XXL has formally unveiled the 2025 XXL Freshman Class. The rising artists that make up the brand new class are simply as various as each class earlier than them.
Representing completely different sides of the California sound are Lengthy Seaside’s TDE lyricist Ray Vaughn, Stockton livewire EBK Jaaybo, the tenth spot winner, and basketball participant turned hit maker Gelo, who represents Chino Hills. Traversing to the opposite aspect of the map, Florida’s Loe Shimmy and 1900Rugrat placed on for the brand new faculty popping out of the Sunshine State, representing Pompano Seaside and West Palm Seaside, respectively. Whereas Memphis has had the wave, it is Murfreesboro, Tenn., native Samara Cyn who’s presently oozing star potential. BabyChiefDoIt is the youngest in cost out of Chicago. Cordele, Ga., representor Lazer Dim 700 has captivated the younger plenty along with his lo-fi sound. Nino Paid (Landover, Md.) and Eem Triplin (Johnstown, Pa.) are carrying the East Coast, whereas YTB Fatt, from West Memphis, Ark., and Ian, popping out of Dallas, are making waves.
After launching the Freshman platform in 2007 with artists like Plies and Boosie BadAzz, XXL has stored 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 18 journal covers.
Again in 2010, a effervescent J. Cole was named a 2010 XXL Freshman as he seemed 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 nearly nobody might have predicted, as he is grow to be one of many largest artists on the earth. He is gone to refill 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. Ok-Dot has since grow to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper who’s presently dominating the world along with his tune “Not Like Us.” Earlier than his tragic dying on the age of 26, Mac Miller solidified himself as a revered craftsman who grew to become a fan favourite whereas continuously 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 194 Freshman artists in whole.
In the present day, 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 business dynamos, they’re all right here. Peep each Freshman up to now within the gallery under.
