issue 157

Living Life With his name now regularly in the mainstream gossip blogs nowadays, French Montana’s stock is going though the roof. Interview Vanessa Satten Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now. French ...

Writer At War Kendrick Lamar in his own words. Images Tom Medvedich Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now. A lot of times in interviews, people ask me things like, “How does it feel now? What have ...

All Due Respect After 26 years in the game, E-40 is still at the height of his powers. And he’s not planning on slowing down any time soon. Interview Dan Rys Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now. It’s be...

Sky's The Limit It took YG five years after getting signed to Def Jam to release his debut album, but when it finally dropped, a rap star was born. Interview Miranda Johnson Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of XXL Magazine. O...

The Winter 2014 issue of XXL is a special one. Not because it's the first to drop under the new ownership of Townsquare Media, but because there's also the cover subject: Kendrick Lamar. This is the first time K.Dot has graced the front of XXL by himself after one appearance as part of the 2011 XXL Freshmen Class, another time with Dr. Dre in 2012, and most recent...