XXL drops TUPAC SHAKUR Special Tribute Issue

2 Pac is definitely back in more ways than one. XXL correctly jumps on the wave of Tupac mania and drops this tribute issue hitting newsstands soon.

SOURCE:

Nipsey Blogs for XXL, Releases Artwork for New Mixtape

What up y’all it’s ya boy Nipsey Hussle. This first blog I’ma let you know what you can expect from me for the week and what I been gettin into.

I’m out here in LA filming a movie with my homie Ving Rhames called The Wrath of Cain in which I play one of his sons. That shit been mind blowing to me so I’ma take one of my days of bloggin to talk about that. You can expect that on Tuesday. I also been workin on my album South Central State of Mind which drops December 22nd so I been tryin to balance the filming with the music shit.

I just finished my new mixtape Bullets Ain’t Got No Names Vol.3 which is my best work to date. Y’all gonna go nuts when you hear it! That’s hosted by the homie Whoo Kid, Jonny Shipes and The Empire. Below is the cover artwork you see it here first on my XXL takeover so stay tuned I’m here all week. Let me know what yall think of the cover.

Other than that I just been dealing with my everyday life. A lot of people been askin me about how I feel about West Coast music and the state of it and what the problems have been with breakin new artists and what I did to break myself out here so I’ma discuss the whole West Coast music shit and my mind frame on it in my Thursday blog. Friday I’ma give my fans the Updated West Coast and I’ma name my top 5 new artists and top 5 new producers who I wanna shine the spotlight on like my homie Game did for me. Hussle music All Money in No money out…—Nipsey Hu$$le

XXL Editor-In-Chief Resigns From Publication

Damn, I sure do hope that Datwon left the building under his own terms. There are very few people in this industry I can personally vouch for, Datwon is one of them. I got my start in Hip Hop journalism in 2000 with the help of Datwon, who assisted in the launch of 4Korners, the world’s first Hip Hop newspaper (sorry Dave Mays). There are plenty of stories like mine circulating. Datwon is rare in this business.

via SOHH

XXL Magazine Editor-In-Chief Datwon Thomas has reportedly left his position at the publication after just over a year.

While details are in short supply, the news of Thomas’ departure hit the net earlier today (May 12).

Word on the curb is that Datwon Thomas has stepped down from his position as Editor-In-Chief of XXL and Executive Editor, Vanessa Satten will resume duties at the top of the masthead. No reason as to why Datwon allegedly left his post, but we’ll have more as this story develops. (Rap Radar)

The XXL Editors Received This Letter From Louis Vuitton Concerning The May 2009 Cover Of Rick Ross

The Biggest Boss been making some serious fashion blunders as of lately. Louie stays putting rappers on blast though, even if the threads or shades they’re rocking ain’t fugazi.  They have a dislike for the culture if it’s not packaged in the sanitary packaging of Kanye or Pharrell, so it seems. Hip Hop needs to pull a Cristal on those elitist French snobs, and Ross step you shade game up, you ‘spose to be exclusive collection.

via XXL

The XXL Editors received this letter from Louis Vuitton concerning the May 2009 cover of Rick Ross.

Dear Editor:

We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks. Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.

XXL XXclusive: Rick Ross, Under Oath

via XXL

XXLMag.com: How did you come up with that line about 50’s baby mama and burning down the house? ‘Cause that was the thing that triggered him.

Rick Ross: Most definitely. And what it was, it was a true statement. I was just smoking at home watching the news just like everybody else.

XXL: Did you know he would come back at you with something?

Ross: Of course. That’s why I did it.

XXL: That’s why you did it?

Ross: Of course. You gotta understand this is chess not checkers. You gotta understand a man’s next moves. When a woman is scorned, you have to understand that there’s gonna be a backlash, which is totally fine. I was… As far as him responding, I’m still a little disappointed in the quality of music that’s being released. ‘Cause at the end of the day, all the hoopla, you smoke a blunt, forget about it and people wanna put on they headphones and hear some quality. I’m one of the first artists to admit Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ was a classic. But if I turn back the hands of time five years ago, if I knew the dude who did “Many Men” would wear wigs and buy dildos and, you know, attack people that I look at as legends, such as Jadakiss and the LOX and the list could go on…

XXL: So were you just upset with him attacking everybody else and that made you-

Ross: Nah, it’s not that. It’s not a fact about nobody being upset because his last attacks have relatively failed. So it wasn’t about that. It was just about me deciding when I was ready to engage in 50 Cent.

