He just did a New York reunion show at Governor’s Island where he embraced Jadakiss (whom he’s had problems with in the past), he hasn’t flown off the handle about his placement on the MTV list like he two years ago—and yesterday, as we sat down with 50 Cent in his unfinished new office, his answers to our questions seemed more methodical than ever. While he preps to release his oft-delayed album Before I Self Destruct on November 23, we spoke to 50 about possible tension with Dre, Fat Joe’s first-week sales, pulling a gun on Diddy, and how he really feels about Jay-Z’s “no one is scared of 50 Cent” comment. Yup, some things will never change…

Interview By Joe La Puma

Complex: Okay, as far as the the new album, we’ve heard a radio-friendly single with Ne-Yo, but you also have gritty tracks like “Flight 187″….

50 Cent: “Flight 187″ is a bonus track, it’s not on the album. I started the project, and I wrote exactly what I wanted on it, and then I thought out the actual singles at the very end. The album changed, because there was a time period around December of last year, that I was ready to put my record out and I was a little anxious. I usually release on schedule; it’s usually a two-year cycle for me before I release a record. In December, I put out the “Get Up” record, and then Interscope had a transition, like the entire music business did. So the majority of the delays of this project have been readjustments to what’s actually going on, not [because] the material wasn’t up to par or completed. There’s been a transition that we experience in technology—for instance, right now we’re talking to Complex.com instead of Complex magazine. That right there shows you that things are totally changing around. Instead of fighting things, I embrace them.

Complex: Are there any other guest appearances on the album?

50 Cent: R.Kelly, that’s also a bonus cut. I kept this album shorter. I kept it down to 16 songs, so people could continuously play these songs and fall in love with them. I’d rather jump in the car from Banks’ house to Manhattan listening to my entire album. Listen to the entire record and then on our way back, listen again. I was getting that a lot when I was talking about the War Angel LP, creating content that directly impacts the actual environment—I wrote that for them. Most artists’ first album is like that because they don’t think “world music.” They think “let me make the coolest thing here, right now.” And the influences and their surroundings make them write something that reflects their experience.

Complex: Right…

50 Cent: If you looked at Ready to Die, Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic, those artists would probably tell you that that record was written for their neighborhood. Those are the records that they are working to live up to and can’t quite match because they got big. Reasonable Doubt wasn’t even a gold record. It went gold after the other albums were successful. Illmatic too. Imagine 50 Cent now with a gold record. It just doesn’t work. Those artists no longer can create the aggressive content, because they shifted their lives to where they can’t create from a genuine space.

Complex: So that’s the big difference between you and those artists?

50: The way I responded to the financial stability, it comes with being successful as an artist. My interests reflect on the struggle and how far I’ve came, versus indulging in how great it is where I’m at now. A lot of these artists write “I’m rich,” the coolest shit about being rich, “I’m at the clearport, I’m doing this, I’m doing that.” They aspire to write about luxury and to excite an audience and the demographic that comes from where they come from, saying “I want to be like him.” I write material that makes [the listener] feel like he’s like me. The guys on the corner can relate to 50 Cent in a different way because they knows that I’ve had the same experience and I’ll be inspiring to them.

Complex: People said that Blueprint 3 came off very braggadocious, just like you alluded to—Jay bragging about the stuff he has.

50: But that’s a career trait. That’s a style. The choice that he’s made as an artist. He’s done that his entire career. He felt he could shift trends with the things he’s actually saying. I mean, it’s cool, it’s an option to write that when you’re that successful. I just feel like writing imperfection instead of creating a superhero is interesting. I’ll write the things they’re not willing to say because they think it affects their “cool factor” to the point where they feel like it puts them in the box. They’re limited to what they can say and do. I don’t give a fuck. I can say and do what I want. So I write those defective characters.

Complex: So you had the big “50 Fest” show in New York recently, where you reunited with a lot of artists. Seems like that was a big step for you. Is that part of the maturation process?

50 Cent: Well, for me the New York show was an opportunity. It was actually branched revenue for Thisis50.com. And at the same time, an opportunity for me to work with artists and have them seen in the same light. There’s no middle ground in hip-hop. It’s either you’re rocking arenas or you’re getting top dollar, getting money out a nightclub. You can’t really get more than that $75,000 threshold, that’s really it in the nightclub circuit.

