xxl freshman list

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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Rising Artist TiaCorine’s Journey To Rap Stardom

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TiaCorine has been working hard to be recognized in the past few years. In fact, the North Carolina native has been actively involved in music since her childhood. After a viral hit in 2020, things finally began to fall into place for her. However, more buzz surrounds her today, as her skills and style have opened new doors for her. 

Following the release of the highly anticipated XXL Freshman Class of 2023, TiaCorine’s name is about to be on many more lips. Her braggadocious rap style is very reminiscent of the iconic femcees that came before her, and her eclectic style is always worth a double-take. The Hip Hop star is finally achieving the recognition she’s fought hard to attain. She’s since performed at Coachella, worked with big names, and has been the subject of an alleged Drake co-sign. 

Early Days & Rise To Fame

TiaCorine hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She grew up in a musically blended home as the daughter of a Shoshone Indian mother and an Afro-Japanese father. TiaCorine credits her mother’s constant playing of music at home for shaping her love for music. Her mother also took her to symphonies and orchestras when she was young, which in turn led to the rapper participating in numerous talent shows. 

In 2018, she released the song “Lotto” to SoundCloud, and it would eventually gain fame on TikTok much, much later. Soon, she began to slowly but steadily gain a loyal fanbase as her music spread across the country. Many notable artists have since shown love to both TiaCorine and “Lotto,” including A$AP Rocky, Rico Nasty, and SZA. 

TiaCorine’s primary influence is Nicki Minaj, while she also loves Trina and Lil Kim’s music styles. Unsurprisingly, Minaj’s bright yet cutthroat style of rapping is also evident in TiaCorine’s works, and she is just as capable of freestyling, as she is writing killer bars. By late 2020, she released her debut EP, 34Corine, and began promoting her music on tour. 

Buzzing Career

TiaCorine has previously stated that she’s become somewhat of a hero in her hometown of Winston-Salem. On representing her home, she said, “A lot of people in our city look at me as the city hero, because no one has made it out of Winston and gotten this far.” She continued by alluding to herself as the savior of her city. “It’s like I’m carrying my city on my back right now. And everybody here believes in me. And they’re like, ‘You’re going to get people to pay attention to Winston-Salem.’ I’m like the city’s savior.”

One look at TiaCorine shows that her fashion choices are a significant indication of her personal style. The rapper opts for bright colors and distinctive streetwear that showcase her outward rap persona. She is also a massive fan of anime, which is highlighted in some of the ways she chooses to rap, as well as her unique fashion choices and statements. 

TiaCorine is determined to keep having fun online and making her friends, family, and hometown proud. She and her daughter continue to reside in Winston-Salem today, as she insists North Carolina is what keeps her going and aligns her. The energetic star has also kept many of her close friends as a part of her team. 

The Future Of TiaCorine

TiaCorine achieved another major hit with the release of the single “FreakyT.” The remix was shared in April 2023 and featured Latto, whom she later performed with at Coachella. The rapper maintains an aura of confidence in herself and her work, and that’s undoubtedly one of the primary reasons she is set to go far. It’s no surprise that she’s joined the coveted XXL Freshman set. 

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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

lola brooke
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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