XXL announced its 2024 Freshman class today including standouts like Hunxho, Lay Bankz, Maiya The Don, That Mexican OT, and more. They’re all future stars in the making, but here are 10 more rappers who shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Southern California rapper’s breakout single “Soak City” continues to gain momentum, but besides that, he just received the biggest co-sign someone from his city can get: Performing at Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth Pop Out concert as a special guest of Mustard.
Thanks to Latto teaming up with her on “Back Outside” and the release of her mixtape Princess Pop That, Anycia’s star is on the rise. We’ve also got a collab with JID to look forward to.
Connie Diiamond
While the Bronx native is far from a “Freshman” in the sense of “just starting out” as she kicked off her career at just 14 years old, she’s started to gain more traction in recent years, particularly with her song “Ghetto & Ratchet.”
You either love them or hate them (and if it’s the latter, keep it to yourself, please, for your own good), but you know them and you’ve definitely seen them sprinting through just about every notable building in LA. 2023 was a standout year for the Dallas/Detroit duo, and with their debut album still in the works, they certainly have another one coming down the pike.
Gloss Up
Her buddy GloRilla was already featured in the coveted roundup, so why not join her and collaborator Sexyy Red in glowing up via the XXL Freshman list? With underground hits like “Come Here” and “Ride Home” she’s more than qualified.
Karrahbooo
Another Atlanta standout with a big-name co-sign, Karrahbooo is the clear star of Lil Yachty’s Concrete Boys clique, but was already building a steady buzz even before she was officially signed to his label.
Kenny Mason
Kenny got plenty of attention in 2022 when he and J. Cole teamed up on Dreamville‘s compilation cut “Stick” and JID’s “Dance Now,” and since then, his string of solid EPs, 3, 6, and Highway 9 have firmly established him as a talent to watch.
Ray Vaughn
I been performing this all summer like it’s my shit. I was ready for this moment wit dot. WORD 4 WORD BAR 4 BAR pic.twitter.com/gANQwWmifW
The future of Top Dawg Entertainment might have seemed precarious with the departure of Kendrick Lamar and Reason, but Long Beach native Ray Vaughn’s nonstop stream of hard-hitting singles have shown he’s got the talent and the motivation to put the West Coast label on his back.
If it seems like there might be a bit of a Los Angeles bias here… Duh. You think a Compton native wouldn’t try to counterbalance the Northeast bias exhibited by the music journalism business for the past six decades? Anyway, Remble has the most unique and charismatic flow to crop up in years, he’s had the big-name co-signs to boost his momentum, and he was also featured in Kendrick’s Ken & Friends show, exposing him to a national audience.
Teezo Touchdown
Yes, he’s a little beyond the strictest definition of a “Freshman,” but that’s never stopped XXL from including an artist on their storied annual feature, so hey, I’m putting him in mine. If he’s not still in the “making” phase of stardom, there’s still plenty of room between him and his ceiling.
The 2020s have seen the revivals of many forgotten popular regional genres of the late ’80s and early ’90s, from House and Techno to Jersey Club and everything in between (I’m personally hoping for someone to bring back Atlanta Bass). It looks like the latest genre to get this treatment is the beloved jock jam, which saw an infusion of life from Coi Leray’s “Get Loud” last year, and now, gets a similar boost from Flyana Boss and their latest high-energy single “Yeaaa.”
In typical FB fashion, the self-proclaimed “weird Black girls” of hip-hop release a string of visually chaotic Instagram and TikTok videos to promote the new single, but this time, there was an added twist: the announcement of their first major-label EP, fittingly titled This Ain’t The Album.
“Yeaaa” is just the latest in a line of homages to the girls’ various inspirations. As their breakout hit “You Wish” ran its course (literally), they followed up with a remix featuring Missy Elliott, “B*tch Imma Star,” and “Candyman,” whose cover art pays tribute to Minnie Riperton’s iconic Perfect Angel cover. Check out the lyrics video for “Yeaaa” above.
This Ain’t The Album is out 3/29 via Atlantic.
Flyana Boss is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Yes, the Grammys just happened this past weekend, but it’s never too early to be thinking ahead. On Sunday (Feb. 4) night, Victoria Monét took home the gold for Best New Artist, keeping the trend of solo female artists wins in this category going for a seventh year straight (following Samara Joy, Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Alessia Cara respectively). But who could be in line for next year’s award?
The criteria for Best New Artist eligibility is a bit vague: while two of the requirements are pretty cut and dry (artists must have released a minimum of five tracks and they can only be entered into this category a maximum of three times), the third condition leaves some gray area: the artist “must have achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the eligibility period.”