Complex: You originally had problems with Jadakiss because he did a song with Ja Rule. How would you feel if, after this concert, he went out and did a song with someone like Rick Ross?

50 Cent: You know what? Check this out. I have an issue with anyone who’s trying to keep someone who I deem my enemy in a good position. Where I’m from, if you have an issue with one guy and someone keeps standing next to them, just hit him too. Just kill him too. It’s just the way I use my gut. I use my moral compass to tell me when to go in on somebody. I dealt with that, it doesn’t make sense for me to continue to beat that dead horse. When the artist that I intended to destroy has completely been destroyed, why would I be bothering him? I could tell you as soon as I wrote “Piggy Bank” what was going to happen.

Complex: How so?

50 Cent: I knew Fat Joe’s pride would bring him out first, even if he wasn’t in the position to win. And he would go and go and go because he has the tough-guy aura. He’s tougher in his head than he is in reality, as far as his Don Cartagena shit is concerned. It feels great because everybody’s paying attention to them and talking on the radio about them. Mind you, while they’re going out and doing all of this talking, I’m just chilling. I’ll send them out like they’re a rap fan so they can market me. So everywhere they go, nobody cares about your record or what you’re doing. The number one question is “So what’s up with you and 50?” They’re not smart enough to come up with a new disrespectful way to talk to me because I’ve heard everything you could fucking think of. Then I move away because I’m competing with another artist, and the spotlight moves with me because I’m actually creating the material and generating the interest. So when I move to do that, you’re in darkness…to the point where you drop your album sales to 8,000 copies.

Complex: Were you surprised that Fat Joe only sold that many his first week?

50 Cent: Well, I have 8,000 friends. So that’s extremely low.

Complex: It’s very low…

50 Cent: Watch this. Want a prediction from me? I’ll tell you what a psychic told me. Triple Cs is next. And then Rick Ross is going to follow that failure. Def Jam dumped a whole lot of marketing dollars into trying combat me with Rick Ross. More money than they should have. What his numbers were versus what Jadakiss did, didn’t make financial sense. So the next go-around, they’re going to give him his fair share instead that extra piece of pie. Then you’re going to see where he really is.

Complex: You told people not to hold their breath about a collaboration with The Game. Are there still real issues with him?

50 Cent: I really don’t know Game. I worked with the kid for six days. I have bigger issues with the actual system, the company, people who work in it. Initially, people would be like, “Yo, we know you wrote the fucking records! You think we give a fuck about that?” Game built this thing on the West Coast, they desperately needed him to come out—they didn’t have anybody since Snoop. That’s what made it a good business opportunity to begin with. But I had to make sacrifices in order to have Dre put the record out, the same way they waited eight years for Dre to put his album out.

Complex: Is there tension between you and Dre?

50 Cent: There’s no tension. There will never be a beef between 50 Cent and Dre. And it’s not based on 50 and Dre’s relationship, it’s based on Eminem and Dre’s relationship. My relationship with Em is what Em’s relationship is to Dre. If I was to say something disrespectful to Dre, it would effect Em and I value that relationship too much. So I won’t say anything, I’ll never say anything negative about Dre.

Complex: Does it bother you that it can take Dre so long to mix your records?

50 Cent: Oh no, that’s just him as a producer. He takes his time. He loses interest in shit. I don’t care how great you are. He’s great, but he loses interest in himself at points. So the making of the record at this point is motivation. He’ll tell you himself that that’s what he feels.

Complex: How do you feel about him working with Game?

50: I don’t care. It’s better that you shut up sometimes than for you to actually express your judgments when you’re close to home.

