Yesterday on my show, Nicci Gilbert, Maxee Maxwell and Teisha Brown came together for their first interview as a group in over 15 years.

They look good!

And best of all, there seems to be true friendship and genuine love between them. They wanted to make it clear that they did NOT break up on bad terms. In fact, they have stayed in touch over the years.

Nicci just wanted to do “other things” for a while. She says she was turned off by the “business” aspect of the music industry.

They announced that they will officially be going on tour this summer along with some of the other artists on “R&B Divas!” Wow, what a tour that will be: Imagine Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Chante Moore, Keke Wyatt and Brownstone!

I’ve always been a fan, and it does my heart good to see their careers come full circle.

*Singing as I type: I HEARRRRD IT THRU THE GRAPEVYYYYYYYNE…..

Pop the hood for more…

 

Egypt: In the building with us, Brownstone!!!!

Brownstone: What’s going down??

Egypt: Ladies has it been 15 years?

Brownstone: It has been 15 years since we’ve done a record, yes absolutely.

Egypt: Tell them who’s in the studio right now.

Nicci Gilbert: Nicci Gilbert Daniels, holler at your girl.

Maxee Maxwell: Maxee.

Teisha Brown: What’s going on? It’s your girl Teisha Jaretta Brown, ya dig?

Egypt: This is history right here. Is this going to be your first interview as a group in all of these years?

Brownstone: Yes. Oh my gosh, yes.

Egypt: Okay, so get comfortable. Tell a friend to tell a friend to turn this on right now. Brownstone reuniting in the studio.

Egypt: It is the People’s Station, V103. Yes you heard correctly, Brownstone has reunited. They’re back together again. For the first time in over 15 years Nicci?

Nicci Gilbert: Yes, we have not had a studio album in seventeen years. Our first album was nineteen years ago.

Egypt: So this is your first interview since when?

Nicci Gilbert: We have not had a radio interview in seventeen years.

Egypt: Okay so we have Nicci Gilbert, we have Maxee Maxwell and we have Teisha Brown. Now Teisha, I forgot for a second. You weren’t the original third member?

Teisha Brown: No.

Egypt: You joined when?

Teisha Brown: 2007. They say 2008 but I got the call in 2007.

Egypt: Mimi was one of the original members. What happened to Mimi?

Maxee Maxwell: Mimi now she’s a mom. She has what three kids? Two kids. I think she’s teaching as well isn’t she? She’s a teacher. She’s quite happy.

Egypt: She didn’t want to come back to singing?

Maxee Maxwell: No she just wanted to be a mom.

Egypt: She ain’t buying into the music industry anymore huh?

{Laughter}

Egypt: So what’s different for you now? How did this happen?

Nicci Gilbert: I mean it happened with me kind of getting out of my own way because Maxee has wanted to do it forever and Teisha has been you know, grinding. And we would get little opportunities like the Negro League stuff so we would do our little spot moments, but I just kind of, you know Egypt, I was in my way. You know sister girl.

Egypt: Yeah, Nicci didn’t want to sing anymore for whatever the crazy reason was. Cause girl is gifted. What’d you do Maxee call and say, if you don’t come back so we can make these checks…

Maxee: I really really really wanted her to do it but you know what, I just wanted her to do it when she’s ready. So I said I’ll be patient. I’ll do what I’m doing and I’ll just wait and God willing, she’ll come back around, and she did. She’s very talented and she likes to do a lot of things, so she wanted to try other avenues.

Teisha Brown: We always say Nicci has like ten baskets and she’s got her hand in each one of them. So it was like she kind of put the music basket on the shelf for a minute.

Egypt: So it was all your fault Nicci?

Nicci Gilbert: You know I will take responsibility for that. I was just in some kind of a way, like I wanted to produce tv and theater, and I just wanted to creatively exercise some other muscles. But I like having them here. Having them here and being around women that …I would not be here if…if this one right here from this South American place and Mimi and Teisha of course, you know didn’t bless me with the opportunity to be able to sing with them, I would not be in this industry as successful as I am. And of course Michael. (Jackson)

Egypt: So you thought, we’re doing “R&B Diva’s,” you got a second chance, you wanted to bring the girls into it and share it with them.

Nicci Gilbert: Absolutely! They deserve it just as much as the next person. No offense, I think the other ladies are very deserving, but Brownstone definitely deserves this opportunity so here we are.

Teisha Brown: We love her so much. Straight up love her.

Egypt: I forgot that ya’ll were the first group to sign for Michael Jackson’s label and you tell a funny story about that so they’re going to tell us on the radio when we come back. Brownstone reuniting live on V103 and you know I will not let you leave without hearing how you sound together now. You might have to sing a little something.

Egypt: Hey it’s Egypt. Brownstone’s been in here hanging out with me and I did say Brownstone. Because the group is completely back together again and you have a big announcement. Let’s make sure their microphones are straight over there.

Brownstone: My mic sounds nice check one. My mic sounds nice check two.

Nicci Gilbert: I love Egypt. You are my sister in this industry and I love being able to share these kinds of great announcements with you but looks like Brownstone, in addition to recording our first studio album in seventeen years, will be hitting the road this summer and going on tour and not just any tour…we will be going on the road with one of the best promoters in the world- he’s worked with Tyler Perry and a bunch of other people. We’re in the final stages of everything, but there will also maybe be a couple of other diva’s on the road with us. So we’re working through the details of all of that so we’re looking at June through August. Ya’ll going to be able to catch us.

Egypt: That’s what’s up.

Nicci Gilbert: Atlanta will absolutely be able to catch us.

Egypt: Maxee how does this feel?

Maxee Maxwell: Great!!!

Egypt: You know I don’t think I ever realized that you had an accent. Where are you from?

Maxee Maxwell: I’m from Guyana.

Egypt: Really?!??

Maxee Maxwell: Yeah. Guyana’s South America.

Egypt: Teisha where are you from?

Teisha Brown: Ugh…

Nicci: She’s from the hood!!!

Egypt: Was it that deep? Where are you from…

Teisha Brown: Excuse me, I’m from Farmington Hills, Michigan. Stop! I’m from the D. I represent the 313 ya dig?

Egypt: Oh my goodness. Alright, so we have so many people calling up. They’re excited that you girls are back together again. But we really want to hear you sing.
I mean I know it’s been some years…have you been rehearsing together?

Nicci Gilbert: We rehearsed yesterday.

Teisha Brown: We sing, you know, we sing.

Nicci Gilbert: Spot dates here and there…

Teisha Brown: We did the Monique show.

Nicci Gilbert: We did the Monique show in 2010.

Egypt: This is what we’re going to do. Let’s get up on the microphones.

Nicci Gilbert: Oh Lord Jesus.

Teisha Brown: Oh Lord Jesus it’s a fire.

Egypt: One of my favorite Brownstone songs of all time- “Grapevine.” Now it’s been some years since you recorded it but let’s just hear ya’ll raw. You got the talents I’m sure you could do it.

Nicci Gilbert: We’re not warmed up and Egypt is putting us on the spot so we’re going to do our little “Grapevine” intro.

{{Brownstone sings}}

Egypt: Ya’ll cheating. Ya’ll cheated. No! Don’t you want to hear a little bit more?? It’s not a reunion unless we get to hear… ok, at least I have the music bed oin the background. I’ll be the fourth member.

Teisha Brown: Oh, let’s do it!
Egypt: {singing} “I heard it through the grapevine that you and me would do fine…” Alright.

{Laughter}

Egypt: I guess we’re going to have to wait to hear them on tour. Congratulations ladies sincerely. I’m happy that number one, you still love each other, you’re still sisters. So much happiness and joy in the studio right now. Sometimes when people reunite it’s because they have to and they know that they need those checks and there’s not really any love in there. We’ve had some guests recently that sort of expressed that. I had Kid n Play on believe it or not on the phone and Play was expressing to me I don’t even see Kid, I don’t know, we just connect for some of the dates and you know that’s kind of heartbreaking for the fans. So this is a beautiful thing. Congratulations and don’t let this be the last time ya’ll come up in here.

Brownstone: No!!! Oh no!!!!

Nicci Gilbert: We’ll have a single in the spring for sure.

Today Nicci Gilbert of TV One’s “R&B Divas” stopped by to discuss her participation in my upcoming “Sister’s Keeper Shut-In” Friday at Clark Atlanta University.

But while she was here, she dropped a BOMB on the listening audience: Nicci announced for the very first time that Brownstone has decided to reunite!

YEAH! They brought us hits such as “Grapevine,” “5 Miles To Empty”  and “If You Love Me.” I am so happy that these girls have worked out whatever issues were going on, and decided to get that PAPER!

Pop the hood for more…

Egypt: Nicci Gilbert still hanging out.

Nicci: Hey!!

Egypt: Okay, we’ve waited anxiously. What is this big announcement? She’s been so top secret about it. Secret squirrel.

Nicci: Okay. Theme song is playing. Ladies & gentleman, I have been praying about this. I have been scolded about this. I have been on my knees about this and I am very very happy to announce here, with my girl Egypt, and all of Atlanta, that we will be doing a Brownstone reunion record.

Egypt: Woahhhh!!!! So you know I have to grill you because we’ve had several conversations and you said nah, I don’t even want to sing anymore.

