XXL MAGAZINE LAUNCHES NEW iPHONE APP FOR ASPIRING RAPPERS
CELEBRITY JUDGES INCLUDING LLOYD BANKS AND SHA MONEY WILL BE LISTENING
NEW YORK, March 22, 2011 – XXL Magazine is proud to announce the launch of their first official and exclusive iPhone app which features six special functions including a hip-hop news feed, lifestyle trends, “Where They At?” geo-tracker for finding friends, plus special Twitter functions and the ultimate hip-hop trivia. The free app also features a unique application called “Ready or Not,” which allows consumers to use the iPhone’s voice recorder to upload their own creative 30-second freestyles to be judged by celebrity guest judges such as Lloyd Banks and Sha Money XL, senior VP of A&R at Island Def Jam, to name a few.
The launch of the “Ready or Not” feature will mark the first time consumers will be able to submit freestyle raps directly to XXL and be automatically featured on the XXL website (XXLMag.com), where XXL editors will be screening and reviewing entries. Consumer voting, editor picks and reviews by established hip-hop artists and industry members will decide which contestants have the strongest skills and should be featured on XXLMag.com, in the magazine and on the homepage of the app with the possibility to be discovered by labels, managers, industry heavyweights and other artists.
"It's very hard for a new artist to get discovered even with the Internet as prevalent as it is these days,” says Vanessa Satten, XXL’s Editor-in-Chief. “Singers have American Idol but aspiring rappers have limited outlets. ‘Ready or Not’ lets aspiring rappers get heard by those who can actually help launch their career. Established artists, label A&R executives, XXLeditors and industry heavyweights will all be reviewing submissions. We believe this can be a really important tool for hip-hop.” Sha Money XL, senior VP of A&R at Island Def Jam agrees, “This app will allow me direct access to artists really looking to be heard.”
The launch of The XXL App is timed to release with XXL’s 2011 Freshman Class in which the magazine names the breakout artists of the coming year. This year’s Freshmen include Yelawolf, Mac Miller, Cyhi The Prynce, Kendrick Lamar, Diggy Simmons, Lil Twist, Lil B, Fred the Godson, Meek Mill, Big Krit and YG. Past Freshmen include Wiz Khalifa, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B. and Kid Cudi.
XXL has consistently been on point with identifying the next generation of hip-hop talent. “Ready or Not” will allow XXL to continue to spot upcoming talent and feature the new MCs in the magazine and on XXLMag.com. In addition to screening open freestyles, each week, XXL will post themed weeks, contests, remix verses and other freestyles that are topically relevant.
Aspiring rappers can now have a recording booth in the palm of their hand and XXL will help them take it to the next level with The XXL App. Available at the iTunes store now.
