Business moves quick, and that's no exception for the rap world. From the hottest new signings, to movie deals, to album pushbacks, the industry is constantly in motion. It can be hard to keep up with at times, so we've consolidated all of the must-hear information from the past month, all in one place. Be on the look out for this monthly recap of news-worthy items you may have missed to stay afloat with the industry.
DJ Drama Hints That Lil Wayne's "Dedication 6" Will Drop After "Tha Carter V," Plus "Free Weezy Album"
The wait continues for Wayne’s new material amidst label trouble. D6 might not happen for a bit, but the rapper is expected to drop another mixtape, FWA, in March.
Unfortunately the month started off with the murder of local rapper Tha Jacka, who was gunned down in Oakland.
The guy just can’t keep it together, can he?
FREE SHMURDA!
Crooked I aka KXNG Crooked (these days) has a new side project with producer/DJ (and pivotal Joey Bada$$ collaborator) Statik Selektah.
The Twigs approached the UK singer about two years ago. After they rejected her offer of $15,000 to buy the name, she added the FKA (which stands for 'formerly known as') in front of her alias.
If you don’t know, now ya know… Spoiler alert: Iggy didn’t win.
Check out the highlights to see the great musical moments you may have missed.
Ye and Ri's recent single is the first of what will be much more collaboration between the two artists on the Rihanna's new album, as Kanye has revealed he will be filling the executive producer role on the still-untitled album.
Flockaveli 2 has been added to the list of albums to watch for in 2015, along with the likes of Kanye, Drake, and Kendrick. Waka revealed that the follow up to 2010’s Flockaveli will feature guest appearances from Kanye West, Drake, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, 50...
The Dipset reunion is just beginning. While we've yet to receive a whole lot of music from the crew, they announced a new tour to support their upcoming effort.
Missy Elliott Hits Studio With Timbaland, Pharrell
Following her phenomenal Super Bowl appearance, Missy was seen in the studio with both Timbaland and Pharrell this past month,
Hot Spitta is poised to have a big 2015. Album drops April 4th.
Kanye West made headlines all month, but the biggest news was probably his fashion line.
Pharrell's continues to make the earth a better place. This time, he gives a gift to the children.
It was really sad to hear that De'Von Pickett and Eric Parker, who had flown to Philadelphia to assist Nicki Minaj with her tour rehearsals, were both stabbed outside of a bar. Pickett died from his wounds and Parker was put in critical condition.
The Funk Volume rapper announced a new album mid-February, and released his first single off it, "Train Your Mind."
An alleged love child born 21 years ago is claiming that Jay Z is blocking his attempts to get a paternity test. In order to prove that the music mogul is his father, he is suing.
Turk, former member of Hot Boyz, didn't have a career that panned out like Lil Wayne's. It looks like him and Weezy still have a few things in common though, because they're both to suing Cash Money.
In 2006, Three 6 Mafia won an Oscar for "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," from the "Hustle & Flow" soundtrack. Nine years later another rapper-- Common-- has taken home the gold for Best Original Song.
Cole's new album is his most successful release yet. 2014 Forest Hills Drive has already gone gold, and is quickly en route to achieving platinum certification, as it hovers near the 800k mark in total sales. The tour has three different acts, and he'll be joined by Big Sean, YG and Jeremih for the North American leg this summer.
In an unlikely move, The-Dream will release an album on a vintage format exclusively, with partner-in-crime Tricky.
Love him or hate him, Kanye West is certainly a visionary.
He will play NYC, Brooklyn, Washington DC, Boston, San Diego and more.
Yelawolf is finally prepping to follow up 2011's Radioactive. The rapper warmed us up just the other week, with "Whiskey In A Bottle."
April 28th.
While Trey Songz will be joining Minaj overseas, it was announced that rumored boyfriend Meek Mill will be one the supporting acts on her summer tour.
The 31-city tour will kick off on March 24th.
Sean is looking to move 140k-150k including streams opening week, while Breezy and Tyga will do around 70k-75k including streams.
Drizzy breaks his own record with this one, and on another chart, the Hot 100, he ties The Beatles' record of 14 simultaneous hits charting. Drake also managed to move half a million copies in less than a week.
Yeezy is continuing with a Godly theme on his latest opus, which he revealed the title of on the first day of March. So Help Me God.
Upcoming March Releases:
Krayzie Bone Chasing the Devil (March 3)
G-Unit The Beast Is G-Unit (March 3)
Brodinski Brava (March 3)
TUXEDO (Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One) Tuxedo (March 3)
Cannibal Ox Blade of the Ronin (March 3)
Madonna Rebel Heart (March 10)
Webbie Money Good (March 17)
Berner 20 Lights (March 17)
Da 'Unda 'Dogg In With The Old Out With The New (March 17)
J-Diggs & Jacka Mobb Nation (March 17)
Da Mafia 6ix Watch What U Wish (March 17)
Project Pat Mista Don't Play 2: Everythangs Money (March 24)
Action Bronson Mr. Wonderful (March 24)
Rapper Big Pooh Words Paint Pictures (March 24)
Ludacris Ludaversal (March 31)
Mark Battles & Dizzy Wright Lost in Reality (March 31)
Wale The Album About Nothing (March 31)
Outasight Chasing A Ghost (March 31)
The-Dream Crown (March 31)