2023 XXL Freshman Predictions

4.10.23

2023 XXL Freshman Predictions

It is a new year, which means there are new prospects to be highlighted when it comes to the rising talent in hip-hop. The XXL Freshman Class is a pivotal moment in hip-hop each year, where we turn to the media to highlight who they’re predicting is next up to stardom. While cyphers and freestyles may be a few months away, it is time to share our predictions of how it is going to go down.

Typically the XXL Freshman Class consists of around ten to twelve artists whom have made a solid impact in hip-hop already, and the XXL team dubs is going up from here. In recent years, fans also get to vote for a 10th spot winner, who is the “fan favorite” of the bunch, that maybe was not selected originally by XXL. So, when you’re voting for the 10th spot, you can definitely get a grasp of the wide range of talent that is on the radar so to speak, of potentials to make this list.

This year, my 10th spot winner is Luh Tyler. He is a seventeen year old from Florida whom has been making waves in hip-hop over the past several months. His breakthrough single Back Flippin has over five million views on YouTube, and he just dropped his debut EP. Luh Tyler has a new single with last year’s 10th spot winner BabyTron, and got a feature from Lil Uzi Vert on his new EP. After inking his deal with Atlantic, it seems like the bar is set high for what is to come from the youngin’, Luh Tyler.

When it comes to artists like Glo Rilla and Ice Spice, they have already done so much and received such high recognition in the industry, it may feel late to include them as a part of this list. While I would absolutely love to hear both of these ladies cypher verses, I tend to go for those who are not so overly obvious.

As Glo Rilla and Ice Spice are already super-stars, I do feel like other artists on the 10th spot voting list may be too late, such as B-Lovee, Armani White, and SleazyWorld Go. Some artists like PGF Nuk, Real Boston Richey and Baby Drill I do think have made an impact in the past year, however I think their legal issues will keep them away from making this list. There are also plenty artists that I would have on my personal list, but I do not think made as national of an impact of some of those that will make the final cut; like 21 Harold, Lil Double 0, DD Osama, Big Boogie, and my girl, Enchanting.

Taking into account timing, music catalogs and overall noise or co-signs in the space, my 2023 XXL Freshman Class is as follows:

1) Central Cee

2) 2 Rare

3) Lola Brooke

4) Rob49

5) Hunxho

6) Finesse2tymes

7) Big Boss Vette

8) Jeleel!

9) Rican da Menace

10) Eem Triplin

11) Luh Tyler (10th Spot Winner)

Whose making your 2023 XXL Freshman Class list?!