The Wu & J. Cole Cover The Source…

…for their annual “Green Issue” which drops March 23rd. Being a Wu-Tang fan, I think it goes without saying that I’m looking forward to the release of Wu-Massacre. Then there’s the Roc Nation’s golden child, J. Cole. I know I’ve said it before but the more I hear from Mr. Cole, the more excited I get about his debut album. Anywho, here’s the latest from the Ville’s very own…

J. Cole – Who’s World Is This

This is off of that wacktacular XXL Freshman ’10 mixtape.

J. Cole – Knock On Wood Freestyle

Mr. Cole goes in over Common’s “Go”.

Young Chris – Still The Hottest ft. J. Cole

This is off of Chris’ upcoming mixtape, The Network 2. “Get back to rap you niggas Twitter too much” (c) J. Cole

The 10 Freshmen of 2010 Cover XXL…

…for the April 2010 issue.

If you remember, last year XXL completely dropped the ball by excluding both Nicki Minaj and Drake off of their highly debated list of emerging emcees. So this year they asked both of the Young Money members to join the “Freshmen Class of 2010” and if you haven’t noticed by looking at the cover above, they declined. I’m not sure who thought it would be a good idea to even ask them to appear on this list after snubbing them last year…probably the same person who was too slow to put them on it the first time around.

I think XXL shot themselves in the foot with this whole “10 Freshman” thing to begin with. By giving the Freshman class a specific number they’ve put themselves in a position where they have to try and fill 10 spots every year. As result, people like OJ Da Juiceman make the cut….

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Yep, you heard it correctly. He just rhymed “basketball player” with “basketball player”. Smfh….chances are that shit was ghostwritten.

Anywho, they should just call it “The Freshmen Class of (Whatever Year)” without including a specific number of artist. That way they can only include artists that are truly worthy of being featured, whether it’s 3 or 10.

Head over to XXL to read about these up and coming artists, who with the exception of J. Cole, Nipsey Hu$$le and Big Sean probably won’t be around this time next year.

Drake Covers Complex…

…for the February/March issue. *Late Pass* I know this was posted on other sites a few weeks ago, but once I moved back into my place I discovered that the water from the flood damaged my phone/DSL connection…so once again I was without internet access for all of last week. Anywho I’m posting this because I wanted to comment on an excerpt from Drake’s interview and more importantly I wanted to post this track…

Bonus:
Drake – My New Shit ft.Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan) & Phonte

That Lil’ Wayne/Young Money stuff is cool but this is the type of Drake shit that I love. I just want to point out the fact that this guy’s ability to mesh well with everyone from Lil’ Wayne to Phonte is amazing.

See video of the cover shoot in Atlanta and read what Drake had to say about fellow up and coming rappers J. Cole, Wale and KiD CuDi after the jump.

Excerpt From Complex Interview…
Interviewer: Around the time that Kanye directed “Best I Ever Had,” it seemed like there was strife between your camp and Cudi’s camp because Kanye was so enamored of you while Cudi’s project was being worked on.

Drake: I wasn’t aware of that. Even so, I could understand. If Wayne were to be enamored—which is a great word—of another young artist, I would be like, “Damn, I’m here too!” But at the same time, it happens in more than one situation. It happens with ‘Ye, and I have a great relationship with Jay, and Jay’s got Wale and J. Cole, who’s one of my favorite dudes rapping right now. I’ve happened to have had more success. I made the most money, I have number-one records, those guys don’t have that shit. And it’s just facts, it’s not even my feelings or that I feel I’m more talented. That’s what the game is about, making great music that earns profit. When it comes to my relationship with the new dudes, I’m just excited for them. I get to sit back in a cool position and be like, “Yo, I’m excited to see you do it now because I know what it’s like, it’s gonna be so much fun for you…”

Interviewer: You feel like you’re at the finish line?

Drake: I’m at the starting line. Those guys are at home, putting on their tracksuits, getting ready to make their attack. When J. Cole gets it super-right, I think he’s gonna have a place as a Nas-type character who really stands for hip-hop, but still makes ill records that everybody fucks with.

*sigh* I already know that the part of his comment that’s underlined is going to rub people the wrong way. Look I’m a fan of Wale, J. Cole and Drake…and I’m anticipating hearing J. Cole’s debut album just as much as Drake’s (if not more). I’ve never heard Drake come off as arrogant in an interview, but this could be easily seen as that. I don’t think there’s any denying the fact that Drake’s the most successful out of the three at this point. Hell, the guy was been nominated for a Grammy….for a mixtape song. But like they say, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it and I think he could’ve said that differently.

