Good news for Wu-Tang stans as Raekwon announced this week, in an interview with Exclaim.ca that he is currently preparing to begin work on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. III, with plans to release the album sometime in 2012.

Rae explained to the website how he’s operating his recently-launched Ice H20 Records imprint, which is being operated out of Toronto. “Basically it’s just like a media talent academy label that just allows cats to expand on their dreams and know their place and now to become more career-minded with [their] dreams,” he told Exclaim.

Most interestingly, explaining that the imprint will also play home to his next release — the third in his series of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx discs. Although he didn’t pin down a timeframe for the record, he did say that he expects it drop in 2012.

This new album will be Raekwon’s third solo album to drop in the past four years. It will follow up to the critically-acclaimed Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II (2009), and the original, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995), which is widely considered to be a universal classic.

In addition to his work on new music, Raekwon explain that he’s currently in the process of completing a biopic based on his life. He said that the film is “90 percent done” and features appearances from Erykah Badu, Cee-Lo Green and others.

Rae also mentioned the upcoming 20-year anniversary of the Wu-Tang Clan, hinting that the group will be reuniting for some sort of celebration. He didn’t provide any details as to what’s in store.

More information on Raekwon’s newest music and other endeavors will be published as they become available.

This week, Stones Throw records announced that Jovan Coleman, also known as J-1 of the group Master Blazter, has passed away.

The imprint was light on details surrounding the incident, only stating that Coleman — who lives and works in Los Angeles — died while in Sweden.

The late drummer was mourned by his fellow bandmate and Stones Throw labelmate, who posted on his Facebook wall, “At this time we send our most deepest condolences 2 the family & friends of J-1/Jovan Coleman,” early on Monday. “*R.I.P. 2 our brother J-1 (Jovan Coleman) aka THE DEER & drummer of Master Blazter. *We love U sincerely brother & we will always rep U!!”

At this time, no further information is available about Coleman’s death. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

During a performance at Ricochet Lounge in Miami, Florida for Art Basel Miami 2011, Nas painted a picture on stage. The first-ever-sold piece of art from Nasty Nas was then auctioned off to the crowd, garnering a winning bid of $14,000 for charity.

The work — which depicts a man smoking what appears to be a joint — was auctioned off the raise money for children with cancer, according to Nas’ comments in video footage from the event. But, no specific charity was mentioned.

Check out the footage from Nas’ live performance and the quick auction below.

Nas Selling His First Painting For $14,000 and performing at Ricochet Lounge for Art Basel Miami 2011 from The305.com on Vimeo.

The Doomtree crew from Minnesota announced this week that they will be embarking on an enormous 2012 tour in support for their recent-released new album, No Kings.

The new record, which has been called the group’s most-cohesive work to date, was independently released on November 22 and has received considerable fan and critical acclaim.

The 32-stop tour will kick off on January 19, with a show in Lawrence, Kansas. It will come to a close on February 25, when the group plays their final show in Milwaukee. The No Kings tour comes just a few weeks after the conclusion of the group’s recently-announced, week-long Doomtree Blowout event series, which is being held at Minneapolis’ First Avenue (Main Room) and 7th St Entry.

Check out the full list of Doomtree’s No Kings 2012 tour dates listed below.

1/19 – The Granada Theatre- Lawrence, KS
1/20 – Mojo’s- Columbia, MO
1/21 – The Waiting Room- Omaha, NE
1/22 – The Summit Music Hall- Denver, CO
1/23 – Urban Lounge- Salt Lake City, UT
1/24 – Neurolux- Boise, ID
1/26 – Branx- Portland, OR
1/27 – The Crocodile- Seattle, WA
1/28 – Fortune Sound Club- Vancouver, BC
1/29 – WOW Hall- Eugene, OR
1/31 – Slim’s- San Francisco, CA
2/01 – Catalyst Atrium- Santa Cruz, CA
2/02 – The Troubadour- West Hollywood, CA
2/03 – The Casbah- San Diego, CA
2/04 – Chasers- Scottsdale, AZ
2/07 – Dan’s Silverleaf- Denton, TX
2/08 – Fitzgerald’s Downstairs- Houston, TX
2/09 – One Eyed Jacks- New Orleans, LA
2/10 – Bottletree Cafe- Birmingham, AL
2/11 – Drunken Unicorn- Atlanta, GA
2/12- Local 506- Chapel Hill, NC
2/13 – Rock and Roll Hotel- Washington, DC
2/15 – Union Transfer- Philadelphia, PA
2/16 – Bowery Ballroom- New York, NY
2/17 – The Middle East- Downstairs- Cambridge, MA
2/18 – II Motore- Montreal, QC
2/19 – Sneaky Dee’s- Toronto, ON
2/20 – Shadow Lounge- Pittsburgh, PA
2/21 – Beachland Ballroom- Cleveland, OH
2/22 – Blind Pig- Ann Arbor, MI
2/23 – The Bottom Lounge- Chicago, IL
2/25 – Turner Hall- Milwaukee, WI

