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- #2010freshmanrecaps-featured
- 2010freshmanfeatureHow You Like Me: 2010 Freshman RecapAfter some delays, freshman mania resumed in 2010 when <em>XXL</em> released its third class. The bunch featured J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Freddie Gibbs, Fashawn, Donnis, Pill, OJ Da Juiceman, Nipsey Hussle and Jay Rock. <em>XXL</em> looks back at the 10 for '10 freshmen to see what they've been up to.—<em>Carl Chery</em> (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/cchery">@cchery</a>)
- 100119_XXL_Wiz_1314Wiz KhalifaWiz’s debut, <em>Rolling Papers</em>, was certified gold and its lead single, “Black and Yellow” was nominated for two Grammys.His highly anticipated sophomore album, <em>O.N.I.F.C.</em> is due out this year.
- 100119_XXL_JCole_2901 copyJ. ColeYoung Simba’s long delayed debut, <em>Cole World: The Sideline Story</em>, debuted at No. 1 on the <em>Billboard</em> 200 chart and has since gone gold. He was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys.
- 100119_XXL_BigSean_0567 copyBig SeanSean’s <em>Finally Famous</em> debuted at No. 3 on the <em>Billboard</em> 200 chart and spawned three smash hits. The Detroit spitter is set to appear on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation next.
- 100119_XXL_NHussle_0848Nipsey HussleNip’s been making moves as of late. He recently released <em>The Marathon Continues</em> mixtape and announced a business partnership with DJ Skee. He’s rumored to soon join Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group.
- 100119_XXL_OJ_1762OJ Da JuicemanOJ hasn’t exactly been missing in action, but the three mixtapes he released in the past year have gone unnoticed. His sophomore LP, <em>The Otis Williams Jr. Story</em>, is still in limbo.
- 100119_XXL_JayRock_0139 copyJay RockJR trekked with Tech N9ne on his All 6’s & 7’s Tour and finally released his <em>Follow Me Home</em> debut on Strange Music. The album peaked at No. 14 on the Independent album chart.
- 100119_XXL_FGibbs_0718Freddie GibbsGibbs inked a deal with Young Jeezy’s Corporate Thugz Entertainment, but his debut, <em>Baby-Faced Killa</em>, has yet to hit stores. He’s been holding his fans down with collaborative EPs with Statik Selektah and Madlib.
- 100119_XXL_Fashawn_0878 copyFashawnFash has expectedly emerged as one of the underground’s more reliable talents. He released <em>Higher Learning, Vol. 2</em> in early ’11 and appeared on projects by 9th Wonder, Evidence and Alchemist’s Gangrene.
- 100119_XXL_Donnis_0519 copyDonnisDonnis hit the road with Travie McCoy and Pete Wentz on the Sgt. Schlepper's Who Needs Hearts Club Band Tour, but his <em>Fashionably Late</em> LP never got a release date.
- 100119_XXL_Pill_0380PillPill's yet to recapture the buzz of 2009’s <em>The Prescription</em>. He joined Rick Ross's MMG and appeared on the crew’s <em>Self Made, Vol. 1</em>, but the alliance was short-lived. He’s no longer on Warner Bros.
