Author: Cory McClanahan

Some of Hip-hop’s freshmen and veterans took turns on the mic during the cyphers for the BET Hip-Hop Awards 2011. Who do you think had the best cypher? Big K.R.I.T., Tech N9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, and B.o.B http://youtu.be/W9loNi5qsHQ Reek da Villian, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes, and Ludacris http://youtu.be/IFBzHZq-eSQ Lady of Rage, Blind Fury, Dom Kennedy, and Skillz http://youtu.be/Nb7v1khzIPk Maybach Music Group (Wale, Pill, Stalley, Meek Mill, and Rick Ross) http://youtu.be/nrosz5G3c6g Chris Brown, Tyga, Ace Hood, and Kevin McCall http://youtu.be/CS0nNPR4eSA Estelle, France’s Soprano, Houston’s Lecrae, and Nitty Scott http://youtu.be/Upfo7kOxBI0 Shady 2.0 (Yelawolf, Slaughterhouse, and Eminem) http://youtu.be/YS4lZs3MiHg  

20 years deep in the game, Nas returns on the cover of XXL. Issue hits newsstands on October 25. This Cover was designed by Mister Cartoon. “God’s Son is my favorite album by you,” Tyler said. “And my second is probably Street’s Disciple,” he continued. “Get the fuck outta here,” Nas responded. Awkward and quirky exchanges aside, the discussion quickly picked up with the 20-year-old Tyler asking Nas for advice. “You, Em, Jay, Snoop, like, you guys all started when you was exactly my age,” Tyler said. “The fact that you guys are still here makes me just always think, like, Fuck, could I?” “Oh, you definitely can,” Nas replied. “Someone like you is, you’re interesting, for a lot of reasons. So someone like you, you can’t wait to see what’s next.”