The Source

 For our 14th annual Power 30 issue The Source opted to go the route of young power in featuring Grammy nominated recording artist and actor Drake as the cover subject. In the November issue of the magazine Drake talks about inspirations, his upbringing, his music and more in an 8-page-long feature story penned by controversial former EIC of The Source, Kim Osorio.

Just weeks before the release of his sophomore effort Take Care, Drizzy further acknowledges that the throne is for the taking.

“When I was a kid trying to figure out what I liked, it was [Kanye] who I related to the most. He was an artist, in every sense, from his cover art to his music. Now, I would say he was a really great competitor….”

Also at the heart of this month’s issue is our 14th annual Power 30 list, which ranks the most prominent earners, tastemakers and influencers of the past year in Hip-Hop. In addition to the always much discussed list, The Source also compiled its first ever Digital 30 ranking to acknowledge those who are at the forefront of the web space in the Hip-Hop culture. Last but not least, author and daughter of Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz helps us celebrate the historical dedication of the newly unveiled Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.  Read more in the upcoming issue of The Source with Drake on the cover when the magazine hits newsstands nationwide on November 15th. – The Source

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TheSource.com just premiered this new visual from NY wordsmith T.Shirt titled “Ode To Raekwon.” This kid is one of the few new emcees who stands out for bringing that vintage NY flavor in his rhymes, so it seems only ride that he tip his cap to The Chef. T.Shirt delivers some raw bars in this Japanese themed video directed by RONIN of Hotmop Films. If you appreciate the golden era of true spitters then there’s not much to dislike about this one. Watch T.’s video “For The Record” and snag the rest of his I Should Just Chill mixtape HERE if you’re rocking with this one.

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Esteemed A&R Riggs Morales sat down with AlLindstrom.com in Part 1 of this interview to discuss how he got his start in the music game via The Source magazine and going on to work for Shady Records and Paul Rosenberg as an A&R during the era witch ushered in 50 cent and G-Unit.

During his time at The Source, Riggs discovered and penned such Unsigned Hype features as David Banner, Juelz Santana and one of the greatest discoveries of all, Eminem. Being that I’m a Latin cat from NY in this game and am myself about to pen my third Unsigned Hype piece both allow me to relate and truly appreciate this interview and the story of how Riggs’s story. That being said, make sure you educate yourself by watching Part 1 of this dope interview brought to us by Al Lindstrom (who stays bringing the Internets great content)

Catch part 2 of Al Lindstrom’s interview with Riggs after the jump.

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“Gucci Gucci” femcee Kreayshawn stopped by The Source magazine offices to play “Beat The Staff” with one of the mags writers @KiddFuture.The topic was California trivia. Watch to see who takes the “W.”

U.K. rap superstar Tinie Tempah chops it up with The Source about his breakout year Stateside, his major debut Disc-Overy, the U.K. rappers that have come before him and even wrestling’s Super Bowl event, Wrestlemania. He also unveils some details about his sophomore project which he’s currently constructing.

Interview by @KiddFuture

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The Source magazine was at the XYZ Lounge in Harlem’s A-Loft Hotel last night to mark the release of their new issue covered by trapstar rapper Young Jeezy. With drinks, pool and DJ SNS on the one’s and two’s the atmosphere was lively for guests to party and politic. Special guest Vado, who’s featured in the issues fashion spread came through to sign some magazines for the fans and do a quick interview bringing people up to speed on the new chapter of his career since signing to Interscope Records in April.

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Dealer: The Source

So much hype has been built up behind Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative anthem Watch The Throne and now judgement day is upon us. Sans “Otis” and bonus cut “H.A.M.,” we the people of the Internets have had oddly little chance to judge such a highly coveted project due to the fact that the materials were kept under lock and key by Yeezy and “Big Brother,” rendering music leakers powerless. Now that the royal rap LP has been accessible to all since just before midnight last night, the world is holding an ongoing forum (see Twitter) about whether or not the album managed to live up to people’s expectations.

That being said The Source magazine’s 5 mic rating system has been long heralded as the standard of an album’s worth and today the bible of hip-hop music, culture and politics chimed in via Managing Editor @Combat_Jack‘s track by track breakdown of The Throne’s music. So, without further adieu, click the link to read The Source‘s #WTT review.

The Source Magazine’s Review of Watch The Throne

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Big Sean stopped by The Source magazine offices a few weeks back to try his hand at at a game of trivia against the Online Editor @RealLifeKaz. The topic of the day was basketball. Watch and see who takes home the L.

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With a long awaited fourth studio LP TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition finally arriving on September 20th, Young Jeezy covers the August/September issue of The Source magazine in which he discusses his time away from the recording booth, the hurdles America’s urban youth face today and if he acknowledges competition in the rap game or not.

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 and also features Game, Lil B, Kelly Rowland and many more.

- @Middz_

Here is a video recap of the very special Young Jeezy concert live from the Highline Ballroom in NYC last night. The show was presented by The Source magazine and Def Jam and included guest performers Jay-Z, Kanye West, Fabolous, Bun B, and The L.O.X. It was definitely an awesome night as hip-hop fans got to celebrate the return of the snowman. At the end of the show Jeezy announced that his highly anticipated album TM103 will be available on September 20th. Cheaaaa!

- @Middz_