This guardrail was implemented after Meghan Trainor took home the award in 2016 despite seeing her debut single “All About The Bass” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 two years prior, but it makes things murky for artists like Reneé Rapp, Teddy Swims, and Tyla, who had all enjoyed a bit of acclaim prior to the beginning of the eligibility window (Sept. 16, 2023).
We’d place our money on some (if not all) of the aforementioned artists getting in if they are eligible, but we’ve set our sights on ten other promising acts we think could be among next year’s nominees. From a London-born country chanteuse to K-pop’s hottest new boy band, take a look into our crystal ball as we make early bets on the 2025 Grammys Best New Artist nominees.
Chappell Roan
For fans of: Katy Perry, MARINA
Every few months, there seems to be a new pop star wannabe being billed as the “next big thing,” but they almost always fall flat due to the lack of a crucial ingredient: originality. While we navigate a sea of carbon copies all trying to out-vibe each other, Chappell Roan has approached the industry with a secret weapon: a refusal to take herself too seriously. It’s that fearless originality that truly sets her apart and given the fact that female artists have dominated this category, she’s a solid contender for the trophy.
Listen to: “Red Wine Supernova,” “Casual”
Infinity Song
For fans of: The Mamas and the Papas, Lana Del Rey
The story behind Infinity Song’s big break is as wholesome as their music: director Jeymes Samuel (The Book Of Clarence) saw a clip of the family band busking in Central Park and sent it to his mogul buddy Jay Z. The rapper brought them in for an audition and signed them to RocNation, and for good reason: between their breezy arrangements and lush harmonies, they make records that sound right at home between cuts from The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield and other Laurel Canyon legends.
Listen to: “Metamorphosis,” “Slow Burn”
Xavi
For fans of: Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida
Regional Mexican music is an undeniable force in the industry: the Billboard 2023 Year-End Top Artists Duo/Groups chart’s top two slots were occupied by Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera, outperforming other top ten acts like Fleetwood Mac, Imagine Dragons, and NewJeans. If the Grammys have their finger on the pulse, they’ll take note of Phoenix-born 19-year-old singer-songwriter Xavi, who rang in the new year by crowning Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with his track “La Diabla.”
Listen to: “La Diabla,” “La Víctima”
RIIZE
For fans of: Boynextdoor, BTS
It’s perplexing that despite K-pop’s chokehold on pop culture, the genre hasn’t seen a single act nominated in the Best New Artist category. In fact, K-pop groups were completely shut out of every category for the 2024 Grammys. Surely the Academy will soon catch up with the rest of the world, and our eyes are on RIIZE as the ones to watch. Not only did the band send a strong message that they’re staking a claim for the U.S. market by releasing an English version of their debut track, but they’ve got SM Entertainment (the geniuses who broke acts like NCT, Red Velvet, and aespa) at the helm. Expect big things.
Listen to: “Get a Guitar,” “Love 119”
Flyana Boss
For fans of: Missy Elliott, Doja Cat
It’s been a long time coming, but female emcees are finally dominating pop culture. While new acts seem to pop up daily, the Los Angeles-based duo Flyana Boss (a play on Diana Ross’ name) set themselves apart with their comedic lyricism and high-energy TikToks. The pair of weirdos may be considered too irreverent for the notoriously stuffy Grammys voters, but that’s part of their charm. Shouldn’t music be fun?!
Listen to: “You Wish,” “UFHO”
Lola Kirke
For fans of: Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves
Despite being in London and raised in New York City, Lola Kirke was always drawn to the gritty glamor of country music. Still, it seems Nashville has caught on: her forthcoming EP Country Curious (out Feb. 16) features folk duo First Aid Kid and Rosanne Cash, and is produced by Elle King.
Listen to: “My House,” “He Says Y’all”
Sudan Archives
For fans of: Janelle Monáe, Kelela
Today’s elite pop stars could take note from the genre-bending, violin-wielding Sudan Archives. Not only did she record her latest album, the critically-acclaimed Natural Brown Prom Queen, in her basement, but she commands the stage with hypnotic, cat-like swagger reminiscent of Gwen Stefani during the early No Doubt days. She’s been teasing new music on social media, and if MTV were smart, they’d book her for a showstopping VMAs performance. (Yes, we’re mixing awards shows, but the point stands!)
Listen to: “Selfish Soul,” “NBPQ (Topless)”
Jhariah
For fans of: Panic! At the Disco, Poppy
Brooklyn-based artist Jhariah can’t be boxed into one genre: while there’s a heavy theatrical lean from emo bands of the early ’00s, influences from artists like System of a Down to Animé to 100 gecs can be heard while skipping through their catalog. The 23-year-old’s upcoming album has been five years in the making, and if the teaser tracks are any indication, it’s going to be massive.
