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Goodie Mob’s New Album Features Andre 3000 & Big Boi

The legendary Atlanta collective Goodie Mob has been a hip-hop mainstay for decades, a journey that began with the release of their 1995 debut Soul Food. Now, the quartet has officially come forward to announce their sixth studio album Survival Kit, which is set to hit DSPs on November 13th. For those keeping score, the project will be their first since 2013’s Age Against The Machine, which featured guest appearances from T.I, Big Rube, and Janelle Monáe.

Goodie Mob

Catherine McGann / Contributor/Getty Images

Now, Big Gipp, Cee-Lo, Khujo, and T-Mo are once again looking to hold it down in the name of Organized Noize, continuing the historic run that sparked off all those years ago. Based on the early glimpses of what we’ve seen thus far, including the Chuck D-assisted single “Are You Ready,” the current global climate will have a notable impact on the project’s lyrical content. “Right now, just seeing all of our people on TV marching and protesting and being shot at, bottles and stuff being chucked at the police, people burning down buildings and looting because we’re tired of all of the injustices,” explains T-Mo, in an official press release.

If neither the topical subject matter nor the group’s legacy are enough to entice you, consider that the Mob’s latest is set to feature new appearances from both André 3000 and Big Boi, though sadly not on the same track. Still, the possibility of some new Three Stacks bars never fails to entice — don’t be surprised to see “No Cigar” emerge as an early highlight, if only based on Andre’s notorious elusive nature. Check out the full tracklist below, and look for Survival Kit to land in full on November 13th.

1. Are You Ready Feat. Chuck D
2. Frontline
3. Curry Goat
4. No Cigar Feat. André 3000
5. Prey 4 Da Sheep Feat. Big Boi
6. DC Young Fly Crowe’s Nest Break
7. 4 My Ppl
8. Big Rube’s Road Break
9. Off-Road
10. Try We
11. Me Tyme
12. Back2Back
13. Survival Kit
14. Calm B 4 Da Storm
15. Big Rube’s Amazing Break
16. Amazing Grays

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Kanye West Joins Chicago Ceremony Honoring His Mother With Dr. Donda West Way

Kanye West was in Chicago for a street naming ceremony honoring his late mother, Dr. Donda West, and celebrating her lasting contributions to the city, her impact on education and the arts, and her influence on her son’s life.

A portion of 78th Street bears the official designation of Dr. Donda West Way, an appropriate tribute to a woman whose legacy remains deeply entangled with Chicago. Local news covered the ceremony, attended by community leaders, and Ye could be seen clapping in the background, wearing shades, as the new street sign was unveiled.

The event celebrated Donda West’s accomplishments and her impact on the people in her life. It was also a moment of profound personal significance for Kanye. His mother played a large part in building his confidence and supporting his musical ambitions, leading him down the path that would ultimately make him one of the most recognizable artists in music.

West had already paid tribute to his mother in his 2021 album Donda. The project took 10 years to complete, the amount of time it took Ye to process her tragic passing. Donda’s voice is present throughout the album, adding another personal element to a project centered on her memory and legacy.

The Chicago ceremony falls during a busy time for West. The artist is on a world tour and played a couple of shows in Chicago just a few weeks ago. Despite the ongoing controversy about his recent past and public reception, his repeated returns to the stage have underscored the enduring size of his audience.

Currently, the unveiling of Dr. Donda West Way is not about music but about celebrating Donda West’s life and accomplishments and the impact she continues to have through the legacy she left behind.

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DJ Akademiks Opens the Door to Pusha T Amidst Drake Controversy

DJ Akademiks seems to be changing his tune on Pusha T after the leak of the rapper’s alleged album with Pharrell, though the project reportedly includes several direct shots at Drake.

The reaction is notable as Akademiks and Pusha T have been on completely unique sides of the long-running Drake-Pusha T divide. Pusha T’s infamous beef with Drake reached a major milestone in 2018 with the release of “The Story of Adidon.” Akademiks has an OVO chain and has been a big supporter of Drake, which makes his latest comments about Pusha T even more shocking.

The two have had their differences, though they have never gone back and forth publicly over the years. Akademiks, however, responded to the leaked project with a more sympathetic view of Pusha T’s position. Akademiks didn’t just point out the rapper’s continued Drake references; he also recognized that Drake has been beefing with Pusha T and Pharrell over the last few years.

Things got spicy when Akademiks reminded him that Pusha T has liked a couple of his posts before. That detail apparently has Akademiks considering reaching out directly to talk with Pusha T.

Does Pusha T even want that kind of conversation? Still, Akademiks’ comments imply that he believes there’s room for a more productive discourse between two personalities who have historically been on opposite sides of the Drake-Pusha T feud.

For now, the leaked album has provided an unexpected opening for dialogue. Akademiks’ openness to Pusha T’s side, even with his clear ties to Drake, shifts the conversation away from taking sides and toward whether a direct conversation could actually happen.

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