SPLITSVILLE: In other rap news, the seven-year...

SPLITSVILLE: In other rap news, the seven-year association between Ruthless Records, the label owned by N.W.A. founder Eazy-E, and maverick L.A. independent Priority Records--the partnership that launched the controversial L.A. gangsta-rap scene to national prominence--came to an end last week. The official word from Priority is that the split was due to “creative differences.”

Eazy and his manager Jerry Heller are weighing offers from major labels for a new distribution deal that will kick off with a debut from Texas group Blood of Abraham, to be followed by an Eazy-E solo album, a collection by the group H.W.A. (Ho’s With Attitude) and former N.W.A. member MC Ren’s first solo album. Priority retains distribution rights to Ruthless catalogue items, including N.W.A.’s notorious “Straight Outta Compton” album.