The Unveiling of the 2017 XXL Freshman Cypher: Beyond the Grim Facade
The annual XXL Freshman cypher has long been a cornerstone event in the hip-hop calendar, a platform designed to showcase the burgeoning talent poised to shape the future of the genre. Among the many iterations, the 2017 cypher, featuring artists like Playboi Carti, Madeintyo, and Ugly God, etched itself into public consciousness, largely due to the stark contrast presented by the inclusion of XXXTentacion. While the final cut of the cypher presented a darkly intense performance from XXXTentacion, unearthed outtakes and recollections from his peers paint a more nuanced and surprisingly jovial picture, revealing a side of the artist often overshadowed by his controversial persona. This article delves into the details of the 2017 XXL Freshman cypher, exploring the individual performances, the collaborative dynamic, and the posthumous revelations that offer a deeper understanding of XXXTentacion's presence within this significant hip-hop event.
The Genesis of the 2017 Freshman Cypher
The XXL Freshman cypher is not merely a collection of individual verses; it is a collaborative performance where artists, often meeting for the first time, are tasked with delivering their best bars in sequence. The underlying principle is a competitive spirit, an aim to out-rap the preceding MC. However, as contemporary US rap has evolved, the focus has shifted towards creating an entertaining and engaging collective performance. This dynamic was palpable during the 2017 shoot, as described by Madeintyo. He recalled the atmosphere being akin to the previous year's cypher, where "everybody chimed in, everybody got to ad-lib and they were having fun." The emphasis was on shared energy and camaraderie, with artists "laughing, joking" and contributing to each other's verses. This collective spirit, characterized by a sense of shared experience and mutual encouragement, formed the backdrop against which each artist presented their individual contribution.
Individual Performances: A Spectrum of Styles
The 2017 XXL Freshman cypher, like its predecessors, showcased a diverse range of styles and approaches to the rap art form. While a definitive ranking is subjective, an analysis of the performances reveals distinct strengths and weaknesses.
At the forefront of the cypher, Sonny Digital’s production provided a foundational beat for the artists to build upon. Young Carti, also known as Playboi Carti, initiated the cypher with an ad-lib-heavy verse that underscored his affiliations. His performance was characterized by a laid-back delivery, often referencing his crew with lines like, "All my ni**as Blood gang." While Carti's contribution was brief, clocking in at a mere 35 seconds, it set a tone that was later challenged by the more intense performances. His approach, marked by his signature "yuh’s, ay’s and wat’s," aimed for a casual coolness, though some critics noted that he "never sounds like he’s trying." Nevertheless, the presence of a beat and ad-libs provided a framework that made his bars more palatable, even if lacking significant depth.
Following Carti, Tokyo, later identified as Madeintyo, delivered the second verse, focusing on his material possessions. His rhymes, such as "Diamonds when I walk, diamonds when I talk!" highlighted a penchant for luxury and outward displays of success. Madeintyo's performance was characterized by a smooth flow and a confident demeanor, contributing to the overall energy of the cypher.
Read also: Do Colleges Care?
Ugly God took the third verse, picking up where Madeintyo left off. Notably, Ugly God is credited as the only rapper in this particular cypher to have freestyled his entire verse off the top of his head. This spontaneity was evident in his ability to borrow and adapt the final bars of MadeinTYO, demonstrating an impressive skill in impulsively switching up his flow. While his content was described as "one-dimensional," his improvisational talent shone through, adding an element of raw creativity to the cypher.
The XXXTentacion Anomaly: A Shift in Tone
The mood of the 2017 XXL Freshman cypher underwent a dramatic transformation when XXXTentacion stepped up to the microphone. While the preceding artists maintained a relatively lighthearted and boastful tone, XXXTentacion's delivery was starkly different. His a cappella verse, delivered after cutting the beat and kneeling with his face covered, was famously gruesome and intense. Lines like, "If the world ever has an apocalypse, I would kill all of you fuckers," sent a shockwave through the performance, disrupting the otherwise jovial atmosphere. This jarring shift led to the cypher being ranked particularly low by some critics, with one assessment stating, "X was trying wayyyy too hard in this cypher. It is so painfully edgy. He cuts the beat, kneels down with his face covered and raps acapella and subsequently kills the whole fun and entertaining vibe of the cypher." The critique further noted the perceived disconnect between the presentation and substance, with the lyrics being "alright, but he presented the lyrics as incredibly deep when he’s not really saying anything with much substance." This performance solidified a caricature of XXXTentacion as an emo rapper, defined by his perceived gloom and aggression.
