Young Jeezy appears on the cover of The Source’s August/September issue to discuss his hiatus, the plight of American street youth and whether or not he recognizes rap rivalry.

Are you aware that your fans are demanding a classic album?
Young Jeezy: “I think they deserve a classic. They’ve waited long enough. I think that every record on this album is an anthem.”

The August/September issue of The Source Magazine will be on newsstands nationwide August 23rd.

Here’s the cover for XXL’s upcoming September issue which will pay tribute to Lesane Crooks in honor of the 15th anniversary of his passing. The issue will include interviews with The Outlawz, ‘Pac’s ex-wife Keisha Morris, his ex-manager and mentor Leila Steinberg and his biological father Bill Garland who had this to say about his son:

“[Tupac] cared for people,” he said. “That was his main thing. He really cared for people. I think that’s why he would get so upset when people tried to question his commitment, his love for Black women or Black men. The East Coast/West Coast, you know, that’s a fabrication. I don’t have to begin to tell you that. So when that was questioned, it bothered him. Because he would give his heart or soul. He was a giving person. He would give anything to people. He would go in a store. [If there was a] Black man who couldn’t afford a $1,500 pair of boots, he would buy ’em for him. Think that Black man would ever forget Tupac? That’s just the way he is. But I don’t think that he did it for that. He did it because he had it, and he didn’t. That’s the way he is.”

Look for the issue on newsstands starting August 16th.

Previously: 2Pac – NY ’87 (Now That’s Dissin) & Watch Yo Mouth (CDQ)

French is featured in the new issue of SNEEZE Mag, out now. Click the picture to expand.

Sneeze Issue 12 features Model Kate Upton on the cover photographed by Kenneth Cappello, along with an editorial with French Montana shot in the Bronx by Angelo Baque (Supreme) he also shot Vado for us a few issues back as well as Drake and the entire OVO gang. This issue features art work by Richard Hambleton. For further additional info: SNEEZEMag.com.

Outtakes from the shoot here.

Previously: French Montana ft. Trae Tha Truth – Cocaine Mafia (Video)

In this clip, Jay talks about how that particular line in “The City Is Mine” was a vow to Biggie which was also addressed later on in “What More Can I Say”.

Props: Roc4Life. Cop the Decoded iPhone app here.

Previously: Jay-Z on Rap as Poetry (Video)

Talib and Maseo peruse Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey, an epic 400 page coffee table book chock full of images and essays chronicling the history of Hip-Hop culture, that coincided with the launch of the Grammy Museum’s exhibit of the same name earlier this year.

Previously: Talib Kweli’s Gil-Scott Heron Tribute

Wayne covers the July/August issue of XXL and announces in the cover story that he plans on retiring soon, maybe even after Carter IV drops.

“I’m bowing out still on top,” he says. “I’ma make y’all want me when I retire. I’ma make y’all be like, ‘Nooo!’ I ain’t leaving out this bitch when y’all be like, ‘Yeah, it’s about time, dawg.’ Carter IV might be my last one. I’ma make y’all be like, ‘Fuck!’ Yeah, nigga, I’m gone.”

Wayne saying being a good father to his children would be the cause for an retirement. “Honestly, this is the real truth,” he says. “I honestly think it’s unfair to my kids. I’m super dedicated into what I do. Like, it’s no questions—it’s hands down, I do this. I live this. I don’t have a day out my week that I do something else. I do this every day of my life, and I’m not about to stop, ’cause that’s the only way you can succeed in this business, is to do it the way I do it. I want to succeed the way I want to succeed. You can succeed. You can put out a hit… But to do it the way I want to do it, to be comfortable to do what the fuck I want to do, you’ve got to work like no other. Like I said, it’s unfair to my kids. So about 30, 31, 32, I gotta get ready.

To which I say: bullshit. I think it’s a pretty safe bet that he’s not going anywhere, not for any significant amount of time anyway.

Previoulsy: Rick Ross ft. Lil Wayne – 9 Piece (Teaser)

The homie Alvin “Aqua Boogie” Blanco breaks down his new book on the Wu for FUSE. I shared a cubicle with this guy for the first couple months of my tenure at XXL and he’s a rarely genuine dude in an industry full of phonies, as well as a great writer. So while I haven’t read this yet, I’m confident it won’t disappoint.

Previously: Wu-Tang (U-God, Cappadonna, Bronze Nazareth & RZA) ft. The Revelations – 225 Rounds

Swizzy graces the cover of PAPER’s new Music Issue, on newsstands tomorrow:

Swiveling on a stool in the control room of Jungle City Studios, Swizz is playing me selections from his new album, Haute Living. At 32, he’s nearly twice as old as he was when he first started out in the business. He’s a family man, a new dad with a superstar wife; a creative consultant, collaborating with the luxury automobile company Aston Martin to create their first four-door model; a fashion designer, working with Reebok and Christian Louboutin; and Producer-in-Residence at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

“Man, I crossed bridges in the industry that should stop water,” he says. “Me coming from the South Bronx and partnering up with Christian Louboutin — we’re not supposed to be in that world!”

Read the rest of the cover story by the homie Jozen Cummings here and check out a couple of shots from the feature below.

Previously: Swizz Beatz on “Dear Anne” Leak

Some footage from Wiz’s shoot for Interview mag. Hit the jump to check out the results and hit Interview’s site to read the Q&A.

Previously: Nas, Wiz Khalifa, The Roots, J. Period @ The Roots Picnic

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50 CENT UNVEILS HIS SECRET IDENTITIES IN BLUEWATER COMIC BIOGRAPHY

Catapulted from the underground New York rap scene to a multi-platinum recording artist, 50 Cent reveals his many identities in an upcoming Bluewater Productions biography comic book based on his life and career.

Scheduled for an July 2011 release, “Fame: 50 Cent” follows the unknown Curtis James Jackson III as he crafted a hip hop persona and began his climb up the music charts with monster rap hits like “In Da Club” and “How We Do.” The issue also addresses his drug-dealing and violent past, his well-documented public feuds with other rap culture figures as well as his lesser known years as a young up and coming boxer, his current title of entrepreneur and the one identity that changed his life—that of doting father.

“50 Cent, no doubt, has enjoyed a colorful, extraordinary and sometimes sordid life.” said writer Dan Rafter. “Despite a broken home life and early run-ins with the law he found his niche. You don’t sell 11 million records if you don’t have some talent and market savvy; he’s got plenty of both.”

“Fame: 50 Cent,” will also feature cover art by famed DC comic book artist Joe Phillips. The interior art was illustrated by J. Bruce Bogle. The issue will retail for $3.99 and be available through most online venues like Amazon.com as well as local comic book stores.

Previously: Curtis Covers Smooth Magazine