The fact that many rappers own swanky mansions isn’t anything revelatory—the topic has been done to death by dozens of other publications in the past. However, it doesn’t make it any less interesting to see the expansive properties of our favorite hip-hop icons, especially when you look at artists’ individual architectural penchants.

While we don’t profess to be architectural experts, XXL has decided to examine 22 properties owned by rappers in the context of a number of architectural schools of thought.

The post Deconstructing 22 Mansions Owned By Rappers appeared first on XXL.

It’s been a busy week at the XXL offices. As we close out our upcoming issue and continue to gear up for more dates of the XXL Freshmen Live Tour—which recently stopped in New York City and saw performances from the entire Freshmen class alongside special guests like Fat Trel, Troy Ave and Riff Raff—we’ve also been working hard to stay up on all the new music and news that dropped this week.

On the music front, the Black Hippy machine united for a remix of Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.” and it might be the track’s best version yet. Also, Travi$ Scott finally released Owl Pharaoh, a stellar mixtape/album that he’d reportedly been working on since 2011; New York heroes Action Bronson and Joey Bada$$ announced release dates of their upcoming projects; and Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire released the incredible cover art for his forthcoming Kismet mixtape. And on the news side, Katy Perry and Chief Keef got in an unlikely Twitter beef, Trinidad Jame$ admitted that “Taking drugs is not right” and Paris Hilton reportedly signed with Cash Money Records.

In our weekly column called In The Cut, the diversely opinionated XXL staff celebrates another lively week in hip-hop and picks some of their favorite releases from the past week. Until next week—keep it trendy, rap fans.

The post In The Cut: Travi$ Scott And Rick Ross Made XXL’s Top Songs Of The Week appeared first on XXL.

Last week, XXL introduced its weekly Friday photo gallery of rappers enjoying the finer things in life. Now, we continue that series with a new collection of flicks from the past week. Click through the above gallery to see Swizz Beatz’s mobile work station, Yo Gotti’s infinity pools, Kid Ink’s view in Las Vegas and more.

The post 17 Images Of Rappers Enjoying The Finer Things In Life appeared first on XXL.

As promised last week, Birdman and Rick Ross come through with their collaborative mixtape.

Earlier today, the YMCMB and Maybach Music Group bosses released their collaborative project The H: The Lost Album, Vol. 1. The project—which is hosted by YMCMB’s DJ Khaled—was a previously recorded album that the duo originally cut in 2008.

“We’d go to the studio, bang out five, six, seven records, then go shoot us some shit, jump in the Rolls Royce and swerve,” Ross said of the recording process in last week’s PSA. “We did so much music and we’ve just been sitting on it, and when we get together we’ll listen to it and smoke somethin’. Stunna just hit me like, ‘Man, let’s go feed the streets with that.’”

Check out the full mixtape below.

The post Rick Ross & Birdman Release Collaborative Mixtape ‘The H: The Lost Album, Vol. 1′ appeared first on XXL.

Whenever there is a sports reference in a song, its always a good day in hip-hop. Mack Maine enlists the help from Ace Hood, French Montana, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled and Busta Rhymes for “Kobe Or Ginobili (Remix).” This is a star-studded remix that is meant to be played at extremely loud volumes. They compare their money and power to the NBA stars’ basketball skills. You can listen to the record below.

The post Mack Maine “Kobe Or Ginobili (Remix)” Featuring Ace Hood, French Montana, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled And Busta Rhymes appeared first on XXL.

After premiering the opening track here, Gucci Mane has offered an official stream of Traphouse 3 on his Bandcamp page. The album includes features from the majority of his 1017 Bricksquad crew—Peewee Longway, Young Dolph—and the newest member Chief Keef. Bigger names like Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa contribute on the album’s lead singles.

You can listen to it below and purchase the album here.

Previously: Album Review: Gucci Mane, Trap House 3

The post Stream Gucci Mane’s ‘Trap House 3′ appeared first on XXL.

Birdman and Rick Ross are moving ahead with their collaboration album, The H. Featuring a chopped-and-screwed of “pop that pussy and shake that ass,” Stunna and Rozay trade rhymes over the Southern bounce beat. After a five year delay, “Pop That Pussy” is the first single off The H arriving on May 23.

[via Derick G]

The post Rick Ross & Birdman “Pop That P***y” appeared first on XXL.

It’s safe to say that most rappers live a lifestyle that far exceeds the average person’s bank account. But that’s part of the joy of being a fan of the music: living vicariously through the Instagram pics of our favorite artists.

Now, in a new weekly segment, XXL brings you 13 of the best pictures from the past week that capture rappers living life to the fullest.

The post 13 Photos Of Rappers Living The Lavish Life appeared first on XXL.

Remember that Birdman and Rick Ross collaborative LP that was set to drop back in 2008? Well Birdman and Rozay delivered this PSA to announce that the project will now be releasing after all. Mark you calendars for May 23rd.

[via Derick G]

The post Birdman And Rick Ross To Release Lost Album, ‘The H’ On May 23 appeared first on XXL.

Gucci Mane is home after spending nearly three weeks behind bars, and he’s gearing up for the release of his street album, Trap House III, available for purchase on iTunes next Tuesday, May 21. Big Guwop’s been a busy man this year, dropping five mixtapes and starring in the must see Spring Breakers. Today, XXL has the pleasure of premiering Trap House III’s title track, a monstrosity of a record, produced by 808 Mafia and featuring Rick Ross. It’s big, bad, hypnotizing and honestly a little bit frightening. Stream below and pick up Trap House III on iTunes next week.

