January 21, 2010 @ 10:23 AM | Written by: Karen Civil
XXL's New Class

With last year’s class acclimating themselves with the real world (some better and more successfully than others), XXL returns with the much anticipated Class of 2010. If you remember, an early version of this list was leaked online which was later proven as inaccurate. Thanks to the world’s greatest confessional, also known as Twitter, look for these names to grace the cover.
1. Nipsey Hussle
2. Wiz Khalifa
3. Freddie Gibbs
4. Pill
5. Jay Rock
6. Big Sean
7. Fashawn
8. J. Cole
9. OJ the Juiceman
10. Donnis
That’s all I have confirmed thus far, but when taking an overall analysis of Hip-Hop and the newcomers who have made/will be making an impact the next 11 and a half months, it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out who’s missing. Then again, there could be some surprises too. FYI, the class took their school portraits on January 18 at a photo shoot at Industria Studio in New York.
FYI - Nicki Minaj & Drake both declined to be on issue. Count them out
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Hip-Hoppish
January 21, 2010 @ 10:57 AM
J. Cole has GOT to be on there…
Hollywood Floss
January 21, 2010 @ 11:24 AM
Yep Nicki and J. Cole are probably on there
InfNYC
January 21, 2010 @ 11:25 AM
Donnis.
kidsupreme773
January 21, 2010 @ 11:33 AM
emilio rojas!
The Truth
January 21, 2010 @ 11:37 AM
The sleeper of 2010 will be Laws. With production from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League nuff said
JetsFool
January 21, 2010 @ 12:18 PM
Wizzle Mayne. Yeaaah Bitch.
uberVU – social comments
January 21, 2010 @ 12:19 PM
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by ElliottWilson: KC is a beast! http://www.karencivil.com/2010/01/21/xxls-new-class/...
Sesomoj
January 21, 2010 @ 12:36 PM
JCole French Montana were mentioned on Twitter as being at the photoshoot by Nipsey and Wiz….so ill guess that they are in the mix too. That leaves 1 more person..
BFRED
January 22, 2010 @ 10:56 AM
Donnis is def #10.
Most Tweeted Articles by Hip Hop Experts: MrTweet
January 23, 2010 @ 5:58 AM
Your article was most tweeted by Hip Hop experts in the Twitterverse…
Come see other top popular articles surfaced by Hip Hop experts!…
Young
January 25, 2010 @ 10:41 PM
Yeah big Sean & j.Cole
Nah Right » Video: Sneak Peek at XXL’s 2010 Freshmen 10
February 12, 2010 @ 3:31 PM
[...] you’d know if you saw this post or if you read Nah Right [...]
Vhingrhamesonyo’momma
February 12, 2010 @ 3:41 PM
Holla Mann
Rere
February 12, 2010 @ 4:32 PM
None of these dudes gonna be Platinum…might not even see any gold either.
BrokenEmpires
February 12, 2010 @ 4:49 PM
How the fuck isn’t French Montana on the list.
He hottest mixtape nigga in New York now that Max B is gone….
I heard he was at the photshoot on some web site.
A Sneak Peek into XXL’s 2010 Freshmen (Video) | 5STARHIPHOP.COM
February 12, 2010 @ 5:39 PM
[...] the list that Karen Civil is accurate than I am less than impressed with half of the list. While I am content with the [...]
tms202
February 12, 2010 @ 7:14 PM
oj tha juiceman though? aye!
CHILE !
February 12, 2010 @ 7:32 PM
no pac div ?
no glory
Vicarious Music
February 12, 2010 @ 8:51 PM
[...] KarenCivil.com addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fvicariousmusic.com%2F2010%2F02%2F13%2Fxxls-new-freshmen-class%2F'; [...]
Writer's Block Media
February 15, 2010 @ 3:41 PM
[...] is about to drop its annual Freshmen issue. From what I heard, this year’s 10 freshmen are Pill, Nipsey Hussle, Freddie Gibbs, Donnis, Jay Rock, J. Cole, [...]
K Manns
February 16, 2010 @ 10:52 AM
I was really hoping for Yelawolf to get a mention but maybe he needs more of a national buzz to be on the list.
Most of the rappers listed aren’t really a bad choice. Let’s see what type of success they can have.
DuseBreed
February 22, 2010 @ 10:59 AM
Big Sean got this list sold up… J. Cole fasho Nippy and Donnis raw! too
craig combs
February 23, 2010 @ 10:55 AM
XV got the snubb again? That can’t be possible. Shouts to Pac Div too. J. Cole thr truth. Big Sean that dude.
craig combs
February 23, 2010 @ 10:58 AM
And where the hell skyzoo?! Mann xxl need to step they game up
XXL’s Freshmen 2010: A New Breed of Hustlers [Pill] | UltraSound
March 5, 2010 @ 11:23 AM
[...] is a small clip featuring rapper Pill. Don’t want to wait till March to find out the rest? Click here to view the full [...]