Image via XXL.com

Photo of the paper by me, photo IN the paper by Alan Berner / Seattle Times

This XXL cover is significant because it symbolizes Seattle rapper Macklemore officially cracking into the national hip-hop consciousness. He's been written up in the well-known rap mag and other national press before, but a cover — even if he's sharing it with nine other so-called freshman rappers (many of whom, like Macklemore, have already had long careers) — provides status a non-cover article does not. His face is in your grocery store. XXL's story isn't on the web yet, just the cover, so in the meantime, check out my introductory profile from last year about the Capitol Hill rapper on the rise.