Complex: Shifting gears, in your VH1 Behind The Music episode, there was a part that talked about Diddy taking a meeting with you, and him getting shook because you brought a gun to the office…

50 Cent: This is what happened. Jennifer Lopez told Puffy that I was a great writer because Corey Rooney signed me to Columbia Records. Jennifer had been exposed to my material, so she told Puff she thinks I’m somebody he should work with. I came down to write and I was in there writing a couple of joints and Puff left the actual room. There was rustling and rambling at the door and shit like that. I jumped up—when you get hurt as bad as I got hurt, either your fear consumes you or you become insensitive. So I jumped up and figured “as you come through the door, I’ll shoot your ass down right there in the door.” The paranoia heightens your senses. You start to see every little detail, every little thing. You don’t want to miss anything and have it turn out there’s someone shooting you again. When I heard the rambling outside, I jumped up, I had a Mac-10 on me. Pulled the joint out and Puff came in and looked, said, “Oh shit, I can’t do this.”As a matter fact, it was Shyne and Wolf, wrestling outside. Puff was going through that actual case when he called me in to write and I’m in his office with a Mac-10. He was like, “I can’t do that.” After the fact, I looked at it and was like, That’s a legitimate call.

Complex: How do you feel about MTV’s Hottest MCs list?

50 Cent: Well, I try to figure out what they’re looking at and what their criteria is. They pick trying to be aware of the art form. For you to leave off the highest selling rap album of the year in your Top 10, I don’t know what the fuck your criteria is. That’s Em’s project. If you don’t have a rap record sell more copies, how could you miss that rap record? It’s just people’s personal preference. Fuck if MTV does a Top 10, everybody has their own Top 10. As long as you’re on the list, you’re straight.

Complex: A lot of people felt that Eminem should’ve been on the list, just off of the strength of his verse on “Forever.” You said a few weeks ago that Em didn’t even know who was going to be on that record…

50 Cent: He didn’t know everyone who was on the record. And it was remixed, they remixed his vocals. When I make records with Em, Dre mixes my vocals in the beat, then sends the beat, and Em sends his vocals until it sounds the way he wants it. Then we wrap it up. So he did his verse on the actual song, they moved it around, put other people on and he didn’t even mix his vocals back yet.

Complex: He didn’t like that?

50 Cent: Well he doesn’t like not being able to hear himself the way he wants to hear himself. So those are somebody else’s ears saying “this sounds like good Eminem” instead of Em’s.

Complex: Someone who made the list who has actually been through some real street shit like you have is Gucci Mane—how do you feel about his placement at #6?

50 Cent: I understand Gucci Mane has something that the other artists don’t have, and that’s authenticity. Because he’s had the experience, they’ll glorify it. Think about how many times I’ve been asked, “How does it feel to be shot?” That’s their personal interest, their amazement in the situation. I don’t ask people, “Ask me how did it feel to be shot. Could you ask me what I was thinking when I was shot?” If it was up to me, it would’ve never happened. I see where they see significance in the content, based on them knowing that the backdrop of a story has some truth to it. These are the things other artists completely lack. Like Rick Ross is exactly the opposite of a Gucci Mane. I’ll listen to Gucci Mane despite what his cadence choices are. As opposed to listening to a Rick Ross, who is talented rapper but is lying. I just don’t want to hear rappers rapping lies. I don’t want to hear that shit.

Complex: Getting back to Jay-Z, who ended up #1 on the list. Much has been made of his recent comment saying “no one is afraid of 50 Cent.” Regardless, it seems like the general public agrees that Kanye wouldn’t have pulled that stunt if you were on stage instead of Taylor Swift…

50 Cent: He wouldn’t. You can’t convince the public, you can’t convince Kanye to say he would’ve did that. If I was there and he did that to me we would have had an altercation. Right there. It’s clear. He [Kanye] would have avoided that, just being intelligent. The interviewer who asked [Jay-Z] about the Kanye situation made him feel like a punk. His presentation is really simple and you can’t have both. You can’t be gangster Jay from Marcy and be the good guy Jay-Z on Oprah. You just can’t. They don’t let you in. That’s Mr. Knowles, he just got that pass. There ain’t any tickets to an inauguration ball with niggas. If you’re from the hood, you have that element or that aura around you, there’s no tickets for you. It’s “safe” people there. This is why those things are happening. This is why he has to convince the person that he’s talking to he’s not afraid of anyone.

RELATED: 50 Cent Talks “Power” Cologne And Drake Comparisons (June 2009)

• CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COMPLEX MUSIC POSTS!

#10: “Backyard BBQ” Kenny Segal f/ Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Nocando, Busdriver, Dr. Oop
Leave it to the backpackers to make a song about an actual BBQ.

