SIGT HIP HOP STOP W/RON GRANT|Kanye West All Over The News, J. Cole Performance To Support DNC, New Schoolboy Q Album Coming, Drake and Rihanna Perform, Cash Money Song Reunion, New Album From Phonte

by Ron Grant • February 26, 2016

Folks, we’re winding down another week of eventful Hip Hop news. One that seemed to actually be dominated by news of new music. GASP! What a concept! Anyway, even with Yeezy dominating headlines, there was still more than enough juicy Hip Hop-related news to go around as we close out February. Here’s a look at some of the biggest stories.

ALL KANYE EVERYTHING

As if the release of his latest album The Life of Pablo wasn’t enough, Yeezus has been all over your newsfeed this week. First he renewed his on-again, off-again beef with Taylor Swift. Then he took shots at the validity of the Grammys, and the Grammy president responded in kind. Now, it looks like he’s gearing up for a tour in support of TLOP. Soon enough, ‘Ye might need a section on some of your favorite Hip Hop ad music websites devoted just to him!

J. COLE TO PERFORM IN AUSTIN FOR OBAMA DNC FUNDRAISER

It should come as no surprise that Cole would be part of this event put on by President Obama to raise funds for the Democratic National Committee. In fact, Barack reportedly requested Cole’s performance! After all, he’s considered to be one of the most socially aware Hip Hop artists of the day. This performance will be in conjunction with Cole also performing at SXSW later on in March. Check out some additional Cole news care of Complex.

NEW SCHOOLBOY Q ALBUM COMING BEFORE SUMMER

We may be getting a new set of music from the Top Dawg Entertainment artist before the summer comes around. And it would be more than welcomed. Many fans believe that Schoolboy Q has breathed new life into what’s deemed as Gangsta rap with his last two albums. Official word came this week from Top Dawg CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. This news is any indication, 2016 might be a major year for TDE.

DRAKE AND RIHANNA PERFORM ‘WORK’ AT THE BRIT AWARDS

It’s the unquestioned song of the moment. And why shouldn’t it be? With Drizzy and Ri Ri combining forces again, we’re sure to have a hit. Rihanna winding it slow in the video doesn’t hurt, either. And of course, they had to come together for an awards show performance. Check out footage of Drake and Rihanna performing “Work” at this year’s BRIT Awards below.

NEW TRACK “HATE” BRINGS FORMER CASH MONEY STARS BACK TOGETHER

None of us ever thought we would be seeing this again. But here we are: it’s 2016 and there’s a new track featuring some of the artists that built Cash Money Records. The song, called “Hate”, is a collaboration between super producer Mannie Fresh and former Cash Money artists Juvenile, Lil Wayne and Birdman. Does this mean we can expect a return to form for Cash Money in the future? Yeah…let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s just a nice moment for New Orleans Hip Hop at the moment.

**NEW ALBUM NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS COMING FROM PHONTE**

One half of the legendary duo Little Brother, Phonte has done a lot to carve out his own successful solo career. Not to mention being part of another successful musical duo with The Foreign Exchange. But now he’s back to the solo work. No News Is Good News will be his first album since 2011’s Charity Starts At Home and be released on Foreign Exchange Music, slated for September 30.