Like clockwork, XXL magazine has revealed its annual Freshman Class list for 2017, which features XXXTENTACION, PnB Rock, Kamaiyah, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Playboi Carti, Madeintyo, Aminé, Ugly God, Kap G and Kyle. Of course, the internet had plenty of things to say about the group of rappers chosen to grace the cover of XXL’s new print issue — and it wasn’t pretty. Many claimed Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley was snubbed, including DJ Akademiks who said he “got a energy the game missing in terms of new acts.”
Tee Grizzley might have gotten snubbed.. that nigga got a energy the game missing in term of new acts. Debut project was too lit also..
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) June 13, 2017
People also pointed out several breakout artists such as Young M.A, 6Lack, Cardi B and Rich The Kid were noticeably absent from the list, but overall, the majority of those chiming in on the trending Twitter topic weren’t happy with the results whatsoever. Naturally, the profound disappointment spawned some hilarious memes.
"XXL freshman can't be worse than last ye-" pic.twitter.com/DLO4sGFooe
— amanlicious (@RoadKillAman) June 13, 2017
when i saw this years xxl freshman list pic.twitter.com/T9Ofaj21PW
— 5800 (@NATE666II) June 13, 2017
Here's how hip hop is reacting to the XXL Freshman list #ForTheCulturepic.twitter.com/XbzsUp2Tng
— S P R A T (@SpratFool) June 13, 2017
Ferrari Sheppard, who is one half of Dec 99th with Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), wrote: “The XXL freshman cover is depressing to me. Hot for the moment. In retrospect: ‘where are they now?’ New products.”
The XXL freshman cover is depressing to me. Hot for the moment. In retrospect: "where are they now?" New products.
— Ferrari Sheppard (@stopbeingfamous) June 13, 2017
Others spoke out about their disgust that the most controversial artist on the cover, XXXTENTACION, made the cut.
Without a doubt xxxtentacion is gonna be an xxl freshman this year and the thought of that makes me sick
— noah (@noahjmead) June 4, 2017
XXX Tentacion over Rob $tone for XXL Freshman is a complete and utter joke.
— DooD (@jordan_capozzi) June 13, 2017
@XXL fucking up the freshman list. How tf xxxtentacion make it? He had one hit ????
— Cognac (@iceCOGNAC) June 13, 2017
While of course there were a few that were pleased with the current roundup, the sense of utter disappointment across social media was palpable. Check out some of the reactions below.
This XXL freshman list… lmao
— JAY STORM (@WhoIsJayStorm) June 13, 2017
the XXL freshman class gets worse and worse
— KOZY (@anaamescudi) June 13, 2017
the XXL 2017 freshman cover shoulda been : NBA Youngboy, Moneybagg yo , Lud Foe, 600 breezy,A boogie ,Moneyman,Cdot Honcho ,Tee Grizzley ?
— ShadMoney??‼️ (@Shad1K__) June 13, 2017
They should do a XXL Freshman back cover of producers, b/c they're literally 50% of the reason these rappers are famous in the 1st place.
— NUFF ? (@nuffsaidNY) June 13, 2017
No Chicago artists on the XXL freshman cover this year? ? Who from here deserved it and got snubbed?
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) June 13, 2017
Ima just pretend like I ain't even see that XXL freshman list
— Nik (@tanlinesmaclips) June 13, 2017
2019 XXL Freshman Class
– Lil pooperscooper
– Lil emoji squirt
– Lil uhm
– Lil yea
– Lil retweet 4 prom
– Lil lil
– Lil windex laugh shawty— Trashvis (@Trashvis) June 13, 2017
lol the xxl freshman list is weak sorry
— Diablo ? (@Diablosucks) June 13, 2017