2023 XXL Freshman

DC The Don: A Rising Force In Emo Rap

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With a new fleet of rappers bursting on the scene, it’s no easy feat selecting those that stand out. However, one listen to DC the Don, and it’s clear why the young rapper has blown up. With a unique blend of Hip Hop and rock music, he’s very much in a league of his own. Day after day, the fast rising star welcomes in a hoard of new fans. 

Through an unconventional and dynamic rap style, DC the Don has carved out a specially designed path. A multitalented star, he’s also garnered much attention for his basketball playing skills. The six foot seven rapper has been active musically since 2017, but he shot to higher fame in 2020. DC the Don further made headlines after nabbing a spot on XXL’s coveted Freshman list for the Class of 2023 set. His third album, FUNERAL, showed a simultaneously more vulnerable and versatile side to the rapper.

Early Days

Born Daijon Cotty Davis, DC the Don knew for a long time that his life would go either one out of two ways.  The “Worst Day” rapper was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 3, 1999. Growing up, he was interested in music and basketball, with a promising career in either of the two ventures. As a teenager, he moved from Milwaukee to Long Beach, California, to wax his basketball skills. 

He eventually met and played basketball with the Ball Brothers under the Amateur Athletic Union. He forged a strong friendship with the basketball trio, and they have reportedly remained close. Sometime in 2017, Lonzo Ball’s Big Baller Brand shoe, the ZO2, was released. In the announcement video, DC the Don’s “Everything 1K” was the accompanying track. This opened the door to the rapper accessing the mainstream market. After the rise to fame, he continued to make more music. 

DC The Don’s Breakthrough 

By the 2020s, DC the Don had begun to reap the fruits of his labor. Between 2017 and 2019, he released five EPs and two mixtapes, which gained buzz in the underground space. He signed to Rostrum Records, known for their roster of alternative Hip Hop stars, in 2020. He released his debut album, Come as You Are, in the same year.

In 2022, his sophomore album My Own Worst Enemy was released to critical praise. The album showcased a great progression in the artist’s writing, offering a more mature sound. On My Own Worst Enemy, DC famously battled his alter ego, which made for a rap-rage fest. His third album, FUNERAL, was released on May 5, 2023. He further explained that the title of the project signified a brand new version of himself. 

“A lot of sh*t in my life has been changing…From a personal standpoint, it’s a ‘FUNERAL’ and death to a lot of things that could be better [for me] moving forward,” he said. “From a music standpoint, it’s like a death of everything that came before – and I’m not saying f**k all my other music because it’s what led up to this – but it’s kind of like a whole new chapter instead of just turning the page.”

The Future

 

 
 
 
 
 
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After leaving a basketball career for music, DC the Don is showing his decision was no fluke. With tracks like “12AM” and “Hate Being Lonely” on his latest project, switching lanes is clearly no difficult task for him. Infusing even more genres to his previously identifiable sound has also kept his music fresh. After being put in a box musically, he has quickly ended all doubts. Through his knack for experimentation, DC the Don creates a genre bending cascade of emotions. 

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Rob49: Crafting A New Rap Legacy

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Rob49’s fast-rising career is a truly tremendous one. At just 24, he’s already signed to one of the biggest record labels ever. Better yet, he’s collaborated with some of Hip Hop’s finest, both young and old. His ascent has been noteworthy, especially with the way the star has overcome significant obstacles in his life. His rough, authentic, and unapologetic sound is garnering him new fans by the day, and he’s forging a unique sound of his own. 

Rob49 was recently announced as a member of XXL’s 2023 Freshman Class. He joins a host of other impressive newcomers that made it to the coveted list, including Luh Tyler, TiaCorine, GloRilla, and more. This is no doubt a nod to his awe-inspiring musical feats in 2022. In addition to this, the New Orleans native is waxing even stronger in 2023. 

Rob49’s Rise To Fame

Rob49 was born Robert Thomas in 1999 and raised by a single mother in New Orleans. His name stems from the 4th and 9th wards of his city’s projects, where he grew up. Even though he always had the music bug, he wouldn’t go into the studio until 2020. This moment led to Rob49 accepting his fate as a rapper. Before finding success with rap, he tried to go to school for nursing and even joined the National Guard.

While accompanying his friend to the studio, Rob49 stepped into the booth during a break and decided to spit a few bars. The overwhelming reaction from his fans proved to be a kickstarter for multiple sessions for the young rapper to create more music. Now, with co-signs from major acts like Lil Baby, Kevin Gates, and special love from Birdman, Rob49 is coming into his own. 

Musical Success

In 2022, two years after his first taste of local musical success, Rob49 released the project Welcome to Vulture Island. The title track, “Vulture Island,” became a major hit for the rapper. After being catapulted into the limelight, he became widely popular not only in his native New Orleans but beyond. The album offered a glimpse into the realities of his life and greatly showcased his love for his city.

