XXL has revealed the cover for their latest issue which features Nas celebrating 20 years in Hip Hop.

When asked if he was happy with how everything turned out, Nas had this to say:

“Dawg, I was naming my album Life Is Good because of how happy I am about how happy things have turned out,” Nas answered. “Sometimes I may wake up and wish my kids were living with me. That’s the only thing, you know what I mean? Our loved ones that are not around no more, like my mom. That’s the only thing. But other than that, everything is great, even when I’m alone. Even when there’s no one around.”

Check out more excerpts over at XXL.

Previously: Nas – Nasty (Video)

Here’s the cover for Boo-Boo’s new work of fiction, Playground, which is set for a November 1st release.

Thirteen-year-old Butterball doesn’t have much going for him. He’s teased mercilessly about his weight. He hates the Long Island suburb his mom moved them to and wishes he still lived with his dad in the city. And now he’s stuck talking to a totally out-of-touch therapist named Liz.

Liz tries to uncover what happened that day on the playground – a day that landed one kid in the hospital and Butterball in detention. Butterball refuses to let her in on the truth, and while he evades her questions, he takes readers on a journey through the moments that made him into the playground bully he is today.

This devastating yet ultimately redemptive story is told in voice-driven prose and accented with drawings and photographs, making it a natural successor to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Loosely inspired by 50 Cent’s own adolescence, and written with his fourteen-year-old son in mind, Playground is sure to captivate wide attention – and spark intense discussion.

Pre-order here.

Spotted: HHNM

Previoulsy: Curtis – Street King Energy Track #7

A sober and clear-minded KiD CuDi speaks to Complex Editor In Chief Noah Callahan-Bever for their October/November issue. In the magazine’s third cover story with the rapper/actor in three years, he speaks about cleaning up his act, recent career moves such as his highly publicized separation from managers Pat & Emile, his relationship with women, fucking with other people musically (he still doesn’t, btw), making up with Wale, working on a rock album, being sober and the TV show.

So not a lot of features in your future?
I’m not interested in being someone’s look. And that’s what it is nowadays—a look. It’s hard for me to charge people, because I do my stuff for free. I do all my stuff with Jay and Kanye on the house, because it’s a brotherhood. Besides them, I can’t really hit nobody with a fee, because then that’s a dispute. What I want to charge, motherfuckers might not have a budget for!

On top of that, it’s a commitment when you do a song with somebody. Like, “We need a single, we need the video.” And then—like I said in the last interview, being that I don’t fuck with most people musically—it’s tough for me to want to bend and be a part of people’s projects.

Full story: Complex.

Behind the scenes from the cover shoot after the jump.

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Here’s the cover for Tip’s upcoming novel Power & Beauty which he penned with author David Ritz. The book is due out through Harper-Collins in October and is available for pre-order now.

Previously: T.I. Is Out of Jail

On newsstands now.

Previously: Theophilus London – I Stand Alone (Video)

The cover for the next installment in the Jeezy x Drama saga.

Previously: Young Jeezy – Win (Video)

YN released the unauthorized Watch The Throne cover for the Fall issue of RESPECT. Mag. Out on newsstands September 6th.

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)

Jayceon drops (names) on August 23rd.

Previously: Game ft. Chris Brown – Pot Of Gold (Behind the Scenes)