Also, I don’t understand what he means by “when J. Cole gets it super right”. Correct me if I’m wrong but J. Cole has released two well received mixtapes and he has more of a buzz than Drake had when he released Comeback Season (Drake’s 2nd mixtape)…..so what does he need to do to “get it super right”? Start singing in autotune?

Head over to Complex to read the rest of the interview.

Behind The Scenes of Drake’s Cover Shoot…
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Alicia Keys Covers GIANT Magazine…

…for their winter preview special double issue (whatever the hell that is). Hit the jump to watch her interview with Smokey D. Fontaine of GIANT Magazine. Is it me or does his name sound like it’s straight out of a blaxploitation film? Anywho, there’s also a few wack ass pics in which she’s fully clothed after the jump as well.

Btw I’m tired of these boring ass photo shoots with these chicks just laying around on some random couch looking all sleepy and like borderline ratards (<–no, it's not misspelled go watch The Hangover). These photographers need to turn shit up a notch, be a bit more creative. Hell, I don’t know…next time try having Ms. Keys wrestle a giant bottle of canola oil (with the top off) on top of a piano while she’s wearing that purple catsuit from her “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” video.

Okay, that may be a little extreme and unrealistic….who has canola oil readily available at a photoshoot? What about olive oil? Okay, baby oil perhaps? *sigh* I just wanna see her covered in oil…any type will do.

Random blogger/internet nerd comment: The embed code for this video has to be the longest I’ve ever seen in my life.

Chris Brown & Drake Cover VIBE…

…for its December relaunch issue. I’m not sure if you remember, cared or even noticed but VIBE gave the axe to it’s magazine back in June. Well I guess they figure they’ll have better luck the second time around….hey, only time will tell (I give it another year before it folds again).

Anywho to celebrate the return of VIBE magazine I’d like to dedicate the following song…

Shalamar – The Second Time Around

Bonus:
Chris Brown – Famous Girl
“Drake would say you’re the best he ever had“….if you’re wonderin’ who or what he’s talkin’ about click here.

50 Cent Covers XXL…

…for the special year-end double Dec/Jan issue. In the cover story 50 talks about his new album Before I Self Destruct, his site thisis50.com, his role in hip-hop and how he’s doing everything under the sun to keep his name in everybody’s mouth.

I have to give it to 50, between the Fat Joe, Rick Ross/Triple C jokes and now his encouragement of Beanie Sigel’s temper tantrum, he’s managed to keep himself in the spotlight. All of this despite the fact that his music has failed to live up to the expectations of critics and most of his fans. Well it appears as though 50’s latest target is Jay-Z. He’s been sending shots at Jay for a while, but in his most recent tirade at the end of Beanie’s latest track he goes all in callin’ Jay out…

Beanie Sigel – I Go Off Ft. 50 Cent

“Yeah, you changed, man. You let the money change you, Jay. You used to be from Marcy n—a, now you’se a pass the Grey Poupon ass n—a. You don’t want the shooters? I’ll take them. N—a, you feed the wolves or the wolves feed off you. Eat yo’ ass alive. I’m here by Comrade’s Creed. Strategy. Your move, mister.” – 50 Cent

…good luck with that 50. As much as I would love for Jay to respond…I have a feeling that he’s not even considering it. At this point, Jay has nothing to gain and definitely nothing to prove by beefing with any artist, including you. But when asked whether or not he’s looking forward to Jay responding, he had this to say…

Bonus:

50 Cent – Okay You’re Right

This is still my shit. Shout out to Dejuan and his Sirius subscription.

50 Cent – Strong Enough
This is off of BISD…I fux wit it. That is all.

Def Jam Covers XXL…

…for their upcoming November Issue which celebrates Def Jam’s 25th Anniversary. I guess I’ll let XXL tell you all about the issue:

“XXL’s new issue will include memorable tales from the MCs about the famed label, along with a complete discography of Def Jam releases and a comprehensive timeline of the brand’s biggest moments. Behind the scenes masterminds, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles sit for the first time to share their memories and Rick Rubin also takes a look back at the legacy of Def Jam.”

Um that cover’s cool and all, but where’s Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Ja-Rule, DMX & Ludacris? I know that some, okay damn near all (I think) of these people are no longer on/affiliated with Def Jam but I’ll be damn if they didn’t play extremely critical roles in the history of Def Jam.

Somewhere there’s a ball…that was dropped…by XXL.

Anywho, hit the jump to see what I think is one of the dopest Def Jam posse cuts ever…

*sigh* Man this was like the hip-hop golden age. Method Man, Redman, DMX and LL all on one track just going in. Of course the one above is the revised version, the one where LL took Percy and Canibus off, leaving only Def Jam artists.

