BONE THUGS N HARMONY INK DEAL WITH SWIZZ BEATZ

Rap veterans Bone Thugs-N-Harmony have signed a new deal with Interscope Records through Swizz Beatz’s Full Surface imprint. The new album will feature production by Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Lil’ Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Big Boi of Outkast, and Dr. Dre, and new lyrics by incarcerated group member Flesh-N-Bone.

Flesh-N-Bone, who is Layzie Bone’s brother, is serving an 11-year sentence for a weapons conviction in California. The rapper will be eligible for parole in 2008.

“It’s just a little….It’s just a chance for like you know like celebrities to get together, you know what I’m sayin’, and just ball out on the game, you know what I’m sayin’? I think everybody in hip hop play this game. I mean man even everybody not in hip hop you know what I’m sayin’? I mean gaming is big you know what I’m sayin’? So it’s like it’s real big so this what we doing right now.”

The group will release the new album later this year but it will not include any verses from ousted group member Bizzy Bone. Krayzie said in a released statement, “We’re cool (with Bizzy), but as far as speaking to him, I’m not sure if anyone can have a regular conversation with him right now. Right now, I guess he’s going through whatever he’s going through in life. Whenever he wants to come back, he can come back. Ain’t gonna be no dis songs about him or nothin’ like that. We’re still family.”

Although busy working on the new album, Krayzie took the time to attend the Hip Hop Gaming League championships earlier this month. He said,