July 2005

COVER STORY

what i gotta do

He’s the ultimate come-home-from-jail success story. Now all Tony Yayo has to do is prove to 50 Cent that he’s his next platinum protégé.

FEATURES

straight path

Welcome to our first-annual jail issue. Yeah, we know it was a long time coming. But we came through like Reggie Miller with seconds left on the shot clock. Peep our in-depth pow-wows with the following hip-hop artists: Pimp C, Drama, Mysonne, Chi Ali, Cold 187um, Big Lurch, Mac, C-Murder, John Forté, Tray Deee, C-Bo, Freekey Zeekey and Turk

and then what

Before anyone could take the case seriously, Lil’ Kim was found guilty of perjury and will now have to serve real time—no Martha Stewart shit. Find out how this happened.

Testify

The central figure in the Lil’ Kim case, D. Roc, sends us a kite from prison.

know what i’m sayin’

50. Meet 50. He’s the hip-hop game’s top MC. Curtis takes some time off from shooting his movie to school you fools on why he’s winning and you’re not.

DEPARTMENTS

Editorial

Yellow Nigga rants and raves.

FIRST OF THE MONTH

The Crack Man meets the Trap Man.

360

DMX’s whip appeal

8Ball Capone

Truth Saigon

Hip-Hop Junkies Terrence Howard

Move the Crowd Nelly sings for the ’Lou.

SHOW & PROVE

Sam Scarfo

Trick-Trick

Rich Boy

Cherry

Moe’ Tre

EYE CANDY

We see bootee, bootee, bootee!

THE SHOW

How We Do Rap ringtone mania!

Fashion Junior M.A.F.I.A. spread love the Brooklyn way.

Flow Keep your feet cool this summer.

Walk This Way Old to the new kicks

Freestyle Buckle up with the Roc.

Reign of the Tech Hook up your iPod.

Games People Play Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition, Conker Live & Reloaded, Forza Motorsport

CRITICAL BEATDOWN

The Jump Off Ying Yang Twins

Classic Material E-40

Train of Thought Papoose

Official Bootlegs Chamillionaire and Stat Quo

Ill Techniques Joey Fingaz

Spin Cycle

Production Credit Mr. Lee

Chairman’s Choice Medaphoar

XXIT

We still got love for Po.