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Has the XXL mag franchise been in decline since Elliott Wilson left? Sure, but so has every Hip-Hop print magazine and mega-online Hip-Hop entity. I’m not saying that everyone over at XXL is a bum, because that isn’t the case (Byron Crawford), but I should send a kite to my people over there and tell them to fux with that Antenna imprint instead because it’s really more in the essence of Hip-Hop on a higher level. Shouts to the editor-in-chief Vanessa Satten who cursed me the fux out lastnite at the XXL Freshmen showcase. She lost about 1000lbs and got herself a nice little hairstyle. She looks downright effin’ smashable now so if the mag folds their tent maybe she can get her stacks up via the Kat Stacks economic system.

Sheeeeid, I’ve got five on it.

The XXL Freshmen 10 show was for XXL mag to make up some ground for their floundering magazine. XXL contracted Cam’Ron to headline knowing that Cam would bring along his newest protege Vado. This move also allowed XXL to save face and reconnect to the home of Hip-Hop since their magazine has kind’a sort’a forgotten about what happens here in New York City. By all stretches of the imagination the event appeared to be a success. The Highline Ballroom, NYC’s premiere Hip-Hop staging venue, was packed to the rafters, and not just with the usual allotment of industry shitbags(I regretfully include myself in that grouping), but with people who actually bought tickets to the show.

The Highline Ballroom isn’t a small space and I was impressed by how quickly it filled up. The energy was high early on so that usually forecasts a memorable night. What up to VeE from Scritch and Scratch? Your boy Shakespeare hollered at me and we politicked for a few. He’s good peoples. Paul ‘Gooch’ Cantor came thru also. If you want a barometer for how big an event is you can use Gooch who leaves his house for NOTHING. Just as the party was getting underway I had to leave the space and roll with Timeless Truth to NYU’s ‘Halftime Radio’ program. The word is getting out there about The ‘Lo-End Theory and some of the artists that will be doing there thing. I’m going to have to step up my game hardbody tho’ to equal the energy that XXL put into this event.

When I got back to the Highline after the radio show the crowd outside of the building was looking as big as the amount of people who were inside earlier. These were the folks who couldn’t get in [ll]. When people can’t get into the building and the list is closed then you know it’s a party. Thankfully I am known to Highline’s security at this point so I didn’t have to go thru changes to get back inside. I was just in time to catch Nipsey Hu$$le’s set. I don’t see how XXL can regard Nipsey Hu$$le as a freshman. I mean, dude is fresh, but he has been grinding for a minute and he isn’t new to anyone who fux with 2DopeBoyz for any length of time. Nipsey, Pac Div, U-N-I and a host of Cali acts have been doing their thing. The homey Diz Gibran could have used that Nipsey slot in the Freshmen 10 list.

It was still sketchy as to whether or not Cam’Ron was going to appear but my dude from XXL(yes, there are still chill MF’s there) let me know that he was setting shit up for Cam to come out. When Cam got on the stage the place erupted. That was a real nice feeling to be in the crowd and sing Cam lyrics with several hundred people. Vado, Cam’s newest jewel(no Juelz) was razor sharp too. They shut down the event properly. It was hype to see Cam play the role of hypeman for Vado. You could tell that Cam was really feeling Vado’s verses. The same applied for Vado when Cam did his mini-montage of joints. Always the showman, Cam’Ron loves to leave the people wanting for more.

XXL may not be able to make a competent list, but they sure as hell know how to throw a party.