May 2006

Cover Stories

IT HAS BEEN SAID

Tightly under wraps in a federal pen in Philly, the first female MC to do a bid sits in a cell biding her time until her 366-day sentence is up. After seven months locked behind bars, Lil’ Kim is no longer new to the system. So she called XXL to share her experiences.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS

Can you believe it’s been five years since the infamous Puffy Trial, which landed budding rapper Shyne in the slammer? He’s suffered legal and career setbacks, solitary confinement and personal and financial obstacles, yet Shyne Po still pushes on. With just a year-and-a-half away from possible release, Po’s got a few things to say.

Features

SINCERELY YOURS

To Wu-Tang fans and music critics, every Ghostface album is a winner. So why does he keep losing sales? Tony on the trials and tribulations of a career in the rap biz—it ain’t always pretty.

STILL

A look back on the life of J Dilla and the impact he had on hip-hop. R.I.P., Jay Dee. He will always be remembered.

BACK LIKE THAT

He just got done serving a three-year prison sentence, and now Project Pat is slowly making his way back into the rap game. With the city of Memphis and his crew Three 6 Mafia both hotter than ever, now’s the time for Pat to shine.

Departments

EDITORIAL

Yellow Nigga rants and raves.

FIRST OF THE MONTH

Cam and Jeezy piss y’all off.

360

Cool C live from death row.
8Ball: Bubba Sparxxx
Truth: Chamillionaire
Hip-Hop Junkies: Andy Milonakis
Move the Crowd: Wu-Tang crush the Big Apple.

SHOW & PROVE

Rick Ross
Slick Pulla
Turf Talk
Atllas
Apathy

EYE CANDY

Erica is like kryptonite.

THE SHOW

XXL’s annual electronics blowout takes you to the next level.
Reign of the Tech: Scorching-hot electronics for the street, crib and whip
Fashion: Hit the rails like a pro in the coolest skating gear.
Flow: These decks will keep you stylin’.
Walk This Way: Skate kicks to keep you grounded.
Freestyle: Meet the Blokhedz.
Games People Play: The Godfather, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
Full Clip: DVD reviews to swear by

CRITICAL BEATDOWN

The Jump Off: T.I.
Classic Material: Tha Alkaholiks
Train of Thought: Young Jeezy
Official Bootlegs: Fabolous
Ill Techniques: DJ Juice
Spin Cycle
Production Credit: The Runners
Chairman’s Choice: The Coup

XXIT

Three 6 win Oscar!