XXL Magazine's Freshman Class: A Launchpad for Hip-Hop's Rising Stars
Since August 1997, XXL Magazine has been a prominent voice in hip-hop culture. Published by Harris Publications, the magazine quickly established itself with its inaugural issue featuring Jay-Z and Master P on a double cover. Over the years, XXL has expanded its brand to include various special projects, such as tour programs, mixtapes, exclusive DVDs, and short-lived publications like Hip-Hop Soul, Eye Candy, and Shade 45. A notable collaboration occurred in August 2005 when Eminem and XXL joined forces to release XXL Presents Shade 45, a special issue designed to promote Eminem's radio station, its DJs, Shady Records, and G-Unit Records artists. In September 2006, XXL also released a 90-minute DVD titled XXL DVD Magazine Vol. 1. However, one of XXL's most enduring and influential contributions to the hip-hop landscape is its annual "Freshman Class" list.
The Genesis and Evolution of the Freshman Class
Beginning in 2007, the "Freshman Class" list has become a highly anticipated annual event (skipping only 2008). Each year, XXL selects 10-12 artists-to-watch and features them on the cover of the magazine. The Freshman Class has a history of showcasing unknown and underground rappers, as well as artists considered to be on the rise. This list serves as a barometer of emerging talent and often provides a significant boost to the careers of those selected. 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.
The annual unveiling of the XXL Freshman Class has become a cultural touchstone, eagerly awaited by hip-hop fans and industry insiders alike. The selection process is often debated, and the list itself sparks countless conversations about the future of hip-hop.
What Makes a Freshman?
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. 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. 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. Since 2007, XXL has highlighted and provided a platform for these buzzing talents, who eventually become hip-hop figures in their own right.
Notable Freshman Classes and Cover Themes
Over the years, the XXL Freshman Class covers have featured a diverse array of themes and artistic styles. 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. 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.
Read also: XXL Freshman Class of 2011: Where are they now?
Declining the Invitation: A Matter of Perspective
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. Several artists have declined the invitation to be featured on the XXL Freshman cover, citing various reasons. Respectfully declined and felt they were chosen too late in their respective careers. 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.
Some artists feel they have already surpassed the "Freshman" level in their careers, while others may have scheduling conflicts or disagree with the magazine's selection process.
Read also: Do Colleges Care?
Read also: A Prequel's Party Problems
tags: #freshman #cover #XXL #magazine
