XXL

XXL Recruits Asap Ferg, Ab-Soul, & Sauce Walka For Their New Cypher Lab Series

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XXL‘s Freshman cypher’s have been legendary and iconic. However, over the last few years, fans have not been too pleased with the talent selection. But the publication seems to be finding ways to rebuild their reputation in regard to this dilemma. Around this time last year, they brought on Latto following her feature and they allowed her to bring on her favorite female talents. Flo Milli, Monaleo, Maiya The Don, and Mello Buckzz appeared, and it turned out to be a success. XXL is dubbing this their Cypher Lab series and not too long ago, they dropped the second installment of it.

This time around, it’s all guys from three of the hottest regions in hip-hop. A$AP Ferg is representing the East Coast, Ab-Soul puts on for the West, and Sauce Walka pops out to put people on to the South. You can watch their Cypher Lab with the first link below, and they all kill it. Fans are especially championing Ab-Soul’s verse as he preps for his next album, Soul Burger.

Read More: Lil Durk Update: Alleged Co-Conspirators To Be Brought To L.A. For Detention Hearings

Who Had The Best XXL Cypher Lab Verse? Ferg, Soul, Or Sauce?

In addition to the performance, the three artists got together for a discussion surrounding the importance and lack of respect for lyricism. Each veteran MC laid out some terrific and astute points about the current climate. In Ferg’s eyes, the vibe is greater than the words being delivered in most cases. “”More people are driven by the feeling and the emotion of the beat and the vibes and the melodies rather than the lyrics. So, sometimes lyrics can feel like it can be a lost art.” For Ab-Soul, he’s got a more open view on it, as it depends on everyone’s individual perspective and interpretation. Finally, Sauce that lyrics are required for you to be considered elite in the game. Hopefully, this Cypher Lab continues because the insights and performances are all terrific.

What are your thoughts on this XXL Cypher Lab featuring A$AP Ferg, Ab-Soul, and Sauce Walka? Who had the strongest verse in your opinion? Do you agree with each rapper’s statement about lyricism in hip-hop? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding A$AP Ferg, Ab-Soul, and Sauce Walka. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Read More: Lil Durk’s 10-Year-Old Son Releases Passionate Statement Of Support Amid His Father’s Arrest

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XXL Freshman Class Catches Flack For “Not Like Us” Slogan With No West Coast Artists Included

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The 2024 XXL Freshman Class is finally here, and it’s a pretty exciting roster of names that has people engaging in a lot of debate, discussion, and hot takes online. However, one aspect of this conversation so far online doesn’t really concern the featured artists, but rather the slogan that the publication chose to attribute to them: “Not Like Us.” This prompted many fans to do a quick scan and posit that this misses the point about what Kendrick Lamar’s song is partially about. After all, this new Freshman Class includes no West Coast artists, so some folks online have an issue with using that region’s current big hit.

Of course, the hype behind this Drake diss track is so massive across various corners of hip-hop that it’s easy to understand why this 2024 XXL Freshman Class rollout would want to cement this moment within its coverage. In fact, Kendrick Lamar recently filmed the music video for “Not Like Us” in Compton, which makes this contrast caused by no West Coast artists all the more present in people’s minds right now. Still, there’s so much to talk about with the list either way that this backlash might fizzle out eventually. But the West will likely never forget.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Is Officially Eligible For The Grammys

2024’s XXL Freshman Class

Regardless of all that, XXL‘s Freshman Class this year is going to show off their skills soon, and they’ll prove fans’ adoration or skepticism soon enough. BigXthaPlug, Maiya The Don, Hunxho, Rich Amiri, Cash Cobain, Lay Bankz, That Mexican OT, 4batz, Skilla Baby, Bossman Dlow, and ScarLip have fans ready to see what they’ve got. We all know how infamous or legendary some of these freestyles and cyphers can be, so it’s going to be fun to watch it all go down. They already did a video series responding to hate comments, so they kicked off the content right away.

