In Hip Hop, a hit single can put an artist on the radar. But a debut album reveals whether they’re built to last. It’s the first time an artist shares their full vision, their story, and the energy ...

Mike Coppola / Staff via Getty Images, Scott Dudelson / Contributor via Getty Images, Theo Wargo / Staff via Getty Images, Thaddaeus McAdams / Contributor via Getty Images"/> A debut Hip Hop album is ...

Smif N Wessun Dropped Their Debut Album 'Dah Shinin' 31 Years Ago Smif N Wessun Dropped 'Dah Shinin' 31 Years Ago ...

Rapper BIA talks new album "Bianca," Latin music, growth and staying clear of the drama. All eyes are on BIA. The Massachusetts-based rapper, born Bianca Miquela Landrau, just released her debut ...

On this day in Hip-Hop, St. Louis native and rap icon Nelly released his groundbreaking debut album, Country Grammar, via Universal Records. Dropping in the heat of summer 2000, the project blended ...

Editor’s Note: This story appears in the Fall 2025 issue of XXL Magazine, on newsstands now and available for sale on the XXL website. Babyfxce E stepped onto the stage of a Detroit strip club for his ...

If rappers were safe asleep before then, “Crowd Mentality” was the slap across the face and the kick down below that woke everyone. The legacies of so-called pioneers like , and the were still largely ...

In the early aughts, Jeezy subsisted on a primary diet of Waffle House and Cristal champagne. It was the start of the Atlanta-based rapper’s career, and he began captivating the streets with ...

Album covers aren’t just packaging - they’re visual time capsules. From legendary rock records and era-defining hip-hop ...