Later tonight, XXL‘s Freshmen Class of 2013 will convene at the Best Buy Theater for the New York City leg of the XXL Freshman Live 2013 tour. The show will feature performances from ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Logic, Joey Bada$$, Kirko Bangz, Action Bronson, Angel Haze, Dizzy Wright, Travi$ Scott and Trinidad Jame$, as well as special yet-to-be-announced guests.

XXL has decided to take a look back at last year’s New York performance, featuring Danny Brown, Don Trip, French Montana, DJ Khaled, Future, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Kid Ink, Machine Gun Kelly and Roscoe Dash.

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2013 XXL Freshman Class is in full effect and time will tell if this will be the best class ever.

In the meantime, we’re taking a look back at each XXL Freshman from past classes to see what they’ve been up through their music since being a Freshman.

This is what Roscoe Dash, XXL Freshman Class of 2012, has been up to musically with his best tracks.

IDGAF

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With every new Freshman class, we take a look back at the previous year’s freshman and ask: How did last year’s Freshman Class perform on the big stage? Click through our gallery to find out. To read about this year’s Freshmen, pick up the new issue of XXL, on newsstands now. Or get XXL right now on your tablet. 

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Roscoe Dash announced his retirement from singing hooks Thursday evening. The 2012 XXL Freshman provided the hooks to Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands” and Big Sean’s “Marvin “Gaye & Chardonnay,” but lately sounds like he is fed up with music altogether. During his short Twitter rant, he told his 300,000-plus followers that there will be no “Roscoe Dash hooks period.”

Is he really quitting the “hook game”? Only time will tell.

ITS OFFICIAL I’m retiring from the hook game…. No more roscoe dash hooks PERIOD so dnt ask

— Roscoe Dash 2.0(@Roscoedash) April 16, 2013

@roscoedash Let me get the last one before you retire that. I’ll pay.

— Chamillionaire (@chamillionaire) April 16, 2013

U know wut the difference between me & EVERYBODY else is? I have the OPTION to retire …At 23!! so keep makin small talk amongst yourselves

— Roscoe Dash 2.0(@Roscoedash) April 16, 2013

The post Is Roscoe Dash Retiring From the “Hook Game”? appeared first on XXL.

This morning, Roscoe Dash spoke with Sway on not receiving the proper credits for his participation in G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer album. According to the Atlanta rapper, reps at G.O.O.D. Music told him there was typo, which left out the rapper’s name as a contributor. In addition, Sway questioned about his involvement on Wale’s “Lotus Flower Bomb” record, which Roscoe Dash also expressed his concern for not receiving the proper recognition. According to the interview, monetary issues are currently being resolved. Check out the video above. —Jaeki Cho (@JaekiCho)

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Roscoe Dash is fed up and he’s not taking it anymore.

The Atlanta rapper took to his Twitter earlier today (September 20) to share his frustration about not being properly credited for his contributions on G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer album and Wale’s smash single, “Lotus Flower Bomb,” which he claims to have penned for the Maybach Music Group rhyme slinger.

“Everybody go get the G.O.O.D. album and listen to #1 then watch @kanyewest interview … & tell me y I’m not on the credits,” Roscoe began his Twitter rant with. “Can’t do favors for niggas bcuz no matter how humble and generous u r to ppl niggas will take everything u have … Even niggas u look up to. The most talented ppl get the least credit for everything and the crazy part is they put in the MOST work…

“Same shyt with @wale lotus flower bomb I wrote that for him b4 he even signed to Ross & it went #1….but nobody would kno that cuz I’m not in the credits,” he added. “But EVERYTHING must eventually come to the light….& I’m only speaking on this publicly bcuz there are so many ppl who wanna be apart of the industry but dnt Kno half of the shit that goes on.”

Dash’s mixtape, Roscoe Dash 2.0, was released on the Internet last month.—Mark Lelinwalla

The post Roscoe Dash Says He Wasn’t Credited on G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer appeared first on XXL.

As promised Waka delivers the fourth installment to his Salute Me Or Shoot Me series with guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Roscoe Dash, Chief Keef, Yo Gotti, Trae Tha Truth and more. Hosted by the Trap-A-Holics and DJ Holiday, download the mixtape here.

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Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group only took 13 months and three days after they dropped their Self Made, Vol. 1 to release Self Made, Vol. 2.

In a recent interview on MTV’s RapFixLive, Rozay attempted to explain the main difference between each project—the time spent working on them.

“Of course, the difference first and foremost is the sound, the music,” the Bawse explained. “When we released Self Made, Vol. 1, we had just really closed our deal. We pretty much did it in two weeks, just sitting around in the studio, just having fun, and we recorded it.

“This project here, everybody was pretty much in a different position,” he added. “It’s been a big difference status-wise from the first year [’til] now. Everybody was basically on tour when we first started this process. We stayed in communication a little more and I think the music itself, it sounds straight up organic, like it was meant to be, from the choruses, the concepts, the titles to the sequencing.”

Vol. 1 included hit singles like “Tupac Back,” “Pacman,” “By Any Means,” “Ima Boss” and “600 Benz,” while featuring guests like Jadakiss, J. Cole and Curren$y. The more focused Vol. 2 features even more guests in the form of Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Nipsey Hussle, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, T-Pain, Ace Hood, Bun B, T.I. and French Montana, who appears on three different cuts.

Yesterday (June 27), MMG released the video for “Power Circle,” a lengthy track at 8:36 that has Rozay, Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley, Gunplay and Kendrick Lamar all spitting.—Jakinder Singh

The post Rick Ross Explains The Difference Between MMG’s Self Made, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 appeared first on XXL.

An updated report alleging that it was Meek Mill who hit Chris Brown with a bottle at an NYC nightclub last night (June 13)—and not Drake as originally reported—has created a stir on the Internet.

One MC to weigh in on the alleged situation, which left Brown with a nasty gash on his chin, was 2012 XXL Freshman Roscoe Dash.

“All imma say is jumping niggas and swinging bottles over a woman who doesn’t belong to ANYBODY!!! Aynt gangsta at all!.. no points given,” Roscoe tweeted. “I gotta say Lost alota respect for @drake & @meekmill out of all the niggas who Dnt like yall y’all chose to retaliate against @chrisbrown.

“Just voicing my opinion there’s wayyy more important shit to start fight abt than features and women #thatisall,” Dash continued. “Now everybody’s mad too bad idgaf but for the record I Dnt have a prob with @drake or @meekmill I just can’t support sucka shit…”

By that time, Meek had heard enough.

The Philadelphia rhyme slinger and MMG MC shot back at Dash:

“@Roscoedash you gotta chill b4 you b tweeting my name in some shit i wasn’t even really in! Stay in ya lane!”

Retorted Dash:

“@MeekMill lmao there aynt no lanes on this BIG ass hwy my brother but like I said I’m just voicing my opinion.”

Dash was not present for the bar brawl at WIP nightclub in New York City on Wednesday night, but sources told TMZ that they seen Meek and Drake hanging out together, before an argument between the MMG rapper and Brown flared. That’s when Meek reportedly hit Brown with a bottle. The NYPD told XXLMag.com that five people were injured and although arrests weren’t made, they could still happen pending an investigation.—Jakinder Singh

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As Rick Ross and his Maybach Music family’s, Self Made 2, album gets closer to its June 26 release date, more details about the LP are being revealed. Via Ross’ www.rozayraw.com earlier this evening, the team released the track listing which not only features songs starring official members of the team, but close friends and associates of MMG as well.

Nas guests on a record called “This Thing of Ours” with Ross and Omarion, while Kendrick Lamar joins in on “Power Circle” with Gunplay, Stalley, Wale Meek Mill and Rozay. Wiz Khlaifa and T.I. also pop on the album, as do Bun B, T-Pain, Nipsey Hussle, Roscoe Dash. Bad Boy recording artists and extended MMG member French Montana raps on a multitude of songs and Triple C’s member Gunplay also rhymes multiple time on the project.—Shaheem Reid

Self Made 2 Track Listing According to MMG:

1 Power Circle/Gunplay, Stalley,Wale & Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross & Kendrick Lamar
2 Black Magic/Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross
3 This Thing Of Ours/Wale & Omarion featuring Rick Ross & Nas
4 All Birds/Rick Ross featuring French Montana
5 Actin Up/Wale & Meek Mill featuring French Montana
6 Fountain Of Youth/Stalley featuring Rick Ross & Nipsey Hussle
7 I Be Puttin’ On/Wale featuring Wiz Khalifa, French Montana & Roscoe Dash
8 The Zenith/Wale & Stalley featuring Rick Ross
9 M.I.A./Omarion & Wale
10 Bag Of Money/Wale & Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross & T-Pain
11 Let’s Talk/Omarion featuring Rick Ross
12 Black On Black/Gunplay featuring Ace Hood & Bun B
13 FluorescentInk/Stalley & Wale featuring Rick Ross
14 Bury Me A G/Rick Ross featuring T.I.

