XXL magazine dropped their highly anticipated 2019 Freshman Class cover today, showcasing the top hip-hop artists to watch out for this year.

Among the breakthrough acts featured in XXL’s Summer 2019 Freshman Class are North Carolina’s DaBaby, ATL native Gunna, Houston’s own Megan Thee Stallion and California rapper Blueface.

A number of lesser-known rappers are featured on the list as well, including YK Osiris, Roddy Rich, Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, Lil Mosey, Comethazine and YBN Cordae.

More via XXL:

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.

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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.

XXL’s Freshman issue will hit newsstands everywhere on July 16th, and on July 22nd, fans can see the Freshman in concert at the 2019 XXL Freshman show at the Playstation Theater in New York City, followed by another concert featuring the Freshman artists at The Novo in Los Angeles on July 25th.

Congrats to this year’s XXL Freshman Class!

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