The post Premiere: Gucci Mane ft. Rick Ross “Trap House III” (Produced By 808 Mafia) appeared first on XXL.

Rick Ross has announced that he’ll be opening a new chicken joint in Tennessee.

The Bawse Tweeted out a picture of a new Wingstop location that he purchased in Jackson, TN. The Miami rapper firs signed a franchisee license with the chain in 2011, and currently owns spots in Miami, Memphis and East Memphis.

@wingstopjackson coming soon to Jackson,Tn!!! #wellorchestrated @wingstop twitter.com/rickyrozay/sta…

— Mastermind (@rickyrozay) May 14, 2013

Rozay isn’t the only rap superstar with fast food mogul aspirations. As discussed in our list yesterday, Kanye West owns a number of Fatburger restaurants in his native Chicago.

The post Rick Ross To Open New Wingstop In Tennessee appeared first on XXL.

You can’t be rapping about drug money without including MMG. Rick Ross and Meek Mill drop new verses for “Drug Money” today. The popular Future and Yo Gotti track gets a Untouchable Maybach Empire makeover. The song title basically describes the song. The two MCs do what they do best, boasting about their power and reach. You can listen to the record below.

The post Rick Ross And Meek Mill “Drug Money” appeared first on XXL.

Throughout his career, Ne-Yo has regularly been called upon by hip-hop’s heavyweights to lend his vocals and songwriting abilities for their records. The Grammy Award-winning artist has worked with the likes of Rick Ross and Ghostface Killah on some of their biggest hits to date. We caught up with Ne-Yo earlier this month at Gig-It’s star-studded launch party and got the stories behind five of his most notable hip-hop collaborations. Find out who “Make Me Better” was initially intended for and more after the jump.  —Emmanuel C. M. (@ECM_LP)

The post Ne-Yo Shares The Stories Behind Five Of His Biggest Hip-Hop Collaborations appeared first on XXL.

After teasing with a trailer last month, Rockie Fresh chooses Mother’s Day to release the official visual for his Rick Ross and Nipsey Hussle assisted single, “Life Long.” This track appears on the MMG rapper’s mixtape, Electric Highway.

The post Watch Rockie Fresh, Rick Ross & Nipsey Hussle’s New Video for “Life Long” appeared first on XXL.

The NBA playoffs are in full-swing, and with only four series left, it’s coming down to the final moment to determine which team’s the league champion. But the NBA playoffs aren’t only good watching high intensity basketball; they’re also prime events at which to see your favorite rapper (if you’re into that kinda thing).

Now, XXL has put together a gallery of 28 photographs of rappers hanging out courtside at basketball games.

The post Kings Of Courtside: 28 Pictures Of Rappers At NBA Games appeared first on XXL.

In case you’ve forgotten, Mother’s Day 2013 is upon us. Mothers play a huge role in all of our lives, and for our favorite rappers, their influence frequently comes through via their rhymes. It’s no surprise that rappers love their moms, sharing personal moments that we all can relate to. With that in mind, let’s take some time to celebrate of some of the most visible mothers hip-hop has to offer, from Donda West to Afeni Shakur.

The post Dear Mama: Hip-Hop’s Most Important Moms appeared first on XXL.

Rick Ross recently took some time off from his busy schedule to spend some quality moments with his seed, hitting up Game 2 in the Heat vs. Bulls playoff series. The hometown Miami Heat won 115-78 over the depleted Chicago Bulls. Looks like good times were had by all, especially Rozay’s Rolex rocking son who was gifted an autographed pair of D Wade’s sneaks after the game, and was interviewed by the local media. Nice.

The post Rick Ross & Son Kick It Court Side At Heat vs. Bulls Game 2 appeared first on XXL.

This week on the Twittersphere, Gucci Mane announces Chief Keef joining his Brick Squad clique, Rihanna and Rick Ross tease new music, Glasses Malone sounds-off on rap-run labels, and Iggy Azalea discusses her Dorito-heavy dietary habits. Also, Ab-Soul breaks down his three rules. Hint: one of them definitely involves puffing that stank.

The post Hip-Hop Tweets Of The Week: 5/5-5/11 appeared first on XXL.

On 2005′s “Old School Rules” by Danger Doom, Talib Kweli raps that, “I might be buggin but it seem to me/That cartoons be realer than reality TV.” While we could easily enumerate a number of reasons why Kweli’s lyric is a bold hyperbole to make – namely because they’re cartoons – it definitely speaks to hip-hop’s longstanding history with the animated arts. Whether it’s Kid ‘n Play’s short-lived animated series or the Gorillaz actually being animated, hip-hop has been all over the map when it comes to cartoons.  Now, XXL has put together a list of 23 hilarious hip-hop moments in televised cartoon history.

The post From Freaknik To Fishsticks: 23 Hilarious Hip-Hop Moments In Cartoons appeared first on XXL.

The already widely popular song, that’s already been remixed, gets “RichMix” this time. Future gets Rick Ross, Birdman, and French Montana for the remix to “Karate Chop.” The trio bring their own swag to the song. Rich Ross talks about his hustle and his products, Birdman comes in flexin’, and French ends the song telling you how he is a shot caller. I have a feeling this is probably not going to be the last remix of this song. Listen to the track below.

The post Future Drops “Karate Chop” (RichMix) Featuring Rick Ross, Birdman And French Montana appeared first on XXL.