It’s been over a year since we’ve seen Jayceon Taylor on covers of magazines with a gun to his head, and crying on YouTube videos about hip-hop of the past. He’ll be the first to admit his life is an emotional roller-coaster, but nowadays The Game seems more content than usual.

And maybe he has good reason to be. He’s back working with Dr. Dre and says his forthcoming LP The R.E.D Album (due out February 16) is his favorite since The Documentary. He’s even feeling relieved that Jay-Z never responded to his sideways comments he made in his last Complex interview. Yesterday, we reconnected with Game to get his take on 50 baiting Jay into a battle, the new album, young rappers like Drake, and why Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine wants to reunite the hip-hop Beatles. It was Game on as usual…

Interview by Joe La Puma

Complex: Starting off, talk about the reasoning behind naming your new joint The R.E.D. Album.

Game: R.E.D is simply rededicated. That’s what R.E.D is, the r-e-d in red for me. And rededicated to what? My family, my craft, which is hip-hop, my fans, which are world wide, my children, my hood, my city, and what got me here—which is the color. I think that before I came out there was no red. There was Snoop, everybody was Crip walking. I came in, I took the color on as a whole. People just adapted to who I am and where I come from. I mean now, even Crips wear red.

Complex: How do you feel about other rappers who claim Blood and shout “Soo-Woo”?

Game: I mean, look what I did to Jim Jones, and look at Weezy, and look at Gucci Mane. I feel like I did that. It’s a free country. People can do whatever they want to do and if anything they’re just making me bigger and my legacy and where I come from and what I represent bigger.

Complex: I know Gucci Mane is on the album. What other collaborations can we expect?

Game: I got Rick Ross. I got Beanie Sigel, I got Jeezy. I finally did a song with Jeezy that’s fuckin’ crazy too. For the most part it’s me, with a couple of features from people I haven’t worked with yet—I always try to work with new people every album. But it’s people that I respect and that are also poppin’ in the world and that other people want to hear.

Complex: I read somewhere that there’s going to be some production by RZA. Is that true?

Game: RZA gave me a beat, which I am so fuckin’ ecstatic about. I appreciate it because he doesn’t make beats anymore. RZA gets paid millions of dollars now to score movies, big fuckin’ movies. So, for him to come in my studio and for him to say “Yo Game, I brought this beat to you and just listen to it and just tell me if you like it…” So I listened to it and I was so crazy about it. I called him and he was like, “Yo, you could have that beat.” That’s all it was and I ain’t talk to RZA since, shit [Laughs].

Complex: So Jay-Z did The Black Album, The Beatles did The White Album. How does The R.E.D. Album stack up against those masterpieces?

Game: I just would consider this my best effort since The Documentary. My favorite would be the Doctor’s Advocate, but The Documentary is my first album. It is to the people what Illmatic was to the people, what Ready to Die was, what Reasonable Doubt was, Straight Out of Compton, and all those albums. It’s the first album, so I kind of think that people are biased to say that it’s classic. But The R.E.D. Album is as dope as The Documentary was. There’s no controversy in my way. There’s nobody telling me to rap like this or anything, I’m just dead me on this album. I did it by myself, with the help of Dr. Dre this time and that was a breath of fresh air and relieved a lot of my stress and tension. It’s always easier when you’re rolling with that mastermind, man.

Complex: So working with Dre again, it seemed to piss 50 off a little bit…

Game: That made 50 mad, man.

Complex: Do you think it was a jealousy thing?

Game: 50’s just bitter, man. For what reason? I don’t know. He doesn’t have to be. Me and his beef is old at this point. It’s pure comedy for me at this point. When he says something, I laugh. If I shoot a shot back it’s just a joke at this point. Nobody is going to kill each other. Nobody is gonna beat each other’s ass. I’m not gonna do none of that. So we might as well get along. We exist in hip-hop. You know with opening arms he can re-join my band of brothers. Just say sorry and you want to make music. He’ll never be as big as he was and he’ll never be able to put out an album that people will be waiting for and anticipate as much without me, period. And I ain’t saying that he needs me, but me and him made the best records together. I understand it, he needs to understand it, and maybe one day we’ll record. He said recently in an interview that he’ll never work with Game again but that’s all him talking and his ego. I can’t wait to mend the ties with Eminem. Me and Eminem had never been at odds but he had to take 50’s side. That’s his artist and his homie and what not, and I understood it but I’d love to get back with Eminem and work again and sort of restructure the Voltron if you will.

Complex: Even though he says he won’t work with you, it seems like right now you’re telling me you’d definitely work with 50 again…

Game: ‘Cause I don’t hold grudges. Like, it’s hip-hop, man. We’re not fuckin’ WWF wrestlers, we’re not boxers man, it’s just hip-hop. It’s just make music or don’t make music. It’s not a gang war, like he’s not a Crip and I’m a Blood, and this ain’t fuckin’ ‘85, and I’m not gonna ride through his hood and do a drive by, like it’s not that serious, bruh. It’s just hip-hop and I think that he’s more bitter towards me then anyone else he’s had drama with because look what I did to his brand. I killed G-Unit. I killed the clothes, I killed the brand, I killed Tony Ya-Yo, Banks, and Buck at that time. Like I really fucked up a lot of money for that dude. Not only for him but my label, Jimmy Iovine, who at this point, I’m apologetic to.

Complex: Is the label situation cool now?

Game: I’ve mended the wounds at Interscope. You know I went against my own label and I came out the smoke with my hands held high and my head, man. So I mean, I don’t know what 50’s problem is but I’m here. Whenever he wants to call me on the phone and talk about it, squash it or we can keep on going with this fucking child- like antics. He can do it, I can do it and we can do it ’til we fuckin’ die, it makes me no difference, man.

