Ludacris Covers The Source

Nicki Minaj’s VIBE Cover (June/July)

M.I.A. on Nas, Jay-Z & Kanye West

Complex quizzed their June/July cover girl M.I.A. about her thoughts on the current state of the rap game. What she had to say about Nas in regards to how Jay-Z is living is pretty interesting.

What do you like about hip-hop today?
M.I.A.: I think Kanye is trying to take it into a new realm and he’s sort of putting the artistry back into it and sort of taking it in that direction. I was having a conversation about Jay-Z and Nas and how it was really crazy how they were having this Nas vs. Jay-Z moment 10 years ago and no one really talks about it now.
You clearly haven’t been to complex.com!
M.I.A.: Jay became the biggest representation of rap music who’s still alive, started dating Beyoncé—everything was so much bigger and better with Jay-Z. I hope people don’t think that that wins. The fact that Nas didn’t become all this sort of stuff changes people’s perception about the music and the work he achieved in his lifetime. I don’t wanna say Jay-Z sold out, but I just feel like we have to wait another 10 years to see what happens. Jay-Z’s ambition was to become like Frank Sinatra, a household name all over the planet, and own a casino in Vegas and stuff like that. And I think Nas was really sticking to knowledge. I still think the biggest point about hip-hop is in there somewhere, what happens to those two artists.
Did you decline a tour with Kanye?
M.I.A.: Because I was pregnant. I know Kanye makes it out to be this big thing, like, “She dissed me when I asked her to do a song.” Then he was like, “Then you said no to me and my tour.” I was about to have a baby! But I love Kanye, I think he’s been super-consistent, everything he’s done has been good. I like his interaction with the media, too—he’s just him, and he’s living it.

Roffle @ Kanye wanting her to tour, despite her pregnancy.

NICKI MINAJ VIBE COVER PREVIEW

Here’s a preview of Nicki’s cover for VIBE’s June/July issue

Drake Covers Billboard Magazine

honeyee.mag for China

honeyee announces their first honeyee.mag for China issue. Besides the obvious fact that the cover features Hiroshi Fujiwara, details on the internal content have yet to be revealed. Free with purchase at Nike Flagship Stores in Shanghai and Beijing.

VIA:HIGHSNOBIETY

XXL’s 10 Freshmen for ’10 Cover (April 2010)

The new breed of hustlers includes: Roc Nation’s first signeeJ. Cole, gangsta rap up-and-comer Nipsey Hu$$le, newly-minted Asylum lyricist Pill, 1017 Brick Squad member OJ Da Juiceman, indie-sensation Wiz Khalifa, G.O.O.D. music’s ownBig Sean, underground favorite Fashawn, Gary, Indiana repFreddie Gibbs, West Coast phenom Jay Rock and the latest addition to the Atlantic roster, Donnis.

XXL will be dropping a mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid next Monday, March 8 featuring new exclusive music from all ten. More info to come soon on the XXL 10 Freshmen for ’10 concert later this month in NYC.

XXL’s April issue hits newsstands March 16 and includes the Freshmen producers, hip-hop soul artists, hip-hop duos & groups, also an in-depth look on what it’s like to be a new rapper today, a look back at last year’s Freshmen class, with an Eye Candy that’ll make you say ahh.

ViA:XXL

Nicki Minaj Covers The FADER

First Drizzy, now Nicki. If you’ve been to the FADER’s website before you’ll notice their top 3 most popular posts are for Bedrock, Foreverand Drake’s Fader cover story.Issue hits newsstands everywhere on Tuesday, March 2nd.

ViA:NAHRiGHT

Drake Covers Complex

And the much hyped Drake is covering the Feb/March issue of Complex mag.  In his cover story, Drizzy addresses the “Best I Ever Had” video hate and how it may have slowed his momentum, the injury, and how Cudi may have felt slighted because Kanye was directing his video at a time when Cudi was coming out. He also addresses the competition of young rappers.  
ViA:THEYBF

Marge Simpson on Playboy Cover

It’s not a joke – Marge Simpson is the new cover girl on Playboy magazine. The issue celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cartoon and features Marge on the cover as well as on a 3-page spread inside the magazine. The Playboy November 2009 issue hits newsstands soon, keep your eyes open!

Def Jam Covers XXL (Nov. 2009)

In celebration of Def Jam’s quarter century in the music business, XXL has selected a handful of the label’s roster, past and present, to grace the cover of the November 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.

Other features in the issue include stories on Clipse, Kid Cudi, Birdman, Juvenile and B.G.
XXL’s November issue hits stand on October 27.

ViA: NAHRiGHT

Serena Williams Covers ESPN Magazine

Clipse x KAWS Cover Complex (Oct/Nov Issue)

Whitney Covers EBONY

"After a self-imposed six-year hiatus, the fierce and incredibly talented Whitney Houston is taking the music industry by storm with her highly anticipated comeback and new CD, “I Look To You.” EBONY sat down with the multi-platinum-selling star at New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center to find out first-hand what this journey has been like for the songstress. I shed a lot of stuff, a lot of unnecessary weight in the last three or four years. I left a lot of old luggage behind, and when I did, the blessings just started pouring on me, and the light in my spirit started to liftagain, she said. "

Her album drops today by the way.

Jay-Z Covers XXL (October ‘09)

XXL’s October issue includes stories on The Making of The Blueprint, the current state of lyricism in hip-hop, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, and more. The mag hits newsstands September 15.

Swagger Mag Cover (Vol. 2)

Lupe Fiasco, The Cool Kids & Mickey Factz cover the second volume of Swagger Mag to celebrate 10 years of the Swagger brand. The guys also performed at the clothing line’s 10th Anniversary show.The magazine drops on Friday (August 28th.)

Drake Covers FADER

Complex Kid Cudi x Keri Hilson

With cover art by Augor & So-Me from the Ed Banger crew, the August issue of Complex mag is worth the pickup for the cover art alone. If you’re a curious cat that would enjoy to delve deeper however, peep the cover stories now gratis and scoop the mag on August 8th. $FREEZY.
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Jay-Z Covers Billboard

Rick Ross x Ciara Cover Rap Up (Summer Issue)