XXL (magazine)

XXL^{[note 1]} is an American hip hop magazine, published by Townsquare Media, founded in 1997.

XXL

Founders	Aidan James Michael Luna O'Neal Anthony Josiah Xzander B.
Staff writers	Ayabulela Tshofela
Categories	Music magazine
Frequency	Monthly
Publisher	Townsquare Media
Founded	1997
Country	United States
Based in	New York City
Language	English
Website	xxlmag.com
ISSN	1093-0647

History

In August 1997,^[2] Harris Publications released the first issue of XXL. It featured rappers Jay-Z and Master P on a double cover.^[3] In December 2006, XXL took over the struggling hip-hop producer and DJ magazine Scratch (another publication owned by Harris Publications), re-branding it as XXL Presents Scratch Magazine. However Scratch shut down less than a year later in September 2007.

Other titles with limited runs have been launched under the XXL brand, including Hip-Hop Soul, Eye Candy and Shade 45. XXL has released many other special projects including tour programs, mixtapes and exclusive DVDs. XXL also maintains a popular website, which provides daily hip hop news, original content and content from the magazine.^[4]

In 2014, Townsquare Media acquired XXL,^[5] King and Antenna from Harris Publications.

On October 14, 2014, Townsquare announced it would continue print publication of XXL.^[6] In December 2014 the company reported that the magazine would be published on a quarterly basis.^[5] Later it was changed from a quarterly basis to a monthly basis.

Past editors

The magazine's past editors include Reginald C. Dennis (formerly of The Source), Sheena Lester (former editor-in-chief of RapPages and Vibe music editor), Elliott Wilson (formerly of The Beat-Down Newspaper, ego trip and The Source, currently locked in at #7 slot on The Source's Digital 30 list.)^[7][8] and Datwon Thomas (former editor-in-chief of King).

In May 2009, Datwon Thomas resigned from XXL and executive editor Vanessa Satten, who had been with XXL since 1998, was named the new Editor-in-Chief.^[9]

Special releases

Magazine cover of XXL Presents Shade 45

The magazine commissioned A Great Day in Hip Hop, which is a black-and-white photograph of over 200 hip hop artists and producers in Harlem, New York, taken by photographer Gordon Parks on September 29, 1998.^[10] It was commissioned by the magazine as a homage to Art Kane's A Great Day in Harlem, photographed in 1958.^[11]

In August 2005, Eminem and XXL teamed up to release a special issue titled XXL Presents Shade 45, designed to simultaneously give maximum exposure to his radio station Shade 45, the station's associated radio DJs, the Shady Records label as a whole, and G-Unit Records' artists. XXL executive publisher Jonathan Rheingold stated that typically magazines based around particular artists were not favorable, but "since Shade 45 is a truly authentic and uncensored rap radio channel, the marriage with the XXL brand made sense," feeling that it would interest rap fans.^{[citation needed]}

In November 2008, XXL released XXL Raps Volume 1, which included music from 50 Cent, G-Unit, Common, Jim Jones, & Fabolous.^{[citation needed]}

In September 2006, XXL put a special 90-minute DVD called XXL DVD Magazine Vol. 1, which featured exclusive interviews and content with big-name rappers such as 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Fat Joe, Paul Wall, & Mike Jones.^[12]

On August 20, 2013, XXL marked its sixteenth anniversary by releasing its 150th issue, which featured the first solo cover on the magazine from Drake, along with rappers such as Kendrick Lamar and B.o.B reviewing classic albums.^[3]

Annual Freshman Class list

Beginning in 2007 (skipping 2008),^[13] XXL releases its annual "Freshman Class" list. The issue features 10-12 artists-to-watch, all appearing on the cover of the magazine. The list has a history of showcasing unknown/underground rappers, as well as artists considered to be on the rise. The list creates significant marketing buzz among listeners and artists alike, and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame.^[14][15][16]

The 10th spot winners are highlighted in bold.

