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It's not every day five Hip Hop heavyweights come together on one track (well, unless we're talking about Wu-Tang Clan), but that's exactly what Chuck D, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Ice-T, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Bumpy Knuckles did with "Me & My Microphone." The song arrived on Tuesday (November 29) with the fury of Public Enemy, hardcore rhymes of the Original Gangster and precise delivery of a Run-DMC legend. 

"I'm a superhero/And my weapon is my microphone," the track begins. From there, Jazzy Jeff provides the cuts as each MC rides the Bumpy Knuckles-produced beat like the seasoned vets they are. Check back with RAPstation soon for an exclusive interview with all five. In the meantime, listen to "Me & My Microphone" below. 

Ladybug Mecca, Prince Paul, Don Newkirk and Rodrigo Brandão formed BROOKZILL! in 2017 out of a shared love of Brazilian and Hip Hop music. They released just one album, Throwback To The Future, then disbanded. But on Sunday (November 27), Rahiem of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five revealed Newkirk had passed away at the age of 56. 

“It is with a heavy heart I announce the transitioning of my brother Don Newkirk,” Rahiem wrote in a Facebook post. “Fifty-six years young. Don Newkirk was among the first R&B artists signed to Def Jam records. My condolences go out to his family. S.I.P bro.”

Newkirk, a former Def Jam artist, served as the game show host on De La Soul's 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, and provided voiceover work on the

The gun violence within Hip Hop community continues to grow. From Young Dolph and Takeoff to King Von and Trouble, several rappers have lost their lives over the last few years—and the list just keeps getting longer. On Saturday (November 26), Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes and The LOX came together for the common good, participating in a show dubbed "Legacy of Hip Hop Stop The Violence Concert." 

Hosted by Hot 97 radio personality Funkmaster Flex and held at the St. George Theater in Staten Island,  the event featured performances from the seasoned rappers sponsored by K Woods Foundation, Ghostface and the Waterteam. Kareem Woods of the K Woods Foundation has helmed several projects benefiting the Park Hill youth, including building a new playground and basketball

Mount Westmore—the rap supergroup comprised of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40—has returned with a new video for "Free Game," the latest offering from their forthcoming debut album. The cinematic visual takes the viewer on a heist along with the group as Snoop raps about his various endorsement deals and Short spits about his hustle game. 

Speaking to SPIN last month, Mount Westmore revealed they managed to record around 50 songs for their aptly titled album, Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort, as the pandemic wreaked havoc on the concert industry in 2020. 

“We ain’t dustin’ off nothing,” Short said. “If rap was a sport, I stay in the game. I don’t

Pharcyde is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde with an unearthed single called "My Man," which was originally intended to be the album's closer. Over a jazz-infused beat, Slimkid3 and Fatlip swap verses with special guest J Swift for roughly three minutes. The spirited single, of course, retains that same West Coast Hip Hop magic that etched Pharcyde into the music history books. 

Coinciding with the release is the Pharcyde's new collaboration with skateboard/lifestyle brand, Lakai. The limited edition line includes bucket hats, shoes, t-shirts, hoodies and accessories such as key chains. 

As for the group itself, Imani, Fatlip and Slimkid3 have reconvened as The Farside (formerly of the Pharcyde) due to legal reasons. Bootie Brown

Santigold appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series this week, performing “L.E.S. Artistes,” “I’m A Lady,” “Shake,” “Fall First" and “Ain’t Got Enough.” Backed by longtime Stiffed collaborator Chuck Treece on drums, Twin Shadow on bass and two background vocalists, Santi sailed through her performance with the professionalism of the seasoned musician she is, while putting her punk rock ethos front and center. 

It marked one of the first live performances from the genre-bending chanteuse since she canceled her Holified Tour in September due to “devastating” costs due to inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of that on top of the already-tapped mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional resources of just having made it through the past few