Nicci: Yeah you know what? I just kind of, really when I say I was on my knees, and I had to talk to people who I think understood what my fears were and I’m not going to get too deep into it because I really want you guys… I really take this journey on the show, Season 2 “R&B Diva’s” May 1^st plug…so I really go through this journey, but it was really about me just looking in the mirror and being honest with myself, you know what I mean, about what my issues were with music. You know, having an understanding as to how I can get past that and everywhere I go people stop me and they’re like, girl, are you crazy?? When are ya’ll going to sing???

Egypt: We miss Brownstone. Now Nikki let’s keep it real. You saw how many zero’s were on the check that you could possibly get if you really wanted.

Nicci: I mean, you know it’s a little bit of business. It’s a little bit of business involved in every decision I make. Maybe a lot of business. But you know, and the other part of it is I felt really in my heart more than anything, I felt like Maxee & Teisha, the other members of the group, really deserve this opportunity to shine with me.

Egypt: What have they been doing? Where are they?

Nicci: Maxee has been an incredible mother. She has a wonderful amazing son Nicoli, who’s my nephew. Mimi is probably on her doctorate PHD number five… she’s teaching and her children are grown and they’re beautiful. Kina’s in LA doing her thing and Teisha, our new member who’s amazing, is in Detroit and she’s like my sister so this is going to be incredible and we’re actually doing our reunion show in Atlanta.

Egypt: You heard it here first. There will be a Brownstone reunion!

Nicci: Yes!

Egypt: Can I host it?

Nicci: You better host it!

Egypt: There it is!

You can listen to the audio below:

When I was a teenager all I wanted was to be the fifth member of Xscape. I used to watch the videos and sing the songs, “Just kick it”, “My Little Secret” to the top of my lungs. I am a true fan!

Recently Kandi Burruss was on Tigger’s afternoon show on V103 and mentioned that she would not be taking part in the So So Def Reunion. When Tigger asked why, she said that she and Xscape had unfinished business and she didn’t feel comfortable reuniting with them because it doesn’t take her to a happy place. ( (sad face)

So former group member Latocha Scott stopped by my show yesterday to promote the upcoming season of TV One’s “R&B Divas” which she will be on. I couldn’t resist asking her what the disharmony was all about? What unfinished business business was Kandi talking about?? You’ll be very surprised at what Latocha had to say. But all in all, it sounds like both the girls need to sit down and hash it out. Here’s a tidbit…

Egypt: So when you talk about relationships and personalities and clashing, are you & Tiny okay?
LaTocha: We’re cool, very cool.
Egypt: Is your sister and Tiny okay?
Latocha: Very cool.
Egypt: You and Kandi okay?
LaTocha: Not very cool.
Egypt: Your sister and Kandi?
Latocha: Not very cool.
Egypt: Tiny and Kandi?
Latocha: Cool.

Pop the hood for the full interview…

Egypt: LaTocha Scott is in the building. So I’m so excited to talk to you. You’ve got a lot of great things going on. First and foremost I just found out you have been married for 17 years to your husband-ager. Your husband and manager.

LaTocha: Cute, real cute. {laughs}

Egypt: But 17 years, especially today. How? We’re like the same age.

LaTocha: Okay.

Egypt: So that means when you were in Xscape you were married.

LaTocha: Yeah we were. Nobody knew.

Egypt: How’d you keep that on the low?

LaTocha: We kept it on the low. It was all about business, all about work. You couldn’t put the two together so we kept it down.

Egypt: Ya’ll are so cute. You’re even starting to look alike.

LaTocha: Oh my gosh. People do say that. They’re like you look like brother and sister and I’m like why cause we’re chocolate?

Egypt: No, they are too cute. So okay, “R&B Diva’s” just announced that you’ve joined the cast. Give us the whole scoop. Who else is on the cast, how did this come about? Who else is going to be on the show this season?

LaTocha: Oooh, everybody’s coming back. Everybody that was on the last season.

Egypt: Nicci Gilbert…

LaTocha: Nikki, Syleena, Keke Wyatt, Faith and Angie Stone is new. And Monifah. Monifah’s there too.

Egypt: Did you say you know what, I want to be on that show, or did they call you and say it would be great if you could join us?

LaTocha: I was just really on my grind last year. I was doing performances and then they called my management, like, we really want to put her on the show. It’s all about the music so can we get LaTocha on the show? At first I was apprehensive but then I thought about the fact that people- I’ve been gone for a long time- and people have been like what’s going on with you and it’s the perfect platform for me to come back, and it’s all about the music.

Egypt: Not with reality shows, it ain’t all about the music!

LaTocha: This one is. This one is.

Egypt: So, what are we going to learn about LaTocha that we may not know?

LaTocha: Ya’ll gotta watch and see.

Egypt: No, that’s why I’ve got you up here! {laughs}

LaTocha: Well, you’re going to learn that I’m a mother. I do the same things that everybody else does. I’m on my grind in the studio all the time and just my relationship with Rocky. Rock on the block. How we do things as far as him managing me. It’s just a lot. It’s me doing me.

Egypt: Hey Rocky, come on up here to the microphone.

LaTocha: Oh my gosh.

Egypt: I had to do it. You said you’ve been married for 17 years. Valentine’s Day is just two days away.

LaTocha: Which is his birthday.

Egypt: Is it? So you’ve gotta make it extra special. What are ya’ll gonna do?

LaTocha: I can’t say right now but it’s going to be some things poppin. It’s a big surprise, it’s a big surprise.

Egypt: She’s going to surprise you???

Rocky: Yeah right, she’s going to surprise me.

Egypt: Alright, so let’s talk about Valentine’s Day priors. Latocha Scott and her husband are up here. What is the best Valentine’s Day that you guys have had together? Give us some ideas. We gotta steal your swagger.

Latocha: What about the Vegas trip?

Rocky: Well, let me see. I think one day…Jamon our son was probably like…he may have been one and so I made Tocha feel like you know listen, I have this big meeting, and I need you to come with me. We’re going to go out to eat. I don’t know what she was doing…she had just come from the beauty salon or something so the car came and picked us up at the house, and I’m like we gotta go, we’ve got a dinner meeting. So on the way to the dinner meeting I said I gotta stop by the airport. At this time you could go through the airport without everybody getting searched. So I was like I gotta stop by the airport. I’ve got a client of mine flying in and he has to hand me something.

Egypt: Which you don’t.

Rocky: So she’s like I gotta go through the airport? So she’s going through the airport, people are taking pictures. You know this was Xscape at their height and then I’m like let’s sit right her eand wait on his plane to arrive. Next thing you know our son goes running across the floor.

LaTocha: I’m like is that my son?!?

Rocky: She’s like that looks like my son and he goes flying through the airport. Next thing you know her mom, her sisters, all her friends come out & we all get on a plane and go to Vegas. She’s like I don’t have any clothes.

Latocha: He packed everything.

Egypt: You did that.

Rocky: She was like I have no underwear, I have no soap!

LaTocha: {cracks up}

Rocky: When she gets to Vegas, to the suite, it had everything you could think of.

LaTocha: Everything was there.

Egypt: Okay so you get points! Unfortunately not everybody can afford to fly in the whole family. Hey, So So Def reunion coming up. We gotta talk about that and you know Kandi Burruss was up here and said some things about Xscape that we want to talk to you about. Let’s take a break.

Egypt: We’re back with LaTocha Scott. We’re just catching up. You know she’s going to be on “R&B Diva’s” this upcoming season but you’ve got this new mixtape coming out as well right?

Latocha: Yes, Truth in the Booth.

Egypt: When is that dropping?

LaTocha: End of March.

Egypt: March 24th. So it’s after the So So Def Reunion, which is right now on the tip of everybody’s tongue. Pretty big deal. Everyone who’s ever been a member of So So Def is going to be there, part of the reunion, but Kandi Burruss was on Tigger’s show just recently. I’m so glad I have you here so we can get your side of the story.

LaTocha: okay.

Egypt: She said she has no problem with Jermaine Dupri but she has opted not to participate in the So So Def Reunion. And let me just say this. She was very clean, not drama filled at all. Just speaking from a place in her heart where she felt that there was some unfinished business in Xscape that were not allowing for you guys to come together and do the reunion so she would not be a part of this. What is this unfinished business? I don’t know, I’m just a fan. I wanna see ya’ll together.

LaTocha: My thing is the only unfinished business I can think of is the fact that we didn’t go onto the other albums that we were supposed to do. Other than that, I don’t understand where the unfinished business comes in at. I don’t know what she’s talking about.

Egypt: You guys get along?

Latocha: We talk. I mean times you know…we kind of spread out. Everyone found out what life was like outside of the group so I don’t know. You know when she says unfamiliar business, I would have to talk to her.

Egypt: Would you like to do a reunion though?

LaTocha: Oh I would love to do a reunion with Xscape. Why not?

Egypt: Do you know how much money ya’ll would make are you kidding me??

Latocha: I mean it’s not even that. I mean that’s part of it but I think we owe it to the fans, to the people. They put us all here. You know we’re successful and people were calling us because of what the fans allowed us to do and that’s the scene. You know the universe opened up for us in ’93. We were able to sign to So So Def very early on. We worked hard and to be here now, it’s like 20 years later, who can even say that?

