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Martin Luther King Day is intended to celebrate the life of civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. Courthouses shut down, business is quiet and social media lights up with tributes to MLK. Killer Mike, Daddy-O of Stetsasonic and Public Enemy's Chuck D are just a handful of Hip Hop artists commemorating Dr. King's legacy. 

Born in Atlanta, Dr. King was a Baptist minster before becoming the face of the civil rights movement in 1955. He organized and led marches for the right to vote, desegregation, labor rights, and other civil rights. In 1955, he oversaw the Montgomery bus boycott and later became the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance in 1964.

It's a magic day indeed. After decades of a contentious tug 'o war with Tommy Boy Records, De La Soul has finally regained their masters, which means the group's first six albums will finally be available on streaming services. On Friday (January 13), Posdnuos, Dave and Maseo kicked off the campaign with "The Magic Number" from their 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising. 

The track arrives just a week after De La Soul announced their entire back catalog will see a digital release on March 3. In addition to being available on all streaming platforms, a 7” vinyl, cassingle and digital download are also available on De La Soul's website (distributed by Chrysalis Records). The 7” has sold out in the U.S. but is still available in limi

Rapper/producer Larry Goodman, better known as Laylaw, has died. Compton's Most Wanted's Tha Chill confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Thursday (January 12). He wrote in the caption: "R.I.P. @laylaw_og_nwa_gone miss you BIG BRO #NWA #ABOVETHELAW." Snoop Dogg was among the first to respond to the post, writing simply, "Damn."

In a quick follow-up post, Tha Chill took note of the many peers he's lost over the years. He added: "KMG R.I.P. EAZY E R.I.P. LAY LAW R.I.P. MAN MY FOLKS IS DIEN LEFT AND RIGHT . THELLING A PERSON THAT YOU LOVE YHEM ANIT EVEN GOOD ENOUGH THESE DAYS . ALL I CAN SAY IS ,IT GOTTA BE BETTER UP THERE THEN IT IS DOWN HERE."  

Goodman, an associate of Ruthless Records artists N.W.A and Above the Law, began his career as a solo artist. In the mid-

The Recording Academy Honors and Black Music Collective will present Sylvia Rhone, Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne with the Recording Academy Global Impact Award at the Hollywood Palladium on February 2. 

"I am so thrilled to honor and celebrate these four giants in the music industry," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said. "Last year’s inaugural event was such a highlight during Grammy Week and now with Dre, Missy, Wayne and Sylvia there to pay tribute to this year, it's definitely going to be another night to remember. I continue to be proud of the work of our Black Music Collective as it's a vital part of what we do here at the Academy."

While most are aware of Dre, Elliott and Wayne's achievements in the music industry, some might not be up on Rhone. T

Dres was in his hometown of Queens where he'd just finished shooting a segment for a fashion blog. The busy Black Sheep legend seemed eager to talk about his upcoming endeavors, which includes a documentary about the late, great J Dilla. Speaking to ROCK THE BELLS, Dres revealed an exciting development about the project, one he's been working on for the past few years. 

"I was approached by a company called Versus to shoot a documentary about it,” he said. “We started filming. I went back to Puerto Rico and to Detroit to kick it with Dilla’s childhood friends and have conversations about Dilla. The project itself got green-lit by Paramount+.”

Unlike the rest of the Native Tongues, Dres didn't have a close relationship with J Dilla, but he's formed a speci

Gangsta Boo, real name Lola Mitchell, will be laid to rest on Saturday (January 14). According to WREG-Memphis, those wishing to attend can purchase tickets through Eventbrite. The service will be held at Brown Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. local time and is open to the public. There will also be a Celebration of Life for Gangsta Boo on Friday (January 13) at Railgarten from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Gangsta Boo was found deceased on the porch of her Whitehaven home on January 1, just 43 years old. While the Memphis Police Department is currently investigating her death, those close to Gangsta Boo are confident she succumbed to a drug overdose. The night before, New Year's Eve, Boo attended an 8Ball & MJG concert with her brother who was hospita