Pharoahe Monch announced this week plans for a brand new album, titled W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), set to be released through a partnership with Duck Down Records and his own W.A.R. Media.

The new project is the follow-up album to Pharoahe's 2007 album Desire, which peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hip Hop Albums chart.

According to his camp, fans can expect what they've come to love from Pharoahe on the new LP: "complex rapping techniques that are both intricate and intelligent."

"This album deals with conflicts and resolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things," said Monch. "Thus far it features Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte, Black Thought, with more to come. It also features production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo, Mike Low, Fatin, Lee Stone, Exile and others to be announced. I am working diligently to finish the work for a summer release and I am honored to join forces with the Duck Down family during their 15 year anniversary."

Yes, Duck Down will celebrate its 15 years in the biz with a huge celebration in Austin, Texas on Friday (March 19th) for the SXSW festivities. It will feature the whole label roster include Marco Polo & Torae, Skyzoo, Blue Scholars, Kidz In The Hall, Ruste Juxx, Smif N Wessun, Sean Price, Buckshot and B-Real, as well as Monch. It goes down at the Scoot Inn, so if you're in Austin, be there on Friday.

The release date for W.A.R. is currently unknown at press time.

Pharoahe Monch will also join Slaughterhouse for a Canadian Tour starting in early April.

Below are confirmed dates and venues:

4/3 - Saint John, NB @ Evolution Nightclub
4/4 - St. John's, NF @ Club One
4/5 - Halifax, NS @ Paragone Theatre
4/7 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Nightclub
4/8 - Toronto, ON @ Venue TBC
4/9 - Cornwall, ON @ Rangatangs Nightclub
4/10 - Montreal, QC @ Telus Theatre
4/12 - Thunder Bay, ON @ Roxys Nightclub
4/13 - Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret
4/14 - Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon Events Centre
4/15 - Calgary, AB @ The Whiskey Nightclub
4/16 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
4/17 - Lethbridge, AB @ Venue TBC
4/18 - Nelson, BC @ Spirit Bar
4/21 - Victoria, BC @ Element
4/22 - Vancouver, BC @ Venue TBC