Afterglow’s 2021 XXL Freshman Class Predictions

Afterglow has rounded up a few top contenders for the 2021 XXL Freshman Class list — a hip-hop fans’ equivalent of the NFL Draft.

Written by Alany Rodriguez

Voting for the 10th spot on the 2021 XXL Freshman Class closed on April 4, leaving hip-hop heads to start forming their predictions of which all-star rookies will make the annual cover.

Last year, the 2020 Freshman Class was revealed on Aug. 11, later than its usual release in June (likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The class members brushing the cover were Lil Keed, Jack Harlow, Mulatto, Fivio Foreign, Polo G, Lil Tjay, Baby Keem, NLE Choppa, 24k Golden, Calboy, Rod Wave, and 2021 GRAMMY-nominated Best New Artist, Chika.

This year calls for no less anticipation, with talent ranging far and wide on their fan voting list. A few of the notable artists listed come from Texas, such as TayMoney, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Bobby Sessions, Iann Dior, and Kaash Paige. In addition to the Texas natives, joining the list is Coi Leray, who gained traction for her TikTok viral single “BIG PURR” featuring Pooh Shiesty, who is also named on the list. Additionally featured on the prospective voting roster are Slow Thai, Flo Milli, Iann Dior, 42 Dugg, and Stunna 4 Vegas.

Each year, the class announcement is accompanied by freshman cyphers and interviews, giving fans a full scope of the artists and their talents. The 2021 list will be no different, and the challenge of delivering a memorable cypher awaits the incoming class.

Not every spot on the list, however, promises sustainable success. Artists who have become alumni, such as 2016 Freshman Desiigner, known for the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 summer smash of 2016, “Panda,” have seen a decline in listeners. Desiigner’s latest single, “I Get That,” has received just over 1 million plays on Spotify in nearly one month following its release on April 2. For comparison, 2016 Freshman Lil Yachty’s song “G.I. Joe,” featuring Louie Ray on his new album, Michigan Boy Boat, received just over 1 million plays on Spotify in under one week following its release on April 23. For Desiigner, this listener decline may come from a music hiatus, since his last album, New English, was released in 2016.

For fans to arrange a considerable list of predictions, it means taking the prospective artist’s career traction, fanbase loyalty, talent, and consistent discography into account. Here are five top contenders that may make an appearance in this year’s 2021 XXL Freshman Class:

Pooh Sheisty

“Pooh Shiesty, that’s my dawg” has been in our heads since “Back in Blood” featuring Lil Durk was released in November 2020 and the song has since gone platinum. The 21-year-old Memphis native has flooded the rap scene with his talent and reinvention of the classic “Gucci Mane” sound — copping a golden ticket into the game by being signed on to Gucci Mane’s label, 1017 Records. This support was a perfect fit for him, as credited by Pooh Shiesty on his visit to the Power 105.1 FM’s Breakfast Club. Gucci Mane has a skilled eye for spotting great talent and will dig deep into the underground rap scene to find them; other notable artists he has co-signed include Future and Young Thug. Pooh Shiesty’s authenticity in both personality and songwriting makes him a star prospect for this year’s freshman class. He was crowned with the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B Rookie of the Month for February 2020. His debut mixtape Shiesty Season, released Feb. 2, was a promising introduction to the shining career path that awaits him.

Flo Milli

Flo Milli is a powerful contender for this year’s class. She was listed in the voting roster for last year but was ultimately not chosen. However, after the release of her debut mixtape during summer of 2020, Ho, why is you here?, there is no excuse to not include her as a rookie all-star for 2021. Flo Milli has both a captivating flow and an impressive discography at just 21 years-old, and has already begun to receive impressive recognition. She was previously nominated for Best New Artist at the 2020 BET Awards. In a world where female rappers such as Megan Thee Stallion and Rico Nasty (both alumni of the XXL Freshman Class) are dominating the game, Flo Milli stands tall. She was signed to RCA Records after becoming a product of the recent viral sensation to celebrity pipeline. Her song “In the Party” might have gone viral on TikTok, but she is by no means a one hit wonder. The rapper has the capability to fully adapt to her new environment and sustain a successful career, thanks to her scintillating personality, versatile style, and commanding discography that is welcomed on any party playlist. She would absolutely dominate any cypher, and she is more than ready to become a class member.

42 Dugg

Photo courtesy of Collective Music Group

If you have heard Lil Baby’s songs “We Paid” or “Grace,” then you probably know who 42 Dugg is. His features on Lil Baby’s album My Turn, including the deluxe version, collectively host over 250 million plays on Spotify. It was a big card to have the chance to play in 2020, which ultimately became his breakout year. As one of Detroit’s newest gems, 42 Dugg’s raspy sound glides through every track he raps on, and he has a unique contribution to trap music. His staple whistled introduction to his songs distinguishes his presence — as widely heard in the second volume of his Young and Turnt mixtape — and his early entrance into the mainstream rap scene gives him leverage to capitalize on as he creates more eclectic tracks. If honored with a place in the 2021 XXL Freshman class, 42 Dugg will not lose his trace on this ever-growing rap stage.

Iann Dior

Puerto Rican-born Iann Dior brings a refreshing perspective and sound to hip-hop with his ability to fuse genres such as punk, rap, and pop. His song “Psycho” is an impressive display of his creative cocktails, and as a lyricist, he brings both emotion and vulnerability. His single “Gone Girl,” featuring Trippie Redd, speaks to losing meaningful relationships due to his fame. Tracks such as “Runaway Kid” off of his latest EP I’m Gone have similar themes of loneliness and internal struggles. The artist has also already acquired a placement on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for his feature on 24kGoldn’s single, “Mood.” Dior, who grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, has gained notable features on his music from artists like Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker, who joined him on the single “Sick and Tired.” He has a bright career ahead, and his superb musical chameleon capabilities play a significant part.

SoFaygo

A recent sign-on to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, as reported by HotNewHipHop and with his Spotify discography listing “Cactus Jack” under song credits, 19-year-old SoFaygo brings a hyper-pop influence to hip-hop. The rapper hails from Atlanta, Georgia, and Complex listed him as one of its best new artists for March 2021. SoFaygo’s alluring tone and hit-making abilities, proven by song’s such as “Knock Knock,” which has garnered over 30 million plays on Spotify, leave a wide-open space for him to be welcomed as a class member. His discography can be centered in the same conversation of other artists like Trippie Redd, Playboi Carti, or Lil Tecca, but he certainly holds his own lane, something especially evident following his latest album, After Me. The project, which had no features just like the rest of his songs, was consistent in quality and established an exciting sound. He has plenty of room to continue heightening his talents, and a spot on this year’s roster would give him a significant boost of recognition that could take his career to the next level.

We won’t know for certain who makes the cut for 2021’s XXL Freshman class until later this summer, but it is worth noting each of these artists as a prime contender for the honorable distinction. Even if they don’t make the cut, each one has a promising rap career ahead of them. For updates on the 2021 XXL Freshman Class announcement, visit XXL Magazine.

Afterglow ATXMay 13, 2021xxl freshman class