(AllHipHop News) So far, Kendrick Lamar’s 2018 consists of winning five Grammy awards and overseeing the release of Black Panther The Album. Last Friday also saw a sneak peek of another potential K. Dot record on Abstract Radio.

Q-Tip previewed an unreleased Kendrick track on his Beats 1 show. The song’s unofficial title is “Want U 2 Want.”

The A Tribe Called Quest member also debuted a cover of Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” The entire Abstract Radio episode can be streamed on Apple Music.

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(AllHipHop News) It’s been twenty years since Mos Def and Talib Kweli joined forces for the classic album Black Star. Mos eventually changed his name to Yasiin Bey then moved to Africa, and fans of the duo never got another project.

While at a Madlib deejay set in Denver, Bey revealed he’s getting back together with Kweli. The Brooklyn native announced, “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib Kweli, Yasiin coming soon. All Madlib, all day, 2018.”

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star was released in 1998 via Rawkus. The album hosted the singles “Definition” and “Respiration.”

(AllHipHop News) Roland “Troy Ave” Collins had the internet talking after he dropped the animated “2 Legit 2 Quit” music video. On the song, Troy raps, “I’m only loyal to my fam. Middle finger from the stand. It’s either me or you.”

Many observers interpreted those lines to mean the New Yorker was set to testify against Daryl “Taxstone” Campbell in the podcast host’s criminal case connected to the 2016 Irving Plaza shooting that left Collins’ bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter dead. Troy stopped by The Breakfast Club to talk about the issue.

The conversation featured the rapper pushing back against the idea he’s “snitching” on Taxstone. Even though he was questioned several times whether he plans to take the stand, Troy said he was unable to answer for legal reasons but he did discuss addressing the topic in his music.

“If you’re talking about your life and everything you go through – I been doing that. At what point is it snitching if you’re talking about yourself?” stated Troy. “I’m good because I sparked a debate. With the debate that I sparked – not talking about my case, but just in general – 8 out of 10 people will be like, ‘I’m not going to jail for somebody else.'”

He then made the distinction between telling on your co-conspirators that you’ve done illegal activities with and giving information against someone that killed one of your friends. That was followed by DJ Envy mentioning “street rules” in relation to snitching.

“The streets is a myth. It’s not real. Nowhere in the real world does the streets count,” responded Troy. “People have street cred through the roof but their credit score is 500. People in the streets put those type of rules in place to manipulate. The manipulation stagnates [people’s] growth and you stay in an ignorant mind frame.”

Troy also talked about not wanting to be labeled as a “gangster rapper.” He insisted his musical catalog includes party records and Gospel-esque songs.

Throughout the interview, Troy Ave referred to himself as a “soldier of God.” The Brooklyn native also addressed other controversies in his career like his reported feud with Casanova, his highly criticized comments about Pro Era’s Capital STEEZ committing suicide, and Banga’s brother blasting him in the press and on social media.

(AllHipHop News) The “All The Stars” music video by Kendrick Lamar and SZA has collected over 10 million views in just six days. The visuals off Black Panther The Album appear to be popular with YouTube users, but there is someone that’s accusing the Top Dawg Entertainment stars of copying her work.

One scene in “All The Stars” seems similar to Lina Iris Viktor’s “Constellations” series. Her lawyer, Christopher Robinson, claimed filmmakers sought permission to use her work in Black Panther but she declined.

“Why would they do this? It’s an ethical issue, because what the whole film purports is that it’s about black empowerment, African excellence,” Viktor told the New York Times. “That’s the whole concept of the story. And at the same time they’re stealing from African artists.”

Directors Kendrick Lamar, Dave Free, and Dave Meyers apparently recreated the images instead of using the British-Liberian artist’s actual 24-K gold paintings. In a letter to TDE CEO Anthony Tiffith, Robinson wrote, “The infringement of Ms. Viktor’s rights is willful and egregious.”

Tiffith, Lamar, Meyers, Marvel Studios, and Walt Disney Studios have not publicly commented on the accusations. Black Panther The Album arrived on February 9, and the project is on pace to move 110,000 – 120,000 units in its first week of release.

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(AllHipHop News) Joe Budden and his co-hosts were honored by the fans at last night’s Social Awards. The Joe Budden Podcast beat out The Read, 2 Dope Queens, Drink Champs, and The Bodega Boys to win Best Podcast.

Fellow emcees Remy Ma & Papoose won the Baewatch award. The couple topped Gucci Mane & Keyshia Ka’oir, Cardi B & Offset, Teyana Taylor & Iman Shumpert, and Russell Wilson & Ciara.

Other winners include Kash Doll (Issa Wave), The Shade Room (Best Tea), KendallKyndall (Social Hustle), BlameItOnKway (LMAO!), Jess Hilarious (Clapback), and Issa Rae (Mood AF).

(AllHipHop News) Rap boss Diddy’s new TV talent show “The Four: Battle for Stardom,” has been renewed for a second season, despite the sex scandal hanging over one of his fellow judges.

Music executive Charlie Walk hasn’t appeared on the show since allegations of sexual harassment were made against the Republic Records executive last week.

But that doesn’t appear to have upset plans to continue with the show, since producers have announced there would be a season two, but there was no mention about Walk’s involvement.

The record company boss has urged his accusers to take their claims further, stating he welcomed any investigation so the “unfounded and hurtful accusations can be put to rest.”

Sources told Deadline Diddy and his fellow judges DJ Khaled and Meghan Trainor have yet to sign a deal for season two, but all three are expected to return, as is host Fergie.

The series, which premiered on January 4, is one of 2018’s biggest new TV hits in the U.S.

