XXL Freshman Cypher: A History of Hip-Hop's Rising Stars
Since 2007, XXL Magazine has annually released its "Freshman Class" list, highlighting 10-12 artists to watch, all appearing on the cover of the magazine. This list has a history of showcasing unknown/underground rappers, as well as artists considered to be on the rise. Over the last 18 years, XXL has proudly and confidently assumed the responsibility of predicting the next rap stars to take over hip-hop. Every day, new artists burst onto the scene with the makings of the next J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar, two former XXL Freshmen from the 2010 and 2011 classes, respectively.
The question of what makes a Freshman is often asked, but when assessing the 194 artists who proudly hold the coveted title, each rhymer or rap-adjacent artist offers something different and unique to themselves, as well as the music community as a whole. From the very first Freshman class in 2007 to this year’s 18th anniversary, every artist inducted over the last decade-and-a-half shares one thing in common: this milestone moment in their careers helped serve as a catalyst for their stardom. Annually, a group of artists, whether it’s 10, 11 or 12 (and one year even nine), grace the cover after showcasing the qualities of a hitmaker, becoming a long-standing artist, possessing respectable rapping skills and more. No two artists are the same. Since 2007, XXL has highlighted and provided a platform for these buzzing talents, who eventually become hip-hop figures in their own right.
The Genesis of XXL Magazine
In August 1997, Harris Publications released the first issue of XXL. It featured rappers Jay-Z and Master P on a double cover. In December 2006, XXL took over the struggling hip-hop producer and DJ magazine Scratch (another publication owned by Harris Publications), re-branding it as XXL Presents Scratch Magazine. Other titles with limited runs have been launched under the XXL brand, including Hip-Hop Soul, Eye Candy and Shade 45. XXL has released many other special projects including tour programs, mixtapes and exclusive DVDs. The magazine's past editors include Reginald C. In August 2005, Eminem and XXL teamed up to release a special issue titled XXL Presents Shade 45, designed to simultaneously give maximum exposure to his radio station Shade 45, the station's associated radio DJs, the Shady Records label as a whole, and G-Unit Records' artists. In September 2006, XXL released a 90-minute DVD titled XXL DVD Magazine Vol. 1.
The Freshman Class Concept
Beginning in 2007 (skipping 2008), XXL releases its annual "Freshman Class" list. The issue features 10-12 artists-to-watch, all appearing on the cover of the magazine. The list has a history of showcasing unknown/underground rappers, as well as artists considered to be on the rise. Occasionally, the Freshman Class list may contain extra additions to include more rappers. The 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Freshman Class lists, for example, had 11 rappers. In the case for the 2013 list, XXL added an honorary extra spot for Chief Keef due to the artist being in a six-day jail stint and therefore being unable to attend the photo shoot in New York City. For the 2025 list, EBK Jaaybo, who was the 10th spot winner, was arrested prior to the photo shoot resulting in him being unable to attend.
Declined Invitations and Controversies
For most Freshman covers, after the list has been announced, an artist will come out and say that they were offered a spot on the cover by XXL but chose to decline it. Other times, XXL themselves will reveal someone that they asked to be on the cover and were directly told by the artist that they were not interested. Respectfully declined and felt they were chosen too late in their respective careers.
Read also: Unveiling the 2017 XXL Freshman Cypher
In an interview with MTV, Nicki Minaj spoke on why she and Drake declined the cover by saying "With all due respect, we felt like we kinda had graduated from the Freshman Class. We felt XXL missed the mark when they didn't put us on the cover prior to that (2009). In an interview with Shade 45, Cam'ron revealed that he spoke to the Editor-In-Chief Vanessa Satten about putting Vado on the 2011 issue. However, Cam'ron wanted Vado to be the center focus and not share the cover with multiple other artists. Respectfully declined. Don't b confused". Stated he was tired and was not up to flying to New York for the photoshoot. Felt beyond the list. YFN Lucci initially refused to play music for XXL and said he didn't want to play any music if he wasn't guaranteed a spot on the list. On Instagram Live, he explained that he respectfully declined due to XXL apparently telling him that he would be the 10th Spot Freshman before the voting process even began.
Pop Smoke agreed to be on the cover but he died before he could attend the shoot. XXL originally planned to add him on the cover to honor him, but Pop Smoke's team asked them not to do so.
Notable Freshman Classes and Cyphers
When the rising rap talent of the mid-2000s-from Lupe Fiasco to Plies to Papoose-graced the 2007 cover of XXL magazine, no one foresaw the "Leaders of the New School" tagline evolving into one of hip-hop's most important institutions. Yet, that was the foundation from which XXL's annual tradition, the Freshman Class, was built. Eighteen years and 18 Freshman magazine covers later, XXL has knighted plenty of promising rookies poised to become staples of the culture, word to Vince.
Every year in June, XXL unveils a new class of hip-hop neophytes that we've stamped as names you need to know (plus, one fan-voted pick per year). While celebrating hip-hop's future, it's only natural to dwell on the past to look at how far the franchise has come and which Freshman covers predate the latest. The 2009 cover is literally stacked, as the artists are divided into three dope ensemble shots laid atop each other to open the mag. In 2011, the class theme went literal, with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller portrayed in a school setting. By 2013, classes were being compared to those of the past (we wondered aloud and on the cover line if Travis Scott, ScHoolboy Q and Logic's class was G.O.A.T. level).
Chance The Rapper sported overalls with no shirt in 2014. The 2016 and 2017 classes were color coordinated, with the former crew having an all-white party and the latter artists rocking all-black on a set drenched in red. In 2020, the likes of Polo G, Rod Wave, NLE Choppa, Lil Tjay and Mulatto appeared on the cover. Out-of-this-world artists for the 2021 XXL Freshman Class included 42 Dugg, Coi Leray, Pooh Shiesty, Flo Milli and Rubi Rose, among others.
