Freddie Gibbs and Madlib will follow up last year’s Thuggin’ with another joint EP. Shame spans eight tracks, and will be released on July 10th via Stones Throw Records. Check out the tracklist below, and head to Stone Throws’ website to hear snippets of each track.

Gibbs and Madlib also plan to release a full-length LP, aptly titled MadGibbs, later this year.

Shame Tracklist:
01. Shame (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)
02. Shame (Instrumental)
03. Later That Night (Bonus Beat)
04. Shame (A Capella)
05. Terrorist
06. Terrorist (Instrumental)
07. The Morning After (Bonus Beat)
08. Terrorist (A Capella)

Indiana MC Freddie Gibbs and producer extraordinaire Madlib have released a music video for the title track off their joint EP, Thuggin. In the clip, Gibbs guides us through an average day in Ghettoville, USA: from robbing people with AK-47s to getting money from your “girlfriend” and on into “leisure time with your friends” and an end-of-the-day recording/smoking session. Gibbs makes the streets seem like a great place to raise a family; that is, if said family is well-trained in the use of pump action shotguns, of course. Watch the clip below.

Thuggin is out now via Stones Throw.

Okay, so we missed a week. But I’d be willing to bet that you were so busy scarfing down leftovers last Friday that you forgot to read anyway. In any event, we’re back with a vengeance. Going through the past two weeks in mp3s has proved both fruitful and enlightening. I could bore you with a pre-Christmas speech, but let’s save that for next year and get straight to the music.

-Winston Robbins
Senior Staff Writer  

Black Star – “Fix Up” and “You Already Knew”

Last week for Black Friday, Black Star finally offered up its single “Fix Up” for download, and later issued the Aretha Franklin-inspired “You Already Knew”. Although we’ve heard the single previously, thanks to a stop with Mr. Colbert, the latter track came as a nice surprise. Together, the two cuts offer some insight into what a new LP from the group might sound like: wonderful. Working with a throwback sound, you can almost hear the years of experience under their collective belt. Add a little production by Madlib (“Fix Up”) and Stones Throw labelmate Oh No (“You Already Knew”), and they’re soaring in style. -WR

“Fix Up”:

“You Already Knew”:

Bowerbirds – “Tuck Darkness In”

This song is destined for greatness and to be prominently displayed in a highly visible location for a long time. I’m of the mind that a lot of fauxlk rock bands aim for discounted climaxes at the expense of actual songwriting — not Bowerbirds. Through their career they’ve never leaned on the slow-build, so when they finally put it into action here it’s well-earned. It’s all tight, until they untie the song and let it go at the end. -JL

Bowerbirds – “Tuck the Darkness In”

Mikal Cronin – “You Gotta Have Someone”

Pacing is the trick, and because Mikal Cronin came out of the gates with such a fantastic LP, there’s no need for SF psych-prince to start leaping into alternate styles and mixes. This track continues the jangly, pop-garage race where his LP left off, and its just as catchy and lovable. -JL

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – “Thuggin’”

So we all know that Madlib is and always will be a mainstay name in cutting edge hip-hop production. And we also know that Freddie Gibbs has been slaughtering mixtapes like a madman lately. And before, we could only imagine what a collaboration between the two might sound like. No more. “Thuggin’” lays to rest any doubt that you may have been harboring about either artist. In short, it’s pretty great. -WR

Florence and the Machine – “Take Care” (Drake cover)

So, you’re probably obsessed with Drake right now. And Skryim. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, you ought to hear this. Florence does a very interesting rendition of Drake’s latest album’s title track, only after expressing her appreciation for three of the artists responsible for its creation: Jamie xx, Rihanna, and of course, the man himself, Drizzy. Worth a listen or two. -WR

Robin Pecknold and Alela Diane – “These Days” (Jackson Browne cover)

We still have yet to establish a solid rule about live songs. But I vote yes to live. Some of the songs I listen to most are live recordings – Live At Folsom Prison, How the West Was Won, etc. I wouldn’t necessarily place this track next to those mammoth recordings, but it’s pretty damn solid. The Fleet Fox frontman and the Rough Trade darling pair off for a moving Northwestern folk rendition of Jackson Browne’s “These Days” that is splendid. -WR

Plants and Animals – “Lightshow”

