1. Missy Elliott Addresses Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj Beef
With the release of two new buzzworthy singles, “9th Inning” and “Triple Threat,” Missy Elliott stopped by MTV’s Rap Fix Live to discuss her career, Aaliyah and other topics affecting women in hip hop. Of course, the infamous feud between Lil’ Kim and Nicki Minaj came up, and the rap star had a bit to say about its wider impact on fellow female MCs.

“I mean that situation I felt divided us. I’ve never met Nicki, like I said she’s out there hustling, you can’t be mad at that. Lil’ Kim is my sister. I’ve known her for years and I never turn my back on her, but there’s enough room for everybody,” Missy said. “I wanna see everybody, everybody, get it. You know what I’m saying? I just love to see women just have their own. And you watch the guys do it all the time…The simplest word that I can say is respect. You don’t have to like somebody, respect. That’s it.” [MORE]

2. Kanye West Talks Creative Process on Cruel Summer
Minus a string of enthusiastic tweets, the notoriously press-shy Kanye West has largely abdicated promotional responsibilities for his new G.O.O.D. Music compilation, Cruel Summer, instead letting Big Sean, Pusha T, Teyana Taylor and others handle interviews. In a new promotional video, however, Yeezy has opened up about the making of the album and where his mind is.

“We started off just by getting everybody in the lab together,” he says in the clip. “We reached out to other camps just to do something new and exciting in hip hop, minus all the politics.” [MORE]

TAGS: 9th Inning, Cruel Summer, female rap beef, Good Music, Kanye West, Lil Kim, Missy Elliott, MTV Rap Fix Live, Nicki Minaj, Triple Threat