Beastie Boys Bring The 'Hot Sauce' To The Table

Hip hop icons, The Beastie Boys, will be releasing their eighth studio album, " Hot Sauce Committee Part 1," this year on September 15th.

The set will include 17 tracks, including "Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win" featuring Santigold and "Too Many Rappers" featuring Nas, which the artists performed together at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tenn. two weeks ago on June 12th.

The album will be available in multiple configurations, including a 5.1 surround mix. The first Beastie Boys headline date confirmed to follow the album's release, Sept. 24 at Hollywood Bowl, has sold out. Further dates will be announced as they are confirmed. Meanwhile, the band has a busy summer ahead on the U.S. festival circuit, with headlining slots at events including Lollapalooza, All Points West, Outside Lands, and Austin City Limits. Prior to the Lollapalooza appearance, the Beastie Boys will perform at Chicago’s Congress Theater on August 6.

The Beasties have also announced they will release a remastered and expanded version of 1998 album "Hello Nasty," available as a 2-CD/vinyl box set beginning with an August 17 pre-order/digital release. The set will be in stores August 25. A deluxe edition of 1994’s "Ill Communication" will be available for pre-order on July 6, with physical release on July 14.

Here is the track list for "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1":

1. Tadlock's Glasses

2. B-Boys In The Cut

3. Make Some Noise

4. Nonstop Disco Powerpack

5. OK

6. Too Many Rappers (featuring NAS)

7. Say It

8. The Bill Harper Collection

9. Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (featuring Santigold)

10. Long Burn The Fire

11. Bundt Cake

12. Funky Donkey

13. Lee Majors Come Again

14. Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament

15. Pop Your Balloon

16. Crazy Ass Shit

17. Here's A Little Something For Ya

Hip Hop Diplomas?

Funny that if Kanye West had of went and registered at Smith McNally, he might not have been a College Dropout. The St. Paul, Minnesota music school will be kicking off their Fall 2009 semester with the first ever accredited college level diploma in the area of hip hop music and culture.

Coordinated and instructed by emcee and organizer Toki Wright, the Hip-Hop Studies diploma will give students the skills and the knowledge that are crucial in pursuing a career in the hip-music industry and community. The three semester program designed to be completed in a year will teach students the techniques in beat production and engineering, the language of rap and spoken word, as well as music history and theory. Founded in 1985 McNally Smith College of Music is dedicated to teaching their students excellence in higher education by offering a variety of music degrees. For more information on McNally Smith’s Hip-Hop Studies Diploma program, contact McNally Smith's Admissions Department at (800) 594-9500 or visit

http://mcnallysmith.edu/.

I sooooo need to enroll in this class for my easy A!

Fight The Power Greatest Hip Hop Song Ever??

VH1 has compiled a list of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs Ever, and your favorite hip hop politicians topped the list. Public Enemy’s 1989 black power anthem “Fight the Power” came in at number 1.

VH1 is set to count down all of the 100 songs on the list in a series of shows beginning on Monday.

Following "Fight the Power" on the list is the Sugar Hill Gang’s groundbreaking song, “Rapper’s Delight,” followed by Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin but a ’G’ Thang” at No. 3. Run-D.M.C.’s “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five’s “The Message” round out the top five.

Salt ’N Pepa was the lone female act in the top 10, with their early hit “Push It.” Jay-Z and Eminem made the top 20, while other acts on the list include the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Biz Markie, Black Sheep and J.J. Fad.

Do you guys agree or disagree! I say Fight The Power was a very influential song, but it wasn't the greatest!

Pete Rock Says Diddy Stole Juicy From Him

Just like me, I'm sure everybody just assumed that Diddy was the one who actually put together was of the biggest hip hop classics of all time when he and Notorious B.I.G. put out "Juicy" huh?

WRONG!!!

According to legendary hip hop dj Pete Rock, Diddy in fact, jacked him for the beat.... kind of. We all know the track was sampled from the group Mtume's song "Juicy", but this is what Pete says the idea was all his. I guess Diddy's snake in the grass ways have been around all along.

After August saw the release of Ready to Die: The OG Edition [click to listen], the debut album, released by DJ Semi, in the form of the album's demo, fans were able to hear alternative versions of the album that went platinum almost 14 years ago.

Included on the collection was a rare version of "Juicy," produced by none other than Hip Hop super-producer Pete Rock [click to read]. The 20-year veteran's version, long mistakenly thought to be a remix, predated the Diddy version, which featured an alternate chorus and different melody. After a recent interview with Grandgood.com, Rock revealed that he may have been sample-jacked by Diddy for one of Hip Hop's biggest anthems.

"Biggie and Sean came to my house one day and ['Juicy'] was playing on my drum machine," revealed Pete Rock. "Biggie thought I was making it for C.L. [Smooth]. When I told him I was just making it for myself, he immediately wanted it. I said sure, but didn’t think much of it. Then, next thing I know, I heard it playing somewhere. I’m over it now though."

In the rest of the interview, Pete Rock explains more from that recording. He says that to him, the matter was settled when he was paid, for what was billed as a remix.

Asked further about his sentiments of the deal, Pete Rock, simply stated, "Really though, I just wish Biggie was still alive for me to work with him."

VH1 Announces This Years Hip Hop Honorees

It was announced yesterday (August 13th) the honorees for their fifth annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors. This year, VH1 will take the time to show appreciation to rappers Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort (still tryin to figure out how Ice-T was honored before Too $hort)

For those unfamiliar with these popular pioneers, Cypress Hill is an L.A. based group who brought a welcomed Latino perspective to Hip Hop, as well as rock/rap hybrids that crossed musical barriers and unified the rock and rap worlds.

De La Soul is a Long Island trio known for their often playful style. Their innovative sound has shaped the entire underground movement within the Hip Hop culture.

Naughty By Nature put New Jersey Hip Hop on the map by creating hit singles that quickly became anthems for a generation. Their smash hits "OPP" and "Hip Hop Hooray" are two of the most popular records in rap history.

British born, but Bronx raised rapper Slick Rick is famous for his incredible story-telling skills. A true pioneer in Hip Hop, Slick Rick is also known for his collaboration with Dana Dane, forming a Hip Hop duo as Kangol Crew.

And last, but definitely not least, Oakland native Too $hort made a lasting name for himself with his gritty, raw, often sexual lyrics and hard core style.

The show will once again be hosted by funny dude comedian Tracy Morgan, this year's celebration will give viewers a chance to reflect upon the time in which Hip Hop began to make its transition from a mis-understood "disposable" art form to a staple in American pop culture. "Now in its fifth year, the VH1 Hip Hop Honors has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager of VH1, via press release. "This year's five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon."On September 16th VH1.com will launch its dedicated VH1 Hip Hop Honors Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more at HipHop.VH1.com.

The fifth annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors premieres on VH1 and VH1 Soul on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM.