The First Annual XXLMAG.COM Hardbody Awards

Since the first time a rhyme was ever put down on wax rappers have boasted about how strong they were.  Most of it is fantasized braggadocio by recording studio gangsters, but some of these rappers are actually real enough to handle their business in the street like men.  When I say like men I mean knuckling up with someone.

Any chump can pull out a gun and shoot it.  But how many cats are hardbody enough to get busy with their two hands?  These Hardbody Awards go to the rappers that I know would rumble for real and not try to bite your ears off.

Fat Joe – My experience with Fat Joe comes after watching him in Miami at the 'How Can I Be Down' rapper convention.  Fat Joe is the real king of Miami.  Who needs a mayor when you know Fat Joe?  During this time the east coast was still embroiled in their beef with the west coast and Fat Joe was one of the few rappers that could navigate through the west and still keep his jewelry.  When in Miami there was a crew of guys from the westside that felt a kind of way about all the love that Joe was getting.  Instead of walking behind an entourage Joe was leading the rush.  Tensions were high and nobody got clapped on, but I was impressed that Joe never once turned his head to see what his boys wanted to do.  He was already all in.

Puff – Diddy is the only rapper that can shoot and kill rap fans and it's nothing.  Along with that he beat the shiite out of brand marketer Steve Stoute and rapper Pos K (just ask Combat Jack).  You might think that Puff was soft because of his name or because he takes bubble baths and exfoliates, but the hardbody truth is that Diddy can prah'lee kill your grandmother and not even get sentenced to probation.

Xibit – I don't know too much about this dude as an emcee because I can't download wack shit to my computer but I do know that Xibit is from Detroit which is pound for pound one of America's most hardbody cities, St. Louis and Camden, New Jersey notwithstanding.

Fisty Scent – Even though Fisty did do that ghey azz magazine cover
this dude makes the list for the sheer fact that he was shot before.  No matter where you are shot you will suffer a lot of pain.  That shit puts motherfuckers in wheelchairs when they are lucky enough to survive.  Since Grimm already had the wheelchair joint on smash Fisty decided to go in another direction and just keep it hardbody.  Good for him.

Slick Rick – What rapper has spent as much time in prison as Slick Rick?  He leads all rappers in jailtime and songs also sung by children.  You know Slick Rick is hardbody for several reasons.  1) He is Jamaican.  2) He has never lost any of his jewelry.  3) Did I say he was Jamaican?

Trick Trick – Super Hardbody O.G. Superhero.  One more word…  Detroit.

Honorable Mention:

Freddie Foxx – With a nickname like Bumpy Knuckles you really don't need to know much more.

Sean Price – Classic Brownsville Brooklyn boxer from Mike Tyson's old neighborhood.  Hail Meg!

K-Solo – Don't forget about this cat who had the industry shook for a while after he pounded out some Jersey cats thoroughly.

LL Cool J – Believe it or not, the ladies man was always down for going a few rounds with any punks that jumped up to get beat down.