We Picked Our 10 2018 XXL Freshman and Their Best Song
1. Don Q
Hailing from the Highbride section of the Bronx, Don Q articulates everything he’s seen and been through into his emphatic and raw delivery. The A Boogie affiliate has been featured on Meek Mill tracks, and ripped a Hot 97 freestyle you can watch below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGpEKBgzLZw
2. RichThaKid
A freshman spot seems slightly overdue for this guy. He’s been making hits with artist like Young Thug, Dolph, and Migos since 2014. His popularity further was boosted when he L.A. Reid signed him to Interscope Records in 2017. Listen to 'New Freezer' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLKYz1r23Lo
3. Famous Dex
Hailing from Chicago, Famous Dex is known for his exuberant style. His distinguishable voice and famous ad libs “WOAH” among others makes him a great option for party playlist. Some might question his lyrical competence, but his energy and personality can easily win fans over. Listen to 'Drip From My Walk' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSy122SCS4s
4. NAV
Not the least popular but very likely the most lowkey of the class. Starting out as a producer Nav took off as a rapper and has became the Weeknd’s newest signee to his XO label. He draws many comparisons to Post Malone but he carries himself a lot different. Nav doesn’t do too many interviews or give up much about his personal life. We’ll see if he can stay this humble if he makes it on to the cover. Listen to 'Myself' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9gfqGoPGaU
5. Tee Grizzley
Benefitting from a Lebron James stimulus package, Tee Grizzley may not have the charisma of some of the other potentials but he still conveys a rough life with a distinctive Detroit inflection creating a story within each song. He released his first hit “First Day Out” a month after getting home from a year and some change behind the fence. Explaining his compelling style in an XXL interview Grizzley says “A lot of people just ride past the slums in the music. I’m going to take you into those houses, into the minds of the people in those houses.” Listen to 'Win' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JYoLvyt5yE
6. Lil Pump
Arguably one of the most recognizable faces on the list. Lil pump is one of the first rappers to make us 90’s babies feel old and outdated. Pump only started recording songs in 2016 and has already turned into a multimillion streamed artist. He can be defined as strictly crank with very little substance. Should he make it, he will be an interesting freestyle, but an entertaining character nonetheless. Listen to 'Ishyne' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X83fT0QdgX4
7. Moneybagg Yo
Moneybagg may be next in a string of rappers to come out of Memphis. He simple embodies the Memphis sound. He Mixes catchy but authentic lyrics with some occasional wordplay giving him many quotable lyrics. Listen to 'All of a Sudden' featuring Lil Baby, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyyn-dFALfI
8. Lil skies
Lil Skies may be the newest member on the list in terms of recording music. He dropped his first single Red Roses which peaked at 69 on the Billboard chart. The song was accompanied with a video from one of the directing GOATS Cole Bennett and is currently sitting on 35 million views at the moment. Skies’ smooth flow combined with aggressive lyrics make him a versatile artist and Freshman hopeful. Listen to 'Red Roses' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlosjSe5B8c
9. Lil Baby
Like many others on the list, Lil Baby began recording rather recently, February 2017. It didn’t take long for Lil Baby to master the art of the flow. Lil Baby may be young but he has a lot to tell, and a spot on XXL for him will give him an avenue to tell his story. Listen to 'Freestyle' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHryuYVyHhk
10. Hoodrich Pablo Juan
We were appalled to find that one of Atlanta’s (and all of rap for that matter) hottest rappers was nowhere to be found on the pitch list. Hoodrich Pablo Juan is a recent signee of Gucci’s 1017 label and frequent collaborator with Migos. His laid back and effortless flow allows him to say just about anything and make it sound good. He’s also arguably the best dressed rapper on our list. Listen to 'We Don't Love Em' below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmKNq2_R9TI