The California rapper pair has been named this year’s XXL Freshman Class.
The hip-hop and rap-oriented outlet has published a class list of freshmen honoring 10-12 promising rappers each year since 2007. From 2012, XXL introduced a fan voting system for the last spot on the list. Publications’ editorial staff select candidates along with music industry figures.
Each XXL had a total of 68 rappers who qualified for spots in this year’s freshman class. However, only 12 people were selected.
they are:
Ray Vaughn
As TDE threw the 10th Toy Drive and concert featuring SZA, Jay Rock, YG and other TDE artists, TDE threw the annual toy drive and concert, followed by a gift present for kids on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Jason Armand/Los Angeles Times Getty Images)
Long Beach native Ray Vaughn got his big break when he signed to Carson-based label Top Dawg Entertainment in 2021, the same year as the release of his debut EP, Peer Pressure.
In April he released his major label debut mixtape, “The Good the Bad the Dollar Menu,” which includes features from Isaiah Rashad, Jay Locke and Larsel (the former two are TDE labelmates).
His style was characterized by a friendly message and unique lyricism, and soon became an internet favorite, TDE talks about Ray Vaughn’s artistry.
At 29, he is the oldest MC in this year’s freshman class.
babychiefdoit
Teen rapper Baby Chiefdoit dropped his mixtape “Zoo Life” in April. From Chicago, he makes music that matches the city’s drill rap scene, popularized by Chief Keeff in the early 2010s.
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The flow and lyricism described as “energy” are lyricism known as “life”, and Baby Chiefdoit also influences the Southern trap music. According to his label, Artist Partner Group, his music touches on themes of survival, loyalty and ambition.
He turned 17 on May 4th and became the youngest member of this year’s freshman class.
Eem Triplin
EEM Triplin will perform on the first day of the Rolling Loud Miami Music Festival at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 13th, 2024. (Astrida Valigorsky/Wireimage)
24-year-old Eem Triplin originally began uploading Beats YouTube in 2022 before going viral for his song “Nasty Freestyle.”
Born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he eventually began making beats for more well-known artists. He also released this year’s debut full-length project: “Melody of a Memory” was announced on February 17th.
The 13-track album has the Ty Dolla $IGN feature, but mostly Eem Triplin establishes himself in the “Plugg” rap subgenre.
1900rugrat
The 1900 Ragrat went viral due to freestyle uploads over the past year. His meteor rise really began when his breakout single “One Take Freestylen” gained a huge popularity on Tiktok in September.
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West Palm Beach, Florida, ultimately received a remix of the native “One Take Freestyle” from Kodak Black, one of Sunshine’s most well-known contemporary rappers.
He also dropped his full-length debut in February. “Porch 2 The Pent” contains 20 songs and features Lil Yachty.
Samara Singh
Rolling Stone’s Samara Cyn is a future showcase for music showcase at the SXSW Conference & Festival in Austin City, Austin City, Austin City, on March 14, 2025. (Amy E. Price/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but raised nationwide with her father in the Army, Samara Singh is perhaps the most soulful of the 2025 XXL freshman class.
Calling herself a “neo-soul hip-hop fusion artist,” Samarasin uses her experiences as children and young adults to create unique music.
According to NME Magazine, she first performed her live show in 2019 and had the opportunity to open for Teddy Swims two years later.
Her latest release is a five-song EP entitled “Backroad” this Friday.
Ventilation
US rapper Jello will take part in BET Awards 2025 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025 (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
Gelo, also known as “G3” or his name, Liangelo Ball, initially did not become famous for rapping. He is the son of Lavar Ball, the head of the big baller brand that features the family’s sports apparel, and is the brothers of Lonzo and Lamelo Ball, both of whom play in the NBA.
A graduate of Chino Hills High School, Jello has played temporarily overseas in Lithuania and Mexico, and also features Junior Basketball Association teams Los Angeles Ballers and Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets G-League team).
He dropped his viral debut single “Tweaker” on January 3rd. A remix with Lil Wayne was released the following month, and Jello also performed at this year’s NBA All-Star Game.
