If there's a lot of anything these days, it's new rappers. XXL's The Break podcast is for those aspiring MCs who need a little help getting on. This is the place to hear valuable info on how to make it in hip-hop from some of the biggest and most experienced names in the game. Hosted by XXL's Vanessa Satten and Miranda J., The Break podcast is an essential tool for artists willing to listen and learn. XXL's The Break: Where New Artists Come First.

Today, XXL kicks off the premiere episode of what we've deemed the rule book for rappers dying to blow up.  Narrated by XXL Editor-in-Chief, Vanessa Satten, and Editor Miranda J., the first episode is titled "Building Your Identity." Listen above as lyricists Joey Bada$$ and Wale plus Mike Caren, the President of Worldwide A&R for all of Warner Music Group, offer their expertise on one of the earliest steps an aspiring hip-hop star makes in their career...building their identity as an artist. Listen to The Break Podcast on iTunes here.

Press play! Listen to the latest episodes of XXL's new sports podcast, Ante Up, here.

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