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The entire 2012 XXL Freshman Class took the Best Buy Theater stage by storm in New York City Monday night (April 9). Fans got to see Macklemore win the unfamiliar audience over, Future perform alongside his Moon Man mascot and Hopsin and Machine Gun Kelly, crowd surf, but plenty more happened behind the stage. Concertgoers walked through Best Buy’s doors roughly around 7 p.m., but XXL‘s staff arrived hours earlier to prep for the evening. Here’s a behind the scenes look at XXL‘s Freshman Live Concert Finale.—XXL Staff (@XXLStaff)

Monday April 9, 2012…3:30 p.m.

As we’re arriving to the venue, we see a line of fans sitting outside. First girl in line was Ashley, who wore a Kid Ink sweatshirt. Both Ink and his manager DJ Ill Will knew her from coming to so many of Ink’s shows. The sweatshirt she wore, which Ink wore in a music video, was specially made as a replica.

Monday April 9, 2012…5:23 p.m.

A few of the XXL staffers bump into Iggy Azalea during sound check. It’s the first time some of them have seen her since the Freshman photoshoot. “Where’s Taco?” Iggy immediately asks, inquiring about the dog of Editor-In-Chief, Vanessa Satten. Most of the freshmen had gotten pretty friendly with Taco during the shoot.  When hearing of Taco’s absence Iggy simulates a fit. “That’s bullshit,” she shouts, throwing her pink hoodie onto the ground repeatedly. Digital Content Director, Carl Chery, jumps in and throws Iggy’s hoodie on the floor as well.

Monday April 9, 2012…5:39 p.m.

Roscoe Dash and his crew go through sound check. Some chord not properly arranged on stage upsets Roscoe’s spazzing hypeman; who is somewhat reminiscent of Pastor Troy. “We just got off a flight right now, and I’m hungry! I don’t need y’all unprofessional…” the hypeman ranted. Roscoe, however, carried himself calmly and politely consulted with the sound crew. He apologized for his hypeman’s rowdy antics, while also presenting his team’s concerns.

Monday April 9, 2012…7:37 p.m.

As the XXL staff relaxes in one of the three dressing rooms, Kid Ink arrives with his entourage, and staffers leave the room ’cause the rapper needs to blaze.

Monday April 9, 2012…7:54 p.m.

During a meet and greet featuring Hopsin, Kid Ink and Don Trip, a fan spots DJ Alamo of Brand Nubian fame—now working with Ludacris’ Soul Headphones—and shouts, “2 Chaaaaiiinnzzz!” “Negative,” Alamo, who sports long dreads like Tit, replies.

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All 10 XXL 2012 Freshmen showed and proved last night (April 9) at New York’s Best Buy Theater. The final show of the 2012 XXL Freshman tour included special appearances by DJ Khaled, Tech N9ne and ScHoolBoy Q and showcased the diverse range of MCs in this year’s class.

Memphis Tennessee MC Don Trip set things off with “Letter to My Son” before jumping into “This is the Life.” LA’s Kid Ink built on Trip’s momentum with a healthy set that included his rising hit “Time of Your Life.”

The Best Buy Theater began to reach capacity as Iggy Azalea prepared to hit the stage. The Australian MC was poised as she led the crowd through energetic renditions of “Pussy” and her latest single“Murder Bizness,” sans T.I., before spending the final moments of her set hugging diehard fans in the front row.

Iggy’s set got the crowd’s blood flowing for Roscoe Dash, who sent them into a frenzy by performing a medley of his most memorable hooks. “No Hands” and “All the Way Turnt Up” got love, but it was Big Sean’s “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay” that really got fans turnt up.

Seattle’s Macklemore formally introduced himself to NYC with a high-octane set that included a live trumpet. The “Otherside” MC had the foreign crowd on his side by the end of the set thanks to his stage presence and the help of phenomenal trumpeter Owour Arunga.

Next up was the white-eyed Hopsin, rocking his distinct contact lenses, who performed the entirety of “Sag my Pants” while crowd-surfing on the Best Buy audience. The room exploded when Hop brought out the evening’s first surprise guest, Tech N9Ne, to perform “Am I A Psycho?” off of Tech’s All 6’s and 7’s. It was the first time the two shared a stage together.

