By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
I broke news April 18 -- during my segment on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' -- that rapper Kanye West and his fiancé Alexis Phifer have called it quits.
Sources close to the hip-hop star tell me that it was West who ended the engagement after revealing to Phifer: "I just don't think it is going to work out anymore."
The 30-year-old entertainer even asked for his ring back!
The often-controversial rapper/producer got engaged to Phifer while overseas in the fall of 2006.
The two met when Phifer worked as the assistant to West's fulltime wardrobe stylist.
A graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in
Sources close to the couple claim she was also helping West develop his forthcoming Pastelle clothing line.
The Chicago-raised rapper had been dating Phifer on and off since 2002. 
The couple broke up in 2004 and he began dating an executive assistant at MTV named Brooke Crittendon.
He and Crittendon allegedly split after she posted a letter about their whirlwind romance on MySpace, a claim she denied in an interview with the now defunct Vibe Vixen magazine.
Crittenden also once told the New York Daily News: "I don't think we've ever been apart longer than seven days. I trust him. He's got so much going on, but he never makes me feel like number two."
Maybe there's now hope for a reconciliation with the 26-year-old Crittendon, now a producer at MTV, and West since he has ended his courtship with fiancé Phifer.
A request to West's rep for comment had not been answered at press time.
*****
UPDATED: So US Weekly did a pickup on this on their website with the following headline: "EXCLUSIVE: Kanye West, Alexis Phifer Split."
How could a story I broke on April 18 be "exclusive" to Us Weekly on April 21?
It aint!
So next week, I am going to rehash a few of the stories from US Weekly, repackage them with a not-so-fresh spin on them and call them "exclusive" too!
Comments: (86)
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By: OH PLEASE on 4/18/2008 4:56PM
WHO REALLY BELIEVES KANYE LIKES WOMEN. KANYE IS A DOWNLOW BROTHER AND I CAN'T STAND HIM. WHAT MAN IS THAT COCKY AND LIKES WOMEN.
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By: Kemi Joshua on 4/18/2008 5:33PM
Jawn, THANK YOU! We have no way of getting the Tom Joyner show unless maybe online but Canadians are heading to work. I could not confirm this all day. I got your e-mail and is this true? OMG! No wonder she was at another event last nite!
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By: I knew It Wouldn't Last on 4/18/2008 6:04PM
I knew those two would LAST! Come on, did yall think that he would finally find LOVE and SETTLE DOWN!
"Hell to the Naaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwww"!
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By: town truth teller on 4/18/2008 6:58PM
He is not emotionally ready to marry anyone. He's still dealing with his mother's death. He's grieving. It hasn't even been 6 months. He's going through some things and while deep down he might care about Alexis, right now he couldn't probably give a ^&*^ if Alexis lives or dies. Even when he comes to grips with his mom's death, he's forever a different person and he may never want anything to do with Alexis again. So, at least he had the decency to tell the girl that it's just not gonna work out, and let her go.
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By: Chanel on 4/18/2008 8:53PM
I think he can do better.
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By: tybu on 4/18/2008 10:12PM
I don't believe this report at all. I just seen a picture of Kanye wearig a wedding ring. Why would he get married and then call it off after showing his wedding ring to the public? This report seem so suspicious.
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By: Killer on 4/18/2008 10:47PM
Kanye was never married Tybu. What the hell are you talking about? If Jawn said it, I am taking it to the bank. He's usually dead on!!!
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By: Purple Rain on 4/19/2008 1:36AM
Man, this story reminds me of Purple Rain...When doves cry baby
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By: jae on 4/19/2008 5:44AM
I always found it hard to believe that kanye could love someone more than himself. What a bitch move asking for the ting back ... You dont get to ask for it back if you end the engagement only if she dumped him. She's lucky to be rid of him she already has one kid she doesn't need to deal with two sets of temper tantrums
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By: Shar on 4/19/2008 8:00AM
I know she could do better.
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