Almost a week ago The Dream and Christina Milian secretly married in a small ceremony in Vegas, but he was too blinded by love to sign a prenup. Which is the ultimate mistake when you’re worth tens of millions and your wife is struggling with her career.

Let’s hope this marriage lasts or else he’ll be saying “it was cheaper to keep her” like the rest of these ex-husbands who had to cough up some big bucks.

1. Micheal and Juanita Jordan

Over the course of their marriage, Jordan earned over $350 million dollars and Juanita walked away with an estimated $168 million. Making it the the largest celebrity divorce settlement in entertainment history!

2. Nas and Kelis

Ordered to pay $55k a month in child support. If you think that’s ridiculous, get a load of Kelis wanting Nas to pay a forensic accountant who will look into his money to see how much he’s really holding so she can get more on top of lawyer fees. Plus, the mortgage on their home in L.A.!

3. Tyrese Gibson and Norma

This divorce wasn’t so ugly, but she is getting a pretty penny out of it. Tyrese paid a one time lump sum of $42, 500, $6,230 in child support, paid for all attorney fees including his own of course, Norma keeps all gifts and jewels received during their marriage and Tyrese will buy Norma her Range Rover when the lease is up!

4. Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee

When you’re a mogul like Russell, expect a heavy price tag on a divorce. Kimora will never see a broke day considering she walked away with $480,000 a year in child support, $18,000 a month for maintenance of their home in New Jersey (which was eventually put up for sale), and provide her with a new car every two years valued at no less than $60, 000. Kimora will make sure she’s in style no matter who she’s with even if it means Russell will pick up the tab.

5. Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe

The ex wife of the late “King of Pop”, Debbie Rowe managed to get $8.5 million, an SUV and a Beverly Hills home. + an additional $2 million for entering into a confidentiality agreement.

6. Babyface and Tracey Edmonds

Even though the couple has joint custody of their two children, Babyface parted ways with $70 million dollars in cash, property, stocks, alimony, child support, and a percentage of music publishing.

7. Lionel Richie and Diane

Although the marriage ended, Diane wanted to maintain the lifestyle she had as his wife. Lionel had to do a whole lot of singing to replace the $20 million dollars he had to hand over to Diane. The money is suppose to cover “expenses” she lists as clothes, shoes, accessories, dermatology, hair removal, massages, jewelry, and their son’s $125, 000 boarding school tuition (which seems like the only real expense here).

8. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills

Beatles star Paul McCartney had to pay out $48.7 million dollars to his estranged ex wife Heather Mills. Plus an additional $70,000 a year in alimony and child support. Maybe that $400 million deal with Apple and iTunes for the digital release of the Beatles catalog will help keep his lights on!

9. Robert Johnson and Sheila Crump

Better known as Bob Johnson, the co-founder of BET along with his ex wife Sheila. Bob also made history back in 200 after becoming the firs African American billionaire. Sheila was right behind him thanks to her settlement of $400 million ($5.5 million for each of the 25 years they were married) making her the first African American female billionaire (move over Oprah). The story gets even juicer, considering she turned around and married the judge that presided her divorce!

10. Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore

The outcome of this divorce could definitely knock out this whole list. Mel Gibson is reportedly worth almost $950 million and they never signed a prenup. Which means she could very well be entitled to half his fortune!

If only these folks took the time to sign the dotted line….

These A-listers can’t keep themselves out of the public. Find out which celebs are making headlines and have made todays GIANT list…

1. Jennifer Hudson: For dropping her load! Congratulations on her new baby boy. 

2. Taraji P. Henson: Simply for remaining classy and sexy while oiled up in her new Men’s Fitness Photoshoot.

3. Diddy: Who else can drop every group signed to Bad Boy but have two brand new shows on MTV in the works? I also blame him for Sara Stokes psychotic stab fest with her husband, if only she had a career…

4. Rihanna: For deciding getting frisky with a dj in Pink Elephant was more fun than attending the Teen Choice awards. Good Girl Gone Bad you say, more like good girl turned vampire. 

5. Lebron James: Holding down the crown as King James on the court and becoming the Michael Jordan of our time. 

6. Cassie: Looking fabulous and stunning while attending the GIANT/SoBe Lifewater event. 

7. Kim Kardashian: Trying to maintain banger status sans Reggie, but the blonde hair isn’t for everyone. 

8. Russell Simmons: Despite his divorce and nasty rumors, Uncle Russell remains consistent with keeping a new pretty young thang on his arm.

