The wait is officially over. The 2019 XXL Freshman Class is here.

Now in its 12th year, the XXL Freshman franchise has consistently embraced hip-hop’s rising stars and helped push them to the forefront of the culture. Thanks to the internet, social media and, more importantly, the hip-hop fans, XXL Freshman has increased in popularity year after year. The decision on which artists enter the XXL Freshman Class comes together the same way as when it first started. We talk to everyone we possibly can—industry tastemakers, rappers, our friends, fellow hip-hop heads, the guy working at the corner store, whoever—to get their input on who they think should be picked for the class. Then we argue it out as a staff and narrow down the list.

This year’s Freshman Class includes 11 artists: East Saint Louis, Ill.’s Comethazine, Philadelphia’s Tierra Whack, Charlotte, North Carolina’s DaBaby, Seattle’s Lil Mosey, Compton’s Roddy Ricch, Suitland, Md.’s YBN Cordae, Jacksonville, Fla.’s YK Osiris, Largo, Md.’s Rico Nasty, Atlanta’s Gunna, Houston’s Megan Thee Stallion and the 10th Spot winner, Los Angeles’ Blueface.

Over the next month, XXL will be releasing content from each artist inducted into the 12th annual Freshman Class including behind-the-scenes moments, solo interviews, freestyles, cyphers and roundtable discussions so that rap fans can get to know each artist and what they represent. This year, Florida's own DJ Scheme leads the Freshman cyphers, spinning tracks for each of the 11 artists.

Buy tickets for the 2019 XXL Freshman show in New York here.

Buy tickets for the 2019 XXL Freshman show in Los Angeles here.

The Freshman issue of XXL magazine will hit stands everywhere on July 16. After that, fans can see the Freshmen hit the stage to perform for the 2019 XXL Freshman show at New York City’s PlayStation Theater on Mon., July 22. The Los Angeles XXL Freshman show will take place on Thurs., July 25 at The Novo.

In addition to the 2019 Freshman class, the XXL Magazine Summer 2019 issue also includes a look back at last year's Freshmen, a compelling narrative on whether Jay-Z should consider running for president, the history of the letter X in hip-hop, in memoriam honors for XXXTentacion, Nipsey Hussle and Mac Miller from their fellow Freshman classmates, Hip-Hop Junkie conversation with pop star Billie Eilish, interviews with Lil Bibby, Blac Youngsta, Lil Yachty, Ugly God, Freddie Gibbs and more.

Now it’s time to celebrate. Congratulations to the 2019 XXL Freshman Class: DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, YBN Cordae, Rico Nasty, Gunna, Comethazine, Tierra Whack, Lil Mosey, Roddy Ricch, Blueface and YK Osiris. Made for this.

See the 2019 XXL Freshman cover and reactions from fellow rappers and more below.

XXL