Table of Contents November 2010

FEATURES

• 42
  LITTLE FRIEND
  What do @50CENT and @SOULJABOY have in common? Besides the hate, there’s the money, the power and those millions of Twitter followers. @XXLStaff talks with the G-Unit general and Mr. Crank Dat and discovers the tie that binds them.
• 48
  GROWING PAINS
  Amid constant criticism and rumors of a coke habit, 20-year-old SOULJA BOY maintains his composure. First he’ll take on the haters with the release of his third album, The DeAndre Way, then he hopes to take on Donald Trump. And he probably will.
• 56
  OVER HERE HUSTLIN’
  Sure, the sales of 50 CENT’S fourth LP were underwhelming, but while haters were throwing shots, Fif was busy making moves with his independent film company, conquering Twitter and putting in work on his upcoming fifth album. You still mad?
• 60
  THE LEAK
  Ever wonder how records make their way onto the Internet and mixtapes months before their intended release dates? From the studio to the pressing plant, XXL investigates how tracks get leaked. Call a plumber.
• 66
  CHANGE THE GAME
  A decade ago, R&B superstar R. KELLY released TP-2.com. The LP’s supersexed slow jams mixed with Kelly’s thug bravado provided some memorable moments. XXL and Kells reminisce on the hip-hop-soul classic.
• 74
  ONE AND ONLY
  After getting dropped from Interscope, LLOYD BANKS is making his return to rap on G-Unit/EMI with a new album. Is he still hungry for more?
• 78
  CAN I LIVE?
  In the final part of XXL’s three-part series with SHYNE, he voices his displeasure with Def Jam, as well as his disappointment with the public’s reaction to his new music. It’s a must-read!

DEPARTMENTS

• 21
  360
  Lil Boosie’s lack of support, Diddy’s rapping stepson, and Eminem and Jay-Z hit the stage.
• 33
  SHOW & PROVE
  Kendrick Lamar, Erk Tha Jerk, Reek Da Villian, Celph Titled
• 101
  X-RATED
  XXL compares and contrasts the recent LPs from Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame.
• 86
  EYE CANDY
  Halie is as real as it gets.
• 92
  THE COOL
  Hollywood players Michael K. Williams, Rob Brown and Naturi Naughton keep it all-black-everything.

PLUS

• 10
  EDITORIAL
  VS sets ’em straight.
• 14
  LETTERS
  Shyne gets love from the pen.
• 114
  DOIN’ LINES
  B.o.B