Posthumous Revelations: The Jovial Outtakes
However, the narrative surrounding XXXTentacion's participation in the 2017 cypher was profoundly altered following his tragic death on June 18th of the following year. In response to fan requests, XXL unearthed outtakes from the cypher, revealing a starkly different side of the artist. These previously unseen clips showcased a jovial XXXTentacion, one who was actively engaging with his peers, mimicking Playboi Carti's flow, and even getting some jokes off. This discovery challenged the grim facade that had become synonymous with his cypher performance.
Madeintyo, who met XXXTentacion for the first time at the 2017 Freshman shoot, offered invaluable insight into this duality. He recounted the moment, emphasizing that "X wasn't super depressed or anything." Instead, he was "laughing and joking with all of us and we were ad-libbing his verse." This recollection directly contradicted the final-cut impression, highlighting a moment of genuine camaraderie and shared enjoyment. While Madeintyo acknowledged that he and X "wasn't best friends," he expressed a deep care for him, stating, "but like, I care for him." This sentiment was further illustrated by Madeintyo's heartfelt tribute uploaded the day after X's death, a video of a FaceTime conversation that, though muted, conveyed a deep emotional connection. Madeintyo's caption spoke volumes about the loss: "I’m so hurt & you always showed me love…. you always asked about my family … you was smart & you gave me advice when I needed it & gave advice when I didn’t wanna hear it … but just want to say I love you nigga … I never had to make a post like this … sooo I’m just reallly … stuck…."
These anecdotes from Madeintyo paint a composite of XXXTentacion as a caring friend, someone who engaged in playful banter and offered genuine advice. He recalled typical calls from X with affectionate teasing: "'What up Jit? What your short ass doing?'" Madeintyo also noted X's tendency to joke with others, recalling a conversation where X advised PnB Rock, "'Yo, don't be spending too much money.'" This insight into X's personal interactions revealed a rapper who was not defined by materialism and who often adopted a persona that was relatable to his fans, dressing in styles reminiscent of Hot Topic and Thrasher.
Read also: A Prequel's Party Problems
Ranking the Cyphers: A Subjective Assessment
While the individual performances within the 2017 cypher offer a rich tapestry of artistic expression, attempts to rank these cyphers provide a framework for understanding their perceived impact and entertainment value. It's important to acknowledge that such rankings are inherently subjective and can vary significantly based on individual preferences and criteria.
One assessment of the 2017 XXL Freshman cyphers placed them in a specific order:
- Kyle, A Boogie, and Aminé: This trio was lauded for their "performance value, decent lyricism and showcase of personality," with particular praise for Kyle and Aminé.
- The second-ranked cypher: While described as "lyrically… by far the worse," this group was credited with strong "chemistry and entertainment value," which are considered crucial aspects of a cypher.
- The third-ranked cypher: Comprising artists who didn't easily fit into established categories like "mumble rap," this group was deemed the "least entertaining and interesting." The assessment noted a "lack of chemistry and performance value between PnB, Kap and Kamaiyah."
- PnB Rock: Described as sounding "like a nervous schoolboy," PnB Rock was noted for bringing a "decent flow to accommodate his uninteresting bars."
- Kamaiyah: Her "most boring, rudimentary flow" was identified as her major weakness, hindering her ability to elevate her "basic bars."
- Kap G: While starting with "stellar freestyle vibes," Kap G "showcased a major weakness halfway the cypher when he goes totally off-beat."
- Ugly God: As mentioned earlier, his strength lay in freestyling and his ability to switch up his flow impulsively, despite delivering "one-dimensional content."
- Playboi Carti: Carti's performance was characterized by his casual approach, but the critique highlighted a lack of substance and entertainment in his brief verse.
- XXXTentacion: This cypher was ranked very low due to its perceived "painfully edgy" and disruptive nature, with the acapella verse seen as killing the "fun and entertaining vibe."
- The top-ranked cypher: This cypher featured artists like Aminé, who impressed with his "decent wordplay" and "cadence," and notably shouted out Sonny Digital.
- A Boogie: Positioned on the opposite end of his freestyle ranking, A Boogie was praised for delivering "the most substance in his verse," showcasing flow switches and a blend of rapping and melodic delivery.
- Super Duper Kyle: Crowned as the recipient of the "whole package," Kyle's "childish, cartoonish personality" and "superhero sound effects" contributed significantly to the entertainment. He delivered "convincing rapping, bringing good one-liners, wordplay and a steady flow," overcoming a speech impediment that had been a concern in his individual freestyle.
This ranking underscores the complexity of evaluating a cypher. While lyrical substance and technical skill are important, the overall entertainment value, chemistry, and personality of the artists play an equally significant role. XXXTentacion's placement at the bottom of this particular ranking, based on his final verse, highlights how a single artistic choice can dramatically alter perceptions.
Read also: Washington University Admissions Guide
tags: #XXXTentacion #XXL #Freshman #cypher #details
