And so, out of respect for this tragic passing, I am joining rappersiknow.com in shutting down my website forever. I simply cannot go on in a world where that rapping choir happened.

Please consider giving to the people of Haiti in memory of Rap Music, 1974-2010:

Doctors Without Borders

Partners In Health

Mercy Corps

Shelterbox

And join us in the grieving process at our new blog, Nil Doctrine

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Rakaa, 1/3 of Dilated Peoples, performs a joint off his upcoming solo project, Crown of Thorns, due out this spring on Decon.

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The ATL native, breaks down what makes up his Atlanta sound and how he’s bringing a different perspective to the table.

Previously: Donnis on Good*Fella Radio’s Hip Hop Series

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Banks talks to MTV about the positive reception of “Beamer, Benz Or Bentley” on radio. He says Juelz & him did more records, one of which will be on another continuously-delayed mixtape, Juelz’s Reagan Era.

Again, he brings up a follow-up single with an unexpected collaborator:

I got another smash on the way with somebody that they probably never thought I would work with.

Photo from the video shoot this past weekend after the jump.

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After being deported to his homeland of Belize in October, a bidding war began for the rapper’s services. Reportedly, Shyne turned down an offer from Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre at Interscope, in addition to others, in favor of teaming back up with L.A. Reid at Def Jam.

Miss Info also reported that Shyne has reportedly been working with Kyambo “HipHop” Joshua, who with Gee Roberson, also manages Lil Wayne, Drake, Young Jeezy, and other artists.

Island Def Jam Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid flew into Belize’s Phillip Goldson International Airport at 4:20 p.m. February 23 to personally sign Shyne to a multi-million dollar contract. The deal, reported to be worth upwards of $5 million, will bring the former Bad Boy emcee and his Gangland Records imprint back to Def Jam.

A previous deal with Shyne and Def Jam was stalled in 2004 due to complications with Shyne’s legal documentation and a twisted interpretation of the federal “Son of Sam Law” which was originally created to keep felons from profiting from their crimes.

“I am here because great people are worthy of travelling many many miles for it and I come here to say that your country is great…” Reid told Keith Swift of News 7 Belize. “I hope you guys know that this is a great man from your country who deserves this kind of respect and who deserves this kind of support.”

After being deported earlier this year, Shyne appears to have cleared all legal hurdles preventing him from recording again.

“It is an honour and a pleasure, not just for me but for Belize,” the rapper noted. “Chairman Reid is on the level of Berry Gordy, Clive Davis, the biggest music men in the history of music, and so to have a partnership with Gangland Records and Island/Def Jam is incredible for me.”

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The studio time for the album is funded by fans who supported his last release, The Quarterly. Much like his previous album, Kass will look to the monetary support of fans to help produce the physical CDs of the album as well as 500 vinyl records.

With the help of music lovers, the independent rapper hopes to raise $3,800 in the next 60 days. Depending on the range of money donated by each individual, Kass will give a special reward as incentive. For example, those who pledge $15 or more will receive a physical CD of the album, as well as a link and name on Kass’ website, SavetheRasKass.com. Pledge $1,000 or more, and receive a limited edition set of lyrics to “Nature of the Threat,” handwritten by Ras Kass, a signed CD and vinyl of the latest album, two limited edition t-shirts, a phone call from Kass, a “special producer” credit on the album, a shout out on the project, and free entrance to any Ras Kass performance this year. Go to KickStarter.com see other incentives.

Although there is no official date for the project, it is scheduled to drop this spring.

In related news, check the fan-created Endangered Lyricist mixtape/compilation of Ras Kass’ best career work.

UPDATE: In the 48 hours since this story broke, Ras Kass revealed that the album will be called A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Spittin’), and will be produced by DJ Rhettmatic of The Visionaries. The two worked together over a dozen years ago on “E=MC5.” Pre-orders can be purchased here, in the CD and vinyl format.

The former Priority Records emcee also revealed that with a $1,200 donation made to his project, he will record a brand new feature verse for your project. Ras Kass’ feature verses have previously appeared on albums from Ice-T, Joell Ortiz and Xzibit.

UPDATE: Ras Kass exceded the $3,800 in less than five days after the news/announcement broke. The Carson, California emcee is said to be procededing with recording and releasing the album as planned.

