Checking Up On Those Freshman

I have to really credit XXL with putting me on my current hip-hop shit. I was in the bookstore of the University of Missouri when I saw my man Wale gracing the cover of XXL's latest "Freshman To Watch" issue. I purchased the magazine, came back to my house and began downloading all the music I could from the various artists that made up the cover. That issue came out in late 2008, so I decided to check up on these cats and take their temperature. The future of hip-hop is in their hands, so let's see how they are handling it.

Buzz So Big They Could Probably Sell A Blank Disk

Drake-Probably the most hyped new artist out there, and he was not even on the XXL cover. Replace Ace Hood with Drake and XXL would have been golden. Having already dropped one of the most successful mixtapes the game has seen, Drake has already been in the studio with Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Pharell for work on his debut album. Sometimes it seems like Drake has been in the game for years. With a bidding war commencing between major record labels for the rights to distribute his album, with prices rumored to be as high as $2 million, Drake is pretty much set. Be on the lookout for his debut album in the fall. Drake is also rumored to be on the next single off of "The Blueprint 3" with Jay-Z.

Buzz Is Getting Louder

Wale-Since no one is quite on the level of Drake, quite a few newcomers fall into this category. We start with my man Wale Folarin, who's buzz fell off briefly a few month ago but is steadily climbing back into the forefront. After all sorts of problems with his next mixtape "Back To The Feature," Wale finally leaked a few tracks, both which were absolutely dope. Only increasing the hype of the tape, Wale also released "Family Matters," which takes a introspective look at a family made up of a prostitute and her child. Wale announced on his Twitter yesterday that the mixtape was finished, so we could have the tape in our hands tomorrow. If that happens, put Wale up in the category with Drake, for this mixtape will be epic. With his debut album dropping in July, and always killing MCs on whatever track he is on, Wale is going to be in the game for a long time.

J.Cole-The MC of of Fayettville, North Carolina has been slept on for quite some time, even after the release of his debut mixtape, "The Come Up." Hip-hop blogs such as Nahright and Onsmash have finally gotten hip to his talent, posting interviews and information about his new mixtape, "The Warm Up" which drops on Monday. My second favorite newcomer after Wale, J. Cole spits gritty, and about real life. I've said it before, but don't sleep on this kid. Warm Up!

Curren$y-After quietly putting out seven mixtapes over the years, Curren$y really helped his buzz with the release of his debut album, "This Ain't No Mixtape" a few months ago. Overall a great album (if you don't own it I highly suggest you pick it up) that showcases Curren$y's unique New Orleans flow which sounds nothing like Lil' Wayne, Curren$y has been out doing shows and most recently has been in the studio with Wiz Khalifa working on their joint mixtape which should be out by the end of June. Definitely still slept on, Curren$y is slowly pushing himself to the forefront of good music, with artists all over wanting to get a verse from him.

Waiting On Their Next Move

Kid Cudi-Although he has popped up here and there over the past months, Kid Cudi has largely been quiet of recent. By no means does that mean he has not been on his grind though. Giving us a release date for his debut album (August 25) and also working on a mixtape with fellow Clevelander Chip Tha Ripper, Cudi is poised to blow up come end of summer. Having worked with Kanye West and Swizz Beats on the album, Cudi is confident his music is going to blow people away. We shall see, but Cudi is never one to take time off. I know he is putting in work and hopefully it will pay off.

B.o.B aka Bobby Ray-Disappeared for a little while before resurfacing towards the end of May. Recording the song "Put Me On" for the Reebok Classic Series, which is an excellent song which showcases all of his talents (singing, guitar playing, and spitting) and the announcement of a new mixape coming soon entitled "B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray," look for Mr. Ray to get back on the music scene with his array of talents.

You Just Suck

Charles Hamilton-Sigh....what is there to say about Mr. Hamilton. Besides, in my opinion, being a mediocre rapper, Hamilton seems to enjoy infuriating the entire hip-hop community. Wale is on his label and doesn't fuck with him, Rhymefest hates him, and apparently his girlfriend isn't a big fan of him either. I am sure by now everyone has seen the video of Charles being punched in the face by his better half. With his awful idea of wearing a Sonic shirt over a button down, could it get any worse for Hamilton? Yes, it could. Recently, Charles Hamilton claimed that the legendary J. Dilla executive produced his album, even going as far as to put his name on his album cover. Claiming he was close with Dilla and his family in Detroit, a few hip-hop giants in the D did some investigating. What do you know, no one close with Dilla knows Hamilton, nor did Dilla have anything to do with his album. Way to go Charles, way to go. You sure are a class act.


Other rappers to grace the cover of XXL, like Blu, Mickey Factz, and Cory Gunz, I have not listened to throughly enough. That excludes Blu though, who has been very quiet of late.