Egypt: So when you look back on Xscape, you guys were all young. You’ve got this money, you’ve got this fame, what stopped you from finishing the other albums? When you say the unfinished business, that’s what you’re referring to, but what even stopped that?

LaTocha: Well, you know, personalities clashed back in the day. We really didn’t have that person to say listen, you guys are sisters, ya’ll try to pull it together. Young, naïve, and everybody just felt like you know, we could do better on our own. Just didn’t want to be bother. You know what I’m saying? We had been traveling years and years. It was like a marriage. Everyday you see Xscape. You wake up Xscape. You go to sleep Xscape. So I just think everybody was at the point where it was time to move forward in our own direction.

Egypt: So when you talk about relationships and personalities and clashing, are you & Tiny okay?

LaTocha: We’re cool, very cool.

Egypt: Is your sister and tiny okay?

Latocha: Very cool.

Egypt: You and Kandi okay?

LaTocha: Not very cool.

Egypt: Your sister and Kandi?

Latocha: Not very cool.

Egypt: Tiny and Kandi?

Latocha: Cool.

Egypt: So really if we get you, your sister and Kandi in one room together, that’s where the disharmony is. If we can get ya’ll to work it out maybe …I mean in time for So So Def Reunion?

LaTocha: But this is the thing. I don’t know why people want to continue to hold on to the negative. I think we’ve all progressed in life, you know, everybody’s doing their thing. Big ups to Tiny and Kandi for standing in their lane with the television show. It’s great for them. And I just don’t understand why we have to keep going back to the negative. I want to move forward. I want to see 20 years, you know what I’m saying? This whole 20 year reunion is big for me, but to say you’re not going to do it because you feel like we have unfinished business is…I don’t want to say it’s insulting to the fans, but it’s like come on, it’s not even about that. Let’s get out of self and let’s think about what we did for music.

Egypt: I’m going to tell you one thing. All of you girls are so successful in your life right now you’ve got the tv show, Tiny, Kandi’s got her show, you’ve all got your albums and you’re working and Tiny has the OMG Girlz. If you could take that force that you all have in your lives individually and put it together and go on tour…

LaTocha: I think it’d be great.

Egypt: It would be…come on ya’ll, you’re all thinking the same thing. Think of all the hits they had. I just would love to see you guys as grown women sit together in one room and say that was then, this is now.

LaTocha: And I’m down for that. Like I said, I moved forward and everything and I think that it’s always the miscommunication and I think that Kandi and myself or my sister, we’ve never sat down and talked about everything.

Egypt: I’m going to work on that. If I can get Kandi to agree to come in, can we do this as sisters?

LaTocha: We can.

Egypt: And then can I be the fifth member?

{LAUGHTER}

LaTocha: We’ll see.

Egypt: LaTocha I love you so much.

LaTocha: Love you too Egypt.

Egypt: And Kandi knows I love her so much too, you guys are great.

LaTocha: People that want to talk to me, I’m on Twitter all the time, although my Twitter got hacked. I’m @IamLaTocha. Ya’ll hit me up and we can talk about it. I like to talk on Twitter.

Egypt: Hugs and hugs. Love is love. Alright , LaTocha Scott, check her out- “R&B Divas!!!”

Pastor Mark Couch and his wife, Ivy Couch, stars of TLC’s “The Sisterhood.” Their church, Emmanuel Tabernacle, is right here in Atlanta, and they joined me on my show today to talk about why they chose to do the reality show, their thoughts on some of their fellow castmates, and Ivy addresses the headlines Kandi Burruss made when she said Ivy was never a part of Xscape.

Egypt: I want you to meet two people that you’ll be seeing on television this season. Pastor Mark Couch and First Lady Ivy Couch from Emmanuel Tabernacle right off of Dill Ave right here in Atlanta and they are the cast members of “The Sisterhood.” It was formerly called “The Preacher’s Wives” I heard at one point.

Ivy: Yes

Egypt: Number one, Hi! How are you?

Ivy: Hi!

Egypt: Why did they change the name of the show?

Mark: I think it was to eliminate some of the controversy. I don’t know how good of a job they did, but they wanted to take the church out of the equation and use the sisterhood to maybe bring down some of the potential controversy. So, I don’t know if that worked or not.

Egypt: You know there’s a lot of talk out here that this show is a bit scandalous and what not, that you still have some fighting, and there’s some arguing and I heard something about someone- I don’t know if it makes it to the cut- getting pushed in the pool and all kinds of crazy stuff. But we don’t see that from you do we? Ivy, please tell me no.

Ivy: No no I don’t know anything about a pool.

Egypt: I don’t get that from you.

Mark: Nobody got pushed. Nobody’s cussing, nobody’s physically fighting. You’ll see. None of that would be on this show.

Egypt: So your church, probably out of everybody on the show, is probably a little bit more conservative, right?

Mark: Correct. Traditional, with a traditional twist.

Egypt: Traditional. That’s a better word. Why go on a reality show? I’m sure that’s what everybody is wondering.

Ivy: Right, that’s a great question Egypt. I think for us it was definitely an assignment We definitely fasted and prayed for a long time and I feel that God personally came and said, listen I’m really trying to do some unique things and when you put yourself out there, I think we’re in a place now where people want to see the real. They want you to be transparent. You know it’s easy to sit up in church and look perfect and act perfect, but what really goes on? We’re humans. We’re all in process and that’s why I feel honored to be involved in something that shows that.

Mark: And more importantly, we didn’t do the show to appease Christians or to reach out to Christians. The Bible says that those who are well don’t need a physician and so we actually did the show to reach out to those who may be outside of the Body of Christ in hopes that our light will shine and radiate and someone else may be drawn to that light.

Egypt: Very good. But you know, sometimes we go in with good intentions and we come out saying what were we thinking?!?

 Pop the hood for more…

Egypt: Pastor Mark Couch and Ivy Couch are in the studio from Emmanuel Tabernacle. They are on the cast of a new show that’s been getting a lot of criticism and it’s called “The Sisterhood.” I got a chance to watch the show myself. I can see why it’s getting some criticism but it’s not a bad…well, thus far, cause we’re only two eps in. It’s not a bad show. You Ivy, you don’t like Pastor Tara, cause you said she quotes the Bible too much.

Ivy: Well no let me correct that. I love Pastor Tara with the love of Christ. First and foremost. I really do love her. She’s funny.

Egypt: Lord, I love ya with the love of Christ, but stay away from me! Okay…

Ivy: What I was trying to convey to Tara was that you know yes the word is the word and Jesus was the word. As a Christian I love the word as well but even Jesus spoke so that everybody could understand Him. And that’s where your anointing comes. When you can simplify the word and just meet them where they are, then everybody can maybe have an opportunity to get to know the Jesus you love.

Egypt: So you think she’s like Bible-toting holier than thou?

Ivy: I think she’s coming from a lofty place.

Egypt: Just go ahead and say it, it’s okay.

{Laughter}

Ivy: I said it on the show.

Egypt: Thou shall not be judged. Now your husband had me cracking me. You know what he told me? The church was uber packed this past week. Since the show premiered I’m sure. You have some people coming who say that’s good leadership. I need that word. And then you have some come in because they want to stare at you and they saw that handcuff scene.

Mark: Dig it.

{Laughter}

Egypt: Who came into the church this week?

Mark: Well, after the service I did have an older woman…she came up to me after the service and she said, you know baby I sure did like the show and I liked that scene that ya’ll had and I want you to know that I’m coming to join this church. I’m leaving my church this week and I’m coming to join your church baby.

Egypt: Oh goodness. What do ya’ll feel about…cause there’s another cast member…she used to be a prostitute, self proclaimed former crack head and I even saw a scene where she drove by and said that is the first crack house I was at. Pastor Dominique. How is that for you because like I said you have a more traditional church, working so closely with someone who has a past?

Ivy: I mean, I love me some Dominique. Dominique is keep it real. There’s going to be a lot of women that she touches and she blesses. She has a past. She has a story. To me, I don’t want to be friends with anyone who doesn’t have any scars. I have scars. So I love Dominique. I love that she was willing to be as transparent as she was on the show. And she blesses a lot of people. Her story is very deep. And really, from all that she’s been through, she really shouldn’t be where she is now.

Mark: And even more so than that Egypt, where we come from, our church, Dill Ave., was deemed to be the worst street in Atlanta when we got there. Infested, infiltrated with prostitution, drug, violence, gang banging. And that’s what we did in that community over a 10 year span and we’re known for transforming that community. The prostitutes are now active members in society and members of the church. Same thing with the drug dealers and the gang bangers. They’re now productive. They’re no longer menaces to society, they’re productive people in society and people in the church, so we love Dominique for what she brings to the table and her story is going to bless a lot of people.

Egypt: Ivy Couch & Pastor Mark Couch are here and they’re part of the cast of “The Sisterhood.” Before you go, straighten out something for me. Kandi Burruss I guess took exception to the fact that on one of the episodes that you mention that you were a member of Xscape. Remember the group Xscape? Who doesn’t- Tiny, Latasha, I can’t even remember all the sisters now. I didn’t remember you from Xscape.

Ivy: And you wouldn’t.

Egypt: Clear this up for us.

