Rakim has split from Dre's Aftermath Records, just days after he announced that the new album was quickly coming together.
Aftermath/Interscope spokesman Zach Katz said: "He's already shopping for a new deal. They [Katz and Dre] mutually decided to go their separate ways."
A unnamed source at Aftermath was more detailed, admitting that the split was based on musical differences; neither Dre nor Rakim was happy with the direction the tracks were going in. There is still no word yet on where the Rakim album ('Oh My God') will go or whether any of the Dre produced tracks recorded so far will be included.
Rakim signed to Aftermath three years ago after Dr. Dre publicly stated that he wanted to work with him.