TARDY PASS: Playback’s 2024 Freshman List
XXL Magazine has been a major voice in the hip hop community for decades, with provocative covers and timely trend recognition. Most iconic, though, is their annual Freshman List, which highlights artists XXL believes will become the next sound. In recent years, the list’s credibility has come into question, with many fans believing their favorite artist was snubbed for yet another “industry plant.” In light of this year’s 2024 freshman list, here are a few artists we believe were robbed of the spotlight.
Ian
Arguably the biggest artist left off the freshman list, with 2.5 million monthly listeners at the writing of this article, is Ian. Fresh off the release of his hit album Valedictorian and being brought onstage by Lil Yachty at Summer Smash, Ian has quickly broken out of the underground. Ian isn’t a gangster, and he isn’t trying to be. His playful lyrics can be enjoyed and related to by a wide range of audiences. I mean, we’ve all met a “hoe so perfect, it ruin [our] headspace.” Ian for Bacchanal? I sure hope so.
Writer’s Pick: “Figure it Out”
OsamaSon
Many describe OsamaSon as the second coming of Carti, with his beats and flow closely resembling the “Opium” sound. And with his producer Skai having done beats for artists like Ken Carson, it makes sense. With this style of music being so prevalent in recent years, it seems wrong to leave its newest star off the list.
Writer’s Pick: “Nothing”
Nettspend
The youngest artist on this list, and dominating the hyperpop sound at only 17, is Nettspend. Collaborations with fellow snubbed artist OsamaSon and others in his circle, as well as a well developed solo catalog, his sound similarly resembles the sound of the time. And while his cult-like fan base would like to believe he’s the best out, we think this is a stretch. However, he definitely deserves a spot on the list.
Writer’s Pick: “drankdrankdrank”
LazerDim 700
I personally don’t understand the hype, but the community is behind LazerDim 700 (despite his often “awkward” and off-beat flow). Arguably the smallest artist to ever land a Nardwuar interview, his internet fame has gained him the popularity to warrant him being on the list. With his Poetic Justice remix gaining traction on Tiktok and other hotbeds of virality, akin to previous freshman Babytron, his future seems to be very promising.
Writer’s Pick: “Poetic Justice”
Karrahbooo
This list wouldn’t be complete without our female talent Karrahbooo. The only female Concrete Boy has been keeping up with her male counterparts in the various cyphers and freestyles that the collective has put out in recent months. Best described as a bossed-up tomboy, her lyrics move away from chasing boys and instead chasing that bread. Under the guidance of mentor and Freshman List alum Lil Yachty, you can expect to see her make waves for years to come.
Writer’s Pick: “NOT DA 2”
Freshmen have come and gone, with some going on to major success in the rap game, and others leaving us asking if their career ever really started. Empirically, their futures can be predicted to some degree by their performance in the freestyle cypher. Iconic cyphers, like the 2016 freestyle, have led to the respective artists going on to dominate the space. The freestyle is a first glimpse into the artists’ style for many fans—if your sound is disingenuous or plagiarized, you can expect a short tenure in their playlists. Beyond just individual performance, the performance of the group has to be top-notch. Some classes have seen all artists involved reach meteoric success, proving that the quality of your company is just as important as your own. Whether this year’s class will live up to the hype is still in the air, but I personally believe that Playback’s class will long outlast its XXL counterparts.