XXL Freshman Class 2021

6.17.21

2021 XXL Freshman

Yesterday, XXL released the 2021 XXL Freshman Class magazine cover. This cover has got to be the most anticipated magazine every year, to catch onto what artists are up next. What is even more fun than seeing who XXL chose for their Freshman List, is to guess who you think should be on the cover, and then question who was left off? There is never a right and wrong answer, but always exciting to hear from some new talent.

The XXL Freshman class standard is that the XXL team selects nine worthy freshman, and the fans pick the “tenth spot” winner. This year, it appears the board had some difficulties narrowing it down. The original list consisted of twelve fresh talent. Allegedly, one of the artists dropped out the day before the shoot, so we have a solid eleven on this year’s cover.

This year’s artists includes 42 Dugg, Morray, Pooh Shiesty, Toosii, Blxst, Iann Dior, Coi Leray, Lakeyah, Flo Milli, Rubi Rose and the tenth spot winner, DDG. North Caroline and Detroit both have double representation in this year’s list, which is great to see when things are typically extremely heavy in the south or LA. XXL does always do a great job finding whose hot, but also paying attention to the different areas and different scenes. No two in here sound alike, and if they did go for genre or style, the log would be much different.

Earlier this year, I was trying to pin point who I thought would be on this years’ Freshman cover. Do I think they got it right? Mostly. However, I think that 95% of this list is late. The vast majority of this group would be up for the 10th spot last year, but were too early. So now is there time, but they may not seem like freshman to you.

42 Dugg and Pooh Shiesty are surely the stars of the list. Each putting out projects and having clear cosigns from their labels and influential people the run with. 42 Dugg with Yo Gotti, Lil Baby and the rest of CMG. Pooh Shiesty with Gucci Mane and 1017. Each of them had have recent run ins with the law. At the moment, Shiesty remains behind bars after being denied bond until further hearing. Hopefully both of these guys can get past these recent battles and keep it together. They both have extremely unique sounds that have already gotten them this far, and stardom could be on the way.

Of course, Coi Leray has blown up after her single No More Parties, and is finally beginning to get the recognition she deserves. Coi has received dozens of great features and co-signs since, and should be off to do great things. Similarly, Iann Dior seems to be the new wave for the “Generation Now” kids listening to hip-hop.

The representation of females on the cover is excellent, with four out of twelve. I still feel like Flo and Rubi are a bit late in terms of when they’ve been trending. Still, hopefully with this feature, they will start to do big things.

So who is missing from the list? My first thought was EST.Gee. Another monster from Kentucky putting out his own hits and landing features with Jack Harlow and others from his new label, CMG. I certainly was anticipating him being up there, but I am also content with assuming that at the time of selection, it was just a bit too early. Look out for him on the next cover.

The Kid Laroi is not on the cover, and while it may seem late for him, I am wondering if he was number twelve who cancelled last minute. Laroi is like, the new Juice WRLD to kids who miss him. A way to remember him, and continue to listen to him, through someone whom was certainly his close friend. This past year has been extremely successful for The Kid Laroi, with his album release and tons of projects in between. A part of me feels like this was him. But a part of me thinks that it just felt late, and the twelfth spot was Babyface Ray.

Babyface Ray has been trending a lot lately. He has new tracks with Jack Harlow, with Moneybagg Yo, and recently put out his on EP. XXL also did a piece on him breaking through, in late March. I know he was on their radar, with how he has been trending, I think it may have been him.

Some other people I may have liked to see is Armani Caesar who was surely just to strong for the rest of the crew, Erica Banks who has been absolutely crushing it (and possibly was the one who dipped but I just don’t think she would flake), Foogiano and Fredo Bang, who I think were left out because Shiesty had the streets covered.

I could seriously go on forever. There were 100 artists nominated from the tenth spot, and they all have something to offer, but there is only so much space on the magazine cover. I am certainly looking forward to the freestyles and cyphers to roll out soon. Do you think XXL got it right?