After months of discussions, debate and tough decisions as to which 12 rising stars would make XXL’s coveted cut, the outlet’s highly regarded 2022 Freshman List is finally here.
In its 15th year as the “stamp of approval” for fresh hip-hop talent, 2022’s Freshman class has already been making its mark in the new wave for quite some time, as OGM favorites in SoFaygo, KayCyy, BabyTron, Nardo Wick, Cochise, BabyFace Ray and others all earned XXL placements.
“The 2022 XXL Freshman Class is breaking the mold. They refuse to conform to the norm, and pride themselves on creating a fresh sound in hip-hop. Like the classes that came before them, these newly inducted rappers are aiming for superstardom.”
Via XXL
🚨 #XXLFRESHMAN 2022 🚨
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) June 14, 2022
🏆 @NardoWick
🏆 @imsofaygo
🏆 @cochise
🏆 @iamdoechii
🏆 @kaycyy
🏆 @_babytron
🏆 @SaucySantana_
🏆 @kaliii
🏆 @BigThirty375
🏆 @imkentheman
🏆 @bigscarr1818
🏆 @babyfaceray
⬇️ FULL DETAILS ⬇️https://t.co/V91HRge7aK
.@wheezy0uttahere is behind the beats for the 2022 XXL Freshman Class cyphers 🏆 pic.twitter.com/K1WB05UtBb
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) June 14, 2022
In light of the list’s announcement, over the next month, XXL will be releasing freestyles, cyphers, interviews and more with each respective Freshman, which the outlet has done annually since 2007. Acclaimed multiplatinum-selling producer Wheezy Outta Here created the beats for this year’s cyphers and also has his own interview in June’s print magazine edition, speaking on the process of picking the 2022 Freshman.
Now, meet your 2022 XXL Freshman Class.
Check back here for coverage of interviews, cyphers, freestyles and more!
Freestyles
Nardo Wick
Doechii
SoFaygo
BabyFace Ray
Kali
KayCyy
Cochise
BIG30
KenTheMan
Big Scarr
Saucy Santana
BabyTron
Cyphers
KayCyy, Doechii, SaucySantana, SoFaygo
KenTheMan, Nardo Wick, Big Scarr, Big 30
Kali, Cochise, BabyTron, BabyFace Ray