Complex: Interesting…

Game: If he ever wants to do something of catastrophic proportion, then we could. If we said tomorrow Game and 50 are coming out with an album, you know how many motherfuckin’ antennas would go up? We could still sell a million records just off promoting it alone. I mean, I understand the business aspect of it. I understand that you know, he’s got a big ego. I’m just not one with it, I don’t have one. I forgive and forget and that’s life. One day you’re alive and the next day you die. So why spend it bitter and mad at the fuckin’ world, man? I don’t understand it.

Complex: 50’s been baiting Jay-Z recently. As someone who’s had issues with both of them, how do you feel about him going after Jay?

Game: Oh yeah, I already did that Jay-Z thing. 50’s just doing what I’m doing. Nobody went at Jay, I went at Jay. Now everybody wants to get at Jay, not saying anything about Beanie Sigel, that’s personal and I stay out of that. He’s just a man and he’s got all the right in the world, but I feel like I did something that people have been wanting to do, but everybody is scared because Jay-Z is so lyrically inclined to cut your throat and your career in half that nobody wanted to do it. But me? I just don’t give a fuck sometimes.

Complex: What do you think that the result of that battle would be?

Game: Jay-Z will fuck 50 up in a battle! It would be so fast and over with. 50 is funny, but Jay is witty. Jay-Z is not to be toyed with. If he fuckin’ responds, if he feels like you’re really pissing him off and he responds, he’s gonna fuck you up! He would fuck me up, I’m just glad he didn’t fuckin’ respond, so I didn’t have to go dig in my fuckin’ bag and try to fuck him up. I definitely think that Jay-Z didn’t come at me like he came at any other rappers because I definitely would have been more disrespectful and once you start a beef with me you better be ready to go the whole motherfuckin’ 12 rounds because I will try to chew your fuckin’ ear off like Mike Tyson. I’ll do it and I think he knew that—I’m disrespectful. So Jay, he did the right thing and just kinda let it die down and I let it die down ’cause it wasn’t anything really. It was fuckin’ fun and I really admire Jay’s career. I just really don’t care too much for the man himself.

Complex: Now, I saw on your Twitter that you were talking to Shyne recently.

Game: Yeah, I talked to him for about an hour. Just about his well being and both of our next moves. What I thought he should do and he listened and held me on my thoughts and he gave me a lot of insight on my career and what he thought of my career from the several years while he’s been locked down. He’s the reason why I’m not ready to jump into beefs and controversy today because he kind of shed light on some different situations and it gave me a different perspective. Which is one that I respect being that he’s been behind those bars. So we just chopped it up about life and issues and each other, man.

Complex: Last year we saw you on the cover of The Source with a gun to your head and you were saying some days are good, some days are bad. What is your mind frame like today?

Game: I’m in such a fuckin’ good mood man, you could damn near run in my front yard and blow up my car and I would just smile at you. I might fuckin’ shoot you with a sling-shot or something, but I’m definitely less drama filled and I’m just having a good time with my music and my life. I’ve been going out a couple of nights with my boys and drinkin’ and hangin’ and chillin’ and I’m just having fun. You know, the other night I was in a club out here with a couple of billionaire homies and we bought some Ace of Spades and joked about Jay-Z, but at least we contributed 17 grand. It costs 17 grand in the club and five grand on the fuckin’ street. We bought it and just balled out man. In the name of Jay-Z, H-O-V, R-O-C, ya heard? [Laughs]

Complex: [Laughs] I noticed that you Twitter a lot. What rap blogs do you read?

Game: Rap blogs? None. Man I don’t fuckin’ buy XXL anymore, unless I see them around in the studio anymore, [but] I won’t pick them up. I’m so lost, like people were telling me, “Yo, you gotta hear this new kid, J. Cole.” Like people had to force feed me Drake, I never even heard him until a while after he started blowing up and then I became a fan. But I’m so out of the fuckin’ loop. Like I got my Biggie greatest hits, my Makavelli, my fuckin’ EPMD albums in every car. So I don’t know what’s going on currently in hip-hop, unless it pertains to me and my career directly.

Complex: There’s not a young rapper who really impressed you?

Game: Oh, Drake’s the man! Drake is fuckin’ phenomenal. I like Drake, he’s dope as fuck. Lyrically that dude, the shit he says and where he gets it from is crazy. Drake is dope. I haven’t heard a bad song yet.

Complex: So going back to the label situation, it seems like everything is smooth with Interscope?

Game: Everything that happened in my career was nobody’s fault but mine. They run a business and I went against that business and, I paid for it. With the loss of the group aspect. Jimmy Iovine likes to say, “Thanks for breaking up the Beatles, Game. Thank you.”

Complex: And he’s referring to you…

Game: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. I’m John Lennon and 50 is Paul McCartney and Jimmy always says, “Thanks for breaking up the Beatles, man, you guys are worth more together. So I don’t know what the fuck you guys are doing. Whenever you guys want to fuckin’ get your heads out your asses. Come sit down and take a meeting, make some money, we can talk. Until then, just keep the shit out of my office.” That’s Jimmy Iovine for you, man.

RELATED: A History Of The Game’s Beefs
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Compared to delay-ridden past efforts, all activities surrounding the release of Til The Casket Drops seem to be rolling along smoothly. Last week, another song and artwork from the album was revealed. It’s just started, but this week is already looking like another good one for the Brothers Thornton with the brand new “Popular Demand (Popeyes)” video featuring Cam’ron here to kick things off. After what felt like a million behind-the-scenes features, it’s nice to have the final product. Watch it above.

Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.

The last time we spoke with 50 Cent, he was set on a November 23 release date for Before I Self Destruct. Since then, the album has leaked and that date has been bumped up a week. Supposedly, Fif isn’t worried because the LP has had a generally positive reception online. Here’s another reason he might be able to relax a little: “Baby By Me.” The song hasn’t charted yet, but it seems like this one has more legs than some of the female-friendly singles from Curtis that never really took off. You’ll find this playing all over MTV channels today, but it’s more than fine if Complex is the first place you watch it.

Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.

