Throwbacks

It’s so hard to believe that it’s been a full year since Big Pun passed on. But he’s not forgotten. Through family, friends, artists and his music, he lives on. Reminisce over our amigo with our tribute to one of hip-hop’s most respected MCs. Written By: XXL Sta... Read More ...

B.G. starts a fourteen-year bid behind bars. Words: Brendan McCarthy THE 32-YEAR-OLD MAN SHUFFLES INTO THE VISITING BOOTH AT FCI BEAUMONT MEDIUM, PART OF THE BEAUMONT FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX, ON AN OCTOBER AFTERNOON. HE’S SLOW, banged up, recovering from a broken foot in a prison basketball game. He s...

his Saturday, Nas’ magnum opus Illmatic turns 20. The Queensbridge native’s journey into becoming a legendary MC all started with a groundbreaking debut that captured his worldview of the projects through a sharpened lens. XXL is celebrating the monumental anniversary with Nas Week, and we are proud to present you with every cover the iconic rapper has appeared on. Now let us take...

This Saturday, Nas’ magnum opus Illmatic turns 20. The Queensbridge native’s journey into becoming a legendary MC all started with a groundbreaking debut that captured his worldview of the projects through a sharpened lens. XXL is celebrating the monumental anniversary with Nas Week, and we are proud to present you with every cover the iconic rapper has appeared on. Now let us take...

This Saturday, Nas’ magnum opus Illmatic turns 20. The Queensbridge native’s journey into becoming a legendary MC all started with a groundbreaking debut that captured his worldview of the projects through a sharpened lens. XXL is celebrating the monumental anniversary with Nas Week, and we are proud to present you with every cover the iconic rapper has appeared on. Now let us take...

This Saturday, Nas’ magnum opus Illmatic turns 20. The Queensbridge native’s journey into becoming a legendary MC all started with a groundbreaking debut that captured his worldview of the projects through a sharpened lens. XXL is celebrating the monumental anniversary with Nas Week, and we are proud to present you with every cover the iconic rapper has appeared on. Now let us...

This Saturday, Nas’ magnum opus Illmatic turns 20. The Queensbridge native’s journey into becoming a legendary MC all started with a groundbreaking debut that captured his worldview of the projects through a sharpened lens. XXL is celebrating the monumental anniversary with Nas Week, and we are proud to present you with every cover the iconic rapper has appeared on. Now let us take...

FRENCH MONTANA has been gearing up for the release of his debut album for more than a year. The time is finally here. WORDS Adam Fleischer IMAGES Clay Patrick McBride French sits at the controlboard in Studio C, one of three recording rooms at Daddy’s House—the studio owned by his label boss, P. Diddy. It’...

Things Done Changed Hip-hop isn’t nearly as violent as it used to be, so why won’t the mainstream media recognize this? Words Jeff Weiss Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the October/November 2013 issue of XXL Magazine. Outside of th...

What is a hypercompetitive, notoriously aggressive, salesobsessed rap megastar supposed to do when the industry he once dominated withers around him? Will 50 CENT self-destruct? Or can he change with the times? This is him. INTERVIEW MATT BARONE IMAGES CLAY PATRICK MCBRIDE 50 Cent has just discovered his next big thing...

Words Benjamin Meadows-Ingram Life really does work in mysterious way. Just look at Lil Boosie. With his buzz at its highest point, the self-coined Bad Ass was hit with a two-year prison sentence this past September. Can his career survive while he's behind bars...

It's been quite a year for Rick Ross. He's gone from a No. 1 hit to career-threatening exposure on the Internet to his current high-stakes beef with the biggest brawler in hip-hop's fight club. Still, on the eve of the release of his third album Deeper Than Rap, the big Miami boss is here, flaunting, taunting, feeding the fire...