The wait is officially over. The 2019 XXL Freshman Class is here. 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. This year’s Freshman Class includes 11 artists: East Saint Louis, Ill.’s Comethazine, Philadelphia’s Tierra Whack, Charlotte, North Carolina’s DaBaby, Seattle’s Lil Mosey, Compton’s Roddy Ricch, Suitland, Md.’s YBN Cordae, Jacksonville, Fla.’s YK Osiris, Largo, Md.’s Rico Nasty, Atlanta’s Gunna, Houston’s Megan Thee Stallion and the 10th Spot winner, Los Angeles’ Blueface. 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.