie D: I ain’t like Ali. When he fought [Leon] Spinx, I was so happy Spinx whooped his ass. “Whoop that mothaf**ka’s ass!” I was happy when [Larry] Holmes whooped Ali’s ass. [laughing] S**t-talking takes a lot of energy out of you too. Just imagine what Floyd [Mayweather] would do to them boys if he didn’t talk all that s**t. But he don’t talk s**t in the ring – he handles his business in the ring.

AllHipHop.com: Prediction on Mayweather vs. Judah?

Willie D: Let me tell you somethin’ – I like Judah. Me and Judah cool. But, I think Floyd is just too much of a ringer. He just handles that g######### ring. You not gonna distract Floyd Mayweather! He ain’t gonna bring all that bulls**t in the ring. Having said that, either one of them winnin’ would be fine with me, ‘cause I’m cool with both of them.

AllHipHop.com: You had a lyric on “Put The Gun Away” off your first album, “I love to talk blow for blow / Against any hoe / They don’t make my kind anymo’, so put the gun away.’” What’s that lyric mean?

Willie D: S**t, that’s where it all started with me, man. I came up in an era where people were still fighting with their hands. Once in a while, somebody might get shot. But for the most part, people still f**ked with their hands. That’s what that’s about. I feel like people would talk less s**t if they had to fight with their hands. Like a gun, “I’m gonna talk this s**t. If a mothaf**ka run up on me, I’mma shoot ‘em.” Anybody can shoot a gun. There’s five-year-old killers out there right now. Women shoot people. It ain’t hard. But them hands is a mothaf**ka. These rappers talkin’ s**t today, they might not say it if they knew they’d have to see a mothaf**ka.

AllHipHop.com: A friend of mine said that during your boxing career, you always sported a black-eye. Is that true?

Willie D: Hell mothaf**kin’ no. I ain’t never had no black-eye from fightin’. I used to have a black-ass birth-mark under my eye, but I had it removed. That’s what he’s talkin’ ‘bout.

AllHipHop.com: What about Bushwick Bill? Did you two ever fight?

Willie D: We ain’t never fought. I had to [kicks at the floor] a few times, but there wasn’t no fightin’ – no s**t like that.

AllHipHop.com: What was your record in boxing?

Willie D: 6-1.

AllHipHop.com: So you didn’t do it professionally that long?

Willie D: Nah. I really did have my eye set on the title when I first got into it, but I realized quickly on, that my heart was there, but my dedication wasn’t. I couldn’t be dedicated to it. I had already carved out my livelihood – and boxing wasn’t it. I already had big houses and s**t, big ole’ ass cars that drink up gas like they got a hole in the tank, and family and s**t when I started boxin’. My first fight, I promoted it myself, so I made a good bit off that – six figures. Everything else was being promoted by other promoters – motherf**kas was tryin’ to give you a thousand dollars a fight. F**k it. I understand that’s the nature of the beast, but I wasn’t tryin’ to do it. That was a major reason I stopped. It couldn’t sustain me financially. With boxing, if you try to do too many things, you’ll get knocked the f**k out – you gotta be focused.

AllHipHop.com: What was your regiment?

Willie D: I was gettin’ up at 5:00. On the track by 5:30. Back at the house by 7:00. Eat by 8:00. Take a nap and get to the gym by 11:00. Out of the gym by 2:00. At the spa by 4:00. At the house by 7:00. Eat by 7:30. In bed by 9:00 – every f**kin’ day. No f**kin’ – none. None! No jackin’ off or nothin’. People don’t understand what that’s all about. A nut is equivalent to losin’ a pint of blood. You know what it’s like to lose a pint of blood at the doctor’s – you very, very weak. That s**t takes time to rebuild. You gotta rebuild that stamina. You do that before boxin’, you get knocked the f**k out. In rappin’, you can go to the studio, drink a 40 ounce, and write the best s**t in your life. Hell, you can write a song about the 40 ounce! Do that s**t in boxing and watch what happens. [laughing]

AllHipHop.com: This is old news, but can you recap the Hip-Hop boxing event that you, Freddie Foxxx, and Kurtis Blow and others were involved in. It’s often talked about, but we want an official recap. Did you knock out Melle-Mel?

Willie D: Yeah. That’s accurate, Mel! What happened was, the organizers called us in Houston and said they were throwing a celebrity boxing match and wanted us to be a part of it. I was a part of it, Dope E from the Terrorists – who got knocked the f**k out! Boy, Freddie Foxxx knocked Dope E the f**k out! That s**t was funny. He put his hands on him. Kurtis Blow put them hands on some mothaf**ka! LL [Cool J] was supposed to be in it. A lot of people was supposed to be there. Anyway, I remember bein’ backstage in the dressing-room. A reporter asked Mel how he thought the fight would go. Mel was tryin’ to be diplomatic and s**t, “You know, I’m gonna go out there, and try to have a good fight.” Then they came to me, and I was doing some sit-ups. I said, “First, he gonna come out and throw a couple jabs. Then, he gonna take off runnin’. I’mma hit him with a right, then hit him with a left. Hit him with a right, then a left. Hit him with a right, then hit him with a left. And he gonna get carried away.” [laughing] Mel [laughed it off playfully].

