[vodpod id=Video.5765511&w=540&h=350&fv=videoId%3D825955213001%26linkBaseURL%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.xxlmag.com%252Fvideo%252F2011%252F03%252Fxxls-2011-freshman-class-cypher-part-1-of-3%252F%26playerID%3D735056479001%26playerKey%3DAQ%7E%7E%2CAAAAj36EHhk%7E%2C2pR1tWM5uVhnbSj–UUJCXbI03wJZIun%26domain%3Dembed%26dynamicStreaming%3Dtrue] Kicking off the three-part cypher series of XXL‘s young guns, YG, Mac Miller, Diggy Simmons and Lil Twist grab the mic with DJ Kast One on the wheels of steel.

After being name-dropped on Rick Ross’ “9 Piece”, it was only right that Ball and G get a piece of the action. hhnm

After noticing Freddie Gibbs insightful and often humorous observations on sports through his Twitter account, Rap Radar decided to give him a forum to express his thoughts on the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat. It’s Gangsta Gibbs Wide World Of Sports. The black Bill Simmons is here. And for his third column, Fred unveils his picks for this year’s NCAA tournament.

[vodpod id=Video.5765326&w=540&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] Jim Jones is gearing up to drop Capo on April 5th. Here’s footage on location for his new video, “Perfect Day”. This track still is less than perfect, but maybe the clip will make up for it.

Last week a Lil B track surfaced featuring Phonte and Jean Grae. The song’s producer 9th Wonder tells VIBE how the unusual collaboration came about and gives the MC his praise. Thank you 9th Wonder. “Lil B reached out to me 3 or 4 months ago on Twitter and told me he’s a big fan of myself and Murs. At the time I didn’t know who he was, so I Google’d his stuff, and I was like “ooo-kay” [Laughs]. I saw “Wonton […]

It’s been a long time coming, but The Beastie Boys will be releasing their ninth studio album on May 3rd: Since the dawn of time, and perhaps even before, there was a silent order who were tasked with a mission. They held their secret tightly. On may 3rd the HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART TWO will be unleashed on the general public. Hold fast ye heathens. nr via beastie boys UPDATE: Tracklist via Capital Records after the jump.

Banks goes jackin’ for beats and comes out with a new freestyle over Cam and Vado’s duet. Do remember, The Cold Corner is coming soon. thisis50

Odd Future continued their print takeover with member Frank Ocean featured in yesterday’s issue of The NY Times. The piece covered his latest project, Nostalagia, Ultra and how he released it on his own. Click the image above and read along. max_apollo

[vodpod id=Video.5764319&w=540&h=350&fv=videoId%3D825297398001%26amp%3BlinkBaseURL%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.xxlmag.com%252Fvideo%252F2011%252F03%252Fcyhi-the-prynces-2011-freshman-class-freestyle%252F%26amp%3BplayerID%3D735056479001%26amp%3BplayerKey%3DAQ%7E%7E%2CAAAAj36EHhk%7E%2C2pR1tWM5uVhnbSj–UUJCXbI03wJZIun%26amp%3Bdomain%3Dembed%26amp%3BdynamicStreaming%3Dtrue] With nine down and two more to go, CyHi is next up for XXL Freshmen of the day. Below he discusses what the honor means to him. Freshman is like a stepping-stone. Most artists think this is the biggest point of their career. This is a stepping-stone to bigger and better things, especially with XXL. I want to have one with just my face on it, that’s the cool thing. I just need to stay working and capitalize off […]

[vodpod id=Video.5764076&w=540&h=350&fv=] While Lil’ Boosie sits behind bars on a murder charge, the Motion Family maintain his presence with a new visual. On a related note, a new site has launched to aid in Bad Azz’s defense fund. Free Torrence Hatch, for real.