10. Ludacris: Keeping fellas fresh in this time of recession with his upcoming TAG fragrance.

Russell Simmons’ girlfriend Julie Henderson has a message for all of detractors who are unhappy about a black man dating a white woman. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit model recently took to her blog on Simmons’ Global Grind site and let readers know that she’s no one’s ”white b*tch, gold digger or  fame chaser.” 

Check out the full entry below. 

I have been spending “special time” with Russell for about 4 months and in that time I have learned some subtle things about some in the black community that have surprised me.  I must say that while it has been a bit of a challenge for me, it has also been a wonderful learning experience.  I realize that in this day of Obama and change that there is still a tremendous amount of poverty, suffering and pain in the black community, and for that I am deeply sorry.  But, I have to say the angry responses to those realities are sometimes misdirected….Just for the record, I am nobody’s  white b*tch, gold digger or  fame chaser.  Nor am I any of the other mean things I have been called lately.  I don’t need anything from anybody, I come from a good family and I’m  a young independent “successful” model making my way in NYC.   (If you don’t believe me google me or go to juliehenderson.net).  

Finally, I just wanna say that Russell has been a great “special” friend and I’m sure as sh*t not giving him up cause some in America object to our friendship.  I wanna close by saying, what  Russell always says,  Namaste. (That means the goddess in me recognizes the goddess in you)….Or, b*tch get your own man.

Via Byron Crawford 

If the bright light that came along with using naked photos as a PR stunt has already faded, then look no further than Twitter to reignite it. Yes, I’m talking to you, Yung Joc, who took to the micro-blogging site on Sunday to tell a twisted tale of a rabid dog, a trip to the hospital, and a coke-fueled fight between Katt Williams and DMX.

But he was just kidding! After all, he’s too busy suing Diddy, Bad Boy Records, and Block Entertainment (for failure to fulfill contractual obligations) to bother with promoting anything else (here and here).

But now, Russell Simmons has followed suit. Today, the Def Jam co-founder tweeted that he is planning on suing the company he helped build. No word as to why yet, but he did engage in a bit of name-calling (“bullies”).

However, everybody has to answer to somebody and Russell’s lawyers must have demanded he retract the impulsive statement, because the tweet has already been deleted.

Broadcasting potential legal affairs in 140 characters or less? Now, that’s hip-hop.

Since 1998 youth from all over the world have come together for Brave New Voices, a competition that unites youth from all walks of life through their love of language. Spoken-word poetry has become the medium that has made poetry relevant to young people in a way that would make Shakespeare jealous.

This past year Russell Simmons, the mogul behind HBO’s Def Poetry, set out to track eight teams of teenagers from across the country as they fought their way to the national finals in Washington DC. “Brave New Voices” fuses the heat of a poetry slam competition, the beauty of art and the struggle of life into one compelling series that you won’t want to miss.

The six-part HBO series is narrated by Queen Latifah and is scheduled to debut on April 5.

-Lukas Brekke-Miesner

Hip-hop began as the antithesis of high fashion: tracksuits and sneakers were all that kids could afford. Then hip-hop  took those low-cost clothes and made them trendy. Now hip-hop fashion entrepreneurs are making classic clothing. One might well ask, “What’s hip-hop about that?”

In the final episode of GIANT Magazine’s exclusive, six-part online look inside the creation of “DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop (Collins Design),” co-author Bill Adler and Ice-T discuss the evolution of hip-hop fashion.

Watch the video here:

PART ONE: Making Hip-Hop’s Classic Album Covers

More:

Click here for GIANT’s exclusive gallery of the book party for “DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop”

Click here to purchase “DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop”

Click here for book website: “DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop”

Nikki Beach has been dubbed as “The Sexiest Place on Earth”.  It’s often described as the ultimate beach club, bringing dining, music, fashion and entertainment together.  You can find global beauties from all over sipping cocktails at noon or champagne at night accompanied by mood enhancing tunes.

It has transcended its international venues and turned into a lifestyle company complete with Nikki Beach Clothing; launching at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, a music division, Nikki Beach music; a seasonal publication, Nikki Style and a host of other segments.

In eight different countries you can find the Nikki Beach lifestyle: Miami Beach, FL; Saint-Tropez, St. Barth, French West Indies, Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Marrakech, Morocco; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands; New York City.

