Interview Magazine is known for their particularly cutting edge pieces on some of hip-hop’s frontrunners and fresh faces (strongly recommend reading the A$AP Rocky March 2013 Cover Story). In the newest issue of Interview, the soulful songstress Erykah Badu gets to chop it up with Kendrick Lamar for a dope Question and Answer session. Badu taps into questions about K.Dot’s family life, his top ten MC’s (in no particular order), and even offers him some veteran advice for the future of his career. To peep the  the full article and a link to the images and article from the shoot, hit the jump.

In celebration of the 2013 Freshmen Class, XXL Magazine has decided to put a different spin on the introduction of each up and comer with releases of freestyles, music, and  more. But the what is better than seeing a handful of ‘em in a good, classic freestyle cypher? “The XXL Freshmen Cypher, Episode 1″ features the first four up to the plate, Brooklyn-riser Joey Bada$$, G.O.O.D Music and Hustle Gang signee, Travi$ Scott, one third of super-group Black Hippy and TDE representer, Ab-Soul and the Queens, NY and Albanian sensation Action Bronson. Although this only episode one, who do we want to see come out on top? Peep the video above.

For Vibe‘s 2013 “Big Issue” cover, they grab one of the hottest R&B artist in the game, Miguel as well as the hottest MC in the game, Kendrick Lamar. In the issue, the two discuss numerous topics including opinions of their music, the new generation, being musical geniuses and much more. I’ve inserted an excerpt below but if you are interested in viewing the full conversation, head over to Vibe right now.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken artistically? One that went over surprisingly well and one that might’ve gone over people’s heads?

MIGUEL: Shit, well this whole album—overall it doesn’t sound like any other R&B album that’s been put out in the past decade. The only album I would say sounds as alternative would be A Beautiful World by Robin Thicke, and that was like 2003. Since then, I haven’t heard a commercial album sound as alternative as this one. Including those psychedelic influences for R&B was a huge risk. I honestly was nervous to put it out. I remember having a conversation with Mark, my A&R, like, “Man, I don’t know if they’re gonna get this shit. It may be bad.” And he was like, “I love the album.” And I love it, too; I’ll be proud of it when I’m 80, because I know what I was going through when I was writing, producing and creating it. It’s really cool to get attention from outlets that never really paid attention to me or my music before this album. On the opposite end, risks that I didn’t even know I was taking—I look back on photos [from All I Want Is You] and the way I was dressed is not something I’d do again. If anything, when you do take risks, you become either more confident because you’re going to be criticized and speculated, and those conversations are gonna cross you and you’re either sure of yourself and what you believe in or you’re torn down.

KENDRICK: I definitely agree. Making good kid, m.A.A.d city was a risk in itself. The idea of a concept record has been lost for a long time—will that translate to 16-year-old kids in high school rather than the super energetic joint on the radio? I definitely had that in the back of my mind when I was creating this album. But having that thought process gave me confidence in knowing that ain’t nothin’ new under the sun. By me doing this, it can be fresh and something new to the kids that are not used to a record that has skits intertwined within the songs and a whole album breakdown. Overall, what I talk about in my music is another huge risk. When you think of the West Coast, you immediately think of crazy-type street credibility. To come from that place but not glorify it is a challenge in itself.

It’s finally arrived! Every year, the hip-hop community patiently awaits to see who will make the cut and who got snubbed from one of the most impactful nods in the hip-hop game. From Kendrick Lamar‘s career taking new heights, and fans in uproar about King Chip missing from last year’s inductees, debates stirred about whether this group of newly exposed talent was beginning to fall off. But judging by the XXL Freshman Class 2013, critics and competition may be keeping silent. Most of you may be able to identify who’s who of the 2013 Freshman Class, but hit the jump to peep the full list.

It’s no surprise to many that the reigning YMCMB rap queen Nicki Minaj has been taming her public image as of late. The “Pink Friday” superstar has released loads of music, tours and brand endorsements and is reveling in the viewer success of her judging panel position on American Idol. Well with all this new found commercial success (seemingly aimed to appeal to a more diverse and larger demographic), Minaj has decided to tone down her always over the top, colorful look. Check out her cover shoot for ELLE US Magazine after the jump!

International music sensation Rihanna’s reign still hasn’t let up, and she’s back to prove it once more on the cover of Elle UK. The April issue features a very simple, yet sleek and 60′s inspired Rihanna, draped in some of her latest pieces of Rihanna for River Island, Prada and Louis Vuitton. The pop singer gets very friendly on set and looks like more than a pleasure to work with. Check out Rih, and her natural model abilities after the jump!

Many of us have seen the growth in The Roots drummer, Questlove over the years. From the beginning of the Philly-born clan, to on stage with the likes of Jay-Z, Jill Scott, and others, to now being the resident musical director on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”, its a wonder how he has had such a valuable impact on Hip-Hop and music. Well now we will get a taste of his journey from his perspective, as Quest is preparing to release a memoir of his experiences and a different view on the study of pop culture called Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove. For more info, hit the jump.

I’ve got a ton of Ray-J jokes that I could include in this write up but it’s not about him, it’s all about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Following up on a few rants in London, Kanye West and his lover Kim Kardashian find themselves getting very intimate on the cover of French fashion magazine L’Officiel Hommes.