Q-tip was previously signed to DreamWorks, but plans for an album were scrapped. His last album Amplified yielded the hit song “Vivrant Thing.” He attempted to put out a non-rap album under and alter ego "Kamaal the Abstract," but the album never came out. (because it sucked)

In related news, Tip and producers Rockwilder and Hi-Tek have signed a deal to produce exclusive wireless beats and 30-second “songs” for BlingTones.

In 2003, ATCQ’s former label Jive Records released Hits, Rarities & Remixes, a slew of remixed Tribe songs like "Buggin' Out," "Award Tour," "Bonita Applebaum," and "Check The Rhime."

The group has attempted to reunite, but have yet to move past mere talk.

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Many were skeptical if John Legend could crawl out of the shadow of Kanye West and his ego. But according to Vibe Magazine he has done more than crawl out of the shadow, he apparently has stolen the spotlight from Kanye altogether. The mag awarded Get Lifted a classic rating in the newest issue of Vibe.

The talented pianist/vocalist has been making noise as of late. From his beautiful vocals on songs such as Slum Village’s “Selfish” to Dilated Peoples “This Way” people have been wondering exactly who is Kanye’s new protégé’. By the time his lead single “Used To Love U” hit radio, the name John Legend was on the minds of many. He has been spoken in the same breath as many great musicians including Stevie Wonder and apparently Vibe felt like the singer/songwriter deserved the classic nod.

Get Lifted sold over 100,000 in its first week. While many may wonder if a classic rating is appropriate Entertainment Weekly feels the same way about the debut giving it an “A-” and stated “On the evidence of his major-label debut, Get Lifted, John Legend may be one of the few new jacks in a league with (Stevie Wonder or Smokey Robinson or Marvin Gaye).”

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NEW YORK, NY, January 11, 2005 - Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) today announced hip-hop
artist Talib Kweli will be the voice of Trane, the lead character in Atari's new video game, Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. The video game promises to be an homage to graffiti's rich culture and represents the culmination of seven years of story and character development by fashion pioneer Marc Ecko, himself a former graffiti artist with deep ties to the urban community.

Known for his evocative and compelling lyrics, Kweli has recently released the critically acclaimed The Beautiful Struggle (2004) album and has toured with
renowned artists and producers such as Mos Def, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Beastie Boys.

As Trane, Kweli is providing the voice for an outcast and rebel determined to establish his credibility in the politically oppressive city of New Radius, but whoultimately becomes the unlikely leader of an urban revolution.

"Because a video game has a hip-hop soundtrack doesn't automatically make it a true representation of urban life. The urban reality is about making your voice heard and with Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure we're looking to authentically capture that daily challenge in a highly engaging manner," said Marc Ecko, Executive Creative Director for Getting Up.

"There is no better artist to help challenge the video game status quo and personify Trane than Talib, and we are excited to be adding his respected talent to our video game."

The story's "Get IN, Get UP and Get OUT" gameplay mechanic offers players a unique combination of skills, including the sneak and street fighting abilities needed to battle through the city's rough streets and Get IN restricted areas; the dexterity and agility to scale any object in order to Get UP graffiti tags and spread the message of rebellion; and the ingenuity to evade, escape and Get OUT.

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After much deliberation, medical records of civil rights legend Rosa Parks' will be made public to help determine whether she approved the lawsuit filed against Outkast, their record label and distributor for using her name on their 1998 single.

Judge George C. Steeh of Federal District Court ruled that some of Parks' medical records must be made public after the Detroit Free Press demanded to see the records in regards to a suit between Park's representatives, Outkast, Jive Records and BMG.

Parks, 91, suffers from dementia and her records could be made available by the end of the week. Former Detroit Mayor, Dennis Archer, who is presently Parks' caretaker is strongly opposed to the publication of the records. "You will in effect be hurting someone who has done so much for Americans and for persons of color," Archer told the New York Times. "It's private. It doesn't serve anybody any good."

According to the Free Press, the documents might help determine whether Parks approved the suit filed on her behalf. Parks' family members have suspected that the suit filed on her behalf against Kast back in 1999 might have been done without her approval. Other relatives even said they didn't think Parks would be offended by the use of her name in a song and believe she's being exploited. "There's been a lot that has come up in recent weeks about whether the lawsuit even reflects her will," Detroit Free Press lawyer, Hershel Fink told the Times. "Her nieces have been quoted in newspaper stories saying that Auntie Rosa would not have wanted this lawsuit."

Outkast was eventually dismissed as a defendant, but a second suit was filed last summer demanding $5 billion from its record company and distributor. Judge Steeh ordered Parks' legal team to review her records and submit any documents they feel should remain private before making a final decision. "So much has already been discussed and released about Ms.Parks's mental health," Fink explained. "I think that once a dispute is submitted to the public's courts, the public has a right to see and to oversee what takes place."

In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama - an action which galvanized the NAACP and spearheaded the civil rights movement. Parks' segregation law violation and arrest eventually led to a boycott of Montgomery's city bus line for 381 days. Consequently, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was illegal on public buses a year later.

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"We Are the Future," the update of the 1985 charity single "We Are the World" that was to be recorded following the Grammy Awards ceremony on February 13, has been postponed.

The plan to have major celebrities from different genres of music all congregate in one studio and record the song has been put on hold, organizers said, due to the tragic death of thousands in the wake of the tsunami on December 26.

In a statement released Tuesday morning (January 11), Jermaine Dupri, who was tapped by Quincy Jones to produce the record, said, "The timing is not right for us to record a song about the future when so many people have lost their lives. We will proceed in a few months, but right now it's about helping those who are dealing with the tsunami disaster and that should honestly be the focus."

Last month, JD detailed plans to have major artists band together on Grammy night to record a song for charity. "We Are the Future" is planned as an update of sorts to "We Are the World," the groundbreaking track that was released 20 years ago. Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Lionel Richie were among the many stars who participated in that effort, the proceeds from which went toward famine relief in Africa.

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Jimmy James Johnson, the man who allegedly initiated the Vibe Awards melee on November 15 by attacking Dr. Dre, pleaded not guilty to assault at his arraignment Monday in Los Angeles.

Johnson, whom authorities believe punched Dr. Dre in the face after the producer refused to sign an autograph, remains in custody on a parole violation connected to a previous charge of armed robbery. He is due back in court January 26, when a date for a preliminary hearing will be set.

Meanwhile, Young Buck, who has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing Johnson, will be arraigned on Friday.

The G-Unit rapper, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, faces up to eight years in prison if convicted, according to Deputy District Attorney Hamid Towfigh.

Lt. Frank Fabrega of the Santa Monica Police Department said investigators are still attempting to identify two other men seen brandishing knives in videotape of the incident