Each year, a new breed of artists arises in music with the hopes of becoming greats. With new artists popping up each week, it can be challenging to keep an eye on who is on the come up next.
Of the long-running publications in music, XXL began curating a list of artists who to watch that are likely to make a major impact in music. Since the list's debut in 2007, each list boasts amazing talent that included Lupe Fiasco, Joell Ortiz, Currenc$y, Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Future, Chance, Kevin Gate, Ty Dollar $ign, Travis Scott and so many more. There have also been artists that chose not to be on the lists or did not make the cut that went on to do great things.
Every year a debate wages about the list with many hailing it as important and others dismissing it as nothing but a popularity contest. Ahead of the list dropping, one artist Nav took to Instagram to blast the magazine. “I wouldn’t show up for the freshman list F**K @XXL YOUR MAGAZINE IS TRASH SORRY WEBSITE.”
Since then multiple voices have spoken out about the publication. Funk Flex and Quavo sided with Nav. Rich Homie Quan thinks the publication still has great importance and said, “All Rappers secretly want to be on the XXL Freshman List."
Another artist that seemed to side with XXL is G-Unit’s, Tony Yayo. This past Thursday, he took to Instagram to posts a throwback photo of him and the Unit. In the image, he shows his gratitude to the magazine saying, “Shout to @xxl and @vsatten the first magazine to give Gunit a platform. @xxl plays a major part in hip hop.💯💯tbt#gunit.”
Take a look above.
