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LL COOL J, journalist Vikki Tobak and Rock The Bells Editorial Director Alec Banks have teamed up on a new coffee table book called LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win: 50 Years of Hip Hop Greatness. As the title suggests, the book celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop culture. Throughout its 336 pages, the book explores the birth, rise and progression of Hip Hop culture and its impact on American music.

Featuring rarely seen photographs—from block parties and street shots to studio sessions—the book is accompanied by first-person recollections from MCs, B-boys, graffiti artists and DJs who have dedicated their lives to Hip Hop. 

DJ Kool Herc, Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte, Eminem, Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Dr. Dre, Nas and A Tribe Cal

Public Enemy and Ice-T have been plucked to co-headline "The National Celebration of Hip Hop" at the National Mall in Washington D.C. on October 6-7. Additional guests and performers include Melle Mel and Scorpio of the Furious Five, Kurtis Blow, Kid ‘n Play, Soulsonic Force, Roxanne Shanté, CL Smooth, The Sugarhill Gang, MC Sha-Rock and Positive K. Additionally, DJ Hurricane, former Beastie Boys' turntablist, will be on deck for a tribute to Mike D, Ad-Rock and the late MCA.

“We are honored to continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop against the backdrop of America’s Capitol with a free event for everyone," Flavor Flav said. "I can’t wait to get on stage and do our thing." 

Chuck D added, "Hip Hop is beyond, not just a musical genre. It's a cultur

Living Legends co-founder The Grouch has announced the details for his annual Grouch Stole Xmas Tour, which kicks off on November 29 in Seattle. As with years in the past, Grouch is bringing along some of his closest homies, including Eligh and the rest of the Living Legends. Additional support will be provided by Brother Ali and, as always, DJ Fresh. The North American run is comprised of 16 dates and wraps up on December 23 in Los Angeles at The Fonda Theater. Tickets are available here. 

Living Legends are one of Hip Hop’s longest-running collectives. Founded in the late ’90s, the West Coast group — comprised of The Grouch, Luckyiam, Eligh, Sunspot Jonz, Bicaso, Aesop, Scarub and sometimes MURS — grew out of the Mystik Journeyme

Lauryn Hill is continuing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her landmark album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. On Tuesday (August 22), the somewhat elusive artist announced another set of tour dates, but this time she's bringing along fellow Fugees Wyclef and Pras for an opening set.  Hill will perform the entire album at all 17 stops, which includes Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Chicago’s United Center and The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The run kicks off on September 8 in Minneapolis. 

“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is and was a love song to my parents, my family, my people, my musical and cultural forebears, my teachers, my loves, my Creator," Hill said in a statement. "I wrote love songs and protest songs— (still love songs) about the subjects and

Ice-T introduced his all-Black hardcore band, Body Count, on his 1991 album, O.G. Original Gangster. Later that summer, he brought guitarist Ernie C, rhythm guitarist D-Roc the Executioner, bassist Mooseman, drummer Beatmaster V and hypemen Sean E. Sean and Sean E. Mac on the first-ever Lollapalooza tour. In 1992, Body Count's self-titled debut album found the trailblazing band confronting white supremacy and police brutality with a fearlessness only they could muster. Consequently, Body Count  sparked nationwide protests and boycotts, including death threats, censure from the federal government, a spot on the FBI National Threat list and a denunciation by the President of the United States. The album was removed from stores and remains banned to this day. Decades later, Body Co

New York City lit up with Hip Hop 50 events in celebration of August 11, the same date in 1973 when DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell their their infamous Back to School Jam at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. It’s a date many consider to be the birthdate of the culture so naturally, the Hip Hop pioneers and architects came out in droves. At Mill Pond Park on Friday (August 11), Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Melle Mel, Scorpio, Rahiem and many others convened for Van Silk’s RAPAMANIA showcase.

Co-sponsored by the Universal Hip-Hop Museum and Red Bull, the event represented all elements with DJs, graffiti legends like Lady Pink (who appeared in Style Wars), photography icons such as Glen E. Friedman, Martha Cooper and Ernie Paniccioli, Red Bull BC One b-boy cypher and, of course, a