XXL Warns Advertisers About the Fall of Giant

via AnimalNewYork

It’s no secret that marketing dollars have been drying up industry wide, but who knew that Hip Hop magazines like XXL were taking such drastic actions to retain and attract new advertisers, like this dire memo warning against spending money in a competitor book. This communique was sent to Mindshare, a media planning agency that controls a lot of money for big brands, and basically describes just how close to death Giant is. They claim that even the parent company, Radio One, has lost faith in the title, citing the lack of the mag’s inclusion in a recent trade advertisement that ran in Ad Age as the most damning evidence. Additionally, they mention the far more important indicators of its inevitable demise:

[video] Ashley Logan Ethers XXL Blogger “Byron Crawford” On Kay Slay Show!

They goin’ in on XXL blogger Byron Crawford! “He writes articles like a faggot.   He takes it in the butt like a faggot.  You’re no where to be found” + Kay Slay says he’s “Thug Bloggin” “He must be gettin butt f*cked”

Vodpod videos no longer available.

50 Cent Lands Role In New Joel Schumacher Film

via XXL

After being replaced by Terry Crews in Sylvester Stallone’s forthcoming action flick, The Expendables, 50 Cent has signed on for another role on the big screen.

Variety reports that the G-Unit leader will star in Twelve, a new film by director Joel Schumacher (Batman and Robin). The movie, which is an adaptation of Nick McDonell’s novel of the same name, follows a rich, high school dropout turned drug dealer as deals with the murder of his cousin, allegedly by the hands of his best friend.

Fif is set to share screen with Kiefer Sullivan (24), Ellen Barkin (She Hate Me), Rory Culkin (Igby Goes Down) and and Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl).

Scheduled to begin production on April 20 in the Big Apple, Twelve is expected to hit theaters in the winter of 2010. Ironlically, 50 has another movie, 13, is also slated for release that year.

VH1 Goes Behind The Music With Lil Wayne

via XXL

VH1 reps have revealed that Lil Wayne will be the subject of an upcoming episode of VH1’s Behind the Music series.

A rep for the music network told XXL that the famed show will be making its return to the small screen and so far Weezy is the only rap artist that has been confirmed to star on the hour long program.

VH1 will have a lot of content to discuss about the controversial rapper. The New Orleans superstar, who has well over a decade in the industry, has experienced a publicized bout with syrup addiction,
faced several criminal charges and endured watching his hometown get destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Weezy reached his highest level of success last year. His his sixth solo album Tha Carter III was the overall biggest selling album of 2008 and he took home four Grammy Awards, where he lead the nominations with eight nods.

As of press time, it is uncertain when the episode of Behind The Music will air.

OFFICER RICKY FINALLY COMES OUT: Rick Ross Fesses Up In May XXL Cover Story, “Yes, It Was Me In Those Pictures”

via Thisis50

With his third solo album, Deeper Than Rap, slated for an April 21st release, Rick Ross is gracing the cover of XXL magazine’s upcoming May issue.

On Denying Being A Correctional Officer

“Me not answering or addressing that situation has nothing to do with my career. I’ve accomplished enough, and I’ve made enough money for me to be good… Yes, it was me in those pictures. But I’ma tell you this. Me taking that job, I was doing my job. You understand what I mean?”

WOULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN EASIER TO ADMIT THIS IN THE BEGINNING??

[video] Hip Hop Chronicle Interviews Elliot Wilson Part I & II

Here is a thorough interview with literary heavyweight Elliot Wilson. An accomplished journalist and editor who helmed the ship over at XXL, where his alter-ego YN was introduced to the world, he sheds some light unto the profession of Hip Hop journalist, the emergence of the Hip Hop blog as a force to be reckoned with and hbow he is still able to keep his pen game proper in the midst of a Hip Hop journalist recession.

Not since the days of Bonz Malone and Harry Allen was Hip Hop so enthralled by the written interpretation of the game and its conjoining culture.  Even though some were appalled by the brashness of a YN commentary you can be more than certain that there would be some raw truth tucked away in his editorial.  Often imitated but rarely duplicated we present to you, Elliot Wilson.

