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Drake, “Eyes On Me” (Originally Published May 2010)
Drake, “Eyes On Me” (Originally Published May 2010)
Drake, “Eyes On Me” (Originally Published May 2010)
With hip-hop’s collective attention focused on new hip-hop sensation DRAKE, can the muthafu&#a who dominated last year with a mixtape live up to the hype with his album? ’Bout time we found out. Interview By Benjamin Meadows-Ingram Images By Jonathan Mannion Don’t say it. We already know what...
Meek Mill, “You Wouldn’t Understand” (Originally Published October/November 2012)
Meek Mill, “You Wouldn’t Understand” (Originally Published October/November 2012)
Meek Mill, “You Wouldn’t Understand” (Originally Published October/November 2012)
A star on the rise, Meek Mill has bigger things to think about than nightclub scuffles with R&B singers. Written By Thomas Golianopoulos Images By Jimmy Fontaine During the early morning hours of June 12, Meek Mill left the Bronx strip joint Sin City and headed downtown to the Manhattan Nightclub W.i.P...
Mister Cee, “The Bigger Picture” (Originally Published April 2003)
Mister Cee, “The Bigger Picture” (Originally Published April 2003)
Mister Cee, “The Bigger Picture” (Originally Published April 2003)
DJs get no credit—especially Mister Cee. Big Daddy Kane’s former cut creator put Biggie Smalls on when no one was listening. Here’s the strongest finisher in the game on B.I.G.’s true beginnings. Written By Michael Gonzales Baby, it’s cold outside. Through the spotless plate g...
Big Sean, “Tenacious D” (Originally Published December/January 2013)
Big Sean, “Tenacious D” (Originally Published December/January 2013)
Big Sean, “Tenacious D” (Originally Published December/January 2013)
Big Sean’s sophomore effort, Hall Of Fame, is finally here. After months of delays, the anticipation was at an all-time high. Of course, Sean wasn’t sweating it and delivered an album that is his best work yet. Earlier this year, we followed Sean around during his first solo cover shoot for XXL. While he’s...
Beanie Sigel “Justify My Thug” (Originally Published January/February 2004)
Beanie Sigel “Justify My Thug” (Originally Published January/February 2004)
Beanie Sigel “Justify My Thug” (Originally Published January/February 2004)
Beanie Sigel gave us a look at his living conditions with photos from behind the wall. Beans is currently serving 24-months for a drug possession charge and should be out before we know it. The Philly native has had previous run-ins with the law, especially a high-profile case of him charged with attempted murder several years ago...
Nelly, ‘Coolsville’ (Originally Published January/February 2009)
Nelly, ‘Coolsville’ (Originally Published January/February 2009)
Nelly, ‘Coolsville’ (Originally Published January/February 2009)
Nelly dropped a big summer record, and you ain’t even know it. The video for “Get Like Me” released earlier this week and it’s smoking hot. His featured guests Nicki Minaj and Pharrell offer their talents to create enjoyable anthem that will be played at high volumes. With that said, Nelly ...
Gucci Mane, “Soul On Ice” (Originally Published March 2010)
Gucci Mane, “Soul On Ice” (Originally Published March 2010)
Gucci Mane, “Soul On Ice” (Originally Published March 2010)
Whether he is a free man or incarcerated, Gucci Mane is the most respected rapper coming out of Atlanta. He also must live in the studio, as indicated in his recent announcement of releasing three mixtapes at once on August 13. Big Guwop, who manages to always surprise us, gave an in-depth look of his journey back in 2008...
Jay Z, “Look At Me Now” (Originally Published August 2005)
Jay Z, “Look At Me Now” (Originally Published August 2005)
Jay Z, “Look At Me Now” (Originally Published August 2005)
Jay-Z is not a businessman; he’s a business, man. After giving away one million downloads of Magna Carta Holy Grail through a Samsung promotion, Hov managed to sell an additional 527,000 copies in the first week. Some detractors still doubt his management of big business deals, but let’s not forget Hov has always been pretty savvy at it. With that ...
Murs “Make It Work For Ya” & Lloyd Banks “On My Own” (Originally Published July/August 2010)
Murs “Make It Work For Ya” & Lloyd Banks “On My Own” (Originally Published July/August 2010)
Murs “Make It Work For Ya” & Lloyd Banks “On My Own” (Originally Published July/August 2010)
Hip-hop has its share of self-made success stories. Sometimes, the indie hustle is much more respected than securing a big major label deal. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are the latest triumph, but there have been other artists in hip-hop that have stuck to this model for years. In...

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