Common

On this day...

Back in January, Common announced that he'd be releasing an EP, a mixtape and an album in 2013. Though it looks like those plans might not come to fruition, the Chicago rapper and actor recently told Hip-Hop DX that he will be releasing an EP of new material later this year, with a full-length on the horizon for the beginning of 2014...

Rap music has a way of celebrating the opening line. It’s always the hard entry that has heads nodding and wanting to listen to the rest of the song. However, some songs start off strong and fade out into nothingness by the end. It’s a rapper’s duty to remain thorough throughout the track or enlist the help of others to enhance the cut right up to the closing. We like to ca...

It has been reported today that R&B singer and frequent TDE collaborator, Jhené Aiko, was hospitalized after a bad car accident last night. Although, it will cause her to miss a concert at LSU this evening, it has been reported that she is currently ok and was soon released from the hospital suffering from a broken wrist, a cracked tooth and needing several stitches. While Jhené...

Big Sean is hoping to take the crown of hip-hop album of the summer with Hall Of Fame. He’s already released some promising teasers—“Guap,” “Beware” and “Switch Up.” Taking to Instagram earlier today, Sean unveiled the various covers for his sophomore effort. Unfortunately, he didn’t show us the tracklist...

Lately it seems like you could stop on any corner in Chicago and find a talented rapper within earshot. From Chance The Rapper and his Save Money Crew to Chief Keef and the GBE boys, there's a lot going on in the Chi. Still, one of the city's sons, King Louie, might be having the best year of  all. Aft...

A few weeks ago, XXL sat down with Freshmen Class of 2013 alum Trinidad Jame$ to discuss the impact of his music, during which he assessed that conscious hip-hop is no longer viable option in the music business. Although Jame$'s comments are geared towards his music's influence on rap's growing "Molly" subculture, the statement got XXL's editorial staff thinking: is conscious, political

Last night, the San Antonio Spurs put a swift end to the Memphis Grizzlies's NBA playoff dreams when the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the fourth and final game of the Western Conference Finals. At the same time, the Indiana Pacers are looking to re-gain momentum against the dominant Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, as the Heat lead two games to one...

Common jumps on "X.O.X." and spits a verse for Elijah Blake's track. Torn between lovers, the songs depicts the all-to-often question: How do I tell the one I'm with that I'm still in love with my ex? A real emotional song, touching a hard choice that must be made. The...

At one point in time, hip-hop music wasn't the major musical force that it is today; it was a fad relegated to the South Bronx, where DJs cut between drum breaks for a young crop of dancers to spin on their head to in the park. Flash forward 40 years, and hip-hop has become one of the most recognized forms of popular music...

The Chi-town spitter pays homage to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, on this record. Common jumps on this rework of Chris Brown's smash hit "Fine China" retooled by DJ Dummy and 9th Wonder. This huge hit just got even more soul with this new remix. Lad...

Yesterday, the world of music was rocked when news broke that Rihanna and Chris Brown had finally called it quits. It was surely a tragic day for the dozens - and that's a generous estimate - of people out there that genuinely care. But the news got XXL's staff thinking - isn't this something we really should've seen coming? We've al...