Fans React To The “Not Like Us” Slogan

Meanwhile, this has still been a phenomenal year for the West Coast, with or without XXL Freshman Class representation. Maybe the publication should consider an all-West Coast cypher much like they did with femcees not too long ago. Either way, there’s a lot to be excited about, and much more to look forward to from California and company. As for the XXL list, we can’t wait for those conversations.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Really Popped Out: The West Coast Is Back On Top

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XXL’s 2024 Freshman Class Includes Lay Bankz, Maiya The Don, And More

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The most anticipated preview of hip-hop to come has arrived. The XXL Freshman Class is an annual tradition that lets hip-hop fans get a look at the year’s fastest-rising stars.

This year’s list includes Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug, Tallahasee, Florida rapper Bossman Dlow, New York rapper Cash Cobain, Atlanta rapper Hunxho, Philadelphia rapper Lay Bankz, New York rapper Maiya The Don, Boston rapper Rich Amiri, New York rapper ScarLip, Texas rapper That Mexican OT, and the mysterious crooner 4Batz.

Prior lists have included Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, so it’s usually a pretty good indicator of how artists’ careers are playing out — and at least one name on the cover is almost guaranteed to become a superstar. See below for a breakdown of each rapper’s breakout moment.

BigXThaPlug

BigXThaPlug hails from Dallas and his big hits so far are “Mmhmm” and “Texas.”

Bossman Dlow

His breakout single “Get In With Me” went viral on TikTok earlier this year, precipitating a No. 20 debut for his new tape, Mr Beat The Road.

Cash Cobain

Known for his “Slizzy” approach to the traditional New York sound, Cash’s biggest looks came from “Fisherrr” and his J. Cole collab, “Grippy.”

Hunxho

Hunxho’s rise has been steady since 2021, with “Let’s Get It”; he’s since released a string of solid mixtapes including 2023’s For Her, which peaked at No. 83 on the Billboard 200.

Lay Bankz

A string of viral TikTok hits culminated this year with “Tell Ur Girlfriend” and After 7 her major-label debut project.

Maiya The Don

In October 2022, Maiya dropped “Telfy” garnering about as much popularity as the titular bag. She’s since supported Flo Milli on tour after appearing on the Montgomery rapper’s “Conceited” remix, and even teamed up with the New York Liberty.

Rich Amiri

“One Call,” was just the latest song to jump from TikTok to the Hot 100 in February.

ScarLip

You’ve likely heard “Glizzy Gobbler,” Scar’s 2022 hit viral hit; if not, you may have seen her featured alongside some of the biggest names in hardcore hip-hop, including Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss, and Benny the Butcher, Snoop Dogg, and more.

That Mexican OT

Best known for his 2023 single “Johnny Dang,” That Mexican OT is probably the breakout star of this year’s Freshman class. His albums, Lonestar Luchador and Texas Technician, have both been critical and commercial successes, and he’s bringing back the Houston sound.

4Batz

“Act II: Date @ 8” became an out-of-nowhere hit early this year, garnering the timely co-sign of Drake just before he took a shot at Kendrick Lamar and had the whole rap world turn against him. It doesn’t look like the blowback has landed on 4Batz, though; he seems to be doing great in comparison.

XXL Freshman Class Of 2024 Includes BigXthaPlug, ScarLip, Cash Cobain & More

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It’s time to find out who part of the hip-hop industry thinks will lead the genre into the future (however controversially), as XXL‘s Freshman Class of 2024 is here. Moreover, for those unaware, the publication does a yearly round-up of the hottest new names in rap right now, whether they’re just getting started, are getting long-overdue recognition, or already rose to the art form’s upper echelons. We won’t tease it any further: this year’s picks are 4batz, Hunxho, Scar Lip, Rich Amiri, BigXthaPlug, Cash Cobain, Maiya The Don, Skilla Baby, That Mexican OT, Lay Bankz, and Bossman Dlow. Southside will provide the beats. Folks are very excited to see what they bring to the freestyles and cyphers, and we’re sure that will be a pretty cool content farm to witness.

