Hip-hop’s most-talked-about time of 12 months for brand spanking new artists is right here. For 18 years, the XXL Freshman checklist has established itself because the go-to platform for locating rising rap expertise. The streaming period has considerably broadened the panorama for artists, reworking a smaller pool of expertise into an enormous ocean of talent.
Regardless of the inflow of latest rappers getting into the scene, solely a choose few really stand out. This 12 months, out of 68 artists thought-about for the Freshman Class, 12 have made the minimize. The journey thus far is all the time difficult, involving quite a few conferences with the brand new technology of rappers the place we hearken to unreleased music, talk about their profession aspirations, and discover their future targets. The essential decision-making course of then determines who shall be acknowledged as the following superstars within the sport.
Whereas many components affect who makes the category, their general expertise will get them a spot on the quilt. These 12 outstanding rising rappers are on the head of their class with uncooked bars, actual tales and unshakable power. From the recording studio to the quilt, these are the artists shaping the following period of hip-hop. Sadly, this 12 months’s tenth Spot Winner was arrested on his approach to the Freshman shoot. He did not get to rap with the remainder of the group, however he is nonetheless a part of the category.
Over the following month, XXL will launch freestyles, cyphers, ABCs and extra that includes every Freshman on our YouTube channel and web site. Producer Cardo Received Wings created the beats for this 12 months’s much-anticipated cyphers.
The Freshman problem is accessible to buy now. Along with interviews with the 2025 Freshman Class and Cardo, there are additionally conversations with Aminé, Larry June, Key Glock, Monaleo, Tech N9ne, Nardo Wick, and extra, plus, a glance again at what the 2024 XXL Freshman Class has been doing. Additionally, a deep dive into who’s the largest and finest XXL Freshman ever. The difficulty is on sale right here, together with some unique Freshmen merch.
Welcome the 2025 XXL Freshman Class beneath, that includes a dozen artists, hopefully on their paths to stardom. This is not only a checklist. It’s a motion. This 12 months’s class is bringing warmth you’ll be able to’t ignore. Let ’em prepare dinner.
See the 2025 XXL Freshman Class Artists and Producer
2025 XXL Freshman cowl
