Always known for tackling controversial topic matter, the group’s sophomore project, Masters Of The Dark Arts, (release date 7-31-2012) finds them once again in torch-bearing mode, addressing subjects that most artists shy away from as ILL BILL illustrates “as conceptually and musically dark as this album appears to be, there’s also a flip side layer [cont.]

The Odd Future singer will deliver his Def Jam debut on July 17th. Guest shots from Andre 3000, John Mayer, and Earl Sweatshirt.

July 17th, party people…. 1. No Introduction (Produced by Justice League) 2. Loco-Motive feat. Large Professor (Produced by No I.D.) 3. A Queens Story (Produced by Salaam Remi) 4. Accident Murderers feat. Rick Ross (Produced by No I.D.) 5. Daughters (Produced by No I.D.) 6. Reach Out feat. Mary J. Blige (Produced by Salaam Remi, [cont.]

Just after playing a brilliant but soggy (it rained a lot) Luminato 6 set in Toronto, Dan the Automator and Del the Funky Homosapien of Deltron 3030 discuss playing live again, meeting fan expectations for Deltron Event II (and when it’s coming out), and their future plans, including upcoming dates in Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, [cont.]

50 Cent’s next album will be released via ITunes on July 3rd – and may or may not be on Interscope……

Canibus – the real one – released a statement on his Facebook page, addressing the recent “notebook” controversy from his battle with Dizaster: Canibus HERE, Just got my stitches out. Will be going to therapy once a week for my AC injury. First time I’ve had a separated shoulder but I am expecting a full [cont.]

A remorseful Nas speaks (or doesn’t) on the newly surfaced “Jay-Z lynching” skit he had planned, but never executed, at Summer Jam in 2002. “I really don’t even want to acknowledge it. Everybody’s in a different place. I don’t even want to acknowledge it. I can’t acknowledge that. Jay’s my man, and that’s that, that’s [cont.]

50 Cent stopped through Hot 1079 studios to talk about whats been going on in his life. He gave us an inside scoop on his next album “Five” (Murder By Numbers). He aslo talked about His Oprah Interview, Street King, Interscope, Ciara, Young Buck, G-Unit, Mike Knox, Floyd Mayweather and his struggles with prison life. [cont.]

Q-Tip speaks with Shade 45′s All Out Show. He explains that he and Dr. Dre had a silent rivalry during the early 90′s, suggesting that the two competed with each other on a friendly level.

Oh, dear. Canibus offered a lengthy apology and perfectly logical explanation about why he brought a notebook to his battle with Dizaster, via his Tumblr. This has to be fake. Right? RIGHT?!?!? Greetings and Salutations Rippers, Recently, I had an incident that caused an atomic-like reaction on to the world wide web. I stepped into [cont.]

Hitting June 15th, here is the cover to XV’s upcoming mixtape. Artwork by Mina Kwon. What, no Tetsuo?

Nas speaks with radio personality Mina SayWhat about his new album Life Is Good, the significance of the cover, kissing Nicki Minaj, Summer Jam, and more.

Public Enemy will take a cue from Nas in 1999, releasing two albums in 2012. The first is Most Of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear On No Stamp hitting July 4th, and The Evil Empire Of Everything, coming two months later on September 4th. The albums will include guest contributions from Large Professor, Sam Sever, [cont.]

Here’s your first look at Dilla’s new Rebirth Of Detroit LP, which hits this Tuesday, July 12th. 1. “The New Installment” (Intro) 2. “Detroit Madness” with Phat Kat 3. “Big Thangs” with Esham 4. “Ride With It” with Tha Almighty Dreadnaughtz 5. “Say My Name” with LaPeace, Moe Dirdee and Seven The General 6. “Detroit [cont.]

July 3rd will see the release of P’s H.N.I.C. 3, which will be released in multiple different versions via each Itunes, FYE, and Cricket Wireless. Pictured above is the deluxe edition. 1. Without Rhyme or Reason (prod. by Alchemist) 2. Slept On (prod. by Alchemist) 3. Pretty Thug (prod. by Ty Fyffe) 4. My Angel [cont.]

Cudder announced via Twitter on tuesday that his next album will be called “Indicud”. He writes “My new album is entitled ‘indicud’, it will be my version of The Chronic 2001, some songs I’ll produce, others ill feature and/or play songwriter.”

In the aftermath of yesterday’s Hot 97 vs. YMCMB disagreement, Nicki Minaj called into Funk Master Flex’s show this evening to settle their differences. The two didn’t really reach much of a conclusion, preceding to argue for a good 45 minutes. Meanwhile, Peter Rosenberg spoke on the incident on his own show, suggesting that an [cont.]

So, this year’s Hot 97 Summer Jam was not without controversy, as usual. When jock Peter Rosenberg introduced Kendrick Lamar, he said “We’re about real hip-hop here, not ‘Starships’,” referring to Nicki Minaj’s crossover single. Lil Wayne that preceded to Tweet “Young Money ain’t doing summer jam,” and pulled all of his labelmates from the [cont.]

Freddie Gibbs preps his next mixtape, releasing the artwork created by Fifou. In other news, a new MadGibbs EP, Shame, hits July 10. Preview it now, up at Stones Throw.

Shepard was recently asked to participate in a homegrown project to show respect and remembrance to the late Adam Yauch (MCA) of the Beastie Boys, by taking out a few memorial billboards around Los Angeles. Here is Shepard’s contribution that will be featured on 2 billboards for the next couple of weeks – one is [cont.]