In 2007, XXL Magazine came up with the concept for their XXL Freshman cover and it was a brilliant idea. Every XXL freshman cover salutes young up and coming artists whose careers are about to take off. While the first year featured some artists that had been in the game for a while, every cover since has highlighted artists that were just being introduced into the music industry.
Here we look at every XXL Freshman cover in a quick trip down memory lane. Get expert college homework help and enjoy the sweet memories.
5 Quick XXL Freshman Cover Facts:
1. August Alsina (2014) and YK Osiris (2019) are the only exclusive R&B singers to appear on the XXL cover.
2. Tink emerged as a rapper who could sing, when she began her career, cosigned by producer Timbaland. She has since focused predominantly on her singing.
3. First female rapper to appear on the cover was Iggy Azalea in 2012.
4. 2012 was the first year a fan vote was implemented to determine who would get the 10th spot on the XXL Freshman cover.
5. After 1 women made the cover in 2025, there have been 25 women total on the cover of the XXL Freshman covers. Only 6 women had made a cover through 2018!
Click on the freshman year for more details on the artists…
2007 XXL Freshman Cover
Saigon, Plies, Rich Boy, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Boosie, Gorilla Zoe, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Papoose and Young Dro.2009 XXL Freshman Class
Wale, B.o.B, Asher Roth and Charles Hamilton. Ace Hood, Curren$y and Kid Cudi. Cory Gunz, Blu and Mickey Factz.
2010 XXL Freshman Class
J. Cole, Pill, Nipsey Hu$$le, Wiz Khalifa, OJ Da Juiceman, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Jay Rock, Fashawn and Donnis.2011 XXL Freshman Class
Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., Cyhi The Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred The Godson, Mac Miller, YG, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar and Diggy Simmons.2012 XXL Freshman Class
Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin, 10th spot winner Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash.2013 XXL Freshman Class
ScHoolboy Q, Trinidad Jame$, Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action Bronson, Kirko Bangz, Travi$ Scott, 10th spot winner Dizzy Wright, Angel Haze and Chief Keef.2014 XXL Freshman Class
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.
2015 XXL Freshman Class
DeJ Loaf, Fetty Wap, GoldLink, K Camp, OG Maco, Raury, Shy Glizzy, Tink, Vince Staples and 10th spot winner Kidd Kidd.2016 XXL Freshman Class
10th spot winner Lil Yachty, Desiigner, Dave East, Denzel Curry, G Herbo, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Dicky, Anderson .Paak, 21 Savage and Kodak Black
2017 XXL Freshman Class
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Aminé, Kap G, Kamaiyah, Kyle, Madeintyo, Playboi Carti, PnB Rock, Ugly God and 10th spot winner XXXTentacion.2018 XXL Freshman Class
Ski Mask The Slump God, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, J.I.D, Stefflon Don, BlocBoy JB, YBN Nahmir, Wifisfuneral and Trippie Redd.
Blueface, Comethazine, Tierra Whack, DaBaby, Lil Mosey, Roddy Rich, YBN Cordae, YK Osiris, Rico Nasty, Gunna and Megan The Stallion.
2020 XXL Freshman Cover
2020 XXL Freshman Class: NLE Choppa, Polo G, Chika, Baby Keem, Mulatto, Jack Harlow, Rod Wave, Lil Tjay, Calboy, Fivio Foreign, Lil Keed and 24kGoldn.
2021 XXL Freshman Cover
2021 XXL Freshman Class: Morray, Iann Dior, Lakeyah, DDG, 42 Dugg, Rubi Rose, Blxst, Pooh Shiesty, Toosii, Coi Leray and Flo Milli.
2022 XXL Freshman Cover
Cochise, Saucy Santana, Babyface Ray, KenTheMan, SoFaygo, Big Scarr, Big30, KayCyy, Doechii, Kali, Nardo Wick and 10th place winner: BabyTron.
2023 XXL Freshman Cover
Finesse2Tymes, GloRilla, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and fan-voted 10th spot winner DC The Don.
2024 XXL Freshman Cover
BigXthaPlug, That Mexican OT, Lay Bankz, BossMan Dlow, Rich Amiri, ScarLip, Hunxho, 4batz, Maiya The Don, Cash Cobain and 10th spot winner Skilla Baby.
2025 XXL Freshman Cover
Gelo, Ray Vaughn, Samara Cyn, 1900Rugrat, BabyChiefDoit, Eem Triplin, Ian, Lazer Dim 700, Loe Shimmy, Nino Paid, YTB Fatt, and EBK Jaaybo
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