Why That XXL Freshman Status Might Not Mean S**t

For me, 2010 has been nothing more than trying to make perfect attendance at every major rap show that comes through the city. It’s a perfect gauge on how much buzz an artist truly has outside of his respective city or state and probably what could happen for the future. Especially concerning anyone who was recently tabbed as a Freshman by XXL.

It’s midterm season so we might as well start figuring out where the latest batch of Freshman rank before finals time in December.

A few months ago, you could have told me Dom Kennedy was performing in Texas and I would have expected a club venue of a couple hundred folks who latched onto his latest mixtape because their newfound favorite blog just decided to co-sign it. Aside from one guy who wanted to try his best and request tracks from Dom’s first tape, that’s exactly what happened at a Dom show in Austin back in September. Two hundred fifty to maybe three hundred folks who could sing every word of 1997 but could only dance to the intro from "FutureStreet/DrugSounds".

Two weeks later, I was back in Houston to check out a Big Sean show and needless to say there was more buzz from what happened during the show (mishandled sound cues, random appearances from Lil Flip) than the actual headliner. I know "Finally Famous" just dropped sometime in August but the way the crowd leeched on to Sean as if he was one of their own either showed how powerful a co-sign is (ask J. Cole how beloved he is down here) or maybe, just maybe Sean can finally capitalize on his tape and get something started on Kanye’s super vanity label that just threw Mos Def on the roster like some rap version of the Miami Heat.

Point is, the crowd reacted differently to both guys and has done so for numerous acts that have gotten that XXL look. Each artist has their respective fan base and aside from Cole, I see little diversity. Counting backwards: Wale attracts the hipsters but not those who get pissed at comments about punching fans, B.o.B. is pop enough to get the President involved & Charles Hamilton … could probably be starring in that new Zach Galifinakis movie as we speak.

In October, the city of Houston is about to get visits from Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross & Big Boi just to name a few. I can bet good money the same type of crowd will find themselves in at least three of those shows. Curren$y & Wiz pack the weed smoking hipster crowd who adore snapbacks and can barely remember the starts for either men (you’re a fool if you think Wiz isn’t a swipe of Max B). As for a Ross show … there had better be extra bras on standby because the chubby thugs will feel vindicated by a couple lies tossed on stage.

Maybe it’s the nature of the beast – people still sell out concerts for people who hit the major scene in the early aughts that still get major recognition crowd wise. Or cater to a certain unachievable lifestyle. It’s definitely not because of some print pressed up in XXL Magazine. Matter of fact, only half of the Freshman Class from this year would get enough support outside of their region to justify a nationwide tour (no shots). Hell, the only non-Freshman that could pull big numbers or even more would be, gasp Waka Flocka. By the way, after looking at him blow up over his BET Hip-Hop Awards performance, just don’t understand estimate his intelligents (word to Mary J. Blige).

Guess you shouldn’t hype folks up and expect them to be hot all over. Getting championed by your region is one thing, but few will ever transcend that stigma.