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

Nov 3, 2005

Rap feuds aren't usually about differing opinions on President Bush. However, that appears to be the case between 50 Cent and Kanye West.

50 says he disagrees with West's infamous statement that " George Bush doesn't care about black people," proclaimed during a September telethon for Hurricane Katrina victims.

"I think people responded to it the best way they can," 50 told ContactMusic.com. "What Kanye West was saying, I don't know where that came from."

Instead, 50 said, "The New Orleans disaster was meant to happen. It was an act of God."

It wouldn't be the first time 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, made comments that weren't flattering of West. In a September interview with MTV, 50 — while otherwise complimentary of the popular "Gold Digger" rapper — said: "I feel like Kanye West is successful because of me."

"After 50 Cent, (hip-hop fans) was looking for something non-confrontational, and they went after first thing that came along. That was Kanye West, and his record took off."

West's second album, "Late Registration," has remained near the top of the charts since debuting August 30th.

50 stars in the upcoming film "Get Rich or Die Tryin," a biopic of the rapper that is set to open November 9th.

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member Big Boi is set to release his new compilation album, Big Boi Presents...Got Purp? Vol. II through his Atlanta-based record label, Purple Ribbon.

The Purple Ribbon label showcases a mixture of established artists, as well as up-and-coming MC’s and R&B singers, with a distinct sound.

Artists singed to Big Boi’s burgeoning label include rappers Bubba Sparxxx, KonKrete, Killa Mike and soulful crooners Sleepy Brown and Scar.

"I just want to add something to the game and make good, quality music,” Big Boi told AllHipHop.com. “Our sound is top notch and bad-to-the-bone, but most importantly, it's funk-based. When dogs are purple ribbon bred, it means that they have a history behind them; a champion pedigree. A Purple Ribbon is the highest-ranking you can get and all the artists on my label are winners."

Big Boi said he was extremely influenced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who signed Outkast to his influential Atlanta-based record label, LaFace, which he co-owned with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, before selling the label for $100 million dollars to Arista in 2000.

Reid is now head of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

“I've been real business savvy for a while,” Big Boi said. “The team that I got now and the talent that I got, I just want to make the presence in Atlanta that much stronger. I want to try and pull together and fill that void that LaFace left when they were in Atlanta."

Big Boi Presents...Got Purp? Vol. II is highlighted by an array of tracks including the posse track "Kryptonite," featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike, C-Bone and Rock D, as well as the melodic electronic R&B dance tune "U Got Me" by Scar featuring Big Boi.

The opus features heavy musical contributions from the labels newest acquisition; stand out R&B singer Scar.

Born in London, Big Boi hopes Scar will stake out new territory for hip-hop and R & B.

"Scar is hybrid-funk, but his voice is so classy and so clean,” Big Boi continued. “He’s really my secret weapon. He’s a dope writer, a great all around performer and a talented musician. He’s got a story to tell."

Big Boi Presents … Got Purp Vol. II is slated to hit stores on Nov. 8.

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