Like the Grammys, every year I get mad about XXL’s Freshman list and vow to ignore it next year, and then when it comes I spend hours doing in-depth breakdowns. I just can’t help myself. But regardless of your thoughts on who did, and who didn’t, deserve a spot in the top ten, one thing isn’t open for debate: DJ Whoo Kid’s “XXL Freshman Mixtape” is dope. Essentially a collection of some of the game’s brightest new talent, the XXL mixtape features new cuts from the likes of J. Cole, Fashawn, Freddie Gibbs, Wiz Khalifa, OJ da High in Calcium Rapper, and many more. Listen and download…

It’s happened again. XXL’s Freshman Class of 2009 has been released, and the interwebs are aflame with hip-hop nation fiercely debating the merits of the respective artists; but here’s the thing. Like the Heisman awards (Erik Crouch? Troy Smith?), an examination of XXL’s past selections reveal that while the magazine is good at generating short-term interest, they’re poor at predicting future success. Just what grade does XXL deserve? Let’s look back at the past year’s classes and find out. See more…