Cover Story

Lil Wayne, Rap's Alien Genius

A visit to the isolated, luxurious and perpetually stoned world of "the greatest rapper alive" as he embarks on his next quest: to be a rock star. By Mark Binelli

Inside the Story: Wayne reveals the inspiration behind his rock rebirth
Photos: Outtakes from Wayne's RS shoot
Timeline: Track Weezy's career from teenage MC to the Grammy stage, in photos
Rolling With Lil Wayne: Writer Mark Binelli on hanging with rap's reigning king in his museum-style Atlanta pad
Song Guide: Wayne's 10 best under-the-radar tracks

FEATURE

The Last Outlaw Poet

Kris Kristofferson's all-American journey has taken him from the Army Rangers to Nashville to Hollywood — with a few stops in the gutter along the way.
By Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke's Kristofferson Playlist: The actor-director-writer gives the lowdown on 20 essential tracks.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Cleaning Up Bush's Mess

Obama's new Interior secretary portrays himself as the man in the white hat. But can he restore order after the lawlessness of the Bush years? By Tim Dickinson

CLOSE-UP

Spring Break With Asher Roth

Hitting the beach with rap's hottest new star as he guzzles vodka, makes out with girls and acts out other fantasies from his hit "I Love College."
By Christian Hoard

Photos: Snapshots of the rapper's sloppy spring break — drinking, sunbathing, making out with (multiple) girls.

Shepard Fairey's Last "Hope"?

The agitprop street artist rallied millions of Americans with his Barack Obama poster. Now he's facing the biggest legal battle of his life. By Steve Appleford

Rock and Roll

Allman Brothers Hit New York

Jam icons celebrate their 40th anniversary with pals Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and Phish

From the Archives: Cameron Crowe's 1973 story — written two years after late guitarist Duane Allman's death, as the group got its first taste of stardom.

Industry: Where do all the best tix go?Breaking: Hot nights in Austin - SXSW's breakouts

All-Access SXSW: Metallica, Jane's Addiction, Kanye West, the Decemberists and more — interviews, reviews and video.

In the Studio: Dave Matthews Band's emotional tribute to a friend

From the Archives: Read up on the band's early days in our 1996 feature, which finds Matthews hanging at his hometown Charlottesville, Virginia, bar.

On the Road: Backstage in Asbury Park as Springsteen preps Dream tour

Influences: Colin Meloy's mellow grooves

PROFILE

Mastodon Unleash the Beast Within

The violent, acid-fueled journey of America's new metal kings. By Brian Hiatt

Video: Mastodon's Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor visit Rolling Stone to talk about their most ambitious album yet — and how they were influenced by River's Edge.

Q&A;

Karen O

Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer on crying at the club and cutting back on booze

RECORDS

Prince in Overdrive

Funky three-CD set is excessive, uneven — and, at $11.98, a brilliant bargain.

PLUS: Silversun Pickups, Pearl Jam, Bat for Lashes, Pet Shop Boys, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Score! 20 Years of Merge Records, Bob Mould, Joker's Daughter, Lady Sovereign, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Jim Jones, Neil Young, Doves, Buraka Som Sistema, The Boy Least Likely To, Chuck Berry, Keri Hilson, Metric

FRICKE'S PICKS:
Nels Cline, Capsula, Flower Travellin' Band

MOVIES

Fast and Curious

The unlikely charm of one of the dumbest, fastest, loudest car-chase movies ever, Fast and Furious.

PLUS: Adventureland, Sugar, Observe and Report, Anvil!

Best and Worst: From Ronin to Speed Racer, five car flicks to see — and five to skip.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Bruce Springsteen Kicks Off '09 Tour: The E Street Band hit the road behind Working on a Dream on April 1st. An inside look at rehearsals, plus backstage interviews with the group and new drummer Jay Weinberg.

2009 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony: Video and on-the-scene reports as Metallica, Jeff Beck, Run-DMC and others enter the Hall of Fame. Plus: Classic RS features, must-have tunes and photo galleries of this year's inductees.

Black Keys Get Busy: Watch guitarist Dan Auerbach play new solo tunes; hear a track from drummer Patrick Carney's side project, Drummer.

Album Preview - The Hold Steady: The rockers talk about the booze and bromance on their live CD-DVD.

On Assignment: Paul and Ringo get back — together. The duo hit the stage for a benefit gig in New York; a full report and pics.