XXL Magazine has announced their 2025 Freshman Class, highlighting and celebrating up-and-coming rappers voted on by the hip hop community.

Beginning in 2007, the hip hop magazine annually features 10-12 emerging artists from across the scene. Many members of previous classes have gone on to stamp their marks on the hip hop world, such as Schoolboy Q, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few.

This year, 12 artists were selected from a pool of 68 candidates. Additionally, producer Cardo Got Wings was selected as this year’s class producer and is responsible for creating the beats for this year’s cyphers. The decision was made by the magazine’s editors as well as an online vote hosted on their website. 

The 2025 XXL Freshman Class includes:

• Ray Vaughn
• BabyChiefDoit
• Eem Triplin
• 1900Rugrat
• Samara Cyn
• Ian
• Gelo
• Loe Shimmy
• Lazer Dim 700
• YTB Fatt
• Nino Paid
• EBK Jaaybo

Watch the Class Reveal video: