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XXL(magazine)

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XXL
Founders
  • Aidan James Michael Luna
  • O'Neal Anthony Josiah
  • Xzander B.
Staff writersAyabulela Tshofela
CategoriesMusic magazine
FrequencyMonthly
PublisherTownsquare Media
Founded1997
CountryUnited States
Based inNew York City
LanguageEnglish
Websitexxlmag.com
ISSN1093-0647

XXL[note 1]is an Americanhip hopmagazine,published byTownsquare Media,founded in 1997.

History

[edit]

In August 1997,[2]Harris Publicationsreleased the first issue ofXXL.It featured rappersJay-ZandMaster Pon a double cover.[3]In December 2006,XXLtook over the struggling hip-hop producer and DJ magazineScratch(another publication owned by Harris Publications), re-branding it asXXL Presents Scratch Magazine.HoweverScratchshut down less than a year later in September 2007.

Other titles with limited runs have been launched under theXXLbrand, includingHip-Hop Soul,Eye CandyandShade 45.XXLhas released many other special projects including tour programs, mixtapes and exclusive DVDs.XXLalso maintains a popular website, which provides daily hip hop news, original content and content from the magazine.[4]

In 2014,Townsquare MediaacquiredXXL,[5]KingandAntennafrom Harris Publications.

On October 14, 2014, Townsquare announced it would continue print publication ofXXL.[6]In December 2014 the company reported that the magazine would be published on a quarterly basis.[5] Later it was changed from a quarterly basis to a monthly basis.

Past editors

[edit]

The magazine's past editors include Reginald C. Dennis (formerly ofThe Source), Sheena Lester (former editor-in-chief ofRapPagesandVibemusic editor), Elliott Wilson (formerly of The Beat-Down Newspaper,ego tripandThe Source,currently locked in at #7 slot on The Source's Digital 30 list.)[7][8]and Datwon Thomas (former editor-in-chief ofKing).

In May 2009, Datwon Thomas resigned fromXXLand executive editor Vanessa Satten, who had been withXXLsince 1998, was named the new Editor-in-Chief.[9]

Special releases

[edit]
Magazine cover ofXXL Presents Shade 45

The magazine commissionedA Great Day in Hip Hop,which is a black-and-white photograph of over 200hip hopartists and producers inHarlem,New York, taken by photographerGordon Parkson September 29, 1998.[10]It was commissioned by the magazine as a homage toArt Kane'sA Great Day in Harlem,photographed in 1958.[11]

In August 2005,EminemandXXLteamed up to release a special issue titledXXL Presents Shade 45,designed to simultaneously give maximum exposure to hisradio stationShade 45,the station's associated radioDJs,theShady Recordslabel as a whole, andG-Unit Records' artists.XXLexecutive 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 theXXLbrand made sense, "feeling that it would interest rap fans.[citation needed]

In November 2008,XXLreleasedXXL Raps Volume 1,which included music from50 Cent,G-Unit,Common,Jim Jones,&Fabolous.[citation needed]

In September 2006,XXLput a special 90-minute DVD calledXXL DVD Magazine Vol. 1,which featured exclusive interviews and content with big-name rappers such as50 Cent,Ice Cube,Fat Joe,Paul Wall,&Mike Jones.[12]

On August 20, 2013,XXLmarked its sixteenth anniversary by releasing its 150th issue, which featured the first solo cover on the magazine fromDrake,along with rappers such asKendrick LamarandB.o.Breviewing classic albums.[3]

Annual Freshman Class list

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Beginning in 2007 (skipping 2008),[13]XXLreleases its annual "Freshman Class" list. The issue features 10-12 artists-to-watch, all appearing on the cover of the magazine. The list has a history of showcasing unknown/underground rappers, as well as artists considered to be on the rise. The list creates significantmarketing buzzamong listeners and artists alike, and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame.[14][15][16]

The 10th spot winners are highlighted inbold.

