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In the Cut: XXL’s Song Picks of the Week 4/12
After complaining of a slow week last Friday, we’ve certainly had our hands full this week. We kicked off our Freshman of the Day campaign and gave you freestyles from ScHoolboy Q, Travis Scott, Ab-Soul and Joey Bada$$. Stay tuned in to XXLMag.com n...
Mixtape Review: Big K.R.I.T., King Remembered In Time
Big K.R.I.T. still has a point to prove. He makes this clear on “King Without a Crown,” off his newest mixtape King Remembered in Time, where he belts out through his thorny southern drawl that he still hasn’t gotten his proper due. His 2012 major l...
The Break Presents: Sadistik
He’s been called “The Cigarette Burn Rap King.” Get familiar with this 26-year-old out of Seattle who recently released his revealing, open book of an album, Flowers For My Father.
Standout: "Russian Roulette"
Also check out: "City in Amber"
And: "Kill the King"
Name: Sadistik
Age: 26
Hometown: Seattle
I grew up listening to: I fell in love with rap at an early age. I
Kevin Gates Loves Music, Literature and Nature
On Tuesday, Kevin Gates released his February mixtape, The Lucas Brasi Story, as a nine-track EP on iTunes. Gates, who XXL profiled earlier this year in The Come Up, didn't know too much about the repackaging of his mixtape when I hopped on the line with him last week...
The Break Presents: That Kid Era
Last month, That Kid Era dropped his new mixtape Mr. ILLington. Today, get familiar with this Bronx-born, Westchester-bred MC who came up on hip hop's golden era.
Standout: "Illy"
Also check out: "Everything"
And: "Sound of Dedication"
Name: THAT KID ERA
Age: 24
Hometown: Westchester, New York. Si...
The Come Up: Mykki Blanco
Michael Quattlebaum Jr., a 27-year-old Harlem-based poet and performance artist is a bit of a maverick. With roots in North Carolina and California, he’s actually enjoying his second stay in New York City. As a sixteen-year-old he fled from home and darted for the city to live on his own before going back to California and later attending The Art Institute of Chicago. In t...
Album Review: Tyga, Hotel California
On last year’s Careless World: Rise of the Last King, Tyga went to great lengths to prove he was deeper than “Rack City”. And he actually fared pretty well in doing so. Attempts at displaying emotion and having substance, like on the nearly eight-minute “Love Game”, hit their mark, and Tyga surprised us, showing more versatility than most people thought he had in him. But judging from his latest
The Break Presents: Sikai
Earlier this year, Sikai dropped his Painkilling: 1500 mixtape. Today, get familiar with the 24-year-old out of Stamford, Connecticut, who channels a wide array of musical influences into his craft.
Standout: "Never Let Go"
Also check out: "D...
The-Dream Hosts IV Play Listening Session in New York City [XXL’s Sneak Preview]
Yesterday, The-Dream hosted a private listening session at Jungle City Studios in New York City for his upcoming album IV Play. Mr. Terius Nash was gracious enough to extend us the invite to get a sneak peak of what is certainly one of the most highly anticipated albums of the summer...
The Break Presents: GQ
Get familiar with Oakland's GQ, who 9th Wonder calls his "secret weapon" at Jamla Records. The former UNC Tarheel is fresh off the release of Death Threats & Love Notes: The Prequel:, a precursor to his debut album under Jamla.
Standout: "The Town"
Also check out: "Im Gone"
And: "Last Breath"
Name: GQ (Quentin Thomas)
Age: 27
Hometown: Oakland, Californi
Mixtape Review: Lil B, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thug)
For those who aren’t already devout followers of The Based God, dipping your toes into the world of Lil B’s music can be a challenging undertaking. What’s the right entry point? Are you supposed to download every new tape? Are you supposed to listen to all 30 songs on the mixtape? With such an ove...