After landing the cover of KING’s final issue, Tahiry saw her stock rise higher, even as her relationship began to deteriorate. While there were videos of disagreements between her and Joe, and even Twitter fights, not many people figured the five-year relationship was really in jeopardy, until a few weeks ago when both parties acknowledged that they were through. (Say it ain’t so, Joe!) Budden spoke on the subject briefly, but Tahiry has yet to open up…until now. In this exclusive interview with Complex, Tahiry breaks her silence on what went wrong in the relationship, how she feels about Joe as a rapper, and what she plans on doing next…

• CLICK HERE TO SEE COMPLEX’S EXCLUSIVE TAHIRY GALLERY!

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO:

Interview by Joe La Puma

Complex: So what’s new? Are you still bartending?

Tahiry: Yes I am. I’m currently still in the same places that I’ve always been. I’m still bartending, but I’m there a lot less now.

Complex: How has your life changed since the KING shoot?

Tahiry: I’m getting recognized everywhere I go, I feel blessed. I have fans, and I’m hosting parties. People in the bars are like, “You’re Tahiry?” It’s an incredible feeling. I’m traveling more too. There’s been a lot of new opportunities.

Complex: So with you attracting people to the bar, have you asked for a raise or anything?

Tahiry:  No, I haven’t. [Laughs.] I’m still taking it a day at a time.  I’m trying to soak it all in and embrace it slowly.

Complex: After the KING shoot came out, you had the Internets going nuts over the photos. How would you describe your body type?

Tahiry: Sexy. Voluptuous. Curves are beautiful. And I thank God I got ‘em. I love me in a pair of jeans.  

Complex: Some woman are just “busty”—you’re smaller on top, bigger on the bottom. I think that works in your favor…

Tahiry: The ratio.  Of course!  I mean, it’s a good thing. I don’t remember when butts came back, when all of a sudden having them became the style. J. Lo walked out in a dress and all of a sudden, “Oh shit, its fine to have curves!”  I’ve always loved my curves.  And the fact that everybody’s like, “Your butt!” I’m like, “No, it’s the waist,” you know the top is small. You put my ass on a bigger girl, it wouldn’t look as big. I thank God—and my mom—for my body [laughs].

Complex: So how do you think you compare to other “ass-tastic” girls like Amber Rose and Kim Kardashian?

Tahiry: How do I compare?  I don’t even know why you asked that question or put me on the same list as Amber or Kim. That’s some good shit! How do I compare? Wow. I don’t even know how to answer that. I’m just honored for you to even ask, I don’t have an answer to that.

Complex: Do you look at pictures of those girls?

Tahiry: Of course! I’m looking through a Complex issue that Amber did and I was like that bitch is bad! And I love Kim. Which is why I’m like, how do I compare. I mean you have someone on TV with the hottest show right now and you got Amber, and then you have me. Maybe I’ll be there eventually, but I’m still here for now.

Complex: That’s a good answer. So, dealing with the relationship stuff…

Tahiry: Get to the juicy stuff…

Complex: You know Joe said the break-up is none of anyone’s business, etc. Were there multiple reasons or was there one big blowout?

Tahiry: Multiple reasons. He said it was nobody’s business? That’s what he said? ‘Cause he said so much. I don’t even know. At the end, he just lashed out all out of control.

Complex: What was the biggest deal-breaker for you?

Tahiry: I just feel like…I’m never going to speak bad about Joey. I love him. Five years. It was a long time. We were just growing apart. We were not in the same zip codes. I just didn’t feel like after five years we were building that foundation together. For a long time it was, “Joe, Joe, Tahiry, Tahiry.” When it was beneficial, it was Joe and Tahiry. But you know after five years, you’re supposed to feel like you’re building something. I didn’t feel like we were building anything.

Complex: Five years is a long time. Did marriage ever come up?

Tahiry: Of course! We discussed marriage. He’s a jokester so I remember one time I said to him, “Dude, what’s up? Where’s the ring?” I put the big Juicy keychain on and he was like, “We got to size it.” He said something like “I only have one album out, I need to put another three then think about marriage.” He says to me now, that it was a joke. But we’ve discussed marriage a few times.

Complex: Did you ever apply pressure on him to commit?

Tahiry: I never gave a date and time. I’m not that girl. I’m not going to apply that pressure ’cause I don’t want you to want to get married to me just because you know I want it. You’re going to marry me when you’re ready.  

Complex: Right. So this year, a lot of people have said that you helped Joey be relevant again…

Tahiry: Really? [sarcastically]

Complex: Would you agree with that?

Tahiry: I won’t say that I made him more relevant. I think that people got to know him through his blogs. People got to know a rapper who was on his downtime, who was busy underground, who was busy releasing these digital albums and stuff. I think that the minute he started recording these blogs and then they see this girl and are like, “Oh my god,” they’re like, “Where has he been?” It’s like a combination of things—getting to know the fun side of him, or how humble and normal he is, and how crazy his Latina girlfriend is. So I think people think we’re relatable. I wouldn’t say that I made him relevant, per se.

Complex: Did you ever feel exploited?

Tahiry: That’s a good question. My mom thinks I was. I enjoyed it. I didn’t care. To me, the first time we went on this whole blog thing it was sort of like fun to him. He thought he was onto something. I think it caught us both by surprise. I enjoyed it and I wouldn’t change it.

Complex:  So it was never like he was using you?

Tahiry: I don’t know his intentions. Again, he was my man, we were fine. We were in love. I think that sometimes he went overboard with certain things. Like discussing certain things that you don’t discuss online. But all in all, I enjoyed blogging. My life is an open book, I chose it that way, so I can’t be mad.

Complex:  So, last week your Twitter account got hacked.

Tahiry:  Holler!

Complex: There have been rumors that Joe was behind the hacking. He definitely did it?

Tahiry: Mmhm.

Complex: Seems a bit childish. Has he talked to you about that?

Tahiry: Again, a lot of it is out of control. He’s dealing with a lot of emotions. It’s five years so we’re both dealing with our emotions. You know if you’ve ever been hurt, or if you’ve ever lost something, or something’s just disappeared, or the rug was pulled from underneath you…if you don’t suffer, then you’ve never loved. People react to that suffering different and we’ve spoken after that. He’s apologized.