Last night, at the 54th annual Grammy nominations ceremony, it was revealed that Michael Rapaport’s documentary, “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest” received a nomination in the film category, for Best Long Form Music Video.

The film followed the New York rap group from their early days, beginning to make music in high school, all the way up until the eventual disbandment of the group near the turn of the century.

Debate surrounded the film, as it moved from filming to production, and finally received a slow, city-by-city theatrical release and DVD / Blu-Ray pressing.

Although the award nomination may be a bit misdirected — the film wasn’t, to most, really a “music video per say, but more just a music-fueled documentary — the film still stands a chance at snagging the highly-coveted award.

The film is in the running against documentary-style offerings from TV On The Radio, Beyoncé, Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon.

The 54th annual Grammy’s will be broadcast on February 12.

The artist behind DOOM’s Mm.. Food album has teamed up with Stones Throw to make the iconic image available in a limited-edition, signed print. Only 100 of these 14.75″ x 12.75″, cotton-printed pieces will be available, with each one being hand numbered and signed by Jason Jagel.

For more info on the original art and order info, hit up Stones Throw’s site.

Blu revealed this week that he has been at work on a new project, titled ucla, working alongside Stones Throw affiliate, Madlib. In typical-as-of-late Blu fashion, the album seems to be something of a mystery for everyone involved, as the rapper has yet to release any other details about the project.

The project was outed after the release of Black Star’s newest track, “Fix Up”, which uses the same instrumental that Blu used for his track, “ez”, which is apparently featured on the new project.

The news of this newest project from Blu follows a recent interview with aboveGround, where the rapper revealed that he has cut ties with his major-label home, Warner Brothers. The rapper declines to comment further on the situation, and the fate of his to-be-released Warner debut, NoYork!, remains unknown, although the rapper has since stated that the Hip Hop Since 1978 imprint has agreed to purchase the record from Warner Brothers.

Look for more information on new releases from Blu and more about his ucla project with Madlib in the coming weeks.

5 Years coming is the album by Willie Green called Pastense with some dope features from New York to Boston. Stream it below and then head over to the BandCamp and cop it for only 5 bucks.

California-based Acropolis Apparel revealed their newest line this week. The Holiday 2011 drop, dubbed “The Warrior’s Path”, has both new and old elements for the brand. While they continue to draw inspiration for ancient cultures and historical narratives, this collection is different in that it abandons cues from the European civilizations (i.e. Rome, Greece, etc) in lieu of traditional Asian culture.

The full collection is available now on Acropolis’ online store.

[Price: $26.00 - $60.00]

A few weeks after the original release of the MP3, DJ Premier and Nas have now released an official music video for their track “Regeneration” (part of Hyundai’s RE:GENERATION marketing campaign) in collaboration with the Berklee Symphony.

The track — which features live instrumentation from the symphony, presumably composed/produced, as well as conducted by DJ Premier, along with cuts from DJ Premier and raps by Queensbridge legend, Nas — brings together two forces that fans have been clamoring for, for years.

After the two artists mentioned briefly that they planned to work on a collaborative album together, the hip hop community has been eagerly awaiting any news of progress on the project. While this track likely won’t be included on any future works that the two artists do, it is a nice taste of what’s to come from the big-name MC/producer duo.

The track and video were released (and likely, commissioned) by Hyundai, as part of their RE:GENERATION music project promoting the Hyundai Veloster car.

Check out the new music video for DJ Premier, Nas and the Berklee Orchestra’s “Regeneration” below.