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The cake. The candles. The piñata. It has all the makings of a party, but it wouldn’t be complete without the guest of honor. Ciara crashes the cover of Rap-Up‘s 4th Anniversary Issue. Inside you’ll find over 10 pages of all-new photos from the R&B singer’s celebratory shoot. It’s Super C like you’ve never seen her before!

Plus, Rick Ross, LeToya Luckett, Jadakiss, Chrisette Michele, Asher Roth, Akon, Teairra Marí, Flo Rida, Fat Joe, Jesse McCartney, Bun B, Melanie Fiona, and more go in front of the lens for our first-ever Photo Issue.

The magazine goes on sale this week at newsstands nationwide. Get your copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, Rite Aid, Safeway, Vons, 7-Eleven, and other retailers. You can also purchase a copy online here.

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Rick Ross suits up for the cover of Rap-Up‘s 4th Anniversary Issue. Hip-hop’s head honcho takes us back to his adolescence and schools us on how he became the boss he is today. The larger-than-life MC also talks 50 Cent, Eminem, and the rapper who he named his latest car after.

Plus, Ciara, LeToya Luckett, Jadakiss, Chrisette Michele, Asher Roth, Akon, Teairra Marí, Flo Rida, Fat Joe, Jesse McCartney, Bun B, Melanie Fiona, and more go in front of the lens for our first-ever Photo Issue.

The magazine goes on sale this week at newsstands nationwide. Get your copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, Rite Aid, Safeway, Vons, 7-Eleven, and other retailers. You can also purchase a copy online here.

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Go behind the lens as T.I. shoots his cover for Rap-Up‘s Winter issue, on sale now. The “Live Your Life” chart-topper converses about collaborating with Nelly, his relationship with Ludacris, below-the-belt rumors (“I heard I was less man than I am”), and buying out entire first-class cabins and hotel floors for his family vacations.

If you haven’t already, make sure you pick up the issue at newsstands or online to read the full story and see all the new photos!

Brooklyn-born MC Q Da Kid graces his first magazine cover. Meet TAG Records’ first signee and find out what it’s like to live the life of mogul Jermaine Dupri inside the TAG Records mini-edition of Rap-Up.

This special digest-size magazine can be found in the Winter 08/09 issue of Rap-Up with T.I. and Christina Milian, on sale now. Get your copy at newsstands nationwide or online.

We’re ringing in the New Year with a rapper who had 2008 on lock and a sexy siren poised to stage a musical comeback in 2009. T.I. and Christina Milian grace the double-sided cover of Rap-Up‘s Winter 08/09 issue with all-new photos and exclusive interviews. Inside this issue you’ll find…

• T.I. reflects on the biggest year of his career, his impending jail sentence, the effect it will have on his family, and how the King always gets his way.
• Christina Milian is back on her first magazine cover since parting ways with Island Def Jam in 2006. The diva breaks her silence on the emotional past two years, which superstar encouraged her comeback, her reaction to ex-boyfriend Nick Cannon’s marriage to Mariah Carey, and her brand new album. You won’t want to miss all the crazy, sexy, cool photos!
• Class is in session. Meet the new kids on the block–Wale, Shontelle, Charles Hamilton, Ryan Leslie, and Kid Sister–and find out why these funky five are too cool for school in our Class of 2009 package.
• Plus we go one-on-one with Brandy, Plies, Jennifer Hudson, Busta Rhymes, John Legend, Robin Thicke, Soulja Boy, Nina Sky, Teairra Marí­, Bobby Valentino, Maino, Jazmine Sullivan, and more!
• This issue includes a bonus mini-magazine. The digest-size pull-out stars TAG Records’ new artist Q Da Kid and we go inside the nine-to-five of TAG president Jermaine Dupri.

The issue officially hits newsstands next week. Get your copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, Rite Aid, Safeway, Vons, 7-Eleven, and other retail locations. If you can’t wait, purchase your copy now by clicking here. You can also subscribe online.

