Rhymesayers just announced the line up for Soundset this year, and of course, it’s massive.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 11 AM (CST) online through TicketWeb and in-store at Fifth Element (2411 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405). General Admission tickets are $62 (The $4 facility fee and parking are included in this ticket price). VIP options for $140 ($4 facility fee and parking are both included in ticket price) are also available! Please note that additional processing fees may apply.

This year, Soundset boasts a full day of two Main Stages and the Fifth Element stage delivering 40 artists performing over nine hours of diverse music, plus the Essential Elements tent featuring Freestyle Session Minnesota B-Boy/B-Girl competition. In addition, Ironlak & The Seventh Letter presents live painting by Ewok, Sever, Vizie, Much, NMPH, Hop4, and River. Also returning will be the 5th annual Skateboard Showdown presented by Familia, the 8th annual Soundset Custom Car Show, and a special Last of the Record Buyers production showcase.

Cannibal Ox’s long awaited, Blade of the Ronin.  Please support by picking up on iTunes.  (it’s officially out tomorrow).  They’re having a record release party tonight at The Studio at Webster Hall with special guests GZA, Freeway, and G-Jet.  Tickets are available here.

Rappcats just uploaded Africa Extra, which was the previously only available on the 3rd LP in the deluxe version of Madlib Medicine Show #3 Beat Konducta in Africa.  Medicine Shows & more releases from Madlib here.

Over the Valentines’ weekend, Pharoahe Monch released  “Lost In Translation”,  a collection of previously released songs from his solo albums as well as features from 2000 to 2015.   All the songs have Love as the theme.   The one new track is “Home (HGH)” featuring Phonte’ and Tamisha.

New video for 4am from Hail Mary Mallon.  Features skaters Henry Gunderson, Pete Lombardozzi, Zak DePiero, Chad Wade, Joe Barnes, Gautam Sahi & Gerald Anekwe (who also filmed & edited, with some additional filming by Pete Lombardozzi).

The Bestiary tour continues…tour dates & links for tickets.

In4mation’s FOTM drop for February is available here.

Shepard Fairey is making a guest appearance on Portlandia on January 29th.  He says:

I’m a big fan of Portlandia, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen’s comedy show based on poking fun at the idiosyncrasies of bohemian Portland Oregon, so I was very excited when they asked me to do a cameo.  I’ve spent a bit of time and done a few art shows in Portland, so I know where Portlandia finds its inspiration.  In fact, the part I play, a jaded art store employee, was set in the exact art store where I bought my art supplies while staying in Portland for a stint a few summers ago. I’m no actor, but this part, along with maybe “jaded art student” or “jaded skate shop employee,” are the closest I’ll ever get to method acting.  Fred and Carrie are a blast to hang out with and made the whole experience a lot of fun for me. Here’s a clip from the segment, but you can catch the full episode Thurs. night on IFC.  -Shepard

Portlandia airs Thursdays 10pm EST on IFC.

Remembering Dr. King on his national holiday, as well as the work of Coretta Scott King and the many leaders in the civil rights movement.  The painting was done by Dan Buller & Gene Pendon fr HVW (live painted in Montreal in 2005)

My very first involvement with Youth Speaks was at their Bringing the Noise event, and I was hooked.   This celebration is a showcase of young writers presenting original pieces inspired by the struggles and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Always uplifting.

Monday | January 19, 2015 | 7-9 PM
Nourse Auditorium
275 Hayes Street
Between Van Ness and Franklin
Tickets: $5 for youth | $10 adults

Tickets are available here.

Video from last year’s event:

The previously unreleased video for the Beastie Boys’ “Too Many Rappers” featuring Nas was discovered on editor’s Neal Usatin’s site.  Directed by Roman Coppola.

Too many rappers, still not enough emcees…

via Pitchfork.  RIP MCA.