S. Samuel
New York rapper Action Bronson, Trinidad James, Joey Bada$$ and more have brought new life to the rap game over the past 12 months and are now being rewarded by gracing the cover of XXL Magazine's annual "Freshman Class" issue.
The hip-hop publication noted Chicago rapper Chief Keef did not make the initial Top 10 cut and is being featured as a bonus pick.
This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the cover reveal of the XXL Freshman Class 2013. XXL Freshman Class 2013 Schoolboy Q Trinidad Jame$ Joey Bada$$ Ab-Soul Logic Action Bronson Kirko Bangz Travi$ Scott Dizzy Wright – 10 Spot People’s Champion Winner Angel Haze Chief Keef – “The 11th Freshman” (XXL Mag)
Last year’s notable artists included Atlanta’s Future and Bad Boy Records’ Machine Gun Kelly.
It’s that time of year again — XXL has officially revealed its list of the top hip hop “freshmen” of 2012, honoring fresh new talent poised to make a mark on the industry. The list has grown in popularity and garnered heated anticipation each year since its introduction in 2007. This year #XXLFreshmen2012 shot to the top of Twitter’s worldwide trending topics within minutes of the announcement. The XXL Freshmen Class of 2012 is: Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Roscoe Dash, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin and Iggy Azalea. (BET)
Upon its release, New York hip-hop artist Azealia Banks took immediate aim at Australian rapper Iggy Azalea over making the cut.
“Iggy Azalea on the XXL freshman list is all wrong,” remarked Banks on Twitter. “How can you endorse a white woman who called herself a ‘runaway slave master’?” She continued, “Sorry guys. But I’m pro black girl. I’m not anti white girl, but I’m also not here for any1 outside of my culture trying to trivialize very serious aspects of it.” Iggy, who is affiliated with T.I.’s Grand Hustle family, did not personally address the comments, but did respond to her critics. “You can’t block my blessings! Today I’m celebrating! Get with it or kick rocks!” she tweeted. “First female freshman. Ever. Period. Thanks world! I used to stick XXL on my bedroom door, now I’m on the cover. Life is great.” (Rap-Up)
Their list comes just weeks after MTV released its much-debated “Hottest MCs in the Game” roundup.
1. Kendrick Lamar 2. 2 Chainz 3. Rick Ross 4. Nas 5. Drake 6. Big Sean 7. Kanye West 8. A$AP Rocky 9. Future 10. Meek Mill (“Hottest MCs in the Game”)
