XXL Freshmen 2014 Cover Revealed - XXL (original) (raw)

We are proud to present the much anticipated XXL Freshman Class of 2014. Our seventh anniversary lineup includes 12 artists who are breaking new ground in hip-hop.

It's what you all been waiting for, ain't it? It's XXL's Dirty Dozen: Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich Homie Quan, Vic Mensa, August Alsina, Troy Ave, Kevin Gates, Lil Bibby, Jon Connor, Lil Durk, and as voted by YOU, our 10 spot winner and the People's Champ, Jarren Benton.

The XXL staff was on hand to exclusively reveal the XXL Freshmen 2014 cover on BET's 106 & Park Monday evening (May 5). Watch the episode below, including performances by some of our cover stars. Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten breaks down the selection process for this year's class in this issue's editor's letter. Plus, the XXL staff has been making the media rounds talking about this year’s cover. Check them out on Power 105’s Breakfast Club.

Starting next week and running till June, we'll be rolling out profiles, interviews, roundtables, and our world famous cyphers and freestyles with this year's fine crop of talent, as well as behind-the-scenes photos and video from our 2014 Freshman shoot. All that original content will appear on the official XXL Freshmen 2014 site.

On Tuesday, May 13 through Tuesday June 3, members of the 2014 Freshman class will be taking your questions on Reddit. Get the full XXL Freshmen 2014 AMA schedule here.

And it’s all leading up to the Freshmen Live 2014 show at NYC’s Best Buy Theater on June 9. Check out ticket information here.

Since 2008, XXL has anointed a new breed of rappers on the rise with its annual cover — an event that many in the hip-hop community view as a sign that these young artists have made it. Past selections include Kendrick Lamar, YG, Future, Big Sean, and Grammy winner Macklemore. Is there a multi-award winner in our midst? See all the past XXL Freshmen covers over the years here.

What do you think of the XXL Freshmen 2014 picks? Hit us with your feedback on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram using hashtag #XXLFreshmen14. We might even feature your comments in a future roundup, if you manage to make us smile, laugh or even cry. In fact, we’ve already broken out 11 rappers who didn’t make the 2014 list and took to Twitter to air their grievances.

Watch 106 & Park: Presenting Your 2014 XXL Freshmen Class