Author: info@rapgriot.com

Diddy broke his silence with a letter to the judge presiding over his federal case, expressing deep remorse ahead of his October 3 sentencing in New York. The Hip-Hop mogul, convicted on two counts of transporting women across state lines for prostitution, faces up to 20 years behind bars. In the emotional letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, Diddy took full responsibility for his actions. “I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs,” he wrote. “This has been the hardest 2 years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality…

You wanted lyricism, you got it. Here are two of the finest wordsmiths currently pushing hip-hop forward, Joey Bada$$ and J.I.D, who both grace the cover of XXL Magazine’s Fall 2025 issue.Every year at XXL, we receive backlash regarding our Freshman list due to a misunderstanding of its true purpose. Many people mistakenly believe the list is meant to showcase the most talented new lyricists in hip- hop. In reality, the class serves as a prediction of which up-and-coming artists are currently buzzing and have the best chance of becoming superstars in the future. Unfortunately, not all of tomorrow’s hip-hop talents excel…

Killer Mike is clearing the air after comments he made about Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry drew heavy attention online. The Atlanta rapper addressed the situation during his appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, admitting that his reaction to a viral clip carried further than he ever expected. Mike revealed that the response came swiftly, not only from fans but also from his own circle. “Steph Curry, Ayesha Curry — boy, my wife done cussed me out,” he said. “My oldest daughter called me. My youngest daughter called me. Homeboys that have played in the NBA called me.” Reflecting on…

Joey Bada$$Interview: Georgette Cline Editor’s Note: This story appears in the Fall 2025 issue of XXL Magazine, on newsstands now and available for sale on the XXL website.Rappers often face a paradoxical situation when they take a break between albums. During this time, their skills may be questioned, especially if they’ve chosen to work behind the scenes as an element of surprise. While not every rap fan subscribes to this idea, it’s a challenge that Joey Bada$$ has encountered throughout his career. Still, he’s found ways to change that perception.On Jan. 1 of this year, he dropped the Conductor Williams-produced track “The Ruler’s Back,” signaling…

Mariah Carey brushed off decades of drama and a bizarre casting rumor involving Eminem during a sharp exchange on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” on Wednesday (October 1), where she addressed claims that the rapper once wanted her to play his mother in 8 Mile. The pop legend was playing a round of “Plead the Fifth” with host Andy Cohen when the topic came up. Cohen asked if the long-running feud between the two started because Eminem allegedly wanted Carey to portray his mom in the 2002 semi-autobiographical film. Carey didn’t deny it. “From what I heard, there is truth…

Crunk icon Lil Jon is proving he’s more than just party anthems — he’s now stepping into the spotlight, starring in an already-viral commercial for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. In his new commercial, Jon brings his energy and humor,  The hip-hop legend sat down with The Source to talk cars, music, and health, first sharing practical road-trip tips for drivers. His advice? Never start a trip without setting your navigation, make sure snacks are ready, use the bathroom before hitting the highway, and most importantly, make sure the copilot knows their role, which means “you gotta work the music.…

Sheff G gifted his girlfriend with $50,000 before turning himself in to serve a five-year prison bid.On Tuesday (Sept. 30), a day before the Brooklyn rapper was officially sentenced and sent to prison after pleading guilty in a gang RICO case, Sheff shared a post on Instagram. The post featured a carousel of photos and videos, some of which documented his recent birthday party. One slide shows a wire transfer receipt for $49,900. Sheff tagged his girlfriend in the post: “Happy Birthday twin.”Sheff also notified his fans that he will still be releasing new music from behind the wall.“To my…

Two months after Sean “Diddy” Combs, CEO of Bad Boy Entertainment, was found guilty of violating the Mann Act—while being acquitted of the more serious charges of human trafficking and racketeering—his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, has sent an emotional letter to the court urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence. Ahead of Combs’ sentencing, Cassie submitted a three-page victim impact statement to a New York court on Monday, September 29, and obtained by Rolling Stone, pleading with Judge Arun Subramanian to hand down a sentence that reflects “the reality of the evidence and my lived experience as a victim.” The…

J.I.DInterview: Vanessa SattenEditor’s Note: This story appears in the Fall 2025 issue of XXL Magazine, on newsstands now and available for sale on the XXL website.”I want a BET nomination,” J.I.D says when asked about his bucket list. It’s not far-fetched. He already has three Grammy nods and with the way he’s been dropping music, a BET trophy seems feasible. Born Destin Choice Route, the Atlanta native is cemented as one of hip-hop’s premier lyricists, sharpening his pen with every project.Across mixtapes, collabs, EPs and four acclaimed albums—The Never Story (2017), DiCaprio 2 (2018), The Forever Story (2022) and this year’s God Does…

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Mass Appeal has partnered with Marvel to release Legend Has It…, a limited edition comic book series that transforms Hip Hop icons into superhero legends. Inspired by the Legend Has It… album series, the comic pays tribute to seven of New York’s most influential artists: Nas & DJ Premier, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, Big L, De La Soul, and Slick Rick. Written by Brandon Thomas (Black Lightning) and illustrated by Sanford Greene (Doom, Bitter Root), the series blends Marvel’s signature storytelling with Mass Appeal’s deep cultural roots. Each artist is reimagined as a larger-than-life figure…