Complex: Now, what you just said, the rug was just kind of pulled from under him…

Tahiry: Listen! I said, “if the rugs been pulled from underneath”…I didn’t say if it was him or me! [laughs.]

Complex: Were you guys having problems? Or did it kind of blindside him?

Tahiry: Men and women again, are from different zip codes. You guys understand—well this is just my opinion—you guys don’t understand with words. You guys understand with actions. I think whatever happened between me and Joey, or the fact that the foundations weren’t as stable as they should be, it’s probably been happening as a woman, to me for a minute. Did we have happy moments? See the videos. We’ve had happy moments. By far, it was my best relationship. I’ve been in maybe two more. I don’t ever want to make him out to be a monster. But maybe it was a little shocking to him because, you know, everybody has their own brain, their own world going on.  

Complex: What were some of your fondest memories with him? I know five years is a long time…

Tahiry: Yeah, it is tough…[breathes] you know, again, it’s the little things that guys fail to realize. Five years is a long time so it’s just the little things…You’re going make me cry and I have makeup on. My first surprise birthday party he gave me. I never had one of those. [Tears up] You know what, I couldn’t tell you about special times because I can’t even think right now, but with Joey, just…I don’t know how to explain it. It was just the carefreeness, the laughter…and it was just easy. Then it stopped being easy. [Sniffs] The little things I probably can’t forget. But I can’t sit around right now and pinpoint…maybe when he held my hand when I was really nervous for the KING shoot.

Complex: Didn’t mean to make you cry…

Tahiry: I need a fucking cigarette. This is the first time I cried, first time since the whole thing.

Complex: I hear you. Here’s a question—why do you think Joey has so many conflicts with rappers?  

Tahiry: He has plenty! I don’t even know how to explain it. He’s very strategic. Joey’s a very, very, very smart individual, to the point where it was exhausting my brain. He knows how to connect those dots and make it for him. I would say that.

Complex: So there’s a method to his madness…

Tahiry: Madness? I would say maybe not in the beginning. Maybe things just happened. You know how the media is. You might just say one or two things and they make it into this big blowup. And then once you’re in the situation, he works it. So he’s very strategic. Very intelligent. Sometimes he’s not looking for it. It just happens and he’s ready. Quick on his toes.

Complex: Now TahiryTV…is that an extension of JoeBuddenTV?

Tahiry: Yes it is. It’s kind of like a mini-divorce.

Complex: How is that going to work?

Tahiry: We haven’t really been talking. We just had a great conversation last night. I was happy that we did. But eventually I would have to get my own website or we’ll see what happens. We haven’t gotten there yet.  He’s been busy doing what he’s doing, I’m busy doing what I’m doing.

Complex: Are things civil with you guys now?

Tahiry: I really want them to be. Breakups shouldn’t be ugly and I’m trying for it not to be ugly. Like I stated, we had one conversation last night and I was happy that we did. And I don’t know because you’re dealing with so many emotions—Monday you’re fine, Wednesday you’re nasty, Thursday, Friday, you know? You’re dealing with different levels. And I can relate because I’ve done some crazy shit when I’m in love.

Complex: Like what? What was the craziest thing you did?

Tahiry:  This is going to make me sound crazy. I pushed the door in.

Complex: Hmm, explain to me what happened.

Tahiry: Now we’re digging deep. Okay about two years ago we broke up for five months. This was the only breakup in five years until now. I was angry and I had to get some stuff and he wouldn’t open the door. I was already out, I was at my mom’s house. I needed some time, he needed some time. He wouldn’t open the door and of course I thought he was having a party—you know what kind of party. So I knock on the door repeatedly and he doesn’t open it. Then I just pushed it. It must have been a really weak door because I’m a little girl—I’m like really small. I walked in to him looking at me like, “You crazy bitch.” [Laughs.]

Complex: So he looked at you like,”What? I’m not doing anything”?

Tahiry:  No, he was just like, “You broke the door.” I was like, “Call somebody, I’ll pay for it. Why didn’t you fucking open the door?” This is crazy, crazy, insane love shit.

Complex: So now that you’re single, what are you looking for?

Tahiry: Holler! What am I looking for? What are you asking? For, in general? Or in a man?

Complex: Are you looking to get into something quick?

Tahiry: I’m like the quick J. Lo nevermore kind. Only when I’m over it though. This breakup has been difficult. I’m not looking. I’m looking to find me. People say it’s sick love. I like, I love, I breathe, I shit, and I eat you. That’s who I am. I think that’s one of my talents, to fucking love. That’s who I am. So when I’m there, I’m there 100%. But in doing that, I realized I lose me and my identity and what I want to do next because I’m living your dream. I’m like that supportive whatever-you-want, do-what-you-want-to-do. We’ll tear this shit down and not tell anybody and run. Like I’m Bonnie and Clyde kind of sick. And I feel like Tahiry needs to find Tahiry. Tahiry needs to find out what makes Tahiry happy. Tahiry needs to be alone maybe. Tahiry needs to stand on her own two feet and be happy just being by herself. And I think that’s what I am going to do. If I go on a date, if I want to boogie, or whatever, I need to walk in into my own place. It’s time for me to be with myself, and stop living your dream or stop loving you to the point where I forgot to love me.

Complex: That makes total sense. Would you ever date a Complex type of dude?

Tahiry: Would his name be Joe? [Laughs.]

Complex: I’m just saying! Or, maybe, another rapper?

Tahiry: I dated one other rapper [Ed. note—that would be Fabolous]. We’re very good friends now, contrary to belief.  Very good friends. Remember after that I said, “Ugh! Never a rapper!” Not because he was bad, because it was a lot. People think it’s easy. All glitz and glamour, but it’s not that easy. Then Joey came. And when he came, it wasn’t supposed to happen, but I’m glad it did. I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. But I’m not saying never say never because you know shit happens.

