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 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 10, 2020 Gates was 2013 or 14 if I'm not mistaken. I also never got into Nip's music before his last lp but even before that he did have a solid following
Apr 10, 2020 This is an impressive class...maybe the most impressive? typically you see more guys who disappear then actually have a career
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 10, 2020 I think this is the first time I recognize all the names from a freshman class lol so this was indeed impressive
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 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 Like his verse on schoolboys - what's the word, just about more imoactful and emotional than everything c---- has dropped.
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 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: