Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Rakim are among the artists signed on to perform at the traveling 'Rock the Bells' festival, which kicks off on July 19 in Chicago, wrapping August 30 in Vancouver. The ten-city tour will also act as the reunion for '90s alternative hip hop group the Pharcyde.

"This year's line-up represents, respects and recognizes the diversity and inspirational possibilities often promised, but rarely delivered in a live hip-hop experience," Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union, the event's organizer, said in a recent interview. "We really feel that this year's group of artists define our platform and further galvanize the legacy that Rock The Bells has earned through the years."

De La Soul, Raekwon, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Murs and Kidz In The Hall will hit the stage, along with newcomers Kid Sister, Spank Rock, Santogold, Flosstradamus, Jay Electronica, Wale, and The Cool Kids.

After a seven-year hiatus, hip-hop's dynamic duo, Redman and Method Man, are finally back in the studio working on their upcoming album, 'Blackout 2.' "A lot of good music coming out this year," Redman told SitDownStandUp.com in a recent video interview. "You're especially gonna hear from us, finally."

Rumors that the pair were working on new material were solidified when the track 'Broken Language 2008' was leaked onto the internet. 'Blackout 2' is set to hit stores this summer.

Listen to 'Broken Language 2008.'

In a recent interview, Clive Davis discussed the progress of R&B diva Whitney Houston's highly anticipated upcoming album. The music executive and longtime supporter of Houston told Billboard that the singer has enlisted Will.i.am and Akon to help produce the follow-up to 2002's 'Just Whitney.'

"We're on track for a holiday release," Davis told Billboard. "We're not going to compromise who she is to fit into today's hip-hop radio market. The public wants Whitney material."

Davis went on to confirm that Houston has already completed four songs and another four tracks should be finished by the end of this month.

After a four-year hiatus, Usher will release his new album, dubbed 'Here I Stand,' in June. The R&B sensation's first single 'Love in This Club' -- which was leaked onto the internet by producer Polow Da Don last month -- has been rapidly climbing the charts, and is now No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

'Here I Stand' will feature production by Usher's longtime friend Jermaine Dupri, Polow and Timbaland, with guest appearances by Ludacris, Nelly and Young Jeezy.

Looks like hip-hop's dynamic duo, Redman and Method Man, are gearing up for a comeback. There were rumors that the pair were working on new material, and it looks like the first evidence of an upcoming Red and Meth album comes in the name of the leaked single 'Broken Language 2008.'

The rappers borrowed Smoothe the Hustler's '96 track of the same name for their anticipated comeback single as the Funk Doctor spits fire with lyrics like "I'm poison, Bell Biv DeVoe with the pen/Me and this rap s--- going to be friends to the end/Hip-hop ain't dead, but it's swimmin' with a limb."

The Hot Boys -- rappers Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile and Turk, who was to be replaced by Mannie Fresh -- were all set to reunite in their hometown when shots were fired outside the popular New Orleans nightclub, Dream, forcing the venue to close its doors early Monday morning.

According to police, two women and one man were shot outside the club at around 1 a.m. All three victims were taken to a local hospital and are expected to recover.

None of the Hot Boys were present at the time of the shooting. Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Baby and several NBA players were expected to attend the event, which would've wrapped up this year's NBA All-Star Weekend.

Artist: Usher feat. Young Jeezy
Song: 'Love in This Club'
Why You Should Listen: After a four-year hiatus, Usher attempts to bring "something for the ladies" while managing to "keep it hood" with the first single off his as-yet-untitled upcoming album.

It's been four years in the making, but it looks like R&B sensation Usher is finally prepping the follow-up to 2004's 'Confessions.' The project will include contributions from Usher's usual helm of big name producers, including longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri. "I was speaking to him the other day, asking him when he was gonna start putting singles out," Dupri told MTV. "He said, 'Soon.' So it's coming."

So far, two new tracks have already leaked onto the Internet. The dramatic ballad 'Moving Mountains,' which was produced by Timbaland, is making its rounds while another song dubbed 'Love in This Club,' featuring Young Jeezy, is already getting radio play in Atlanta.

Usher has stayed under the radar in recent years, but the crooner and his wife, Tameka, made news in November when the couple celebrated the birth of their first child together.

Miami-based rapper Trina admits to shedding some extra pounds with the help of an all-liquid diet. "Every time you're hungry, you gotta drink the liquid. It's pretty strenuous, but you really have to stick it out," the Diamond Princess confessed.

Known for being "thick," the 30-year-old rap diva has trimmed her waistline in preparation for her big comeback and upcoming album, 'Still Da Baddest,' but she insists she isn't going for the super-skinny look. "I'm not trying to be runway-model thin," Trina explains. "I'm from the South, so I gotta keep the curves and the assets."

According to recent blogosphere buzz, Michael Jackson could be launching a 10 to 30-night residency at the O2 Arena in London. The length of the Jackson's possible stint along with the expected paycheck is still up for debate, but O2 arena officials are said to be working out a deal with the pop icon. The shows would mark Jackson's first tour in more than a decade.

In the meantime, the 25th anniversary edition of Jackson's celebrated 'Thriller' album will hit stores February 12. The special edition of the world's biggest-selling album of all time, which was originally released November 30, 1982, will feature five brand-new tracks, including 'Billie Jean 2008' with Kanye West, 'Beat It 2008' with Fergie. Akon and Will.i.am also appear on the album.

"I'm thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me," DMX told Billboard. "We share the same vision and the fact that they see in me the same thing I see. I'll show Bodog Music how it's supposed to be done, and we'll get to where we're supposed to be. You got a dog for life."