Apr 10, 2020

While we all wait for the 2020 XXL freshman (I'm curious to see if they do the freestyle cyphers via Zoom lmao), thought it would be interesting to look back at previous editions and rate how each Freshman's career has panned out since their pick over the last 10 years and then tally up the ratings from A to F based on longevity, output, quality, critical and commercial success.

Starting with 2010 which looking back - was an INSANE year, holy s---. Besides a few duds most of these had massive careers, XXL was mostly spot on with this one.

J. Cole (A)
One of the biggest stars in the game. He gets a lot of flack (and often deservedly so) but you can't deny he's ticked all the boxes. All with no features.

Pill (E)
I really liked the mixtapes he put out with MMG waaay back, dude was definitely talented. He could have had a really decent to good career but he just disappeared off the face of the map.

Nipsey Hussle (A)
Cut way too short, just as he was entering that upper echelon. RIP NIP.

Freddie Gibbs (A)
One or 2 very minor missteps and unfortunately the whole fiasco in Austria but otherwise immaculate record.

Big Sean - B
He's basically ticked all the boxes except for acclaim. A lot of his music does s--- lol.

Wiz Khalifa - B
Similar to Sean, he makes a lot of trash.

OJ da Juiceman (F)
Yeah this one just didn't pan out.

Jay Rock - B
All 3 of his albums have been great (and his guest features catalog is ridiculous) but he just hasn't hit that peak imo.

Fashawn (C)
Dropped two really good albums and signed with Nas but also pretty much disappeared since.

Donnis (F)
I very vaguely remember some mixtape from 2010 or 2011? But otherwise have absolutely no idea who this is lol.

 

Apr 18, 2020

Looking back 2011 was another really solid year. Actually now that I think about it, was it better than 2010? A few gigantic duds but otherwise some of the biggest names of all time on the list. s--- this might even be rivalling 2016.

Meek Mill - A
Dropped the most popular mixtape of all time and backed it up with 5 (does DC4 count as an album?) good-to-great albums, did lose spectacularly to a beef with Drake but picked himself right back up and became a symbol and inspiration to the world after beating his sentencing.

Big K.R.I.T. - A
Label troubles f----- him up and he has dropped some mid (the last album was terrible) but also dropped some of the best music of the last decade.

CyHi the Prynce - D
His album was really good but 1 good album in 10 years is not a great record lol.

Lil Twist - F
Yeah this one did not work out. @Lil Squeed help me out with this one.

Yelawolf - C
I mean he's got the redneck rap market on lock. Can hate on his music but can't hate on his grind.

Mac Miller - A
Triple threat: producer, rapper, singer, insanely talented in all 3. Incredible mixtape and albums catalogue, cut way too short.

YG - A
2 bonafide, all-time classics, along with Mustard finally brought the West back into the spotlight proving you don't need Dre to do it

Lil B - A
Still dropping 36-track mixtapes on a monthly basis which no one listens to but completely revolutionised the game.

Kendrick Lamar - A
3x all time classic albums. Pulitzer Prize. Almost as influential as Young Thug.

Diggy Simmons - ?
Honestly I don't think I've ever listened to a Diggy Simmons song, so no idea. Havent seen his name anywhere else besides on this list so..... its probably not a good outlook.

 

Apr 11, 2020

bro i remem around 2009/2010 it was like "omg breh nipsey hussle the new westcoast GOAT" i heard like 2 tapes/some freestyles and was like brah this is so generic, nothing new or interesting at all. (also should probs talk s--- about Jay Rock too, n----- dropped the hardest gangsta s--- ever then was like "lol tpab was good let me do a 180 and turn into a fuckhead rapper"

 

Apr 10, 2020

F FOR OJ DA JUICEMAN ARE YOU INSANE

 

Apr 10, 2020

what XXL was kevin gates? i thought it was 2010 (from drug-f------memory) was he 2011 instead, or?
this list top 10%'ers are clearly Cole, Gibbs and Jay Rock but. honourable mention to Cole for being constantly average for a decade, and to Nipsey Hussle for dying and suddenly having an "avg at best" to "inspirational life changing" music.

 

Apr 18, 2020

What has happened to this guy? His album was one of my favourites that year and I still hold it in REALLY high regards now. Caught his verse on a recent album (can't remember who's) and it reminded how much a like his voice.
Another album from him is needed!

 

Apr 12, 2020

I was definitely being ironic with the OJ defense but his “aye / ok” ad-libs are top-tier and should bump him up to at least a C lol

The only tracks I have from him on my phone:

 

Apr 11, 2020

I was posting that ironically, I wouldn't have a clue where to start with him

@Lil Squeed might know more

 

Apr 11, 2020

Arguably the greatest freestyle of all time. You dun f----- up Savvy

 

Apr 10, 2020

ohhhh that is a good 1

California's Anderson .Paak; Atlanta's 21 Savage; Pompano Beach, Florida's Kodak Black; Philadelphia's Lil Uzi Vert; Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania's Lil Dicky; Harlem's Dave East; Carol City, Florida's Denzel Curry; Brooklyn's Desiigner; Chicago's G Herbo and the 10th Spot winner, ATL's Lil Yachty.

 

Apr 11, 2020

Lmfao n----- till you said 90059 I thot "yeah he dropped that r-----ed 227319 album or some s--- and was full on kendricks successful d-ck"

 

Apr 11, 2020

I was never impressed tbh. Post your ratings tho.