We go out, they takin’ bets like in prison fightin’. Me and Mel was the main event. Me and Mel get to the ring. The fight was sanctioned, so we had a real referee. We get to the ring, and I come out, and to be honest, I didn’t go out to really knock anybody out. I was trying to put on an exhibition. We go out, and I throw a couple jabs. Mel come across my head with an overhead right and he raised me. The force that he did it with – he was tryin’ to tear my ass off. The crowd [responded]. Off the bat, I said to myself, “It’s over. Get him outta here.” The ref broke us up. I came back out again. I shot two jabs up to set it up. He fell for it. I caught him with an overhead right, and he went to sleep. I remember, they counted to ten, and Mel was still out. He was doing some Tweety-bird s**t. His eyes was crossed up. I forgot it was sanctioned, ‘cause I asked the ref, “Let him fight.” I wanted people to get their money’s worth, and the fight just started. “Get back over there!” So I returned to my corner. Ten more second passed, Mel still ain’t up. Finally, he comes to – eyes still crossed. One of his boys was like, “Mel, it’s over.” Mel said, “It’s over? Well, who got the belt?” [laughing] That’s what he said! Clear as day, I remember that s**t. I already had the belt wrapped around my waist. Since then, me and Mel talked on the phone a few times. He still wants a rematch.

AllHipHop.com: Still got the belt?

Willie D: It’s on the mantle.

Eminem And Kim Divorce Again

Eminem and Kim Mathers have split again.

The rapper has filed for divorce less than three months after remarrying Mathers on Jan. 14.

"There has been a breakdown in the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved," said Eminem’s filing in Macomb County on Wednesday.

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, and Kimberly Mathers were married again in Rochester, Michigan in a ceremony that boasted attendance by 50 Cent and D-12 at a 110-room mansion.

The pair was originally divorced in 2001 after an unstable relationship had formed. In song, Eminem has lyrically abused, killed, cursed his wife and even has a gravesite tattoo on his stomach emblazed with “Kim: Rot in Pieces.”

According to the Associated Press, Eminem and Mathers signed a prenuptial agreement a week before their wedding in January. The specifics of the agreement weren’t made public, but the 33-year-old rapper seeks joint of Hailie Jade Scott, the couple’s 10-year-old daughter

The couple was originally married in 1999. Their divorce was finalized in 2001 and sparked a custody battle over Hailie Jade.

LL Cool J Hosts Fashion Show To Launch ‘Todd Smith’ Collection

Rap icon LL Cool J and Def Jam Records will celebrate the release of the MC’s Todd Smith clothing line with an exclusive in-store appearance and fashion show April 11 at the Virgin MegaStore in New York City’s Times Square.

The event will be open to 500 fans, who will get a sneak preview of the Todd Smith collection.

The release of the fashion line comes as LL Cool J’s 12th album, Todd Smith, hits stores. The disc includes the first single “Control Myself,” featuring Jennifer Lopez.

To promote the album, LL Cool J will appear on MTV’s TRL and Life & Rhymes April 10, as well as FUSE (April 11), MTV’s DFX (April 11), BET’s 106th & Park (April 12) and Blueprint (April 19) and The View (April 16).

The rapper will also host BET’s Top 25 Hosted Saturdays April 22 and perform on Jimmy Kimmel April 25, MTV’s Sucker Free Sunday and BET’s Spring Bling.

The Todd Smith fashion show and LL Cool J in-store appearance kicks off at 6 p.m. on April 11.

Rap Mogul Suge Knight: ‘I’m Serving Death Row Its Last Meal

Marion “Suge” Knight has come forward to speak about his recent decision to file for protection under federal bankruptcy laws. 

Knight’s new counsel, Larry Nagelberg and Laurence Strick, said Knight and Death Row Records sought protection because of a $107 million dollar default judgment awarded to Lydia Harris, ex-wife of imprisoned drug boss Michael “Harry-O” Harris.

“For the last few years there’s been a stigma attached to Death Row,” Knight told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “People like the Harris’ have been coming out of the woodwork and it’s been like a dark cloud hanging over me. I’ve decided that I’m serving Death Row its last meal. I’m setting a new table.”

Knight didn’t reveal what future plans he had for the label or its lucrative catalog.

Harris and Knight have publicly feuded over the label since 1997, the year Harris went public and claimed he invested $1.5 million in Death Row Records, home to Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and others.

Knight missed numerous court hearings to disclose his assets, the most recent being Saturday (April 1).

A judge had warned Death Row Records would be put into receivership if Knight missed Saturday’s hearing.

Yesterday (April 4), Judge Ronald Sohigian found Knight innocent of contempt of court at a hearing regarding the bankruptcy filing.

Knight’s attorneys also stated they plan on filing a motion against the Harris’ and their attorneys for undisclosed violations of federal bankruptcy law.

50 Cent To Star Opposite Nicholas Cage In ‘The Dance’

Rap superstar 50

Cent has recently signed up to star opposite Nicholas Cage in Universal Pictures

upcoming film, The Dance.

The boxing film

is based on the life of Billy "The Kid" Roth, a former champion who

spent almost 45 years as a volunteer boxing coach and father figure in Louisiana’s

state prison system.

"Billy Roth’s

story truly spoke to my heart," Cage said in a statement. "Despite

the darkness and intense despair, an unlikely and flawed character is able to

find and provide hope to others."

In the movie, Roth

comes across a boxer that has potential, but the prisoner, to be played by 50

Cent, is serving out a life sentence.

This is the second

major movie that 50 Cent has been attached to since the release of his silver-screen

debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which was directed by acclaimed filmmaker

Jim Sheridan.

The rapper is also

attached to the flick Home of the Brave, which also stars actor Samuel

L. Jackson. That movie centers on three soldiers who return home from Iraq and

have difficulty readjusting to civilian life.

The Dance

is slated to start shooting after Cage finishes Ghost Rider this spring.