Idris Elba and Slick Rick have joined forces for the release of a striking new single, “Badman Generation,” which dropped on Friday, September 19. The track was released through 7Wallace Music, Elba’s London-based label, under exclusive license to Mass Appeal. Founded in 2015, 7Wallace continues to serve as a platform for innovative and boundary-pushing projects.

With “Badman Generation”, the two UK-born creatives have delivered a bold extension of the “Victory” visual album. “Badman Generation” is described as both a provocative anthem and a signal of what lies ahead, fusing Slick Rick’s legendary hip-hop storytelling with Elba’s multifaceted artistry. The release will also be available as a limited-edition 45 RPM record, adding a collectible dimension to the project.

The accompanying music video, filmed on the historic Electric Avenue in South London—Slick Rick’s childhood neighborhood—offers a cinematic tribute to cultural identity and forward-thinking artistry.

The Teacha himself, KRS-One, is confirmed to perform at The Freight, located at 2020 Addison Street in Berkeley, California, on Friday, October 24th.

KRS, an acronym for “Knowledge Reigning Supreme,” has been called the “conscience of hip-hop” by Rolling Stone, “the greatest live emcee ever” by The Source, and the “spokesperson for hip-hop” by the Wall Street Journal.

Ever since he came on the rap scene in the 1980s, KRS-One has been dominating stages, and this upcoming show will be no different. Click here for tickets and additional information.

James Evans, a brand renowned for delivering high-quality events featuring music from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, will be bringing hip-hop legend Method Man to the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton, Georgia.

Scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2025, the highly anticipated event will see the Wu-Tang Clan member, who is also half of the hip-hop duo Method Man & Redman, performing some of his biggest hits.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and tickets are available on Ticketmaster.

Hip-hop artist Talib Kweli will present Kweli Fest as part of Dave Chappelle’s Soundcheck Series at YS Firehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The three-day music festival will take place on August 26, 27, and 28, with a lineup of rappers all regarded as skilled lyricists.

On day one, August 26th, the program will feature Diani, Jessica Care Moore, Large Professor, and Jungle Brothers. On the following day, August 27th, there will be a documentary screening focused on Talib Kweli and Madlib. Performers for day two include Issa Ali, NIKO IS, Skyzoo, Rah Digga, and Coast Contra.

The final day, August 28th, will see Talib Kweli performing on stage alongside Brady Watt, J Rawls, and The Liquid Crystal Project with Solene. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.

This fall, revolutionary hip-hop duo Dead Prez will hit the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut album, “Let’s Get Free.” Originally released on February 8, 2000, through Loud Records, the LP remains one of hip-hop’s most politically charged and influential projects.

Mostly self-produced, with contributions from Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian, Hedrush, and a young Kanye West, “Let’s Get Free” combined hard-hitting beats with sharp critiques of systemic oppression, police brutality, and racial inequality. Its tracks—like “Hip-Hop” and “I’m a African”—cemented Dead Prez as uncompromising voices of resistance within the culture.

Now, 25 years later, M-1 and stic are bringing that same energy back to the stage across Europe. The tour kicks off in Barcelona on November 16 and runs through December 1, concluding in Dublin. See schedule below.

Nov 16 – Sala Wolf, Barcelona, Spain
Nov 17 – SO36, Berlin, Germany
Nov 18 – Kulturzentrum Faust, Hannover, Germany
Nov 19 – Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany
Nov 21 – Patronaat, Haarlem, Netherlands
Nov 22 – X-Tra, Zürich, Switzerland
Nov 23 – Club Mixtape 5, Sofia, Bulgaria
Nov 24 – Flex, Vienna, Austria
Nov 25 – Logo, Hamburg, Germany
Nov 28 – JunkYard, Dortmund, Germany
Nov 29 – Muffathalle, München, Germany
Nov 30 – Cabaret Sauvage, Paris, France
Dec 01 – Opium, Dublin, Ireland

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit is the place to be on Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30, 2025, as it hosts The Return of the Legends: Block Party Edition. This two-night celebration is set to honor hip-hop’s rich history while bringing fans together for an unforgettable cultural experience. Both evenings kick off at 7 p.m., transforming the venue into the ultimate block party.

The first night, Friday, August 29, delivers a powerful lineup of trailblazing acts that helped shape hip-hop’s foundation. Fans can expect performances from EPMD, MC Lyte, Treach of Naughty By Nature, 3rd Bass, Black Sheep, Arrested Development, and others. With their groundbreaking lyrics and unmistakable stage presence, these artists will set the tone for a night steeped in nostalgia and timeless energy.

On Saturday, August 30, the stage shifts to the sounds of hip-hop’s next era, showcasing the Southern and Midwest artists who defined the late ’90s and early 2000s. Plies, Da Brat, Twista, Tela, Crucial Conflict, Do Or Die, Big Mike, Coo Coo Cal, and more will deliver high-energy performances that reflect the diversity and regional influence of the genre.

More than a concert, The Return of the Legends: Block Party Edition is designed as a celebration of hip-hop culture, bringing together different generations of music lovers for a weekend of rhythm, storytelling, and community. Tickets for both nights are available now through Ticketmaster.

This year’s National Hip-Hop Honors & Concert will take place on August 18-23 at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. During the week, from Monday through Friday, the event will be free and open to all ages. There will be a pop-up exhibit of rare artifacts from The National Hip-Hop Museum collection. It will include the Hip-Hop Declaration of Peace, RIAA Gold Awards, stage-worn apparel, vintage posters, and much more.

Starting at 12 noon on Saturday, August 23rd, the main event will feature The National Hip-Hop Honors, a podcast, an induction ceremony, and a live concert. Hosted by Master Gee and Grandmaster Caz, the 2025 inductees are Kid ‘n Play, Jungle Brothers, DJ Red Alert, Dana Dane, Kwamé, Sweet Tee, Antoinette, DJ Hollywood, and DJ Wiz. For additional information, visit The National Hip-Hop Museum’s official website.