This luxury brand continues as it’s new location in Koh Samui, Thailand opens this April.  Known as “The Land Smiles” Thailand shows much pride in their exceptional service, hospitality and breathtaking landscapes.  The well-established chain plans to attracts an entourage of savvy international players in search of jet-setting and beachfront locales.  With such sophisticated ambiance, relaxation, fabulous entertainment, haute cuisine and world class service who wouldn’t want to be there?

For more information on Nikki Beach, visit www.nikkibeach.com

Nikki Beach Koh Samui

Russell Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is presenting The 2009 Gold Rush Awards on February 10th in New York City. Simmons, his brother, Danny and Derrick Adams created the event in celebration of giving back to the artistic community and as a way of engaging young people in art and culture. The evening’s honorary hosts are Deitch Project’s Nicola Vassell and P.R. honcho Chris Chambers. Talib Kweli (above) will perform and MTV’s Sway, Estelle, AntiPop Consortium and DJ Cassidy will all be in the house. The gold themed cocktail party will honor Beverly Bond (deejay and activist), Sonja Okun (community organizer) and Franklin Sirmans (author/curator). GIANT is the media sponsor. For more info./tickets go to: www.rushartsgallery.org

Check out who will be at the Gold Rush Awards:

In celebration of Black History Month, premium vodka brand Grey Goose will be the sponsoring the YouTube Screening Room.

From Jan. 30 to Feb. 12, the Screening Room will feature four independent films which examine black history from around the world. They include, “Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony”; “Hungu”; “Electric Purgatory”; and “The 13th Amendment.”

From Feb. 13 to Feb. 26, Grey Goose will present “The Black List” which is a documentary film series that  details black experience in America through interviews  leading African-American figures such as Chris Rock, Steve Stout and Russell Simmons.

To check out Grey Goose’s sponsored Youtube Screening Room, click here.

See all the celeb action in Chocolate City celebrating the historic inaguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States of America!

First Jill Scott, then Nas and Kelis and now Kimora and Djimon. There are going to be a lot of celeb babies this year. After months of speculations, it appears that Baby Phat’s Kimora Lee Simmons and Oscar nominated actor Djimon Hounsou are expecting their first born together. The couple have been together for almost two years and still very lovey-dovey. Sources close to the couple say the rumors are true and recent photos seem to confirm that. One industry insider even joked that if they had a boy it might look like Tyson Beckford. Someone close to KLS’s ex Russell Simmons confirm that the news is correct and that Russell is in a way and still digesting the whole thing. Kimora and Russell are divorced and have two daughters (Ming Lee and Aoki Lee) together, but K has custody of the girls. KLS has also taken over as CCO of Phat Fashions.

Congrats Kiki and Djimon.

Recently, actor turned musician Terrence Howard and singer Mario were honored at the Mentor Foundation Royal Gala in New York City. See the photos from the star-studded event here…

Russell Simmon’ Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) hosts a benefit for the Community and Individual Development Association in Johnnesburg, South Africa. DEF also named South African top model Nicola Breytenbach it’s first “African Angel.” The stars came out to raise money for a good cause. Check out the party.

If Barack loses—which he won’t—he could easily move on to a career as a label head. After all, with all the musical artists holding him down, why not give it a try? He could probably singlehandedly save the music biz (a far easier task than saving America).

Today, Yes We Can: The Mixtape entered the blogosphere. An album of the same name dropped a while back in order to raise money for Barack’s campaign. At $20 a pop, though, it’s a bit pricey, especially since the music lacked Chuck D-fervor to get us marching or even Obama’s brush-your-shoulders-off swag to keep us feeling right. Since he’s running away with the election, don’t feel guilty passing up on the album.

Download the free mixtape, bestowed upon us by Uncle Russell (too much Run’s House, sorry). It’s a shame, though, that Russ didn’t call on Barack O’Drama (DJ Drama’s alias) to help put the tape together. There are still plenty of Simmons’ friends to keep us entertained and Green Lantern is mos def a good second choice to host it. You can’t question Green’s political credentials: he produced Immortal Technique’s last album and wrapped up Nas’ The Jones Experience tour last month.

So, before you get set for something ridiculous to happen during tonight’s debate—I got money on McCain calling out Tina Fey again—check out the tape to get your political pulse going. Brooklyn rapper Joell Ortiz’s “Letter To Obama” is definitely a choice cut. Sorry, no Luda on this one.