Complex: So if a rapper comes and sweeps you off your feet, you’re not against it.

Tahiry: No, no. I’m attracted to a man who does whatever he does…and does it well. That’s a turn-on to me. You could teach a Little League game and I could just watch you show these kids and tell them what to do. If you do that well, then I’m fucking with you. That’s just who I am. To me it’s about your brain, the power. Like Joey’s very good with words. Joey can sit down and in 24 hours have a dis track right back at you, tearing your ass apart. That’s attractive. But he happens to be a rapper. I’ve not only dated rappers. It’s just what people believe. So as long as you do it well, I’m wet.

Complex: I will remember that.

Tahiry: Yeah, it’s about a man who knows whatever he’s doing.

Complex: Real talk, how do you rate Joey as a rapper?

Tahiry: Damn, you know I’m going to be biased. He’s my ex-boyfriend. He’s fucking amazing. Joey’s very talented. I think he’s very underrated. What’s the rating? From 1-10?

Complex: Sure.

Tahiry: He’s a fucking 10. He’s a 10, just very underrated. He’s great with words. I used to be surprised like, “Really? Did you..? Aww man, you’re sick.”

Complex: You kind of touched on this before, but the relationship was very public, with Twitter, the video blogs, etc. Are you looking for the next one to be private?

Tahiry: Right now I signed a contract with an L.A. production company and I’m working on my own reality TV show about the struggles and my life as a girl trying to make it out after dating a rapper, after the dating period. I think a lot of women could relate to being with somebody half a decade and just saying, “Holy shit, what now?” Or you’re looking at yourself and just saying, “I could never see myself without you” and then one day, that’s gone. People know the ass, people know the pictures, people know the blogs. I’m just really shy. And people just say, “Oh she has a mouth.” No. I’m nervous too, sometimes. So it’ll be out spring 2010.

Complex: Can you tell us which channel?

Tahiry:  No, it’ll be on a cable network, one of them. But we start filming next week.

Complex: Did you ever think that you would achieve this fame?

Tahiry: It just happened. Joey says he knew. To me, it just happened. To me, we both just looked at each other like, “It just happened!” You know what, I don’t care what he says because I remember the first clip, me underneath the covers. I’m like, “Motherfucker, I’m sick!” Next day, the one where I’m in the kitchen, which is the one they put on HOT97 like, “Have you seen this girl?!” I remember that and I said, “This motherfucker is going to bring this camera, let me put on lip-gloss.” I know him. I don’t know where he’s going with this, he didn’t even know how to put shit up on YouTube. He’s like, “I’m going to find out,” and I’m like, “I’m going to steal your fucking cables! Don’t you put me on blast! NO! I look crazy! My weave ain’t done!”

Complex: [Laughs.]

Tahiry: Fast-forward to the next day, we had like 5,000 hits. As a matter of fact, we went to bed at like 2 a.m., we got up at 8 a.m. and by then, we had all those hits. People were just intrigued. We looked at each other and I think that’s when he knew it. That’s when I was surprised, because I’m the bartender with a college degree but I don’t care about emailing you. I’m busy, let me go make my money and come back. If I had to though, don’t get it fucked up, if I could make money by emailing you, I’m going to email you. He looked at me and was like, “Babe, that’s the power of the Internet.” I said, “Holy shit! OK, I’m going to stop bartending and I’m going to get on the computer.” So yeah, I think we found out the next day.

Complex: Do you read rap blogs?

Tahiry: I do, I stay up on them, I’m an Internet solider, but I’ve tried to be out of the loop right now for a minute because of everything. I don’t want to read something that would cause me to get angry and knock another door down. [Laughs.]

• CLICK HERE TO SEE COMPLEX’S EXCLUSIVE TAHIRY GALLERY!

#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!

BIGGAVELI TV EPISODE 3
Key Takeaway: At least Max learned how to pronounce “Amalgam” between the first episode and now.
Quotable: “You like French tips and custom weaves, bitch? Come get with a real pimp!”

FADER MAG GOES TO MAX’S CRIB
Key Takeaway: The man has a restroom sign on the bathroom door in his own crib. How many people you keep up in there, homie?
Quotable: “This is all Siegel’s shit, I got him right. You know he a big boy, he like the schnacks.”

MAX x IT’S THE REAL
Key Takeaway: The Rosenthal boys’ guest stars can be hit or miss, but Max is always straight comedy. Especially when Scrabble is involved.
Quotable: “You guys are in troublllllle! [Patented Max B. Laugh]“

WRITING HIT RECORDS WITH JIM JONES
Key Takeaway: Comsider that “C. Wingate” receives a writing credit on seven tracks from Capo’s best album, 2006’s Hustler’s P.O.M.E.—not including the 2007 smash single “We Fly High,” which he also allegedly wrote the hook for—and you start to realize what Byrd Gang could have done had all the fuckery not happened.
Quotable: “Oh, we goin’ to the hospital tonight!”

COMPLEX CATCHES THE WAVE
We first got up with Max right when he got home from an eight-year bid, then kept the relationship going with him as our in-house advice columnist, The Thug Ethicist (Part 1 Above…Click Here To See Part 2).
Key Takeaway: He might have a way with a hook, but THIS is what the Silver Surfer Don was born to do.
Quotable: “Just dick ‘em and don’t love ‘em! And look good and make hit music!”

RELATED: The Complex Soundboard (Featuring Max B’s Laugh)

When we talked to Capo recently, he said he was going to rock a new pair of sneakers every day of the summer, and post a photo of them on his Twitter using Twitpic. Although he hasn’t been 100 percent consistent, his sporadic kick posts have Jimmy slowly approaching 1 million followers (he’s currently at 996,387). Since it would be a pain in the balls for you to search for all of Jimmy’s kicks, including the ones where he was “too high to remember to attach the picture,” we decided to compile all of his “Splash Pics” into one handy post. Check his fresh and his hilarious commentary from the twits after the jump….