Year	Freshmen
2007[a]	Saigon, Plies, Rich Boy, Gorilla Zoe, Joell Ortiz, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Boosie, Crooked I, Papoose and Young Dro.[17]
2009[a]	Wale, B.o.B, Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, Cory Gunz, Blu, Mickey Factz, Ace Hood, Currensy and Kid Cudi.[18]
2010[a]	J. Cole, Pill, Nipsey Hussle, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, OJ da Juiceman, Jay Rock, Fashawn and Donnis.[19]
2011[a]	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.[20]
2012	Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash.[21]
2013	Schoolboy Q, Trinidad James, Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action Bronson, Kirko Bangz, Travis Scott, Dizzy Wright, Angel Haze and Chief Keef.[22][23]
2014	Chance the Rapper, Rich Homie Quan, Isaiah Rashad, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Durk, Kevin Gates, Troy Ave, Vic Mensa, Jon Connor, Lil Bibby, Jarren Benton and August Alsina.[24]
2015	Fetty Wap, Dej Loaf, Raury, Kidd Kidd, OG Maco, Shy Glizzy, K Camp, Vince Staples, Tink and GoldLink.[25]
2016	Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Kodak Black, Denzel Curry, G Herbo, Dave East, Lil Dicky, Anderson .Paak, Desiigner and 21 Savage.[26]
2017	Kamaiyah, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, PnB Rock, Playboi Carti, Aminé, Kap G, Kyle, Ugly God, MadeinTYO and XXXTentacion.[27]
2018[b]	Ski Mask the Slump God, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, JID, Stefflon Don, BlocBoy JB, YBN Nahmir, Wifisfuneral and Trippie Redd.[30][31]
2019	Comethazine, Tierra Whack, DaBaby, Lil Mosey, Roddy Ricch, Cordae, YK Osiris, Rico Nasty, Gunna, Blueface and Megan Thee Stallion.[32]
2020[c]	Polo G, Chika, NLE Choppa, Jack Harlow, Lil Keed, Lil Tjay, Fivio Foreign, Calboy, Rod Wave, Baby Keem, 24kGoldn and Latto.[35]
2021	42 Dugg, Flo Milli, Morray, Pooh Shiesty, Lakeyah, Coi Leray, Toosii, Blxst, DDG, Rubi Rose and Iann Dior.[36]
2022	Nardo Wick, SoFaygo, Babyface Ray, Big Scarr, Big30, Kali, KenTheMan, Cochise, KayCyy, Doechii, Saucy Santana and BabyTron.[37]
2023	Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, GloRilla, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC the Don.[38]
2024	BigXthaPlug, That Mexican OT, Lay Bankz, BossMan Dlow, Rich Amiri, ScarLip, Hunxho, 4Batz, Maiya the Don, Cash Cobain and Skilla Baby.[39]

Notes

1. From 2007 to 2011, there was no such thing as a 10th spot winner.
2. In 2018, there was not a 10th spot pick as Lil Skies and his replacement, Rich the Kid both declined the list.^[28][29]
3. In 2020, Pop Smoke was the first freshman selected for the list, but died before attending the photoshoot.^[33][34]

Additions to the list

Occasionally, the Freshman Class list may contain extra additions to include more rappers. The 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Freshman Class lists, for example, had 11 rappers. In the case for the 2013 list, XXL added an honorary extra spot for Chicago rapper Chief Keef due to the artist being in a six-day jail stint and therefore being unable to attend the photo shoot in New York City.^[22] In 2014, 2020, 2022 and 2023, the Freshman Class lists included 12 rappers.

Artists that declined the cover

For most Freshman covers, after the list has been announced, an artist will come out and say that they were offered a spot on the cover by XXL but chose to decline it. Other times, XXL themselves will reveal someone that they asked to be on the cover and were directly told by the artist that they were not interested. Below is a list of rappers who have declined the offer of being an XXL Freshman, and the various reasons why they declined.