Year Freshmen
2007[a] Saigon,Plies,Rich Boy,Gorilla Zoe,Joell Ortiz,Lupe Fiasco,Lil Boosie,Crooked I,PapooseandYoung Dro.[17]
2009[a] Wale,B.o.B,Charles Hamilton,Asher Roth,Cory Gunz,Blu,Mickey Factz,Ace Hood,CurrensyandKid Cudi.[18]
2010[a] J. Cole,Pill,Nipsey Hussle,Freddie Gibbs,Big Sean,Wiz Khalifa,OJ da Juiceman,Jay Rock,FashawnandDonnis.[19]
2011[a] Meek Mill,Big K.R.I.T.,Cyhi the Prynce,Lil Twist,Yelawolf,Fred the Godson,Mac Miller,YG,Lil B,Kendrick LamarandDiggy Simmons.[20]
2012 Future,Kid Ink,Danny Brown,French Montana,Macklemore,Don Trip,Machine Gun Kelly,Hopsin,Iggy AzaleaandRoscoe Dash.[21]
2013 Schoolboy Q,Trinidad James,Joey Bada$$,Ab-Soul,Logic,Action Bronson,Kirko Bangz,Travis Scott,Dizzy Wright,Angel HazeandChief Keef.[22][23]
2014 Chance the Rapper,Rich Homie Quan,Isaiah Rashad,Ty Dolla Sign,Lil Durk,Kevin Gates,Troy Ave,Vic Mensa,Jon Connor,Lil Bibby,Jarren BentonandAugust Alsina.[24]
2015 Fetty Wap,Dej Loaf,Raury,Kidd Kidd,OG Maco,Shy Glizzy,K Camp,Vince Staples,TinkandGoldLink.[25]
2016 Lil Uzi Vert,Lil Yachty,Kodak Black,Denzel Curry,G Herbo,Dave East,Lil Dicky,Anderson.Paak,Desiignerand21 Savage.[26]
2017 Kamaiyah,A Boogie wit da Hoodie,PnB Rock,Playboi Carti,Aminé,Kap G,Kyle,Ugly God,MadeinTYOandXXXTentacion.[27]
2018[b] Ski Mask the Slump God,Lil Pump,Smokepurpp,JID,Stefflon Don,BlocBoy JB,YBN Nahmir,WifisfuneralandTrippie Redd.[30][31]
2019 Comethazine,Tierra Whack,DaBaby,Lil Mosey,Roddy Ricch,Cordae,YK Osiris,Rico Nasty,Gunna,BluefaceandMegan Thee Stallion.[32]
2020[c] Polo G,Chika,NLE Choppa,Jack Harlow,Lil Keed,Lil Tjay,Fivio Foreign,Calboy,Rod Wave,Baby Keem,24kGoldnandLatto.[35]
2021 42 Dugg,Flo Milli,Morray,Pooh Shiesty,Lakeyah,Coi Leray,Toosii,Blxst,DDG,Rubi RoseandIann Dior.[36]
2022 Nardo Wick,SoFaygo,Babyface Ray,Big Scarr,Big30,Kali,KenTheMan,Cochise,KayCyy,Doechii,Saucy SantanaandBabyTron.[37]
2023 Finesse2tymes,Lola Brooke,Rob49,Fridayy,GloRilla,2Rare,SleazyWorld Go,Central Cee,Real Boston Richey,Luh Tyler,TiaCorineandDC the Don.[38]
2024 BigXthaPlug,That Mexican OT,Lay Bankz,BossMan Dlow,Rich Amiri,ScarLip,Hunxho,4Batz,Maiya the Don,Cash CobainandSkilla Baby.[39]

Notes

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  1. ^abcdFrom 2007 to 2011, there was no such thing as a 10th spot winner.
  2. ^In 2018, there was not a 10th spot pick asLil Skiesand his replacement,Rich the Kidboth declined the list.[28][29]
  3. ^In 2020,Pop Smokewas the first freshman selected for the list, but died before attending the photoshoot.[33][34]

Additions to the list

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Occasionally, the Freshman Class list may contain extra additions to include more rappers. The 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Freshman Class lists, for example, had 11 rappers. In the case for the 2013 list,XXLadded an honorary extra spot for Chicago rapperChief Keefdue to the artist being in a six-day jail stint and therefore being unable to attend the photo shoot in New York City.[22]In 2014, 2020, 2022 and 2023, the Freshman Class lists included 12 rappers.

