XXL acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic nearly prevented the publication from putting together the annual Freshman list.
This year’s list includes NLE Choppa, Polo G, Calboy, Lil Tjay, Fivio Foreign, Baby Keem, Jack Harlow, Rod Wave, Chika, Mulatto, and Lil Keed. Winning the fan vote was 24kGoldn, who hails from San Francisco. XXL also disclosed that Pop Smoke was chosen as the first Freshman in this year’s class before his passing.