#9: “I’m A Thug” Trick Daddy
Trick Daddy has taught us a lot of things. One being a BBQ ain’t a BBQ unless there’s two or more girls at the pool. Silly us.

#8: “Country Grammar” Nelly
We would have loved to put the “Tip Drill” video on this list, but the grill was taken off set as it was taking up valuable ass-shaking space.

#7: “Thug Devotion” Mo Thugs
Who said thugs can’t let loose? They like to do all the things you like to do. They just do them with an ice grill and a heater nearby.

#6: “Slow Motion” Juvenile
Leave it to Juve to churn out a wholesome, feel good video for one of the best club songs of the past decade.

#5: “Fantastic Voyage” Coolio
We bet you $5 you’re going to hear this song at least once this weekend. If you don’t, please email: shitsandgiggles@complex.com

#4: “I Get Around” 2pac
For this Shock G assisted hit, Pac rocked with the simple formula: BBQ + Girls + Pool = Awesome.

#3: “Growing Pains” DTP f/ Scarface
There’s nothing like crew love. Back when Luda was fun to listen to and we actually thought the members of DTP would release good albums, they dropped this soulful summertime banger.

#2: “Summertime” DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Before he became Mr. Fourth of July and got jiggy, Will Smith created the quintessential summer anthem. (Jim Jones’ “Summer in Miami” notwithstanding, of course.)

#1: “Nothin’ But a G Thang” Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Doggy Dogg
Chronic and chicken go together like The Game and crying. A little sharkin’ here and there never hurt nobody, either.

• CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COMPLEX RAP POSTS!

Today we have some vintage G-Funk, instrumentals from the next indie star, and a few other bangers. Listen to today’s selections and download the MP3s below…

SONG: “I’m Going In (Freestyle)”
ARTIST: Donnis
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• We already gave the kid “Album Of The Week” honors and he continues to prove his worth by ripping Drake’s mixtape hit.

SONG: “Think It Over”
ARTIST: Mr. Marcellus f/ ST 2 Lettaz
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• We hadn’t heard of this Alabama emcee until now but his pro-education, anti-hustling message is cool with us. Check out his Rocket City mixtape if you want to hear more.

SONG: “Poor Young Dave”
ARTIST: Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Dogg
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• It’s been almost 20 years since Dr. Dre hit us with The Chronic and its leftovers still hold up with current leaks. Find this and seven more bonus songs on the re-mastered version of the album dropping today.

SONG: “Luck”
ARTIST: Washed Out
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• This one-man-show has been peddling his product on cassettes and has all the hipsters taking notice. What you know about that indie scene cred? The beats knock too.

SONG: “No Competition”
ARTIST: Joe Budden
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• Joey just broke up with his girl, so it was only a matter of time before the sad love songs started leaking. Here’s the first of what we predict will be many.

Visit Complex.com every day at 5 PM for your daily “5 O’Clock Shuffle” playlist.

Oh, but the internet was on fire last week. First Eminem’s Relapse leaked, then Nick Carey Cannon caught feelings about some of Em’s lyrics about Mariah Carey. On the track “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” Marshall goes in on his alleged ex-jumpoff and her present husband:

…Mariah whatever happened to us? Why did we have to break up?/All I asked for was a glass of punch!/You see I never really asked for much/I can’t imagine what’s going through your mind after such/A nasty break-up with that Latin hunk/Luis Miguel—Nick Cannon better back the fuck/Up, I’m not playin’, I want her back, you punk/This is Hello Kitty bedspread satin funk/Mixed with egyptian with a little rap and punk/Zapp and Eric Clapton, Shaft, Frank Zappa, crunk/And yeah baby i want another crack at ya/You can beat me with any spatula that you want/I mean I really want you bad, you c*nt/Nick you had your fun, i’ve come to kick you in your sack of junk/Man I could use a fresh batch of blood/So prepare your vernacular for Dracula acupunct…

