XXL Drops 2025 Freshman Class Featuring YTB FATT GELO & 10 Others

On June 24, 2025, XXL Magazine unveiled its 2025 Freshman Class—a diverse lineup of 12 emerging hip-hop artists poised to make significant waves. Leading the charge are Gelo, Ray Vaughn, and Samara Cyn, joined by 1900Rugrat, BabyChiefDoit, Eem Triplin, Ian, Lazer Dim 700, Loe Shimmy, Nino Paid, EBK Jaaybo, and West Memphis’s own YTB Fatt. This cohort reflects the shifting dynamics of rap culture—where viral moments, regional authenticity, and underground momentum all merge into one cultural statement.

YTB Fatt stands out as the Southern street voice of the list. Born Cavon Paige in 2001, the West Memphis rapper broke out after signing with Moneybagg Yo’s Bread Gang in 2023. His track “Shot Off Gumbo” set the tone, while his 2024 mixtape On Zai made even broader waves—charting on Billboard and solidifying Arkansas’s presence in the national rap scene. Known for his raw storytelling and hard-edged flow, Fatt embodies the class’s unapologetic authenticity.

The class’s sonic and geographic diversity is striking. It spans Florida’s viral phenom 1900Rugrat, Atlanta’s high-energy Lazer Dim 700, multicultural vibes via Chicago’s BabyChiefDoit and Maryland’s Nino Paid, to the introspective sounds of Samara Cyn—currently touring with Smino. This lineup demonstrates how today’s hip‑hop embraces a spectrum of voices—from freestyle virality to melodic lyricism and street-rooted narratives.

What comes next for the 2025 Freshman Class is a pivotal test: XXL’s cyphers, freestyles, and interviews. These platforms will serve as a proving ground—will artists like Gelo, Vaughn, or YTB Fatt turn their cover debut into sustained cultural relevance? If history is a guide, past alumni like Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion harnessed this moment into breakout success. As the year progresses, the industry and fans will be watching closely to see who from this class evolves into tomorrow’s rap superstars.

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