Source: Travis Shinn / Courtesy of XXL
One day that is huge for hip-hop fans every year is the day that XXL Freshman Class is revealed.
For the past 15 years, XXL has made it their mission to highlight the stars that will shape the game’s future. Since it’s first edition in 2007, the XXL Freshman List has been a key milestone for the artists who have been fortunate enough to be named to it. From Nipsey Hussle to Lil Uzi Vert to Flo Milli, each year a new batch of talent is celebrated for the work they’ve already put in and the impact they will surely have on the culture in the future. Today (June 14), we found out who the latest group of up and coming artists are who will be featured on this year’s list.
The 2022 XXL Freshman Class theme is breaking the mold. The artists who were named to the list this year always aim to push the envelope and make uniquely timeless music that will influence the next generation to continue advancing what we look at as hip-hop today. The future is indeed bright for this group.
XXL will release freestyles, cyphers, interviews and more with each Freshman over the next month. Producer Wheezy Outta Here, who created the beats for the always anticipated freestyles, will also be interviewed about how the whole process went for him. The Freshman issue will be available everywhere July 13 and will also give us an update on last year’s class and what they are up to.
Until the issue officially drops, enjoy a gallery of some of our favorite songs from the 2022 XXL Freshman Class. Congratulations to all of the artists who were voted to be Freshman this year.
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. Nardo Wick
Suggested Listen: Who Is Nardo Wick?
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
2. Who Want Smoke?? ft. Lil Durk, 21 Savage & G Herbo
Source:Lyrical LemonadeBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
3. BabyTron
Suggested Listens: Bin Reaper 2, Megatron
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
4. Prince Of The Mitten
Source:BabyTron SBBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
5. Saucy Santana
Suggested Listens: Outside, Keep It Playa
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
6. Material Girl
Source:Saucy SantanaBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
7. SoFaygo
Suggested Listens: Angelic 7, After Me
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
8. Knock Knock
Source:Lyrical LemonadeBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
9. KayCyy
Suggested Listens: Patient Enough, Ups & Downs, Get Used To It
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
10. The Sun (Prod. Gesaffelstein)
Source:KayCyyBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
11. Cochise
Suggested Listens: Pulp, Benbow Crescent
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
12. Tell Em ft. $NOT
Source:Lyrical LemonadeBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
13. Doechii
Suggested Listens: Coven Music Session, Vol. 1, Oh the Places You’ll Go
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
14. Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
Source:DoechiiBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
15. Babyface Ray
Suggested Listens: MIA Season 2, Unfuckwitable, FACE
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
16. Real N****s Don’t Rap
Source:Babyface RayBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
17. KenTheMan
Suggested Listens: 4 da 304’s, What’s My Name
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
18. Rose Gold Stripper Pole
Source:KenTheManBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
19. Big 30
Suggested Listen: King of Killbranch
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
20. Allegations (feat. Pooh Shiesty)
Source:The Official Big30Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
21. Big Scarr
Suggested Listen: Big Grim Reaper
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
22. SoIcyBoyz 2 (feat. Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano & Tay Keith)
Source:Big ScarrBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
23. Kali
Suggested Listens: This Why They Mad Now, Toxic Chocolate
Breaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
24. MMM MMM (feat. ATL Jacob)
Source:KaliBreaking The Mold: The 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