Ivy: First of all I think someone had called in and made it clear that if you’re in a group for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 6 months, a year, you’re in the group. But I want to say this from my heart that I have the ultimate respect for Tiny, Tameka, Tasha, Kandi. What they did- they’re veterans- they did something that I will never be a part of what they did and what they put together. I came on into the group when Kandi left and they were looking for a fourth member. I lived with Tiny for a year, absolutely love her. She took care of me and we toured and we were in the studio and we did some stuff with Jermaine and you know they were looking for another deal and I just was kind of along for the ride.

Egypt: So you were there to replace Kandi when she left and so you’re not saying you were on the albums or anything?

Ivy: Nooo. And I would never try and take you know what they did and put myself there. I just was part of something. It was an honor to be there and I learned a lot.

Egypt: Farrah Fawcett – she can still say she was a member of Destiny’s Child, right? Thank you guys for joining the show. Sincerely.

Ivy: Thank you for having us.

Egypt: Stop by their church- Emmanuel Tabernacle right off of Dill right here in Atlanta. And the show is called “The Sisterhood” on TLC. Tuesday nights, 9pm. Last night was the second episode. I do appreciate you. I wish you the best.

Ivy: Thank you.

Egypt: Ya’ll gotta come back at the end of the season and tell me if you still…if you accomplish what you went into the show to accomplish. Please.

Ivy: We will. Thank you Egypt.

Check out “The Sisterhood” on TLC Tuesday nights at 9pm.

Recently, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Cynthia Bailey and her husband, Peter Thomas, came by the V103 studio to chat. We talked about the show, the Kenya Moore situation, the dynamic between the duo and Leon, the father to Cynthia’s daughter, Noelle, and the financial issue that they made public. Below are a few excerpts.

On the dynamic between Cynthia, Peter & Leon, Noelle’s father:

Peter: You see that’s one of the things that out the gate when you’re signing on for that particular package you know that there’s certain things that you must deal with if you want no contentions. So to me, Leon is a real cool cat, that’s his daughter, he can have all rights all the time because that’s his daughter so I fall back all day long  when it comes to me.”

I have to fall back because they’re talking about their daughter. You know they make that little girl so as long as they still in the lane with the daughter I’m fine with it. Not if it gets out of that lane which Leon is not that type of cat so I don’t think it would ever get out of that lane.”

Cynthia: I’m actually glad that you brought this up because we’ve gotten a lot of response about this whole Leon stand with us when he comes Noelle. This is my position on it. I took Leon’s child out of NYC. We were all living there in NYC. So once I made that decision I never wanted to make it inconvenient for him to see her as much as he wants to because she gets to live with me all the time. So when he’s in town if he’s at a hotel then fine you know I pack Noelle up and she goes to the hotel. If he has a rent a car, fine then they roll like that. But I’m happy to you know let him stay in our house, pick him up at the airport. He can use my car. You know I feel like we kind of signed on…you know we have a daughter together so I feel like I’m not trying to inconvenience him because I took his kid away from him.”

On not hiding the fact they were going through a financial crisis:

Cynthia: Well I feel like we didn’t really have an option. I definitely am not the type of person who’s just going to act like I’m ballin’ out, if I’m not. That was our reality and it was our first time being on tv. We didn’t know any other way to do it except tell you guys what was really going on. A lot of people loved us for it and a lot of people hated us for it. Unfortunately people always want to know what’s real and they watch the show for a lot of different reasons. A lot of people want to see, oh my God, you know they think I wake up with my wig on, my weave on, walking around in Louboutins all day and a robe and I look all fabulous and nice.”

I mean I gotta get up, take my baby to school. I gotta clean up, I gotta cook. I can’t look like that all the time. I don’t have this real fantasy life and I can’t speak for the other ladies but I know I don’t and I don’t want to show that. I want to show Cynthia. When I pull it together, don’t get it twisted now, of course I do look fabulous, but there’s the other side that you’re going to see at Kroger that’s going to be looking crazy.”

 On the Kenya Moore situation:

Cynthia: Well, Kenya is someone who…we actually have a lot of mutual friends in common and I invited her into my establishment- The Bailey Institute School Of Fashion- and she was very disrespectful so from that point it has just escalated and escalated and I feel like you know just as grown women, when you come into a new group you owe everybody a shot, you know a fair chance and that’s what I felt I was giving her by even inviting her into my space, so when you go and disrespect…I would never go to your place and try to take it over and just be mean spirited for no reason. Constructive criticism is great if it’s coming from the right place, but I’m not in the business of trying to embarrass people who come to my school or humiliate them.”

On the show, “RHOA:”

Peter: If you do watch the show and see how we operate you know we don’t go out and pretend to be fabulous when we’re not. We’re going to give you 100% of who we are when the camera comes around because it’s a reality show and we’re not liars. Like you said, leased life. We’re not going to go and lease some fabulous house and pretend that we’re living there. We’re not going to do that. That’s not our characters.”

Cynthia: I think what I really want to put out into the world is for me this show is not about bashing any of these women. That is not my intention. Kenya included. You show respect, you get respect. You show disrespect, then that’s what you’re going to get back and that’s what’s happening with Kenya and I. I respect a hustle, I get it. I think she’s a smart, attractive woman and all of that. You know, whether or not we’re going to be able to friends, you’ll have to wait to see.”

You can listen to the full interview below:

These two were a lovely couple and it was great chatting with them. Be sure to keep an eye out for their book, titled Baggage Claim, set to hit shelves early next year. In it they talk about how getting married in your 40′s can work, even with baggage.

Atlanta’s own Lil Scrappy stopped by my show recently to play his new single “No Love” for us. We talked about the upcoming “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” reunion, and of course he addressed engagement allegations.

More interestingly, Scrappy explained why he believes he is bipolar, and whether or not he will be returning for the second season of VH1′s hit reality show.

Pop the hood for more…

Egypt: You’re on air with Egypt. Man, Scrappy’s in the building.

Lil Scrappy: You feel me.

Egypt: Man. Two days late. No wait wait wait. Two weeks late. Right? He was supposed to be here last week. You stood me up.

Scrappy: A week and two days late.

Egypt: A man gets one time to stand me up. Twice you don’t get a third date. But he promised me lunch after this.

Scrappy: Yeah you can have lunch or whatever you want. I’m definitely sorry blame it on my driver.

Egypt: On your driver? That’s your story?

Scrappy: This time. Last time it was me.

Egypt: Last time your alarm didn’t go off or something.

Scrappy: It didn’t go off.

Egypt: This time the driver…

Scrappy: It’s the driver. His car couldn’t go over 100.

Egypt: So alright, “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta,” we’re waiting on the reunion now.

Scrappy: Yeah and it’s crazy because the reunion is two segments.

Egypt: They always do a Part 2.

Scrappy: Yeah, it’s long as hell. I was in that thing all day.

Egypt: So I know there’s a lot you can’t tell us because your contractually binded not to be able to talk about it right?

Scrappy: Right. Til after it goes off.

Egypt: So let’s just address some allegations then.

Scrappy: Okay.

Egypt: Now I had Erica up here what was that three weeks ago and you showed up with her. I was so surprised to see you in the studio. The big talk on the blogs that day was that you guys had gotten engaged. Now you dismissed that immediately. There was no ring to prove such, but then, a picture comes out which is supposedly an engagement photo shoot that you two did.

Scrappy: Nah.

Egypt: Now Scrappy, when do you ever dress in a tuxedo? Is this an engagement photo shoot?

Scrappy: That was actually a Rolling Out photo shoot for Love & Hip Hop.

Egypt: Well a source over there claims that you gave hi an exclusive about your engagement.

Scrappy: No.

Egypt: And that on the shoo she was rocking her brand new diamond ring and a pair of color coordinated- oh, ya’ll color coordinated- and your daughter was there too.

Scrappy: (Laughing) First of all just want to clear that up.

Egypt: Ya’ll were matching. You took it back to the 90’s!

Scrappy: Let me clear that up. I don’t even remember being color coordinated. I remember taking some good pictures though, you feel me? But never was color coordinated because me and her had two different stylists. I’m just saying, no rings involved. I hate they told you that- put that out- you feel me?

Egypt: Why do I have a feeling we know something we’re just not supposed to know yet? Are we putting you between a rock and a hard place?

Scrappy: I’m definitely not in a rock and a hard place.

Egypt: As long as we use the word allegedly you can’t get in trouble with VH1.

Scrappy: You feel me.

Egypt: Speaking of which- you and Stevie, Stevie J., you all cool now? Did you guys work through your differences?

Scrappy: I’m a man. We men, so if I see him and he wants to do something, I’m with it. If he don’t I’m cool too. I don’t want to go to jail.

Egypt: Come on we don’t want ya’ll fighting. Especially not you because your teeth are too pretty to fight. You weren’t born with those teeth were you?

Scrappy: No I wasn’t. In Jesus name. (Laughs)

Egypt: (Laughing) So okay here’s another allegation. We’re just having fun. He knows I’m just picking with him. So, Erica revealed on one of the previous episodes of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta that she was dating an Italian real estate agent and although they had not slept together, in all fairness, but she was enjoying his company. So now of course they’re having a field day with this on the internet cause they said it didn’t sit right with you and you had to put your paws on him. Di you meet him?