[Op-Ed] Is WorldStarHipHop a Counterfeit Operation?

via Byron Crawford/XXL

Came across this post, thought it would be of interest to some who know about these two entities…THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT ENDORSED BY STREET KNOWLEDGE MEDIA!!!

World Star Hip Hop is the best site evar, because it hosts hardly anything other than videos of people making asses of themselves, and hip-hop-related pr0n. Should we give a shit that they aren’t technically allowed to post the vast majority of the videos on their site? I’m gonna go ahead and suggest that we shouldn’t, though I’m sure many will beg to differ.

Take for example eskay, proprietor of the venerable Nah Right. Here’s his response yesterday, in our Hip-Hop Ads email group (note that while this is a private group, the archives of our discussions are public and accessible to anyone on the Internets), to the news that “worldstarhiphop” was the 15th highest rising search term on Google yesterday, and that the name of the site has been one of the highest rising search terms of the past year, related to hip-hop.

I hope those slimy scumbags get shut down tomorrow.

Roffle.

[pics] Hip Hop’s Hottest Honeys- DOLICIA BRYANT

via BlackJackSkanz

Curtis Does XXL

Curtis gets his 100th commemorative XXL cover. Hur-ray G-UNIT.

XXL Presents the Freshman Class of ’09

Source: SmartenUpNas

Now, I don’t want to sh*t on nobody’s movement, but based on this list of upcoming “rappers” I don’t feel any of them can carry the torch of Hip Hop into ’09. I mean think about it, next year will be one of the most pivotal years in our world’s history, and we gonna need some good music to make it through tough times. With Kanye singing, and Lil Wayne on his rock star sh*t who the f*ck can we rely upon to spit that nitro? The veterans got new albums coming out but a new world beckons the need for a new voice.  Who will emerge from the fray and steal the day?

Hip Hop’s Hottest Honeys- TEMECA

 This seductress hails from Birmingham, Alabama and honey is ALL NAT-U-RAL

CLICK [HERE] to go to her Myspace page and leave this beauty a message.

Lil Wayne Makes More Spaced Out Comments, This Time Claims He ‘Don’t Read No Books’

Alright, I am thoroughly confused. One thing for sure and two things for certain, just give a rapper enough time and more than two interview and the contradictions will start rolling in. In this case it is that pesky martian Lil Wayne who has made some controversial statements that have canceled out other statements made to other publications. One of our most heavily searched posts is a story about Wayne saying he believes the world will end in 2012 based on the Mayan prophecies, a “theory” which he became hip to by reading a book on the matter on his tour bus. Then he gets conducts an interview with Datwon Thomas from XXL, and says the complete opposite, in terms of him not reading books. So, the fact is he was lying to some on at some point. I’m sure this comes as no surprise but people should expect more from their “icons” especially if these kids are hanging on every word they say. To read Weezy’s spaced out comments check excerpts from this interview out:

What are you reading right now to help you…

I don’t read a damn thing. That’s why I don’t write music. I’m too cool to be reading and writing…I’m a very intelligent nigga. I can read like a motherfucka. I don’t want motherfuckas to think I’m illiterate.

You’re in college so…

I don’t read, other than that shit.

But we talking about books for leisure.

Nah, I’ve done that like once or twice. It’s just not my thing. I’m not into made-up stories.

XXL Doubles Up for its September Issue with Foxy, Jeezy Covers

XXL is debuting twin covers for its upcoming September issue featuring none other than Foxy Brown and Young Jeezy.  The renewed interest in Fox via the rumor mill swirling around her reported romance with Rick Ross has proven to be effective marketing for the Brooklyn Don DIva, while every publication seems to be scrambling to “Put On” Young Jeezy on their cover.

[Audio] “Black President”-Nas

Source: Nahright

“Black President”-Nas
off The Nigger Mixtape produced by Dj Green Lantern

-also-

Excerpts from interview with Def Jam’s new Exec VP Shakir Stewart on Nas’ album controversy…

Hip Hop’s Hottest Honeys-Dolicia Bryant Outtakes

Shout out to the homie Janero for these

Jay-Z To Rep Nets @ NBA Draft

via XXL

He has an album under his belt called “The Gift and The Curse,” but New Jersey Nets executives are hoping Jay-Z is more of the former rather than the latter.

