– Revisiting The XXL 2014 Freshmen –
Their Success & Where Are They Now?
Now this, was an exciting XXL Freshman class! Years later most of this class is still relevant with a few still holding it down as some of the biggest names in entertainment right now. Chance The Rapper is a three-time Grammy Award winner, winning for Best Rap Album in 2017 for what was technically, a mixtape. And if you need a feature in 2021 and beyond, you have to have Ty Dolla $ign on it!
As we’ve done with every XXL Freshmen cover before this: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013 we revisit the XXL 2014 Freshmen, evaluate their success and tell you where they are now.
Chance The Rapper, Rich Homie Quan, Isaiah Rashad, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Durk, Kevin Gates, Troy Ave, Vic Mensa, Lil Bibby, Jon Connor, 10th spot winner Jarren Benton and August Alsina
Rich Homie Quan
Rich Homie Quan is an interesting case study in Hip-Hop. The rapper came into the industry and seemingly had everything lined up for an amazing run. He was signed to Think It’s A Game Records, which is now home to YFN Lucci, who has had great success. Rich Homie was also teamed up with Young Thug, a future star in his own right. Together they were signed to Cash Money and released a joint album under the Rich Gang moniker. Quan and Thugga released several other mixtapes as well. The whole time, Birdman was a mentor of sorts and Quan was representing the South at the same time Migos was winning. He made perfect sense for the 2014 XXL Freshman class and seemed like he would be around for a long time!
Then, it kind of all unraveled. Quan acknowledges that he didn’t read his early contract with T.I.G. Records and says that the fast rise to fame came with ego, which impacted his relationship with Young Thug. RHQ and Thugga haven’t released music together since 2015.
Where Are They Now?
Officially, Rich Homie Quan was signed to Motown Records, but as far as we can tell, he has not released any music under the label since his 2018 album Rich As In Spirit. The project didn’t garner much attention, but was the last time RHQ was somewhat of a household name. He’s released two mixtapes since, independently, The Gif and Coma, both in 2019. Unfortunately, nothing has impacted radio or the industry the way his early singles did.
In September 2020 he shared on his social media that he was working on new music. Nothing has been released since.
more on the 2014 XXL Freshman coming soon.
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