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New York is back. Finally. Harlem’s A$AP Rocky and The Bronx’s French Montana are sure to be two of 2013’s most celebrated MCs, and both grace the March/April issue of XXL—on solo covers, as well as a joint cover.

Rocky’s debut album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in late January. On the day of the release, he sat down with XXL’s editor-in-chief, Vanessa Satten, for a lengthy discussion, which touched on a variety of topics, including the death of his father, who passed away on Christmas Eve 2012. Rocky recounts how hurt he was to lose his father so suddenly, right on the eve of his album release and his subsequent rise. Rocky also talks about his parents’ love for hip-hop and their biggest influences, which helped him grow into the artist that he is today.

Before he was an artist, though, he was Rakim Mayers, a fashion-conscious, drug dealing kid from Harlem who rose to fame as part of the A$AP Mob and is now one of New York’s biggest hopes for a hip-hop comeback.

In the other cover story, French Montana, whose debut disc, Excuse My French, drops on April 16, XXL racked up a dozen pieces of interesting tidbits about himself, ranging from his hopes for the album and his relationship with 50 Cent to reflecting on the day he was shot in the head.

Also in the new issue, we give out the first ever XXL Awards, honoring the best that 2012 had to offer hip-hop. Plus, Joe Budden gets personal, Trinidad Jame$ Shows & Proves, Future interviews Chris Johnson, Juvenile reflects on the anniversary of “Ha,” Macklemore fills in the blanks for Doin’ Lines, and we break down the ten hottest crews around. And you know there’s plenty more, too.

The March/April issue of XXL hits stands nationwide on February 19.  —XXL Staff

 

 

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