The Brooklyn rapper, who has an ownership stake in the team, will represent the Nets at the NBA Draft Lottery, which is set to air live May 20 on ESPN at 8pm.

“This is very exciting and I hope my nickname “Lucky Lefty” holds up,” Hov said in a statement.

Hip Hop’s Hottest Honeys-Dolicia Bryan

Its Like Butter Baby!

In our 3rd Installment we roll out the red carpet to present to you one of the hottest female’s in the game right now, Ms. Dolicia Bryan. Rumors say she is romantically linked to Jamie Foxx and alleged dipping with Bow Weezy, this bombshell is poised for big things in the ’08. Currently featured in Black Men’s Magazine and XXL she also has prominent roles in these following videos…

“If I Was Your Man” -Joe
“Baby It’s Your Body” – Ja Rule’s
“You Make Me Better” – Fabulous
“Girlfriend” – Omarion and Bow Wow
“Superstar” -Lupe Fiasco
If you need to see more of this eye candy, Youtube her!

The Hip Hop Bible Is Back From the Brink Of Death

It appears the embattled Source magazine aka “The Hip Hop Bible” has been resurrected. The ‘zine which many felt was on the brink of extinction has made a dramatic comeback. Recently released figures have shown that its ad revenue has increased an astonishing 87.8% in comparison to last years figures.

In March ’07 they were doing $1,047,690 in ad revenue. In March ’08 they pulled in $1,967,464. Their archnemisis competitors, XXL magazine posted an improvement of 35.8%.

Last years March ’07 figures totaled $1,620,820 compared to the ’08 figures which totaled $2,200,340. Vibe magazine smashed both of them by clocking in $17,502,097 in the month of March. They posted a 19% improvement from last year.

The top biller when it comes to “Black” publications is Essence magazine which pulled in $19,483,060! Damn, and they said print media is in decline. If you wanna peep the rest of the figures CLICK HERE

Angel Lola Luv Movie Trailer

For those of you who can’t get enough of the African “bomb” shell Angel Lola Luv she has a short movie coming out. It looks like this is one of those straight to BlockBuster or YouTube releases, but atleast you can watch Angel til’ your heart’s content.

DMX Not Hearing Ringtones

 

Somebody please get a leash for the Dog.  After the fallout from statements he made about Obama earlier this month, DMX is now quoted in an interview with XXL taking shots at the digital revolution that has changed the landscape of the music industry.  According to him he just ain’t trying to hear it!

XXL: How do you feel about the digital–like, everything going through the Internet as far as…
DMX: I don’t even think about it. I don’t even think about it.
XXL: The music business is pretty much going in that direction.
DMX: I don’t know. That’s just…that’s probably not…People want the actual CDs not no s— that’s disposable.
XXL: It’s like the ringtone rappers are the guys that are selling right now.
DMX: Good for them, good for them. I’m glad they eating right now.
XXL: You don’t feel a certain way about that.
DMX: Nah, I don’t even think about it, for real. I mean, it’s a waste of energy to think about what somebody else is doing and how they doing it. I’ma just do what I do. All that s— is a headache.

Yellow Nigga Gets Fired & Bill Gates Retires!

  

Shout out to Allhiphop.com for breaking the story on the firing of the infamous “Yellow Nigga” Elliot Wilson.  The outspoken XXL Editor-in-Chief was suddenly dismissed by Harris Publications who cited “One of the reasons is that Harris Publications wants the magazine to go in a different direction in terms of expanding its scope,” a source at XXL Magazine told AllHipHop.com.  Veteran writer Vanessa Satten has been named the interim EIC while they contemplate a successor to the throne.  Click HERE for more details.  

Ironically enough, this video surfaced on the web yesterday(1/7) of Bill Gates last day at work.  His send off was a lil’ more memorable than Y.N.’s but then again he owns his company, he ain’t the hired help!  Look for the Jiggaman cameo, spoofing Gates in the booth trying to lay down a verse for “Big Pimpin'”  Hilarious!  This joint got more big wig cameos than “Roc Boyz” so I guess it’s safe to say B.G. is a Roc Star now!