Ya Heard: T.I. and Shawty Lo: the saga continues

The rivalry between T.I. and Shawty Lo is becoming funnier by the minute. T.I. and his Grand Hustle staff ran into Shawty Lo and his D4L staff at Monday night's "Dirty Awards" in Atlanta.

While Lo's version of events differ slightly to some eyewitness accounts, it's becoming quite clear Shawty Lo's career and image has hit rock bottom.

According to Lo, the situation began while he was performing his set. He told MTV, "Basically, I didn't start saying anything about Tip (T.I.). I was performing my music. During 'Foolish', [T.I.s crew] was coming in front of the stage doing their mugging. After 'Dunn, Dunn,' I performed the dis record 'Don't I.' That's what made me perform the dis record. I ain't gonna lie; they was disrespecting me. I wasn't gonna let them disrespect me."

At the conclusion of the performance, T.I.s crew allegedly began to throw chairs on stage toward Lo and his entourage. A fight ensued and the show was temporarily stopped.

According to Lo, he and T.I. then decided to meet in a back room to discuss their ongoing feud.

"H e told me the beef was over with," Lo said. "I said, 'If the beef was let go, me and you have to publicize it. We have to do it together.' He agreed to do that, and we shook hands in the back room."

With the apparent cease-fire in place, and the show back underway, T.I. took a page out of the Tupac doctrine and flipped the script. While accepting an award, T.I. fanned the flames by stating, "If somebody's got a problem with, do something better than me." T.I. then began to perform with another artist and that is when the WWE match started.

Apparently, some of T.I.s crew jumped off stage and began to confront the D4L camp. Sounds like a scene from that Outkast video right? Police attempted to break up the melee while spraying Pepper Spray.

Lo told MTV, "They sprayed me in my face. I couldn't see nothing."

LMAO! This is ridiculous and is actually sad in its own little way. While Lo continues to get "Ja Ruled," T.I. once again emerges from this round without a stain on his shirt.

At the conclusion of his report, Lo stated, "[Me and Tip's conversation] ended on a positive note. I don't know where he is [with the beef]. I guess he just be talking. One thing about it, Shawty Lo ain't no punk. T.I. is just a rapper. He knows how to read a book good. Where I live is for real. I ain't got nothing against holmes. He's got family, I got family. I'm not trying to kill him, he's not trying to kill me. I got fans that love me. He's not gonna run all over me. I ain't Lil' Flip."

LMAO!

JOHN FORTé: REMEMBER HIM?

In an amazing turn of events, former Fugee camp artist John Forté was given a Presidential Pardon by George W. Bush. Forté was among 14 individuals who received the ultimate favor earlier this week.

In 2000, Forté was caught receiving 31 pounds of liquid cocaine in Newark International Airport. Although it was his first offense (and a pretty big one at that), Forté began serving a mandatory 14-year sentence in 2001.

While it may seem surprising to hear this news, it may help to know Forté has quite a few friends in high places. His relationships with such influential individuals as Carly Simon and Martha Stewart is rumored to have played a huge role in his pardon.

Forté is scheduled to be released Dec. 22. …Can't wait for the book!

Among the turkey, dressing, and macaroni and cheese that you're getting into on this Thanksgiving day, I leave you hip-hop fans with a little something else to chew on. I've received a few questions regarding my opinion on the top five of hip-hop's most irrelevant (current) emcees. To put those requests to rest, here they are:

5. Jim Jones -- I have no idea what people are seeing in this guy. I guess this whole Swag-hip thing is beginning to take over.

4. DJ Khaled -- As I've stated before, I still do not understand what this guy does. Everytime I turn on my television he is somewhere in the picture screaming.

3. Soulja Boy -- Kudos for his smash hit and all, but this guy is VH1-"Where-Are-They-Now" in waiting.

2. Plies -- I don't believe this one needs any explantion.

1. Yung Berg -- Sorry ladies, but Berg gets no love in hip-hop land. His brand of hip hop is quite suspect and even his most loyal fans know it.

So there it is, the top five people that hip hop can do without. Hope you all enjoy this festive Holiday 'til next week…Peace!!!

YA HEARD TRIVIA

In 1998 this artist became the first hip hop artist to release two Billboard No. 1 albums.

Who is the artist?

Be the third person to email me the correct answer to the question and receive two free AMC movie tickets courtesy of the News & Messenger.

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.