XXL has formally unveiled the 2024 XXL Freshman Class. The rising artists that make up the brand new class are simply as numerous as each class earlier than them. Money Cobain, Scarlip and Maiya The Don have had New York within the palm of their fingers all 12 months lengthy, whereas 4Batz, BigXThaPlug and That Mexican OT have showcased the unbelievable variety of Texas’s sound. BossMan Dlow proudly places on for the brand new wave of sound popping out of Tallahassee, Fla., and Hunxho continues to show that Atlanta is a rap mecca that may churn out superstars. In the meantime, tenth spot winner Skilla Child places on for the Motor Metropolis of Detroit in a large means, Lay Bankz is clearly the following massive factor out of Philadelphia and Wealthy Amiri is able to show that Boston could be on the forefront of groundbreaking rap music.
After launching the Freshman platform in 2007 with artists like Plies and Boosie BadAzz, XXL has saved the custom going for greater than a decade. The end result has been ushering in a few of hip-hop’s most dynamic and iconic artists over the course of 17 journal covers.
Again in 2010, a effervescent J. Cole was named a 2010 XXL Freshman as he regarded to parlay his quickly rising fan base, the backing of Roc Nation and the success of his 2009 mixtape, The Heat Up, into famous person standing. His accomplishments since then inform a narrative virtually nobody may have predicted, as he is grow to be one of many greatest artists on the earth. He is gone to replenish stadiums on each solo excursions and alongside Drake, and, as you will have heard, he did as soon as go platinum with no options.
In 2011, blossoming names like Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller got here to prominence after being inducted into the 2011 XXL Freshman Class. Okay-Dot has since grow to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper who’s at present dominating the world along with his track “Not Like Us.” Earlier than his tragic loss of life on the age of 26, Mac Miller solidified himself as a revered craftsman who turned a fan favourite whereas continually evolving his sound. He’d earned the respect of artists from all corners of the music world.
Within the years since, the Freshman lists have helped introduce future stars like 21 Savage, J.I.D., Megan Thee Stallion, Jack Harlow and Gunna. The lists go on and on. There at the moment are 182 Freshman artists in whole.
Right now, XXL takes a have a look at each single one of many XXL Freshmen of the previous and current. From underground favorites to era-defining lyricists to genre-fluid industrial dynamos, they’re all right here. Peep each Freshman thus far within the gallery under.
See Each XXL Freshman Inducted Into the Freshman Class Over the Years
