issue 159

Show & Prove is our section in the magazine where we highlight which rappers are hot in hip-hop now. Many who have appeared in our Show & Prove section have gone on to launch successful music careers. With the goal to bring our hand-picked selections online, here are the stories from Kap G, D.R.A.M. ...

Train Of Thought: Boosie BadAzz "Black Heaven" Feat. Keyshia Cole and J. Cole Words Dan Rys Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class. Check out everything from our Freshman issue right here...

Doin' Lines: Gucci Mane The locked up Atlanta icon fills in the blanks. As told to Emmanuel C.M. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class. Check out everything from our Freshman issue right here...

On That Level How a talented rap duo from Tupelo, Miss. with a funny name has taken over hip-hop. It's Rae Sremmurd's life. Words kris ex Images Ahmed Klink Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class...

Plus One: Brian Dackowski Title: VP of Marketing at Atlantic Records Words Miranda Johnson Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class. Check out everything from our Freshman issue right here...

Make A Scene How three wild dudes from A-Town are helping change the face of hip-hop. Words Dan Rys Images Elliot Liss Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class...

Get Down Pioneer of funk George Clinton looks back at his legacy in hip-hop. Words Dan Rys Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class. Check out everything from our Freshman issue right here...

Rise 'N Shine Two collabs with Kanye West and a new Roc Nation deal have Vic Mensa on the fast track to success. Words Dan Rys Image Brock Fetch Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class...

It's amazing that it's already been a year since the 2014 XXL Freshman cover, when we unveiled our Dirty Dozen featuring two R&B artists for the first time ever. But now it's time to check the report card (click the image above). The past 12 months—really 14 months, since our 2015 XXL Freshman cover came out slightly later than usual—have been full of ups and downs for our 2014 Class, with bi

Cell Therapy Hanging up her two-piece for a career in psychology, Briana Bette gets a proper send off. Interview Sean A. Malcolm Images Ahmed Klink Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class...

Flicka Da Wrist DJ Drama’s back again to host the XXL Freshman Class and reflect on this year’s selects. As told to Roger Krastz Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class...

What's Goin' On The Big Apple's latest rap hopeful Bobby Shmurda speaks from the pen. Words Vanessa Satten Images Phil Knott Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of XXL Magazine featuring our 2015 XXL Freshman Class...