Rick Ross says he doesn’t care what Smoking Gun says, he was a drug kingpin and his numerous songs about the culture of drug dealing are all from personal experience.

“When I’m making my music and talking about blow, it’s because I did it,” he told Don Diva magazine. “When I say I’m rich off cocaine it’s because I did it.”

Last month, TheSmokingGun.com posted documents from 1997 showing that Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, worked as a corrections officer. Ross said the information doesn’t change the fact that he was still flossin’ at the time.

“I was one of the only n***as in the city with a show truck at 19 (years old in 97) on Daytons with TVs doing my own independent thing. I done put a lot of losses in this game,” Ross says. “I done took losses in the street, losses with the music. I’ve been up and I’ve been down; that’s what makes me who I am.”

The real Freeway Ricky Ross, an incarcerated former LA drug trafficker, accused the Miami MC of stealing his name to create a fake street persona. The rapper brushes off these allegations by arguing that his status as a veteran in music and the streets keeps him above having to explain his actions to anyone else.

“I never ratted on a n***a, I never prosecuted a n***a, I never locked up a n***a that is first and foremost,” Ross said. “I always felt being the man that I am and the boss that I am I never owed a n***a an explanation. Every man gotta look his kids in the eye and have a reason for feeding them or not. For that sole reason I believed in the death penalty for rats and informants.

“I surpassed my life goals 18 months ago, but you see where I am now; sitting in a new Benz, $100,000 grand cash in my pocket and a dirty white tee,” Ross stated. “You know I’m strapped to the teeth. We got more bullets than we got dollars. That’s just how it goes and that’s how it’s going to go until the day we die…a n***a don’t like it, get at me. I’m the muthf**kin biggest boss that you seen this far.”

Method Man has booked yet another TV gig, this time as a guest star on USA Network’s original series “Burn Notice,” according to allhiphop.com.

The Wu-Tang Clan member plays a music industry executive who believes one of his employee’s is stealing from him. The premiere date of his episode has not been announced, however, the series airs Thursday nights at 10.

Meth, born Clifford Smith, was last seen on TV in HBO’s “The Wire” and on CBS’s “CSI.”

“Burn Notice,” now in its second season, stars Jeffery Donovan as Michael Westen, a blacklisted spy in Miami.

Music mogul Percy “Master P” Miller was given a key to the city of Memphis, Tenn. Friday during its first “Let The Kids Grow Day” at Mud Island Amphitheatre.

Memphis City Mayor, Willie Herenton, presented the founder of No Limit Records with the key to the city in recognition of his positive change and commitment to youth education and empowerment.

“No other rapper or entertainer is as committed to the community as Master P and I am proud of him,” said Mayor Herenton during the event, which was attended by scores of elementary and middle-school aged children. “Master P changed his life and took the negativity out of his music but stayed true to the hood.”

“My mission is to give inner-city kids a jump on education and the best possible start,” said Miller. “I want those kids and my own kids to be better than me. I’ve been luckier than most to have a second chance at life. We train our kids to be good athletes, why can’t we train our kids to be good students?”

Later that day, Master P and his son Romeo signed autographs at a local Wal-Mart where their clothing line, P. Miller, is available. The brand was also a sponsor of the free program, along with Jim Finkl Enterprises, David Banner’s Heal the Hood Foundation, and Wal-Mart. Bags of free school supplies were also available for the children.

Among the crowd members was Memphis native Morgan Freeman, who brought along his granddaughter. As of press time, the actor was in serious condition with a broken arm and elbow following a car accident Sunday night in Mississippi.

The Jacksons will be honored as BMI Icons at the 8th Annual Urban Music Awards scheduled for Sept. 4 in Los Angeles.

Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and, joining in 1976, younger brother Randy, will be saluted with an all-star musical tribute during the ceremony to be held at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills. Whether or not all six siblings will show up for the unofficial reunion remains to be seen.

BMI Icon status is given to artists who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Other recipients include James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Bee Gees, Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, to name a few.

In addition to honoring The Jacksons, the Urban Music Awards will also salute the world’s top R&B, and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers by touting the most-performed urban songs of the past year in the BMI repertoire.

