The 2025 XXL Freshman list is an annual compilation of ten up-and-coming hip-hop artists selected by the editors of XXL magazine. The list, which has been published since 2007, has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Chance the Rapper.
The 2025 XXL Freshman list is important because it provides a snapshot of the current state of hip-hop and identifies the artists who are most likely to shape the future of the genre. The list also helps to raise the profile of these artists and introduce them to a wider audience.