Scrappy: I’ve spoken to him. I can’t really say too much but I’m trying to be a free man. I’m cool. (Laughs) I’ve spoken to him that’s all I’m going to say.

Egypt: Well let’s just say at that time ya’ll weren’t together together sooo-you were allowed to date somebody else but she wasn’t allowed to date somebody else?

Scrappy: I don’t have a problem with that, but once it’s over with, it’s over with, you feel me? Once I ain’t doing it no more, you can’t either. It’s done.

Egypt: Wait a minute, that’s the double standard!

Scrappy: Yeah it’s a double standard. I mean look, I’m going to tell the honest with women- how we look at it. We look at it like somebody is entering ya dig? We have an outside, ya’ll have an innie, ya dig? So the innie is way more intimate and you want to hold that in….you know what I’m saying? Than the outie, ya dig?

Egypt: That is the biggest crock of mess I ever heard in my life.

Scrappy: I’m just saying from a man’s point of view. Some stuff ya’ll shouldn’t do as women; some stuff we shouldn’t do as men. But hey.

Egypt: Should I take my shoe off on him now or later? Oh nevermind, Momma would be up in here in a minute. ‘I know you didn’t take your shoe off on my son!’ (Laughing) Shouts to Momma Dee!

Scrappy: (Laughing) Shouts to Momma Dee.

Egypt: We’re back it’s Lil Scrappy, “No Love.” We’ve been having fun picking on him and he’s picking on me. What else? What size shoe do you wear?

Scrappy: 11.5

Egypt: Oh I can’t say nothing about that.

Scrappy: You feel me??

Egypt: Tell us, the girl Tocarra who was singing on your single, is that the Toccara I think it is?

Scrappy: I have no idea.

Egypt: What do you mean? You weren’t in the studio with her?

Scrappy: I don’t know her history or nothing like that. I just know that she’s a beautiful singer.

Egypt: Tocarra from “America’s Next Top Model” that’s who I’m talking about.

Scrappy: No no no.

Egypt: Because you don’t hear that name too often. So what is this Scrappy now…you came out with a comment that you believe you’re bipolar? You really truly believe you have bipolar disorder?

Scrappy: Yeah. I’ve been trying to run from it because I see my momma go through it with herself. She got bipolar like the worst. But I honestly have it too because my momma kept telling me like different people will be around and they’ll be like, well you’re bipolar. Like wow, but I feel like it’s a medicine thing. As long as I take it. My medicine in the morning, get my drift?

Egypt: Have you been diagnosed?

Scrappy: Nope. I will not let them diagnose me with it. I will not. I just pray. You feel me? I just pray and take my other medicine. Not that medicine. Not that medicine. Not that medicine.

Egypt: Woahhh!! I’m worried about you.

Scrappy: I’ll go take a shot or something. You trying to get me in trouble? (Laughing) Egypt you trying to get me in trouble?

Egypt: I’m not trying to get you in trouble. You’re getting yourself in trouble. I’m just asking questions. How we choose to answer them is how we choose to answer them. So wait, next season there will be another Love & Hip Hop, how could there not? It was the #1 reality show in the entire country so there’ll be another season. Are we going to see a little more of your life

Scrappy: I don’t even know if you’re going to see Scrappy on there. Like I don’t know, you’ll have to see. I talked to Mona and she is like casting right now for new people. I don’t know.

Egypt: They’re not going to get new people.

Scrappy: Oh no, they’re getting new people. My whole thing- I was definitely happy to do that one time, even though I know that I might be on the second- it’s adorable. No lie, it was fun. I had my little times when I was like look ya’ll from hell. You all need to get the hell up out my house. Like for real, with all this you got going on, Mona I love you but you got to go, you feel me? The majority of the time it was fun, real fun.

Egypt: Do you have any regrets about the season when you watched it back?

Scrappy: I want to say like some stuff that I have to wait until the reunion comes on, but there’s some stuff that I regret, you know what I’m saying? Man, a lot of stuff I regret. I lost and won with the show. I lost and I won.

Egypt: That’s real. I think that’s probably the realest thing you’ve said since you’ve been up here right now.

Scrappy: (Laughing) I gotta play with you. I can’t even…

Egypt: Scrappy I like you. I think you’re a cool dude.

Scrappy: I appreciate it.

Egypt: Even though you stood me up twice, just don’t do it again.

Scrappy: I’m so sorry. Like I said the independent album I got is out right now. The grustle, the grind and the hustle- go get that on itunes, at Best Buy, FYE. Single’s out right now, Helicopter, No Love, Bags, featuring Rasheeda we’re about to drop that right now. Helicopter actually got 2 Chainz Twist on it. Ya’ll go listen to that, it is stupid. The video is out- MTV Jams, MTV2 all that craziness. Get it.

Egypt: Get your paws off me.

Scrappy: (Laughs)

Listen to the audio of our interview below:

Check out Scrappy’s new song:

“Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” has become the No. 1 reality show in the ENTIRE U.S.

Let’s admit it: We hate to love it, and love to hate it.

Ms. Erica Dixon stopped by today’s show to give us some insight on last night’s episode. And on that episode, we watched her find out that Lil Scrappy was seeing another woman named Shay.

She declared that they were OVER!

And at one point, he did the same.

So imagine my SURPRIIIIIISE when Lil Scrappy walked in with Erica to my show this morning.

Could there be truth to the rumors that he proposed to her on the reunion show; (which has already been pre-recorded?)
Are he and Shay a thing of the past? Did Scrappy finally recognize that while he was looking for treasure, the biggest jewel was right in front of him?

Find out in this very candid interview…

Egypt: She is here. Ms. Erica Dixon

Erica: Live in the building.

Egypt: She’s blaming it on the parking downstairs but ok, we already know…CP time!! lol I must admit if you watched “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” last night I wasn’t really ready for her walking in the studio with Lil Scrappy.

Erica: (Laughs)

Egypt: Hey that’s how relationships work.

Erica: Yes.

Egypt: You guys have always seemed to be very civil with one another.

Erica: Good friends.

Egypt: Very good friends. But I saw you come in and I just did not expect him to walk behind you but it maybe makes sense because there’s all these rumors floating that on the reunion show you guys got engaged???! (clears throat) Did that happen?

Erica: (Cracks up)

Egypt: Scrap is saying no.(Scrappy shakes his head) No? You’re not engaged?

Erica: Look…

Egypt: Okay, so there’s no engagement? You’re not?

Erica: No comment!!! (laughing) It’s funny to me.

Egypt: Oh I know stuff I’m not supposed to know. Is that it? Everybody’s giving me the signal.

Erica: What are you talking about?

Egypt: Ok we’ll talk about it in 3 weeks. (cracks up)

Erica: It’s funny because we were at the dub car show and this girl was like Congratulations and I was like…

Egypt: You didn’t know what she was talking about.

Erica: She was like yeah the engage…. Actually you know what I think Media takeout has no love for me. It’s just always something with me.

Egypt: But you knew this was gonna happen when you guys put your lives on reality tv.

Erica: Absolutely.

Egypt: You opened Pandora’s box and who knows what’s gonna come out. So you are friends and you’re raising your daughter together?

Erica: Yes.

Egypt: And that’s where you are right now?

Erica: Yes.

Egypt: And the reunion show has been taped already?

Erica: TUNE IN. All I’m gonna say is it went dowwwwwwwn.

Egypt: Between who?

Erica: I mean…everybody!

Egypt: Look they know you’re here now Scrappy. Stop trying to make like you’re not in the studio.

Erica: It went down. It went down. It went down.

Egypt: Alright. Let’s start with this and I was very sad to see- it was just pulled for me- that K. Michelle and Rasheeda are no longer friends. Was this because of the reunion show, what we’re going to see? Did this have something to do with- well I kinda saw the teaser last night- Rasheeda saying that she didn’t believe Memphitz did what K. Michelle says he did? Is that where it stemmed from?

Erica: I honestly don’t know. I’m friends with both girls and I love them both. I honestly don’t know where it went wrong because you said it best- they were friends so I don’t know. I’m just as confused as you.

Pop the hood for more…

Egypt: You watched last night’s episode and you saw-I can’t even call her Bucky anymore- Shay. She was Bucky on Flavor of Love. I was surprised to see her on the show. How did you feel about that whole situation watching it back when you guys had just broken up? You were in the dark about that.

Erica: No. I didn’t know. (Laughs) Honestly, Scrappy was just lying on both ends. He was just lying on both ends but like I said, I never took their relationship serious anyway. From my understanding it’s always been a friendship. I kind of felt even me looking at it on the screen it was so forced- coming from her- like it was forced. Every conversation they had it was about me. It was always pertaining to me not them.

Egypt: Huh? You felt that way? Is that because you are in a better space now?

Erica: No. Go back to my very first interview when I saw it and I just felt like it was so forced. The very first thing, ‘well would you do that for me?’ and ‘what about me?’ and it was like if it was there and it was that type of relationship, why do you even have to ask or question, would he do the stuff he does for me for you?

Egypt: Erica.

Erica: Yes.

Egypt: You were hurt. It’s okay to say you were hurt.

Erica: Oh I’ve said on screen that I was hurt, but like I said, Scrappy was just lying- back and forth.

