Rock the Bells, the hip-hop platform that was conceptualized by LL Cool J, has announced that their 2025 cruise is officially sold out. It will set sail on October 27th from Miami and will head to Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami on October 31st.

Some of the confirmed performers are The Lox, Lupe Fiasco, MC Lyte, Xzibit, Dead Prez, Nappy Roots, Smif-N-Wessun, Fabolous, Juvenile, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mannie Fresh, DJ Kool, and that is just to name a few.

The organizers have set up a First Available Program and are encouraging potential attendees to sign up so that if anyone with tickets cancels, they will be able to get a cabin. Get additional information here: rockthebellscruise.com.

Arrested Development has ended Black History Month 2025 with a powerful new song and video called “All I See is Melanin.” It debuted on the Black-owned social media platform Fanbase, which was founded by Isaac Hayes III.

This song is a celebration of Black identity, resilience, and unity. If you have not yet seen the visual, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment, and share.

This March, American hip-hop trio formed in the 1980s, Digable Planets, will do a short stint in Australia to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their second studio album, “Blowout Comb.”

They will perform at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on Thursday, March 6; Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre on Saturday, March 8; and at the WomaDelaide Festival in South Australia on Monday, March 10.

“Blowout Comb” was released in October 1994 on Pendulum/EMI Records.

Arrested Development, one of hip-hop’s most socially conscious ensembles, has kicked off 2025 with the release of a new single called “All I See Is Melanin.” With four different mixes, the track was shared to streaming platforms as an EP on February 7th via Vagabond Productions.

In keeping with their musical brand, “All I See Is Melanin” is another record that celebrates and highlights the beauty (physical, mental, and spiritual) of the Black community. Click here or on the image above to download “All I See Is Melanin” from your preferred music store.

MC Lyte, one of the pioneers of female rap, will be going on tour in mid-February to support her latest album, “1 of 1.” The seventeen-track project was shared in September 2024 via My Block Inc., and it features collaborations with a slew of artists: JoiStaRR, Stevie Wonder, Common, Warryn Campbell, Lil Mama, and others.

The tour will start on February 13 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and as of this writing, will wrap up on March 16 in Lansing, Michigan. For the complete schedule, visit mclytenow.com.

“Sing Into The Sky,” track #12 on Talib Kweli‘s latest album, “The Confidence of Knowing,” done in collaboration with J. Rawls, now has some visuals. The rapper uploaded the clip, which was shot by Chino Chase, to his YouTube channel on January 27.

“Sing Into The Sky” is a soulful rap song that also features Solene and Niko Is. The record acknowledges the power of music and celebrates those who are committed to creating it. Click here or on the image above to check out the video, and remember to like, comment, and share.