XXL has officially unveiled the 2025 XXL Freshman Class. The rising artists that make up the new class are just as diverse as every class before them.
Representing different sides of the California sound are Long Beach’s TDE lyricist Ray Vaughn, Stockton livewire EBK Jaaybo, the 10th spot winner, and basketball player turned hit maker Gelo, who represents Chino Hills. Traversing to the other side of the map, Florida’s Loe Shimmy and 1900Rugrat put on for the new school coming out of the Sunshine State, representing Pompano Beach and West Palm Beach, respectively. While Memphis has had the wave, it’s Murfreesboro, Tenn., native Samara Cyn who is currently oozing star potential. BabyChiefDoIt is the youngest in charge out of Chicago. Cordele, Ga., representor Lazer Dim 700 has captivated the young masses with his lo-fi sound. Nino Paid (Landover, Md.) and Eem Triplin (Johnstown, Pa.) are carrying the East Coast, while YTB Fatt, from West Memphis, Ark., and Ian, coming out of Dallas, are making waves.
After launching the Freshman platform in 2007 with artists like Plies and Boosie BadAzz, XXL has kept the tradition going for more than a decade. The result has been ushering in some of hip-hop’s most dynamic and iconic artists over the course of 18 magazine covers.
Back in 2010, a bubbling J. Cole was named a 2010 XXL Freshman as he looked to parlay his rapidly growing fan base, the backing of Roc Nation and the success of his 2009 mixtape, The Warm Up, into superstar status. His accomplishments since then tell a story almost no one could have predicted, as he’s become one of the biggest artists in the world. He’s gone to fill up stadiums on both solo tours and alongside Drake, and, as you may have heard, he did once go platinum with no features.
In 2011, blossoming names like Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller came to prominence after being inducted into the 2011 XXL Freshman Class. K-Dot has since become a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper who is currently dominating the world with his song “Not Like Us.” Before his tragic death at the age of 26, Mac Miller solidified himself as a respected craftsman who became a fan favorite while constantly evolving his sound. He’d earned the respect of artists from all corners of the music world.
In the years since, the Freshman lists have helped introduce future stars like 21 Savage, J.I.D., Megan Thee Stallion, Jack Harlow and Gunna. The lists go on and on. There are now 194 Freshman artists in total.
Today, XXL takes a look at every single one of the XXL Freshmen of the past and present. From underground favorites to era-defining lyricists to genre-fluid commercial dynamos, they’re all here. Peep every Freshman to date in the gallery below.