Egypt: And he’s becoming the incredible shrinking man over on this sofa right now. (everyone laughs) Let me ask you this from a different perspective then. Your girlfriend K. Michelle was forced to do something that you know as friends we never want to do…. be the bearer of bad news. If you missed it last night here it is.

{plays clip from last night’s episode where K. Michelle tells Erica about seeing Scrappy & Shay together at Scrappy’s mixtape event}

Egypt: In that moment were you happy that she was trying to be a friend to you and told you? Or were you upset?Because sometimes when we have emotions running high we don’t know where to throw ‘em.

Erica: I had a bunch of mixed emotions. You could see it all in my face when she told me like my face just dropped. I was just like what?! And it was all because you’re telling me this that he shows up with this girl but in the midst I was like he was still texting me, let’s kick it, let’s do this, let’s do that and it’s like but you just showed up at a major event with another female. And being that – had it even been a week- I don’t even think it’d been a week that we had officially broke up.

Egypt: I know in reality shows, things are often shot and then played back out of sequence. So there was a scene where you broke up in a restaurant at the table. And then there were scenes when he was with Shay droppin’ it like it’s hot or whatever she was doing.

Erica: (Cracks up)

Egypt: What was shot before what? Because I’m watching trying to figure out.

Erica: Honestly, we don’t know. So you’re right. The producers- they can take it and put it any type of context that they please to.

Egypt: How are you and Momma Dee doing? Hi Momma Dee.

Erica: Like I tell everyone- I love her, I just don’t like her. I’ve been dealing with this woman for 10 years. She’s still the grandmother of my child and you can’t – Momma Dee’s Momma Dee and nothing’s gonna change.

Egypt: That’s real.

Erica: I just know how to deal with her.

Egypt: You can love members of your family and just wish you were never related to them. I gotta admit I have a few in my family. That’s real deal Holyfield. But okay then I’m going to ask you this. I wish we had more time and maybe I could get you to come back up before the reunion actually plays because I know we’re going to have questions for you.

Erica: Sure.

Egypt: Scrappy does not want to get on the microphone.

Erica: (Laughing) He over there quiet!

Egypt: Alright, I understand why.

Erica: He says he wants his own interview.

Egypt: You want yours right after this? (Laughing) We’re going to have Lil Scrappy up next guys. Coming up next at 12 o’clock. Do you regret it though? Just for the sake of how some things have played out or have been misconstrued about you or your relationship?

Erica: I have no regrets. Nope.

Egypt: No?

Erica: None whatsoever. I mean what you see is what you get. There’s nothing fake about it. Nothing script about it. This is my life, it’s just on television. And so many are going through it that’s why so many can relate to different people on the show. Because people go through different things and that’s the one thing that I wanted to be able to do. For somebody to be able to relate and if you see something I didn’t-where I messed up at- you do something different. Take a different route.

Egypt: You know what, that’s why I like you on the show because it is what you see is what you get. I’ve always gotten that from you. I think you’re very beautiful.

Erica: Thank you. Likewise.

Egypt: I think she’s beautiful Scrappy!! And if you haven’t put a ring on it you should!

Erica: (Cracks up laughing)

Egypt: Look how he’s looking at me. Oww! You snuck up on me. I didn’t know if you were going to put me in a headlock or what.

Erica: Can I clear something up too by the way?

Egypt: Yeah.

Erica: Let me just make it clear that Scrappy has always been a great father people. They just take things and I guess- it’s your mindset – for those that don’t understand, he’s always been a great father. He’s always been there for little Miss Emani and always will be.

Egypt: Aww look look look! They just showed me a picture of Emani on the honor roll.

Erica: Oh yes.

Egypt: Congratulations! Look you’re a proud daddy… yeah? Aww good. I’m glad you guys are okay. You knew this was going to happen though. You know things get misconstrued but keep your head up.

Erica: Absolutely.

Egypt: Keep handling your business and your child in a very civilized manner like it seems you are. You know I’m very happy for you guys. Hopefully when I see you back up here you will have that ring on it because you’ll all be ready to announce it thank you very much, sexy chocolate.

Erica: Hopefully I will.

Listen to the full audio below:

In this candid interview, Diamond formerly of Crime Mob, who is preparing her solo project, clears up all the blog rumors with Egypt and holds nothing back! Was she ever really in love with Lil Scrappy? Did she cheat on Lil Scrappy with Soula Boy? Is Soulja her soul mate? Will the two of them be getting a reality show? What happened with her joining the cast of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta?” and did Lil Scrappy pay for her derriere????? The answers are here!

EGYPT: Ms. Diamond in the house, formerly of Crime Mob, doin’ her own thing, preparing to drop her own album, is in the studio with me. Hello darling.

DIAMOND: Hello

EGYPT: How art thou?

DIAMOND: Wonderful, how are you? (in British voice)

EGYPT: You look very glamorous for it to be 1:08 in the afternoon.

DIAMOND: Yes darling. {Laughs} I try very hard.

EGYPT: So I can’t believe this is our first time meeting although I’ve been following your career for many years. How are you?

DIAMOND: I’m wonderful.

EGYPT: Congratulations for the nomination at this years BET Awards 2012. She was nominated as Best Female Hip Hop Artist. Do you think you should have won?

DIAMOND: Next year.

EGYPT: Always. Because you were nominated in 2011 as well right? It’s coming.

DIAMOND: It’s more elements that I’m adding to myself and I feel like more people will really know who I am as a person and more so- I was speaking to someone earlier about this. People buy into the artists personality now, not necessarily just their music so, a year from now it’s no doubt.

EGYPT: Especially considering your new album is about to drop. What can you tell us about it?

DIAMOND: Well, I’m more personal now. It’s my LP. It is allowing people to hear the new me. I’m 24 years old. I’ve been doing it for 10 years. I came in the game at 14.

EGYPT: Fourteen?!

DIAMOND: Fourteen with a group call Crime Mob, for those of you who may not know and now I’m solo and I talk about certain things that women go through. You know a lot of my mistakes a lot of things that make me happy, make me sad, make me angry and you know I think it’s important for women to speak to women rather than having men speak for them, so I’m definitely covering all areas this go around.

EGYPT: I don’t think I realized you were so young when you were with Crime Mob. I mean “Nuck If You Buck” at 14 thinking what what what what!!!

DIAMOND: (Laughs hard) Especially talking and cussing how we was cussing right?

EGYPT: But you seem like a very well rounded young lady and as we’re sitting here talking for like the last 15 minutes or so…you are probably the most talked about person on the blogs today. I don’t know if you consider that good or bad.

DIAMOND: That’s a good thing. When they stop talking about you, that’s when you worry.

EGYPT: You know what, just tell them to spell your name right.

DIAMOND: Okay!!!!!

EGYPT: And obviously all of this attention, at least all of it on the blogs, has to do with “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta.” Originally your name was thrown into the mix as being part of the cast. I even heard you filmed a few scenes. Is there any truth to that?

DIAMOND: Oh false. That’s absolutely false. My partner, shouts out to D.O., and another person who represents me, took a meeting with the networks and that was about it…that wasn’t something that we were interested in. We have been making sure that we control my image and that I am comfortable and in control of how I appear to others, and once it came across to us that I wouldn’t have control over certain things, such as editing, I wasn’t really comfortable with it. You know, I want people to see what I go through everyday as an artist, as Brittany, with family and friends. You know there’s going to be drama regardless, that’s just how it goes, but that was something more so of what we were hoping for so we just kinda decided that wasn’t something we were really interested in but no to answer your question. We absolutely positively did not start any filming.

EGYPT: That’s why I’m glad that we reached out and got you up here because this gives you an opportunity to just sort through what’s real, what’s not real. Unfortunately when something is published, everybody just believes it to be true. And bad news travels faster than good news. So let’s just clear them all up. There was a rumor that you quit the show after going into the bathroom to pray while filming an episode.

DIAMOND: Pray? False.

EGYPT: Well you just told us that, that there was no truth to that. Was executive producer Mona Scott Young upset with you for deciding to not do the show?

DIAMOND: I didn’t know about that. I don’t know. Not to my understanding.

Pop the hood for more…

EGYPT: Okay so the producers of the show obviously set up situations to influence what could potentially happen. You just explained to us that you didn’t feel comfortable with the editing. Was there also some element of not wanting to come face-to-face with Scrappy or Momma Dee?

DIAMOND: No that’s not the case. Like I said before in another interview, they interviewed everybody that is pretty much anybody from Atlanta, either from Atlanta or lives in Atlanta, anybody you could think of they interviewed, so I knew everybody was interviewed, but no that’s false as well.

EGYPT: Out the door. Thank you.

EGYPT: Ms. Diamond is in the house. She’s a sweetheart. You have a beautiful spirit. Gotta admit, love the haircut. Okay, so let’s talk about men. You are being called a man-eater young lady and why is that?

DIAMOND: {singing} She’s a man eater. I don’t know why. People that really know me know the truth. It’s going to be a point in time to where I can really break everything down from A to Z and I promise you the people that think otherwise will really get a chance to see me in a different light and think totally different about the situation.

EGYPT: I can’t read in between the lines. Can I just- let’s just put it out there on the table, ok? Lil Scrappy on “Love & Hip Hop”- anytime you got a man still talking about you after all of this time, clearly he was in love. And he admittedly says you were the first woman to really break his heart. Were you really in love with him when you guys were dating?

