Hip-hop’s most-talked-about time of 12 months for brand spanking new artists is right here. For 18 years, the XXL Freshman checklist has established itself because the go-to platform for locating rising rap expertise. The streaming period has considerably broadened the panorama for artists, reworking a smaller pool of expertise into an enormous ocean of talent.

Regardless of the inflow of latest rappers getting into the scene, solely a choose few actually stand out. This 12 months, out of 68 artists thought of for the Freshman Class, 12 have made the minimize. The journey thus far is at all times difficult, involving quite a few conferences with the brand new technology of rappers the place we hearken to unreleased music, focus on their profession aspirations, and discover their future objectives. The essential decision-making course of then determines who will likely be acknowledged as the following superstars within the recreation.

Whereas many components affect who makes the category, their total expertise will get them a spot on the quilt. These 12 distinguished rising rappers are on the head of their class with uncooked bars, actual tales and unshakable vitality. From the recording studio to the quilt, these are the artists shaping the following period of hip-hop. Sadly, this 12 months’s tenth Spot Winner was arrested on his option to the Freshman shoot. He did not get to rap with the remainder of the group, however he is nonetheless a part of the category.

Over the following month, XXL will launch freestyles, cyphers, ABCs and extra that includes every Freshman on our YouTube channel and web site. Producer Cardo Bought Wings created the beats for this 12 months’s much-anticipated cyphers.

The Freshman subject is obtainable to buy now. Along with interviews with the 2025 Freshman Class and Cardo, there are additionally conversations with Aminé, Larry June, Key Glock, Monaleo, Tech N9ne, Nardo Wick, and extra, plus, a glance again at what the 2024 XXL Freshman Class has been doing. Additionally, a deep dive into who’s the largest and greatest XXL Freshman ever. The difficulty is on sale right here, together with some unique Freshmen merch.

Welcome the 2025 XXL Freshman Class beneath, that includes a dozen artists, hopefully on their paths to stardom. This is not only a checklist. It’s a motion. This 12 months’s class is bringing warmth you may’t ignore. Let ’em cook dinner.

See the 2025 XXL Freshman Class Artists and Producer

Watch the 2025 XXL Freshman Class Revealed