(AllHipHop News) Jay-Z paid tribute to slain teen Trayvon Martin, during a Peace Walk in Miami over the weekend.

Jay was the guest of honor at the 6th Annual Peace Walk And Talk on Saturday at the Betty T. Ferguson Amphitheatre.

Trayvon was unarmed when he was gunned down by George Zimmerman during a fight in 2012.

The 17-year old’s death sparked nationwide outrage after George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges, by invoking Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

“Trayvon serves as a beacon of light to all the people out here so you guys would never have to go through the pain and the hurt these guys went through,” Jay-Z told the crowd. “His name will sit alongside some of the greats whom lost their life to push our culture forward…the Martin Luther Kings, the Ghandis, that’s the intention that we set, that his name serves as a beacon of light and hope and push us in a better direction.”

Jay is working on a documentary called “Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story,” which centers around the teen’s death at the hands of Zimmerman.

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(AllHipHop News) An attorney for Migos group member Quavo is denying claims his client is going to be arrested.

The cops are reportedly preparing to issue a warrant for Quavo’s arrest, after an altercation with Eric the Jeweler on Grammy night.

But the rap star’s lawyer Drew Findling said surveillance footage from 1 OAK reveals Quavo was just a bystander, as two men assaulted the celebrity jeweler, who claims he also lost a $30,000 chain in the tussle.

However, Drew Findling said surveillance camera footage revealed Eric walked in with his chain and left with it after the altercation as well.

Drew Findling said he is confident Quavo will be cleared of any possible charges in regards to the beatdown.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Kendrick Lamar immediately volunteered his services to oversee the soundtrack for Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther” after he was granted a special preview by director Ryan Coogler.

The “Creed” filmmaker reveals he had been planning to work with Kendrick for some time, and when he initially approached the Grammy winner last spring about contributing to the “Black Panther” project, Coogler only envisioned the hip-hop star offering up a few tunes.

However, allowing the musician to view early cuts of the movie was enough to convince Kendrick to be more heavily involved, taking on the role of producer and co-curator, as his excitement for the superhero movie grew.

“At first, he was just going to do a few songs for the film,” Ryan explained to NPR.org. “Then he came in and watched quite a bit of the movie, and the next thing I know, they were booking a studio and they were going at it.”

Together with his Top Dawg Entertainment label boss, Anthony ‘Top Dawg’ Tiffith, and producer Soundwave, Kendrick recruited artists including The Weeknd, Khalid, SZA, Future, Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, and James Blake to work on the soundtrack while he was on tour, and the finished product was perfect for Coogler’s movie, which already had an instrumental score by composer Ludwig Goransson.

“Hats off to him (Kendrick) and his production team – they made some really great songs that we got placed in there,” Ryan shared. “And hats off to Soundwave, who’s producing, and Ludwig, who was able to manipulate the score to incorporate some of those songs and weave them in and out of the orchestral stuff that he was already doing. I can’t wait for people to hear the music on that album, man.”

Fans can enjoy the Black Panther soundtrack since it was released yesterday, just before the movie releases next week, starring Chadwick Boseman as the titular superhero.

(AllHipHop News) Kanye West’s childhood home in Chicago, Illinois is set to be showered with love on Valentine’s Day as it’s recognized as a local landmark.

Officials at the rap superstar’s Donda’s House arts organization have teamed up with representatives from the Skyline Council of Landmarks Illinois to ‘heart bomb’ the South Shore Drive property, during which volunteers will help to cover the run-down house with paper hearts.

The event is aimed at highlighting historic sights and local landmarks which are deserving of the public’s attention.

“We are thrilled to be working with Landmarks Illinois’ Skyline Council,” said Donnie Smith, Executive Director of Donda’s House. “Landmarks Illinois came out to the site recently to give us an assessment of the house, with recommendations for renovating and repairing the property. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the house is, overall, in pretty good shape.”

Kanye’s longtime friend and collaborator, Rhymefest, previously bought the home in 2016 and hoped to use it as a base for the Donda’s House non-profit, but the plans failed to come to fruition.

He now reportedly wants to use the space as a youth arts center.

West co-founded the charity with Rhymefest following the passing of his beloved mother, Donda West, in 2007.

(AllHipHop News) Newly-freed rapper Kevin Gates is set to make his stage comeback at the JMBLYA festival in Texas this spring.

The hip-hop star, real name Kevin Gilyard, was released from an Illinois prison in January after serving nine months of a 30-month sentence for felony gun possession.

That punishment, relating to an outstanding 2013 warrant, was handed down last April, days after the “2 Phones” MC had completed a six-month term behind bars in Florida for kicking a woman in the face at one of his shows.

Now Gates, who is on parole, is plotting his live return and has booked his first post-prison shows for May.

He will join fellow rappers like Migos, Cardi B, and Playboi Carti for JMBLYA gigs in Houston, Austin, and Dallas, while he is also set to play the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing, Michigan in July.

The concert news emerges shortly after Gates celebrated his 32nd birthday on Monday.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Jim Jones has launched a search for fans who have overcome their obstacles, for a documentary in support of his upcoming album.

Jim, who recently signed with Roc Nation, is working on his new album called Wasted Talent.

Jimmy is looking for individuals who feel they may have “wasted” their big opportunity in life, whether it was prison, sacrificing a dream, or making a life-changing mistake.

“Maybe someone who’s been through what you been through will hear your story and give you the tools to get out of your situation,” said Jim Jones. “Or, [they’ll] help you have a different outlook on what you’re going through.”

The stories will be featured on an upcoming docu-series inspired by the album Wasted Talent.

Check out the flyer below which includes details on how to submit to fee included on Jim Jones upcoming docu-series project.

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