XXL’s 2012 Would-Be Rap Stars: Danny Brown, French Montana, Iggy Azalea …
Matthew Barrera
Published Apr 04, 2026
As has become a late February tradition, XXL just announced its “Freshman Class,” an annual guessing-game-slash-roundup of the most promising new rappers. On the list this year: Machine Gun Kelly, Danny Brown, Kid Ink, Future, Roscoe Dash, Hopsin, Macklemore, Don Trip, French Montana, and, wait for it, one of the Az(e)al(e/i)as. Iggy Azalea made the list! Azealia Banks did not. Yes, she’s already tweeting about the snub. Vulture will keep you apprised of any major beef developments.