I’m a big fan of Jay Rock. I was one of the first people to cover him (and I mean do a cover story for a widely respected hip hop publication), but I refuse to believe he ran this off the top of the dome.

He appears to be in the dark, but that blue light would seem to give him an assist…

It’s not like I’m trying to scrutinize the brutha or say he can’t freestyle, but the XXL Freestyle 2010 sessions are supposed to be a big deal right? If ever he was going to perpetrate a fraud this would be the time.

It just looks and sounds to me like he’s reading.

I’m just sayin’…

CLIP INSIDE

XXL caught up with 50 Cent to discuss his new LP War Angel and ended up getting a little more than they bargained for… perhaps. In any scenario, it’s really comical to watch this dude speak sometimes when he attempts to get deep. He starts out talking about how he listens to other rappers, but by the end of his spill, he says he doesn’t have time for it because he’s “elite.” His preoccupation with Kanye West and Lil Wayne is bigger than ever and he admits that he avoids conflict intentionally…

Enjoy?

XXL recently unveiled their May 2009 issue, which bore the grill of Miami rapper Rick Ross in a pair of Louis Vuitton sunglasses… well, sort of. The shades, according to the luxury designer’s spokespeople, are fake. Not a good look for Ross, who’s been under fire since it was discovered he was a corrections officer in a former life.

Ross has yet to comment on the matter, but a full transcript of the letter LV sent XXL is below. Ironically, the story related to the May cover is Ross’ first open admission about the CO claims.

LETTER INSIDE

The May issue of XXL featuring the rapper Rick Ross on its cover alludes to his “credibility,” which for a variety of reasons, has come into question since his profuse denial over his former life as a Corrections Officer.

With a new album – Deeper Than Rap – on the horizon (April 21st) and an ongoing feud with 50 Cent dominating headlines, he decided to come clean.

“Me not answering or addressing that situation has nothing to do with my career,” he told the magazine. “I’ve accomplished enough, and I’ve made enough money for me to be good… Yes, it was me in those pictures. But I’ma tell you this. Me taking that job, I was doing my job. You understand what I mean?”

Uh… not really, but whatever.