Lately, Beyonce has been all anyone could talk about. Twitter was recently a flutter with statuses lauding her performance on the Oprah finale today in addition to the leak of her new single “Till the End of Time” and “Run the World (Girls)” video. Today, Beyonce headed to Chicago to perform at the sold-out United Center to give a surprised performance of “Run the World (Girls)” for fellow media and entertainment titan, Oprah Winfrey.

Photo: Complex

What do you think of Beyonce’s performance and menswear inspired attire?

Ciphers and rap battles may be commonplace for him, but recently Che Smith, better known as Rhymefest, has decided to take on a beast of another sort: politics.

Sources have confirmed to AllHipHop, that Grammy award-winning rapper and community activist, Che “Rhymefest” Smith will be running against Alderman Willie Cochran for alderman of Chicago’s 20th ward in the November general election.

In a recent YouTube video, Rhymefest walks through his native Chicago declaring, “With your help, we can develop. With your help, we can rebuild. As a community, we can unify. Chicago, it’s time to take care of business.”

He seems to be the perfect candidate, but the politically aware content in his music, his Grammy awards, nor his conversation with British Prime Minister David Cameron about violence in hip-hop music could shield him against opposition in the race.

“It’s already starting! I talk about helping my community and the villains are attacking my character and family! I won’t stop!” said Rhymefest on twitter in regards to the pending announcement of his candidacy.

“The 20th Ward in Chicago needs help, shorties are out here selling dope to pay the family bills. Grandmothers are raising their children’s children, people are un-employed and under employed & leadership is absent!”

Rhymefest has made his big announcement today at a press conference at Exclusively Yours Auto Spa in the 20th Ward of Chicago, IL.

El Che, Rhymefest’s latest album is also now in stores. The artist turned politician career move is not new to hip-hop, Rhymefest’s bid for Alderman arrives on the heels of Wyclef Jean’s attempted entry into the race for president of Haiti.

What do you think of Rhymefest’s announcement, should he run for Alderman? Will he win? Drop us note!

-Brittany Epps

Photo: Andreas Hale

‘Ye is currently on the April/May 2009 issue of Complex. Through working with director Chris Milk, the “Louis Vuitton Don” helped create something that will definitely ”make you look.” 

The computer-generated imagery for the photoshoot was based on “form and texture”, says the director. The photography started with a high resolution facial scan, and then a laser scan of Kanye’s entire body using the same technology used to create Brad Pitt’s character in “Benjamin Button”.

Chris Milk has previously worked with Kanye, directing both “Jesus Walks” and “Touch The Sky” videos. Other artists that he’s worked with includes Gnarls Barkley, U2, Audioslave, and John Mellencamp.

Photos: Complex Magazine

DJ Pump, a Canadian-based radio personality has just dropped a mixtape featuring a few of Common’s new, classic, and unreleased singles. Produced in just one day, Pump effortlessly interlaced the tranquility of contemporary jazz rim shots with the classic reverberations of dj scratching to create  Common Ground: A Retrospective. Read more for download. 

Download Here . Enjoy!

-Zaria Poem

Last week Lupe stopped by St. Alfred in Chicago for the release of his Converse sneaker. Read more for event photos.

[shouts to Highsnobiety]

Check out Kid Cudi’s latest track “Sky Might Fall” prod. Kanye West. Read more for download.

Download Full Version Here