RapStation

Scheduled for release on June 5th, "Total Breakdown: Hidden Transmissions From The MPC Era, 1992-1996" is a major new archival release exposing Shadow's early production on the Akai MPC. Included among the highlights are instrumental tracks from an aborted 1994 EP planned with The Gift Of Gab, which includes the original demo of what would eventually become "Six Days." The new collection of "MPC Era" tracks follows on from the much-loved "4-Track Era" releases from 2008 and 2009, and establishes a pattern which should be familiar to Shadow fans. "I like to follow up new material (such as the recent 'The Less You Know, The Better' LP) with a tastefully-done archival project," Shadow explains. "As long as the old stuff is given a context and doesn't overshadow the new, I think it's a h

DMX will be releasing his brand new studio album, Undisputed, on June 26th which is set to feature appearances from Busta Rhymes, Jennifer Hudson and Tyrese, as well as the production talents of Swizz Beatz and Deezle. In addition to the new album, DMX has just announced promotional tour dates which can be found below. June 1 - The Inner Circle - Cincinnati, OH June 2 - Epic Event Center - Minneapolis, MN June 8 - Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY June 9 - Chene Park with Nas - Detroit, MI June 10 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA June 14 - The Norva - Norfolk, VA June 15 - Star Bar - Raleigh, NC June 16 - Amazura - Jamaica, NY June 21 - Pufferbellies - Hyannis, MA June 22 - Paradise Theater with Swizz Beatz - Bronx, NY June 24 - Croc Rock - Allentown, PA J

Following two successful collaborative efforts alongside fellow producer/rapper The Alchemist as the power duo Gangrene - 2010’s Gutter Water and 2012’s Vodka & Ayahuasca - and the 2011 gem with The Alchemist as Gangrene & Roc Marciano, the Greneberg EP; The Oxnard, California based beat-smith and emcee Oh No returns for a solo mission. Oh No (born Michael Jackson; younger brother of Madlib and son of singer Otis Jackson) was granted unprecedented access to the Rudy Ray Moore/Dolemite audio archives and given free rein to slice, dice, chop and sample his way through the classic-yet-absolutely-filthy catalog. He was able to use legendary material from The Human Tornado, Petey Wheatstraw, the Dolemite Soundtrack and more, plus a multitude of previously unreleased and alternate acapell

The mighty Yasiin Bey, formally known as Mos Def, will be performing in London on Saturday, May 26. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. With the release of 'Universal Magnetic', Mos became an underground favorite in the hip-hop world, leading to his legendary collaboration with Talib Kweli. The two formed the group Black Star, whose debut album, 'Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are...Black Star', would become one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums. Mos followed that release with his 1999 solo debut, 'Black On Both Sides', which was certified gold and credited by critics as bringing hip-hop back to its soapbox roots. He released a new studio album in 2007 titled 'True

War: A consequence of our natural tendency to dominate. A physical manifestation of our innate desire to crush the competition. An evolutionary examination intended to single out “The Best”. On June 9th 2012 war will be waged and history will be made. In the Hip-Hop world, battling is perceived to be the rawest form of the culture; after all, it is one of the foundations on which the art was formed. Two rappers go head to head with each other and come up with their best insults, while flexing their lyrical, rhythmic, and artistic muscles in an attempt to discredit the artist opposing them. Over the years, battling has moved away from the streets into the mainstream; moving to larger venues with larger crowds packed around the "ring" to see their favorite artists perform. The atmos

"Pass Dat" featuring King Sun is the second official single off of Fokis' upcoming "Vintage Album", Produced by HipHipHeredia (Fokis' Older Brother). King Sun was one of the first and most successful Afrocentric hip-hop artists in the early 90's, he was a force on and off the mic. His Gold Selling album Righteous But Ruthless featured the smash single "Be Black" which solidified his place in Hip-Hop history. The Vintage Album is scheduled for release this summer and features Hip-Hop legends Kurtis Blow, DMC, Grandmaster Caz, Brand Nubian, Kool G. Rap, Spoonie Gee, King T, MC Eiht, Mic Geronimo, N.O.R.E. and more. Created with two purposes in mind, "The Vintage Album" was intended not only to salute Hip-Hop’s pioneers but also to re-create the sound and feel of the early 80’s thr