XXL Mag

The history of a beat can be messy. Take the DJ Dahi beat that eventually became Lupe Fiasco's "Adoration of the Magi," but had previously belonged to Pittsburgh MC GrandeMarshall; more recently, an aspiring rapper claimed to have previously "leased" the Knxwledge beat that became "Momma" on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. Recently...

News of the violent protests in Baltimore as a result of the death of 25-year-old Black man, Freddie Gray swept over Instagram today, (April 27). Rappers like Waka Flocka, B.o.B. and Ice Cube chimed in on the events surrounding the young man, who's life was taken by police...

In the midst of rising stardom and unfortunate tragedy, Chicago rapper Lil Durk still seems to have his priorities straight. As evident from the 22-year-old's Instagram posts, Durk still has time to be a devoted dad to his little ones. The former XXL Freshman has been on a steady campaign to build his name ever since 2011...

What's going on here? Amber Rose met former XXL Freshmen Machine Gun Kelly at the LAX. At the airport, MGK reportedly embraced Rose and grabbed at her booty, according to TMZ. The Cleveland MC and Rose were then seen holding hands (see picture above and more here). Are Ambe...

Stance and the NBA announced today a multi-year partnership that will make Stance the official on-court sock provider of the NBA beginning next season. The Stance logo will appear on all on-court designs. Along with their partnership with the NBA, Stance also announced the addition of Golden State Warriors', Klay Thompson, as a brand ambassador of the popular sock brand...

The Cash Money logo has, of late, implied turmoil, unrest, lawyers and contract battles. But when it flashes on the screen at the beginning of Juvenile's video for "Mountain," the old connotations come rushing back: gaudy album art, oversized jerseys, camouflage...

Train Of Thought: Big Sean "One Man Can Change The World" Feat. Kanye West and John Legend Words Dan Rys Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of XXL Magazine. Don't miss our cover stories on Meek Mill and Rick Ross right here. Verse ...

From the upcoming mixtape Cocaine Steak and Wine, MMG producer AOne enlists Bay Area MC Mistah F.A.B. and UK singer Katie London for "Listen." Over the smooth, sample-heavy instrumental, Mistah F.A.B. flashes the lyricism that has made him a mainstay in the game since the late '90s ...

Though Chief Keef hasn't had a smooth ride on the industry conveyor belt--conflicting reports about his status with Interscope dominated the Chicago rapper's Google results as soon as his 2012 LP Finally Rich was shipped to stores--he has, since his move to Los Angeles, gotten weirder, more gripping and better. "Sosa Ch...

Future's 56 Nights has been tearing up the streets, mixshows and the clubs since its March release and the booming cut, "Trap Niggas," gets the video treatment. The Unkle Luc-directed clip takes a raw look at the trapstar lifetstyle. With his subjects, including Atlanta rappers Key ...

Young Thug's sexuality has become an unlikely point of both speculation and controversy since the Atlantan burst onto the scene in the latter half of 2013. Fanning the flames for his own amusement ("Every time I dress myself, it go motherfucking viral"; "And no homo, but my blunt look like a dick"), Thug has quickly emerged as one of hip-hop's brightest young talents... Read Mo

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