Watch the full interview now as a VladTV Youtube Member: Click Here
Part 11: Elliott Wilson on Why Drake Demanded His Interview Launched on His Own YouTube Channel
Part 9: Elliott Wilson on Eminem Dissing XXL on "Marshall Mathers", Benzino Ran Up in His Office
Part 1: Elliott Wilson on Complex Media Power List, Vlad Names a Person that Shouldn't Be There
--------
Former XXL editor-in-chief Elliott Wilson opened up about his controversial exit from the renowned hip-hop magazine and the dynamics that followed. Wilson recounted his sudden firing in 2008, attributing it to financial constraints and internal shifts within the publication. Wilson revealed that the decision was presented as a cost-cutting measure amidst declining advertising revenue. He also suggested that there was a desire for new leadership, leading to Vanessa Satten's appointment, a decision he felt was laced with underlying tensions.
Reflecting on the evolution of XXL and its rivalry with The Source magazine, Wilson detailed the era's adversarial nature, including the infamous scandal surrounding Eminem's racist tracks. Despite these challenges, Wilson praised the magazine's contributions to hip-hop culture, including its support for DJ Vlad's mixtapes. Interestingly, Wilson highlighted that Satten, his successor, held a longstanding animosity towards Vlad, making their transitions at XXL even more contentious.
