The straight dope on what's going on in Hip-Hop, Media and Entertainment

Feb 7, 2005

Ras Kass has issued a statement denying that he’s dissing G-Unit/Aftermath rapper The Game in a scathing mixtape/internet song called “Caution.”

“The track ‘Caution’ that I wrote and recorded is not directed towards any artist. It’s a general statement. If the shoe fits, find a matching skirt,” Ras said in a statement. “When I do diss somebody, I certainly wouldn’t bring their children into it.”

On the track, a rejuvenated Ras says, "Fools is acting like they what I always was / West Coast lyricist with East Coast love / you was made to run / get a thousand tattoos and won't raise your gun / so when you get merked I'ma raise your son / Ras is a son of a beeyatch, you the son of a coward / your pops went to jail got f****d in the shower.”

Many websites began reporting that the lyrics were directed to Game, because the Compton resident has been heavily promoted as a West Coast rapper that evolved and East Coast style. Ras, who was raised in Carson, CA, had a similar distinction when he emerged in the 90s. Additionally, Game has a son that is featured heavily in the artwork of his new album, The Documentary.

After a two year stint in jail for DUI, Ras said that he’s currently focused on his new album and saturating the market with exclusive material like "Caution."

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Hip-Hop and Fashion entrepreneur Sean “P. Diddy” Combs recently turned down an offer from the Warner Music Group to purchase his Bad Boy recording label.

The proposal was initially offered to acquire Combs' share of the imprint, which is presently being distributed through Universal until early next year.

The New York Times reported the deal was worth $30 million. Warner representatives refused comment but sources close to negotiations set the deal closer $60 million.

According to sources, Universal is lukewarm in response to re-negotiating their contract with Bad Boy in light of the label’s stagnant performance in 2004.

Since then, Combs openly exercised his options by courting several labels over the last couple weeks.

"While [Mr. Combs] appreciated the offer from Warner Music Group, he felt the amount undervalued both him and his Bad Boy Records label," a source that wished to remain anonymous told AllHipHop.com.

Sources went on to say that Combs' decision to veto the deal with Warner was inspired by “business, creative and personal reasons” noting that the mogul wished to retain 100 percent of his business, which produced the likes of Ma$e and The Notorious B.I.G. and is set to release projects by P. Diddy, B5, Black Rob and Boyz N Da Hood in 2005.

Others speculate that Combs may be at odds with Warner Music CEO and former Island Def Jam head Lyor Cohen over sour deals the two encountered with one another in the past.

"Acquiring Bad Boy and doing a 50/50 joint venture would have given Warner the urban presence they needed," the source continued. "And with Warner being set up to go public, the partnership would have created a powerful impact on Warner’s stock offering."

Sources went on to say "Though Warner Music and Mr. Combs could not come to terms at this time, we are hopeful that Mr. Combs is still open to further discussion."

As of press time, phone calls to the Warner Music Group in regards to the matter were unreturned.

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Marion “Suge” Knight was arrested Saturday (Feb. 5) evening for suspicion of violating his parole after police found marijuana in his Ford pickup truck during a traffic stop, according to reports.

Knight, 39, was arrested in Barstow, about 100 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The rap mogul is currently awaiting transfer to state prison next week, said sheriff's Cpl. Lorraine Riser.

State officials will assess Knight’s case to decide whether he should be held or released, Riser said.

After pulling Knight over for making a dangerous U-turn, police said they searched his truck and discovered marijuana.

The Death Row Records co-founder was also cited for not having insurance.

A woman in the vehicle allegedly had a fake ID and was arrested for giving police false information.

The woman, identified as Alexis Wilkenson, 18, of Las Vegas, was later released.

Knight was sent to prison in 2001 for assault and weapons violations and recently served an additional 10 months for violating his parole and striking a Hollywood nightclub valet.

Publicist Jonathan Wolfson, who has represented Knight in the past, did not immediately return calls Sunday morning to the Associated Press.
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Rapper Tray Deee, who formed the group Tha Eastsidaz with rappers Snoop Dogg and Goldie Loc, was sentenced to 12 years in prison yesterday (Feb. 2) in Long Beach, Calif., in connection with a 2003 shooting.

The rapper, whose real name is Tracy Lamar Davis, was sentenced in Superior Court after pleading no contest to shooting at an occupied vehicle, prosecutor Cynthia Barnes said. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped two charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and one count of possession of a firearm.

Davis allegedly shot at two people in a car but nobody was injured.

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