Yesterday, Southern rapper Pimp C of UGK (born Chad Butler) was found dead in his Mondrian Hotel room in Hollywoood. Despite speculation, the L.A. County Coroner's office reported that Pimp C died of natural causes. After the success of Underground Kingz with partner Bun B , Pimp C recently signed a deal with Jive Records . Sadly, no more music will come from the rapper. Too $hort, Killer Mike, Lil John, Stat Quo and Scooby of the Grit...

It's December, and it's snowing in New York - which can only mean one thing: it's time for Giant Step's massive online store sale . Everything in our inventory has a special reduced price. As an added bonus, we have grab bag bundles of CD's and vinyl, randomly chosen from our stock. You'll have equal chance at receiving every item in our store with each bundle! It really is the perfect gift for the holiday season. Stock on music from Gilles Peterson, Kudu, Jiva, Incognito,...

Today, CMJ announced the dates for its 2008 Music Marathon in NYC. Spread over five days from Tuesday, October 21 to Saturday, October 25, 2008, CMJ will put the city on lockdown, showcasing hundreds of bands and parties from across the nation and the world. Currently on sale at a very low discounted price, tickets for early birds set at a mere $250. For more information on band and artist showcase submissions, see the link below.

The East Village's Dancetracks record store closes down for good today. Once a haven for DJ's and dance vinyl junkies, the establishment remains so in its digital form located on the internet. Click here for their statement in regards to today's music distribution.

Commemorating 25 years of music from Michael Jackson, Epic/Legacy Recordings will release Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller , a special remix compilation, February 12, 2008. It features an unreleased track "For All Time," which was recorded circa Thriller , the original "Billie Jean" demo, and remixes by Akon, Kanye West, and will.i.am . In addition to the music, a DVD of videos completes the package, including videos...

Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons and Adrian Utley of Portishead announced their third LP will go on sale in the UK March 31st (on Island Records ). The trip hop legends have yet set a date for the US, which comes 10 years after their self-titled album. Next weekend they curate All Tomorrows Parties' Nightmare Before Christmas festival with a lineup including GZA, Aphex Twin and The Horrors .

This morning longtime friend and supporter of Giant Step Tom Terrell died of prostate cancer. The DC born, former Brooklyn resident started his career in the music industry in the early '80s, contributing as a publicity manager for Verve Records, commentator for NPR, writer for publications Global Rhythms, Jazziz, Vibe, Trace, and Essence, and DJ at 9:30 Club and Alt Rock Champions WHFS-FM. "Tom was a regular at Giant Step events "back in the day," - an early supporter when all...

This Saturday Dec. 1, the New New Museum is holding its grand opening at its new location on the Bowery in Manhattan's Lower East Side. Designed by Tokyo-based architects of SANAA, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa with Gensler of New York, the modular, stacked-block building stands brilliantly as a symbol for the avant garde ideas expressed within its silvery aluminum mesh. The New Museum's inaugural exhibitions include an international survey of...

Today Jermaine Jackson of the original Jackson 5 family pop sensation announced on BBC 6 Music's airwaves that there will be a reunion tour in 2008, including himself, Marlon, Tito, Randy and Michael . Conceived back in 2003 and postponed until next year due to Michael's molestation charges, the plan will finally be realized along with Jermaine's side project: a family musical that deals "with the music from the early days of Gary, Indiana up until we...

For one hour starting at 6:30 PM Central European Time (which is 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday, Nov. 27th, you will be able to chat online with the French duo Daft Punk . The one-off opportunity helps celebrate Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo's Alive 2007 DVD . See the link below for registration details and get those fingers limbered up!