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One of the best-selling rappers of all time and three “Brave New Girls” cover Rap-Up‘s Summer 2008 issue, on sale now. The double-sided cover features Nelly and Keri Hilson, Solange Knowles, and Teyana Taylor with all-new photos and exclusive interviews. Inside this issue you’ll find:

• Nelly addresses the haters and the state of hip-hop, gives the scoop on his relationship with Ashanti, and reveals plans for a joint album with another rap superstar.
• Meet 2008′s “Brave New Girls” starring Keri Hilson, Solange Knowles, and Teyana Taylor, as well as Estelle, Kid Sister, Janelle Monáe, and Wynter Gordon.
• Plus we go one-on-one with G-Unit, The Game, Leona Lewis, Danity Kane, Rick Ross, N.E.R.D., Lloyd, Three 6 Mafia, Flo Rida, Yung Berg, and more!
• This issue is first to showcase the three-year-old magazine’s new cutting-edge design.

Get your copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, Safeway, Vons, select 7-Elevens, and newsstands, or purchase the issue online. You can also subscribe online.

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An American Gangster and a Pussycat Doll come together for the covers of Rap-Up‘s December/January 2008 issue. The double cover features T.I. and Nicole Scherzinger with brand new photos and interviews inside. Also in this issue:

• T.I. is no stranger to controversy. The rapper who’s currently under house arrest shares how he maintains his fast-paced lifestyle, his plans to marry and start a family with girlfriend Tiny, staying out of trouble, his friendship with Suge Knight and Jay-Z, and retiring from rap.
• There’s more to Nicole Scherzinger than her smoldering looks. The Pussycat Doll speaks about going solo, her admiration for Beyoncé and Gwen Stefani, getting up close and personal with T.I., being a nerd in college, and dealing with the paparazzi.
• You voted, now see who won. The winners of the 1st Annual Rap-Up Awards are revealed.
• Mary J. Blige on her new attitude and which R&B singers she’s feeling these days.
• Hitmaker Jermaine Dupri discusses his dangerous lifestyle and working with Usher and Mariah.
• Lil’ Mama breaks down which beauty products you gotta have to stay fly.
• Cassidy tells his story of how he escaped death and landed back on top.
• Wyclef Jean on getting shot, plunging toilets, and whether The Fugees will ever reunite.
• Ja Rule on his return to rap and the attack on hip-hop.
• Wu-Tang Clan freestyles with Leonardo DiCaprio and makes history with the Beatles.
• We go on the set of 106 & Park with hosts Terrence and Rocsi, bowling with B5, and sample celebrity scents with Paula DeAnda.
• You’ve seen the music videos, now get to know the faces behind the lenses. Meet directors Lil X, Ray Kay, Jessy Torrero, and Chris Robinson.
• Plus will.i.am, Beanie Sigel, David Banner, Tiffany Evans, Soulja Boy, J. Holiday, and more!

The issue is on sale at newsstands nationwide starting this week. Get your copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, Safeway, Vons, select 7-Elevens, and newsstands, or purchase the issue online. You can also subscribe online.

Click here to preview the issue.

Two of the biggest names in rap come together for the covers of Rap-Up‘s September/October 2007 Sexy Issue. The double-cover features 50 Cent and Eve with all-new photos and interviews inside. Also in this issue:

• 50 Cent weighs in on who he’s backing for president in 2008, which R&B chicks he’s feeling and not feeling, his thoughts on President Bush, and his September 11th competitor Kanye West.
• Eve on her DUI arrest, fellow female rappers, and her plans to start a family.
• Our second 20sexy list featuring the 20 sexiest women in hip-hop and R&B as chosen by the Rap-Up staff. Who made the cut?
• Kelly Rowland on which rapper has the swagger she’s looking for and why she’s not attracted to Jay-Z.
• Common defends Oprah and speaks on his relationship with Kanye.
• Trey Songz gives the run down on what he looks for in a girl.
• M.I.A. tells us what she thinks of Paris Hilton.
• Pitbull gives real estate tips while voicing his opinion on Fidel Castro and Don Imus.
• Is Yung Joc about to give up rapping for TV and film?
• T-Pain shares his favorite things.
• HOT 97 radio personality Miss Jones critiques the fashion of Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, and Christina Milian. Watch out ladies!
• Plus Lloyd, Daddy Yankee, Yung Berg, Nina Sky, Kat DeLuna, Sean Kingston, and more!

The issue is on sale now at newsstands nationwide. Get your copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, Safeway, Vons, select 7-Elevens, and newsstands, or purchase the issue online. You can also subscribe online.

Click here to preview 16 pages from the issue.