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February 23
Bambu …Paper Cuts…
Daniel Merriweather Love & War
DJ Babu (of Dilated Peoples) The Beat Tape Vol. 2
General Steele (of Smif-N-Wessun) Amerikkka’s Nightmare Part 2: Children Of War
Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime (a.k.a. Dudley Perkins) SomeOthaShip
k-os Yes!
Madlib Madlib Medicine Show No. 2: Flight To Brazil
Madlib (as The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble) Miles Away
Planet Asia (of Cali Agents) & Gold Chain Military Chain Of Command
Rasco (of Cali Agents) Global Threat
Rob Swift (of X-Ecutioners) The Architect
Sadat X (of Brand Nubian) Wild Cowboys II EP
Snoop Dogg The West Coast Blueprint
The Jacka (of Mob Figaz) The Dre Area Volume 2

March 2
B. Dolan Fallen House, Sunken City
DJ Khaled Victory
Eric Lau Kilawatt V2
Jason Derulo Jason Derulo
K. Sparks A Day In The Life
Raheem DeVaughn The Love & War Masterpeace
T-Rock (Formerly of Hypnotize Minds) Life Lessons: The Burning Book: Chapter II

March 9
Ayatollah Jaxx (of Good Company) Hello, Hip Hop
Blacastan The Master Of Reality
Broken Bells (Danger Mouse & James Mercer) Broken Bells
DaVinci The Day The Turf Stood Still
Gorillaz Plastic Beach
Kidz In The Hall Land Of Make Believe
Ludacris Battle Of The Sexes
Soulcrate Music The Heartland Panic
U-N-I & Ro Blvd. A Love Supreme 2.0

March 16
Amp Live (of Zion I) Murder At The Discotech
Andre Nickatina Khan! The Me Generation
D-Lo Rude Boy
Flobots Survival Story
Goldtoes N Berner R All N Ur Pockets: The Soundtrack
Guce & Matt Blaque A Gangsta & A Gentleman
LMNO fOnk garden
Main Flow (of Mood) Return Of The Castle
Moka Only (as Ron Contour) Rontario
Pastor Troy (of D.S.G.B.) G.I. Troy: Strictly 4 My Soldiers
Swollen Members Greatest Hits: Ten Years Of Turmoil
X-Raided Block Bizniz
X-Raided The Unforgiven 2.5: Assisted Suicide (Collector’s Edition)

March 23
Brotha Lynch Hung Dinner And A Movie
Dashah Rap Burglar 3: The Final Apprentice
Donwill (of Tanya Morgan) Don Cusack In High Fidelity
Fashawn Boy Meets World (Deluxe Edition)
J-Kwon J-Kwon
Madlib Madlib Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta In Africa
Madlib (as Young Jazz Rebels) Slave Riot
Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx The eXXecution
Moka Only (as Ron Contour) & Factor Saffron
Monica Still Standing
Sadat X (of Brand Nubian) Wild Cowboys II
Snoop Dogg More Malice
TQ Kind Of Blue

March 30
Army Of The Pharaohs The Unholy Terror
Curren$y Pilot Talk
E-40 Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift
E-40 Revenue Retrievin’: Night Shift
Erykah Badu New Amerykah Pt. 2 (Return Of The Ankh)
Joell Ortiz (of Slaughterhouse) Free Agent
Masta Killa (of Wu-Tang Clan) Live
Meth-Ghost-Rae (of Wu-Tang Clan) Wu-Massacre
Mulatu Astatke Mulatu Steps Ahead
Murs & 9th Wonder Fornever
OJ Simpson (Guilty Simpson & Madlib) OJ Simpson
Redman Reggie
Tech N9ne The Lost Scripts Of K.O.D.
Usher Raymond V. Raymond
Wordsmith Vintage Experience

Looking further out, Dres of Black Sheep’s From The Black Pool Of Genius, Too $hort’s Still Blowin’, The-Dream’s Love King, Kokane’s Gimme All Mine, Asher Roth’s untitled sophomore album, and Kabosh’s (Krizz Kaliko and Tech N9ne) Amafrican Psycho are penciled in for April 6, April 6, May 18, May 25, August 10, and October 19, in that order. Meanwhile, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Uni5: The World’s Enemy, Yo Gotti’s Live From The Kitchen, and Flying Lotus’ Cosmogramma have been pushed back until April 27, April 27, and May 4, respectively.

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