(AllHipHop News) The wait for Outkast rapper Big Boi’s solo debut album Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty, as well as a new album from the Atlanta-based duo is coming to end. The 14-track Def Jam Recordings offering, which features appearances from T.I., Sleepy Brown and Jamie Foxx, will hit stores on July 6. Producers for the album include Scott Storch, Boi-1da, Organized Noize, Andre 3000 and Lil Jon, among others. The release of Sir Lucious comes amid a string of delays that raised doubts about the project. Despite the release of four singles (the 3000 and Raekwon-assisted “Royal Flush,” “Sumthin’s Gotta Give featuring Mary J. Blige, “Ringtone” and “Dubbz”) and leaked collaborations with 3000 and Brown (“Looking for You”), George Clinton and Too Short (“Fo Yo Sorrows”), Gucci Mane (“Shine Blockas”) and T.I. (“Tambourine”), Sir Lucious was never made available to the public. Shortly after the album summer release, Big Boi will appear at the Pitchfork Music Festival. The event, will take place during the July 16-18 weekend in Union Park in Chicago. In addition to Sir Lucious, plans to unleash the follow-up to Outkast ’s 2006 opus, the soundtrack to the film Idlewid, will resume. Big Boi confirmed to Billboard.com that the long-awaited album will be released after Sir Lucious. 

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Bumpy Knuckles has lashed out at MC Solar, claiming he is releasing bad information to the public on behalf of the late Guru of Gangstarr, who died from cancer on Monday (April 19th) at the age of 43. Bumpy recorded with Guru and DJ Premier in particular on a number of records, including the classic track “The Militia,” from Gangstarr’s 1998 classic, Moment of Truth. Bumpy compared Solar to Yolanda Saldívar, the woman who stalked Tejano singer Selena. Saldivar, who was the president of Selena’s fan club, eventually shot and killed the 23-year-old singer.  “It is like that lil fat lady that was obsessed with selena(rip) he stalkd my boy and held something over his head. IT WILL COME OUT!” Bumpy Knuckles Tweeted today (April 21st). Bumpy, who is known for his no-holds barred style of rhyming, labeled Solar a “sick f***in weirdo” and implied there might be a financial motive to blame for the controversy surrounding Guru’s statements, which were allegedly made prior to his death. “ONCE YOU GET THE LIFE INSURANCE MONEY YOU WILL PROBABLY MOVE OUTTA THE USA!! UK JAPAN CHINA & EVERYWHERE ELSE,” Bumpy continued.The rapper also called upon Solar to stop releasing statements and release the details of the autopsy conducted on the famous rapper. “IF IM WRONG PROVE ME WRONG! GURU HAS A FAMILY THAT DIDNT BEAT HIM UP & PHYSICALLY ABUSE HIM YOU BITCHMADE W####!”Guru’s family released a statement today claiming that Guru had been comatose since suffering a heart attack in February, casting doubts on a series of statements allegedly made by the rapper prior to his death. “Guru was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness,” the rapper’s family said in a statement today. “Early on the morning of April 19th, he became hypertensive due to low blood pressure. He again went into cardiac arrest and slipped away from us. Guru died far too young but he was, and we are, proud of all his many legendary musical contributions.”

(AllHipHop News) Paul Wall plans to follow up a recent Chamillionaire reunion tour with a June release of his 4th studio album, Heart of a Champion.

Wall has alternated production duties between Houston team Beanz N Kornbread, and Expensive Taste band mate Travis Barker, who along with Skinhead Rob rounds out the group.

By splitting the sound evenly, Paul Wall is confident the project will appeal to new listeners and older fans.

“My new album sounds incredible!” Wall told AllHipHop.com. “With Travis Barker’s unique style, and with Beanz N Kornbread, the mash up is an awesome combination.”

Heart of a Champion also boasts features from Raekwon, Jim Jones, Yelawolf, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug Devin the Dude, and Lil Keke.

The first single, “I’m On Patron,” chronicles of night of partying that’s punctuated by too much alcohol consumption.

In addition to the new album, Paul Wall is settling into his new duties as President of the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter. The position requires Wall to network with musicians of all genres to ensure that Texas is represented accordingly for the Grammy’s voting body.