Download and tracklisting available over at Nahright.

-Devin Chanda

Fashion shows used to be just that, fashion shows. But nowadays, in our celebrity-obsessed culture, the stars are almost more prominent than the clothing being presented by the designers. The models are barely memorable anymore. And is that is not enough, the parties and soirees have become even hotter thanks in part to the turbo boast of celebrities. Just look at the recent the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. It was a Who’s Who of hip hop, Hollywood and high-society. Check out some of the highlights through the red carpet mania and strobe lights. Which celebs rocked it best? Let us know.

Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend hosted a cocktail party at Barney’s New York for Andre 3000′s clothing line Benjamin Bixby. Attendees: Genevieve Jones, Veronica Webb, Vivica A. Fox, celeb stylist Phillip Bloch.

LL Cool J launches a new clothing line with Sears at a cocktail party at The Bryant Park Grill. Clearly the ladies love cool James and so does everyone with a digital camera, video camera and camera phone. Funk Master Flex kept the music hot while the fans swarmed and swooned over LL.

Jay-Z hosts an Artful Dodger party and fashion exhibit in a The Chelsea Art Gallery. Attendees: Beyonce Knowles, Maxwell, Ashanti, video director and photographer Anthony Mandler, Universal Mowtown’s Sylvia Rhone, choreographer Fatima Robinson.

Herve Leger by Max Azria shows at the tent in Bryant Park and delivers the goods with a finale of bandage swimsuits worn with shades and high heels. The Hottness!!! Attendees: Joy Bryant, Leonor Varela, Kate Mara, Maria Sharapova.

Estelle performs at Calvin Klein’s 40th Anniversary Party.

Russell Simmons’ Argyle was a front row extravaganza. Yo paparazzi, watch the shoes, I have three more events tonight!!! Attendees: Aubrey O’Day and D. Woods of Danity Kane, Bow Wow, Angela and Vanessa Simmons, Mel B., Sean Paul, Warner Music Groups Kevin Liles, Bethann Hardison, choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson.

Prada’s “Fallen Shadows” Party in Soho. Flashing lights, velvet ropes, red carpet, rockin’ music and an eclipse of stars: Attendees: Kanye West, Jessica Alba, Robin Thicke and wifey Paula Patton, Cassie, Zoë Saldana, Perry Farrell, Heather Graham, Ne-Yo, Claire Danes and more…

Dean and Dan Caten or DSquared2 launched their new fragrance Wood on the rooftop of their accessories show room over looking Manhattan and the Hudson River: Attendees: Marc Jacobs, Zoë Saldana, and Ryan Leslie.

Tommy Hilfiger’s front row was hot and so was his collection shown at New York’s Lincoln Center. Attendees: Michael Pitt, John Legend, Hillary Swank, Diane Kruger, Mark Ronson, Daniel Merriweather, DJ Cassidy, O’Neal McKnight.

Kimora Lee Simmons closed fashion week with a bang at the Roseland Ballroom and a sizzling after party at the newly renovated and posh Plaza Hotel. GIANT was a sponsor! KLS was cozy with her man Dijmon Hounsou and keeping it ab fab!!! Attendees: Maxwell, Serena Williams, John Legend, Andre Leon Talley, Teyana Taylor, O’Neal McKnight, Denise Rich, LeToya Lockett and Evan Ross.

One of the highlights of the New York summer social scene is Russell Simmon’s annual Art for Life at his East Hampton Estate. A who’s who of the music industry, society and artsy types, Art for Life is a go-to event. On July 19, Aretha Franklin, Sean “Diddy” Combs and his mother Janice Combs, Gayle King, Tracy Edmonds, Lyor Cohen, Tom Joyner, Padma Lakshmi, AJ Calloway, Al Roker and L.A. Reid all came out to support the creative cause.

In it’s ninth year, the cocktail party and awards dinner benefits Rush Philanthropic. The organization, founded by Simmons and his brothers Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run,” provides disadvantaged urban youth exposure to the arts, supports up-and-coming artist of color and gives grants to some 50 non-profit groups nationwide.

Rush raised a whopping $1.5 million this year, breaking its own record, even in these economically challenging times. People truly came out and supported! As a result, there will be more money for the over 50 youth programs Rush supports, as well as Rush’s own programs.

