While he may not have a relationship with Weezy, he does call Gucci Mane a friend. Bang talks about a new collaboration he produced for Gucci featuring Ciara. “It’s some ’hood shit, but it’s pop at the same time,” he says.

Ciara has found a way to make her sexy single “Ride” even hotter: a collaboration with Andre 3000, one of the most sought-after MCs in the game.

CiCi has recruited the Outkast rapper for a remix of “Ride,” which also features fellow ATLien Ludacris. But the diva didn’t land the collaboration alone; she brought in some music-industry bigwigs to help her out.

“My team actually kind of helped put that together. My A&R [rep] Mark [Pitts] and [RCA/Jive Label Group Chairman and CEO] Barry Weiss, they kinda worked it out,” Ciara told MTV News about getting the MC, who is known for being selective when it comes to doling out features. “It was just a really cool thing for Dre to respond back and say he wanted to get on the record.”

Ciara also revealed that the remix is not the first time she and the star tried to work together. “When I was doing [2006's] Evolution, I wanted him to do something with me, and we never got to do anything,” Ciara said. “It’s just really great timing now that we get to do something.”

Ciara followers are used to hearing the singer rock with stars who rep the A, like Luda and Young Jeezy, but CiCi said fans are getting something fresh with the 3000 collabo. “My fans are getting an unexpected treat with it. He is, from what I understand, very selective and … protective of his creativity, so it just feels really good to be able to rock with him,” Ciara said.

There isn’t yet a release date for her next album, Basic Instinct, but the star said fans can look out for it later this year.

“I’m really, like, 95 percent done right now with the record,” Ciara said. “You’re gonna be able to dance nonstop.”

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BTW. Happy Birthday Cherry!

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