Furthermore, many of these artists have big 2024 hits, or are following up on a breakout 2023. In addition, many MCs here have been putting in work for far longer, and it’s great to see this deserved, albeit late praise. That’s always part of the contradiction and tough balance that a XXL Freshman Class strives to achieve, and no list is perfect. After all, folks may remember how Ice Spice joined the rank of musicians that turned down the cover opportunity, so the stars don’t always align.

Read More: Russ Roasts XXL For Forgetting He Performed At The Pyramids

XXL‘s Freshman Class Of 2024

However, we also want to take this time to point fans to other initiatives by XXL to showcase talent beyond this Freshman Class rollout. For example, the publication hosted an all-femcee cypher boasting fiery verses from Latto, Flo Milli, Monaleo, new freshwoman Maiya The Don, and Mello Buckzz. It was a great moment to witness, and one that they might want to indulge in further since the Freshman Classes haven’t garnered as much hype as they used to. Maybe more cyphers and freestyle showcases could revive some of that hype and set better standards.

All that aside, we all know how infamously some XXL Freshman Class moments live on within Internet circles. In fact, Steve Lacy proved this very recently with his comical reimagining of Ty Dolla $ign’s Freshman freestyle. If this new group of MCs don’t all stun lyrically in 2024, then fans at least expect some fun moments and viral showcases to assess the state of the art form this year. While hip-hop is much bigger than any one group of newcomers, it’s nonetheless very exciting to focus on the new guard and witness what could be historic benchmarks.

Read More: Lil Durk Calls Out XXL Magazine For Coverage Of “Old Days”

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Steve Lacy Hilariously Recreates Ty Dolla $ign’s Infamous XXL Freestyle

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XXL has been gathering talented young rap artists together for their yearly Freshman Class for well over a decade now. The artists they pick have the chance to show off their skills and personality in a variety of different events. The most well-known and highly anticipated of the bunch are always the freestyles and cyphers. For the latter groups of rappers are put together to flex their skills over the same beat, most famously done in the 2016 Cypher featuring Denzel Curry, Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black.

But for the freestyle portion, artists are left all on their own with no beat to show off their skills. That’s exactly what Ty Dolla $ign did in 2014 with his now notorious freestyle. He attempted to translate his singing abilities and tendency to get hot and heavy into a freestyle. The hilariously raunchy results have caused it to become a commonly referenced meme among fans. That’s why it’s so funny that Steve Lacy, who must be a big fan himself, recently recreated the hilarious video. Lacy does a pretty great job at capturing both the mannerisms and vocalizations of Ty in the original video, which had fans absolutely cracking up. Check out both videos side by side below.

Read More: Steve Lacy “Didn’t Care To Announce” His Sexuality, He Says

Steve Lacy Recreating Ty Dolla $ign Freestyle

Steve Lacy has been basically silent musically since 2022. That’s when he released his second studio album Gemini Rights. The project spawned Lacy’s biggest hit to date, “Bad Habits.” The song became a slow-burning smash success that eventually climbed all the way up to number 1 on the Hot 100. The track currently sits with over 1 billion streams just on Spotify alone.

What do you think of Ty Dolla $ign’s iconically awkward 2014 XXL Freshman Freestyle? Do you think Steve Lacy did a good job at capturing what makes it so fascinating and hilarious to fans? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Kanye West And Steve Lacy Hug It Out After Ireland Concert

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Gunna Reveals How He Lost “30-40 Pounds” After Prison Release

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Gunna recently detailed how he lost upwards of “30-40 pounds” following his release from prison back in 2022 and how he’s continuing to stay in shape. He spoke about his physique during a candid interview with XXL published on Monday.

“Less eating. Especially when I went to jail. I lost a lot of weight. Just like, cleansing. Detoxing. And when I got home, I started working out and just keeping it fit. And now, I’m on a year straight of all working out,” he said. As for if he’s still staying in shape, he added: “Yes. I got a trainer. I work out six days a week. I eat better. I eat clean. And that’s something I’m disciplining myself to do every day. It’s something that I’m liking, though. I feel better when I work out.”

