Throwbacks

Ten years ago, some men with rhymes changed the face of hip-hop music.

Everything I Love They've come a long way. From the time when the N.O. was nowhere on the hip-hop map to nationwide dominance to dissent and dissolution. Now the last of the Cash Money Millionaire Mohicans are back atop the rap game. They've come a long way, Baby and Wayne...

Limelight The Game had a hard-knock life in the city of Compton before deciding to take a crack at the rap game. Vowing to bring the West Coast back as a major player in the hip-hop world, he, in fact, did just that. Bow down! Words Jon Caramanica Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the April 2005 issue of XXL Magazine. It i...

After more than one year of dodging the press, Chris Brown breaks his silence. Words: Chris Brown Images: Juco Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the December/January 2013 issue of XXL Magazine. Since this is my first cover in a minute, I’ll explain why I wasn’t doing interviews. I’ve been adaman...

Ten years ago, along with his co-D P. Diddy, Biggie Smalls made history: Proving that an MC could make commercial bangers without sacrificing an ounce of street credibility. In his memory, we’ve gathered up the players to reminisce on his star-making jump-off.

Continuing to celebrate the life and career of The Notorious B.I.G., XXL breaks down the Brooklyn native's classic debut album Ready To Die by the numbers...

If they wrote a book on the life of D.O.C., you think anyone would read it? They should, f*@kers. Y'all have to wait, though. The secret weapon behind the N.W.A. franchise has a new LP and a few more chapters to live. Words Gabriel Alvarez Images Mike Schreiber The weekend could not have been better for 21-year-old Tracy Curry...

Words Amy Linden Photos Clay Patrick McBride NEW YORK CITY’S Central Park South is a mixture of dyed-in-the-wool, Waspy Manhattan mega bucks and the glitz of the nouveau notorious. Side by side stand the symbols of those who will be keeping their fortunes for a while and those riding some IPO wave of excess. Stro...

Give Up The Goods In 1999, the rap business was thriving, with multiplatinum plaques, million-dollar videos and popping bottles of champagne. Rookie Southside Jamaica, Queens, MC 50 Cent just wanted a piece of the action. His debut record, "How To Rob," told folks how he was gonna get it...

With Remy Ma serving an eight-year prison sentence, her husband, Papoose, holds down the home front...

Mase left the rap game three years ago, but we still miss him. With rumors strong about a possible return to hip-hop, we go deep cover to his church in Atlanta to find out the truth. Written By: Marginee Ellis Illustration: Chang Park Awash in a fervent sea of “Hallelujahs” and “Thank Ya’s,” Pastor Mason Betha ceremonially approaches the clear, Plexiglas altar of Saving A Nation Endangered Minist

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 ...