Punching into the Canadian band’s strolling folk rock are these warm, tall sips of guitar solos. They sound as if they’re conjured from the shag-carpet of an old 70′s studio — it’s palpable as shit. To that end, the folky elements aren’t shellacked together, and individual musicianship reverberates all through the track.  I’m anxious to hear the rest of the album when it’s out at the end of February. -JL

Pop. 1280  - “Bodies in the Dunes”

Some of my favorite releases this year — The Men, Iceage, White Sons — all are re-uping the term “pigfuck” as a genre and style. As opposed to escapism, Pop. 1280 embraces the shit and decay around them, and the chugging Suicide meets Misfits skronk regails supports that ethos perfectly. Their debut LP, The Horror, is out January 24th. -JL

Pop. 1280 – “Bodies in the Dunes”

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – “Dream On”

If you haven’t seen this kid’s mini-doc, you better get on it right quick. An impressive, creative dance musician if there ever was one. Talk about up and comers. On “Dream On”, he takes a typical house feel, twists in a slick chord progression, and slides in just the right amount of the Hot Chip aesthetic. Best part? It’s free here. -WR

 Woods – “Christmas Time Is Here” (Vince Guaraldi cover)

Never has someone so accurately sounded like the kids on The Peanuts than Jeremy Earl from Woods. Uncanny. This song should be covered more often by everyone because it’s one of my favorites. Also that second chord,  Eb 9 flat 5, is the best chord there is. -JL

Woods – “Christmas Time Is Here” (Vince Guaraldi Cover)

Following last month’s mixtape Cold Day in Hell and last week’s collaborative track with Cults, Gary, Indiana hip-hop workhorse Freddie Gibbs has returned with yet another project. As Prefix points out, Gibbs and famed producer Madlib have teamed up for a joint EP entitled Thuggin‘. Due for release on December 13th via Stones Throw, the six-track effort comprises two main vocal tracks, instrumentals and two bonus beats. Below, you can stream the title track.

Pre-orders for a vinyl version of Thuggin‘ are now ongoing via Stone Throw’s website. The record features a dual A-side cover with ‘Madlib’ on one side (see above), ‘Freddie Gibbs’ on the other.

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib – “Thuggin’”:

Thuggin’ Tracklist:
01. Thuggin’ (vocal)
02. Thuggin’ (instrumental)
03. Rio Call (bonus beats)
04. Deep (vocal)
05. Deep (instrumental)
06. Cold On The Blvd (bonus beats)

Enter the Red Hot Organization, a group responsible not only for some of the best compilation/tribute albums of the past two decades (2009′s stellar Dark Was the Night among them) but also for raising over 10 million dollars in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Red Hot’s 1996 Red Hot + Rio outing saw David Byrne, Sting, and Stereolab join bossa nova veterans on updated reworkings of their classics. The result was a critical and commercial success that shed light on an issue and a genre that, it’s safe to say, would largely go ignored without this sort of mainstream exposure.

Red Hot + Rio 2 comes over a decade after its predecessor, loaded with all manners of contemporary artists whose work is informed by Tropicália’s lively stylings. The tracklist reads a bit like a who’s who of today’s music world. Beirut makes the cut, as do Cults, hot off the success of their self-titled debut. Left-field hip-hop auteur Madlib makes an appearance, where feral horns and drums sound surprisingly at home under Joyce Moreno’s warm Portuguese vocals, paying their dues to the legends. Alt-rock icons David Byrne and Beck also stand out. Beck’s fresh take on his 1998 semi-hit “Tropicalia” with the help of samba vet Seu Jorge is easily among the album’s highlights.

While there are some dicey points–the inclusion of the (relatively) very normal, English-sung “Panis et Circensis” is made even more puzzling, as it’s sandwiched between the rousing strums of Beirut’s “O Leaozinho” and of Montreal + Os Mutantes’ spazzed-out take on the latter’s “Bat Macumba”–the sheer quality that Red Hot + Rio 2 maintains over the course of its two discs and 33 tracks makes this a very noteworthy effort. With massive star power that’ll surely go a long way in luring a fair share of new fans over to its side, Red Hot + Rio 2 makes for an ideal introductory point to Tropicália’s rich history, with enough deep cuts and exclusive material to warrant attention from those already familiar with it.