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RELATED: Sneaker Talk With Jim Jones (VIDEO)

Let’s just say Cudi kept it 1-hundred with us, like all the way 1-hundred. Since the issue is now officially on newsstands everywhere (go cop!), we figured we’d share the bonus material that was left on the cutting room floor. In the uncut raw conversation, the kid from Cleveland talks about growing up in Ohio, his eagerness to join the Navy, run-ins with the law, and how he really felt when Consequence took a jab at him. Read on for the realness…

Interview by Joe La Puma

Complex: How vital was your mom to you growing up?

Kid Cudi: My mom was like my mom and my dad. Even though my dad was around, he just wasn’t in the house. She really was like superwoman. Recently I was talking to my mom and I was just like, “How did you take care of us?” It took me a lot for her to finally come out and say that there were some nights where she wouldn’t eat because there was only enough food for us. She didn’t have a bed, my mom didn’t sleep in a bed up until I was about 14. She always slept on the couch. We just couldn’t afford one. When she finally got one, she kinda just put it up in the living room. The first thing you saw in my crib was her bed.

Complex: So growing up, would you say that you guys were poor?

Kid Cudi: Back then I always felt poor because at the school that we went to, the majority of kids had money. It was like we got the ill Make-A-Wish Foundation dream—to live in a nice neighborhood with a shitty circumstance. It was sorta like, “Hey we’re gonna put you in this nice neighborhood but you’re still gonna be hood-esque!” So it was a mind-fuck going to school and seeing the kids that had shit like cars, and I couldn’t even get a bike. That’s why when people are like, “Oh man, you from the suburbs and shit,” I be like, “You don’t know what happened in my muthafuckin’ house.” It’s not about where you’re at, it’s about your life and what you’ve been through, what you’ve done.

Complex: When did you start rapping?

Kid Cudi: I started rapping when I was like 12, just around the neighborhood, just spittin’ little lines here and there with my homies. One of my homeboys Dennis—he tours with me sometimes—me and him used to always rap around the neighborhood with a couple other kids and we had this little group and shit and I was the only one who kinda stuck with it. When I was like 15, Hot Boys came out, and I remember seeing Lil Wayne and being like, “Aw shit man, this is a young dude representing for the youth and I wanna do that, but tell my story.” That’s when I stopped doing good in school—because I knew I was gonna be famous. [Laughs]

Complex: What was your journey like once you started rapping?

Kid Cudi: I used to do a lot of open-mic things and freestyle battles to better my raps. I looked at it as training for a bigger picture. I was going through a time right there where I wasn’t being myself in my music because I was too worried about people criticizing me about where I was from. That was just because at that time, rap was pretty much some gangsta shit. It wasn’t until I was about 18 when I started fooling around doing freestyles on CDs. When I went to college is when I started recording an album.

Complex: You didn’t graduate from college though, right?

Kid Cudi: I did one year of college and left school with a decent demo. I thought it was cool, but it wasn’t fresh fresh. I was always the type of person that I don’t want people to hear these half-ass records, so I never let people hear them. I used to work overtime at my job to get extra money to buy beats and these dudes The Kickdrums would sell me beats for like $200 a pop. I was really buying them. That’s why it’s crazy that we’re all coming up and doing things and I’m like, “Y’all remember me, ya’ll made me pay for beats you muthafuckas [Laughs]. Ya’ll made me work overtime just to get $200!” And I bought like 3 beats from them. The journey definitely started a little bit early on. After college, I took a year off. I was 19. That’s when I was just trying to figure out what I wanted to do and the idea of moving out of Cleveland was there but it wasn’t a real solid idea.

Complex: What made you decide to move?

Kid Cudi: Before I decided to move I came up with the idea to go to the Navy. I watched maybe a little too much Antwone Fisher that month, I don’t know. However, I was inspired to be a better man. There was a moment in time where I was really focused on the Navy and I followed through with it, I passed the test. I was happy with myself because I was accomplishing something and I was really working towards a goal. That was the first true thing I invested my energy in. I was really excited about it, I mean now I look at it like, “I was fucking crazy.” But I was really excited about going to the military. When I got all the medical tests and everything, they said that they wouldn’t let me in because of my police record from when I was younger.

Complex: Why did you have a record?

Kid Cudi: When I was like 16, I went out with my friends after school to watch these kids fight. I was just standing around as a spectator but when the police came around some snitching was involved, [and] my name was one of the names that was brought up, like “Scott Mescudi was there!” It was nothing intense, no felonies, just knucklehead shit like that. Those muthafuckas filed charges and called them assault charges even though I never put my hands on anybody. But that shit was on the record—doesn’t matter what happened.

Complex: Was that your only run-in with the law?

Kid Cudi: Well, I got arrested for smoking. I was 17, had a cigarette on my ear, drunk at a high school football game. I was raging, ragetastic. The cops told me to come over and they cuffed me. Then, on top of that, I got arrested in University of Toledo for underage drinking at a party and I physically got into it with a cop. He cuffed me and punched me in the face and really brutally kicked my ass to the point where I could’ve pressed charges, but it’s like, we didn’t have money for lawyer fees and court fees and all that shit and it would’ve been a dead issue. That was early 2004.

Complex: You’ve managed to stay clean since being in the spotlight, aside from the infamous Reebok situation…

Kid Cudi: My argument never changed. People can say what they want, the topic’s been done, but I don’t give a fuck about anything other than right or wrong. They were wrong. I reacted. I might’ve been wrong for reacting so ridiculously over the top, but like I said, I’m a maniac sometimes. The dude who approached me in that situation, I haven’t had a dude approach me like he wanted to fight me in years. The last time I had a fight, I was like 16 or 17 years old. Muthafuckas ain’t been tryin’ to fight, especially where I was at in Cleveland. Niggas don’t fight no more, you get shot the fuck up. This dude just was up in my face aggressively, and I snapped. I didn’t know what to do. I’m not no tough guy, I’m not trying to be. Everybody has that angry emotion and mine just surfaced that night. I don’t regret that shit one bit; I did what I had to do.

