Every XXL Freshman Freestyle Over the Years
Since our second Freshman Class in 2009, each edition of our annual up-and-coming MC spotlight issue has included a slew of different stories, videos and interviews to showcase the year's new crop of talent. And while a lot of attention centers, understandably, on our cyphers, a real test of a rapper's pure talent comes when they're alone on the mic, freestyling off the top of their head (or as close to that as they dare).
Many of our Freshmen have gone onto Platinum-selling success, No. 1 albums and hip-hop superstardom—many have not, as well; predicting the future is a notoriously difficult enterprise—and they laid down their Freshman freestyle at the moment when they were on the cusp of either making that leap or falling by the wayside. Whichever Class is your favorite, some of these freestyles are sure to provide plenty of entertainment and fascination, particularly as the years go by.
As we get set to start rolling out the 2015 Freshman Class' freestyles on Monday, let's go back and revisit each of the prior six years worth of XXL Freshmen freestyles. [Ed. Note: Unfortunately, the freestyles from our 2012 Class have gone missing from our archives, but we've included each cypher from that year instead.] Who spit the best verse? We'll let you decide. —XXL Staff
Related: The Wait Is Over: Here Is the 2015 XXL Freshman Class
All 12 XXL Freshmen 2014 Freestyles
Every XXL Freshman Cover Over the Years
27 Former XXL Freshman Class Members Name The Best Moments From Their Freshmen Experience
22 Former XXL Freshman Class Members Have Advice For The 2014 Class
2009
Ace Hood
Asher Roth
Blu
B.o.B
Charles Hamilton
Cory Gunz
Curren$y
Kid Cudi
Mickey Factz
Wale
2010
Big Sean
Donnis
Fashawn
Freddie Gibbs
J. Cole
Jay Rock
Nipsey Hu$$le
Pill
OJ da Juiceman
Wiz Khalifa
2011
Big K.R.I.T.
Cyhi The Prynce
Diggy Simmons
Fred the Godson
Kendrick Lamar
Lil B
Lil Twist
Mac Miller
Meek Mill
Yelawolf
YG
2012
Iggy Azalea, Kid Ink, French Montana, Macklemore and Don Trip
Future, Danny Brown, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin and Roscoe Dash
2013
Ab-Soul
Action Bronson
Angel Haze
Dizzy Wright
Joey Bada$$
Kirko Bangz
Logic
ScHoolboy Q
Travi$ Scott
Trinidad Jame$
2014
August Alsina
Chance The Rapper
Isaiah Rashad
Jarren Benton
Jon Connor
Kevin Gates
Lil Bibby
Lil Durk
Rich Homie Quan
Troy Ave
Ty Dolla $ign
Vic Mensa
Fetty Wap
DeJ Loaf
Vince Staples
Raury
GoldLink
Tink
Shy Glizzy
K Camp
OG Maco
Kidd Kidd