Smh at the fact Canibus changed his verse because L got offended, only for L to go and re-write his verse answering Canibus’ old verse. Then L turned around and released the video with Canibus’ new verse (w/o the “diss”) and put his new verse (with the answer to the “diss”) in it. Then to add insult to jury, L just completey removed Canibus from the video all together…and the “Bitch Move” award goes to LL Cool J. Oh well, here’s the original video with Canibus and Percy…

Damn, poor Canibus. A lot of people think that L killed Canibus’ career…well I’d have to disagree. His career was over before it started…he had Wyclef as his manager and executive producer. Damn I got side tracked…back to Def Jam, be sure to check out VH1’s Hip Hop Honors which will also be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Def Jam on Tuesday, October 13th.

Clipse Covers Complex…

…for the October/November issue. First off, the cover which was done by KAWS, is dope as hell. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, he’s the same guy that did the artwork for Kanye’s albums Graduation and 808’s & Heartbreak. Btw he’s also contributed his artistic skills to the artwork for Til The Casket Drops, which is scheduled to drop October 20th. But beyond the cover the Clipse discuss their upcoming album, the birth of Play Cloths, their views on rap music today and artist who drop songs every week *cough*Lil’ Wayne*cough*. When Complex mentioned that their upcoming album seems very disconnected from the industry as a whole…like, “Fuck that, this is what we’re on.” Malice’s response was…

“This album is like redemption for me. We’ve been through so much with the label, with so much in our lives. Around Hell Hath No Fury, it was just rough times. You could probably hear it in the music. We had a lot of dead weight around us that got cleared out. This time around, everything is freer; we’re in a happier place. You can really hear the change in the music. Listen to “I’m Good.” You can feel it that we’re better. Definitely. Hell Hath No Fury is about when it was more raw. This album is more along the lines of Lord Willin’. And you know Hell Hath No Fury is my favorite album.”

Yeah, at one point last week I had $3 in my pocket, my tank was on E, I was contemplating future plans and wondering how long I have before I get laid off from my job. Then I played “I’m Good“…and while I was cruisin’ on fumes down Lake Shore Drive all that shit went out the window and I felt like despite everything, at the end of the day, when it’s all said and done….I’m good.

So ladies and gentlemen, grab a beer, some wine, a square, a blunt, a cigar or whatever relaxes you (hopefully it’s not crack) and throw this song on…

Clipse – I’m Good

…and remember LIFE IS GOOD. To read the entire interview head over to Complex.com. If the Complex interview isn’t enough, head over to PrefixMag.com for another one.

Jay-Z Covers XXL…

In the upcoming October issue of XXL magazine Mr. Carter discusses his reign as President of Def Jam records, compares himself to The Beatles and also talks about how he’d beat Jesus in an arm wrestling match because he’s God MC Jay-Hova. Oh yeah, he also responds to the criticism he’s received in regards to his first single off of The Blueprint 3, “D.O.A.“….

“I’m not hating on young people. Like, when people say that, I’m like, What are you talking about? It’s just stupid. I’m not hating on young people… I’m not Bill Russell, [saying] Michael Jordan ain’t shit. I’m saying Lil Wayne and Kanye are like LeBron and Kobe. My job as someone at the forefront of the game is to leave it in a better position than when I came in. Same way that Russell [Simmons] left it to me. ’Cause this thing saved my life. Literally. So I have a responsibility to it karmically. And after that it’s on you. I did my part. I made ‘D.O.A.’ I said it. I made the statement. I made the push. Here, y’all take it from here.”

I never felt like Jay was hating on young people in “D.O.A.”, I actually think he was hating on one person in particular….but I’ll go more into that in an upcoming post. Anywho, to read more excerpts from the interview go to XXLmag.com.

Keri Hilson Covers Complex…

I know I’m late, but I couldn’t just disregard a Keri Hilson cover. Anyway my future baby mama is in the August/September issue of Complex magazine talkin’ about blah, blah, blah, blah. Movin’ on….yall already know how I feel about Ms. Hilson, if only I could’ve been the grease guy for the photo shoot. You know…the guy who got to rub vegetable oil all over Keri’s body in-between shots. *sigh*

See Keri’s the type of woman I’d use good vegetable oil on. Nope, no Jewel, Kroger or Safeway store brand vegetable oil for her. She deserves the best…like Wesson or hell even Rachel Ray Extra Virgin Olive Oil, that’s only if the mood is right though. Oh well, just to show her how sincere I am about me and her being together (and how classy I am), I’d like to dedicate THIS SONG to Ms. Keri Hilson.

Couple pics and a quick behind the scenes video of the photo shoot after the jump…