No matter what artists XXL chose for their always scrutinized Freshman cover, nobody's going to be completely happy. I'm sure even those who were choosing artists for the cover weren't even completely sold on some of the finally choices. To each his own right? Rather than complain about their 2012 Freshman cover, we went ahead and made our own list of hip hop artists on the rise this year. Ready...and...debate! Hit the jump for our list.
Hometown: Flushing, Queens
Label: Showoff Records
Twitter: @actionbronson
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Mix the sounds of Ghostface Killah and Raekwon and you'll get this former chef-turned-rapper that has been working with Statik Selektah.
Standout project(s): Dr. Lecter; Well Done
Standout tracks:
Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Time For Some ft. Lil Fame
Action Bronson - Amuse Bouche
Hometown: Harlem, NY
Label: Sony/RCA
Twitter: @_ASAProcky
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Even though he has a very Houston influenced sound, his Harlem swag helped him ink a $3 million+ deal on basically hype alone.
Standout project(s): Live.Love.A$AP
Standout tracks:
A$AP Rocky - Peso
A$AP Rocky - Wassup
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Label: T.U.S.
Twitter: @ChuuweeTUS
About them in 140 Characters or less:
He is the standout sound of a big hip hop movement coming out of Sacramento. Not many people have put out more material then him since 2011.
Standout project(s): Be Cool; Watching The Throne
Standout tracks:
Chuuwee - Smoke One For Doom ft. Abstract Ninja
Chuuwee - French Inhale
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Label: Fool's Gold Records
Twitter: @xdannyxbrownx
About them in 140 Characters or less:
His oddball mentality and awkward flow is what separates Danny Brown from the crowd. XXX made many year-end lists in 2011. XXL got one right!
Standout project(s): The Hybrid; XXX; Black & Brown
Standout tracks:
Danny Brown - Monopoly
Danny Brown - Die Like A Rockstar
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Label: unsigned (MMG rumors)
Twitter: @emiliorojas
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Not all NY hip hop comes from the 5 boroughs! Emilio has been murdering popular instrumentals with his signature quick spitting abilities.
Standout project(s): The Natural; Life Without Shame; Breaking Point
Standout tracks:
Emilio Rojas - Bold & Arrogant
Emilio Rojas - Champion
Hometown: Flint, MI
Label: All Varsity Entertainment
Twitter: @jonconnormusic
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Jon Connor has the city of Flint on his back. Personally thought he was a shoe in for XXL's list. Especially with the hype around Season 2.
Standout project(s): Jon Connor As Vinnie Chase: Season 1; Season 2; Salvation
Standout tracks:
Jon Connor - The Message
Jon Connor - Epic
Hometown: Spring Hill, FL
Label: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Twitter: @lawshiphop
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Laws' music is filled with the emotion that hip hop is missing. Yesterday's Future is a tribute to The Beatles' Paul McCartney.
Standout project(s): 5:01 Overtime; Yesterday's Future
Standout tracks:
Laws - Hold You Down
Laws - Lady Hip Hop
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Label: unsigned
Twitter: @macklemore
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Macklemore is one of the leaders in Seattle's strong hip hop movement. His socially conscience subject matter makes him stand out.
Standout project(s): The Unplanned Mixtape; The VS. EP
Standout tracks:
Macklemore - Otherside
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Make The Money
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Top Dawg Ent.
Twitter: @ScHoolboyQ
About them in 140 Characters or less:
1 of the 4 members of Black Hippy. 2 have already made XXL's list (Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock). They all say he may be the most talented.
Standout project(s): Setbacks; Habits & Contradictions
Standout tracks:
ScHoolboy Q - PHenomenon
ScHoolboy Q - Hands On The Wheel ft. A$AP Rocky
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Label: Warner
Twitter: @XtotheV
About them in 140 Characters or less:
Not from a notorious hip hop area, but his commercial sound could help him gain popularity if pushed the right way from Warner.
Standout project(s): Everbody's Nobody; Zero Heroes
Standout tracks:
XV - Awesome ft. Pusha T
XV - Smallville (prod. J. Cole)
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