Rappers Ja Rule [ tickets ], Juvenile [ tickets ], Petey Pablo, Jadakiss, Trick Daddy and Mr. Cheeks will team for the Hip Hop Smackdown Tour, slated to kick off after Christmas.

The tour opens in St. Louis on Dec. 27 and so far includes dates in Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland. More dates are expected to be added, according to a tour spokesperson.

The platinum-certified "Pain Is Love" (Murder Inc./Def Jam), is the latest effort from Ja Rule, who also raps on the remix version of Jennifer Lopez’s "I'm Real." His September release sits at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on its Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums charts.

Juvenile is on the road supporting the album "Project English" (Cash Money/Universal), which he released earlier this year. The gold-certified album spawned the hit "From Her Mama (Mama Got A--)," No. 29 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.

After appearing on albums from Mystikal and Black Rob, newcomer Petey Pablo offers his debut, "Diary of a Sinner: First Entry" (Jive). The record has spent four weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart, where it now sits at No. 53. Produced by Timbaland, Prophecy, Pablo and others, "Diary of a Sinner" landed at No. 24 on the magazine’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Jadakiss is promoting the gold-certified "Kiss Tha Game Goodbye" (Ruff Ryders/Interscope). He and Bubba Sparxxx are featured on the new Ruff Ryders' single, "They Ain't Ready," from the forthcoming Ryff Ryders' record "Ryde or Die III," due out on Dec. 18.

Trick Daddy released his last album, "Thugs Are Us" (Atlantic), earlier this year. The record’s biggest hit, "Take It to Da House," samples the horns from K.C. and the Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes."

Lost Boyz frontman Mr. Cheeks recently released his debut solo album "John P. Kelly" (Universal), which features collaborations with Stephen Marley, Easy Mo Bee, Big Gipp (from the Goodie Mob) and others. The single "Lights! Camera! Action!" is also the lead track from the FUBU/Universal compilation "Goodlife."