Thisis50 recently spoke with Waka Flocka who speaks about critics that say “he isn’t hip-hop”, what he learned from being in the music industry, his motivation to keep making music, working with Gucci Mane and more.

Gucci Mane performs “Freaky Gurl” with the help of Lil Kim during a secret show held in Nike Stadium in New York City two nights ago.  Watch him perform “Wasted” below.

"It was dope. With as many features as I’ve done, I have yet to work with the artist in the studio, with all of them except for Travis [Barker]," Yela said. "Actually bringing [Gucci] to the studio and getting in the booth with him on some real old-school hip-hop sh–, sharing one mic, it was dope, man. That’s the best vibe to me. Being that he’s from Alabama just makes it extra special."

Yela said Gucci was perfect for the record. While he has collaborated with the likes of Gucci, Big Boi and Raekwon, he said that he and his team only reached out to the artist they thought would make the best fit.

"We go get Raekwon for ‘I Wish,’ because we felt like Rae fit ‘I Wish.’ We don’t reach out and go get features based on who they are, how big they are," Yela explained. "We got Gucci because Gucci is dope. We’re huge fans and he made the record incredible."

He said that the two already shot a video for "Wanna Party" directed by Motion Family. It will have the same eerie vibe as his video for "Pop the Trunk." But instead of trunks popping to reveal loaded shotguns, this time it’s just a sweaty, country-ass party.

"We came up with the concept like ‘Let’s just roll tape. Let’s throw a crazy house-party and just roll tape.’ And that’s what we did. We called everybody we knew. Got kegs, got a bunch of beer, a bunch of DJs, some crazy white girls for the ‘go white girl’ line. They did go crazy by the way."

"Wanna Party" is the first single from Yelawolf’s major label debut, Trunk Muzik: 0 to 60, which is set to drop September 4. Yela called the LP a continuation of his last mixtape, Trunk Muzik, with 808s, grooves and music for your trunk speakers. The album will feature five fan-favorite tracks from the tape along with seven new tracks, including "Billy Crystal Meth," produced by Jim Jonsin. Yela will also be featured in Big Boi’s new video for the Andre 3000-produced "You Ain’t No DJ."

"Recently, this single that I got on my album that ain’t out yet, I had recorded it and I had sent it to Kanye," Soujla Boy told Sway during "RapFix Live" on Thursday (August 19). " ‘Cause he asked me to send him some beats, and I just wanted to see what he thought abut it. So I sent him two songs. One of them was like on an R&B vibe; I was still spitting, though, but I was singing on the hook. And then one of them was just straight rapping. I sent them to him, and he typed back on e-mail, ‘Those were some dope-ass bars. I like your verse on it.’ That made me feel good."

The "Pretty Boy Swag" star has been on a mission to up his lyricism on his next project, The DeAndre Way, after being criticized for simple rhymes on his first two albums, both of which were huge commercial successes. Earlier this year, SB told MTV News that West was a fan of his work. He also told Sway on Thursday that, in addition to Yeezy, Gucci Mane has become a supporter of the Twitter king’s abilities.

"I been in the studio with Gucci, we did a song — me, him and Pharrell — and I spit a verse, and he told me I killed it," Soulja said. "Any time I get a compliment from somebody, that makes me want to step up my game and get better with my music."

 Soulja Boy sucks in my opinion.  Do you?  Leave a comment below.

Then Gucci landed in prison for a parole violation, and his buzz fizzed like flat soda.

Now, the rapper has finally wrapped his follow-up album and said that this is his best chance to capitalize on his underground allure. "The Appeal is officially finished. It’s mixed and mastered, and the artwork is done," he told MTV News from the set of one of his upcoming videos (he’s currently filming two at the same time). "I’m just out here promoting it and letting everyone know it’s coming. Just bring awareness to it ’cause I want everyone to know it’s coming and to support it because it’s a masterpiece."

Gucci has been busy since he was released from prison in May. The rapper appeared at Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9′s Birthday Bash, he filmed a video for Lil Wayne’s "We Be Steady Mobbin’," he planned a collaboration with Drake, and he’s released another set of mixtapes, including Mr. Zone 6, which he told Mixtape Daily would be the "Mixtape of the Year."

"Biggest mixtape of the summer, by far," Gucci said about his tape, an ode to the neighborhood in Atlanta where he grew up. "When y’all get it, guarantee I win Mixtape of the Year."

Do you think Gucci Mane can climb his way back up the rap ladder? Let us know in the comments!

Here is the official Mr. Zone 6 music video by Gucci Mane.  This song will of course be featured on the upcoming Mr. Zone 6 mixtape Gucci is doing with DJ Drama.  Check it out and leave your thoughts below.

Hip-hop fans have been buzzing about the duo after Flocka told Vibe magazine that the MCs "don’t talk anymore," since after Gucci Mane ditched Flocka’s mom as his manager. Flocka recently addressed the rumors surrounding their relationship and said that while things are different, he doesn’t harbor any bad feelings for Gucci.

"I don’t think it’s no split. We couldn’t meet each other on a business level … or a personal level. Whatever the level is, I don’t know. I’m going this way and [he's] going that way and we both killin’ these folk. That’s just what it is," Flocka told DJ Drama on Atlanta’s Hot 107.9. The rapper attributed their lack of interaction to his schedule and said, "I’m super busy," but maintained that "everything’s great."

Although their relationship appears strained, both rappers have scored major success. Last year was a banner year for Gucci who scored a slew of high-profile collabos with the likes of Usher and Mariah Carey. Although the MC spent part of the year in jail, his album, The State vs. Radric Davis, yielded hits like "Lemonade" and "Spotlight." Flocka, who began his hip-hop ascent as a member of Gucci’s So Icey team, hit big with the rowdy club anthem, "O Let’s Do It," which has earned him a "Hottest Breakthrough MC" nomination.

Flocka insisted that everything is cool between him and his former mentor. "Ain’t no drama," Flocka said. The rapper also insisted that he would never take things to another level and bring violence into the situation. "Don’t ever think it’s just like, ‘Ey, let’s get [him],’ " Flocka said. "Don’t ever think I’m [going] to ride on him with another person. Let’s make that super clear."

What do you think of Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane not speaking anymore? Do you want to see them work together again? Let us know in the comments below!