Big Boi & Killer Mike Explain Their Sides Of Fall Out

The departure of Killer Mike from Big Boi of Outkast's label, Purple Ribbon, has long been a mystery. While Mike has explained the situation briefly in the past, Big Boi has never spoken out about the fallout between the former friends.

He has now though. In a recent interview with DJ Envy, the Outkast member addressed rumors of a fight between himself and Mike, and explained his side of the story of why Killer Mike left.

According to Big Boi, Mike left to find greener pastures, not wanting to wait for the label situation to play out -- something he felt ended on good terms.

"Things was going kind of good [with Purple Ribbon], but in between looking for distribution, I guess the label wasn't moving fast enough for certain artists," explained Big Boi. "Killer Mike came to me and was like 'Yo man, I think I wanna go else where.' I said you can go. Cut him lose. All that bread he owe me, all the other stuff, just wipe that tab clear. I ain't trying to hold no man. I let him go do his thing, then I started hearing rumors like he talking about he fired his boss. I'm like 'How the f*** you fire a boss n****?'"

While Big Boi explains his confusion with Mike's unhappiness after leaving, Killer Mike saw his exit much differently. Unlike the mutual agreement Big Boi says took place, Mike says leaving wasn't as easy as Big made it seem.

In a video at UrbanNewsNetwork.tv, recorded in response to Big Boi's interview with DJ Envy, Mike claims Big Boi took him through a nine-month legal battle to get a release from his contract. However, he says it ended in his favor.

"In choosing to [leave Purple Ribbon], I would have loved to have had your blessing, and have the phone call that said I'd let you go. We both know that's not what happened," Killer Mike began. "That entered into a nine-month process with my lawyer ... her going up against the biggest entertainment lawyers in the world. For nine-months, she fought tooth and nail to get me liberated from that contract.

"I stood by your side. I was loyal and riding. At any time, had you been able to provide -- as a business -- a real situation, I was willing to shut it down. But I told you, I was gonna see your course. After nine months, I walked away," he continued.

Mike made it clear, though, that the legal battle ended in his legal ties with Purple Ribbon severed, and him not owing Big Boi anything -- specifically, royalties.

"One truth I will tell is because of your irresponsibility in business and lack of initiative and lack of know how, I walked away not owing you anything. You will never make a dollar off of me," Mike said, as he continued to mock Big Boi.

In addition to the label situation, there were also rumors that the pair had gotten into an altercation during an event in Atlanta in the past, which resulted in Mike spitting and/or punching Big Boi in the face.

Mike has since said the rumors were false. Big Boi elaborated on the incident during his interview with DJ Envy, claiming the altercation involved a member of his entourage and his former artist, which ended with Mike getting punched six times.

Big Boi explained that he went to one of Mike's shows to confront him after hearing rumors that he had tore down Purple Ribbon posters at a showcase just days before. When he finally met with Mike, that's when things went down.

"I went to go see Killer Mike ...By the time he got there, I was like 'Hey Killer, what's going on? What's happening? You don't wanna talk to me?'" Big Boi explained. "He was like 'Hey, ya'll have a good day. I'mma go on and do my show. Ya'll have a good day,' and then tried to walk off. Somebody in the squad stepped in front of him, and was like 'Nah, you gonna sit here and talk. We wanna talk to you.' He was like 'I don't wanna talk to nobody but Big [Boi], I'm not answering to nobody, no flunkies, no nothing.' That person was like 'N**** what the f*** you said?' He was about to utter the words again, and that person punched him in the face two times.

"Now, [Killer Mike] so in shock, he couldn't even move his hands," Big Boi added. "The only thing he did was spit back on the person. After he spit, it was followed by four more punches to the face. This man didn't fight back, didn't do nothing. He pulled out a gun, and had a gun in his hand, and got punched in the face like two more times."

Despite the altercation, Big says Mike later apologized during a public event in Atlanta, and today, he says the relationship is "whatever."

However, in the response video, it seems as though Killer Mike isn't on the same page as Big Boi, and took the opportunity to mock his former boss. Mike claims that Big Boi took his anger out on him out of jealousy because of his Outkast partner Andre 3000's success.

"What we really getting to is the Hollywood divorce that's really happening ... what you're really mad at is probably one of the greatest rappers in the world and he used to stand next to you every day," Mike said. "I'm not involving him in it, I'm just saying I know where your pain comes from. I understand how mad I'd be if Batman left me and I was Robin."

Killer Mike ended his response by challenging Big Boi to battle on wax, instead of going back and forth in the media.

"You don't want this because I'm not gonna do this on audio blogs," Mike said. "I'm not gonna do this on Envy's show. If you want this, we not even gonna play games because you only gonna come up with a better score. If you want this, we gonna do this record for record."

"You f***ing try me boy, I'mma f*** you up. I'mma ride you like 50 rode Ja [Rule]. I'mma ride you into the f***in' ground 'cause I'm not playing with you Antwon. I don't work for you. I fired my boss," he concluded.

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