Watch Wifisfuneral’s 2018 XXL Freshman Freestyle

Wifisfuneral is aware he's an underdog, which is what makes his inclusion in the 2018 XXL Freshman Class even more of an epic personal achievement for him.

"I just wanna be known simply off my music," the 21-year-old West Palm Beach, Fla. native tells XXL. "I've built such a cult-following fan base off of just my music. I'm just an underdog. Out of everybody on this whole XXL Freshman list, I'm gonna be the one that people are gonna be like, 'Why the hell is he on here?' I promise you. I'm calling it right now."

The question may be valid for rap fans unaware of his artistry but loyal supporters of the rapper, born Isaih Guy Rivera, are more than familiar with his lyrical skills and ability to switch from rhymes with substance to flexing on the mic over hard-hitting, lo-fi sounds. If you let him tell it, Wifi just feels comfortable doing what he does best. The MC, who joins the ranks of the late XXXTentacion, Ski Mask The Slump God, Smokepurpp and Lil Pump putting on for the South Florida rap scene over the last few years, has kept it consistent since arriving on hip-hop's radar more than four years ago.

Mixtapes like Black Heart Revenge, When Hell Falls, Boy Who Cried Wolf, and, his most recently released effort, Ethernet Vol. 1, provide a sonic understanding of the triumphs and tribulations he's experienced on the come up, all while showcasing solid lyricism. Weef doesn't sugarcoat much and he's admittedly vulnerable in his rhymes. There's pain in his voice at times—he's not shy in addressing his past overdoses—but there's also good ass rapping and speaker-knocking bangers across his catalog of music. Don't let those tattoos on his face fool you. These aren't mumble raps and it's not all Debby Downer moments over here either.

Listen to "Aw Shit,” “Lil Jeff Hardy,” “Wya?”—the remix featuring Ugly God sits at over 11 million streams on Spotify—“25 Lighters” and "Juveniles," his newest collab with fellow 2018 XXL Freshman YBN Nahmir, to get a feel for Wifi's impact when he raps. His collabs with Robb Bank$ for “EA," and features on Yung Bans’ “It’s Snowin pt. 2” and Ronny J’s “Snakes” also prove he's locking in studio time with some of the game's rising stars.

For Wifisfuneral's 2018 XXL Freshman freestyle, the rapper, who names Lil Wayne, Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix among his musical influences, proves he's weathered the storm. He's walked to hell and back and survived. "Ay, I see dead people when I'm walking outside/I was raised to be on my shit stay 10 toes outside/Like is you really down to ride, don't think you live this life/I could walk to hell and back and know I'll be alright," Wifi delivers.

The freestyle, which was recorded during the 2018 XXL Freshman cover shoot just a few months ago in April, ultimately landed on Wifi's new mixtape, Ethernet Vol. 1, as the track "Been 2 Hell & Back." The final product solidifies that the rhymer is championing lyrical excellence.

When asked what he represents in the 2018 XXL Freshman Class in comparison to other artists, Wifi, who's Puerto Rican, is clear his work is far removed from the mumble rap flourishing in the game right now. The Alamo Records/Interscope signee—he signed with the label in March of 2017—dibbles and dabbles in the sub-genre but that's not where his talent thrives.

"That there’s people out there that’s not just tryna like mumble rap, nah mean?" Wifi explains of what he's bringing to the table as a 2018 XXL Freshman. "And it’s no disrespect to mumble rap—I fuck with mumble rap. I do it, you know what I mean, but I wouldn’t classify myself as a mumble rapper ’cause I know there’s different things I can bring to the table. I just would rather consider myself as an artist, period. Although that shit sounds cliché and corny it’s the truth though. I don’t think nobody would want to be classified as one specific genre of something if you you know have different outlets and different brackets that you can reach as an individual.

"I feel like that out of all these other people I’m actually just bringing something different to the table like that. I focus on like constructions of music and how it actually sounds and if it has replay value. A lot of shit."

Watch Wifisfuneral deliver hard-hitting bars in his 2018 XXL Freshman freestyle below.

See Behind the Scenes Photos of Wifisfuneral at the 2018 XXL Freshman Cover Shoot