Artists that declined the cover

[edit]

For most Freshman covers, after the list has been announced, an artist will come out and say that they were offered a spot on the cover byXXLbut chose to decline it. Other times,XXLthemselves will reveal someone that they asked to be on the cover and were directly told by the artist that they were not interested. Below is a list of rappers who have declined the offer of being anXXLFreshman, and the various reasons why they declined.

Year Artist(s) Reason Ref.
2010 Drake Respectfully declined and felt they were chosen too late in their respective careers. [40]
Nicki Minaj
2011 Vado Respectfully declined and felt he was chosen too late in his career.
Tyler, the Creator Respectfully declined.
2012 ASAP Rocky Respectfully declined. Schedule was too slim due totouring.
2014 Young Thug XXLclaims he never showed up to the photoshoot.
2015 ILoveMakonnen Not responsive toXXL.
PartyNextDoor
2016 Tory Lanez Declined as he believed he was chosen too late in his respective career. [41]
Post Malone Stated he was tired and was not up to flying to New York for the photoshoot.XXLeditor-in-chief Vanessa Satten claimed Post's publicist stated that Post did not want to be boxed in as a hip hop artist. [40]
2017 Young M.A Felt beyond the list. She asked to have a solo cover but they disagreed and said that she needed more attention to her name before that could happen. [42]
YFN Lucci YFN Lucci initially refused to play music forXXL.He later changed his mind days before the shoot but it was too late.
Cardi B XXLwas not sure if Cardi had a better television career or rap career at the time and felt she was leaning more towards television.
Famous Dex XXLstood away from adding Famous Dex after there was evidence shown that hebeat up his girlfriend.

They further spoke on XXXTentacion's addition to the 2017 list (as it was controversial), saying that although he was accused of beating up his ex-girlfriend, the incident was not caught on camera, XXXTentacion had not been found guilty, and that he was arguably having a major influence on his generation.

[42][43]
2018 Lil Skies OnInstagram Live,he explained that he respectfully declined due toXXLapparently telling him that he would be the 10th Spot Freshman before the voting process even began. Although he respected some decisions made on the 2018 list, he claims that the list was mostlyrigged. [28]
Rich the Kid He "happily declined" after hearing that the reasonXXLasked him to be on it was because Lil Skies declined the offer. [29]
2019 Juice Wrld Respectfully declined. [44]
Benny the Butcher He was asked byJay-Zto not accept because Jay thought declining would be for the better. [45]
2020 Pop Smoke Pop Smoke agreed to be on the cover but he died before he could attend the shoot.XXLoriginally planned to add him on the cover to honor him, but Pop Smoke's team asked them not to do so. AlthoughXXLwas not able to add him on the cover, they were able to add an unreleased interview to honor him in the issue. [35][33]
Don Toliver Don Toliver only wanted to be on the cover and did not want to take part in other aspects of the list, such as the freestyles and cyphers. [46]
Lil Tecca Respectfully declined. [citation needed]
2021 $not Respectfully declined because he felt like other artists needed it more. [47][better source needed]
Kenny Mason Respectfully declined. [citation needed]
2022 Ken Carson Declined the list becauseDestroy Lonelycould not be added. [citation needed]
Yeat Respectfully declined. [48][better source needed]
2023 Ice Spice Schedule was too slim. [49][50]

