Hip Hop Magazine XXL Fires Editor

The hip-hop magazine XXL has fired its longtime editor, Elliot Wilson.

There are several hip-hop blogs speculating on the reasons why, one noting that the magazine wanted to go in a different direction, the other saying that his contract simply expired.

In any event, Wilson has been credited with shaping the editorial focus of the 11-year-old magazine. He was an editor at the Source before he took over XXL and was described as a maverick leader who was famously outspoken in his criticism of the competition and rappers.

Vanessa Satten, a longtime deputy, is the interim editor.