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XXL Commemorates 40 Years of Hip Hop

Jay Z and LL Cool J are among artists featured on the magazine's special edition covers.

And they said it wouldn't last. XXL magazine celebrates 40 years of hip hop this month with five special edition collector's covers featuring some of the genre's biggest names: Jay ZLil Wayne,SnoopOutKast and LL Cool J.

Inside, the mag serves up the top 10 most important albums and songs per year from 1973-2013 and has stories on YG and DJ Mustard, Tech N9ne, Nipsey Hu$le, Sage the Gemini, Isaiah Rashad, Young Scooter and Bun B.

XXL released its first issue, a double cover featuring Jay Z and Master P, in 1997. The magazine is currently one of the most popular hip hop publications in the country thanks in part to their annual "Freshman" issue, which has helped to spark the careers of artists like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kendrick Lamar and Chief Keef.

All five covers hit stands nationally on Dec. 31, 2013.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black Celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

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(Photo: XXL Magazine, January 2013)

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