The XXL Freshman Class of 2026 has formally arrived, and we bought the total breakdown for the individuals.
Final 12 months’s class had its highs, and it undoubtedly had its lows. Gelo caught lightning in a bottle along with his viral hit, “Tweaker.” What began as a music previewed on a livestream rapidly became one of many greatest data of the 12 months, main him to place the basketball down, choose up a mic, and signal with Def Jam Information.
Loe Shimmy might have had the steadiest rise out of final 12 months’s class, persevering with to construct momentum and even touchdown a spot on Drake’s HABIBTY album. In the meantime, each BabyChiefDoIt and Ian have carved out devoted fanbases within the underground rap scene.
Now it’s time for the Class of 2026.
This 12 months’s lineup options names like LaReezy, Entice Dickey, Stomach Gang Kush, Skrilla, and several other different artists who’ve already begun making severe noise. Actually, practically half of the category entered the listing with robust hype and rising fan bases.
Representing Atlanta, YKNiece has already confirmed herself to be a hitmaker. She burst onto the scene with the breakout document “Whim Whammiee” earlier than delivering what many followers think about verse on “Take Me Via Dere.”
Then there’s Entice Dickey, the latest signee to High Dawg Leisure. Sufficient mentioned, TDE doesn’t hand out deal to simply anyone.
Miles Minnick has been making a mjaor influence within the Christian Hip-Hop area. Alongside Trendsetter Sense, he helped convey Christian rap to a brand new viewers and even appeared in the course of the Chosen Journey set at Rolling Loud, which marked the primary Christian Hip-Hop efficiency within the pageant’s historical past.
With a lot expertise on this 12 months’s listing, some individuals are nonetheless asking the identical query: “Who’re these rappers?”
Don’t fear, we bought you.
To assist the previous heads catch up, we’re evaluating each artist from the XXL Freshman Class of 2026 to a longtime rapper within the recreation. Take a look at the total listing under, and also you’re welcome upfront.