CLICK NEXT TO READ MORE, INCLUDING CUDI’S THOUGHTS ON HIS COMPETITION IN THE RAP GAME…

Interview By Max Schlusselberg

 #1: WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Twista says: If a girl got a little stench to her. You know, like an odor. It might be a little musty it might be a little pussy smelling. [Laughs] But if I get up to her and I don’t like the way she smells, even if it’s not a stinky smell, it’s a complete turn off.

 #2: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Twista says: I’d say Jordans. I forget the numbers but they’re all dope. Especially the red-and-white ones with the red in the back.

 #3: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Twista says: Maybe the day before yesterday. A family member is sick.

 #4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Twista says: I’d go to Jamaica and I’d take all my homies. Me and the homies would hang out in Jamaica and eat everything Jamaican and smoke everything Jamaican.

 #5: WHAT HAS GOT TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Twista says: I gotta be honest, I don’t fucking know what’s in my fridge. I’d say a bottle of champagne and Tropicana orange juice, I guess.

 #6: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY SOMEONE HAS BROKEN UP WITH YOU?

Twista says: It was probably back in the day when I was in school. This girl just told me right in front of everybody. She was like, “We don’t go together,” and everyone was standing around like, “Damnnnn.”

 #7: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Twista says: It was an outfit where instead of a zipper on the pants there were these buckle things went across where the zipper would’ve been. And I remember this one time this girl was like “Damn, baby. What you trying to do, lock the dick up?” [Laughs] It was back in the day, and I didn’t really have a lot of clothes. And when you wear something a lot, where I’m from they call it, ‘dickin’ it down.’ So, I used to dick the shit out of the buckle outfit— and if my boys read that and they hear me say that, they’ll just crack up.

VIDEO: Twista, “Wetter”

In classic Hov fashion, the clip features some heavy cameos, most notably celebrated actor Harvey Keitel, who joins the rapper for a mafia-style game of cards. But this is nothing new—Jay has a history of scoring actors to appear in his videos. Take a look back at 10 of Hov’s Best Hollywood Cameos…

ACTRESS: Carmen Electra
VIDEO: “Girls, Girls, Girls” [Watch It]
ROLE: Channeling Bo Derek as a “French chick that loves to French kiss.” Taraji P. Henson and Tamala Jones also show up.

ACTOR: Chris Penn
VIDEO: “Can I Get A…” [Watch It]
ROLE: The now deceased Reservoir Dogs actor (and brother of Sean Penn) keeps the drinks flowing as a dancing bartender in this clip.

ACTOR: John Witherspoon
VIDEO: “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)” [Watch It]
ROLE: Doesn’t it seem like he’s been in a million rap videos? This time he’s the nosy neighbor who can’t stand the constant partying. Bang bang bang bang!

ACTRESS: Kelly Ripa
VIDEO: “Change Clothes” [Watch It]
ROLE: Mostly known as a TV personality these days, Ripa got her start in soap operas and sitcoms. In this video, she sits by the runway at a fashion show with her husband (who probably came to keep Peedi Crakk away from his wife).

ACTOR: Lance Reddick
VIDEO: “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” [Watch It]
ROLE: Similar to his role in The Wire, Reddick plays a cop.

ACTRESS: Pamela Anderson
VIDEO: “Hey Papi” [Watch It]
ROLE: Before ‘Ye snagged her for the “Touch The Sky” video, big brother Hov used the ultimate blond bombshell as eye candy in this soundtrack jam.

ACTOR: Michael Rapaport
VIDEO: “City Is Mine” [Watch It]
ROLE: Another actor in a Jay-Z video, another cop role. This just in: Michael Rapaport loves hip-hop.

ACTOR: Joe Torry
VIDEO: “Who You Wit” [Watch It]
ROLE: This record was on the Sprung soundtrack, so it’s only right that it featured Torry (who starred in the film) as the announcer at Hov’s Player’s Ball.

ACTOR: Hassan Johnson
VIDEO: “Anything” [Watch It]
ROLE: Another guy from The Wire, but this time he’s playing a guy who prospers from the projects to spoil his mom, not a pig.

ACTOR: Zoe Kravitz
VIDEO: “I Know” [Watch It]
ROLE: Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet’s smoking hot daughter does what she does best in this video: Walking around while looking hot.

This past Sunday, President Obama gave a commencement speech at Notre Dame where he congratulated a championship outdoor basketball team called “Hallelujah Holla Back” – a Ghetto Revival catchphrase that I popularized on ego trip’s (White) Rapper Show . Pretty surreal. The moment was significant not only because it reinforced the phrase’s cultural relevancy, but also represented another historical moment of a commander in chief’s encounter with hip-hop culture. In honor of the recognition, here’s a look at some of the biggest moments of Hip-Hop’s Direct Interaction with the U.S. Presidency…

5. President George H. W. Bush Invites Eazy-E To The White House, 1991
• The late, great Eazy-E was a strategic donator. After forking over $2,500 to an anti-censorship GOP member, he was invited for lunch at the White House. Despite suspicions from the hip-hop community, Eazy defends his move in this clip as elaborate promotion. I see the vision!

4. President George H. W. Bush Denounces Ice-T’s “Cop Killer”, 1992
• After President Reagan’s era of increased poverty and drug abuse, his successor moved in to criticize the cultural backlash. Dubya’s dad never mentions Ice-T by name, but denounces his infamous record, “Cop Killer,” as “sick.” Ironically, one of Bush’s biggest supporters at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger, “killed” hundreds of cops on the big screen. Apparently, entertainment is treated differently when it comes from an O.G.

3. Bill Clinton Criticizes Sister Souljah, 1992
• After the 1992 L.A. Riots, hip-hop artist and activist Sister Souljah was quoted as saying: “If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?” Bill Clinton, who was campaigning for the Presidency, chastised her remarks as fomenting racism. The outcry actually led to a healthy boost in Sister Souljah’s platform to voice her beliefs, most eloquently highlighted on this Donahue episode.

