spread: NICKI MINAJ X COMPLEX MAG

It’s been about 10 years since a fly female rapper has come along and captured the heart of the hip-hop nation, but Young Money’s Nicki Minaj is undoubtably that chick right now. With her debut album set to introduce her to the mainstream in 2010, it was a no-brainer that Complex Mag chose to feature the sexy Queens native as their latest "Hot Complex" subject.

cover: KERI HILSON | COMPLEX

cover: KID CUDI | COMPLEX

KANYE WEST RESPONDS TO HIS COMPLEX STYLE WAR WIN

If you happen to follow the Complex Blog you'll perhaps know that they've just named Kanye West the winner of their month-long Style War comptetion. Kanye took to his blog to humbly say thanks to everyone who voted him as hip-hop’s style king. Here’s ’Ye’s fashion-centric rant, in case you haven’t seen it or if you even care for that matter:

MAN I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY. THIS IS A REAL HONOR! THIS WHOLE YEAR HAS BEEN SO OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE…. FROM THE YEEZY’S TO THE LOUIE VUITTONS…. FROM HEARTLESS BEING THE NUMBER ONE SONG ON RADIO FOR THE FIRST QUATER OF THIS YEAR TO AMAZING BEING THE THEME SONG FOR THE NBA PLAYOFFS. IT MEANS A LOT TO BE ABLE TO GET RESPECT FROM MY CORE AND PEERS EVEN THOUGH EVERYBODY KNOWS I GET A LITTLE CRAZY WITH THE CLOTHES SOMETIMES. I’M ON VACAY RT NOW WITH A WHITE T ON. IT’S NICE TO READ SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR A CHANGE! PHARRELL PIONEERED WHAT I DO NOW. HE WAS THE ORIGINAL TO BREAK DOWN DOORS BETWEEN “REAL FASHION” AND HIP HOP WORLDS, DOING BEATS FOR NOREAGA AND RUNNING AROUND WITH THE MODEL CHICKS. ROSS GET’S REAL FRESH. TI HAS A GREAT EFFORTLESS SINCE OF STYLE. JAY HAS SET MAD TRENDS AND IS THE SINATRA OF OUR ERA. NOBODY IS AS FRESH AS RALPH LUAREN HIMSELF, ONLY ANDRE 3000 AND BENTLEY GET CLOSE BUT THERE’S STILL WORK TO DO. I THINK OLD MEN DRESS THE FRESHEST, NOT TRENDY AT ALL BUT SOMETIMES STILL COLORFUL AND INTERESTING. THEY’VE FIGURED OUT WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON THEM AND THEY STICK IT. THE UP HILL BATTLE WE HAVE AS HIP HOP ARTIST IS HIP HOP IS ROOTED IN TRENDS. TRUE STYLE AND TRENDS VERY SELDOMELY MEET. THAT’S WHY WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO WEAR STUFF THAT’S LAUGHABLE 2 YEARS LATER. WHEN I CAN SEE CRAZY STUFF I’VE WORN AND PEOPLE LAUGH AT ME, ALL I CAN DO IS LAUGH WITH YOU AND THINK, I HAD FUN THOUGH. THANKS AGAIN, MR. WEST

COVER | KANYE WEST x COMPLEX MAG

The magazine officially hits stands on April 7. The futuristic photo shoot was co-created with photographer/director Chris Milk. How did they make the hi-tech computer generated imagery? Watch the video below to see the whole process..

N*E*R*D AND LUPE FIASCO COVER COMPLEX MAG

Complex Magazine officially posted their Aug/Sept Style and Design collector’s edition issue cover, which features N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco, as well as celeb artists KAWS and Todd “REAS” James. Complex wanted to fuse music and art in a new way, and did so by letting KAWS “take hold” of Pharrell and the gang, while REAS hooks up Lupe with a sunny backdrop. Even better, KAWS did more custom artwork, check out two of his in-issue pieces after the jump.

If you’re still hungry, you're in for a treat - the always sexy, Cassie strips down for her feature cover on the double-issue. You definitely don't want to miss this.

Nas' Style Makeover in Complex Mag

Here's a peak at Nas’ fashion spread from the June/July issue of Complex Magazine. The feature is called Colorful Language. He's definitely rockin some dope man attire - some of summer's boldest sportswear. But I don't know if its a good look for him. It's totally out of his element. And reminds me too much of a previous Complex spread with Lupe Fiasco in their December'07 issue. Not to mention the Kanye-esque styling does nothing to corroborate the serious tone that he takes in the upcoming, most controversial and anticipated album of his career.

Here is a preview video of the shoot, which gives a rundown of the designs he wears, cut to Hip-hop is Dead.