Every yr, XXL Magazine rolls out its annual "Freshman Class" list. As the identify suggests, "Freshman Class" stars ten up-and-coming hot potentialities that the hip-hop culture has noticed right through the yr, giving those artists a buzz that they need to build their fanbase amongst listeners and enthusiasts alike. Some of the highest emcees in the sport, like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Kid Cudi, Nipsey Hussle, or even Big Sean had been once a Freshman Class alumnus.
This year, the 2021 XXL Freshman Class features some of the most enjoyable talents in hip-hop. We have 42 Dugg hailing from the Motor City, Detroit, Pooh Shiesty crafting his sound in Memphis, Blxst representing South Central, and extra. To sum it up, listed here are the eleven emcees from the 2021 XXL Freshman Class list and how they were given their spots.
11 42 Dugg
After liberating a series of mixtapes since 2018, 26-year-old 42 Dugg loved a successful 2020 after being featured on Lil Baby's "Grace" and "We Paid" tracks. Both songs charted: the first peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the latter made it to the height 10. He even related up with Detroit heroes like Big Sean, Eminem, and Royce da 5'9" on Sean's Detroit 2 tape on the star-studded track "Friday Night Cypher."
10 Flo Milli
Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Tamia "Flo Milli" Carter enjoyed social media popularity after her tracks "Beef FloCombine" and "In The Party" went viral on TikTok. She signed a lucrative deal under RCA Records before releasing her debut mixtape, Ho, Why Is You Here?, last year. Her unique delivery breathes fresh air to female hip-hop, garnering her a BET Hip Hop Awards nomination for Best New Artist.
9 Morray
Last year, Morray was co-signed by many artists such as J. Cole, Rick Ross, and DaBaby. Their stamp of approval for the Fayetteville artist wasn't for nothing, as Morray has been keeping himself busy with creating buzz among the fans with his mixtape, Street Sermons, this year. He'd also made her debut on the top 5 of the Hot 100, as a guest feature on J. Cole's "My Life" track from The Off-Season album alongside 21 Savage.
8 DDG
DDG was a Central Michigan University student before dropping out to pursue his music career seriously. It only took him two years, since signing to Epic Records in 2018, to form his own record label, Zooted Entertainment. Musically, he was fan-voted for the tenth spot for this year's issue of the Freshman Class list.
7 Pooh Shiesty
Last year, no one could escape Pooh Shiesty's vocal on "Back in Blood" with Lil Durk. To follow it up, he debuted his first-ever mixtape, Shiesty Season, last February. He carries a big co-sign from fellow Memphis rapper Juicy J, which makes us even more excited for the 21-year-old's career.
6 Lakeyah
Lakeyah Danaee was only 19 when she associated herself with "Beyond the Music" collective. Under Coach K's label Quality Control, the YouTube star garnered popularity thanks to her titled "F***ed Up Love Story" back in 2018. She has been rapping since she was just a 15-year-old girl from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and now she's ready for more.
5 Coi Leray
During the height of the SoundCloud rap era, Coi Leray made her breakthrough single "Huddy" from debut mixtape Everythingcoz in 2018. Thanks to its success, she later gained her first professional deal under Republic and 1801 Records. Last year, she'd just made her first Hot 100 entry with platinum-certified single "No More Parties."
4 Toosii
Trap artist Toosii came up from Raleigh, North Carolina. Toosii's debut album under Capitol, Poetic Pain, made its first foray into the Billboard 200 chart last year, debuting at number 17. He has been busy crafting her fanbase with mixtape after mixtape since 2017, and with a massive publication from XXL Magazine this year, it seems like he's here to stay.
3 Blxst
Last year, Matthew 'Blxst' Burdette released his debut EP No Love Lost under a joint deal between his Evgle imprint and Red Bull Records. The South Los Angeles native was originally a creative director and producer, having worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, YG, Problem, and Hitta J3 on the remix of "Do Yo Gudda."
2 Iann Dior
Iann Dior is a proud Puerto Rican native. He gained popularity thanks to his feature on 24kGoldn's single "Mood" last year, peaking at number one on the Hot 100. Before that, he has also released his debut album, Industry Plant, in 2019. With the XXL Freshman Class interview and cipher coming out real soon, it's about time until we hear more from the artist.
1 Rubi Rose
Lastly, we have Rubi Rose hailing proudly from Lexington, Kentucky. The Southern hip-hop artist was best known for being the cover girl of hip-hop collective Migos' music video for "Bad and Boujee." She even has a cameo credit on Cardi B's music video for "WAP," which somewhat became a cultural phenomenon last year. She enlisted big names, like Future and PartyNextDoor, for her first official mixtape, For the Streets, last year.
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