Back in 2008, long before Tyler, the Creator and company ever dreamed of television stardom, jack of all trades Kanye West teamed up with fellow Chicago MC Rhymefest and the producers behind Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers for another profanity-laced freaky puppet show entitled Alligator Boots. Sadly, nothing came of the project that was sure to be a gangsta rap version of The Muppets. That was, however, until now. Below in all its comedic glory is a 10-minute behind-the-scenes look at the show. With everything from Kim Kardashian dressed as Slave Leia to Ye and Rhymefest snowballing ideas, it sure beats any of West’s appearances on The Cleveland Show.

The Grammy-winning artist released a video today confirming his run for 20th Ward Alderman. For those perhaps not up on their political nomenclature, an Alderperson is essentially a member sitting on a city council (the term is used differently in various areas, but that’s what it means to Chicagoans). If elected, Rhymefest would represent parts of Back of the Yards, Englewood, New City, Washington Park, and Woodlawn in Chicago’s legislative branch.

Those familiar with the artist may not be utterly surprised by the announcement. For one thing, it has been whispered about for some time. For another, Rhymefest himself said he made a point of switching to indie label dN|Be Entertainment in part because it “serves a greater purpose in Hip Hop and the Black community.” According to Wikipedia, Woodlawn is about 94% black. You’ve got to respect a man who really follows through on his principles.

If you want to support Rhymefest in his race against incumbent Alderman Willie Cochran, you can join him on October 21st for what is sure to be the first of many campaign rallies. You’ll find him Thursday at Exclusively Yours Auto Spa, 5820 S. State Street at 10:30 am. Check out the announcement video below, and for more information, contact his campaign via Unify20thWard@gmail.com.

Out May 18th, the followup to 2006′s Blue Collar LP will feature guest emcees including Little Brother and Saigon, along with a fellow Chicago rapper called Twone Gabz. The 16-track LP will also sport the production work of several notables, such as Scram Jones, S1, BKS and Terry Hunter.

The track list is not out yet, but Rhymefest has created a website that will release new information about the album daily, called ElCheTheMovement.com. The site also has a couple of streaming singles — “Say Wassup” and “How High” — along with links to social networking sites and a blog. This has the potential to be as anticlimactic as the Bonnaroo announcement, but keep in mind there should be tour dates up there soon as well (He’s already set to appear at South by Southwest). The MC will also have a mixtape up called DANGEROUS: 5-18 by spring.

On a side note, now seems like a good opportunity to remind you of our SXSW Day Party with Sled Island Music Festival. Click here for more details!

Remixes are nothing new for the Swedish trio known as Peter Bjorn & John. If you need any evidence of this, look no further than the selection we debuted a little while back.

But PB&J have never seen their name attached to an entire album worth of remixes. That will change come Thursday, August 27th, when Re-Living Thing hits a blog near you.

As you may expect from the title, the 12-track effort features reworkings of the trio’s most recent studio effort. Created by producer Mick Boogie, the man behind last year’s Jay-Z/Coldplay mash-up mixtape, Viva la Hova, the result sees all 12 of Living Thing‘s tracks reworked and remixed by an impressive roster that includes Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA, Kardinal Offishall, Wale, Talib Kweli, Bun B, Three 6 Mafia, Trouble Andrew, Amanda Blank, 88-Keys, Young Chris & Rhymefest, and Big Sean, as well as DJs like Jazzy Jeff, nVMe, and The Kickdrums.

“Because of the success of that Jay-Z thing, great things have been happening,” explained Boogie in a recent interview with MTV.com. “This time the idea was not just remixing, but adding some vocals and getting two to three incredible, known blog-worthy MCs and putting them on every song.”

Boogie went on to note that all the artists appearing on the effort were chosen by Peter Bjorn & John. “We talked music and production and artists and it showed me what a global phenomenon hip-hop is, because these guys who grew up in Sweden were quoting Wu-Tang lyrics — and they knew all the underground stuff, too, like Amanda Blank and Kidz in the Hall,” he said.

Re-Living Thing will be released on the 27th as a free online mixtape on “on all your favorite blogs.”  Get the tentative tracklist (via MTV) below…

Re-Living Thing Tracklist:
01. J. Cole & GZA – “The Feeling” (remixed by Marco Polo)
02. Kardinal Offishall, Donnis & Heno – “It Just Don’t Move Me” (remixed by Jet Audio)
03. Big Sean & Black Milk – “Just The Past” (remixed by nVMe)
04. Wale, Young Chris & Rhymefest – “Nothing To Worry About” (remixed by The Kickdrums)
05. Bun B – “Losing My Mind” (remixed by 6th Sense)
06. Freebass 808 & Amanda Blank – “Living Thing” (remixed by Apple Juice Kid)
07. Talib Kweli – “I Want You” (remixed by William Russell / Good Life Mike)
08. Three Six Mafia and Trouble Andrew – “Lay It Down” (remixed by The Kickdrums)
09. Big Pooh, Chaundon and Phil Nash – “Stay This Way” (remixed by Jazzy Jeff)
10. Naledge & Mickey Factz – “Blue Period Picasso” (remixed by nVMe)
11. 88 Keys, Outasight & 6th Sense – “4 Out Of 5″ (remixed by 6th Sense)
12. U-N-I – “Last Night” (remixed by Remot)