The 2021 XXL Freshman List has arrived!
The 2021 XXL Freshman List has arrived!
The famous hip-hop publication has gained notoriety for releasing a Freshman List every year ever since 2007. The Freshman List features ten artists to watch, all of whom appear on the cover of the magazine, and it has a history of showcasing underground rappers and other artists it sees as on the rise. The list has also grown extremely popular over the years and created significant excitement among the general public and artists alike.
Now the 2021 XXL Freshman List returns and brings some very interesting picks. This year XXL has chosen an outer space theme for the cover, entitled “Out Of This World.”
The full list of Freshmen for this year includes Morray, 42 Dugg, Flo Milli, Pooh Shiesty, Toosii, Blxst, Iann Dior, Rubi Rose, DDG, Coi Leray and Lakeyah. All of them come from different backgrounds, styles and influences and still they all somehow reflect the current sound of hip-hop, although some people have criticized the list for being too reductive of the actual art form.
The Freshmen
42 Dugg is a Detroit rapper best known for his collaboration with Lil Baby on the track “We Paid.” He’s signed with both Yo Gotti’s CMG Records and Lil Baby’s 4PF imprint, and recently released the project Free Dem Boyz. In addition, he just recently signed a co-publishing deal with Warner Music.
Flo Milli, from Mobile, Alabama, broke out with the TikTok hits “Beef FloMix” and “In the Party.” In 2020, she followed that up with her first RCA release Ho, Why Is You Here?
Morray is a rapper and singer from Fayetteville, North Carolina whose “Quicksand” video went viral. After releasing Street Sermons, he sang on J. Cole’s Off-Season song “My Life.”
Memphis’ Pooh Shiesty is a member of Gucci Mane’s The New 1017 label. His 2021 mixtape Shiesty Season includes the breakout Lil Durk collaboration “Back in Blood.”
Lakeyah has made a name for herself as a rising star in Milwaukee’s growing rap scene. In April, she released her In Due Time mixtape on Quality Control.
More Freshman
Coi Leray has signed with Republic. Her song “No More Parties” undergoes constant remixes and has numerous spins on Tiktok.
Toosii was born in Syracuse, New York and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. This year, he released Thank You for Believing, a mixtape that features guest spots from DaBaby, Latto and Key Glock.
Blxst, from Los Angeles, California, released his 2021 Just for Clarity EP on Red Bull Records. The EP includes the track “Don’t Forget,” featuring Drakeo the Ruler.
Rubi Rose hails from Lexington, Kentucky. She made her debut with For the Streets, released on Christmas Day 2020.
Iann Dior is best known for featuring in the 24kGoldn song “Mood.” He released his debut album Industry Plant in 2019.
DDG, from Pontiac, Michigan, signed with Epic Records and teamed up with OG Parker for the March 2021 project Die 4 Respect.
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Related stories: Believe in the Future: Getting to Know the 2020 XXL Freshman Class!
Demetrius Sadler | Twitter: @thademigod7