A rep for actress LisaRaye released a statement over the weekend suggesting that her husband, Turks & Caicos Premier Michael Misick, is creepin’ with BET’s Rocsi of “106 & Park.”

According to publicity firm Lynn Allen Jeter & Associates, the two were seen “canoodling” during the T&C Music Festival over the weekend while LisaRaye was in New York.

“Sources have even reported that Rocsi stayed at the Misick home and hosted guests as if she was the lady of the house,” the release stated.

In March, Rocsi’s name was floated around as the unnamed “American friend of LisaRaye’s” who accused Michael Misick of rape, but those reports were never confirmed to be true. The alleged victim was said to have reported the crime to local police before returning to her home in the U.S. and reporting it to the FBI.

At the time, USA Today reported that a Puerto Rican woman had accused Misick of raping her. Rocsi, born Raquel Roxanne Diaz, was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and is reportedly of Honduran and Chilean descent.

Following a reunion performance by A Tribe Called Quest Sunday night in New York, Q-Tip said the group will never record another new album again.

The rapper took the stage at Jones Beach Amphitheatre with Tribe members Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed in what became their third reunion in four years, reports Contact Music.

The trio, however, is not even considering a reunion album that would feature all new material, Q-Tip affirms.

“It will never, ever happen. We don’t want to be one of those groups that comes back 15 years later and puts out an album that’s not that good. It’s why the Beatles never got back together,” he said.

­ ARIES (March 20 - April 19)
A complex relationship comes to the fore. There are arguments for and arguments against. What you really should do it follow your heart. A close friend stands up for you or defends your interests, and you discover the true value of this relationship.

Key word for the week: self discovery
Your luckiest aspect this week: health
Who to spend time with: Gemini

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
There’s no point trying to influence family members in the way they think. You will have no success and will only encounter frustration and misunderstanding. Practice tolerance. Your relationships should be much more harmonious this week.

Key word for the week: patience
Your luckiest aspect this week: finances
Who to spend time with: Aquarius

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
When entering a tricky discussion, try to understand the other person’s point of view. Don’t let others force you into expressing an opinion until you are in possession of all the fact. A dinner with friends could provide a new opportunity for romance.

Key word for the week: future planning
Your luckiest aspect this week: social life
Who to spend time with: Sagittarius

CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
Energy may be low, but this is not bad news for your love life. As you feel calmer and less inclined to be an extravert, you will see the true value of those you care about. Friends have helped you out and generally been there for you, and now you feel like thanking them.

Key word for the week: commitment
Your luckiest aspect this week: romance
Who to spend time with: Capricorn

LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Be inventive and let your imagination run wild. Don’t stick to preconceived ideas when you have your own feelings about how things should be. Passion is sure to rise. Enjoy yourself, you’ll have plenty of time next week to be serious.

Key word for the week: creativity
Your luckiest aspect this week: love life
Who to spend time with: Pisces

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
If you are feeling low or lacking in energy, then it’s time you took care of your diet. Treat yourself to some high-energy foods and make sure you get plenty of sleep.

Key word for the week: confidence
Your luckiest aspect this week: career
Who to spend time with: Scorpio

LIBRA(September 23 - October 22)
All of a sudden, your way of life or your behavior in public is attracting attention and you are in great demand. Just be natural, live your life to the full, and lovers will be falling at your feet. Friends around you may be looking for advice and guidance.

Key word for the week: variety
Your luckiest aspect this week: romance
Who to spend time with: Aries

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 22)
Someone close to you has such a strong personality that you should beware of being drawn into their own dreams and projects at the expense of your own. Family affairs could come to a head and you will have to do some negotiating.

Key word for the week: initiative
Your luckiest aspect this week: home life
Who to spend time with: Taurus

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
Try not to let yourself get carried away by wishful thinking. Keep your feet firmly on the ground and be objective in your choices. The planets should help you find a solution to a personal dilemma.

