After an electrifying performance with Kanye West on Chappelle's Show a couple of months ago, heads began buzzing about Common's new single, "The Food" and upcoming release, Be. The buzz then intensified when rumors started spreading that Com's next LP was to be released through Kanye West's Very Good Music imprint. Though the album was initially slated to be released in June, it has since been pushed back. Now, word is that the album is destined to be a banger with Kanye and Jay Dee reportedly handling the bulk of the production. Sources say the LP captures Com in Resurrection form.

_____________________________

Nas is scheduled to appear on Jill Scott's sophomore album. In the cover story of The Source magazine's September issue, God's son revealed that DJ Premier called him to appear on a track he was working on for Scott's album. The article also reported that Nas' last Columbia LP is slated to be entirely produced by DJ Premier.

________________________________________

Shortly after inking a worldwide deal for his Garden Seeker Productions, Ali Shaheed Muhammad has announced the signings of former Fu-Schnickens member Chip-Fu and shed the dim light on A Tribe Called Quest's future.

Wasting no time, Shaheed is currently collaborating with a bevy of musicians on his imprint's first release, Shaheedullah & Stereotypes, which is slated to drop in October.

"Arthur Mann and Neil Levine are respected icons within the music business," Ali said in a statement. "I am inspired by what they have achieved and am eager to learn from their experiences. My Garden Seeker Productions family and I are ecstatic about the new partnership. We plan to turn the heat up with Penalty by our side. Lookout. 'Elevated Orange,' baby."

Despite his own project, Shaheed has added veteran Chip-Fu of the early '90s rapid-fire trio and newcomers Kay and Sy Smith to his label's roster.

"He's hot. He's fire. I produced songs on the Fu-Schnickens record. For me to be around Chip, it's just natural," Shaheed told SOHH.com via phone. "He's a very talented artist walking the streets. He was looking for a home and I saw his vision."

While Tribe has announced their reunion over a year ago, heads have yet to hear new material from the group. Now word is that Kaamal aka Q-Tip is prepping a new solo album and Shaheed is now working on his label.

"It's always a question mark, nothing certain. Kaamal already said in statements there's nothing more for Tribe to be established. There's nothing more that can be shed in that regard," Ali revealed. "We're doing a show in San Diego for the first time in 6 years. But there are no recordings, nothing new."

Shaheedullah & Stereotypes hits stores in October.

_______________________

After being featured on six songs from Ludacris’ two albums and Disturbing Tha Peace’s Golden Grain album, rapper I-20 is preparing to drop his solo album, Self Explanatory.

According to the rapper, his album will be a memorable release in the annals of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop history books.

“It’s an explanation of me,” I-20 says of his album. “I speak through my music. I’m coming from leftfield and I’ve got a good, wide range of music. I’m going to put the exclamation point on Southern Hip-Hop music. No one is doing what I’m doing musically, lyrically. Outkast and Scarface came before me, but I’m bringing a defining moment in Southern Hip-Hop history with my album.”

And while he appeared on Luda’s songs, which are usually more carefree, I-20 says fans should expect his solo debut to be more serious than his mentor’s.

“I represent the ‘Disturbed’ in ‘Disturbing Tha Peace.’ I represent a different side, the bleak reality of what’s going right and what’s going wrong in America. Regardless, I’m going to give it to you honest.”

And like a select few rappers that are starting to state their political views, I-20 states his opinion on the United States in the song “I Pray for America.” On the song, I-20 explains how he feels America will pay for the alleged injustices committed across the planet.

“I wrote it because I see life for what it is,” I-20 continued. “Now don’t get it twisted. I love America, but we’re a hustle country. I wanted to let people know that I’m aware of what we’re doing. We’re a bully. America realizes it’s the only superpower left.”

The album features production by Kanye West, Salaam Remi, Jook and Shondrae as well as guest appearances by Chingy, Three 6 Mafia, Juvenile, Shawnna, Ludacris and others. Self Explanatory hits stores September 21.