Independent rap juggernaut Tech N9ne -- who has sold more than 650,000 albums independently -- is preparing for the July 17 release of his first collaborative album, Tech N9ne Collabos Misery Loves Kompany. The Kansas City rap pioneer adds yet another milestone to his impressive pedigree by rapping with his friends and labelmates over a searing batch of Southern-styled beats on the party and sex-centered Misery Loves Kompany.

"I took a chance, like I love to do, by not sticking to the everyday, crazy, hardcore Tech N9ne stuff," Tech N9ne explains. "I went and got some Southern styled...

Rapper Yukmouth was arrested in Los Angeles at the weekend and charged for driving on a suspended license. The I Got 5 On It star - real name Jerold Dwight Ellis II - was stopped by police early on Sunday morning, who discovered his license had been suspended for a previous incident.

However when cops ran a background check on his name, they found there was also an outstanding warrant for his arrest - the reason for which is as yet unspecified. The rapper, formerly one half of The Luniz, was taken into custody and charged for the two offenses.

His bail has reportedly been set at...