Hot Off The Presses: T.I., Slim Thug, Outkast, Ne-Yo & More

T.I. has been added to the Philadelphia Turn Up The Vote Hip-Hop Summit on Sunday (April 20), in which he will headline the event alongside Russell Simmons and singer Ciara. "I am pleased to have the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia to participate in the Hip-Hop Summit," T.I. said. "We are going to encourage young people to go out to vote. I personally know the value of having the right to vote and it taken away from you, but I will add my voice to help inspire others to take seriously this right and responsibility." The Event will take place at Temple University. Others confirmed include Jim Jones, Flo Rida, Webbie, and Lil Boosie, among others. Tickets are free, and available online at HSAN.org. ...

After years of grinding independently in Houston, Slim Thug went national when he signed with Star Trak/Geffen Records where he dropped his major label debut, Already Platinum. However, after going through the politics of dealing with a major, Slim Thug is finally finished with it all, and revealed to MTV that he's opting out of his contract, to return to his roots as an independent artist. "I sat down with the general manager," the rapper said. "Really, I just sat down and told them, 'Y'all over here don't understand the type of music I do, and y'all hold me back while y'all trying to get your situation together. I ain't really got that time to sit on the sideline while you do this. Let me pay y'all. Y'all gave me all this money. Listen, I'll give y'all some money off the new album.' I just can't sit on the sideline while they do their sh--. He sat down with [Interscope Chairman] Jimmy [Iovine], and we all came up with something we could all agree with. It ain't no hard feelings." According to Slim, his new album is titled Boss of All Bosses, and will be a lot more Houston than his last solo record. There is no word as to when it will be released though. ...

Outkast member Big Boi revealed to MTV recently that fans can expect a new group album in early 2009. It's a year away, but you'll still get music from the pair. They are both slated to drop their respective solo albums later this year. First will be Big Boi's in July, then Andre's will follow. "I said I wanted to bring that hip-hop back," Big said, describing his upcoming release. "My album is about lyricism and about the craft. I saw Raekwon and he jumped on it. Actually, me and Raekwon recorded three songs. We were gonna finish it with just me and him. When Dre came back from Japan, he heard it and said, 'I wanna be on that.' I gave him the beat. He came back in a couple of months and was like, 'Let's do it.' " The album's title is Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, and the first single is called "Royal Flush," and features Andre and Raekwon. ...

Ne-Yois also working on his next album, titled Year of the Gentleman. The singer told MTV the album is almost done, and now he's just working on guests -- so far he's thinking Rihanna, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Alicia Keys and possibly "America Idol" winner Jordin Sparks. However, everything is in talks right now. "Everything is in conversation because of scheduling," Ne-Yo said. "My schedule is over here. Their schedule is over there. Just trying to find the time to do it is troublesome. But my album ain't finished yet, so we'll see what happens." ...

Pioneering Memphis duo, 8 Ball & MJG , are set to release their first ever greatest hits album in May, via Koch Records. The forthcoming set, titled We Are The South (Greatest Hits), will include such songs as "Space Age Pimpin'," "Pimp In My Own Rhyme," and "Don't Flex," among other tracks -- 16 of them. Throughout their career, the duo has sold more than 3.5 million units. ...

Also on deck via Koch is a new release from veteran Bay Area rapper, Keak Da Sneak. "Keak Da Sneak is one of the most important artists recording today. I am thrilled to have him on our great hip hop roster," said Koch General Manager, Alan Grunblatt. His upcoming album, titled Deified, is slated for May, and will feature guest appearances from the Bay's best, including E-40, Too Short and Mistah FAB, as well as Daz Dillinger and others. The first single is "That Go," featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and The Alchemist. ...

Son of Frank Lucas, the man depicted in the blockbuster film "American Gangster" last year, is getting ready to file a $25 million lawsuit against the city of New York, claiming he was victim of a bogus arrest, harassment by cops on Staten Island, and use of excessive force. Frank Lucas Jr. claims he's was the victim of racial profiling. According to Lucas, "One officer said, 'You're Frank Lucas's son and a rapper? You got two strikes against you.'" His attorney, Salvatore Strazzullo, believes his father's image contributes to this: "He's [Lucas Jr.] been tainted by his father's mistakes. The whole time they're saying, 'Look who's here, the American Gangster.'" ...

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