XXL Mag

Trae Tha Truth follows his 8th annual Trae Day celebration in Houston with the release of his seventh solo studio album, Tha Truth. The 16-track LP features Nipsey Hu$$le, Lil Bibby, Snootie Wild, Que, Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign, T.I., J. Cole, Ink, Rich Homie Quan and DeJ Loaf...

What better time to flex than the summer? Chedda Da Connect, he of "Flicka Da Wrist" fame, teams up with T-Wayne for a shot at a summer banger. "I felt like making a song for everybody celebrating this summer, " T Wayne told The FADER. "If ...

It's strange how, by the end of the 2000s, certain rappers had become critical touchstones, markers for sea changes in how the public at large sees rap music, and which ones were merely 'great rappers.' It's been discussed ad nauseum how Kanye West shifted the rap star archetype from the block to the mens' department; the Clipse became a signifier for those eager to shirk their Jansports... Read M

Straight out of Brooklyn, DonMonique is a 20-year-old MC that's arrived on the scene after dropping her breakout single "Pilates (Kendall, Kylie, Miley)." With her aggressive monotone flow and sporty fashion sense, the former model quickly began to turn heads. The scar...

@chubbsview @ovo_gelo @habibizcafe @ovonoel @champagnepapi @quentinmiller__ @jprince713 A photo posted by ryan silverstein (@ovoryan) on Jan 1, 2015 at 3:54am PST Quentin Miller, the rapper who Meek Mill claims is Drake's ghostwriter, has finally spoken out...

The popular NBA2k series enlisted DJ Premier, DJ Khaled and DJ Mustard as executive producers for its upcoming 2K16 release and now the full soundtrack is available via Spotify. Featuring new and classic joints produced by each heavyweight producer, the tracklist is full of bangers. Check out the full ...

Lil Uzi Vert drops a new record titled “All Night,” which is produced by Cardo Got Wings. Over a string-heavy instrumental with head-pounding bass, Uzi explodes, rattling braggadocious bars about taking people girlfriends, his come up and a ton more. "I'm on my...

We suppose you could take the view that the Jackson family has been maligned in the press--that erratic (and allegedly criminal) behavior has marred the famously musical clan at every turn. But on the other hand, you could argue that the Jacksons are so undeniable, irrefutably talented at what they do that their artistic legacy has endured despite ill will, countless smear campaigns and whatever N

Fetty Wap and Shy Glizzy team up for "Why You Mad." This record is a certified street banger. Fetty croons on the hook, asking his haters why are they mad and if they have a problem then he can solve it expeditiously. "Really tell me why you mad son...

Two of the most powerful names in entertainment are teaming up as producers for a currently untitled HBO miniseries. According to EW, Jay Z and Will Smith are listed as producers--along with Jay Brown, James Lassiter and Aaron Kaplan--for a miniseries about Emmett Till. In ...

The intro to Trae Tha Truth’s latest album Tha Truth feels like a mission statement. Comedian Lil Duval says, “Ain’t no music out here for the struggle right now. That’s what the people need.” He continues to explain that he knows people love to dance and have a good time, but it’s hard to do that when life hits you hard. It’s an accurate take on the curre...

Kanye West's last album, 2013's Yeezus, was stark and minimal, drawing heavily from Chicago drill and house. Its detractors (some of whom had been fans of West's earlier, more conventional work) were unhappy with the vocals, feeling that they weren't dense or verbose enough. Wel...