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Rap it up, he’ll take it

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Times Staff Writer

First came his album “College Dropout,” then “Late Registration.” Now, rap star Kanye West is gearing up for the release of “Graduation” later this year with a gift to himself: a Beverly Hills home purchased for close to $7.2 million.

The traditional-style home, with six bedrooms and four bathrooms in nearly 3,300 square feet, has park-like grounds of almost an acre in the flats of Beverly Hills. This was the first time the house, built in 1921, has been on the market in more than 45 years.

While buying the two-story house, the 29-year-old was also busy developing an HBO show with Larry Charles (“Borat,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Seinfeld”). West has won several Grammys, including for best rap album in 2005 and 2006, and is known for producing hit singles for hip-hop/R&B; artists Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Brandy, Dilated Peoples and John Legend. Earlier this year, West was named world’s best rap/hip-hop artist at the World Music Awards.

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Judi Schryro of Hilton & Hyland, Beverly Hills, had the listing, and Alexander Davis of the same firm represented West in his home purchase, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

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A Carnac fan is home’s new host

Johnny Carson’s Malibu home of more than two decades has been sold for $38 million.

The former “Tonight Show” host, who died in 2005 at age 79, bought the home on Point Dume in late 1984 for nearly its $9.5-million asking price, including furnishings.

Carson’s widow, Alexis, sold the house to a buyer described as a fan of Carson’s from the East Coast.

The estate, on slightly more than 4 acres, includes a 7,000-square-foot-plus main house, a 2,700-square-foot guesthouse and a tennis court.

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Now he’s scouting for a new home

Former Lakers head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, now a scout for the team, and his wife, Sophie, have decided to scale down, and they have listed their Pacific Palisades home at $7.5 million.

The three-story, 6,600-square-foot house has three bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms, high ceilings and views of the ocean, city and mountains. There are floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and an elevator, media room, wine cellar and infinity pool.

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Tomjanovich, also the Houston Rockets former head coach, coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to the 2000 Olympic gold medal and was appointed director of scouting for Team USA.

Bill Stimming and David Becker of Coldwell Banker, Pacific Palisades, have the listing.

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Florida trumps the magic of Tarzana

NBA basketball forward Trevor Ariza of the Orlando Magic is selling his Tarzana home. The asking price is close to $1.6 million.

Ariza was a player with the UCLA Bruins and a star on the Westchester High School basketball team. His Tarzana home was built in 2002 and has four bedrooms and four bathrooms in 4,100 square feet.

Patrick Copeland and Lolita Ariza of Copeland & Associates have the listing.

ruth.ryon@latimes.com

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