UnitedMasters Founder and CEO Steve Stoute Talks About UM's Role in the Music Industry, His Personal History in Hip-Hop and More on XXL's Inside Track Podcast
WATCH: Steve Stoute has seen it all and been through it all as a music executive for nearly 25 years. Fortunately, he still has the hunger for more. After helping boost the careers of artists like Nas, Will Smith, Mariah Carey and other artists as a manager and label head, Stoute's latest company, UnitedMasters, is changing the game for independent artists. On this episode of XXL's Inside Track podcast, he discusses his storied past, UnitedMasters' role in the music industry and the future of the rap game.
Lil Pump Gets Into Heated Discussion About Donald Trump, Kamala Harris Diss Track and Politics
WATCH: There aren't many rappers as vocal about the upcoming presidential election as Lil Pump. After putting his support behind former President Donald Trump in 2020, the Florida rapper has been extremely expressive on social media over the last few months about getting Trump back in office when it comes time to vote in the Nov. 5 election.
In an exclusive interview with XXL, conducted on Aug. 8, Lil Pump speaks on why he's a Donald Trump supporter, the diss track he planned to aim at current President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against Trump for president, his upcoming Spanish album and his transformation to a healthier lifestyle.
Olβ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys on A&E
Wu-Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard was known for his clever rhymes and unique style that set him apart from other rappers throughout history. But there's much more to #ODB.
In Olβ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys, the first official documentary about the iconic artist, A&E takes a deep dive into the life of the Grammy award-nominated rapper.
Presented by A&E
The Most Viral Moments in Hip-Hop - First Six Months of 2024
WATCH: The first half of 2024 has been a whirlwind in hip-hop. In six months, the genre has produced four No. 1 albums and six No. 1 songs, the biggest rap battle in decades, one of the most enthralling scandals in mainstream media and a whole bunch of headline-grabbing moments that no one saw coming. Here's a look at the most viral moments in hip-hop from 2024 so far.
Rob49 Talks New Album Coming Soon, Solo Tour on the Way and Collaborating With Cardi B
WATCH: Rob49 opens up in a new interview with XXL about "On Dat Money," his new track with Cardi, collaborating with Weezy, headlining his own tour and dropping a new project featuring some heavy-hitter names.
Jonathan Mannion Reflects on Creating Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt Cover, Blood Idea for DMX's Cover
WATCH: Jonathan Mannion's work as a photographer and filmmaker speaks for itself. Over the course of two decades, he's shot some of the most legendary album covers in rap history. Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt, Eminem's The Eminem Show, OutKast's Speakerbo###/The Love Below and DMX's Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood are some of the classic covers the photographer has captured. Mannion has shot more than 300 of the biggest album covers in the genre. On this episode of XXL's Inside Track podcast, he discusses some of his most memorable moments with rap's biggest stars and explains his career trajectory from a rookie photographer to rap's go-to tastemaker.
Roc Nation Co-President Shari Bryant Discusses Journey From Interning at Roc-a-Fella to Being a Boss
WATCH: Roc Nation Co-President Shari Bryant knows about staying 10 toes down and grinding her way to the top. The Harlem, N.Y. native who grew up in the same apartment building as Dame Dash, began her career as an intern for Roc-A-Fella Records at 16 years old in 1999. Working with the Roc made her realize her desire to work in the music industry full time. On this episode of XXL's Inside Track podcast, she discusses her journey from interning at the label to being a boss.
Steven 'Steve-O' Carless Reflects on Working With Nipsey Hussle and the State of Rap
WATCH: For episode 2 of XXL's Inside Track podcast, Steven "Steve-O" Carless, President of A&R, Associated Labels, Black Music at Warner Records and Founder of Defiant Records, Inc., speaks to XXL Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten and music executive Courtney "Courtney CL" Lowery on working with Nipsey Hussle, the state of rap, helping the careers of artists like NLE Choppa at Warner and more.
Southside's ABCs
WATCH: Southside wants all the extras in life, admits he can be ignorant, likes a variety of women and more in his ABCs.
2024 XXL Freshman Cypher With That Mexican OT, Skilla Baby, ScarLip, Cash Cobain and Lay Bankz
WATCH: 2024 XXL Freshman Cypher With That Mexican OT, Skilla Baby, ScarLip, Cash Cobain and Lay Bankz
2024 XXL Freshman Cypher With BigXthaPlug, BossMan Dlow and Maiya The Don
WATCH: 2024 XXL Freshman Cypher with BigXthaPlug, BossMan Dlow and Maiya The Don.
Cash Cobain's ABCs
WATCH: Cash Cobain keeps it player, reps his slizzy lifestyle, shouts out Ice Spice and more in his ABCs.
Maiya The Don's ABCs
WATCH: Maiya The Don shows her love for the Knicks, demonstrates the loser sign, always has a question and more in her version of the ABCs.
4batz's ABCs
WATCH: 4batz wants all the Black queens to feel important, proclaims himself to be the King of R&B, and more in his version of the ABCs.
Southside Opens Up About Producing Beats for 2024 XXL Freshman Class Cyphers
WATCH: The 808 Mafia leader shares his passion for uplifting new artists and why he produced the beats for the 2024 XXL Freshman Class cyphers.
Hunxho's ABCs
WATCH: Hunxho admits he ignores a lot of people, wants you to worry about yourself, questions why women "be doing that" and more in his ABCs.
2024 XXL Freshman Cyphers Trailer
Watch a preview of the 2024 XXL Freshman cyphers featuring BigXthaPlug, That Mexican OT, Lay Bankz, BossMan Dlow, ScarLip, Maiya The Don, Cash Cobain and 10th spot winner Skilla Baby.
Full cyphers begin July 22.
Skilla Baby's ABCs
WATCH: Skilla Baby praises the Detroit Pistons, shows his sporty side, explains how he got his birth name and more in his version of the ABCs.
Skilla Baby's 2024 XXL Freshman Freestyle
WATCH: Skilla Baby is at the top of his class in his 2024 XXL Freshman freestyle.
Lay Bankz's 2024 XXL Freshman Freestyle
WATCH: Lay Bankz makes diamonds out of dirt in her 2024 XXL Freshman freestyle.