Not even that harsh, especially in comparison to the psychosexual gorefest that is much of Relapse. Regardless, though, Nick blacked out on his blog, coming out of pocket with all kinds of threats (physical and otherwise) toward Em, even going so far as to compare Mariah to Michelle Obama and Oprah. (Even though he pulled the post in a matter of hours, you can still read it plenty of places, including here.) And that’s all we’ve heard of it so far…UNTIL NOW! See, when you have two celebrities on Twitter, chances are shit’s gonna boil over. And boil over it did. Thankfully, we follow all the parties involved, so we were able to record the whole confrontation as it went down.* Don’t say we never did anything for you…

*and by “it,” we mean “this totally false fictional account of what we wish had happened for satirical purposes only please don’t sue us Jimmy Iovine”

nickcannon Has anyone heard this Eminem joint? I love it! I mean I hate it! He’s the GOAT! Except I’m about to intimidate him into taking this song off his album! Wait, no, I’m gonna say I will, then pretend I never said anything!

TheRealCashis *actually dead of malnutrition*

RELATED:
Diddy’s 24hr-Juice Fast via Twitter
Jim Jones vs Neyo Twitter Fight

Could this be better than Notorious? Possibly. There’s a lot more story to tell with all the members each being involved in some sort of drama even after they left the group, and they also have the chance to learn from Notorious’ mistakes. But the real decider here will be the cast. We took it upon ourselves to offer up some suggestions, coming straight outta Complex!

N.W.A. MEMBER: EAZY E
PLAYED BY: Lil Duval
• It’s safe to say that N.W.A.’s founding member had a bit of a Napoleon complex. In order to really capture the outlandish murderous claims and gangster posturing of their diminutive leader, you’d obviously need someone who knows first hand who how to act big because of their small size. Comedian Lil Duval’s got the height, the attitude and even though he got his grown man on and cut his dreads, we’re sure he won’t be adverse to rocking the jheri curl.

N.W.A. MEMBER: Dr. Dre
PLAYED BY: Chris Brown
• To a new generation of rap fans, Dr. Dre’s gangster may seem unquestionable, mainly because he’s the most revered person in hip hop. But let’s not forgot that before he was rocking Raiders caps and yelling “Fuck The Police,” dude was a shiny suit-wearing, dancing DJ for the World Class Wrecking Crew who later went on to beat Dee Barnes within an inch of her life. Who else might possibly be comfortable enough to prance around in a sequin onesy and beat on women?

N.W.A. MEMBER: Ice Cube
PLAYED BY: Ice Cube
• N.W.A.’s lyrical linchpin was a dude that went from studying architecture in college to being a gangsta rap pioneer, then going on to star in wholesome family movies and bad urban comedies. Only Ice Cube could pull that off, which is precisely why Ice Cube is the only one fit for this role. Yeah, he’d have to hit the gym and drop some weight, but Cube’s way too good at playing himself to pass this up.

N.W.A. Member: MC Ren
PLAYED BY: Hell Rell
• Even though he was a pretty decent rapper, it seemed no one really cared where Ren would wind up when N.W.A. went through their breakup. 18 years later, Hell Rell is going through the same thing. With the Diplomats infighting spilling further into the public, all anyone wants to hear about is Cam, Jimmy and Juelz. No one gives two shits what will happen to 40 Cal, J.R. Writer and, most importantly, Hell “Ruger” Rell. If he can’t catch another check at Koch, there’s always Hollywood. It’s a role that will test Rell’s range as he imagines what it’s like to be a mediocre rapper with a face for radio, but somehow we think he can do it.

N.W.A. MEMBER: DJ Yella
PLAYED BY: Pierre Edwards
• After N.W.A. broke up, DJ Yella, the other producer in the group, had no where to go. As Dre, Cube and D.O.C. moved on to get their solo careers poppin’, Yella stayed loyal to Ruthless Records and helped out with the Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony debut. Similarly, many thought “Comicview” mainstay Pierre would move into bigger roles after stints in B.A.P.S. and How To Be a Player, but… no, just The Wash.

N.W.A. MEMBER: The D.O.C.
PLAYED BY: T.I.
• Although he wasn’t an official member, the D.O.C.’s ghostwriting was the reason Eazy and the other Doc were able to flow so well, even after Cube’s departure. Unfortunately, due to a severe throat injury sustained after a brutal car accident, the super-lyrical Dallas rapper’s burgeoning solo career was crushed. If they hold off shooting until Tip gets out of prison, he’d make a great D.O.C. When Clifford first hit the scene, his flow and lyrics were more Brooklyn than Bankhead, and thanks to the recent Detox leaks, it’s clear that he also knows a lot about ghostwriting for Dre.

