P. Diddy Won't Discuss Suge

In a recent interview for the upcoming edition of Details magazine, P. Diddy deflected questions about the infamous and violent rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rappers that has resulted in the deaths of two of rap's biggest stars in the last decade. In separate but apparently related incidents, Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. were murdered as a result of the rivalry. At the core of the problem are the record labels themselves, Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records.

Combs is the controlling principal of Bad Boy Records, based out of New York City, while Knight controls Death Row Records, a Los Angeles-based organization. Suge Knight's recent release from prison on aggravated assault charges has sparked rumors that the violence that plagued the late nineties for the two groups may resume once again. In a recent interview with Geraldo Rivera, Suge Knight stated that Combs and his associates are in no danger from his syndicate and that the ghetto represented the most dangerous place for Combs to travel, since he was no longer welcome there.

Obviously frustrated as he prepared to leave the Details interview, Combs stated, "If y'all want to know 'bout East Coast-West Coast, why don't you ask Suge Knight? Why don't you go interview him?'' Although neither side has suggested that tensions are high, that clearly seems to be the case. No one knows how the whole thing is going to play out, but as long as everyone continues to ride the current wave of hip-hop and rap popularity, the violence should remain in the background.