In the never ending drama that is Aftermath, barely a few weeks after Rakim announced the finalization of his perpetually pushed back Aftermath debut, the word first broken by DJVlad.com is that now Rakim has left Dr. Dre's label.

Rakim's manager, Zach Katz released a statement via audio explaining what went down. "He's already shopping a new deal. He's left Aftermath. They mutually decided to go their separate ways. There are reasons, but I really can't get into them, just basically creative differences. And he's already talking to other people. So that's really what it is."

Rakim signed to Aftermath three years ago. The match made in heaven came to fruition after Dre voiced his life long intentions of working with the God emcee. Though Dre is infamous for taking time in the studio, the record was pushed back several times, taking a back seat to other Aftermath releases like Eminem, 50 Cent and Truth Hurts. Since joining Aftermath Rakim hasn't had much to offer. Aside from last year's stand out cameo on Truth Hurts' "So Addictive," Rah only released two notable cuts, the lukewarm "R.A.K.I.M" on the 8 Mile soundtrack and the rarely heard Ayatollah produced "A Cold Feelin." It is uncertain whether Dre contributions will still land on Rakim's next LP.