Karmaloop, the largest online retailer for the streetwear community, has teamed up with Lupe Fiasco to bring you “THE COOL” TSHIRT DESIGN CONTEST.

Inspired by Lupe Fiasco’s current album “The Cool,” applicants are to submit a design that best conveys what’s “cool” to them. The winner will receive $500 Cash and a $500 Karmaloop Gift Certificate for a total value of $1000 in prizes. (more…)

Sporting a huge, billowing afro and a T-shirt with an anti-Iraq war slogan, Erykah Badu expressed her support of black leader Louis Farrakhan and the Palestinian cause Thursday before a crowd of Israeli fans and journalists in Tel Aviv.

The Grammy-award winning neo-soul vocalist, 36, is in Tel Aviv to perform on Saturday night. She has also won acclaim for her acting roles in “Cider House Rules” and “House of D.” “I come from across the water bringing light and hope,” said Badu in her deep, languid voice. (more…)

Hip Hop legend Brother J has checked in from the studio with an update regarding the X-Clan’s plans for 2008. X-Clan have are currently preparing another monumental hip hop release of knowledge and wisdom for late 2008 release through Suburban Noize Records.

“We have been working on a new album, along with a new DVD release that starts to explain some of the history of X-Clan,” says group founding father Brother J, offering a glimpse into what the hip hop legends have cooking for 2008. (more…)

Hip Hop Artist and Activist NYOIL is set to release a new Digital EP titled “9 Wonders (NYOIL verses 9th Wonder)” February 20th 2008. The release will be available for FREE DOWNLOAD at partnering websites and Blogs for the duration of the release.

“I’m constantly trying to develop new strategies to market music and developing significant business partnerships with new media. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize Blogger as the future of Hip Hop press. A good blog is usually written by someone that would do it, has done it because they have a legitimate love for the culture,” said NYOIL. (more…)

Journey with Street Knowledge as they bring you the Return of the Wu. Wu Tang Clan invades Hammerstein Ballroom on the New York City leg of their 8 Diagram Tour – minus the RZA. (more…)

Northfield, MN – Raymond “Boots” Riley, an Oakland, California-based rapper and activist, will perform Friday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Carleton College Concert Hall. The appearance, part of a series of events taking place at Carleton in conjunction with Black History Month, is free and open to the public.

Famous for combining his two passions, music and activism, Riley is attributed with creating a new medium called Raptivism, hip hop for social justice. Riley is co-founder of the hip hop group The Coup, a fiercely outspoken collective whose song titles, such as “5 Million Way to Kill a CEO,” are considered rallying cries for social activism. The Coup’s music is characterized by electronic sounds and bass driven beats overlaid with politically motivated lyrics on American politics, police brutality and racism. (more…)

It was a star studded afternoon that bled into evening with an aggressively executed plan to intervene and make a difference in the lives of the L.A. underprivileged youth. More than 250 people showed to the Los Angeles Cares Mentoring Movement (LACMM) Launch Celebration to lend their voices and promises of support.

Including the surprise appearance of Hip-Hop/Rap artist, known as, “Common” who approached the speaker’s platform with the same passion and candor evident in his music. (more…)

Following the success of the second annual PAID DUES festival in Southern California and national tour last summer, promoters MURS in association with Guerilla Union (Rock The Bells, Cypress Hill Smoke Out) have announced the event will return to the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, March 22.

Tickets for Paid Dues, powered by SanDisk, go on sale Saturday, January 26. Rolling into its third year, PAID DUES supports a fan base of a vibrant scene of underground hip-hop artists all on one platform. (more…)