 |
| The New Boss of Hip-hop! |
In May 2009 Datwon Thomas resigned from XXL and executive editor Vanessa Satten, who had been with XXL since 1998, was named the new Editor-in-Chief. In December 2006, XXL took over the struggling hip hop producer and DJ magazine Scratch (another publication owned by Harris Publications), re-brand it as XXL Presents Scratch Magazine.
But Scratch shuts it down in September of 2007. Other titles with limited runs have been launched under the XXL brand, including Hip-Hop Soul, Eye Candy and Shade45. XXL has released many other special projects including tour programs, mixtapes and exclusive DVDs. XXL also maintains a popular website, which provides daily hip hop news, original content and content from the magazine. In 2013, XXL started their own annual awards, at which the top 5 being chosen by a public vote and all other winners and nominees picked by the XXL staff.
In August, 2005, Eminem and XXL teamed up to release a special issue titled XXL Presents Shade 45, and was designed to give maximum exposure to Shade 45 as a radio station, and at the same time give maximum exposure to the Shady Records label as a whole, as well as the radio DJ's and G-Unit Records' artists.
XXL executive Publisher, Jonathan Rheingold, stated that typically magazines based around particular artists were not favorable, but "since Shade 45 is a truly authentic and uncensored rap radio channel, the marriage with the XXL brand made sense," with the feeling that it is what would interest rap fans. In November 2008 XXL released XXL Raps Volume 1, which included music from 50 Cent, G-Unit, Common, Jim Jones, & Fabolous. In September 2006, XXL put a special 90 minute DVD called XXL DVD Magazine Vol. 1, which featured exclusive interviews and content with big name rappers such as 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Fat Joe, Paul Wall, & Mike Jones.
XXL Mag. promotes: Top 10 Freshmen list. The issue features the ten picks of whom to watch out for on the cover of the magazine and showcases new rappers that aren't well known, but are considered to be threats on the rise in the Hip-hop world. The list has become known to create an notorious Buzz and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame and fortune.
Red Alert: The Freshmen Class Have Arrived! Breaking it Down, the up and rising XXL 2013 Freshman Class includes ScHoolboy Q, Trinidad Jame$, Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action Bronson, Kirko Bangz, Travi$ Scott, Angel Haze, Dizzy Wright and Chief Keef, to see if it matches up with our list of hottest MCs.
Don't blink!, XXL Mag. takes Hip-hop on a higher level with new music, rap videos, reviews, new artists, industry news and the rapper database. The New Bosses Takeover!
1 Year, 6 Issues Cover Price: $24.97 You Save: 52% Price: $12.00 @ . . .
The Bonus Hit: The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 debut Ready To Die was a double threat:
 |
| The Making of "Ready To Die"! |
Ready To Die offered uncompromising street material—a grim depiction of urban hopelessness told in one of the most immediate voices the form had ever known.
A Flash 2A View Moment, Thanks for Joining Us!!!