With Birdman on the intro, Welcome to Vulture Island started strong. Their collaboration also led to the Hip Hop legend wanting to sign Rob49 under him. Eventually, he signed with the famous Geffen Records, all while at the early stages of his career. On his collaboration with Lil Baby, Rob49 reached out to the rapper after seeing his freestyle on Instagram. Within a few weeks, Lil Baby was tapped for the remix of “Vulture Island.”

His latest album, 4GOD II, was released on June 9. It features Roddy Rich, G Herbo, Trippie Redd, and Birdman once again. The project has quickly become a favorite of the year and continues to position him as a significant New Orleans export. 

Rob49’s Personal Life

Rob49 grew up surrounded by music, particularly Beyoncé, thanks to his mother. As time passed, he listened to many major names, including Kanye West, Future, and Lil Wayne. He’s described his childhood as one where “you see murders every day.” His father was also incarcerated for much of his upbringing.

Earlier this year, during French Montana’s video shoot in Miami, Rob49 was shot along with several others on the scene. Thankfully, his injuries were not fatal. Now, the rapper keeps at his grind while “moving smart.” He’s revealed that yet another project is underway, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. As a big fan of the New Orleans Pelicans, Rob49 has also enjoyed access to courtside games. Furthermore, he revealed that the Pelicans had asked him to make a version of “Vulture Island” for them. 

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Lola Brooke: The Rise Of A Formidable Force In Rap

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Lola Brooke is still in the beginning stage chapters of her career, and some big things have already happened in it. The New York rapper has already released several viral songs, appeared at music festivals, and is one of the 2023 XXL Freshmen. Lola’s distinct vocal delivery helps set her apart from her contemporaries, but she has also worked with many of them. Her music’s energy and aggression are what draw many listeners in. She has only released singles but listeners eagerly await a full project ‌from her. With her being selected as an XXL Freshman this year, anyone still unfamiliar will find out exactly what she can do in the cypher and freestyle segments from the publication.

Lola Brooke’s Influences: From Family & Rap Legends

Lola Brooke started in Brooklyn, where she was born in the late ’90s. Her mother became a widow after she was born. Her musical origins connect directly to her cousin, Jah, whom she made music with on Pro Tools. These sessions happened at her Aunt’s house, but enjoying music and dancing were a constant among all her family members.

Her musical influences are artists from the late 2000s and beyond, such as Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Meek Mill. However, she also admired legendary women in the rap game, such as Foxy Brown and Missy Elliott. In terms of writing music, she spoke with Flaunt about how it birthed from her diary and journal entries. Music was a form of expression for her where she could share thoughts she wasn’t comfortable having conversations about. Her stage name is a combination of the Looney Tunes character Lola Bunny and her hometown.

Lola Brooke Has Released Multiple Singles

Lola dropped her first music video for a song called “2017 Flow” in 2017. Next, she released “Not The Same” and “Sh*ttin’ Me.” However, she skyrocketed in popularity with her single “Don’t Play With It,” which featured Billy B, in 2021. In 2023, she released a remix that featured two other chart-topping names in the rap game: Latto and Yung Miami.

In 2022 she released “Here I Come,” and in 2023, she appeared on “Conceited” with Flo Milli and fellow New York artist Maiya The Don. Her singles from 2023 include “So DISRESPECTFUL,” which loosely connects to the 50 Cent song of the same name. Additionally, “Just Relax” samples and interlopes the iconic “The Choice is Yours (Revisited)” by the New York duo Black Sheep. Lola stated that her debut project’s name is Lil Big Momma, but she has not shared a release date yet. 

Lola Brooke Has Already Met Rap & Culture Titans

Lola Brooke has already made multiple festival and concert appearances. These include being brought out during Future’s concert at the Barclays Center and by Pharrell at his Something in the Water Festival. She’s also had her own sets at Rolling Loud NYC and other festivals. She most recently appeared on a few tour dates with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.

These co-signs extend even further as she’s received them from other New York figures like DJ Envy and Jadakiss. Lola shared that her Mom and aunties were big fans of Jadakiss, too, making their meeting even more memorable. She also appeared among legends when she was on the ABC documentary Hip-Hop at 50: Rhythms, Rhymes and Reflections. Hosted by Angie Martinez, she sat with MC Lyte, fashion designer June Ambrose, host Melissa Ford, and Roc Nation President Shari Bryant.

Lola Brooke’s Elevation Continues

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 17: Rapper Lola Brooke performs onstage during 2023 HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash at State Farm Arena on June 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

The chapters in Lola Brooke’s music journey continue to expand every day. She’s done interviews that showcase her character outside of the music and is active on social media with her listeners. In June, she was announced as a member of the 2023 XXL Freshman class. With her constantly elevating in popularity, this was no surprise to her listeners. Once a group that featured only men, Lola holds her own amongst the men and stands with fellow women TiaCorine and GloRilla. Lola getting her chance to shine here will bring even more eyes to her career, and she’ll bring them with her when she releases her debut project, Lil Big Momma, in the near future.

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