Throwback

Transformation naturally comes with time. And if you're a rapper lucky enough to have cameras capture the longevity of your career, chances are you've got some dope throwback moments. These are the awesome, hilarious (and sometimes embarrassing) back in the day pics of when rappers were just starting out in the studio or arriving on their first big red carpet. Fas...

Hip-Hop Junkies: Stuart Scott The black sportscaster who is down with rap. Words: Bonsu Thompson Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the January/February 2001 issue of XXL Magazine. If you're a die-hard sports fan, you have to watch ESPN. And ...

He sold three million records and still gets the Rodney Dangerfield treatment. Is he a Nelly clone? Ludacris’ DTP sidekick? A Pop-Tart rapper for bubblegum babes? Nah, son. He’s Chingy. A young MC with a bright-ass future. Words Vanessa Satten Images Michael Lavine I have this problem of thinking that nobody’s gonna try to do me wrong.” On a warm day t...

Bill Garland reconnected with his son just 10 months before bullets in Las Vegas separated them forever. Tupac’s father remembers. Words: Vanessa Satten Images: Michael Scott Slosar There were several important male figures in Tupac Shakur’s life. But it wasn’t u...

More rappers than ever are turning to books to scratch their creative itch. A list of the 10 best ever Words: Adam Fleischer, Jesse Gissen, Mark Lelinwalla, Jayson Rodriguez Images: Socrates Gomez These days, when rappers pull out a pen and a pad, or even get on the computer or their smart phones, it’s not certain they do so with the intent of writing a rhyme. More and ...

We thought we knew what the movement was like. But then there was trouble in Dipset paradise. With co-founder Cam still M.I.A., can Jim, Julez and Zeke bring the title back to Harlem? Interviews By: Vanessa Satten Photography By: Perou A rap crew is hip-hop’s best display of strength in numbers. A gr...

It’s so hard to believe that it’s been a full year since Big Pun passed on. But he’s not forgotten. Through family, friends, artists and his music, he lives on. Reminisce over our amigo with our tribute to one of hip-hop’s most respected MCs. Written By: XXL Sta... Read More ...

Just five days away from Kanye West's 10th anniversary of his classic debut album College Dropout, vintage footage of Kanye on tour hit the web. The video takes you behind the scenes during Yeezy early days on tour. We get to see him and his team on a private jet, video of them  goofing off behind set, and Yeezus performing on stage. You...

It’s felt sort of empty without him, hasn’t it? One of the biggest superstars on the planet, Eminem has been on a three-year hiatus, dealing with some awfully heavy personal issues. He’s back now, though. And up to his old tricks. Sick. But healthier than e...