Notes

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  1. ^Pronounced "double X L".[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^Wartofsky, Alona (January 1, 1999)."More Magazines Jostling to Cover Lucrative Hip-Hop Beat".Los Angeles Times.p. F18.RetrievedAugust 20,2024.
  2. ^"Potential Markets".Freelance Writing. Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2015.RetrievedDecember 4,2015.
  3. ^ab"Drake on the Cover Of XXL's 150th Issue".XXL mag.August 2013.Archivedfrom the original on September 15, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 4,2014.
  4. ^"Hip-Hop News, Rap Music".XXL.Archivedfrom the original on October 15, 2014.RetrievedOctober 14,2014.
  5. ^abMarc Schneider (December 18, 2014)."XXL Magazine to Print Quarterly Issues".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on August 22, 2015.RetrievedAugust 17,2015.
  6. ^Rob Markman (October 14, 2014)."Exclusive: XXL Magazine Isn't Going Out Of Print".MTV News.Archived fromthe originalon October 16, 2014.RetrievedOctober 14,2014.
  7. ^Jacobs, Allen (2008)."XXL Editor-in-Chief Elliott Wilson Fired".www.hiphopdx.com.Archivedfrom the original on March 30, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 8,2007.
  8. ^Wolfe, Roman: "XXL Magazine Fires EIC Elliott Wilson", AllHipHop, 2008."XXL Magazine Fires EIC Elliott Wilson".Archived fromthe originalon January 9, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 8,2008.Retrieved January 8, 2007.
  9. ^Langhorne, Cyrus (May 27, 2009)."Former XXL Editor-In-Chief Looks Beyond Publication," It Was A Hard Decision "".Sohh.Com.Archived fromthe originalon March 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 4,2014.
  10. ^Grove, Rashad (September 17, 2019)."10 Must-See Films At The 2019 Urbanworld Film Festival".BET.RetrievedApril 28,2024.
  11. ^Hosking, Taylor (November 30, 2018)."Unearthed Photos of Hip-Hop Royalty from the 80s and 90s".Vice.RetrievedApril 28,2024.
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  21. ^JP DelaCuesta (February 28, 2012)."XXL Reveals Cover For Its 2012" Freshmen Class "".All Hip Hop.AllHipHop.com.Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 4,2014.
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  26. ^"It's Here: The 2016 XXL Freshman Class".XXL Magazine.XXL. June 13, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on May 29, 2020.RetrievedJuly 20,2018.
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  29. ^ab"Rich The Kid Says He" Happily Declined "The 2018 XXL Freshmen List".HotNewHipHop.Archivedfrom the original on August 28, 2019.RetrievedJune 15,2018.
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  40. ^abLyons, Patrick (3 April 2017)."9 Rappers Who Turned Down Spots On XXL's Freshman List".HotNewHipHop.Archivedfrom the original on 25 April 2020.RetrievedSeptember 4,2019.
  41. ^Walker, Angus (2016-04-15)."Tory Lanez Declines XXL Freshman Cover Spot".HotNewHipHop.Retrieved2023-09-01.
  42. ^abKyles, Yohance (15 June 2017)."XXL Editor Explains Cardi B, Young M.A, YFN Lucci & Famous Dex Omissions From 2017 Freshman Class".All Hip Hop.Archivedfrom the original on 18 December 2019.RetrievedAugust 12,2020.
  43. ^Tyler Sharp (November 30, 2020)."Famous Dex Is a Suspect in Domestic Violence Case, SWAT Team Called to His House: Report".xxlmag.com.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 27,2021.
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  47. ^"r/Snot - $not declined to be a xxl freshman he still probably mad they" lost "his pitch".reddit.3 April 2021.Retrieved2021-07-13.
  48. ^"Fans react to Yeat turning down XXL".Instagram; Our Generation Music.15 June 2022.Retrieved2022-06-16.
  49. ^"Ice Spice Turned Down XXL Freshman Cover Due to Hectic Schedule".TMZ.Retrieved2023-06-22.
  50. ^Savoy, Starr."Ice Spice Reportedly Turned Down XXL Freshman 2023 Class Cover Inclusion".Complex.Retrieved2023-06-22.
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