Hip Hop News

Every year, the XXL Freshman list gets Hip Hop fans talking. Those that are selected tend to celebrate the recognition while many artists who weren’t included vocalize their ire. Fans like to chime in as well, adding their two cents about who should and shouldn’t have made the cut, and DDG has taken the opportunity to boast about his successes.

DDG joins Coi Leray, Pooh Shiesty, Murray, Iann Dior, Lakeyah, 42 Dugg, Blxst, Rubi Rose, Toosii, and Flo Milli as the 2021 XXL Freshman class. He sent out a tweet where he listed off just a few of his recent accomplishments.

“How tf i go platinum, beat a n*gga ass in front of millions of people, Quit youtube & get on XXL freshman list in the same week,” tweeted the rapper. He closed out his brief message with a crying laughing emoji and a goat emoji. Of course, DDG drops a few references including his recent boxing match with Nate Wyatt and his announcement that he will no longer be making YouTube content. 

It’s reported that the rapper deleted his videos and is making his music career his main goal for the time being. Check out DDG’s tweet and watch his explanation as to why he decided to hang up his YouTube hat below.

Megan Thee Stallion has served up another banger for the upcoming Hot Girl Summer. “Thot Sh*t” was the new record she released on Friday and fans have had mixed feelings towards it. On one hand, it’s a catchy, upbeat record that’ll definitely be tearing the clubs up. On other hand, fans find it similar to some of her previous releases. For one politician, the criticism had nothing to do with its musicality but apparently, its direct attack on conservative pundits?

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Random GOP politician DeAnna Lorraine apparently feels like she’s being targetted by the H-Town Hottie on “Thot Sh*t.” The former California Candidate for the U.S. House suggested the single was an attack on her and more widely, conservative politicians who bash her music. Lorraine previously said that Megan and Cardi B “set the entire female gender back by 100 years with their disgusting & vile ‘WAP’ song.” Now, she says she’s being attacked with text messages, calls, and emails from people who’ve apparently taken issue with the song. 

While there might be a point to be made that “Thot Sh*t” is in response to conservative pundits and outlets criticizing Megan Thee Stallion’s work, it’s a far reach to consider it a diss song. As the article floated around the timeline today, Megan Thee Stallion quoted TMZ’s article and simply asked one question: “Who?”

Peep Meg’s tweet below. 

The news that Kawhi Leonard suffered a right knee sprain and would be out indefinitely caused LeBron James to vocalize frustrations with the NBA. We watched as the league adjusted to the new normal now that outside has opened up and millions of people have been vaccinated. As players have returned to the paint with the stands filled with cheering and jeering fans, there has been an increasing number of favorites sustaining injuries.

Aside from Leonard, this season has been riddled with injuries involving players like Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and more. LeBron aired out his grievances on Twitter where he lamented about not being taken seriously when he shared his concerns. “They all didn’t wanna listen to me about the start of the season,” said James. “I knew exactly what would happen.”

Christian Petersen / Staff / Getty Images

“I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just ‘PART OF THE GAME’,” he added. “It’s the lack of PURE RIM REST rest before starting back up. 8, possibly 9 ALL-STARS has missed Playoff games(most in league history). This is the best time of the year for our league and fans but missing a ton of our fav players. It’s insane.”

“If there’s one person that know about the body and how it works all year round it’s ME! I speak for the health of all our players and I hate to see this many injuries this time of the year. Sorry fans wish you guys were seeing all your fav guys right now.” Check out the tweets below.

It feels like it was decades ago when Drake was booed off of the Camp Flog Gnaw stage. The rapper formed the OVO x OF alliance formally when Tyler, The Creator personally invited him to perform at the festival. Tyler expressed his disappointment that Drake couldn’t even finish his set, citing the “shits in the front area” who were rude to his guest. While Drake later reflected on the incident on both social media and his interview with RapRadar, it seems that it didn’t affect the relationship between him and Tyler, The Creator. 

Earlier today, Tyler, The Creator unveiled the first single off of his forthcoming album. “LUMBERJACK” is a flashback to Tyler’s early production style with a surprising cameo from DJ Drama. However, there was one line in particular that fans believe is about The Boy. A mention of a $1M conversation with Drizzy has sparked speculation on a potential collaboration between Tyler, The Creator and Drake.

“N***as ain’t really on the type of shit he on/ I hit Drizzy and told him I got a milli for him (Oh shit),” Tyler raps on the record. While some speculated that this could mean that Tyler coughed up a ticket for Drake’s unfortunate festival performance, others think that Tyler dropped a bag for a verse that will appear on his forthcoming album. The two rappers have yet to collaborate but have shown each other a lot of respect for their crafts. Hopefully, this comes to fruition but so far, Tyler’s kept most information about his new project under wraps.

Check out some of the fan theories below and let us know what you think in the comments. 

Earlier today, XXL dropped the latest edition of their annual Freshman cover in which they highlight an assortment of rising artists who they believe will have a long-lasting impact on the music industry, and as expected, the magazine also prompted an intense internet debate in the process.

Following in the footsteps of the 2020 XXL Freshman Class — which included stars such as Mulatto, Polo G, Rod Wave, Fivio Foreign, and Jack Harlow — the 2021 XXL Freshman class shines a light on 42 Dugg, Pooh Shiesty, Coi Leray, DDG, Rubi Rose, Iann Dior, Lakeyah, Morray, Toosii, Blxst, and Flo Milli. The team over at XXL has called its latest freshman class “out of this world,” but a quick scroll through Twitter will show you that a vast amount of Hip-Hop fans don’t quite think so.

Many fans are outright calling the 2021 XXL Freshman Class one of the worst in the history of the annual cover, citing a lack of lyrical skill from a majority of the artists featured on the list. Other fans are celebrating the fact that this year’s cover sets the record for the most female rappers ever featured on a XXL Freshman Cover, which is admittedly incredible.

In a since-deleted tweet, Fredo Bang — who has enjoyed plenty of success over the past year thanks to his single “Top” — commented on this year’s Freshman list, saying, “How much it cost to get on this XXL cover,” with plenty of laughing emojis.

Several Hip-Hop fans seem to have taken Fredo Bang’s approach to this year’s freshman class by finding humor in XXL’s newly unveiled cover, with many people directing their shots at the on-and-off couple Rubi Rose and DDG. Furthermore, the common consensus appears to be that fans think that Flo Milli was one of the most deserving artists on this year’s cover.

Check out some of Twitter users’ best reactions to the 2021 XXL Freshman Class below.

Now that the initial shock has worn off, has the 2021 XXL Freshman Class grown on you?