While you might be familiar with Stones Throw Records, you might not be too familiar with its series of podcast mixtapes. Spun together by various members of the label, it’s a chance for the independent label to preview new tracks and build much-needed hype. For the 64th installment, label founder Peanut Butter Wolf breaks us off, amongst other things, snippets of two new Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib) tracks in the form of “Avalanche Lap/Victory Lap” (via Gorilla Vs. Bear), which you can check out below. No word yet on when the official full-length cuts will be released, but rumor is that they’ll be included on the next Madvillain LP, slated to hit stores sometime this year. And while you’re at it, make sure to check out the rest of the 50-minute podcast here, with samples and tracks from the likes of Mayer Hawthorne, The Stepkids, and Dam-Funk.

Check Out:
“Avalanche/Victory Lap”

Exciting… exhilarating… exhausting. Those are a few good ways to describe the current output of Kanye West. The dude just doesn’t stop. Rightfully, fans are beside themselves with joy, while those indifferent to the Chicago MC must be out of their mind annoyed by the constants tweets and posts detailing the latest West-related endeavor. Well guess what? It ain’t ending anytime soon — his new album is still six weeks away, and god knows how long it’ll be before the publicity train comes to a halt.

But accepting Kanye West’s world domination is a lot different than knowing about and enjoying his multiple ongoing endeavors. Thus, we put together a handy guide that not only details West’s current projects but also introduces you to his many collaborators. There are also streams of his new songs, along with some nuggets on what’s to come.

Enjoy/hate/run away/be appalled.

Collaborators

– Jay-Z: Billionaire hop hop mogul viewed as father figure by West. The two have previously collaborated on numerous tracks, including “Run This Town”, “Never Let Me Down”, and “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” remix. They’re now collaborating on a brand new EP titled Watch the Throne. West said Jay will appear on the album as well.

– Swizz Beatz: West calls the 32-year-old Bronx native and husband of Alicia Keys “the greatest producer of all time.” He has been heavily prevalent in the G.O.O.D. Friday tracks and that role will continue for the new album.

– Pusha T: One half of the critically acclaimed Clipse, Pusha T recently signed with West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. Since then, he’s been all over West’s G.O.O.D. Friday tracks.

– Kid Cudi: Considered Kanye’s current protégé, the 26-year-old NYC MC is gearing up for the release of his second studio album on G.O.O.D. Music. He is among the confirmed guests on the new album.

– Nicki Minaj: Hip hop’s hottest female MC. She’s currently signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Records and plans to release her solo debut the same as West. However, that didn’t stop Minaj from dropping a blistering verse on the G.O.O.D. Friday track “Monster”.

– Charlie Wilson: The R&B soul singer and lead vocalist of The Gap Band is signed to G.O.O.D. Music.

– Mos Def: Acclaimed MC who recently signed onto G.O.O.D. Music. He has already made an appearance on the G.O.O.D. Friday track “Lord Lord Lord” and is said to be on the album.

– Common: Actor/rapper who is also signed to G.O.O.D. Music. You noticing a trend yet?

– RZA: De facto leader of Wu-Tang clan. The rapper is said to be heavily involved in the production of West’s new album.

– Raekwon: Wu-Tang rapper who collaborated with West on much talked about Justin Bieber remix.

– Q-Tip: Legendary rapper from A Tribe Called Quest. He reportedly produced at least two tracks on the new album and will also appear on West and Jay-Z’s collaborative EP.

– Madlib: Los Angeles based producer who has worked with acts like De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, A.G., and MF DOOM. He is said to have produced five tracks on the new album.

– DJ Premier: Considered on of the greatest producer in hip hop history, the Brooklyn native supplied several beats for the new album.

– John Legend: Piano maestro and much acclaimed R&B vocalist signed to West’s G.O.O.D. Music.

– Justin Vernon: Frontman of the indie folk outfit Bon Iver. West reportedly flew Vernon to his recording sessions in Hawaii where they collaborated on up to a dozen tracks.

– M.I.A.: Acclaimed yet controversial hip hop singer/songwriter who provided vocals on “Swagga Like Us”. She is said to be appearing on West’s album.

– Elly Jackson: Vocalist of UK electropop oufit La Roux. She is also said to have a role on the new album.

– No I.D.: The current President of G.O.O.D. Music is also a producer.

