It’s safe to say, that no one is happy with the current 2012 XXL Freshman 10 List. And rightfully so. You have 3 artists who aren’t actually freshman (French Montana, Machine Gun Kelly and Roscoe Dash) along with a bunch of artist who failed to generate much buzz in comparison to the people I’m about to mention.
From the original 2012 Freshman 10 list the only one who makes the cut for me is Iggy Azalea. There’s buzz growing about her and she’s been working with some established artists (TI) as well as up and comers (A$AP Rocky. All that being said here is what MY PERSONAL list should be for the Freshman 10 to look out for, for this year (in no particular order).
A$AP Rocky
Schoolboy Q
Stalley
Danny Brown
Dom Kennedy
Iggy Azalea
Earl Sweatshirt
Casey Veggies
Pac Div
Action Bronson
Again this is my personal choices for MCs who I expect to erupt in 2012. I highly recommend you listen to a mixtape or EP from these artists and see why I mentioned them and what XXL missed out on. I’m sure the people that XXL mentioned will be good as well, but these are some artists who have growing popularity who unfortunately missed the cut.
Dee-1
Dom Kennedy
Starlito
XV
STS
Jon Connor
A$AP Rocky
Marcus Manchild
Chris Webby
L.E.$.
Killa Kyleon
Rockie Fresh
Big Sant
Rittz
Jackie Chain
Anybody from JetLife or Cinematic
Not to knock off Don Trip. He can spit, and I have more respect towards Kid Ink than Tyga. French Montana, Roscoe Dash, and MGK I don’t care about. The rest of that list is just booty.
Not a personal fan of INK. And my list is booty or the original?
See here’s the thing; your list is good and I had XV and LE$ on my list before but I don’t consider them to be rookies in all honesty. Don’t like Webby but then again that’s everyone’s personal preference.
Sammy Adams should have received some consideration. The boy has a fresh sound and now a major behind him…album out this month and I expect big things.
Again, Sam Adams really doesn’t fall into that Freshman category. He was known as far back as 2010 and was putting shows and music out in 2011. Most of these other cats got late starts (ie; 4th quarter of 2011) which is why the hype is surrounding them.
Danny Brown has been puttin out mixtapes since 2007, trying to make a name for himself. Hes now 30 and just barely getting buzz. So don’t even go there…