Listen to: “Pin-Eye,” “Risk! Risk! Risk!”
Stephen Sanchez
For fans of: Frankie Avalon, FINNEAS
Let’s be real: no one is more likely for a Best New Artist nomination than Stephen Sanchez. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter made waves last year with his modest hit “Until I Found You,” which he performed alongside Sir Elton John during the icon’s farewell set at Glastonbury. Not only that, but his late-’50s nostalgia vibe is grade-A Grammys catnip.
Listen to: “Until I Found You,” “High”
Emmy Meli
For fans of: Lizzo, Amy Winehouse
The singer-songwriter had a viral moment on TikTok with 2022’s feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” but instead of haphazardly releasing follow-ups to capitalize on her moment, Meli spent the past year developing her craft — a lesson many quick-to-fame sensations should take note of. The result: her forthcoming debut EP (out this spring) is a cohesive jazz-tinged oeuvre, showcasing her intricate, smoky vocals over a horn-forward production that sounds straight out of the ’60s.
Listen to: “I Am Woman,” “Matrix”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
California boasts a lot of interesting rap personalities and Flyana Boss is in that mix without a doubt. The colorful duo of Bobbi LaNea and Folayan have been in the game since the turn of the 2020 decade and they like to drop bangers of all sorts. One of the more recent songs we covered of theirs was a remix of “You Wish.” That featured one of the greatest female MCs of all time, Missy Elliott, and Kaliii.
In fact, that was the last we spoke of them. But, we are glad to announce their next appearance on the HNHH site. However, before we get to that, let us recap what got them to drop “Candyman,” their newest single. “B**** Imma Star” immediately followed “You Wish (Remix)” and that one is a rauchy banger with all sorts of bounce and interesting lyrics. “Big One” is another fun is a big and bold braggadocious cut that also makes a clear sexual innuendo.
Finally, “UFHO (Unidentified Fly-a** Ho)” is a futuristic spaced-theme bop that also makes some hilarious tongue-in-cheek references. In case you have not caught on, Flyana Boss is all about being quirky and a little sex crazy. That is why “Candyman” is not a surprise to us. This time, the insinuations are related to everything sweet. It is a blast to listen to if you enjoy wild bangers. You will be rolling around on the floor to all of the comparisons they make.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new single, “Candyman,” by Flyana Boss? Are they the most entertaining femcees from the West Coast, why or why not? Is this their best song in recent memory? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Flyana Boss. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
Make my cookie crumble (Mm), hope he don’t fumble (Ah) I like-like that he could brag, but he stay on the humble (Okay) He climb my mountains and we take a tumble (Tumble) Tastin’ my Skittles, I’m quick and hе’s nimble (Nom, nom, nom) He my little sweethеart (Mm), my-my sugar daddy (Okay) Put the cream in my coffee just to keep me happy
Flyana Boss was everywhere in 2023 — both figuratively and not-quite literally — as the two champions for “weird Black girls” took their breakout single “You Wish” to all kinds of unusual places for running videos and jogged themselves right into some lucrative brand sponsorships. They’re looking to carry that momentum into the new year, releasing their latest single, “Candyman,” after a similar long run-up on social media (okay, I’ll chill with the running jokes now).
Where “You Wish” was a dismissive putdown to wannabes and featured full-bodied but carefree boasts about the girls’ recent come-up (or manifestations of the come-up in the making, as they told me in an interview last year), “Candyman” is a more coy love letter to their crushes. Using confectionary-coded wordplay to declare one’s affections is a well-worn trope, but one Folayan and Bobbi wield well. The production is bright and bass-heavy, with the girls showing off their vocal chops as well as their witty wordplay. “I call him my Grub Hubby, he gon’ feed me,” Folayan jokes.
The duo’s appreciation for music history shows both in the track and on its cheeky cover art, which references the cover photo from Minnie Riperton’s 1974 album Perfect Angel. Meanwhile, they’re kicking off a headlining tour in February
While Flyana Boss proved the power of manifestation with their breakout hit “You Wish,” the best friend rap duo’s latest release just states the facts. “Bitch Imma Star” sees Folayan and Bobbi flexing on their exes while owning their newfound notoriety (it also finds Bobbi rhyming “arthritis” and “hippopotamus” and making it work, which is just more proof that these girls are the best thing to happen to hip-hop since 2020 at least). It’s another track that makes it clear they’re just having fun and not taking things too seriously, which is what has been earning them fans at a breakneck pace.
