XXL (magazine)

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XXL
Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten
Categories Music Magazine
Frequency 6 per year
Publisher Harris Publications
First issue 1997
Country  United States
Based in New York City
Language English
Website www.xxlmag.com

XXL is a hip hop magazine, published by Harris Publications, founded in 1997. The magazine's past editors include Reginald C. Dennis (formerly of The Source), Sheena Lester (former editor-in-chief of RapPages and Vibe music editor), Elliott Wilson (formerly of ego trip and The Source, currently locked in at #7 slot on The Source's Digital 30 list.)[1][2] and Datwon Thomas (former Editor-In-Chief of King). 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.[3]

In December 2006, XXL took over the struggling hip hop producer and DJ magazine Scratch (another publication owned by Harris Publications), re-branding it as XXL Presents Scratch Magazine. Scratch shut down in September 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.[4]

In 2013,XXL started their own annual awards. With the top 5 being chosen by a public vote and all other winners and nominees picked by the XXL staff.

Contents

Special releases [edit]

Magazine cover of XXL Presents Shade 45

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.[5] In November 2008 XXL released XXL Raps Volume 1, which included music from 50 Cent, G-Unit, Common, Jim Jones, & Fabolous.[6] 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.[7]

Top 10 Freshmen [edit]

XXL also releases an annual Top 10 Freshmen list. The issue features the ten picks of whom to watch out for, and on the cover of the magazine and showcases new rappers that aren't well known, but are considered to be on the rise. The list has become known to create buzz and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame.[8][9][10]

Year Freshmen
2008 Lupe Fiasco, Lil Boosie, Joell Ortiz, Plies, Saigon, Rich Boy, Gorilla Zoe, Young Dro, Papoose and Crooked I.[11]
2009 B.o.B, Kid Cudi, Curren$y, Wale, Ace Hood, Asher Roth, Mickey Factz, Cory Gunz, Blu and Charles Hamilton.[12]
2010 J. Cole, Jay Rock, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, Pill, OJ da Juiceman, Fashawn, Freddie Gibbs and Donnis.
2011 Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Mac Miller, Lil B, Yelawolf, Lil Twist, Meek Mill, Cyhi The Prynce, YG, Diggy Simmons and Fred Tha Godson.[13]
2012 Danny Brown, Hopsin, Machine Gun Kelly, Macklemore, French Montana, Future, Kid Ink, Don Trip, Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash.[14]
2013 Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Dizzy Wright, Angel Haze, Trinidad James, Logic, Kirko Bangz, Travi$ Scott, and Chief Keef.[15]

Reviews [edit]

XXL rates albums from "S" (poor) to "XXL" (classic). Editors have initially awarded XXL status to only nine albums:

A later issue in December 2007 re-rated and retroactively rated some albums and gave XXLs to:[9]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Jacobs, Allen: "XXL Editor-in-Chief Elliott Wilson Fired", hiphopdx, 2008. [1] Retrieved on 8 January 2007.
  2. ^ Wolfe, Roman: "XXL Magazine Fires EIC Elliott Wilson", AllHipHop, 2008. [2] Retrieved on 8 January 2007.
  3. ^ http://www.sohh.com/2009/05/former_xxl_editor-in-chie.html
  4. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/
  5. ^ Carl Chery (August 23, 2005). Eminem & Shade Collabo W/XXL For Special Radio Issue. SoHH.com. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  6. ^ http://www.amazon.com/XXL-Raps-Various-Artists/dp/B000BO8SIG
  7. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=4543
  8. ^ http://www.refinedhype.com/hyped/entry/grading-xxls-freshman/
  9. ^ a b "2010 XXL Freshmen class". xxlmag.com. 2011-07-14. 
  10. ^ "2011 XXL Freshmen class". xxlmag.com. 2011-07-14. 
  11. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/03/where-are-they-now-2007-freshman-recap/
  12. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/03/where-are-they-now-2009-freshman-recap/
  13. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2011/02/xxl-presents-2011s-freshman-class/
  14. ^ http://allhiphop.com/2012/02/28/xxl-reveals-cover-for-its-2012-freshmen-class/
  15. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/03/xxl-freshman-class-2013-cover-revealed/2/

External links [edit]

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