This year’s theme was a Midsummer’s Night Dream and on this balmy July evening, Simmons did not disappoint. The color scheme was purple and many women dressed to impress under the huge pitched tent in the backyard while DJ M.O.S. rocked the crowd to old-school classics.

This year CNN’s Soledad O’Brien hosted Art for Life. The Honorary Chairpersons were Grant and Tamia Hill. Director Brett Ratner and super model Christy Turlington Burns were a few of the honorees. The evening was filled with food, a high-priced auction and giant lit-up butterflies. Now that is glitz, glamour and good cause.

For more information, check out rushphilanthropic.org

In it’s ninth year, the cocktail party and awards dinner benefits Rush Philanthropic. The organization, founded by Simmons and his brothers Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run,” provides disadvantaged urban youth exposure to the arts, supports up-and-coming artist of color and gives grants to some 50 non-profit groups nationwide.

Rush raised a whopping $1.5 million this year, breaking its own record, even in these economically challenging times. People truly came out and supported! As a result, there will be more money for the over 50 youth programs Rush supports, as well as Rush’s own programs.

This year’s theme was a Midsummer’s Night Dream and on this balmy July evening, Simmons did not disappoint. The color scheme was purple and many women dressed to impress under the huge pitched tent in the backyard while DJ M.O.S. rocked the crowd to old-school classics.

This year CNN’s Soledad O’Brien hosted Art for Life. The Honorary Chairpersons were Grant and Tamia Hill. Director Brett Ratner and super model Christy Turlington Burns were a few of the honorees. The evening was filled with food, a high-priced auction and giant lit-up butterflies. Now that is glitz, glamour and good cause.

For more information, check out rushphilanthropic.org

Love her or hate her, Kimora Lee Simmons is a force to be reckoned with in the worlds of fashion, beauty and entertainment. Here, the often misunderstood mogul strips down and speaks candidly about her public image, her divorce from Russell Simmons and what it’s like to be a woman on top.

Sitting in the back of her silver Range Rover, Kimora Lee Simmons is wearing an itty-bitty black Victoria’s Secret slip with a cleavage-enhancing, bustier-like bodice. She’s not filming a video or staging some seductive scene for her beau, Academy Award-nominated actor and Calvin Klein underwear model Djimon Hounsou (of Blood Diamond fame). No, her lingerie ensemble came directly from the GIANT cover shoot she just wrapped. In the interest of time, the 33-year-old chief creative officer of Phat Fashions (which includes the clothing lines Baby Phat, Phat Farm. Phat Farm Kids and the new juniors’ label Fabulosity) plans to change clothes in the SUV en route to the posh Beverly Hills Hotel, where we’ll chat over lunch. The mother of Ming Lee, 8, and Aoki Lee, 5, is juggling a lot these days, so time is of the essence.

As the SUV enters Hollywood rush-hour traffic, Simmons opens a pink Hello Kitty lunch box, pulls out a plain turkey sandwich and graciously offers me half. Although she’s often depicted as a over-the-top, hilariously clever but outlandish glamazon–even on her Style Network/E! reality show, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane–the real-life woman is much more low-key and personable, putting those around her at ease with her warm smile and robust sense of humor.

As we cruise down Sunset Boulevard toward the hotel, Simmons becomes acutely aware of the time that’s already elapsed. She has business affairs to handle, so our lunch will have to be postponed. Instead of walking into the hotel’s Polo Lounge, we park on a side street and settle in for some real talk–and with Simmons, real is all you’ll ever get.

He discovered soul music at age 11 and never looked back. Now, with a monster album that transcends the racial divide (much like his marriage to actress Paula Patton) Robin Thicke is ready for all the love.

Despite Robin Thicke’s rising visibility — and the loyal backing of Oprah Winfrey, who has invited him to appear on her show twice in a three-month period — the soul singer is disarmingly self-deprecating.

The GIANT cover star also isn’t one to bite his tongue, and he’ll intelligently debate any subject — be it the state of urban music, the problem with organized religion, or Don Imus’s offensive remarks.

