DMX Temporarily Fronts RATM

B-Real, Chris Cornell, now DMX.

What do these disparate three have in common? They've all been associated with a certain left-wing leaning, politically outspoken foursome called Rage Against The Machine.

Never ones to rage against free publicity, RATM have hit the headlines again recently with it the announcement of a new collaboration with rapper DMX. MTV reports that the New York native has recorded two new tracks with the three remaining members of Rage.

The band has been without a lead singer since 2001 when vocalist Zack de la Rocha departed to pursue a solo career. DMX will not replace de la Rocha in the band, but both new tracks are slated to appear on upcoming movie soundtracks.

The songs are called "Here I Come," made for the new Jet Li flick (co-starring DMX) Cradle 2 Grave and "We Gonna Get It Right" is for the MTV-made Jackass: The Movie. Let us repeat. Rage are doing a song for Jackass: The Movie. MTV also confirmed that DMX is working on a new album in Chicago right now, although it's not clear whether either of the new tracks will appear on it.

DMX is quoted on the site saying he hopes future collaborations will include sexy-voiced Sade and our favourite little red-capped wonder, Fred Durst.

In other Rage news, the rumour mill has been spinning again with Chris Cornell fodder. Fan sites such as RATM.net report that the ex-Soundgarden singer may rejoin the Rage camp once again. Cornell teamed up with the band post-de la Rocha, but quit earlier this year before any material was officially released.

Some songs made it onto the internet and Epic Records was rumoured to be releasing the material this summer, but so far, nada. So, now it looks like the project might be back on, although nothing has been officially confirmed.