Nardo Wick

XXL’s Freshman Class Of 2022 HIghlights Babyface Ray, Kali, Saucy Santana, And More

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xxl freshman 2022
XXL

The 2022 XXL Freshman Class is here, highlighting all the rappers expected to blow up in the year ahead. included are Detroit rappers Babyface Ray and Babytron (no relation), Memphians Big30 and Big Scarr (ditto), Florida’s Cochise, TDE-signed, genre-bender Doechii, Atlanta TikTok favorite Kali, Kenya-born Minnesota transplant KayCyy, Houston firecracker KenTheMan, “Who Want Smoke?” star Nardo Wick, out-and-proud Saucy Santana, and just-out-of-his-teens map-hopper Sofaygo.

Each year, the highly anticipated list offers listeners a guide to some of the hottest up-and-coming talents of the past 12 months. Some are viral stars in their own right, with hit records on TikTok or lots of Twitter buzz. Others are often established vets who are only just receiving their big breaks after signing major label deals or garnering big-name co-signs. While some of the names may not be familiar to many readers when they’re first announced, many of those names do become undisputed stars, headlining festivals, making television appearances, and representing hip-hop in the mainstream for years after their selections.

Prior stars who appeared on XXL‘s Freshman list include high-flyers like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, while last year’s list highlighted breakout stars like Blxst, Coi Leray, Flo Milli, Morray, and Pooh Shiesty.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best New Music This Week: Pharrell, Kid Cudi, SZA, and More

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Image via Complex Original

  • Kid Cudi, “Do What I Want” 


  • Pharrell f/ 21 Savage & Tyler The Creator, “Cash In Cash Out”


  • Fana Hues, “Drive” 


  • SZA, “Awkward”


  • Nardo Wick, “Riot”


  • 6LACK, “Umi Says”


  • Saucy Santana f/ Latto, “Booty” 


  • Rubi Rose, “Wifey”


  • Polo G, “Distraction”


  • Rae Sremmurd, “Denial”

Nardo Wick’s Intimidating ‘Riot’ Video Is A Gun-Stuffed Warning To His Enemies

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Jacksonville rapper Nardo Wick returns with the raucous “Riot,” the follow-up to his first 2022 single, “Krazy Krazy.” After dropping the single itself at midnight, Nardo quickly re-upped with an intense music video full of menacing faces and brandished weapons. Seriously, if someone shows this to Congress, I bet they’ll pass gun control in a week.

Despite not having much new music out this year, Nardo’s 2022 is off to a promising start. In addition to his two impressive singles, he also caught Latto’s rising wave, popping up on “Stepper” from her well-received sophomore album, 777. These attention-grabbing performances are helping him maintain the momentum from his breakout 2021, which included the star-making single, “Who Wants Smoke?” its star-studded remix with 21 Savage, G Herbo, and Lil Durk, and its ferocious follow-up, “Me Or Sum” featuring Future and Lil Baby. Nardo’s big-name co-signers would mean little if he couldn’t back it up, though — and good thing for him, he does.

Nardo’s 2021 debut studio album Who Is Nardo Wick? was one of the better-received albums of the year. Also featuring appearances from fellow rising stars Big30 and Lakeyah, it peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and set the stage for him to become one of hip-hop’s hottest newcomers. If he’s planning to follow up this year with another new album, expect to see his name in lights in no time.

Watch Nardo Wick’s “Riot” video above.

Nardo Wick Promises To Start A ‘Riot’ For What He Loves In His New Song

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Nardo Wick has a charmingly haunting voice, and utilizes its full range in his new single “Riot.” The song opens with a near whisper before the beat kicks in and Wick taps into his bread and butter. “I didn’t get why they was laughing, I was waiting on the joke / I was waiting for them at the door.” While he is in self-preservation mode, he will also do all that is necessary for the people he loves: “For the ones I love I’ll burn down the whole town.” In short, Nardo Wick is not somebody that you want to cross.

“Riot” follows up April’s “Krazy Krazy,” and both of them could hint at a certain direction Nardo Wick may be looking to go. After all, the 20-year-old rapper did burst onto the scene with the menacing bop “Who Wants Smoke?” which was later remixed by Lil Durk, 21 Savage and G Herbo. Wick got a Future and Lil Baby co-sign early with the track “Me Or Sum,” and appeared on Latto’s album 777. So far, everything is going as well as it could be for the young artist but he still has his battles he encounters.

Listen to Nardo Wick “Riot” above.

Nardo Wick Talks Super Tough In His Intense ‘Krazy Krazy’ Video

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Burgeoning Jacksonville, Florida star Nardo Wick explained who he is with his 2021 debut album (fittingly titled Who Is Nardo Wick?, which dropped via RCA Records in December). Today, he picks up where he left off with the video for “Krazy Krazy,” his first new music since dropping the debut. “Krazy Krazy” comes with an intense video depicting the Florida rapper’s livewire energy through clips in the studio and on the streets, sewn together with a frenetic edit that matches the thumping Tay Keith production.

Nardo’s been on a roll since releasing his breakout single, “Who Want Smoke??” Releasing a remix of the song featuring 21 Savage, G Herbo, and Lil Durk, he maintained his momentum with another star-assisted single, “Me Or Sum” featuring Future and Lil Baby. The strength of those singles helped lift his first major-label album to a No. 21 debut on the Billboard 200.

Also featured on the album were fellow rising stars like Big30 from Memphis and Milwaukee’s own Lakeyah, while production was contributed by Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Murda Beatz, and Tay Keith. In addition, Nardo was able to keep his name buzzing this year with features on Doe Boy’s mixtape Oh Really and Latto’s album, 777.

Watch Nardo Wick’s “Krazy Krazy” video above.

Nardo Wick’s ‘Me Or Sum’ Video With Future And Lil Baby Pairs Luxury With A Juke Joint Aesthetic

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Jacksonville rapper Nardo Wick made a big splash last year with his breakout single “Who Want Smoke??” featuring 21 Savage, G Herbo, and Lil Durk, leading fans to scramble to learn more about this newcomer with the pull to land big-name collaborations out of seemingly nowhere. Then, while the iron was still hot, he secured two even bigger assists in the form of features from Future and Lil Baby on his follow-up single “Me Or Sum” just before the end of the year.

Keeping his momentum going in 2022, Nardo dropped the video for the single today, ensuring that his buzz will keep roaring throughout the new year. The video sees Nardo holding court in an old-fashioned, Depression-era juke joint as he raps his verse, while Future and Lil Baby perform their verses in luxurious surroundings. The video is split into two main parts, reflecting the dual nature of the song’s beat, which switches after Future’s first verse, while the second half digs deeper into the pre-war aesthetic.

Those wondering who Nardo Wick is were rewarded with the rapper’s debut studio album, Who Is Nardo Wick? Featuring guest appearances from 21 Savage, Big30, Future, Hit-Boy, G Herbo, Lakeyah, Lil Baby, and Lil Durk, the album received good reviews and debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard 200. The album is out now via RCA Records. Stream it here.

Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2021

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A year full of rising rap newcomers and seasoned vets that delivered a solid soundtrack over the last 12 months. Continue reading…