Rap Radar

Ghostface is back on the comic scene. But this time around, his collaborative project with Adrian Younge, 12 Reasons To Die comes to life in a six-page illustration. XXL has our first look.

Soul Temple and Black Mask Studios have produced a six-issue comic book of the same name. It was written by Matthew Rosenberg and Patrick Kindlon and inspired by classic Spaghetti Western film scores. The release follows Ghostface’s 2009 foray into comics called Cell Block Z

More images below as well as the album’s trailer and tour dates. 12 Reasons To Die on April 16.

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Meek Mill is ready to share his story in his upcoming book, Tony Story on May 1. Above is the front display.

Tony and Ty had big dreams of getting rich. Although they grew up like brothers, once money and envy entered the equation, greed took over and loyalty went out the door.

After a deadly shooting, the streets of Philly were in an uproar and the lives of many people revolved around revenge. Gold digger Kee capitalized on the built-up tension; but before she could really enjoy the fruits of her labor, she was thrust into the middle of a street war with the cost being her life.

Trust was not an option and revenge was the only thing anyone had in common. Paulie wanted revenge for his cousin; LB wanted revenge for his brother. They both had blood in their eyes and murder in mind; names were called while gunners lurked in the shadows. It became bigger than the almighty dollar and no one was safe. Philly won’t be the same after you’re a witness to Tony Story.

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The D.O.C. is featured in “The Sex & Music Issue” of the April issue of Playboy. The gangsta rapper sat with the print to reflect on overcoming the car crash which disrupted his vocal chords, ghostwritting and working with N.W.A. Read his feature when you pick up the copy in its flesh tomorrow.

Long hair and don’t care is pretty Nicki with her second cover of ELLE magazine. The April issue hits newsstands Monday, but peep the exerpt below.

On her plans for world domination: “My goal in the beginning was to buy my mother a house. Now I realize, Okay, if I really focus and become a key player in business, then I can build an empire. I’m thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college. So world domination— in terms of providing for my family— is absolutely my goal.”

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Sharp as a tack for March’s issue of L’Uomo Vogue, here’s one of the reasons why A$AP believes he should have been ranked higher on MTV’s Hottest MC list.

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Nicki Minaj is the latest celeb to get animated in Fame‘s comic book series. Written by Michael Troy and drawn by Jill Lamarina, the issue can be purchased at Comic Flea Market for $3.99.

Fame: Nicki Minaj traces one of the biggest pop sensations of this decade from her Caribbean roots through her upbringing in Queens, New York and into a career as a pop diva who has teamed up with all the mega-stars like Justin Bieber, Madonna and Britney Spears.

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Guess you could say I have good timing. Ha! Issue on stands March 5.

RESPECT.

It’s a New York takeover as A$AP and French split the Feb/Mar cover of XXL. In the issue, A$AP recalls the passing of his father and his parents’ musical influence. French discusses his debut album, 50 Cent and the time he was shot. Peep their solo covers below. All three issues hits newsstands February 19.

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The face of a trouble man takes the February issue of The Source. The print doesn’t hit newsstands until February 5, but peep the excerpt on his upcoming comedy film, Identify Thief below.

“It’s my first comedy so I’m looking forward to seeing that. I just want to keep my tools sharp…. Different people see T.I. in different ways. As long as they ain’t giving me a rapper. That’s what I don’t want to do. Anything else, I’d pretty much be open minded within reason of course.”

King James and the Doc graces the cover of ESPN’s upcoming music issue. After the jump, check out the brief behind the scenes look of their shoot. Issue hits stands this Friday.

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