When the rising rap expertise of the mid-2000s—from Lupe Fiasco to Plies to Papoose—graced the 2007 cowl of XXL journal, nobody foresaw the “Leaders of the New Faculty” tagline evolving into one in every of hip-hop’s most necessary establishments. But, that was the inspiration from which XXL‘s annual custom, the Freshman Class, was constructed. Eighteen years and 18 Freshman journal covers later, XXL has knighted loads of promising rookies poised to develop into staples of the tradition, phrase to Vince.

At this level, you’ll be able to set your watch to it. Yearly in June, XXL unveils a brand new class of hip-hop neophytes that we have stamped as names you want to know (plus, one fan-voted decide per 12 months).

Whereas celebrating hip-hop’s future, it is solely pure to dwell on the previous to have a look at how far the franchise has come and which Freshman covers predate the most recent. The 2009 cowl is actually stacked, because the artists are divided into three dope ensemble pictures laid atop one another to open the magazine. In 2011, the category theme went literal, with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller portrayed in a faculty setting. By 2013, courses have been being in comparison with these of the previous (we puzzled aloud and on the duvet line if Travis Scott, ScHoolboy Q and Logic‘s class was G.O.A.T. degree).

Likelihood The Rapper sported overalls with no shirt in 2014. The 2016 and 2017 courses have been shade coordinated, with the previous crew having an all-white get together and the latter artists rocking all-black on a set drenched in crimson. In 2020, the likes of Polo G, Rod Wave, NLE Choppa, Lil Tjay and Mulatto appeared on the duvet. Out-of-this-world artists for the 2021 XXL Freshman Class included 42 Dugg, Coi Leray, Pooh Shiesty, Flo Milli and Rubi Rose, amongst others.

For 2022, Nardo Wick, Doechii, Saucy Santana, Babyface Ray and SoFaygo have been a number of of the rappers who broke the mould. The 2023 class was comprised of spitters like GloRilla, Central Cee, Finesse2Tymes and tenth spot winner DC The Don, to call a number of. 2024’s budding hitmakers included BigXthaPlug, That Mexican OT, Bossman Dlow, Lay Bankz and extra.

This 12 months, a brand new crop is topped, together with Samara Cyn, Ray Vaughn, YTB Fatt, BabyChiefDoIt, 1900Rugrat, Gelo and others.

Sticking to the outdated adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it,” photographer Travis Shinn, who’s been the Freshman Class photographer for years now, attached the flicks for each class.

Check out all the XXL Freshman covers over time beneath.

See Each XXL Freshman Class Over the Years