KRS ONE x Gospel of Hip Hop. The legendary KRS ONE plans to release a book of Biblical proportions with “Gospel of Hip Hop” the first volume from his anticipated I AM HIP HOP imprint. Book is set to release in November and is a whopping 800 pages of pure hip-hop religion…no joke. Official details as follows:

Set in the format of a self-help holy book, this 800-plus-page opus is a spiritual manual for citizens of Hip Hop Kulture that combines classic philosophy with faith and practical knowledge, for a fascinating, in-depth exploration of Hip Hop as a life path. Known as “the Teacha,” KRS ONE developed his unique outlook as a homeless teen in Brooklyn, New York, engaging his philosophy of self-creation to become one of the most respected emcees in Hip Hop history. As Hip Hop’s true steward, KRS ONE painstakingly details the development of the culture and the ways in which we, as “Hiphoppas,” can and should preserve its future.

Seems like a pretty serious book to us. 800 pages seems like a lot considering most of us are now used to reading in 140 letters or less.

Fergie x Avon. Every urban artist these days is securing themselves a fragrance line deal…even ones that pee in their pants on stage. I was there. I saw it. San Diego 2005. But yes, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas has just signed a deal with Avon for an undisclosed amount to market and distribute her new fragrance line.

“It was very important to me to bring what I have to the table,” she told Women’s Wear Weekly. “I’m a bit more rock ’n’ roll than some of the other artists, and Avon has really allowed my personality to come through.”

Hopefully the smell of urine does not come through when her fragrance hits stores. No word yet on release dates or what her fragrance will be called. We could give a few suggestions for names but we just won’t go there.

RZA x Tao of Wu. RZA released his new book “Tao of Wu” last week and has been hitting the publicity circuit for it. Here is his latest in-store book signing and speech which actually was put on at Barnes & Nobel in New York. Nice to know a major chain store supports the Wu.

Kanye West x Through the Wire. Mr. West continues to dip into other revenue streams by hitting the book industry with his coffee table book “Glow in the Dark” and now the illustrated book “Through the Wire.” The concept of the book from Simon & Schuster is as follows:

This is a rare partnership between two geniuses at the top of their crafts — Kanye West, who was named “the smartest man in hip-hop” by Time magazine, and Bill Plympton, an Academy Award-nominated animator, cartoonist, and illustrator.

Through the Wire is a graphic memoir that illustrates the lyrics of twelve Kanye West songs to tell his story, from his decision to drop out of college to pursue his dreams in music, through his days spent folding chinos at the Gap while struggling at night to make a name as a producer, through the pivotal car accident that eventually set him on the course to stardom and the epiphany of realizing exactly who he had become.

Plympton illustrates each of the songs in detail, his vision of Kanye’s world. The songs are annotated with explanations of the references in the songs, biographical components that illuminate the lyrics, and their meaning on a deeply personal level.

Book is set to hit shelves on November 10th, 2009 and will retail for $22. See sample pages after the jump… Via: LifeFiles

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Here is the official music video to Queen Latifah’s “Fast Car.” As we previously reported, as part of Latifah’s partnership with Ford Motor Company, the Mustang is prominently featured in the music video. The Queen might be taking product placement to the next level but at the same time she is getting a nice promotional fee from Ford.

Here is the entire short film We Were Once a Fairy Tale that Kanye West commissioned starring himself and directed by Spike Jonze (Where The Wild Things Are). The short film debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Full synopsis (it can get a little strange) after the jump.

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Those who think 50 Cent’s popularity is dwindling might want to take a step back. According to VH1, their recent “Behind the Music” episode highlighting 50 Cent was their highest rated premiere episode since the year 2000. Over 2.2 million viewers tuned in earlier this Tuesday, making VH1 the most watched cable channel during that time frame.

The 50 Cent “Behind The Music” episode beat out other similar recent shows on rappers like Lil Wayne and T.I. 50 haters will fight back though that the show did so well only because The VH1 Hip Hop Honors premiered directly after 50’s “Behind the Music” episode.

The marketing for DJ Hero has ramped up as TV ads have hit cable and broadcast on a national level. Three ads currently running…one with Daft Punk, another with a Public Enemy remix by Z-Trip and the third one appropriately titled “Sparkly Balls.” Don’t ask. Just watch after the jump. Game hits stores next Tuesday. Via: Kotaku

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