Read also: The Impact of the 2011 XXL Freshman Class
For 2022, Nardo Wick, Doechii, Saucy Santana, Babyface Ray and SoFaygo were a few of the rappers who broke the mold. The 2023 class was comprised of spitters like GloRilla, Central Cee, Finesse2Tymes and 10th spot winner DC The Don, to name a few.
Analyzing the 2016 Cypher
XXL magazine catches heat every year for their freshman classes. This year feels like the one that has awoken many sleeping giants to share their opinions on why the new school of rap is terrible and nothing will compare to their ‘Golden Era of Hip-Hop’. I get why people don’t like this class. People think Lil Yachty is just straight up garbage, people are afraid of Kodak Black and 21 Savage, people think Lil Dicky is an industry plant, etc. But let me tell you why this particular cypher is my favourite one since Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, and Travi$ Scott all got on the same track in 2013.
Let’s walk through this whole thing. We begin with Denzel Curry. I’ll admit, I am not very familiar with him as an artist. The one song I know of his is “Threatz”, and it’s a trap anthem that should get more plays. I checked out the first track that popped up off of YouTube , “ULT”, and its very respectable. He can conjure up an old school type flow, as he puts on display here, and matched with this eclectic group of artists feels like a misplacement. But it isn’t. The reason why he fits perfectly here is he is rapping for an older generation. Although his flow normally rides over trap beats, he is a lyricist, which is what separates him from the rest of these artists. It was XXL’s way of giving a nod to the old heads.
Next up, Lil Uzi Vert. I love Lil Uzi Vert. He has an energy to him that is unparalleled. His live performances are so incredibly lit. His most recent project out, dubbed “Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World” is really quite good. His sound is very different, mixing trap beats with a quick and sharp flow. He also will throw in different melodies to keep the listener guessing. I seriously recommend the songs “P’s and Q’s” and “You Was Right” off of that project.
Lil Uzi Vert is the star of the show. His energy is contagious, and you can tell that he is really just having a good time. He comes into the frame with his unique purple twists , a custom jean jacket with the collar ripped off (and a graphic with the words ‘Brittany’ on the back), an ANTI Rhianna tour T-shirt AND a red leather man purse. You can’t tell me he’s not a rockstar.
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Now, I’m not sure who wrote their verse and who freestyled, but it sure feels to me that LUV freestyled the whole thing. This is also a pivotal moment in the cypher, because in his second line, he makes a reference to Kodak Black, who is just hanging out in the background. This is so important because your eye is drawn to Kodak, who starts to get into LUV’s verse. They feed off each other, as Kodak works in a couple of “Skrt, Skrt” ad-libs. It’s awesome. The whole time, LUV is rapping and referencing the guys in the room. They all are smiling, bumping their heads, and having a great time. This is a throwback to a real cypher - when people actually freestyled and would talk about what’s happening in the room around them. LUV steals the show and sets the tone for the rest of the cypher.
LIL BOAT. Man, this poor kid has caught so much hate from people like Ebro for just bringing something new to the world. Of course, you are allowed to not like him. I am not telling he’s the next Kanye West and you need to love him. I believe in appreciating creativity and stuff that is unseen. I have never heard anybody like Lil Yachty, and that is a great thing. Whether you like him or not, lots of people do. He has a couple of really dope songs and his features are A1. In this particular cypher, you get the sense that Lil Yachty wants to prove himself. He takes the mic, and looks pretty nervous. Everybody tells him that he can’t rap and he’s weird, so he came with a written verse that is surprisingly good. The best part about it is you can tell he feels relieved when it’s done. He is smiling and doing ad-libs for 21 and Kodak right after. These are not the hardest bars ever, but they are respectable, and that is all Lil Yachty needed to show - that although he makes what he calls “Bubblegum Trap Music”, there is real talent there and he belongs in this prestigious group.
21, 21, 21. 21 Savage makes me nervous. I listened to his most recent mixtape with Metro Boomin on the production, and it is dark (to say the least). He makes me very sad. Micah Peters of The Ringer wrote something way more intelligent about him, but this is what I think about him; I get the sense that he’s had a shitty life and his exploration into trap horrorcore music is his way of expression. His song “X” with Future goes very hard though, and “No Heart” is another song he can boast in his repertoire.
So, I was smitten when I saw 21 smiling before he started what was surely a freestyle. I know for sure this verse won’t be about killing people when he starts out with, “I sent my bitch to the store cause we ran outta soda”. How relatable! At it’s peak, his freestyle has the whole room jumping. These aren’t the best bars, but it’s delivery is fantastic and has a resounding response from his peers.
Kodak do the most. Kodak Black deserves a damn medal, because he is rapping anchor in this cypher and THE FIRST THING HE SAYS IS, “Who the fuck picked this lil’ sorry ass beat.” This is so incredible because it means that he had been thinking about this the entire time everyone else was rapping and needed to basically tell DJ Drama and Sikwitit that this wasn’t gonna fly with him. Kodak is known for his jams “Skrt”, “Skrilla” and in my opinion, the most underrated banger of 2016, “Lockjaw” with French Montana. The Florida native is unconventional and with a hairstyle that can be dubbed “Trap Lisa Simpson”, you knew he wasn’t going to play by anyones rules when he grabbed the mic. His verse isn’t great, but it’s a big fuck you to everybody watching and I love that he attempted to hijack the whole cypher.
For some reason, I just want to keep watching this cypher over and over. My favourite artist in this class, by far, is Anderson .Paak. I think “Malibu” is one of the best records of 2016. I know Lil Dicky crushed his verse, and Desiigner is always must see TV. But this cypher stands alone for me, and I will tell you why.
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