Paul Wall’s last album was 2009’s Fast Life.

Heart of a Champion is due in stores on June 29.

(AllHipHop News) The family of Gang Starr emcee Guru, has released a statement in hopes that AllHipHop.com and other media outlets would release the information to fans of the late rapper.The letter states that Guru, born Keith Elam, was comatose and remained unconscious from February this year until his death. The letter also disputes the legitimacy of any foundations purported to operate on Guru’s behalf.“The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father uncle/nephew/cousin Keith aka GURU for the outpouring of love, concern and support.Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. GURU was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence.GURU suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year.  Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.  As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness.  Early on the morning of April 19th, he became hypertensive due to low blood pressure. He again went into cardiac arrest and slipped away from us.GURU died far too young but he was, and we are, proud of all his many legendary musical contributions.The family is not aware of any foundations established by GURU.  We know and understand that countless fans want to express their condolences and love and, to that end, we are planning a memorial event in the near future that will be all-inclusive. Please look for further details from the family as they become available.from The Elam Family”To be accurate, Solar did mention the Each One Counts foundation referenced in the original letter allegedly written by Guru in a previous interview in 2008 with Guru and AllHipHop.com.Guru died of cancer on Monday, April 19th.

(AllHipHop News) VH1’s “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” will return for a seventh time this June with a tribute to Southern Hip-Hop music. Rappers Jermaine Dupri, J. Prince of Rap-A-Lot Records, 2Live Crew and Luther “Luke” Campbell will be honored during the ceremonies, which will tape June 3rd.All three men have established ground breaking Hip-Hop labels, which have sold tens of millions of records over the years. Jermaine Dupri founded Atlanta’s So So Def imprint in 1993, J-Prince launched Rap-A-Lot in 1986 and Luke Campbell started Luke Skyywalker Records in 1985. Both J Prince and Campbell helped break down the barriers of censorship in Hip-Hop music during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Campbell’s case involving his usage of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the rapper won a victory, when a judge ruled a parody of a record can qualify as “fair use.”“I am happy for my fans, they have sent the people that run the VH1 Hip Hop Honors show emails for years now, asking why a person that started his own record label and went to the Supreme Court can’t get honored, so I am happy for them,” Campbell told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive statement. Others being recognized for their contributions to Hip-Hop during the evening include Master P. who founded the groundbreaking No Limit Records imprint, as well as Atlanta production team Organized Noise. While Luke was happy about being honored, the outspoken rapper was a bit upset that his recognition comes so late into the annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors franchise. “We are the outcasts on that day, the outcasts will get their five minutes. I am sure the show will be about the others,” Campbell told AllHipHop.com. “My fans are the only reason I am doing this. I said f**k this after they did Too Short before me.”VH1’s Hip Hop Honors airs June 7th at 9:00 PM ET.

(AllHipHop News) Producer Solar has lashed out at growing speculation over the authenticity of a letter sent out this morning along with a press release announcing the death of revered rapper, Guru of Gangstarr. Solar, who was a partner with Guru in the 7Grand Record label, broke the news today (April 20th) that Guru had succumbed to cancer yesterday morning (April 19th) after battling the disease for several years. Many fans have questioned a final letter from Guru, who allegedly refused to acknowledge group member, DJ Premier, who produced  the majority of Gangstarr’s classic tracks. “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this,” Guru allegedly wrote before his death. “I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ.”In addition to his death, the controversial statement has left fans doubting if Guru, born Keith Elam, would issue such harsh words while he was sick with cancer and undergoing treatment. “Guru made this statement from his own mouth and anybody saying different is insane with Hate!” Solar Tweeted today (April 20th). Drama aside, fans and friends reacted in shock about the news of Guru’s sudden death. “Guru Rest in Peace. Good times good memories. Wish we had reconnected one last time. Farewell fam,” Masta Ace said. “R.I.P GURU LOVE YOU MY BROTHER the World Will Miss You!!!! WE LOST A Great Man and a Big Part OF HIP HOP History!!!” Fat Joe added. For more artist quotes on the passing of Guru, click here.