I interviewed Rakim about The Seventh Seal in the new XXL. Also spoke to “Back in the Day” rapper Ahmad about his new life as a Stanford undergrad, and wrote about Dana Dane’s passing of the torch to his son Dana Jr., aka Young Dane.

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Da Capo Press anthologized “Bass is Loaded,” my history of Babe Ruth’s “The Mexican” from Wax Poetics #30 in their Best Music Writing 2009 book. I haven’t had a chance to read the other pieces yet, but David Ramsey’s essay on how listening to Lil’ Wayne got him through his first year as a New Orleans schoolteacher is a must-read. Book is available on Tuesday.