As they’ve been enjoying the success of their breakout, they’ve also been living out its lyrics, finding themselves practically actually swimming in new brand deals. They made a joking reference to this with a “brand plug” in their “You Wish” video, but they also recorded a new commercial jingle for Pizza Hut, so it seems like Bobbi had a point when she wrote that fan-favorite bar. The girls are currently on tour with Janelle Monáe and recently got a co-sign from Missy Elliott, so it sounds like they really are stars now.
You can listen to “Bitch Imma Star” above.
Flyana Boss is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Flyana Boss returns to UPROXX Sessions for the second week in a row to rock a rollicking performance of their song “Nu Nu.” While “You Wish” is still their calling card, the Dallas and Detroit-bred dynamic duo is back to prove they are far from a one-hit wonder.
“Nu Nu,” funnily enough, actually precedes “You Wish” by a couple of months. It was released as part of a two-song single called Boffum alongside “Really Really.” It features a hard-hitting hit beat and confident, cutthroat lyrics that find Folayan and Bobbi boasting that they’re leveling up — another clever bit of manifestation from the crew that promised they’d be swimming in brand deals and found themselves sprinting through the offices of Google, TikTok, and Atlantic Records while recording jingles for Pizza Hut.
Watch Flyana Boss perform “Nu Nu” above.
UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.
Flyana Boss is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
For months, Flyana Boss’s “You Wish” viral videos have been inescapable on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Twitter (“X” is a dumb name and I am never calling it that). Then, ahead of the release of the official music video, the duo dropped a slick remix featuring Kaliii and one of their greatest forebears in OG “weird Black girl” icon, Missy Elliott.
Today, Missy got in on the viral video action, sharing a Reel of her performing her verse from the remix. Rather than all-out sprinting through her shoot location, though, Missy goes maximal, sauntering coolly toward the camera as controlled chaos swirls around her. She even does a wardrobe change, going from a multicolored T-shirt and parachute pants to a black jumpsuit with a chain adorned by a pendant of her own head from her breakout “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” video. She also throws on a monogram-print jean dress with a matching hat.
Flyana Boss — who are currently on tour with Janelle Monáe — sent their approval in the comments on Instagram, writing, “Obsessed!!!! We adore youuu!!!” with a UFO emoji. Missy wrote back, “Much love & Continued Success for you both.” That’s one way to pass the torch.
Missy Elliott is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
When Bobbi of Flyana Boss said ” I be Michael Phelps, all the brand deals that I’m swimmin’ in,” it was just sort of a “fake it ’til you make it” situation. But even the biggest skeptic in the world would have to believe in the power of manifestation after the summer the fleet-footed freestylers have had — and they’re still going.
Today, they broke out their latest brand partnership with Pizza Hut, which includes a rapped jingle, a bunch of new TV ad spots, and, of course, even more sprinting in a riff on their viral videos promoting breakout hit “You Wish.” The spots are promoting Pizza Hut’s Melts, a new snack on the menu made of two slices Thin N’ Crispy crust, cheese, and toppings (it’s basically a calzone).
Honestly, it’s a perfect pairing; as much of the dorm-dwelling population practically lives on Pizza Hut and Flyana Boss met in college, it seems fair to say that they’ve inhaled their fair share of the stuff. Plus, brand deals are part of their whole brand, which makes every partnership feel baked-in (pun intended!) and organic, however counterintuitive that sounds. No word yet on how well the Melts will pair with Dunkin’ Donuts’ Ice Spice Pumpkin Drinks, but we’re sure someone out there is going to try it. Godspeed.
Check out Flyana Boss’ new Pizza Hut jingle above.
These days, it seems every new artist who finally catches their big break with a viral hit also tends to catch accusations of being an “industry plant.” Totally aside from this being a delusional way for sourpuss haters to undermine other peoples’ successes, it’s also usually a reflection of a triumphant rollout doing exactly what so many fans say they want: Artist development.
Naturally, Flyana Boss has been the target of exactly those sorts of allegations as a result of the ubiquity of their hit single “You Wish.” They tackle those head-on in the video for the song, which they finally shared today after three months of social media dominance and a remix featuring none other than OG “weird Black girl” Missy Elliott.
Like their newfound mentor, Flyana Boss leans all the way into their geeky inspirations in the colorful video, which references one of their favorite cartoons, The Powerpuff Girls, casting the rappers as kaiju-like monsters demolishing a miniature cardboard city. They also have some fun with those “industry plant” accusations, plopping themselves into a planter marked “industry” and adding an interlude with a DoorDash delivery guy who declares himself the “brand plug” after realizing he’s on a music video set.
It’s a good, funny video that perfectly showcases the girls’ quirky shared sense of humor and dynamic, best-buds chemistry. Enjoy it above.
Flyana Boss is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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WORD 4 WORD BAR 4 BAR
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