N.W.A. MEMBER: Arabian Prince
PLAYED BY: Taz Arnold
• In these trying times, the producers of this flick could save crazy money by casting Taz to play the forgotten flamboyant N.W.A. member. Not only is Arabian Prince only going to be in the movie for like, 20 minutes, they won’t need to provide wardrobe, make up or any of that shit'Taz could just hop on set as is, tights and all.

N.W.A. MEMBER: Michel’le
PLAYED BY: Lil Kim
• Michel’le wasn’t really in N.W.A., but she was down with the crew like Lil Kim and Bad Boy. And, just like Kim, she was jumpin’ off with the group’s bread winner, Dr. Dre. With Kim still salty about not being involved with the Notorious movie, and her saying that she wants to get into acting, this would be the perfect opportunity to break onto the silver screen. And, not for nothing, they’re both pretty busted.

N.W.A. MEMBER: Jerry Heller
PLAYED BY: Bernie Madoff
• On the unedited version of his N.W.A. diss track “No Vaseline,” Cube accused Eazy of letting a “Jew break up my crew.” That Jew was N.W.A. manager and Ruthless Records CEO Jerry Heller. A big reason for the groups breakup was the allegation that Heller was robbing them blind. There’s no one in the world that knows more about corporate thuggin’ than disgraced financier and king of the pyramid scheme, Bernie Madoff. L’chaim!

When we spoke with Game yesterday, he seemed more outspoken and at ease than ever. In this exclusive interview with Complex, he welcomes a battle with Jay-Z (relax, there's no diss record coming…yet), explains why Dr. Dre can’t finish Detox without him, and confesses that Young Buck is one of his best friends…

Interview By Joe La Puma

Complex: After “My Life,” what will the next single off L.A.X. be?

The Game: I don't know. I usually let the streets pick the third single. The streets, and the radio will dictate what that's going to be. Once the album drops, we'll pretty much know what that is. “My Life” just came out so we're going to give that some time to breathe. It's doing good, getting rave reviews.

Complex: The video focuses on Sean Bell, and a while back there was another video of you getting emotional over his murder. Do you think it’s easier for rappers to show their human side now?

The Game: I really don't know about that, man. I just know about myself, and the stuff that I do. The whole situation was really heartfelt. It was a situation gone wrong, all the way down to the police officers getting acquitted, to the loss of Sean Bell. I just wanted to jump in there head first. When I speak, people listen, so I thought I'd just take some time and shed some light on that situation.

Complex: Buck took a lot of flack for the leaked phone call of him crying. Did that surprise you?

The Game: Nah, I don't care about that. Everybody cries'men, women, children. Whenever you’re emotional about anything in life, you're going to shed a tear. Buck shed some tears. I already knew what 50 was up to with that, trying to show a way to expose Buck. He was emotional and I understand that. As a man, I get emotional and cry sometimes. Whenever you're touched by something that much and it's tearing you up inside, you're going to shed a tear. For another man to try and expose that, that's low and despicable.

Complex: Buck was in the “My Life” video. What’s your relationship like with him now?

The Game: Me and Young Buck, it's always been 100. We've been cool the whole time. We just never spoke on our friendship or camaraderie, due to the fact that he was signed to G-Unit. I didn't want to mess up the situation. I've been talking to Buck ever since I got kicked out of G-Unit, that's my man. One of my best friends in hip-hop today and it's going to stay that way.

Complex: Did he ever imply that he wasn't happy in that camp?

The Game: Neither one of us were feeling what 50 was doing at the time we were in G-Unit. I was just the person who couldn't put up with it anymore, first.

Complex: Are you doing a mixtape together?

The Game: Yeah, people are making a big deal out of that, but it's just simple. Buck and I are going to do a mixtape, we're going to put something out in the streets and they're definitely going to feel it because it's me and him, and we were the dopest artists in G-Unit anyway. We held that group together. The world feels that me and Buck were the glue'once you’re done with the glue, then the fuckin’ shit falls apart. You saw what happened with their latest release. It's trash.

