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Ice-T is among the many rappers mourning the death of Chino XL. AllHipHop first reported his untimely passing on Monday (July 29) and the news quickly spread across social media, with countless people paying their respects to the Bronx-bred MC.

The Original Gangster, however, took his time to pen his tribute to his longtime friend. An Instagram post arrived on Tuesday (July 30) that read: "This one REALLY hurts… Yesterday morning I got the awful news and did not want to believe it was true.. Chino was so ALIVE.. What!!? Unfortunately it was true.. I rarely shed a tear… I’ve lost so many homies but THIS one got me Fd up.

"People know he was an incredible MC. But Chino was a truly GREAT MAN. This is a tragedy. My love and condolences go out to his family. Homie you a

LL COOL J's 14th studio album, The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), will arrive on September 6 via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. The highly anticipated 14-track record features Nas, Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, Snoop Dogg, Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D., Mad Squablz and Sona Jobarteh.

 The FORCE marks LL’s first new album in more than a decade. Produced in its entirety by A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, The FORCE represents years of intense work, which the Queens MC likens to “learning how to rap again.”

The album highlights new music styles from LL COOL J and covers heady topical themes like racial injustice, law enforcement abuses, isolation and observations brought on by the pandemic and legacy as well

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and YouTube Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen announced the inaugural roster of U.S. Global Music Ambassadors on June 24 as part of a U.S. Department of State-YouTube Global Music Diplomacy Partnership.

The roster includes Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Grace Bowers, BRELAND, Denyce Graves, Herbie Hancock, Armani White, Teddy Swims and Lainey Wilson. 

Each Global Music Ambassador will use their music to bring people together and promote peace worldwide.  The Department and YouTube will announce additional U.S. Global Music Ambassadors in the months ahead.

Each artist was chosen because they "exude excellence in their fields and have demonstrated a commitment to public service and giving back."  Beginni

LL COOL J is back with a new single and video called "Saturday Night Special" featuring Fat Joe and Rick Ross out now via Def Jam Recordings, his original label, and Virgin Music Group.

Produced by A Tribe Called Quest's de facto leader Q-Tip, the track serves as the lead single from the Radio legend's forthcoming album, THE FORCE, which is expected to arrive this fall. 

Q-Tip also executive produced the album, a perfect marriage of two legends coming together to continue breathing life into Hip-Hop culture. 

Ahead of its release, LL COOL J teamed up with Coors Light for five exclusive listening experiences throughout the summer, providing guests a chance to preview the new project. Cities include Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta and New Yo

Eminem has a monster single on his hands in the form of "Houdini." The track, which serves as the lead single from his forthcoming album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), arrived May 31 with a video starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, The Alchemist, Jimmy Iovine, Pete Davidson, longtime manager Paul Rosenberg and more. 

At Spotify, the song has already been streamed more than 51 million times, while the YouTube views are inching toward 49 million. The comic book-themed visual, directed by Rich Lee, takes a comedic approach to Eminem's career and finds him in true Shady form—irreverent as ever. 

It begins with the old Eminem—also known by his alter-ego Slim Shady—getting a call from Rosenberg. The scene suddenly cuts to 2024 and Eminem waking up to a cal

MC Sha-Rock Day Presents: Women in Hip Hop Festival, billed as "a vibrant celebration of the contributions and influence of women in Hip-Hop," takes place on Saturday (June 1) from 2p.m. to 7 p.m. ET at Gun Hill Playground in the Bronx, New York.

Hosted by Roxanne Shanté, the free event promises an enticing lineup of live performances, games, giveaways and more. Named after the first female rapper, MC Sha-Rock, the annual celebration was formally recognized by former Councilman Andy King in 2019.

The sixth annual soirée is produced by Tia Evette Productions in conjunction with New York Music Month from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and Monster Energy and aims to preserve the legacy of pioneering female artists while providing a platform for emerging v