Brian Josephs
Listen To Rico Love’s ‘I Sin’ Mixtape
The name Rico Love may not be immediately familiar, but you've heard his work if you've been listening to Future. The producer/singer brings him, Big K.R.I.T., and XXL Freshmen Kevin Gates and Troy Ave for his mixtape, I Sin. The project is a preview of what's to come for his debut project, Turn The Lights On — which shares the name of one Future's hits.
The mixtape finds Rico Love pla...
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Yelawolf “Primus Freestyle”
Yelawolf's rapid-fire lyrical theatrics has made a return with the "Primus Freestyle." The title takes its inspiration from the funk metal band that Eminem name dropped in "My Name Is." Yelawolf does borrow a bit from Eminem's style as he combines a mellifluous control of syllables with punk rock energy. Wat...
Stalley Rides Around The Hood In “Jackin’ Chevys” Video
It's a surprise that Stalley has been talked about for this long and still hasn't released an album, like a bearded, rapping version of G.O.O.D. Music's Teyana Taylor. Like the songstress, Stalley is finally prepping his debut.
Ohio will ...
XXL’s Songs Of The Week
There’s plenty of new music to sift through. How do you know what is good or bad? Well, that’s where we come in.
Aside from a busy week of interesting news, there’s always a plethora of dope music that drops. Sometimes it’s out of nowhere, and sometimes it is promoted and released right when we expect it. As rap heads, we are a...
Teyana Taylor Is Wanted In “Maybe” Video
After spending years under Kanye West's wing, Teyana Taylor is finally preparing her debut album. The singer's recent single, "Maybe," gets graced with a sultry music video. G.O.O.D. Music soldier Pusha T and Yo Gotti, who both contributed guest verses, are absent in this video...
Nicki Minaj Featuring Riff Raff “Anaconda (Remix)”
Riff Raff, the self-proclaimed Aquaberry Aladdin, is staying in the mix the same way many rappers do nowadays: Remixes! After appearing on Katy Perry's "This Is How We Do," Riff Raff decides to grace fellow Hot 100 mainstay "Anaconda" with a verse...
There’s Love In The Hood In Jasmine V’s “That’s Me Right There” Video Featuring Kendrick Lamar
When you see bae playing ball at the court, but you gotta put some of that Beats Music product placement...
That's the situation for the start of singer Jasmine V's "That's Me Right There" video. The said bae leaves the game and decides to hang with Jasmine...
Jeezy And Future Enjoy St. Thomas For “No Tears” Video
Jeezy is well-aware that the struggle is global. The CTE head and Future traveled to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to focus on its natural beauty and slums in "No Tears." The video is directed by Eif Rivera.
"No Tears" has an aesthetic focus that's similar to Jeezy's appearance in Kanye West's "Amazing." Ex...
Chris Brown “X”
Chris Brown could be on the verge of making his best project in years after the lackluster Fortune and F.A.M.E. X's title track, which Brown unveiled today (Aug. 22), is proof of that.
Brown has reunited with Karrueche, but he adopts one of Rihanna's best tricks for the new single: Turning vulnerability into a cathartic call to the dance floor. The singer's determinat...
Juicy J, Nicki Minaj And Lil Bibby Appreciate The Cars And Women In “Low” Video
Juicy J may have another banger on his hands with "Low." Although it hasn't caught on yet, the jam has a Benny Boom-directed video that fits right along with the intentions of the song. Sadly, Young Thug couldn't come through for the visuals...
Kevin Gates Connects With Bangers At Gramercy Theater
Perhaps Kevin Gates doesn’t get as much credit as he should. You have multiple other artists — specifically Drake and Kanye West — subverting and disintegrating the image of the hard-as-diamond man. But what of Gates, who’s admittedly not as welcoming of a figure with that compass between his eyes and the two tattooed teardrops — usually a sign of some unspeakable sin? His background in bloodied
Jeezy “Hot N#$%a (Remix)”
Of course that Shmurda wave isn't dying down just yet. "Hot Nigga" is still a must in the club, which means its still a hot bed for some surprising remix verses. The latest comes from CTE founder Jeezy in a pretty fluid performance. Don't expect too much social commentary about the nation's stressful situations here because, of course, Jeezy has an album to promote...