- View Comments
- Share with Shortlink:
(AllHipHop News) Every year XXL releases a cover and issue dedicated to their “Freshmen Class,” a group of upcoming, emerging, and buzzing MC’s that the magazine feels are going to be the “next to blow.”
This year, in addition to the XXL staff choosing nine of the cover’s 10 artists, the fans were able to decide who would be the final lyricist chosen.
On the webpage featuring this year’s “class”, the magazine wrote, “in the past five years that XXL has been picking Freshman classes, never once has making the list been easy. This year included. Similar to 2011, the hype around the Freshmen Class has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, surprising even us with its popularity. For this class the buzz began earlier than ever, four months before the cover was even shot. And it seemed like everyone had a list. From subdued music fans to diehard rap junkies, from Twitter stalkers to industry heavies and featherweights, folks wanted their list to be the XXL list. We listened, asked opinions, took notes.”
The lucky 10 to make this year’s cover includes Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, and Roscoe Dash.
In 2011, artists Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., CyHi Da Prynce, Mac Miller, Yelawolf, Kendrick Lamar, Diggy Simmons, Fred the Godson, Lil Twist, and YG were selected. 2010′s list saw J. Cole, Pill, Wiz Khalifa, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Donnis, Fashawn, OJ Da Juiceman, Nipsey Hussle, and Jay Rock land on the cover.
XXL has announced that exclusive content from the “Freshmen Class” will be released beginning on Monday, March 5.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Chris Brown Crashes Car With Karrueche Tran In It!
Open Letter From Chris Lighty’s Mom Calling For Investigation Into Son’s “Suicide” After New Info Surfaces
EXCLUSIVE UPDATE: Chris Lighty Death Investigation Continues; NYPD Accused Of Sloppy Investigating
Hip-Hop Rumors: What Made French Montana Abandon Instagram?
Hip-Hop Rumors: Exclusive: Jay-Z And Raekwon’s Plans
Chief Keef Arrested in Georgia
Exclusive: Chris Webby Talks New Music, Prescription Drug Use and Eminem
10 Life Lessons Learned From the Knicks Losing
Kanye West New Album Art is…Interesting
Akon Ordered to Pay $5k Monthly Child Support
Lil Mouse Accused Of Threatening To Kill Third Grader, Slapped With Assault Charges
LUPE FIASCO – ANIMAL PHARM
Lil Bibby – IDGNF
E-40 Ft. Lil Jon “Ripped”
DJ Scream – “Come Up Off That” ft. Juicy J Project Pat & Migos
Beyonce Gets “Turnt” Up With The-Dream and 2 Chainz + Stream The Dream’s New Album
50 Cent To Drop New Album July 3 Regardless Of Label Support [Mixtape Download]
Judge Dismisses Star’s $55 Mil Lawsuit Against NY Councilman