Read More: Gunna Speaks Out On Snitching Allegations

Gunna & Young Thug Attend “Punk” Release Party

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 12: Hip-hop artists Young Thug and Gunna attend a release party for Young Thug’s new album “PUNK” at Delilah on October 12, 2021 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

Gunna also discussed taking a plea deal in the YSL Rico case and the snitching allegations he faced in the wake of that decision. He revealed that he’s not close with Lil Durk, 21 Savage, and Lil Baby anymore but they’ve spoken on the phone peacefully about the situation. “I definitely feel like everybody’s been misled,” he said. “And like, you know, when you’re being misled, you got a choice to follow or make your own decisions. And that’s what is being shown right now. You’re being a follower or you’re being neutral to be like, ‘I don’t know what their business is or what they really got goin’ on.’” As for his relationship with Young Thug, who is still on trial in the case, he added: “It’s the same. It’s love, always. Our relationship is our relationship.”

Gunna Speaks With XXL

 
 
 
 
 
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Elsewhere in the interview, Gunna revealed that his next album will be titled One of Wun and that he’s currently prepping the release. Be on the lookout for further updates on Gunna on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Gunna Reveals Name And Cover Art For New Album

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Amine Buys Nearly $3 Million Home In The Hollywood Hills

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Amine reps his city as much as anybody. In his lyrics, song titles, and music videos he’s always talking about the city of Portland. That’s why some recent news about him buying a new home is surprising rap fans. That’s because the home he purchased isn’t in Portland at all, but the Hollywood Hills. According to XXL, he’s nabbed a 3,591 square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence in Los Angeles. They also shared some pictures of the stunning residence, check out the full set of photos below.

Amine’s most recent musical effort was a collaboration. He teamed up with producer Kaytranada for a fittingly titled crossover album called Kaytramine last year. In addition to the two talented artists at its core, the album also featured appearances from Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Amaarae, Snoop Dogg, and Pharrell. The album spawned hits and fan favorites like “4EVA,” “Rebuke,” and “Sossaup.” The pair played a special five-show summer tour last year to celebrate the release of the album. The tour included dates in both Amine’s native Portland and Los Angeles.

Read More: Kaytranada Brings Out Aminé, Kali Uchis At Coachella

Amine Buys Himself A New Home

Earlier this year, Amine teamed up with RiTchie from Injury Reserve. He’s hearing up to drop his first solo album later this year and has teased it with a series of singles including “Dizzy” which also features a verse from the Portland-rapper. The two have collaborated numerous times before on songs like the single “Campfire” and the Limbo deep cut “Fetus. Amine lent a memorable guest verse to the car-themed banger “Jailbreak The Tesla” from Injury Reserve’s 2019 self-titled album.

Amine’s last solo project was his TWOPOINTFIVE mixtape project in 2021. It served as the sequel to 2018’s ONEPOINTFIVE. Both projects served as shorter splashes of material in the gap between bigger and more substantial solo releases from the rapper. What do you think of Amine’s new house in the Hollywood Hills? Are you looking forward to new material from the rapper soon? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Aminé & Kaytranada Announce Collab Album “Kaytraminé”

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Lil Durk Doubles Down On Criticism Of XXL

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Earlier this week, Lil Durk took some shots at the way XXL magazine handled his new song. Over the weekend he dropped the track “Old Days” which sees him reflecting on all of the behavior he used to do but has had to move on from in order to grow. The song discusses a number of different developments in Durk’s life across many years, but XXL chose to focus on just one thing when they covered the song. The publication highlighted the fact that Durk admitted to selling Percocets.

Clearly, Lil Durk thought that was an underwhelming way to recap the new song that ignored much of what was said. “This the only bar you heard???” he said in a tweet directed at the publication. That phrase is clearly becoming somewhat of a rallying cry for Durk and during a recent show he doubled down. He’s currently touring alongside Drake and J. Cole in the second leg of the “It’s All A Blur” tour. When they stopped in Cleveland recently Durk came prepared to make another statement. Pictures are making the round right now of him holding up red signs sporting the same phrase “That’s the only bar you heard?” Check out the pictures of the new signs from his recent show below.

