The 2016 'XXL' Freshman Class Is Here, So Start Your Arguing
Get ready to fire off those angry tweets.
For the ninth year in a row, XXL magazine has released its annual Freshman class cover, spotlighting 10 artists the magazine thinks are on the cusp of stardom. Each year, the cover engenders a lively debate among hip-hop fans about the selections, their merits, and who was left off. This year presumably will be no different.
Here's who made it: Anderson .Paak, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Dicky, Dave East, Denzel Curry, Desiigner, G Herbo, and Lil Yachty.
The mag featured no women on the cover the first four years, but that changed in 2012 with the inclusion of Iggy Azalea. Angel Haze made it the next year, and Dej Loaf and Tink were selected in 2015. But this year, again, there are no women. Those who did make it, though, will be trying to one day reach the heights of past success stories like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, Chance The Rapper, Meek Mill, Future, and Big Sean.
Now the debate begins: Who did XXL miss this year? Who's going to stick around and continue to shine? Who's going to be forgotten by next year?