Independent rap group Kidz In The Hall are partnering with Reebok to revise Special Ed’s classic “I Got It Made,” as part of the company’s new Classic Remix collection release series.

The footwear and apparel brand will introduce a new collection of sneakers combining retro aesthetics of the past with modern sensibilities, and have partnered with rising hip-hop artists who embody similar styles to re-interpret classic songs from the ‘80’s, which will be distributed with the purchase of the Classic Remix collection sneakers.

For each new sneaker that Reebok releases from the collection, a new artist will be featured. The first group in the series of promotions are Kidz In the Hall followed by Kid Sister and B.O.B.

The new tracks are made available for download to customers who purchase footwear from the Classic Remix collection at Foot Locker stores starting March 10th, 2009.

Terror Squad leader Fat Joe is readying his ninth studio album, Jealous Ones Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2), for an April 7th release date. The title, Jealous Ones Still Envy 2, is a reprise of Fat Joe’s 2002 platinum album, Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E). The new album marks Fat Joe’s third release since moving his Terror Squad imprint over to EMI Music in 2006.

To build a buzz for J.O.S.E. 2, Fat Joe released to DJs across the country the promotional single “Winding On Me,” which features Lil’ Wayne and producer/artist Ron Browz, and will be made available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers. With the album months away, Fat Joe’s official single “One” is being added to urban and rhythmic radio stations nationwide, and is now available via for digital and ringtone release.

In support of J.O.S.E. 2, Fat Joe will be using EMI Music Services for their promotion, street teams, digital, marketing, licensing and synchronization, and brand partnership services. “We are thrilled to be backing Fat Joe’s latest creation and continuing EMI’s relationship with him,” said Dominic Pandiscia, senior vice president and GM of EMI Label Services. “He’s a significant musical and cultural force whose appeal cuts across so many different genres and fans. This is a great record and the response is terrific.”

Some of the featured artists included on the album are: Fabolous, Lil’ Kim, T-Pain, and Akon, who appears on the first single, “One,” along with production credits from Jim Jonsin, The Incredibles, and The Street Runners.

Fat Joe is currently scheduling a month-long national promo tour for J.O.S.E. 2, which will run from early March through the album’s release.

Long gone are the days when hip-hop was strictly regarded as a domestic experience. The cultural art form that originated at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx is now a global phenomenon, swaying numerous people from various countries throughout the world. One particular individual affected by the widespread expansion of hip-hop is the Stockholm, Sweden rapper Henok “Achido” Meharena.

Born in Eritrea, East Africa (he moved with his family to Sweden around the age of 4-years old), the 26-year old emcee, who’s rap moniker is a combination of his birth name (Henok) and the name of a relative who is a known warrior in his homeland (Achido)— which also means acid in his native language—was introduced to rap music by an uncle who grew up listening to ‘80’s hip-hop music, especially the seminal rap group N.W.A. Henok Achido soon found himself seduced by the powerful aura of the music and its creators, stating: “This was the mid-‘80’s and hip-hop was still very new and fresh to the general public, and it still had its mystique and instantly had its influence on me. I wanted to be just like them cause they carried themselves with such swagger.”  

In May of 2007, Henok enhanced his international profile after he dropped  That F—king Guy: The EP online. “The release of my EP opened a lot of doors for me,” he says. “My approach was to start a buzz, create a name and a market for myself which I did. I got fans all over the world now.” Anchored by the soulful production of Sakis, who Henok refers to as his Just Blaze, and bolstered by Henok’s cocky rhymes and acrobatic flows, as heard on songs like “That F—king Guy,” “Rockstar Rollin’,” and “Million Dollar Baby,”  That F—king Guy: The EP immediately commands the attention of any fan of hip-hop. 

Constantly working to further his goal of becoming a household name, Henok Achido just released his ambitious debut album Almaz Charming Child. Led by the Astma & Rocwell produced single “Pusher,” which features Sophia Somajo, Almaz Charming Child is a musical odyssey of Henok’s personal perspectives on a host of topics, including: family (“Almaz Charming Child”), romance (“Heartbreak Hotel”), struggle (“High on Life [When The Drugs Don’t Work]”), and hip-hop (“Mirror Performance”). 

If all you had was Henok Achido’s music and no bio to provide you with background information as to what region of the world he comes from, it’s quite possible that you would think of him as the next up-and-coming rapper from the States worth taking notice of. Like most other top-notch emcees, Henok possesses that all-so important characteristic called “confidence” that propels his art from ordinary to engaging. “My motto in life is to be better than yourself … cause you’re the only one that can make you better,” says self-assured rapper.

Beginning on April 2nd, acclaimed R&B singers Robin Thicke and Jennifer Hudson are heading out on the road together for the multi-city Robin Thicke–Jennifer Hudson Tour.

Although both artists are co-headlining, the outing marks Hudson’s first official tour. “I am so grateful,” stated the recent Grammy winner, who won Best R&B Album for her Gold self-titled debut album. “My first Grammy and my first tour, it doesn’t get any better than this!”

The six-week tour is also to support Robin Thicke’s 2008 release Something Else, which included the singles “Magic,” “The Sweetest Love,” and “Dreamworld.” 

Below is a list of tour dates:

Mar 31, 2009 - Palace Theatre - Albany, NY


Apr 2, 2009 - New Jersey Perf. Arts Center - Newark, NJ


Apr 3, 2009 - Tower Theater - Upper Darby, PA


Apr 4, 2009 - Lyric Theatre - Baltimore, MD


Apr 5, 2009 - DAR Constitution Hall - Washington, DC


Apr 9, 2009 - Foxwoods Casino - Mashantucket, CT


Apr 10, 2009 - WaMu Theatre at MSG - New York, NY


Apr 12, 2009 - Chrysler Hall - Norfolk, VA


Apr 15, 2009 - Fox Theatre - Atlanta, GA


Apr 17, 2009 - Ovens Auditorium - Charlotte, NC


Apr 18, 2009 - Greensboro Coliseum Complex - Greensboro, NC


Apr 19, 2009 - Landmark Theatre - Richmond, VA


Apr 23, 2009 - Fox Theater - St Louis, MO


Apr 24, 2009 - Detroit Opera House - Detroit, MI


Apr 25, 2009 - Arie Crown Theater - Chicago, IL


May 2, 2009 - Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE - Los Angeles, CA


May 3, 2009 - Paramount Theatre - Oakland, CA


May 7, 2009 - Nokia Theatre @ Grand Prarie - Grand Prarie, TX


May 8, 2009 - Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX