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With the release of The Life of Pablo and the album's companion St. Pablo tour that he is set to embark upon, Kanye West has certainly had no shortage of activities with which to occupy his time.  Now, you can add performing at the inaugural edition of the new Meadows Music and Arts Festival at Queen's Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to Kanye's busy to-do list, as it was announced that Kanye West and Chance the Rapper will be headlining the event.  In addition to the two Chicago rappers, the Meadows stage will also be graced by Pusha T, The Weeknd, Chromeo, Kamasi Washington, Grimes and many more.

Founders Entertainment, the group responsible for the Governor's Ball festival on Randalls Island, are also the architects behind this Queens-based event. &nbs

Grammy award winning singer Frank Ocean has posted a heartfelt, emotional response to the recent Orlando shooting, in which the singer denounces and speaks about his own experiences with discrimination.

"I was six years old when I heard my dad call our transgender waitress a faggot as he dragged me out a neighborhood diner saying we wouldn’t be served because she was dirty," Ocean says about his first experience with trans and homophobia. "Many hate us and wish we didn’t exist. Many are annoyed by our wanting to be married like everyone else or use the correct restroom like everyone else. Many don’t see anything wrong with passing down the same old values that send thousands of kids into suicidal depression each year."

Patrick Lorenz, otherwise known as DJ Zone, is having one of the best years of his life. Not only did he jump on a giant tour with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, but he also earned a spot on tour with indie hip-hop demigod Aesop Rock. In Part I of the DJ Zone interview, we were introduced to an ambitious turntablist with an unwavering passion for his craft. In Part II, he dives into about touring with Aesop, playing overseas and what’s next.

How did you end up on Aesop Rock’s tour?

I first met Aesop around the same time, actually DJing for Grayskul, too. We were opening up for him and we ended up clicking on magic, music and stuff. I showed everyone some magic one day and it blew everyone away. About four years ago, I was on tour with The Chi

This week's Spotlight Artist is none other than Dante Terrell Smith Bey, a.k.a. Mos Def, or more currently, Yasiin Bey. Since he has begun his career in 1994, Yasiin Bey has established himself in rap, acting, comedy, and as an activist. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the artist has been best known for his music career. Before his music career took off, however, Bey was integrated into the light of the public as a child actor in sitcoms, movies, and even theater. Later in his life, he took on roles in film since the early 2000s like Next Day Air, 16 Blocks, and The Italian Job. 

In 1999, Yasiin Bey released his debut solo album, Black on Both Sides under the label Rawkus and Priority records. Following th

PM Dawn's Prince Be, one of the most prominent hip hop artists of the early 90's, has passed away due to renal kidney disease, at age 46.

PM Dawn was formed in the late 80's by two brothers, Attrell Cordes, a.k.a Prince Be, and Jarrett Cordes, a.k.a. DJ Minutemix. The duo rose to prominence with their unique blend of traditional hip hop, bohemian style, and pop influences. Best known for their 1991 single, Set Adrift on Memory Bliss, PM Dawn released five albums within the span of the next decade, and the first two sold well enough to be certified Gold by the RIAA. At a time when many hip hop acts were trying to portray themselves as "hard," PM Dawn stood out for embracing their softer, more emotional sound.

Prince Be struggled with health probl

Few hip hop fans will dispute the fact that Run the Jewels, the duo comprised of El-P and Killer Mike, have created some of the most compelling rap music in recent memory.  On the production side of things, El-P has managed to create some abrasively funky beats that capture the tenor of a psychotic breakdown, and the results have been astounding when these beats are paired with the verbal fusillade that is El-P and Killer Mike's rapid-fire rhyming.  Fans of this chaotic combination can now rejoice, as Killer Mike recently announced that they've been busy in the studio trying to complete their third album.

In a recent interview with HipHopWired, Killer Mike said, “I think we'll be done real soon.  People know when we say