Every year, XXL editors put out the highly awaited “Freshman Class,” the hip hop heads of all hip hop heads looking to assemble a list of the fastest rising, illest rhyming, fire spittin’, twitter-havin-ass dudes. With so much talent this year (that the editor noted, “it seems like the hip hop recessions is over”), it is sure to be a strong group, but on the flip side- sure to be missing a few faces you thought you’d see this year. Here’s the breakdown:

MEEK MILL:

Riches: Being signed, teaming up with Maybach Music, putting down his verse in Pandemonium (Ashes to Ashes)

Rags: Meek could definitely rise if he could extend his reach beyond Maybach

How They Will Make it: Eventually taking over the regime, rising as Ricky Rozay falls

BIG K.R.I.T.:

The Missourian producer/rapper carries the southern swang when he goes in. He’s not going anywhere but up – so expect to hear his name all over the place.

Riches: Man’s got talent.. in his dually developed talents, he’s got a knife and fork in-hand, ready to bite into the game.

Rags: KRIT will hit his peak when he starts comin into his own and developing his unique style and flow. He’s smooth and reminiscent of the late Pimp C, but when I hear an artist, my view of them is not nearly as high as it is of those who are brought to mind.

How They Will Make It: Big collabs to bring him into the limelight. And if that doesn’t work… Expect to see him on the boards cookin up the southern style beats.

CYHI THE PRYNCE

Riches: Hookin up with some of the best in the game, he’s set up for success. He’s creative, can lay it down, and chooses mean beats.

Rags: He’s running with the big dogs, and shouldn’t get to comfortable on Kanye’s coattails. He still has to establish himself with the fan base before he will hit real success.

How They Will Make It: G.O.O.D. Music label

LIL TWIST

Riches: Getting in the game so young

Rags: I can’t get into ‘burbed out teen kid serenading 15 year old girls

How They Will Make It: Not letting the fame get to him at such a young age. He’s definitely an entertainer though.

YELAWOLF

Riches: He’s about as unique as fuck.. It’s disarming to listen to man who doesn’t give a shit if you dont like his mohak. Since he’s one of a kind, he’s gonna be a high flyer

Rags: Although he is setting his own image for when people think “yelawolf”, he should do as much as he can to prevent them from thinkin “eminem.”

How They Will Make It: Work, Work and more Work.

FRED THE GODSON

Riches: looking like the Michelin Man. Also, making a song called “I’m too fat.” Nice.

Rags: You can only talk about your automatic weapons for so long.. Wait, isnt Cam’ron still around?

How They Will Make It: Fat people need love too.

MAC MILLER

Riches: College kid swag that can stay relevant to his biggest fan-base– college kids on the internet.

Rags: The creativity and work ethic seem to be there.. voice and flow, not so much. He’s got enough of the ingredients to make a cake, and metaphorically speaking – its already in the oven.

How They Will Make It: Taking advantage of the stoned out Pittsburg sound being illuminated by Wiz Khalifa

YG

Riches: Making Toot it And Boot It. Not the most lyrically fucking genious song but good lord I couldnt that out of my head even if I had a icepick, a hammer and the demeanor of Jesse Ventura.

Rags: Not following up Toot it and Boot it with another hit. That might be as many lights as he will ever see.

How They Will Make It: Will he? I’d say a few solid mixtapes would be a prerequisite, unless he is goin for the commercial crown… in which case i couldnt give a shit if he makes it or not.

LIL B

Riches: Having a lot of internet fans

Rags: Having more people who despise him

How They Will Make It: The absence of a God. Every night, I pray that Lil B does not make it to the radio. His only sense of creativity, he dedicated to being a clown (which I don’t immediately hold against him) but I’d rather watch a UPS truck deliver brown fucking boxes than watch him deliver rhymes.

KENDRICK LAMAR

Riches: Runnin with a mean crew (Black Hippy), spitting fire in his own way, being from Compton

Rags:Not a ton of flaws, but he could benefit from showing some more range in his voice and flow

How They Will Make It: He’s well on the way, but continuing to work with Dr Dre could definitely expedite the process

DIGGY SIMMONS:

Riches: Being Russel Simmon’s son

Rags: Getting into a career not because of talent, but bloodline.

How They Will Make It:He’s not that good. He plays the teenie-bop-all-the-girls-want-me card… Big Poppa better look out for him or he’s going to get spit right back out of the game.