DIAMOND: Yes.

EGYPT: What happened? Why did you fall out of love?

DIAMOND: I am the type of person who wants to surround themself with positive people and positive things. To me that feeling I don’t care if you’re my mother or my father- if you make me feel like its negative energy or if you’re a negative person and you’re not trying to push me to be a better me like I will push you to be a better you, then you can’t be in my circle. You can be a cousin, like I said before, my mom or my dad, if you’re not like that then I can’t be around you. Because I have a mission to complete so when it’s all said and done, I’m going to make that I’ve done what I was supposed to do. Anyone in the way of that is not going to be on the team. Point blank period.

EGYPT: So your break-up with Scrappy had nothing to do with Soulja Boy?

DIAMOND: No.

EGYPT: You guys were done before you started your relationship with Soulja Boy?

DIAMOND: Absolutely.

EGYPT: You tellin’ me the truth?

DIAMOND: I promise you.

EGYPT: But you were in love with him admittedly.

DIAMOND: Were.

EGYPT: Do you still care about him as a person?

DIAMOND: I care about everyone as individuals.

EGYPT: {Laughs} I will say this. One of the most memorable lines in “Love & Hip Hop” was from Momma Dee this season when she said, “I’ll run her on the track” or whatever. But I spoke with Momma Dee this morning because she knew you were coming up to the show and she actually told me that she didn’t mean that the way it came across. She was caught up in the moment ‘cause that’s her son, she loves her son, and you broke his heart, but she really- and this is what she said to me- and I quote- tell that young lady I wish her the best with all her endeavors because she is a beautiful person.

DIAMOND: I wish that could have been said on the show.

EGYPT: That’s not going to get the ratings.

DIAMOND: Thank you Momma Dee, I appreciate that.

EGYPT: So now let’s talk Soulja Boy. I watched you guys on the BET Awards after show or post party. He was in your lap! That man was licking you like a little puppy. (Egypt pants like a puppy)‘I love Diamond!’

DIAMOND: I love him too.

EGYPT: Would you say he’s the love of your life?

DIAMOND: Yes he is.

EGYPT: How long have you been together now?

DIAMOND: For a minute. {Laughs}

EGYPT: I’m goin’ to beat you right now.

DIAMOND: Ok ok let’s get to it. What I can say is we have been friends for over 4 years. He has been my best friend for years. He’s positive, he pushes me to be the best me that I can be. I push him to be the best him that he can be and that’s what it’s about at the end of the day. With any relationship, I feel like you should have a friendship and have an understanding at the end of the day you know what I’m saying? So to me, that’s why I feel like I just love him so much as DeAndre as a person.

EGYPT: Do you want to have his babies? Lolol…

DIAMOND: (chuckles) I’m not thinking about kids right now.

EGYPT: I’m joking, stop it.

DIAMOND: {Laughs}

EGYPT: Okay so there is something- you want me to address- so we will. I was going to be classy and not bring this up because again, it’s another blog rumor….. Did Lil Scrappy pay for Diamond’s enhanced derriere? And allhiphop.com went straight to him apparently-they claim that he said “Imma put it like this. I have been truthful all day. I did have something to do with it. I’ll put it like that. I had something to do with it.” So, did he pay for your buttocks?

DIAMOND: First of all, I’m natural. Second of all, everyone needs to look at my mother-shouts out to Linda Delouche- it runs in my family.

EGYPT: {singing} I get it from my momma!

DIAMOND: Get it from my momma {Laughs} Hips and curves so I mean to each his own. You know sometimes people say certain things and they actually believe themselves when they say it so shouts out to people for that as well.

EGYPT: Wow. Online we’re streaming at V-103.com. They would like to be the judge.. Can you just stand for them?

{Diamond stands up and jumps up and down}

EGYPT: It looks real to me. Did she just jump up and down into jumping jacks?

DIAMOND: Since we’re being real. I love y’all.

EGYPT: Let’s go to the lines. It’s V103 hello?

Caller: First of all Egypt I love you. And I would like to ask Diamond if there’s any truth that she and Soulja Boy will have their own reality show?

DIAMOND: That’s definitely been talked about but that’s not nothing that is concrete. It’s just talk and a lot of people have thrown stuff at us- like opportunities- and networks. I ain’t going to say people, networks are interested. But that’s not something that’s concrete right now. Right now what’s concrete is our music.

EGYPT: Hey China!

Caller: Hey Diamond, you keep doing you and I follow her on Instagram. I’ve been a big fan of hers ever since she first came out and I just wanted to tell her even though there’s negativity in the world and people always got your name in their mouth, you know just live and do you. You are beautiful.

DIAMOND: Thank you so much. You made my day girl. That means so much to me.

EGYPT: You know what? I’m so glad I had a chance to meet you.

DIAMOND: Same here.

EGYPT: People have been telling me what a sweetheart you were and they were not lying. How can everybody keep in touch with you and follow you?

DIAMOND: Make sure you check out my website.: diamondatl.com. Follow me on Twitter: @diamondatl. Shouts out to DJ Scream and DJ Cents. They’re the ones who have been helping me put together this wonderful project called The Young Life, with music you heard some of before.

EGYPT: Give me a hug. Thank you! (Hugs) I’m squeezing her rump to see if it’s really real!! (EVERYONE EXPLODES IN LAUGHTER) Bye girl!

Listen to the full audio below:

Today the guest on my show was Mimi Faust of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.” I’ve watched in horror these past two weeks as her boyfriend, Stevie J, has lied to her and dragged this poor baby through the mud. During the interview she gave us the inclination that she has moved on from Stevie once and for all. She also claims she gave him back the house because she doesn’t want anything that is tied to him. Also, find out why she’s not really feeling Karlie Redd anymore….

Egypt: I’ve watched many reality shows, but you are honestly the first cast member that I’ve prayed for. I pray for you because I’ve been there.

MiMi: Yea it hasn’t been easy. I think when I first agreed to do this show, everything just happened so fast. I didn’t have time to think about it or make any type of plans or preparations. I was told about it from my girlfriend Hannah on a Monday and on Wednesday was chosen to do the show.

Egypt: You guys are still taping the show?

Mimi: We’re still taping, yes.

Egypt: Now when I saw you at Frank Ski’s restaurant during the “Love & Hip Hop” premiere, I had no idea you guys had not yet viewed the show. So I watched your face when you found out on camera that Joseline said she was having a thing with him, that she was in love with him. How did that feel in the middle of a room with people and why do it?

Mimi: Um, I think Joseline she just says whatever out of her mouth with no regard and I mean… (pauses and gets emotional)

Egypt: Can I give you a hug? No seriously. I know everybody’s talking Love & Hip Hop but I feel a connection to you and I’m going to tell you why. I was with a man once who had such a hold on me I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I loved him more than I loved myself. People tried to shake me, they tried to smack me, my momma prayed for me and it was one day when I woke up- I had to wake up and realize this is not me. I want me back.( Ladies hug for a period of time) Now listen. It’s being played out on tv and for a lot of people it’s entertainment, but it’s also your real life. There were a lot of questions when people knew you were coming on the show, like how long were you guys really dating? I heard you say 15 years on tv.

Mimi: I want to clear this up. I’ve known him for 15 years. We have dated off and on. I have not been with Stevie straight for 15 years. I was absolutely not with Stevie when he was with Eve. I wasn’t with Stevie when he was with Alex, Whoopi Goldberg’s daughter. I was not with Stevie when he was in any other relationship. So I’ve known Stevie for 15 years and we’ve dated off and on but for the past 3.5/4 years we have been together.

Egypt: And you have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter together. I just saw the pictures of her. Oh my God you just want to eat her up. Do you have an understanding now that you’re supposed to be exclusive?

Mimi: Um, understanding? Um, no.

Egypt: Ok. What is it about this man? Just keep it real. What is it about him that has these women going crazy? Because it’s not the singing- what is it? Is it the… pow pow

Mimi: If you watch the first episode I clearly stated I have never met a… that has made me do cartwheels. I clearly said that in the first episode. What I think what it is for me the connection that him and I had and also I’m just flat out he lies to me a lot. I mean that’s just the bottom line. He’ll say one thing to me and he’ll say one thing to her or whoever else but and im not with him when he’s out with anyone else. I only know what goes on when we’re together.

Egypt: Most of us have either been there or have been there, where we love someone so much they tell us the right things we wanna hear. They lie to us just enough for us to say okay and sleep at night. But now you’ve seen it on tv. What has changed now that you actually see it for what it is.

Mimi: A lot has changed. You guys, when you’re in a relationship and things happen, it’s a process of getting out. One thing will happen and you just don’t leave your family because one thing happened. So it’s definitely a process of a transition and process stage that you go through so that’s what I’m going through right now.

Egypt: Is it that you want to keep your family together? I know you have a two-year-old.

Mimi: I would love to keep my family together. But at this point I don’t see that happening so I’m willing to just let this do what it do.

Egypt: I know a girl. As a matter of fact she’s still married to him. One of the Redskins. And it was understood that the wives sat in one section at the games and the mistresses sat in another section at the games. It was just known. You could look across and see that’s the mistresses and this is the wives. Everybody knew it and I had to ask her, why would you tolerate that level of disrespect knowing it, and she said because I’ve worked too hard, I’ve earned where I am as far as her status and her lifestyle. I’m not giving all of this up for the next chick. Does that fall into play anywhere as far as over the years what you’ve dealt with with Stevie?

