Since our second Freshman Class in 2009, each edition of our annual up-and-coming MC spotlight issue has included a slew of different stories, videos and interviews to showcase the year's new crop of talent. And while a lot of attention centers, understandably, on our cyphers, a real test of a rapper's pure talent comes when they're alone on the mic, freestyling off the top of their head (or as close to that as they dare).

Many of our Freshmen have gone onto Platinum-selling success, No. 1 albums and hip-hop superstardom—many have not, as well; predicting the future is a notoriously difficult enterprise—and they laid down their Freshman freestyle at the moment when they were on the cusp of either making that leap or falling by the wayside. Whichever Class is your favorite, some of these freestyles are sure to provide plenty of entertainment and fascination, particularly as the years go by.

As we get set to start rolling out the 2015 Freshman Class' freestyles on Monday, let's go back and revisit each of the prior six years worth of XXL Freshmen freestyles. [Ed. Note: Unfortunately, the freestyles from our 2012 Class have gone missing from our archives, but we've included each cypher from that year instead.] Who spit the best verse? We'll let you decide. —XXL Staff

Related: The Wait Is Over: Here Is the 2015 XXL Freshman Class

All 12 XXL Freshmen 2014 Freestyles

Every XXL Freshman Cover Over the Years

27 Former XXL Freshman Class Members Name The Best Moments From Their Freshmen Experience

22 Former XXL Freshman Class Members Have Advice For The 2014 Class

Ace Hood, Asher Roth, Blu, B.o.B, Charles Hamilton, Cory Gunz, Curren$y, Kid Cudi, Mickey Factz and Wale

2009

Ace Hood

Asher Roth

Blu

B.o.B

Charles Hamilton

Cory Gunz

Curren$y

Kid Cudi

Mickey Factz

Wale

XXL Freshmen 2010: J. Cole, Pill, Nipsey Hu$$le, Wiz Khalifa, OJ Da Juiceman, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Jay Rock, Fashawn and Donnis

2010

Big Sean

Donnis

Fashawn

Freddie Gibbs

J. Cole

Jay Rock

Nipsey Hu$$le

Pill

OJ da Juiceman

Wiz Khalifa

XXL Freshmen 2011: Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., Cyhi The Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred The Godson, Mac Miller, YG, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar and Diggy Simmons

2011

Big K.R.I.T.

Cyhi The Prynce

Diggy Simmons

Fred the Godson

Kendrick Lamar

Lil B

Lil Twist

Mac Miller

Meek Mill

Yelawolf

YG

XXL Freshmen 2012: Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash

2012

Iggy Azalea, Kid Ink, French Montana, Macklemore and Don Trip

Future, Danny Brown, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin and Roscoe Dash

XXL Freshmen 2013: ScHoolboy Q, Trinidad Jame$, Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action Bronson, Kirko Bangz, Travi$ Scott, Dizzy Wright, Angel Haze and Chief Keef

2013

Ab-Soul

Action Bronson

Angel Haze

Dizzy Wright

Joey Bada$$

Kirko Bangz

Logic

ScHoolboy Q

Travi$ Scott

Trinidad Jame$

XXL Freshmen 2014: Chance The Rapper, Rich Homie Quan, Isaiah Rashad, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Durk, Kevin Gates, Troy Ave, Vic Mensa, Lil Bibby, Jon Connor, Jarren Benton and August Alsina

2014

August Alsina

Chance The Rapper

Isaiah Rashad

Jarren Benton

Jon Connor

Kevin Gates

Lil Bibby

Lil Durk

Rich Homie Quan

Troy Ave

Ty Dolla $ign

Vic Mensa

Fetty Wap

DeJ Loaf

Vince Staples

Raury

GoldLink

Tink

Shy Glizzy

K Camp

OG Maco

Kidd Kidd

Related: The Wait Is Over: Here Is the 2015 XXL Freshman Class

All 12 XXL Freshmen 2014 Freestyles

Every XXL Freshman Cover Over the Years

27 Former XXL Freshman Class Members Name The Best Moments From Their Freshmen Experience

22 Former XXL Freshman Class Members Have Advice For The 2014 Class