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XXL Reveals Its 2016 Freshman Class

Check out who made the top 10.

Every year XXL Magazine reveals its Freshman Class, a cover of 10 of hip-hop’s brightest up-and-coming stars, and just hours ago, they dropped the 2016 version digitally.

Like most years, XXL’s selections are a smorgasbord of different artists from all walks of life producing all different types of music.

Oxnard, California’s Anderson .Paak, who appeared on Dr. Dre’s 2015 album, Compton, started off the list. Atlanta’s 21 Savage and Lil Yachty, who was awarded the 10th spot through a fan vote, were included.

A couple of Florida’s finest also made the list: Pompano Beach’s Kodak Black and Carol City’s Denzel Curry. When it comes to the East Coast, Philly’s Lil Uzi Vert commanded a spot, while in New York, Brooklyn’s Desiigner, known for his smash hit, “Panda,” and Harlem’s Dave East were included. Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania’s Lil Dicky and Chicago’s G Herbo were the other two who made the cover.

XXL says similar to previous years they’ll be releasing exclusive content regarding their 2016 freshman list including freestyles, cyphers, solo and group interviews and more during the coming weeks. Physical copies of the issue will hit newsstands on June 28. They’ll also be throwing a Freshman Showcase that same day at New York City’s PlayStation Theater. Tickets for which are on sale now. The Los Angeles Freshman Concert will be on July 25 with other shows to be announced.

Did XXL get it right this year? Let us know in the comment section and check out the cover and behind-the-scenes footage below.

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