It’s the protégé and the professor, Young Thug and Gucci Mane, celebrating their success on the cover of XXL’s fall 2016 issue. The Atlanta rap stars go way back. Thugger was signed to Guwop for years and brought up under the beloved rap star, learning a ton about the game along the way. They share a bond and a brotherhood from years spent in the studio and clubs together, working on their craft.

For the new issue, the two artists both sat with XXL to talk about their journeys to stardom—including some of the bumps they have hit along the way—their history with each other, thoughts on the current hip-hop landscape and personal focuses for the future. Gucci, who has been somewhat absent from hip-hop for the past three-plus years, due to a federal prison bid, also discusses his life before the jail sentence and what he had to do to change himself and succeed when he got out. Thug, who has found comfort in the world of fashion, also talks about how that fits in his budding career and what it means for himself and hip-hop.

Also in the issue are special stories on Lil' Kim’s 20th anniversary of her debut album, Hard Core, and a look back at the first days of Kim and Foxy Brown. Plus, XXL catches up with hit maker Rich Homie Quan, new jocks Young M.A, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Cousin Stizz and much more.

Check back at XXLMag.com next week for the special video interviews with Gucci Mane and Young Thug and look out for the new issue of XXL on stands everywhere in October.

To celebrate Gucci Mane's cover, the Woptober creator is taking over XXL's Snapchat all day. Find us by our Snapchat username at XXLMagazine.

See Exclusive Photos From Gucci Mane and Young Thug’s XXL Cover Story

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