Complex: Did the lackluster sales of Terminate On Sight surprise you?

The Game: No, man'they died after “300 Bars.” I went to the funeral and everything, sat in the front row with the family.

Complex: After recent interviews and imagery on covers of magazines, people have been wondering about your mental state…

The Game: Some days are good days, some days are bad days. That just goes for everyone. We have to weather the storm, and as human beings, we're fitted enough to do that. Today is a good day'I've been grinding in and out of these cities. I've got nothing but positive feedback, everyone is feeling the project and they're saying it's my strongest effort. Right now, in hip-hop, it's me and Lil Wayne. Hate it or love it.

Hit “NEXT” to read the rest of this interview, including Game’s thoughts on a possible beef with Jay-Z!

Which got us thinking: this isn’t the first time a rap act has carved out a dope sound with a certain producer and then parted ways to dismal effect. After the jump, check out our compilation of those rappers and their respective before/after track records.

RAPPER: JERU THE DAMAJA
O.G. PRODUCER: DJ PREMIER

BEFORE: “Come Clean”

AFTER: “99.9 Pa Cent” (Produced by Jeru)

Verdict: Pras said it best in his Damaja dis: “Without Premier, you couldn't sell it.” When Pras is dissing you, you know you got a problem.

RAPPER: COMMON
O.G. PRODUCER: NO I.D.

BEFORE: “Resurrection”

AFTER: “The Light” (prod. by Jay Dee)

Verdict: We have much love for Dilla (R.I.P.) and the track has its merits, but Com's post-No-I.D. sound is altogether soft like Twinkie filling. With a sleeveless turtleneck on top.

RAPPER: RAEKWON
O.G. PRODUCER: RZA

BEFORE: “Criminology” (feat. Ghostface Killah)

AFTER: “Live From New York” (prod. by Infinite Arkatechz)

Verdict: The sad thing is, “Live From New York” is leagues better than most rap out today. But it's severely lacking when compared with any track off Cuban Linx.

RAPPER: SNOOP DOGG
O.G. PRODUCER: DR. DRE

BEFORE: “Gin and Juice”

AFTER: “Snoop's Upside Ya Head” (prod. by DJ Pooh)

Verdict: His longevity has proven that Snoop can rhyme (or sing) well over virtually anything, but his entire Dre-free sophomore album was a major letdown. Probably his worst album to date.

RAPPER: T.I.
O.G. PRODUCER: DJ TOOMP

BEFORE: “U Don't Know Me”

AFTER: “You Know What It Is” (Produced by Wyclef & Jerry Wonder)

Verdict: T.I. vs. T.I.P. is the only T.I. album without a DJ Toomp joint. It's no coincidence that it's also the worst T.I. album. The lesson? As always, never fuck with Wyclef. Thankfully, Toomp has a joint on Paper Trail.

RAPPERS: CLIPSE
O.G. PRODUCER: THE NEPTUNES

BEFORE: “Grindin'”

AFTER: “My Life's the Shit” (Produced by Illfonics)

Verdict: We fucks with a couple tracks on the new LP, but overall we can't get past the ABC production. Yo P'your boys need help.

• Shocker: An Arizona jury indicted Weezy on felony drug and weapon charges. As you may recall, the Cash Money mogul’s tour bus was stopped and search back in January of this year, yielding “four ounces of marijuana, just over an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.” His tour will continue but he’s gotta be back in court on March 7.

• Vindication?: Remy Ma claims that prosecutors screwed up her case by failing to link her crime with DNA evidence. She’s accused of assault, criminal possession of a weapon, gang assault, and even witness intimidation.

• Delving: Dr. Dre began an investigation into the now defunct Death Row Records, hoping to find documents that will settle a dispute over unpaid royalties since the label filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2006. Dre is also trying to reclaim right to his 1992 solo hit album, The Chronic.

• Covered: Here’s the cover for rap duo Kidz in the Hall’s The In Crowd.

• Recognize: Hip Hop inspired art is all the rage. We already pointed you towards the Holy Hip Hop! exhibit in Detroit, now check out Recognize at The National Portrait Gallery.