Raekwon Says Solo Careers Hurt The Wu-Tang Clan

“I feel like in a way, us doing solo things hurt us,” Raekwon said…

During a recent interview with Vlad TV, Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon revealed that he feels the members’ solo careers hurt the Staten Island collective’s productivity as a whole.
“I feel like in a way, us doing solo things hurt us,” Raekwon the Chef said. “I never told nobody that — y’all niggas the first ones to know.
“When we had something so pure and so solid together, it could’ve been structured more togetherly,” Raekwon continued. “It could’ve been more stronger if we knew it had to stay like that. But when we allow[ed] each other to do us, some did better than others and when some did better than others, it caused a certain kind of reaction in the whole movement.”

Raekwon also said that while the creative fall-out wasn’t anyone’s fault necessarily, he did feel the success of some Wu member’s careers — and the lack-there-of of others — started to create a competitive environment.
“It wasn’t like nobody was trying to out-do each other, because we all was nice, it was just that some probably worked a little harder and some did more things and some was just playing his part,” he shared. “To me, when we did that, it kinda like put us in a more competitive situation with each other instead of focusing more strongly on the brand. The brand is so big just as a team, it’s like when we did that, it jumped into some ego shit – which normally happens, but what I’m just trying to say is if we would’ve stayed more tighter, we probably would’ve had about 30 albums right now.”
During the sitdown with Vlad TV, the New York native also discussed what it was like when the Wu first started to create music, stating, “What I really miss is that energy from my brothers. We were young, we were child stars at that time, but I miss being around niggas and laughing in the studio.”
Despite Raekwon’s believes, the group is expected to release a new album this year to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Ja Rule Befriends Ex Corporate CEO and Shamed Politician While Behind Bars

While serving his prison sentence for gun possession, Ja Rule has befriended former TYCO CEO Dennis Kozlowski and disgraced politician Alan Hevesi…

Ja Rule has befriended two unlikely inmates behind bars—disgraced politician Alan Hevesi and former TYCO CEO Dennis Kozlowski.
Currently serving a two-year sentence for gun possession, Ja says he’s enjoying the company he calls, “Hevey D” and “Koz.” Kozlowski, who is serving eight to 25 years for using the funds and reserves for TYCO for personal use, recently received work release, while Hevesi, a former New York controller, is serving one to four years for devising a corruption scheme.
“Outside, you don’t meet guys like this every day,” Ja told the New York Daily News in an interview outside of the Mid-State Correctional Facility, located in upstate Oneida, New York about Hevesi and Kozlowski. “This place is amazing.”
According to Ja, born Jeffery Atkins, both corporate greed poster boy Dennis Kozlowski and shamed politician Alan Hevesi have provided him with guidance, companionship and advice during the first eight months of his 24-month tenure.
Kozlowkski has shared financial tips with the rapper, who was also found guilty of tax evasion, while Hevesi shared stories about the perennial impasse in Albany. The pair has convinced Ja to invest in various stocks and also influenced him towards pursuing higher education, taking up college courses to develop a further understanding of business. They’ve also offered to help the former high school dropout in the case he does take up an academic courseload.
“It’s funny,” Ja continued telling the Daily News. “We’re from totally different walks of life. But when you’re here, you’re here.”
Ja is scheduled for a February 2013 release from prison, but his Pain Is Love 2 album is slated to drop later this month.

2 Chainz Says Lil Wayne Courted Him for His Young Money Label

2 Chainz says Lil Wayne asked him to be a part of his Young Money team prior to him signing to Def Jam…
2 Chainz might’ve ultimately signed to Def Jam, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t get offers from other tempting camps in the past.
During an interview with MTV’s Rapfix Live, the Atlanta spitter said Lil Wayne asked him to join his Young Money label before.
“I was one of the first people invited to Young Money, before the album. Wayne asked me,” Chainz said. “Lil Wayne is one of the realist dudes in the game as far as opening up doors for people to eat and trickling down to their families. He’s one of the most unselfish, talented people that I’ve been around.”
Still, 2 Chainz decided not to sign with Weezy and remain with Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace label as one-half of the rap duo Playaz Circle. His reasoning? He didn’t want to seem flaky and hop from label to label.
“From the outside looking in, I hate to see people look like they clique hopping,” Chainz said. “But when you just look at an artist that went from here to this subsidiary, to this subsidiary — for me I felt like I’m smart enough to sign 2 Chainz slash Def Jam like I did.”
Regardless, Chainz remains he and Wayne have a good relationship, especially considering their history. Weezy appeared with 2 Chainz (then known as Tity Boi) on “Duffle Bag Boy,” the 2007 single with his group Playaz Circle. Chainz also spent time on the road with Tunechi during his I Am Still Music Tour two years later.
And now, as a signee on Def Jam Recordings, the “Spend It” rhymeslinger was able to partner his T.R.I. label with the legendary record company and become his own boss instead.

Drake Sued By Alleged Ex-Girlfriend Over “Marvin’s Room”

Alleged ex-girlfriend claims Drake owes her co-writer royalties over his Take Care hit single…

A young woman claiming to be Drake’s ex-girlfriend is suing the Toronto rapper over his hit track,”Marvin’s Room.”
According to Hollywood Reporter, the woman named Ericka Lee revealed herself to be Drizzy’s ex-girlfriend as well as the voice on the other end of the phone call in “Marvin’s Room.” Lee says that she is suing the rapper over excluding her from co-writer royalties on the hit record. In the lawsuit filed yesterday (February 2) in a California federal court, Lee claims the two shared a romantic and business partnership between early-2010 and mid-2011.
During that relationship, Lee says Drake agreed to work with her on “Marvin’s Room” and asked her to record the track’s hook. She states that he acknowledged her contribution on the record through text messages reading, “U basically made the song” and “It’s shit without you.” On July 11th, Lee filed a claim about the song using her work and voice but, about six weeks later Cash Money Records reportedly made its own claim stating that “Marvin’s Room” was authored by an “employer for hire.”
Soon after the release of the song, Lee reports that her relationship with the YMCMB star “ended and got ugly fast,” and was later sent a text message from Drake offering her a purported two percent of “publishing royalities.” In November, she hired a lawyer to which Drake offered her “4-5%” of publishing money plus a $50,000 payout “to go away” after allegedly making threatening phone calls saying “What the fuck is your problem?”
Lee is currently being represented by Neville Johnson who beforehand also filed a lawsuit, for Playboy Enterprises against the rapper for 2009′s “Best I Ever Had” track which included an unauthorized sampling.
As of press time, Drake and Cash Money Records have yet to comment on the situation. —Ralph Bristout

1million hustlas strong takes it to the bay!

THIS FOR ALL MY CALIFOOLYA FOLKS!