Key word for the week: energy
Your luckiest aspect this week: free time
Who to spend time with: Gemini

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
A few illusions come your way, making daydreaming a pleasurable past-time. Your expectations may go beyond what is reasonably possible. You are demanding and you feel like putting your foot down, but others may not have the patience to go along with you.

Key word for the week: ambition
Your luckiest aspect this week: family
Who to spend time with: Cancer

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
A chance encounter could mean you have to push back your limits and explore new territory. This adventure off the beaten track could lead to unexpected happiness. When travelling for pleasure, don’t stick to the same old routine.

Key word for the week: organization
Your luckiest aspect this week: home life
Who to spend time with: Leo

PISCES (February 19 - March 19)
When someone you meet has sufficient curiosity or courage to dig beneath the surface and discover the real you, your heartstrings could be tugged and you’ll want to know more. You have given a great deal to others. Now it is time to give a little to yourself.

Key word for the week: sacrifice
Your luckiest aspect this week: decision-making
Who to spend time with: Virgo

“I think Jay-Z’s a b**ch *ss nigga”
Yesterday, VIBE.com brought you the official remix of Jeezy’s mega-hit “Put On” featuring none other than Jigga. In Jay’s verse, he had a line for our favorite blogger Prodigy: “I put Prodigy in his place on that Summer Jam screen.”

By that night, we received an audio from Prodigy in prison, speaking on Nas and Jay-Z. Whether his words for Jay-Z has anything to do with the “Put On” remix remains to be seen.

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Departure also means parting ways with Neptunes label, Star Trak
Houston rapper Slim Thug has left Interscope Records, along with the Neptunes’ subsidiary label Star Trak to pursue his own ventures at Koch Records and prove that he is still the dirty South boss who’s already platinum.

Slim Thug is currently prepping a new album with his Boss Hogg Outlawz crew and will be looking for a September 2 release date. The album, Back By Blockular Demand (Serve & Collect 2), will be their second LP. The group has recently released the video “Ridin’ Wit No Ceiling” via the Internet and are preparing their next video “Keep It Playa” with Ray J.

Also in the works is Slim Thug’s new solo album, tentatively titled The Boss of All Bosses. The album’s original first single “Wood Grain Wheel” was released last year.

50 Cent versus Nas; Ludacris against T.I.; Snoop goes up against the Game; Lupe and Kanye square off in battle’s sweet sixteen

The votes keep coming in and rappers keep getting edged out during VIBE’s Best Rapper Alive awards. Last week’s second round saw close to 65,000 votes.

In the Notorious B.I.G. bracket, Jay-Z wiped the floor of Lauryn Hill by gaining 90 percent of the votes. As the Jiggaman moves on to the semifinals, he will be pitted against the rapper he put back on the charts, Fabolous, who beat out the bracket’s 12 seed, Juelz Santana. The Biggie bracket also has another interesting match up. Chicago MCs Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West will be duking it out after their triumphs over Missy Elliot and Mos Def respectively.

But the highlighted matches of the Biggie bracket could not compare to the matches in the Pimp C bracket. Scarface edged out fellow Texas rapper Bun B by the slimmest of margins, while third seed Ludacris upset sixth seed and fellow ATLien Young Jeezy. Lil Wayne takes out Lil Boosie with ease by garnering 82% of votes. Now, the self-proclaimed best rapper alive will go up against southern rap legend Scarface in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the King of the South T.I., who upset Houston MC Chamillonaire, will settle the score with one-time rival Ludacris in the semifinals as well.

In the 2Pac bracket, Eminem easily beat out former G-Unit affiliate Young Buck and will go up against Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, who edged out Nelly, in the semifinals. Meanwhile, G-Unit general 50 Cent defeated Big Boi by gaining 54 percent of the votes over Big Boi’s 46 percent, and now will go up against onetime mentor and fellow Queens native Nas, who beat out Jadakiss.

Finally, in the Big Punisher bracket, Andre 3000 will go up against Common. Meanwhile, The Game edged out former Aftermath labelmate Busta Rhymes by gaining 55 percent of the votes and will be going up against West Coast legend Snoop Dogg, who defeated another West Coast legend, Ice Cube, by two percent.