Throwbacks

G-Unit, “Turf Drop” (Originally Published May 2008)
G-Unit, “Turf Drop” (Originally Published May 2008)
G-Unit, “Turf Drop” (Originally Published May 2008)
The rise was meteoric. The fall was inevitable. Last year, amid dwindling sales and internal dissension, chinks finally started to show in G-Unit's platinum armor. Now, pulling together and going back to basics, 50 and his crew set to work on digging themselves out of a hole...
Eminem, “We Got ‘Em, Goin'” (Originally Published January/February 2005)
Eminem, “We Got ‘Em, Goin'” (Originally Published January/February 2005)
Eminem, “We Got ‘Em, Goin'” (Originally Published January/February 2005)
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Marshall Mathers returns to his favorite magazine to speak out on freedom of speech, satire, race, music, Michael Jackson and the President. Pay attention, homie! Interview: Chairman Jefferson Mao Images: Clay Patrick McBride In the waiting area of 54 Sound, a state-of-the-art recording studio tucked away on a typically nondescript stretch of Detroit’s 9 Mile Roa
Ja Rule And Irv Gotti, “Let ‘Em Burn” (Originally Published June 2003)
Ja Rule And Irv Gotti, “Let ‘Em Burn” (Originally Published June 2003)
Ja Rule And Irv Gotti, “Let ‘Em Burn” (Originally Published June 2003)
What do you do when the game's hottest rapper is your enemy? When the Feds want to put you out of business? If you're Irv Gotti and Ja Rule you sit down with XXL and hope that the people are still listening. Words: Elliott Wilson Photos: Clay Patrick McBride It’s been a hectic year for Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo and Jeffrey “Ja Rule” Atkins. At the beginning of the new ...
Eminem, “Hard To Kill” (Originally Published June 2009)
Eminem, “Hard To Kill” (Originally Published June 2009)
Eminem, “Hard To Kill” (Originally Published June 2009)
It’s felt sort of empty without him, hasn’t it? One of the biggest superstars on the planet, Eminem has been on a three-year hiatus, dealing with some awfully heavy personal issues. He’s back now, though. And up to his old tricks. Sick. But healthier than e...
Game, “I Wish” (Originally Published June 2008)
Game, “I Wish” (Originally Published June 2008)
Game, “I Wish” (Originally Published June 2008)
He’s survived the mean streets of Compton and high-profile beef with rap’s biggest bully. He sells millions of records when other artists are starving. You’d think The Game would be happy. You’d be wrong. Written By: Clover Hope Photos By: Kenneth Cappello Look at the dog!” shrieks Toniqua, diss...
Cam’ron, “Here I Am” (Originally Published April 2009)
Cam’ron, “Here I Am” (Originally Published April 2009)
Cam’ron, “Here I Am” (Originally Published April 2009)
He was largely out of sight, but never out of mind. The past couple years have sometimes felt like a hip-hop Where’s Waldo? for CAM’RON’S fans. But now that Dipset dissension is public discussion, the Harlem crew’s founder comes back to give his side of things. Interview Vanessa S... Read More ...
Clipse, “Got  ‘Em Hatin'” (Originally Published December 2006)
Clipse, “Got ‘Em Hatin'” (Originally Published December 2006)
Clipse, “Got ‘Em Hatin'” (Originally Published December 2006)
Rap fans know they’re great. Critics know they’re great. The Clipse, themselves, know they’re great. But just when everyone thought their long-awaited, highly anticipated sophomore album was finally coming out, music biz fate pulled a Halloween trick on them. For Malice and Pusha ...
Drake, “Eyes On Me” (Originally Published May 2010)
Drake, “Eyes On Me” (Originally Published May 2010)
Drake, “Eyes On Me” (Originally Published May 2010)
With hip-hop’s collective attention focused on new hip-hop sensation DRAKE, can the muthafu&#a who dominated last year with a mixtape live up to the hype with his album? ’Bout time we found out. Interview By Benjamin Meadows-Ingram Images By Jonathan Mannion Don’t say it. We already know what...
Meek Mill, “You Wouldn’t Understand” (Originally Published October/November 2012)
Meek Mill, “You Wouldn’t Understand” (Originally Published October/November 2012)
Meek Mill, “You Wouldn’t Understand” (Originally Published October/November 2012)
A star on the rise, Meek Mill has bigger things to think about than nightclub scuffles with R&B singers. Written By Thomas Golianopoulos Images By Jimmy Fontaine During the early morning hours of June 12, Meek Mill left the Bronx strip joint Sin City and headed downtown to the Manhattan Nightclub W.i.P...
Big Sean, “Tenacious D” (Originally Published December/January 2013)
Big Sean, “Tenacious D” (Originally Published December/January 2013)
Big Sean, “Tenacious D” (Originally Published December/January 2013)
Big Sean’s sophomore effort, Hall Of Fame, is finally here. After months of delays, the anticipation was at an all-time high. Of course, Sean wasn’t sweating it and delivered an album that is his best work yet. Earlier this year, we followed Sean around during his first solo cover shoot for XXL. While he’s...
Beanie Sigel “Justify My Thug” (Originally Published January/February 2004)
Beanie Sigel “Justify My Thug” (Originally Published January/February 2004)
Beanie Sigel “Justify My Thug” (Originally Published January/February 2004)
Beanie Sigel gave us a look at his living conditions with photos from behind the wall. Beans is currently serving 24-months for a drug possession charge and should be out before we know it. The Philly native has had previous run-ins with the law, especially a high-profile case of him charged with attempted murder several years ago...
Nelly, ‘Coolsville’ (Originally Published January/February 2009)
Nelly, ‘Coolsville’ (Originally Published January/February 2009)
Nelly, ‘Coolsville’ (Originally Published January/February 2009)
Nelly dropped a big summer record, and you ain’t even know it. The video for “Get Like Me” released earlier this week and it’s smoking hot. His featured guests Nicki Minaj and Pharrell offer their talents to create enjoyable anthem that will be played at high volumes. With that said, Nelly ...

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