Speaking of eccentric emcees, Danny Brown took the stage next in a Tiger-inspired, ruler-looking track suit, and brought out a special guest of his own. Newly-signed Interscope recording artist Schoolboy Q took the stage to perform “Hands On The Wheel,” before Danny closed his set with “Blunt After Blunt,” from his 2011 mixtape, XXX.

Accompanied by a dancing Moon man, Future was up next, performing club smashes “Tony Montana,” “Ain’t No Way Around It,” “Racks,” and “Same Damn Time.” The Atlanta rapper closed out performing his hooks off of Rick Ross’s “Ring Ring,” and Rocko’s “Squares Out Your Circle.”

With an introduction from host Cipha Sounds, New York’s own French Montana took the stage, and in typical Frenchie fashion flooded it with an entourage of dozens. Wearing a ski mask, the Bad Boy signee launched into hits “Choppa Choppa Down,” “Call It Dat,” and “Shot Caller.” Amongst his entourage were Red Café and DJ Khaled, who performed “All I Do Is Win,” and “I’m On One,” respectively. Montana closed out his set with “Stay Schemin.”

French Montana And Dj Khaled @ XXL Show NYC from Dazed One on Vimeo.

Chants of “MGK” had been filling the theater all night and when Machine Gun Kelly finally appeared, the crowd erupted. With the backing of a live drummer, MGK launched into “LTFU” and “Invincible.” He even performed a cover of Blink 182’s “What’s My Age Again,” bringing a couple of female fans —and one shirtless male fan with an exposed Lace Up tattoo on his chest— onstage to share in the moment. After some stage diving of his own, MGK closed out the night with “Wild Boy.”

Last night’s show capped the 2012 XXL Freshman Tour which made stops at SXSW, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. You can download the DJ Whoo Kid hosted 2012 XXL Freshman mixtape here. —Neil Martinez-Belkin and Calvin Stovall

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To celebrate the Fifth Annual Freshman issue (on newsstands now), XXL linked up with DJ Whoo Kid for the third year in a row to release a mixtape showcasing the skills of the new class, and now it’s ready for the world.  The 2012 XXL Freshman Mixtape features all 10 of this year’s freshmen, as Don Trip, Danny Brown, French Montana, Future, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Kid Ink, Machine Gun Kelly, Mackelmore and Roscoe Dash all display their talents. In addition to Whoo Kid, the release is hosted by Diddy and T.I.

Download the mixtape here. —XXL Staff

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The 2012 XXL Freshman frenzy isn’t over quite yet.

Today at 3 p.m., the 2012 XXL Freshmen mixtape, hosted by DJ Whoo Kid, Diddy and T.I., will drop exclusively on XXLMag.com. This is the third year in a row that Whoo Kid has hosted the release, which includes music from each of the ten artists featured on this year’s cover (on stands now), as well as some special features.

A few hours after the tape drops, each member of this year’s class—Danny Brown, Don Trip, French Montana, Future, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Kid Ink, Machine Gun Kelly, Macklemore and Roscoe Dash—will be converging on New York City’s Times Square for the third annual Freshman Live Concert, hosted by Hot 97. The show will be rounding out this year’s Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents XXL Freshman Live, which also included dates in Austin, TX at SXSW, as well as in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. The event, which may feature some special guests, will be held at the Best Buy Theater at 8 p.m. EST and is almost sold out, so be sure to cop your tickets now. —XXL Staff

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The XXL Freshmen Live Tour will conclude with a bang in NYC on Monday (April 9) and the special live concert is almost sold out. The main event, presented by Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, will be taking place at the Best Buy Theater in midtown and XXLMag.com is giving away a pair of tickets to select winners every day until Sunday (April 8).

For today’s giveaway, the first reader to email XXL@harris-pub.com with their full name (first and last) along with the answer to the following trivia question will win a pair of tickets: What is Don Trip’s government name?

The contest is only limited to those who will be in the NYC area on the day of the show. All applicants must be at least 18 years old with valid I.D. XXL will notify the winners. For ticket info go to ticketmaster.com.

XXL‘s April 2012 Freshman issue, featuring French Montana, Iggy Azalea, Future, Roscoe Dash, Machine Gun Kelly, Danny Brown, Macklemore, Hopsin, Don Trip and Kid Ink, is on newstands nationwide now.—XXL Staff

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**THIS STORY APPEARS IN ITS ENTIRETY IN THE APRIL 2012 ISSUE OF XXL. ON SALE NOW!**
WORDS CARL CHERY (@cchery)

GO TO THE NEXT PAGE TO READ XXL’s FRESHMEN BY THE NUMBERS

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