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- #mgkandfrench-featured
- mgkandfrench15 Fun Facts About <em>XXL</em>'s 2012 Freshman PhotoshootLast week, <em>XXL</em> unveiled its 2012 <a href="http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-freshman-2012/">Freshman cover</a>—sending <a href="http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/03/best-tweets-of-the-week-2012-xxl-freshman-edition/">Twitter into a frenzy.</a> In the past week or so, French Montana's bear—a prop he attached to his fur coat for several shots during the Freshman photoshoot—has been the subject of much buzz and has sort of become the 11th freshman. As you see above, even MGK had to try it on for size. It's one of several stories that won't make the issue once it hit newsstands on March 20, but <em>XXL</em> got you covered. Here are 15 fun facts about <em>XXL</em>'s 2012 Freshman Photoshoot.—<em>XXL Staff</em>
- FRESHMAN CLASS CITIESThe Bear!When asked where he got his bear, French told <em>XXL</em> he wasn't sure what jungle his bear came from. His stylist quickly noted that bears don't live in the jungle, but in the forest.
- hopsinstylistHopsin's StylistThis year's freshmen were definitely fashion-conscious. Hopsin, however, didn't take full advantage of the wardrobe provided by <em>XXL</em>-hired stylists. The Los Angeles MC would literally take clothes and sneakers off of his friend whenever in need of a new look.
- mgkunderwearMGK's UnderwearMGK's a comfortable guy to say the least. At some point during the shoot, the Cleveland spitter walked around the catering area in his underwear.
- macklemorefreestyleMacklemore's Jordans
- iggyanderickaIggy Azalea's Special GuestA$AP Rocky's sister was Iggy Azalea's special guest for the day. Here, they're pictured moments before Iggy went into hair and makeup.
- frenchmontanbearkiss copyTaco and the BearTaco—the dog of <em>XXL</em> Editor-In-Chief, Vanessa Satten—was the most popular person on set. Staffers and freshmen took turns taking care of him throughout the day. Here, Taco is pictured kissing French's bear.
- frenchmontanabat copyFrench LessonsFrench Montana may be a Bronx bomber, but hailing from the home of the New York Yankees hasn't rubbed off on his baseball skills. French had to be taught how to handle a baseball bat for some of his solo shots. Here, photographer Travis Shinn shows French how to take a swing.
- dontripgolfclubDon Trips Learned How to GolfFrench wasn’t the only freshman who received lessons on the spot. Don Trip was also tutored on using his weapon of choice: a golf club.
- mgkcouchMGK Goes Out SwingingUnlike his Bad Boy label mate, MGK knows how to use a bat. At some point during the shoot, Kellz turned a broken piece of foam from a cooler into a bat and began playfully swinging it at every one in sight, including <em>XXL</em> staffers and fellow freshmen.
- frenchandfutureFrench Montana Beat Future to the ShootOn the eve of the shoot, <em>XXL</em> staffers were notified that French Montana was stuck in Miami for the night and may be a bit late to the shoot the next day. French and his team landed in New York in the morning and immediately came to the shoot. Surprisingly, he wasn't the last freshman to arrive. Future, who was already in NY the night before, was the last man on set.
- iggymakeupWaiting on IggyFuture may have been the last man to arrive, but Iggy was the last freshman to be ready. The other nine freshmen on set waited for Ms. Azalea as she put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup.
- machinegunkellyfloor copyMachine Gun Kelly Naps on the FloorPerhaps exhausted from a long day of shooting, MGK decided to take a little nap in the catering area's floor towards the end of the day.
- #dannybrowntalkDanny Brown and <em>XXL</em> Publisher Chop It UpDanny Brown
- mgkandhopsin copyHopsin Didn't Know AnyoneHopsin has pretty much been in his own bubble. He told <em>XXL</em> the only other freshman he was familiar with, was MGK.
- hopsincypherHopsin, Macklemore and Roscoe Dash PracticeHopsin wandered off by himself to rehearse his verses for the cypher and freestyle throughout the day. Macklemore did the same. Roscoe Dash, however, mumbled his verse to himself in the catering area.
- roscoedashnice copyRoscoe Dash Is a Really Nice Guy<em>XXL</em> staffers and freshmen hit it off, but according to several reports, Roscoe Dash is a particularly nice guy.
