Looking back, it’s already been four years since XXL inaugurated its Freshman class series. Since its debut, dubbed “Leaders of the New School” at the time, the annual issue has become a coveted platform for upstart MCs to take their careers to the next level. Some have inevitably fumbled on the opportunity, while others have been able to use the XXL cosign to the fullest.  XXL Freshmen have always operated like frat brothers. It's not unusual to see spitters from different classes join forces on the mic. Earlier this week, Kendrick Lamar, of this year's class, released "Hiii Power" produced by J. Cole, a Freshman from last year's class. XXLMag.com takes a look at the collaborative works created between our Freshman alumnus. Which one is the hottest?— Kai Acevedo and Ralph Bristout

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Cory Gunz & Charles Hamilton "Neh, Neh, Neh" – 2008
These two Uptown MCs linked up before being reunited on XXL's '09 cover. The track was produced by DJ Green Lantern.

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Ace Hood feat. Plies "Stressin'" - 2008
A single off of Ace Hood's debut, Gutta.

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Gorilla Zoe feat. Young Dro “Break It Down” – 2008
Zoe collaborates with his Freshman brethren Dro on this mixtape cut.

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Rich Boy feat. OJ Da Juiceman “Count Dem 100s” - 2009
Risshbwoi links up with OJ Da Juiceman for a track off Rich’s DJ Scream-hosted mixtape.

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Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton & B.o.B "Change Gonna Come – 2009
This track was released a few days after the '09 Freshman cover hit newsstands. They even shout us out on the song. We'd like to think they left the XXL shoot and hit the studio. The track later appeared on B.O.B.’s The Unclearables mixtape.

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Pill feat. Freddie Gibbs "Run Up To Me" – 2009
Pill’s 09’ 4075: The Refill mixtape is where this track can be found.

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Joell Ortiz feat. Cory Gunz "Line ‘Em Up" - 2009
A throwaway from J.O's Free Agent LP, this lyrical onslaught features the likes of Cory Gunz.

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Crooked I and Jay Rock "Homage to Dr. Dre" –2009
Crook and Jay Rock pay homage to the great Doc on this Focus-produced cut.

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OJ Da Juiceman Featuring Young Dro "Bags" 2009

OJ gets Dro to lend some bars on his mixtape track.

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Lil Twist feat. Young Dro "Like Me" - 2009
Dro hops on Twist’s Class President mixtape track.

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Wale feat. J. Cole "Beautiful Bliss" - 2009
The D.C. MC tapped Freshman-in-training J. Cole for his debut, Attention Deficit.

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Mickey Factz & B.o.B "Mind Blown" – 2009
Released back in 09’ this collabo was featured in NBA Live 10 OST.

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B.o.B. feat. Wiz Khalifa "Fuck the Money (Remix)" - 2010
The original version featured Asher Roth and was on B.o.B’s 2010 May 25th mixtape.

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Fashawn feat. Blu "Samsonite Man" - 2010
Fashawn and Blu’s '10 collab is off Fashawn’s Boy Meets World release.

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B.o.B feat. Lupe Fiasco “Past My Shades “ - 2010
Bobby Ray and Lu give and go on this track off B.o.B’s debut.

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Yelawolf feat. Cyhi Da Prynce & Pill - 2010 “I Wish (Remix)"
Yela hooks up with CyHi and Pill for this remix off his Trunk Muzik 0-60 EP.

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Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar "Roll On" - 2010
The New West unites on this banger.

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Cory Gunz feat. Curren$y "I’m About It" - 2010
This '10 cut finds one of the first and one of the latest Young Money signees coming together.

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Charles Hamilton & B.O.B. "Paper Boy" -2010
In March 2010 Charles and B.o.B linked up a Tree Sound Studios. Here’s the first track they cut.

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OJ Da Juiceman feat. Jay Rock "Gun Shots" – 2010
This collab is found on OJ’s 2010 “Orange” mixtape.

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Donnis feat. Yelawolf & Pill 2010 “Country Cool (Remix)"
Donnis teams up with Yela and Pill for the remix of his Alanta Brave’s track.

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J.Cole feat. Wale "You Got It" – 2010

The Roc Nation artists link up for the cut of off Cole’s Friday Night Lights mixtape.

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J. Cole feat. B.o.B "Pass Me By" - 2011
Released earlier this year, there’s no word on what project it’ll end up on.

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Lupe Fiasco feat. B.o.B "Who Are They Now" – 2011
An unreleased track that didn’t make the final cut for Lupe’s Lasers album.

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Wiz Khalifa feat. Big Sean "Gang Bang" - 2011
A collab off Wiz’s Cabin Fever mixtape, this was released earlier this year.

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Freddie Gibbs feat. Jay Rock "Rep to the Fullest" – 2011
Jay and Gibbs rep to the fullest on track No. 7 off Gibb’s Straight Killa No Filla mixtape.

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Fashawn feat J. Cole "Nothing on the Radio" -2011
One of three J. Cole collabos found on Fashawan’s Higher Learning Vol. 2 mixtape, which was released earlier this year.

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Jay Rock feat. YG "Ready for War" – 2011
Jay Rock’s Watts' Finest Vol. 1 mixtape is where this track can be found.

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Meek Millz feat. Young Dro "I'm Clean" -2011
Mills and Dro do it up on this track off Mill’s DJ Drama-hosted Flamerz 3.

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Kendrick Lamar feat. J. Cole 2011 “Temptation” – 2011
Kendrick has passed the mic around with Freshman alumnus J. Cole.

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Mac Miller Featuring Wiz Khalifa “Keep Floating” – 2011
Wale & Mac Miller “So What” – 2011

Mac floats with Wiz while trading bars with Wale.


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Blu feat. Mickey Factz "Amnesia (Remix)" – 2011
The original was found on Blu’s Amnesia EP, released earlier this year.

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Curren$y feat. Freddie Gibbs "Scottie Pippen" - 2011
Jet and Gibbs lets MCs know they ride no one's coattails.

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