The 2019 XXL Freshman List have just dropped the cyphers from this year's class of rappers, and they're absolute crackers. The cyphers have become a staple of the List each year and only continue to grow in popularity, off the back of consistently nailing who are going to be the next big things in rap.
There have already been some standout verses from the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Rico Nasty and more this year, but how do they stack up against the best verses from the graduates of years past? Here are some of the best cyphers from both past and present members of the list.
Featuring Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Ab-Soul and Travis Scott, this cypher is especially notable for its evenness, as well as its individual performances. You'd expect someone to stand out, or at least be behind the other three, but picking a winner from this quartet is a challenge that doesn't seem possible, which is why it's one of the best. Travis Scott doesn't always flex his lyrical muscle, but as shown here, he can mix it with the best when he needs to.
Hopsin, Danny Brown, Future, Machine Gun Kelly and Roscoe Dash are not usually five names that you'd say in the same breath. However, back in 2012, the quintet combined for a cypher - and it really worked. While the standout is probably Danny Brown, the other four aren't slacking by any means. Whatever your opinion on the artists listed are now, watching the video, it's hard to pick a winner.
2019's best XXL freshman cypher features three different artists doing things exactly their way, and killing it in the process. Whether it's Rico Nasty's energy, Blueface's slightly off-kilter delivery or YBN Cordae's lyrics, this cypher, arguably more than the others this year, demonstrate exactly what made each artist big and also demonstrates the room they have to grow into future superstars of the genre. XXL smashed it pairing these three together.
Vince Staples has always been a cut above those around him, and even back in 2015, he was already mixing it with the best of the best. 2015 might not have been the best year for XXL cyphers, but it appears GoldLink, Vince Staples and OG Maco didn't get the message, with this cypher amongst the best that the List has produced. Vince addresses police brutalities and harsh realities in his verse, proving that right from the get-go, he wasn't afraid to get heavy when he needed to. For their efforts, GoldLink and OG Maco play more than adequate supporting roles, effortlessly bouncing off each other in the process.
Before Kendrick Lamar established himself as the biggest rapper on the planet, he was just another Freshman. Well, kind of. Alongside Yelawolf, CyHi the Prynce and Lil B, who all shine in their own right, Kendrick goes off, signalling a warning shot to anyone that would dare step in his path over the coming years. Long before his verse on Control lit a fire under the whole of the rap community, K.Dot's verse here was a sign of what was to come, and as he's shown multiple times, his music backs up his words.
Featuring the dynamic duo of J.I.D and Ski Mask The Slump God, both grab their chances and run with it. In particular, J.I.D lets the momentum of the beat carry him, freestyling for over a minute. Out of all the cyphers from this year, this one is pretty clearly the best and deserves its spot alongside the others on this list.
2013 Logic was a menace, there's no questioning it. While he might have compared himself to Albert Einstein during the course of his verse, it's hard to deny his genius. Dizzy Wright and Angel Haze both more than hold their own, but it's Logic who takes this one home. It's a trio that might not appear on a song together, but nevertheless, have chemistry during the duration of the cypher.
The 2019 XXL Freshman List have just dropped the cyphers from this year's class of rappers, and they're absolute crackers. The cyphers have become a staple of the List each year and only continue to grow in popularity, off the back of consistently nailing who are going to be the next big things in rap.
There have already been some standout verses from the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Rico Nasty and more this year, but how do they stack up against the best verses from the graduates of years past? Here are some of the best cyphers from both past and present members of the list.
Featuring Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Ab-Soul and Travis Scott, this cypher is especially notable for its evenness, as well as its individual performances. You'd expect someone to stand out, or at least be behind the other three, but picking a winner from this quartet is a challenge that doesn't seem possible, which is why it's one of the best. Travis Scott doesn't always flex his lyrical muscle, but as shown here, he can mix it with the best when he needs to.
Hopsin, Danny Brown, Future, Machine Gun Kelly and Roscoe Dash are not usually five names that you'd say in the same breath. However, back in 2012, the quintet combined for a cypher - and it really worked. While the standout is probably Danny Brown, the other four aren't slacking by any means. Whatever your opinion on the artists listed are now, watching the video, it's hard to pick a winner.
2019's best XXL freshman cypher features three different artists doing things exactly their way, and killing it in the process. Whether it's Rico Nasty's energy, Blueface's slightly off-kilter delivery or YBN Cordae's lyrics, this cypher, arguably more than the others this year, demonstrate exactly what made each artist big and also demonstrates the room they have to grow into future superstars of the genre. XXL smashed it pairing these three together.
Vince Staples has always been a cut above those around him, and even back in 2015, he was already mixing it with the best of the best. 2015 might not have been the best year for XXL cyphers, but it appears GoldLink, Vince Staples and OG Maco didn't get the message, with this cypher amongst the best that the List has produced. Vince addresses police brutalities and harsh realities in his verse, proving that right from the get-go, he wasn't afraid to get heavy when he needed to. For their efforts, GoldLink and OG Maco play more than adequate supporting roles, effortlessly bouncing off each other in the process.
Before Kendrick Lamar established himself as the biggest rapper on the planet, he was just another Freshman. Well, kind of. Alongside Yelawolf, CyHi the Prynce and Lil B, who all shine in their own right, Kendrick goes off, signalling a warning shot to anyone that would dare step in his path over the coming years. Long before his verse on Control lit a fire under the whole of the rap community, K.Dot's verse here was a sign of what was to come, and as he's shown multiple times, his music backs up his words.
Featuring the dynamic duo of J.I.D and Ski Mask The Slump God, both grab their chances and run with it. In particular, J.I.D lets the momentum of the beat carry him, freestyling for over a minute. Out of all the cyphers from this year, this one is pretty clearly the best and deserves its spot alongside the others on this list.
2013 Logic was a menace, there's no questioning it. While he might have compared himself to Albert Einstein during the course of his verse, it's hard to deny his genius. Dizzy Wright and Angel Haze both more than hold their own, but it's Logic who takes this one home. It's a trio that might not appear on a song together, but nevertheless, have chemistry during the duration of the cypher.
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