G.O.O.D. Friday

On August 23rd, West revealed his intention to release one new song every Friday night from then and until Christmas. He said via Twitter, “We look at the game completely different now… It’s about the fans. No more holding back.” During the London Premiere for his film Runaway, West further elaborated on the project, noting, “it’s an exercise in the power of art.”

West has dropped nine G.O.O.D. Friday tacks so far, include one that wasn’t supposed to happen and another that features the return of Child Rebel Solider. You can listen to them in the order of their release below:

“Power” remix (feat. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz)

“Monster” (feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver)

“Runaway Love” remix (feat. Raekwon)

“Devil in a New Dress”

“G.O.O.D. Friday” (feat. Big Sean, Charlie Wilson, Common, Kid Cudi, & Pusha T)

“Lord Lord Lord” (feat. Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, & Charlie Wilson)

“So Appalled” (feat. Jay-Z, Pusha T, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Cyhi the Prynce)

“Christian Dior Denim Flow” (feat. Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Lloyd Banks, & Ryan Leslie)

“Don’t Stop”

G.O.O.D. Music

As you may have noticed, many of Kanye West’s current collaborators are also members of his label, G.O.O.D. Music. Of late, the record executive side of West has been especially prolific, signing both Mos Def and Clipse’s Pusha T in the span of a month, and there are rumors that New Orleans rapper Jay Electronica could be next.

The MCs join a roster that already includes Kid Cudi, Common, John Legend, Big Sean, GLC, Consequence, Mr. Hudson, Cyhi The Prynce, Fonzworth Bentley, and Malik Yusef.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

The biggest of Kanye West’s current projects is of course his fifth studio album. Titled My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and due for release on November 22nd via Def Jam, the effort will mark the MC’s return to rap and deep cut samples, after trying his hand at singing on the heavily auto-tuned 2008 effort 808s & Heartbreak.

Like his G.O.O.D. Friday offerings, the effort will also be jam packed with guests, including Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Elly Jackson, M.I.A., and Justin Vernon. Also rumored to appear are Nicki Minaj, Mos Def, Dwele, and Q-Tip.

On the production side, DJ Premier, Mad Lib, Q-Tip, RZA, and Pete Rock are all said to have contributed, while Ye will also incorporate samples ranging from King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” (“Power”) to Aphex Twins’ “Avril 14th” (“Blame Game”). At one time, West was also working with a sample of the Broadway showtune “Wicked”, but it is not known if it will appear on the album.

A tracklist has not yet been announced, but confirmed songs included the first three singles, “Power”, “Runaway”, and “All The Lights”, album opener “Dark Fantasy”, and “Blame Game”.

Artwork has also yet been announced, but there are rumors that the above image could be it.

“Power”

“Runaway”

Runaway: The Film

Image via DJ Semtex

To coincide with the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West created a film titled Runaway. According to the rapper, the 35-minute feature tells “the story of a phoenix fallen to Earth, and I make her my girlfriend, and people discriminate against her and eventually she has to burn herself alive and go back to her world.”

West stars as the main character “Griffin,” while current girlfriend Selita Ebanks plays the phoenix. Nicki Minaj serves as the narrator, using a British accent.

During the London premiere of the film, West said he hoped Runaway would serve as a modern version of such classic music films as Prince’s Purple Rain, Pink Floyd’s The Wall, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller. He also noted that the film was “an overall representation of what I dream”, inspired by artists like Picasso and Matisse.

According to the BBC, the film will receive a worldwide premiere within the next two weeks and will also be packaged with his new album.

Touring

West has yet to confirm any upcoming dates, but he did say he’ll tour in support of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy starting February 2010. According to the BBC, West plans to play several festivals as well as a concert outside the Egyptian pyramids, which will be used to cap off his world travels.

Watch the Throne

West collaborative EP with Jay-Z was perhaps the most unexpected of all of his recent announcement. Five tracks are expected to be included on the effort, with three — the “Power” remix,  Nicki Minaj-featuring “Monster”, and the RZA-featuring “So Appalled” — having already been unveiled. West plans to complete the EP later this month and promises that one of the tracks will feature Q-Tip of A Tripe Called Quest.

A November 23rd release date was initially rumored, but with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy now due out on November 22nd, expect the EP to be pushed back a bit.

“Power” (remix)

“Monster” (feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver)

“So Appalled” (feat. Jay-Z, Pusha T, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Cyhi the Prynce)

CRS (Child Rebel Solider)

Though Lupe Fiasco had previously confirmed CRS (Child Rebel Solider) — the hip hop super group featuring himself, West, and Pharrell Williams — had scrapped plans to expand their discography beyond two songs — “Us Placers” and N.E.R.D.’s “Everyone Nose” remix — West revealed during the London premiere that the project “still in the cards.” Whatever that means.

Update: Go figure. They just released a new song, “Don’t Stop!”, which you can stream below.

“Don’t Stop”

“Us Placers”

Recently, friends and I discussed exactly who the actual hip-hop pioneers were. Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Chuck D, the recently deceased Guru, 2pac, Biggie and Snoop Dogg changed the way we listened to hip-hop over the course of its existence. MF Doom has brought forth new elements to the game, with little to no airplay, yet any rap fan with half a brain has some idea of who he is. After all, the guy did have his on shoe on the market (I believe they were clear). When we began talking about who is changing rap today, some people mentioned Lil’ Wayne, but a majority of us argued MF Doom is a modern day rap prophet. My childhood best friend simply stated this to support his argument, “On the song ‘Kookies,’ Doom says, ‘Don’t mess with the Ritz bits/wheat thins/saltine triscuits.’” And that right there says it all.

MF Doom is a different breed of MC, in a time where mainstream hip-hop is all about money, cars, purple drink, bling, obnoxious and ugly dudes saying “Yeah!” really loud, and worst of all, modern sampling (let’s just say my lunch came up when I heard that “Let’s Go” song sampling Ozzy). MF Doom is constantly in character as the man behind the metal mask. While most rappers portray the image of gangsters with a bad rep (50 Cent), businessman-like geniuses (Kanye West), or fucked up idiots (everybody else), MF Doom is the super villain, with a Dr. Doom metal mask that he even wears in press release photos. Most notable would be a shot of him and Madlib smoking a blunt together, with the mask on. He’s not a gangster, or a drug dealer, he’s a god damn comic book character. He raps about things in the most intelligent form of metaphors and cultural references, all over (mostly self-produced) beats which feature samples from old monster movies, classical, jazz and sound as gritty as the streets that made him. MF Doom is either the hero, or the anti-hero, of modern day rap.

Consider some of the following information when debating on whether or not the statement above is true. MF Doom was originally Zev Love X, a member of the underground sensation K.M.D. (Kausing Much Damage). While K.M.D. vanished into obscurity before they had the chance to ever break through, they made two amazing albums. Alongside Doom in this group was his brother, DJ Subroc, along with frequent appearances from Rodan and Onyx. The albums Mr. Hood and Black Bastards hold more weight now than ever imaginable. Black Bastards is easily one of my favorite hip-hop records ever, containing classic Doom tracks like “What a Niggy Know”, “Smoking that Shit”, and “Constipated Monkey”. MF Doom was still a skinny, little dude with a voice that sounded more like Dres of Black Sheep, rather than the gruff voice we are used to now.

So, what happened? K.M.D. had so much potential with their wit and production, but fate intervened too soon. Unfortunately, DJ Subroc aka Dingilizwe Dumile, was hit by a car in 1993, bringing K.M.D. to an end. MF Doom took to a life of anonymity, wandering the streets of Manhattan, just trying to live one day at a time. In 1997, he began rapping again, and his rhymes were fiercer than ever. He was now brandishing a metal mask, creating his first, personal masterpiece Operation: Doomsday, and collaborating with a group called the Monsta Island Czars on their album Escape from Monsta Island!. Operation: Doomsday went on to become an underground classic, with its raw-style production, rough flows, and spectacular comic book imagery; it set a whole new precedent for modern hip-hop. Nobody, and I mean nobody, was making hip-hop records like this in 1999.

For the next decade, MF Doom would make a collection of several records in a very short amount of time. He made many solo records, under numerous different aliases. Under the name King Geedorah, he made one of his finest records, Take Me to Your Leader. Tracks like “Fazers”, “Fast Lane”, and “No Snakes Alive”, are as evil and diabolical as the real King Geedorah. He also made records under the moniker Viktor Vaughn from 2003-2004, while also doing MF Doom records as well such as MM Food, an album that is entirely about eating, and Born Like This. Not to mention his multiple instrumental records, known as Special Herbs, where he named himself Metal Fingers. Here, one can see why Doom’s knowledge of sampling and production is impeccable.