On his high school years:
“I got kicked out of Campbell Hall High School in Los Angeles, which is a really prestigious school. I was a class clown, so I was always getting kicked out of class and getting suspended. So I got kicked out and ended up going to another private school, Montclair Prep, which really was a school that all the private schoolers went to when they get kicked out. I was there with like seven other kids that got kicked out of other private schools…. I didn’t even wanna go to my senior year of school. I was like 17 or 18, getting royalty checks from Brandy, making like $100,000. I didn’t even wanna go to my senior year of school. I went on home study, which meant I read a couple of books and got a B+. So then I showed up at my high school graduation with my cap and gown, and everyone was looking at me like, ‘What the fuck are you doing here, homie? You haven’t been here! What the fuck you mean you’re graduating?’”

On the difference between him and Justin Timberlake:
“I would say that Justin’s been a star since he was 16 and it took me 14 years to become a star. That’s the big difference. I’m the guy who had to keep trying. I’m the guy who took four record deals and never hit. I’m the guy who has actually has been through all the pain and the struggle and the heartache. And when I sing now, I sing with pain and heartache and struggle in my voice.”

On seeing his black friends cope with racism:
“It makes you angry, as angry as you could possibly be. And it’s why people like myself, when we see stuff like that, I wanna write about how much we’re all the same and how much we’re supposed to love each other and share and celebrate our differences and our similarities. I know that there are killers, assholes, murderers, and thieves that are on Wall Street and they’re the worst people on the planet, and I also know that there are thugs who have no love left in their hearts and who will kill, maim, and steal because they’ve given up on themselves or on being righteous and good. And there’s also loving and caring and amazing people everywhere and in every section of society. I think there are good people everywhere. And I think that people forget… even with all this bullshit about what the ‘hood is. I mean, people act like the only black people or Puerto Ricans or people of any ethnicity who make it out of the ‘hood are athletes and rappers and, in reality, we have more minority doctors, lawyers, teachers, and professors than ever before. Society as a whole is changing because the white man is finally losing some control.”

On the response to Don Imus’ racist on-air comments:
“Don Imus calls some women “nappy headed ‘hos” and all I’ve seen on television for the past few days is, ‘Is hip-hop responsible?’ What the fuck is that? They’re out of their fuckin’ minds. Russell Simmons said it perfectly. Yesterday I was watching TV and he was on one of these shows and Russell was saying, ‘Instead of addressing the fact that these artists are telling the truth about their upbringing and their society, why don’t we face the real issue which is why they’re growing up in poverty in this society? Let’s fix that problem. Instead of fixing the artist for telling the truth about how fucked up everything is, why don’t you fix how fucked up it is?’ That’s the real problem. The real problem is there are no good schools, no real opportunities, no self-pride and opportunity in the streets. So if you put that in the streets, then the lyrics will change. If everybody has to struggle to survive and it’s hard to believe in love because you’re not being loved or being helped or being told you can amount to anything, then don’t expect the lyrics to be about those things.”

On his song “Cocaine” and rumors that he’s a cocaine addict:
“I don’t care—a little mystery is good. I don’t do cocaine. I’m a weed smoker. But I also know that drugs… People have a tendency to just go by what the government and media tell us—that certain drugs are good and that certain drugs are bad. I think using drugs in celebration, every once in a while, is a wonderful thing. And that’s just my own opinion. I would never tell a kid that I do drugs, like a 10-year-old that looks up to me, ‘cause I don’t wanna set a bad example. But I also know I’m a good person. I have a good heart. I have a wife who loves me. I have family that loves me. I worked my butt off. I make music that inspires people and that inspires me. So why should I feel guilty or less of a human being or that God doesn’t love me because I choose to do drugs sometimes? As long as I don’t do it the way I’ve done it before at times, which is out of anger and jealousy and depression — that’ll kill you. But drugs in celebration everyone in a while, it’s the same thing as having a drink. Alcohol is a drug, but so is penicillin and aspirin. Those seem to be good drugs. So why can’t weed be good? Why can’t it help your appetite and make you calm down and make you less nervous and make you less angry when you don’t want to be angry? Why does the government have to tell us what’s good or bad? Why can we take sleeping pills but we can’t smoke one of God’s plants? It doesn’t make any sense.”

On why he doesn’t believe in institutionalized religion:
“I have a tough time with religion because of what they’ve done to people. They’ve taken money from people, and the churches, the pastors, and the Pope always seem to have more money than the people around them. And, even more importantly, women aren’t equal. How can I believe in or support a religion where only men can be priests and women can only be nuns and men can have sex but women can’t? And [they’ll tell you], ‘You’re only going to heaven if you’ve done this.’ And I’m like, ‘Look, I’m going to heaven!’”