2. President George W. Bush Pardons John Forte, 2008
• As Dubya’s days as Prez wound down, his pardon game got interesting. No one really expected the former coke-head to release ex-Fugee member John Forte, who had spent seven years incarcerated for liquid cocaine possession. Although Forte has remained quiet about his opinions on Bush, he wasted no time getting back in the booth. The dope game’s hard but the rap game’s easy.

1. Barack Obama Gets The Dirt Off His Shoulders, 2008
• So far, Obama has been more of an ally than an adversary to the hip-hop community. In this famous clip from the campaign trail, he adopts Jay-Z’s mantra when describing how he responds to Hillary Clinton’s attacks. Looks like someone was feeling like a pimp.

#1: WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Paul Wall says: I think bad breath is…just hard to get past. Someone with just horrible breath, yeah. I’m not talking about just onion breath. I’m talking about you been brushing your teeth and using the mouthwash and it still smells like you’ve been tongue-kissing the toes of a gorilla—that’s horrible. I know it’s bad sometimes when we wake up in the morning and I might not have the most pleasant breath out there, but man, ladies have to have good breath.

#2: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ALL-TIME SNEAKER?

Paul Wall says: Jordan, any Jordan!

#3: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Paul Wall says: Last time I cried I was in L.A. for Big Boy’s Neighborhood and Tattoo was on the show and they were showing me the video of John Cena slapping him 12 rounds. He was getting slapped all over the place. You could see the handprints and all that. I was crying because of all the laughing. On top of that Stacey, another person who works on the show, is pregnant and Tattoo has a phobia of pregnant women. So she’s going up to him messing with him like, “Touch it, feel it!” While that was happening I was on the floor in a ball, crying and laughing; I was laughing so hard I had trouble breathing. I’ve heard of people being scared of heights or something, but for him it was pregnant ladies, and she was taking advantage of that. [Laughs.]

#4: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD A WEEK-LONG HOLIDAY?

Paul Wall says: Watching baseball somewhere with the family, having fun. I love to watch baseball in Fenway Park. They have an awesome energy there.

#5: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR AT ALL TIMES?

Paul Wall says:I don’t know man…uh…oh, codeine! But that’s not even in my fridge, I keep that in the pantry.

#6: WHAT WAS THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Paul Wall says: Twitter! [Laughs.] Nah, just kidding. I’ve never really broken up with somebody before. I’ve been broken up with. One time a girl just left me a note on my car…that’s it man. Now if the tables were turned I don’t know. I’m married now, but if I were to break up with someone it would be on Twitter.

#7: WHAT WAS THE MOST EMBARRASSING FASHION MOMENT FOR YOU?

Paul Wall says: I used to have this jersey, it was a Kenyon Martin jersey, with a little grease stain on it, I didn’t think anyone else could see it. I looked down to my jersey and I was like, “OK, I’m good.” Next thing I know I’m seeing all these pictures of myself with a big ol’ grease stain. Now I’m a big boy, and its one thing to be a big boy, but to be a fat boy with a big nasty mustard stain on your shirt, that was just embarrassing.

BONUS QUESTION:

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH WANTING AN OBAMA TATTOO ON YOUR NECK?

Paul Wall says: I had been talking about it for a while. A lot of my homeboys have tattoos of gangsters on their necks, like John Gotti or Al Capone. So I said I was gonna get Obama, but my girl told me if I did, she wasn’t gonna give me none. Once she said that I was like, “Let me chill.” I’m not ready to make a trade out like that. We’ll see if he gets us out of this recession first.

BONUS: Paul Wall’s “Bizzy Body” video, featuring Webbie & Mouse

MIMS stopped through our office to sit on the Complex 7 hot seat. Read on to find out about his favorite sneaker (it’s a classic) as well as his thoughts on how girls should keep their hygiene game tight. MIMS!

Interview by Reginal Thomas

#1: WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

MIMS says: I’m big on hygiene, so you have to smell good. You have to smell good and wash up the right places. If it don’t smell right, I’m done, I’m cool, I don’t care how pretty you look. I couldn’t do it. It would bother me forever.

#2: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

MIMS says: I was a real big fan of the Stan Smiths for a while. I range in sneakers—Creative Recreation does a lot of funky styles so I think I like them right now.

#3: WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

MIMS says: When I was around 13 when my mother died.

#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK LONG HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

MIMS says: Me and a special someone would go to an island somewhere, get some sun, relax and go to sleep without worrying when I have to wake up. We’d just relax and enjoy the sun and the beach.

#5: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

MIMS says: Water is the most important thing for me on a daily basis. It keeps me moving, no pun intended, that’s my first single “Move” but water keeps me moving.

#6: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

MIMS says: Over the radio. I’ve been doing my thing for some years now so when I get into a relationship it’s usually a long distance situation. We went through some things and then I got on the air and someone asked me the wrong question and I answered it the wrong way. Somebody heard it, and the next thing you know the cat is out the bag.

#7: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

MIMS says: Somebody gave me this vest with pockets and I actually put it on and it was the corniest thing I ever put on. A vest with suspenders and pockets attached to it.

*** Bonus Video MIMS “Move (If You Wanna)”

ALTERNATIVE/ROCK: MGMT feat. Jim Jones “Electric Feel (Remix)”

R&B: T-Pain “Sweet”

DANCEHALL: Ricky Blaze feat. Ron Browz “Feel Free”

ELECTRONICA/ROCK: The Hours “See the Light” (Calvin Harris Remix)

BRIT-POP: The Smiths “Pretty Girls Make Graves” (Troy Tate Version)

As a companion to our Super Two’s Day column, we’re kicking off Thickness Thursday, where we pay tribute to women who have curves all over. With Melyssa’s birthday celebration jumping off tomorrow, we thought it would be appropriate to take a look back at some of the best shots that earned Melyssa her alias Jessica Rabbit. Check 'em out below…

[Click on any body part to see the full-size photo.]

#5: APPLE BOTTOMS AD CAMPAIGN (2006)