On top of his solo work, MF Doom has collaborated with some of the finest producers and musicians of the modern age. In 2004, MF Doom made an album sampling multiple moments from Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim with Danger Mouse. The project was entitled Danger Doom, and the album was The Mouse and the Mask, which featured appearances from Ghostface and Talib Kweli, as well as a Tarantino-sampled beat on “Old School” (I wanted this to be a beat as soon as I saw Kill Bill Vol. 1). Then, came his collaboration with Madlib, which was my personal favorite, Madvillian. The beats on this record were flawless, with Madlib and Doom’s bizarre sense of jazz, sampling, instrumentation and beneath-the-streets rhyming. Quasimoto appeared on a couple tracks, most notably, “America’s Most Blunted”, but the album contains so many gems, that it could easily be known as a hip-hop classic.

MF Doom has been everywhere in the hip-hop game. He continues to prosper so well because he has created his own real-life comic book super villain, and that’s what hip-hop is all about, maintaining the personality you project within your songs. MF Doom has no problem doing that, because he knows exactly who he is. In the recent season of Breaking Bad, character Jesse Pinkman talks about the first step to living is to know exactly who you are and he says, “I know who I am. I’m the bad guy.” MF Doom knows exactly who he is; he’s the ultra-intelligent super villain to modern day rap, here to blow up the projects, and our minds simultaneously. This is why he’s doing better than Lil’ Wayne. This is why he’s the top MC of modern day rap. This is why MF Doom is a fucking icon.

The 11-track album, one of our Top 35 to buy this year, will be released through Universal Motown. As we reported last month, Return of the Ankh will feature guests the likes of ?uestlove and Grammy winner James Poyser, and producer 9th Wonder. The album will also include production from Madlib and the late J Dilla, and a web-only bonus track entitled “Jump in the Air” features Andre 3000 of OutKast, Lil’ Wayne, Bilal, and several other guests. The track was removed from the physical tracklist because of an early leak. We hope Badu hasn’t delayed the album in order to remove any other leaked tracks. Restrain yourselves.

The full tracklist is below.

New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh Tracklist:
01. 20 Feet Tall
02. Window Seat
03. Agitation
04. Get Money
05. Don’t Be Long
06. Love
07. Umm Hmm
08. Fall in Love
09. Incense
10. Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 1) (Undercover Over-Lover)
11. Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 2)

Erykah Badu 2010 Tour Dates
01/29 – Montego Bay, Jamaica @ Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival
02/13 – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
02/19 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

An offshoot of Madlib’s Yesterdays New Quintet, which disbanded in 2007, The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble previously released two Madlib-produced, seasonally-themed records (2007’s Summer Suite and 2009’s Fall Suite) and is the producer’s outlet for his brand of wild, 21st century jazz fusion.

Miles Away will be out in the Spring, and we’ll have a tracklist available for you as soon as possible.

Updating a story we reported on last week, it turns out that a collaboration between high-profile hip-hoppers Talib Kweli, DOOM, Madlib, and Kanye West won’t actually be happening. The sad news comes from Mr. Kweli, the man who got the whole rumor started in the first place, in an interview with XXLMag.com.

“There was no song, I only said I was in the studio chillin’ with Ye, Madlib and Doom and the world assumed we was working on a song,” Kweli explained. “We was drinking lol,” he continued. “Not Ye though.” So, there.

In other news, Ye is apparently in India.

“Wait in the lab with mfdoom madlib and kanye. No words”

In other words, it looks as if Kweli has teamed up with Madlib (after their brilliant album Liberation arrived in 2007), MF Doom, and Kanye West for some sort of collaboration, and the possibilities have set tongues wagging.

Of course, the timing couldn’t be better, what with fans hoping for a return to the underground for West, who faced public ridicule over the Taylor Swift incident at the VMA’s, and the fact that Madlib and MF Doom’s Q-rating is quite high right now (cough cough Madvillian).

The details don’t go beyond there, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated if we find out more.

Lucky for us, according to XXL Mag, the two are fixing up another batch of comic-book infused, blunt smoke hazed, glorious hip hop. This all stems from an interview Doom did with The New Yorker, in which Doom mentioned a new project with the producer. The follow-up to Madvillainy has yet to receive a release date, however, the two are slated to perform at the 4th annual We The People Fest, in Los Angeles on November 21st.