Read More: Lil Durk Adorably Swarmed By Young Fans In Vegas

Lil Durk Once Again Attacks XXL

Earlier this month, Lil Durk took home his first ever Grammy. He and J. Cole teamed up for the hit song “All My Life” last year. The track went on to take home the Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance. In an interview he gave during the awards he cited Beyonce as one of his dream collaborators. He hilariously declared that if he made a song with Bey he would be back at the Grammys again.

During that same interview Durk teased yet another collaboration with Morgan Wallen. He’s already worked with the country superstar on two tracks. What do you think of Lil Durk once again taking aim at XXL for the way they covered his new song? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: What Is Lil Durk’s Best-Selling Album?

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Lil Tecca Says He Wants To Make A Video Game Like “Grand Theft Auto”

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Lil Tecca says he wants to make a video game similar to Grand Theft Auto, in which players can interact with any NPC they find on the map. He explained his idea, among various other plans for the new year, during an interview with XXL. The “Ransom” rapper says he also wants to start acting classes and get into film and television.

“After this album, get into film. I want to direct a TV show,” he said. “I’ma start writing up dialogue for that and a timeline. I want to start doing acting classes. I want to create a video game where you could walk up to an NPC and become friends with ’em and be like, ‘Yo, what’s up? Let’s go to the store. Let’s do some crazy sh*t.’ Kind of like Grand Theft Auto, but you could talk to everyone that’s walking around like, they’re not just dormant.”

Read More: Lil Tecca Readies New Album With Fresh Single “Dead Or Alive”

Lil Tecca Performs At Rolling Loud

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Lil Tecca performs during 2023 Rolling Loud Los Angeles at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 05, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/WireImage)

Rockstar Games finally unveiled the long-awaited first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 in December. The game is expected to follow a character named Lucia and her male partner. It releases in 2025 for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Elsewhere in the interview, Tecca discussed his latest album, TEC, which he dropped back in September. He explained that his goal with the project was to address “more personal topics.” “I kind of wanted to talk about more personal topics this time around to give a little bit more context to who I am, where I’m from and where I plan on being in the next two years. So, besides the sonics, it was a little bit more personal than other projects,” he said. The interview comes as Tecca gears up for a U.S. and European tour in 2024. Be on the lookout for further updates on Lil Tecca on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Lil Tecca Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rapper Worth?

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Fetty Wap Prison Update: “679” Rapper Remains Positive In Tell-All Interview

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Fetty Wap was in the midst of a triumphant comeback when the consequences of his actions hit him with a hard left hook in 2021. At the time, the “Trap Queen” artist was arrested along with other affiliates on drug trafficking charges, just six days after dropping his long-awaited album, The Butterfly Effect. He initially pleaded not guilty, but later changed that to a guilty plea, accepting six years in prison and five of post-release supervision for his role in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Now well-adjusted to his life behind bars, Fetty spoke with XXL about how he’s doing mentally, his come-up, and much more.

When it comes to passing the time, the 32-year-old says that working out and eating are a big part of his regular routine. “I’ve been writing a lot. I don’t wanna spoil it, but I’ve been writing different things, like from trying to write a little book and write music, and I was trying to write a series for a TV show,” he dished. “Keep my mind occupied and just, you know, staying off the negativity that goes on with all the politics, you know what I’m sayin’?”

Read More: Fetty Wap Hit With Wild Post-Prison Requirements

Fetty Wap is Making the Best of a Bad Situation

As for which artists have been checking in on him through his prison stint, 50 Cent was one of the first to come to Fetty’s mind. “He reach out all the time. Coi Leray. You know, that’s the homie. She from Jersey. I love Coi Leray, man. Chief Keef,” he listed. In order to get in touch with the embattled star, friends reach out in his Instagram DMs, which are monitored by his sister. She then relays messages to Wap, who tells her how to respond.

Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of this whole experience for Fetty Wap is having to be at a distance from his children while they grow up and experience so many firsts without him. Thankfully, the rapper remains on good terms with a few of his baby mamas, one of whom even took their daughter to visit Fetty earlier this year. Read more about that at the link below, and check out his full conversation with XXL here.

Read More: Fetty Wap’s Baby Mama Reflects On Taking Daughter On Prison Visit To See Him

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