XXL Magazine Releases Hip Hop’s Freshman Class of 2016

XXL Magazine has released its freshman class of 2016. This is the ninth time the magazine has released a top 10 of rappers who are ready set the scene ablaze. Former XXL alum who were given the praise include Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Chance the Rapper and Future.

The process includes attending shows, talking to influential people in the industry, as well as talking to the artist family and friends. The magazine also meets with the artist several times starting at October, all the way to magazines photo shoot. Their body of work also has to be seen as something that will live on 10 years from now. In the process, over 70 artists are in consideration for the honor.

Now the jury is out!

Will one of  these names be the next largest Hip Hop act?

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This year’s class includes Dr. Dre’s latest signee Anderson .Paak, YouTuber and money saver Lil Dicky, mixtape messiah Lil Uzi Vert, and Desiigner who has the top Hip Hop track in the US with ‘Panda’.

There always controversy with this list because fans will note some of the artist are “trash” and others were left out. Twitter has already lit up with reactions to this year’s alums:

https://twitter.com/CaseyVeggies/status/742356915968172032

https://twitter.com/Shottyisms/status/742353889664638976

XXL will release the 2016 Freshman Class issue on June 28.

Check out the behind the scenes photo shoot of this year’s freshman: