The most anticipated preview of hip-hop to come has arrived. The XXL Freshman Class is an annual tradition that lets hip-hop fans get a look at the year’s fastest-rising stars.
This year’s list includes Texas rapper BigXThaPlug, Tallahasee, Florida rapper Bossman Dlow, New York rapper Cash Cobain, Atlanta rapper Hunxho, Philadelphia rapper Lay Bankz, New York rapper Maiya The Don, Boston rapper Rich Amiri, New York rapper Scarlip, Houston rapper That Mexican OT, and the mysterious crooner 4Batz.
Prior lists have included Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, so it’s usually a pretty good indicator of how artists’ careers are playing out — and at least one name on the cover is almost guaranteed to become a superstar. See below for a breakdown of each rapper’s breakout moment.
This post is being updated.