XXL Mag

Today is ?uestlove and Joey Bada$$ birthdays. Joey Bada$$, the leader of Brooklyn's supergroup, Pro Era, turns 19 today and was a member of the 2013 XXL Freshman class. Joey went on to drop the follow-up to his breakout 1999 mixtape this year with Summer Knights and became Creative Director of Ecko Untld. His new LP looks top be dropping later this...

There's no denying Kanye West has become one of the most successful rap acts of this millennium, but his chances of becoming an MC were slim to none before the fateful car accident that almost took his life in 2002. In a recent sit-down with Interview, Ye revealed that his career as a budding producer all but stamped out his opportunity hone his mic skills, until the crash...

XXL is giving away two tickets to Hot 97’s Who’s Next Live Featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Black Cobain at SOBs in New York City next week Wednesday night (jan. 22)! You can win two tickets by telling us what your favorite Ty Dolla $ign song is and emailing us at xxl@xxlmag.com before 12 p.m. tomorrow and ...

Should rap lyrics be able to be used against you in the court of law? The state of New Jersey is prepping to mull over a decision on whether or not to allow just that. MSNBC recently had a discussion on the topic and invited Houston rap veteran Bun B to speak on the matter...

If you didn't see Drake take over Saturday Night Live last night, you missed a show for the ages. Mr. OVO showed off his acting skills with some hilarious moments during the hour and a half long show. For SNL's first episode of 2014, Drake shines, impersonating Lil Wayne, Jay Z, comedian Katt Williams and delivers in some fantastic skits...

Is Rick Ross expanding his Maybach Music Group empire to involve film? The Bawse was recently in Utah at the Sundance Film Festival over the weekend and apparently the portly MC was in town for more than to catch some quality cinema. Ross posted a picture with former label exec/entrepreneur Steve Stoute along with a caption that hints he may be trying to get some box office bucks this year... Rea

Jay Z and Billionaire Boys Club creator Pharrell have collaborated once again on a line of t-shirts to commemorate Hov's Manga Carta Holy Grail, LP and tour. The special edition "Magna Carta Holy Grail" t-shirt comes in black and white, and feature a Jesus astronaut graphic designed by SK8THING...

Ice Cube's latest film, Ride Along, co-starring Kevin Hart, raked in $48.7 million over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, breaking a record for MLK holiday releases, reports Variety. The film, earned $41.2 million in its first three days in theaters and $47...

This week on Instagram Ice Cube celebrated the release of his new movie Ride Along, Drake posed as Lil Wayne for an SNL skit, and Rick Ross teased the release of his upcoming Mastermind Album. & a bunch more...Check it out!

Ying Yang Twins rapper, Deongelo "D-Roc" Holmes, has been arrested over a domestic dispute in his home state, Georgia, reports TMZ. The alleged incident occurred last November when Holmes' wife Porsche claimed he struck her in the head causing bruising over her left eye...

This week, Young Chop’s rising signee Johnny May Cash released his second mixtape, Death Row. The 8TMG representer creates melodic, Auto-Tune-charged raps that show there’s a growing presence of this style in hip-hop. Even though Johnny May Cash has yet to top his 2012 hit “Codeine,” Death Row has a lot of promise. Mostly produced by You...

Skateboard P was recently one of the headliners for the Holy Ship!!!, a three-night cruise concert featuring some of the most popular electro artists. The Virginia super producer used some of his stage time between recent hits like "Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines" to debut an upbeat new Major Lazer assisted track that finds P flowing over rapid drum hits...