One of the easiest ways to conclude which rappers are on the cusp of blowing up is through XXL Mag's annual Freshman Class, a list of artists that the magazine consider on the basis of their music, their rise so far, what their fans and the music industry think and everything in between.
For its 12th year, XXL have named 11 artists on the list and we're stoked about the likes of Roddy Ricch, YBN Cordae, Megan Thee Stallion and Rico Nasty making it on the cover.
Also on the list are Comethazine (who is heading to Australia for DRIP World Festival), Tierra Whack, DaBaby, Lil Mosey, YK Osiris, Gunna and Blueface.
Suffice it to say, it's a big deal to make it onto this list. Like BBC's Sound Of... list every year, it's a mark that these artists have already shone bright in a saturated music scene and are set to take their next step to stardom in the near future.
Past Freshman Class artists include Kendrick Lamar (2011), J Cole (2010), Meek Mill (2011), Future (2012), ScHoolboy Q (2013), Anderson .Paak (2016) and Lil Pump (2018), who have all since gone onto become huge players in the hip hop game, so you know XXL's picks are pretty accurate.
The magazine will be rolling out interviews, freestyles and more from the entire Freshman Class over the year, so keep your eyes peeled as these rappers blow up in next to no time.