Law Shimmy
A behind-the-scenes roshimy during a birthday bash concert for Lil baby and friends at State Farm Arena on December 7, 2024 in Atlanta. (Prince Williams/Wire Image)
26-year-old Loe Shimmy has achieved fame for her melodic yet coarse song, combining old-fashioned Southern raps. He is signed to the FreeBandz record label, founded in 2011 by Atlanta rapper Future.
Loe Shimmy, from Pompano Beach, Florida, has released a steady stream of mixtapes since 2021, since his latest “Nardy World” fell in November.
One of his songs, “For Me,” got a remix featuring Grammy-nominated singer Brent Fires.
Lazer Dim 700
Georgia’s Lazer Dim 700 coordinates create a chaotic, Southern influenced rap dominated by kuffo’s lyrics and a vibrant 808 drum pattern.
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At the age of 23, he has already been co-signed by Florida rapper Denzel Curry and bets the hip-hip award-winning sexy red.
He released his album Keepin It Clandy in December. Another album, “Sins Aloud,” is scheduled to drop on July 1st.
YTB Fat
American rapper YTB Fat will perform on stage on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 during Jackson State University’s homecoming concert at Lee E. Williams Athletic & Assembly Center in Jackson, Mississippi.
YTB Fat is from the Memphis metropolitan area. A gangsta rap artist influenced by the legendary Memphis MC who came before him, he incorporates modern trap elements into his songs.
He signed with fellow Memphis rapper Moneybag Yo-Yo’s Pan Gang Record Label in 2023 and rose to fame with his single “Shot Off Gumbo” released in the same year.
His latest album, “Da Foxprint,” was released on June 20th.
Nino paid
Nino Pay is a rapper from Landover, Maryland, and has released two albums this year.
According to the Washington Post, Nino inserts his real life directly into his creation. It details traumatic experiences such as the loss of friends and family in a confessional, modern way, such as growing up in a foster care system or losing friends and family.
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His latest album, “Love Me As I Am,” was a rapper from DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) collaborating with Tommy Richman (known for his 2024 breakout single “Million Dollar Baby”) and the 2025 freshman class inductee babychiefdoit.
He also dropped singles with Chicago rapper Polo G “Play This at My Funeral” on Tuesday.
Ian
Ian Smith, known by his name, is 20 years old and originally from St. Louis. He originally began making beats for other artists, like Eem Triplin, an inductee to the 2025 XXL Freshman Class, but gradually moved to making his own rap songs, blowing up in 2024 with his mixtape “Valedictorian.”
He has been extremely popular ever since – “Hate Me” featured Lil Yachty, peaking at No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100, releasing his first studio album in November 2024.
That album, “Goodbye Horses,” was released through Columbia records, and included both “Hate Me” and Chief Keef’s collaboration “ST Sad.”
Ebk Jaaybo
Ebk Jaaybo is from Stockton and creates intense, high octane wraps that match his EBK group. EBK stands for “Everybody Killa.”
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Checked past MC Ebk Jaaybo has been arrested multiple times. He served for a year in illegal gun possession at the San Joaquin County Jail and was arrested on multiple felony charges in Pope County, Arkansas. His album, “Don’t Trust Me,” fell while he was in prison.
He was still in prison, so he couldn’t take a photo of the XXL cover. He was the 10th spot winner of the year and was voted by fans.
Cardo (Producer)
Billboard’s Cardogotwings will showcase the stage at SXSW held at Four Seasons in Austin, Texas on March 14, 2024. (Photo by Samantha Burkardt/Billboard via Getty Images)
Cardo, also known as Cardogotwings, is the music producer for this year’s XXL Freshman Class Cyphers, and Inductor watches freestyle both in his own group and his fellow MCs.
He got his start by producing for Mac Miller, and was later introduced to Wiz Khalifa, which included some of Cardo’s beats on his “Kush & Orange Juice” mixtape.
Since then, the 40-year-old Minnesota native has produced some of the biggest rappers of today’s generation, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Jay Z and Geezy.
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For past members of XXL Freshman Class, J. Includes Cole (2010), 21 Savage (2016), and UK Rapper Central Cee (2023).
From 2007 to 2011, there was no 10th spot winner. There was no one in the 2018 edition as Lil Skies and Rich the Kid refused to be on the list.
In 2020, Pop Smoke was chosen to be on the list. However, he was shot dead at a Hollywood Hills Mansion in February of that year, and a photoshoot of the cover took place.
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