Year	Artist(s)	Reason	Ref.
2010	Drake	Respectfully declined and felt they were chosen too late in their respective careers. In an interview with MTV, Nicki Minaj spoke on why she and Drake declined the cover by saying "With all due respect, we felt like we kinda had graduated from the Freshman Class. We felt XXL missed the mark when they didn't put us on the cover prior to that (2009). They have to pay for that".	[40]
	Nicki Minaj
2011	Vado	In an interview with Shade 45, Cam'ron revealed that he spoke to the Editor-In-Chief Vanessa Satten about putting Vado on the 2011 issue. However, Cam'ron wanted Vado to be the center focus and not share the cover with multiple other artists. When Vanessa revealed that she couldn't guarantee that Vado would be the "main highlight" of the cover, Cam'ron respectfully declined the offer on behalf of Vado.
	Tyler, the Creator	Respectfully declined.
2012	ASAP Rocky	Respectfully declined. Schedule was too slim due to touring.
2014	Young Thug	On Sway's Universe, Vanessa Satten revealed that the day before the photoshoot took place, someone from Young Thug's camp called XXL at 10:30 PM and directly told them that he wasn't coming to the shoot the next day.
2015	ILoveMakonnen	Not responsive to XXL.
	PartyNextDoor
2016	Tory Lanez	On April 15, 2016, Tory Lanez (in a since-deleted tweet) said on Twitter "I passed on the XXL cover. Don't b confused". Although he didn't give an official reason, it is to believed that he felt he was chosen too late in his career.	[41]
	Post Malone	Stated he was tired and was not up to flying to New York for the photoshoot. XXL editor-in-chief Vanessa Satten claimed Post's publicist stated that Post did not want to be boxed in as a hip hop artist.	[40]
2017	Young M.A	Felt beyond the list. She asked to have a solo cover but they disagreed and said that she needed more attention to her name before that could happen.	[42]
	YFN Lucci	YFN Lucci initially refused to play music for XXL and said he didn't want to play any music if he wasn't guaranteed a spot on the list. He later changed his mind days before the shoot but it was too late.
	Cardi B	Although not technically a "declined offer", XXL stated that Cardi B wasn't selected to be a freshman because they weren't sure if Cardi was leaning more towards having a career in television or a music career.
	Famous Dex	XXL stood away from adding Famous Dex after there was evidence shown that he beat up his girlfriend. They further spoke on XXXTentacion's addition to the 2017 list (as it was controversial), saying that although he was accused of beating up his ex-girlfriend, the incident was not caught on camera, XXXTentacion had not been found guilty, and that he was arguably having a major influence on his generation.	[42][43]
2018	Lil Skies	On Instagram Live, he explained that he respectfully declined due to XXL apparently telling him that he would be the 10th Spot Freshman before the voting process even began. Although he respected some decisions made on the 2018 list, he claims that the list was mostly rigged.	[28]
	Rich the Kid	He "happily declined" after hearing that the reason XXL asked him to be on it was because Lil Skies declined the offer.	[29]
2019	Juice Wrld	Respectfully declined.	[44]
	Benny the Butcher	He was asked by Jay-Z to not accept because Jay thought declining would be for the better.	[45]
2020	Pop Smoke	Pop Smoke agreed to be on the cover but he died before he could attend the shoot. XXL originally planned to add him on the cover to honor him, but Pop Smoke's team asked them not to do so. Although XXL was not able to add him on the cover, they were able to add an unreleased interview to honor him in the issue.	[35][33]
	Don Toliver	Don Toliver only wanted to be on the cover and did not want to take part in other aspects of the list, such as the freestyles and cyphers.	[46]
	Lil Tecca	Respectfully declined.	[citation needed]
2021	$not	Respectfully declined because he felt like other artists needed it more.	[47][better source needed]
	Kenny Mason	Respectfully declined.	[citation needed]
2022	Ken Carson	Told XXL that he would only do the list if Destroy Lonely could be added with him, and respectfully declined when told that Destroy Lonely wasn't going to be selected.	[citation needed]
	Yeat	Respectfully declined.	[48][better source needed]
2023	Ice Spice	Schedule was too slim.	[49][50]

Notes

1. Pronounced "double X L".^[1]