KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, Common, and Bahamadia are among the hip-hop artists freestyling on "Lyricist Lounge, Volume One," a 2-CD package dedicated to the art of emceeing. To be released May 5 by Rawkus, the set collects highlights from the New York club's open mic sessions, which have been running in and around the city since 1991. De La Soul hosts the first disc, mixing in skits with improv tracks, while Kool Keith and Sir Menelik keep the show going on the second. The first single, "Body Rock," by Mos Def featuring Q-Tip and Tash, dropped in early May; its video has just been released to major commercial outlets.
The Lyricist Lounge will take to the road this summer to promote the album. The Roots, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, Busta Rhymes, and Slick Rick are among the artists that will join De La Soul, Black Star, and Medina Green at select shows. The tour is slated to kick off June 18 in Chicago, with a dozen or so dates wrapping Aug. 22 in Boston.
The Lyricist Lounge will take to the road this summer to promote the album. The Roots, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, Busta Rhymes, and Slick Rick are among the artists that will join De La Soul, Black Star, and Medina Green at select shows. The tour is slated to kick off June 18 in Chicago, with a dozen or so dates wrapping Aug. 22 in Boston.
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