In August 1997,[2]Harris Publications released the first issue ofXXL. It featured rappersJay-Z andMaster P on a double cover.[3] In December 2006,XXL took over the struggling hip-hop producer and DJ magazineScratch (another publication owned by Harris Publications), re-branding it asXXL Presents Scratch Magazine. HoweverScratch shut down less than a year later in September 2007.
Other titles with limited runs have been launched under theXXL brand, includingHip-Hop Soul,Eye Candy andShade 45.XXL has released many other special projects including tour programs, mixtapes and exclusive DVDs.XXL also maintains a popular website, which provides daily hip hop news, original content and content from the magazine.[4]
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.
The magazine's past editors include Reginald C. Dennis (formerly ofThe Source), Sheena Lester (former editor-in-chief ofRapPages andVibe music editor), Elliott Wilson (formerly of The Beat-Down Newspaper,ego trip andThe 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 fromXXL and executive editor Vanessa Satten, who had been withXXL since 1998, was named the new Editor-in-Chief.[9]
In August 2005,Eminem andXXL teamed 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 Records label as a whole, andG-Unit Records' artists.XXL executive 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 theXXL brand made sense," feeling that it would interest rap fans.[citation needed]
In September 2006,XXL put 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,XXL marked its sixteenth anniversary by releasing its 150th issue, which featured the first solo cover on the magazine fromDrake, along with rappers such asKendrick Lamar andB.o.B reviewing classic albums.[3]
Beginning in 2007 (skipping 2008),[13]XXL releases 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 buzz among listeners and artists alike, and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame.[14][15][16]
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,XXL added an honorary extra spot for Chicago rapperChief Keef due 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.
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 byXXL but chose to decline it. Other times,XXL themselves 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 anXXL Freshman, and the various reasons why they declined.
Respectfully declined and felt they were chosen too late in their respective careers. In an interview with MTV, Nicki Minaj spoke on why she and Drake declined the cover by saying "With all due respect, we felt like we kinda had graduated from the Freshman Class. We felt XXL missed the mark when they didn't put us on the cover prior to that (2009). They have to pay for that".
In an interview with Shade 45, Cam'ron revealed that he spoke to the Editor-In-Chief Vanessa Satten about putting Vado on the 2011 issue. However, Cam'ron wanted Vado to be the center focus and not share the cover with multiple other artists. When Vanessa revealed that she couldn't guarantee that Vado would be the "main highlight" of the cover, Cam'ron respectfully declined the offer on behalf of Vado.
On Sway's Universe, Vanessa Satten revealed that the day before the photoshoot took place, someone from Young Thug's camp called XXL at 10:30 PM and directly told them that he wasn't coming to the shoot the next day.
On April 15, 2016, Tory Lanez (in a since-deleted tweet) said on Twitter "I passed on the XXL cover. Don't b confused". Although he didn't give an official reason, it is to believed that he felt he was chosen too late in his career.
Stated he was tired and was not up to flying to New York for the photoshoot.XXL editor-in-chief Vanessa Satten claimed Post's publicist stated that Post did not want to be boxed in as a hip hop artist.
YFN Lucci initially refused to play music forXXL and said he didn't want to play any music if he wasn't guaranteed a spot on the list. He later changed his mind days before the shoot but it was too late.
Although not technically a "declined offer",XXL stated that Cardi B wasn't selected to be a freshman because they weren't sure if Cardi was leaning more towards having a career in television or a music career.
XXL stood 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.
OnInstagram Live, he explained that he respectfully declined due toXXL apparently 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.
Pop Smoke agreed to be on the cover but he died before he could attend the shoot.XXL originally planned to add him on the cover to honor him, but Pop Smoke's team asked them not to do so. AlthoughXXL was not able to add him on the cover, they were able to add an unreleased interview to honor him in the issue.
Told XXL that he would only do the list ifDestroy Lonely could be added with him, and respectfully declined when told that Destroy Lonely wasn't going to be selected.
