Overview
XXL Magazine, founded in 1997 by Dennis Page and Jonathan Bernstein, is a premier American hip-hop and rap culture magazine. Originally a print publication, XXL has expanded into a major digital presence at xxlmag.com, offering breaking news, exclusive interviews, album reviews, mixtape releases, and in-depth features on artists like Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake. Known for its annual "XXL Freshman Class" list, which spotlights emerging rappers, the magazine has become a barometer for hip-hop's next generation. The digital platform includes video content, a robust social media footprint, and event coverage. Owned by Townsquare Media (NYSE: TSQ), XXL reaches millions of readers monthly. The domain xxlmag.com, registered in 1998, is among the oldest hip-hop media sites on the internet. Despite challenges in the publishing industry, XXL has maintained cultural relevance by adapting to digital trends, including a strong presence on YouTube and Instagram. Its editorial stance is authoritative within the hip-hop community, often breaking stories and shaping conversations. The site's architecture supports rich media, including embedded music players and high-resolution imagery. With a global traffic rank of ~39,000, xxlmag.com commands a loyal audience and remains a go-to source for hip-hop enthusiasts.
Company Profile
XXL Magazine is a digital and print publication dedicated to hip-hop and rap culture. It produces news, features, interviews, album reviews, video content, and the influential XXL Freshman Class franchise. Owned by Townsquare Media, a digital media and marketing solutions company.
XXL Magazine (print)XXL Digital (website)XXL Freshman Class (annual list)XXL Apparel (merchandise)XXL YouTube Channel
Market PositionEstablished authority in hip-hop media, competing with The Source, Complex, and HipHopDX.
RevenueEstimated $5–10 million annually (advertising, events, merchandise)
EmployeesApproximately 20–30 full-time staff plus freelancers.
Typical Use Cases
- ▸A hip-hop fan checks xxlmag.com daily for the latest album reviews and news.
- ▸An aspiring rapper monitors the XXL Freshman Class list to identify industry trends.
- ▸A music journalist uses XXL articles as sources for rap culture analysis.
- ▸A brand advertiser runs targeted display campaigns on xxlmag.com to reach young urban consumers.
- ▸A researcher archives XXL's historical content for a study on hip-hop evolution.
Infrastructure
RolePrimary website for XXL Magazine, hosting editorial content, multimedia, and community features.
IP OwnerNamecheap, Inc. (hosted on shared hosting)
Global ScalePrimarily US-focused but with international readership; content in English.
Subdomain examples
m.xxlmag.com (mobile)
shop.xxlmag.com (merchandise)
DNS Records
NS Records
ns4.g10.cfdns.co.uk
ns3.g10.cfdns.info
ns2.g10.cfdns.biz
MX Records
20 alt1.aspmx.l.google.com
30 aspmx3.googlemail.com
30 aspmx2.googlemail.com
Related Domains
Official Website
xxlmag.comSame Owner
townsquaremedia.comtonsofguns.com
Similar Services
thesource.comcomplex.comhiphopdx.comrollingstone.com
XXL is a subsidiary of Townsquare Media; similar services are competing hip-hop/fashion/lifestyle publications.
Identity
OwnerTownsquare Media, Inc.
Typecorporation
Founded1997
HQNew York, New York, United States
TickerTSQ
Notability
xxlmag.com ranks #39,054 globally (top 100k), indicating solid traffic. The brand is well-known in hip-hop culture, especially for the yearly Freshman Class list. Domain age of 27 years and ownership by a public company add credibility. However, its audience is niche compared to general entertainment sites.
Known since1997 (magazine founded), 1998 (domain registered)
Global rank#39,054
Risk & Trust
Risk: lowTrust: high
Long-established domain, owned by a publicly traded company, consistent editorial content, no history of malware or phishing. The use of Google mail servers indicates professional email management.
Google Safe Browsing
No threats detectedWHOIS
RegisteredJun 12, 1998
Age27 years
RegistrarNameCheap, Inc.
ExpiresJun 11, 2026
AI Confidence
ai_knowledgewhoisdns
This analysis is based on available domain data, traffic rank, and AI training knowledge. Direct access to the website was not available, so some details (e.g., exact content structure) may vary.