Former XXL Editor-In-Chief Elliott "YN" Wilson opens up about leaving the publication, the challenges of his new reality show, "Miss Rap Supreme," a possible Jay-Z biography, and his advice to 50 Cent.
This January, the public was shocked when it was revealed that Wilson had been dismissed from his XXL post. While tight-lipped regarding the circumstances of his removal, months later, Wilson says he's at peace with the change.
"It's business and a decision was made," YN told SOHH. "We move on. Everything comes to an end. I think it was shocking to people, which is flattering, because I think people feel like 'I can't imagine this without him.' That's cool, but at the end of the day it's a business and sometimes you're not on the same page and decisions get made. They're still in a strong state and everything is gonna be fine on my end."
Wilson also says he's unable to find anything negative to say about his newly appointed replacement, Datwon Thomas, who took over the reigns as EIC this February.
"I've got a lot of respect for him," Wilson admits. "He's a good dude. You can't hate Datwon. Trying to hate Datwon is like hating your mama. The irony is that he was somebody who was there before I took over who encouraged me to take the job in the first place, so we have a really rich history there."
These days Wilson is producing VH1's "Miss Rap Supreme" alongside his ego trip collective of hip-hop enthusiast. He told SOHH the team was surprised when Khia resorted to the tactics that forced them to eliminate her, since they'd previously favored her to win the competition.
"Before the nun part, she was kicking original raps and we were all impressed, like 'Khia is really talented, she might even win this damn thing, this will be great for us because she's dramatic, but also she's really committed to the process,'" Wilson said. "Then we get to the nun part and she dips into her bag of tricks. She's the type of girl they say Lauryn [Hill] and Foxy are, like she can be the sweetest girl and then get mad and go crazy and she's so emotional."
In other Wilson news, a Jay-Z biography may also be in the works. Wilson says the two are expected to meet about the potential project after the end of Hov's "Heart of the City" tour.
"He's the one making history," Wilson told SOHH. "I think the Live Nation deal is an intriguing situation. This guy is trying to be the Rolling Stones of hip-hop, someone who at 45-years-old can tear down the stage and be the top rapper and that's exciting for me because I don't know if he can do it. It's never been done but if anybody can do it, it's him. I think there's gonna be a lot of books about Jay-Z when it's all said and done, but I feel like I bring a perspective that needs to be told. I hope we can find a way to make it work."
Wilson also shared with SOHH his views on the turmoil at G-Unit, with Young Buck being ousted from the group but still signed to the label.
"50 should just let Young Buck go already," Wilson says. "I'm tired of hearing about it. 50 should just give the n*gga his contract and let him go already, like Olivia. Just let the n*gga go already. He's from the south, he wants to be friends with everybody. Let the n*gga ride. Come on Curtis. I'm gonna make some "Let Young Buck Go" t-shirts."
"Miss Rap Supreme" is on at 10 p.m. every Monday on VH1.
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