Love Bytes: Rihanna Hurt Drake, Halle and Gabriel on the Mend and More

Drake a Pawn in Rihanna's Game of Chess?

When it comes to love, some could argue that it's rare to find instances of women breaking the hearts of their male counterparts--especially when both parties involved are A-List celebrities. Nonetheless, that seems to be the case with rapper Drake and pop princess Rihanna.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, he admitted that he was briefly involved with the 'Te Amo' songstress shortly after her breakup with Chris Brown and said he was shocked to discover that she was using him for publicity.

"I was a pawn," Drake told the paper.

Rihanna apparently asked the budding rapper to pen her a song for her album which was later never released.

"She was doing exactly what I've done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear," Drake said. "I was like, wow, this feels terrible."

Drake references the short-lived romance on a track titled 'Fireworks,' off of his highly anticipated album 'Thank Me Later':

"Who could have predicted/ Lucky Strike would have you stuck with me/ Damn, I kept my wits about me, luckily/ What happened between us that night, it always seems to trouble me/ Now all of a sudden, these gossip rags want to cover me."

Look on the bright side Drake -- the heartbreak served as great material.

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2008 Deaths

Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.

Ray Tamarra , Getty

Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.

Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008

Reuters

Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.

Reuters

Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.

Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.

Getty

George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008

Getty Images

Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.

Getty Images

Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.

Corbis

Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.

Corbis

Halle and Gabriel to Give It Another Try

The National Enquirer is reporting that there's a reunion in the works for Halle Berry and ex-beau Gabriel Aubry. Sources say the couple is reconciling to avoid a nasty custody battle over their two year-old daughter Nahla.

"At first it was a practical decision for Halle," a close pal told The Enquirer. "But things quickly heated up and got emotional. Now they're back together and giving their love a second try."

Halle, 43 and Gabriel, 34, began dating back in 2005. News of the couple's breakup surfaced back in April, with rumors of a custody battle soon after. Although the couple never wed, the two began negotiating a custody and financial agreement soon after the split. It wasn't until Gabriel insisted on taking Nahla full time this summer--while Halle filmed her latest project 'Dark Tide,' in South Africa--that she began to "rethink the split."

The couple is allegedly undergoing couple's counseling and Gabriel is now accompanying the 'Monster's Ball' actress to South Africa to help out with Nahla and work on their relationship. "Now they're in counseling, and they're putting their hearts and souls into working through their issues," says a source.

Common is Officially a Bachelor

Although news has been swirling about rapper Common and tennis superstar Serena Williams calling it quits, neither had officially confirmed the breakup--until now.

The 'Just Wright' star recently admitted during a FOX interview for Chicago's 3rd annual 'Stay in School' event, that he is indeed flying solo these days. "I am single. I am a single man, definitely." Despite the ugly breakup rumors, the Chicago rapper says he's still on good terms with Serena.

Check out the interview below where Common dishes at the 5:42 mark.