EVERY YEAR SINCE ABOUT 2007-2008 XXL HAS HAND PICKED 10 ARTIST THAT SHOULD BE RELEVANT IN THE COMING YEARS. THROUGH OUT THE FRESHMAN CLASS ERA THEY HAVE PICKED SOME OF TODAY’S BIGGEST STARS SUCH AS LUPE FIASCO , J COLE, BIG SEAN TO NAME A FEW. THEY ALSO PICKED A FEW DISAPPOINTMENTS WHO WILL BE NAMELESS. AFTER LOOKING AT THE LAST 5 YEARS OF FRESHMAN I DECIDED TO PREDICT THIS YEARS.
Out of the 50 candidates none or from my home town of Saint Louis. So just for kicks I will attempt to connect each artist to my city.
1.Ca$h Out
CLICK THE LINK TO READ WHAT CASH OUT HAD TO SAY ABOUT SAINT LOUIS IN A 2012 INTERVIEW
is definitely on the list, he had on of the biggest hip hop records of the Spring (hands down) , and has been consistently dropping music that his audience likes .
He came to St.Louis twice in 2012. Once at Sj 2012 which he mentioned was one of the highlights of his career. The second time he came to St.Louis was a few weeks after SJ 2012 at The Broadway (now closed). Due to lack of media coverage there is evidence this show took place.
Also, random fact , there was a guy telling local artist he was Cash Out & that he was doing collaborations for the low. Was it Cash Out I doubt it as I don’t recall any local features with Cash Out. (IJS)
2.Chief Keef if he’s not on the list that’s that shit I don’t like, lol. But seriously he had one of the hottest rap songs of the year, so hot that Kanye West had to put his entire team on it.Besides constant bangger’s Chief Keef is always in the headlines whether its for parole violation , child support claims, or his twitter being allegedly hacked. He is also 1 of few of the 50 official nominee’s to drop a national released project (for sale).
Has not came to St.Louis, there were several rumors of possible bookings in 2012 in which in all cases promoters backed out for similar reasons. There are now several diss songs from St.Louis artist opposing Chief Keef, Lil Reese, & the GBE, #300 movement, which started after Lil Reese allegedly tweeted FUCK ST.LOUIS, after a show in which the promoters & fans both reported that he showed up to the venue sooner then 25 minutes before the venue closed.
CLICK THE LINK TO GOT TO PHOTO
3.Hit-Boy out side of the rapper box he has to be on this list check his resume. Production credits in 2012 include Jay z, Kanye West, Rick Ross & more. He’s also signed to Kanye West label G.O.O.D music (why would XXL disappoint Ye’ ). Any producer that can excite people about Nigga’s In Paris might have a few more tricks up his sleeve.
CLICK THE PHOTO TO FOLLOW HITBOY ON TWITTER
There are no records of Hit-Boy coming to St.Louis on anything music related & I cant think of any ST Alien who has even mentioned buying a beat from him. I’m sure he does’t care though, he’s G.O.O.D .
4. Kirko Bangz
Click Photo to check out Footage.
, of course he’s on the list he had one of the 1st hot songs of 2012 with “Drink In My Cup.” Constantly coming with new music & new features & is definitely a music maker to look out for in 2013.
To my knowledge and personal attempts, a few promoters we attempting to book Kirko but each time it seemed as if they were stalling and waiting on the big pay check. He came to Saint Louis once to my knowledge and was not highly attended.
CLICK LINK TO HERE RITTZ INTERVIEW WEEKS BEFORE SIGNING TO STRANGE MUSIC
5. Rittz they guy is cosigned by the biggest independent artist of our time. Not only that Rittz has came along way in 1 year from being a virtual unknown to being promoted on 100’s to 1000’s of platforms. Now people are starting to know the name & image.
He had a great show in St.Louis at the Atomic Cowboy with Royal 1 management in which we got a really dope interview & back story to Rittz who was flipping burgers no less then 8 months prior to our interview. Side note was probably high as hell and probably is now.
6.Tito Lopez
CLICK LINK TO SEE INTERVIEW OF TITO LOPEZ WHILE IN SAINT LOUIS
a black guy with the Spanish name. One of the only rappers signed under major label capitol records, with 2 songs peaking on BET’s 106 & Parks count down. He’s cosigned by fellow Mississippi artist Big Krit as well as dope behind the scene hip hop head who don’t even need to be mentioned.
He came to St.Louis twice last year. Once with Big Krit & Slim Thug to a fantastic show at the Old Rock House in the Summer, & again in the fall for a more personal meet & greet with Saint Louis dj’s , bloggers, & taste makers.
7.Trinidad James, Since the summer has been one of the most talked about new comers, signing a $2,000,000 deal with Def Jam, & noticeable yet unique wardrobe.He is the poster boy for Livemixtapes.com with thousands of small brained rappers thinking that was the look that elevated him.
CLICK LINK FOR SAINT LOUIS CONCERT DETAILS
As much as they love/hate/ talk about him in Saint Louis, he has yet to visit Saint Louis & his 1st official concert will be Febuary 22th at the old rock house.
8.Stalley From a political stand point MMG has 3 artist on the short list for Freshman certification. Being that Rick Ross is one of the most trending rappers and is alligned with alot of other important people I know that can’t resist putting at least 1 of his artist on the freshman cover if not 2. My heart is praying that Gun Play is not considered a freshman, he his over 30 has at least 5 years under MMG being featured on major songs, complilations, & mixtapes , way before 2012. Rocky Fresh is too new with little to boast when compared to his fellow label mates & freshman candidates
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Both midwest natives Stalley & Rocky Fresh have both performed in Saint Louis. Stalley came back in 2011 when he was 1st signed to MMG & Rockie Fresh came in August of this year weeks after signing with the label. I have no insight to Gun Play being in Saint Louis but being one of Rick Ross’s right hand henchmen maybe he came with Ross back in February.
9.Chris Webby
All I really need to say on this one is dude is sick but of course no man can make it on skill along.
Getting a lot of dope placements dude’s everywhere and he’s from Connecticut. We all know that Hip hop’s new theme, Rappers coming from new unexpected places like Pittsburgh ( Wiz Khalifia ), Alabama (Yelawolf) , Gary, Indiana ( Freddie Gibbs) all previous Freshman Class Rappers.
He was in Saint Louis in mid 2011 & never again.
Beta's block 