Mimi: Absolutely not. Not for me. For me I thought him and I were working towards something towards you know raising and building our family, but when I realized that wasn’t the direction we were both trying to go in. My head was there and his was obviously elsewhere then you know I made a decision at that point. It’s hard watching your pain, your life play out on tv. It’s very hard. I’m watching it along with you guys.

Egypt: Your family, what do they say?

Mimi: I don’t have a very large family. My father absolutely is disgusted and he wants absolutely nothing to do with that at all. I’m his daughter. I’m his baby daughter at that.

Egypt: Now when you watch last night’s episode, do you have any regrets?

Mimi: I never have regrets. Everything that has happened to me in my life has made me who I am. So I don’t regret anything that I’ve done. Everything is a learning situation and I think that I’ve learned from it if it was bad or a mistake and it makes me a better person, so no regrets.

Egypt: As much as I adore you and I think of you like a sister friend, I was a little upset with you last night when you decided to take a commission of Stevie’s business in exchange…well it felt like you were accepting all of the mess that had happened on the prior episode. That everything was forgiven as long as you got 10% or 20% What did you get? 10 or 20?

Mimi: No no no no no. What it was was I wanted to be more involved in the business. It wasn’t I was accepting a payoff. I actually wanted to be involved. If I put in this work and I have been dealing with this this long I want to be more hands-on with the situation as far as making the money and everything that goes along with it.

We have somebody on hold. Let’s talk…

Caller: Hey Mimi I just wanted to say to you I don’t really care what anybody else says about the show or whatever. I am grateful to you for doing it because it let me know when I was in that position I was alone n the world so I don’t care how it turns out, whatever you decide to do, it doesn’t matter. I’m grateful that you did it and I can see damn right I’m not the only one.

Egypt : So you’re saying you’re currently going through the situation?

I came out of it.

Egypt: What got you out of it cause that’s what I want to know. How do you break away from a man that has a hold on you? You love him, you want to keep your family together, how do you break away?

The same exact thing you said. I had to love myself more than I love him and that’s what I had to do. And I did it for 15 years, so I feel you.

2nd Caller: I would like to say I’ve watched the show and my heart goes out to you. I was in that situation where I was married to someone on the West Coast so I know what its like with the late nights, and girls and I’m here, I’m there. But you are so beautiful and I know that you have that two-year-old that one day will see the show or read about it in years to come. That would be my biggest concern- that one day she’s gonna see that’s how Daddy is doing Mommy. And it’s not cool. I’ve been there but you have to love yourself more than anybody and think about that little girl, because what I saw in the 2 episodes is crazy. Crazy. So my heart went out to you.

Egypt: I have to wonder why Stevie would risk losing you in doing the show ,cause you gotta know the cameras are going to follow you and it’s going to catch all your dirt. Do you want to tell them what you just told me?

Mimi: I think it was him getting back on top and him just the money and the fame.

Egypt: It was worth losing you?

Mimi: I don’t think he thought about that, obviously. He said why are you mad? He asked me why I was mad because I was getting a check.

3rd Caller: I just want to say I want to see Mimi do better. I remember when Stevie J. was dating Eve and I went to a premiere and he was being totally disrespectful to her and I just thought you know she could do better than be with someone that’s going to be disrespectful in her face.

Egypt: Well, I think she realizes that now and what we were saying, she didn’t know any of this before the tv show aired and this has all been a whirlwind. It’s happened in the last few months and sometimes it takes us looking at ourselves on tv and looking at people for who they really are to realize that we’re walking down the wrong road, right?

Mimi: Absolutely. That I am actually watching this along with you guys so it’s unfolding for me as well. When I was at home before the show, I would be at home with my daughter when Stevie was out at the studio or wherever he was, I wasn’t privy to what he was doing. I had no idea so it wasn’t like I was out with him or I was witness to. I’m at home with the baby. And I’m believing what he says to me. I’m not the type of person, I’m not running down to the studio what are you doing, who are you with, whose here. I’m raising my daughter.

Egypt: I never understand why men would risk a beautiful loyal woman for some two dollar trick. Did you keep the house?

Mimi: No I did not. It’s not worth it. Don’t want it. The house comes along with everything else that comes along with him and I would still be tied to everything else. It just complicated. When you start mixing houses and this and that…

Egypt: Whether you realize it or not, what you have gone through on tv for all eyes to see, is a lesson many people, not just women going through it. Listen, Mr. right is waiting on the sidelines but you got Mr. wrong all up in your life occupying all your space so how can Mr. right come in? You gotta move them aside and don’t let anybody put a “stop payment” on your “reality check.”

Egypt: There was one thing I wanted to address. You said Karlie last night surprised you on the show. Why?

Mimi: She kinda threw me under the bus last night. Joseline came to see her and it was a gym scene and she told Joseline that I was talking about her or something along those lines and said it more than once and I’m like were we watching the same show?!

Egypt: Was she a plant? I think she was a plant just to cause drama on the show. You know they always have one!

I don’t know about any of that. I just know when I got there me and Stevie. I don’t know about anybody else.

Egypt: I for the life of me don’t know why you’re on reality tv girl. I wish you the very best. I think you’re beautiful, you’re smart, you’re strong, even though someone was your weakness for a time. I gather you have moved on with your life in more than one sense of the word.

Mimi: Yes I HAVE. Keep watching. Stay tuned!

Listen to the audio below:

We did. You know what that story came out and I was like this is bs and what ended up happening- I’ll make a long story short- Because we were filming a reality show, that was the issue. So if you were filming a reality show, a lot of these hotels are very protective of their environment, their employees, so they don’t necessarily want people to film.

Well that’s what people thought and I was like no that’s not what it is. It just has to do with reality tv in itself, so it wasn’t an Evelyn thing.

Yeah it is. You know we met and I was just like- and I always say you know when you know and I know that’s so cliché, but I do you know. And we’re not perfect, we have our own issues, but yeah, I was thinking about it in the car. I was like oh my god, I’m getting married.

Me and Chad have a bet. I was like you’re going to give me $50,000 if you cry because he keeps saying, and I know I’m gonna win, but he keeps saying I’m not gonna cry and I’m like yes you are. I know you are.

I hope they get that all on camera.

They will. You will see everything. On the show you’ll see all the ups and downs- the planning and everything I had to go through and the good and the bad.

Exactly. So throughout my previous relationship I would journal often- you know I wasn’t working and I was like you know let me just jot down everything that’s going on and when that relationship ended, I moved out and I bumped into these journals and I was going through them, well let me look at this, and I was like oh my god, a lot of these stories are juicy, but not necessarily things I want to talk about publicly you know? I would never do that to him or anyone, and I handed over the journals to Courtney Parker who helped me write the book and she read every single page and then she added her twist to it so yeah a lot of the stories are real.

Yeah, you know what, when I meet people, they’re like oh my god you’re so nice. You know, what are you gonna do? You sign on to do a reality show-if they’re going to just air one side, then that’s fine ‘cause we all do different things. You know we film positive scenes whether it’s a charity event, but you know, if I’m calling you’re your name, obviously that’s what’s going to air. We were just having a conversation and just saying it’s unfortunate the world doesn’t get to see every side, but I’m also so thankful that you know God blessed me with another show, which is the “Ev & Ocho” show, cause you get to see a totally different person of Evelyn. You get to see what I’m really like, so I’m happy about that.

Um, I don’t know. You know I honestly don’t know because we don’t know what the cast is going to look like. We just stopped filming what like a month and a half ago, because as the show was airing, we were still filming. So, I don’t know. Negotiations start I think August, September.

Um, that wasn’t really confirmed just yet. You know I heard the same thing. If it did, listen, after awhile, your storyline starts becoming repetitive- people get bored. I open up all aspects of my life so you see me happy, sad, you know, you see everything about me, but certain cast members don’t open up like that, or cant due to legal reasons and I think after awhile it just gets boring, give us something else.

You now what I want to know? Your ex, Antoine Walker, the one that never made it down the aisle with you, has he called you like ‘I just want to get back together again. Can we try?’ I can just see that happening.

I will say this, when he found out that I was engaged, he did call and he wasn’t very happy, you know, oh you’re marrying him?! It was that type of thing. Listen we were together a decade. Six, seven months later I’m engaged and then I’m engaged to Chad. I think if I was in his position I would probably feel the same.

I wish I had a really romantic story to tell you, but it’s not so romantic. A jeweler came to the house, had a few rings, he had my ring in a separate box. I of course chose that one. He had a headset on and he was like, ‘you like it?’ and I was like yep and I put it on and he goes okay cool, and he started playing Call of Duty.

Me and Chad really became friends and we have controversial conversations as you’ve seen on BBW. We talk about everything. I mean he knows everything about me that even some of my best friends don’t know. And that was cool to me and we shared stories, so we were really like friends. We became cool cool friends and then other things happened. No. Never did the one knee. Never did anything like that. And I was like okay well I guess we’re engaged. But you know what I was with somebody for ten years, was engaged twice in that relationship, I’m like alright whatever, I had all that, you know maybe this way it’ll work.

Watch the video & listen to the full audio below: