XXL is back once again to reveal its freshman class lineup!
The XXL Freshman Class is an annual list created and published by XXL Magazine. It features up-and-coming hip-hop artists. Typically, the magazine chooses artists who are predicted to have a significant impact on the music industry. This list has gained notoriety among artists and music lovers alike. Everyone is eager each year to see who will be up next! This distinction also serves as a platform to showcase emerging talent and provide them with increased visibility.
Each year, the magazine selects a group of artists based on their popularity, skill, and potential for success. Typically, the list of newcomers is chosen through a combination of fan votes, industry recommendations, and the editorial team’s assessment. The XXL Freshman Class list is highly anticipated and generates a lot of buzz within the hip-hop community.
This year, the magazine boasts that the list was narrowed down from 80 to 12.
“These talents have not only been the cream that has risen to the top, but serve as a representation of the current pulse of this year’s sound: inimitable, eclectic, vibe-y, nostalgic and damn good,” the magazine explained in its announcement. “These newcomers have taken on the task by releasing mixtapes and EPs, ultimately leading to debut albums, creating and maintaining momentum among fans and touring numerous cities.”
Here are the Black women who XXL has given the stamp of approval to.
XXL Freshman Women
First on the list is Lola Brooke. The Brooklyn-based rapper gave fans the song of the summer last year with “Don’t Play With It.” She has since released a remix to the song featuring Yung Miami and Latto. She has also been featured on songs by Ciara, BreezyLyn and more, making her the perfect fit for the XXL Freshman Class.
Meet TiaCorine. The rapper garnered major success following the release of her song “Freaky T.” She then added Latto to the remix to take it up a notch. The North Carolina-bred artist first made her way on the scene with her 2018 hit “Lotto” which gained traction on TikTok in 2020.
Rounding out the XXL Freshman Class list is Memphis’ own, GloRilla. The rapper’s song “F.N.F.” became the song that every girl found themselves twerking to with their friends in 2022. She has since released several hits like “Tomorrow 2” featuring Cardi B and her most recent single “Lick or Sumn.”
Noticeably Missing
Rapper Ice Spice’s absence from the 2023 freshmen list raised questions for many online after her wildly successful year so far. She’s had a billion Spotify streams in the first half of 2023 and has secured collaborations with superstars like Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj. Most recently the rapper covered Teen Vogue. According to TMZ, her immense popularity is to blame for her absence from the cover. The outlet reports that sources close to the situation say Ice Spice had to decline a spot on the list because of her packed schedule. She’s been overwhelmed with festival bookings and feature requests. Those commitments made it difficult for her to make time for the freshmen requirements.
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