(AllHipHop News) Oakland, Hip-Hop staples Zion I are hitting the road on a nationwide tour to promote their upcoming 7th album, Atomic Clock, which marks are creative shift for the group. Atomic Clock, which was produced by group member Amp Live, was inspired by Zion I’s love for reggae and dub and was influenced by classic artists like Max Romeo and The Congos. Amp Live employs live musicians on Atomic Clock for the first time in the group’s career as well. “The Takeover [2009] was a very external record and we wanted to focus on fun, party music,” said group member Zumbi AKA Zion. “This one is much more reflective and internal. We didn’t want to just recreate what we did last album. Art is not about living in the past.”According to Zumbi, it’s not just the music that sound that has changed on Atomic Clock. The writing is more detailed and introspective than on past albums. “The Atomic Clock is the most precise timing device on the planet and I thought that applied to the immaculate timing and rhythm it takes between musicians in one room to make good music,” added Zumbi. “But also, I feel that time is speeding up on the planet and it seems like it’s dilating and contracting really quickly. We’re living in such an interesting time and I think time is on everyone’s mind in one way or another. Everything is exponential now.”Atomic Clock, which is due in stores November 9th, features guest appearances by Locksmith and Macklemore, vocalists Courtney Holiday and Crystal Monee Hall and reggae band Rebelution. Zion I tour dates: 10/19: St. Louis, MO – Gargoyle10/20: Columbia, MO – Blue Note10/21: Carbondale, IL – Copper Dragon10/22: Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre10/23: Grand Rapids, MI – Orbit Room10/24: Chicago, IL – Subterranean10/25: Millvale, PA – Mr. Small’s Theater10/27: State College, PA – State Theatre for the Arts10/28: Syracuse, NY – Wescott Theatre10/29: Providene, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel10/30: Towson, MD – Recher Theater10/31: Norfolk, VA – Norva11/1: Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl11/2: New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place11/4: Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater11/5: Richmond, VA – The National11/6: Ashville, NC – The Orange Peel11/7: Boone, NC – Legends11/12: Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst11/16: Chico, CA – Chico State University’s BMU Ballroom

(AllHipHop News) Sources have confirmed to AllHipHop.com that rap star Rhymefest is planning a run for office in the November General Election in Chicago. Rhymefest is planning a run for Alderman for the South Side of Chicago’s 20th Ward. The Grammy Award winning rapper will be running against Alderman Willie Cochran, who is seeking to be reelected. “Its already starting! I talk about helping my community and the villains are attacking my character and family! I won’t stop!” Rhymefest tweeted in regards to the pending announcement of his candidacy. “The 20th Ward in Chicago needs help, shorties are out here selling dope to pay the family bills. Grandmothers are raising their children’s children, people are un-employed and under employed & leadership is absent!”Rhymefest, born Che Smith, will be holding a press conference at the Exclusively Yours Auto Spa on South State Street in downtown Chicago.

(AllHipHop News) An arrest warrant has been issued for Jersey City rapper Joe Budden, who is allegedly owes almost $13,000 in back child support. The New Jersey Journal reports that a warrant was issued for Budden, after he allegedly failed to appear at a hearing in May regarding the back bill, which is a total of $12,983. The rap star’s warrant was one of numerous issued yearly by Hudson County officials, in an attempt to locate “deadbeat dads.”The is not Joe Budden’s first brush with the law regarding child support. In August of 2009, Joe Budden was also arrested for failure to pay child support.Joe Budden is currently gearing up to release a new album titled Mood Muzik 4: A Turn For the Worst.