XXL Freshman List Through the Years

The XXL Freshman list, born in 2007 with Lupe Fiasco and Plies, has become hip-hop’s ultimate rookie stamp of approval, dropping annually in June with fan-voted spots. From the 2009 triple-shot cover to the 2011 schoolhouse vibe with Kendrick and Mac Miller, each year’s theme—from Chance in overalls to 2024’s BigXthaPlug and That Mexican OT—has shaped careers and sparked debates. Photographer Travis Shinn’s consistent lens has captured generations of rising stars, proving this tradition’s lasting impact on today’s biggest names. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e5c6a9cbf707aceb