XXL Freshmen 10

So every year at around this time, XXL crowns ten up and coming emcees as the Freshmen 10 -- basically, who they think is hot at the moment and could potentially have a career in the game. But, just like every other list of this kind, there's been mass controversy and cantankerin' from the blogs to the forums to the dorm rooms and back again. So I figure?, why not do my own list? Right? I know my shit. I will say, though, there's gonna be a repeat or two -- but I will say right now: Asher Roth, Ace Hood, and Curren$y are garbage and have no place on my list. Anyone else I left off, I don't have any real qualms with -- just not cuttin' it, in my eyes.

Anyway, with out further ado: Drew Hunt's Freshmen 10


Wale: So this is a guy who is on XXL's list, but it's with very good reason. This guy came out this year and was extremely exciting. He shoulda got massive amounts of love in '07 when he dropped the disgracefully unappreciated "100 Miles and Runnin'" mixtape. "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E." is way to perfect. But he really came into prowess this year with "The Mixtape About Nothing", the Seinfeld inspired tape that was about much more than nothing. With a glaring approach to lyricism that even has the big dogs interested, Wale is basically the shit. Apparently he's got an album coming out next year, but I see him sticking with the mixtape shit for a while.
"W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E." -- Wale


Chip Tha Ripper: One of two dudes coming out Cleveland, Chip is a solid MC with a great fucking delivery -- he sounds like a seasoned vet already. He already has such a trademark voice, too. Deep. Fucking deep. But he's real. According to his MySpace, he's "cool ass, laid back, love 2 laugh, gettin' money, fitted, creative, funny, down 2 earth, soul loyalty and business, chevy ridin', door swangin', globe-trottin', money gettin', hellafied swagg havin', paper stakkin', free lil stace screamin', beat catchin', super freak ass, paper chasin' SOMEBITCH. Ya know????" Awesome.
"Club Rockin'" -- Chip Tha Ripper feat. Akon



Kid CuDi: Now this OTHER dude from Cleveland -- he's on some shit. This guy is out there, but in a real, real good way. Kanye West picked him up and put him on G.O.O.D., and now the rest is up to him. He dropped his mixtape "A Kid Named CuDi" earlier this year, and people noticed in a big way. I find it funny that so many people are into him, too. He's so left of center, I don't know how he ended up in XXL -- but I'm not complaining, he deserves it. He's the shit. Where the fuck is Cleveland coming from?
"Spazzin' Freestyle" -- Kid CuDi


Blu: This dude played a part in the best hip-hop album no one heard in 2007. Along with producer Exile, he dropped "Below The Heavens" and nobody really seemed to be buzzing. Nahright had nothing -- nobody. But it was too good to stay unnoticed for too long, and it didn't take much for everyone to hop on the jock. But rightfully so -- the dude does it all: flow, lyrics, and cadence are all covered. The game needs more emcees like Blu. He's doing it again with Johnson&Jonson, a collabo with producer Mainframe. The album is equally as good as "Below The Heavens", but this time more people are noticing. Go figure.
"Bout It, Bout It" -- Johnson&Jonson (Blu and Mainframe)


Mikey Rocks: No disrespect to his partner in crime, Chuck Inglish, but Mikey Rocks of the duo The Cool Kids is way too cold not to be on this list. See, I know a lot -- scratch -- all of these dudes kinda get pigeonholed into the "hipster" rap label. Call it what you want, whatever -- fact is, it's the new style and this guys reps it better than anyone. Plus, being from Chicago, where this new movement arguably found its fotting, gives him points as well. Some view dudes like Mikey as a fad, but others view it as the the future: put me in the ladder, please.
"The Delivery Man" -- The Cool Kids


Naledge: So if you're gonna bring up Chicago, you can't not mention this guy. Again, no disrespect to Double-O, but Naledge of Kidz in the Hall has a playful approach that is not only relfective of the entire Chicago hip-hop scene, but is a good example of where hip-hop is headed. He fits the mold perfectly, with clever lyrics and flows for days. Although it so goes without saying, "Drivin' Down the Block" is the hoopty-anthem of the year, and features one of the greatest samples ever -- period. Good, good shit. He dropped a good mixtape recently, too called "The Braniac Society, Vol. 1". Most of the links are dead, but if you can find it, get it.
"Ruby Hornet Presents: Freestly in the Park" -- Naledge


Skyzoo: So apparently this guy has one of the Top 10 flows of all time, according to Hot 97. Cool. Anyway, this guy's been around for a little bit, but he's just now coming into his own. I wasn't exactly sold until I heard the mixtape he did with 9th Wonder called "Cloud 9: Three Days High". It's a solid release, and I can definitely see him putting out some real, real quality shit for a while. Top 10 flow is a little generous, but it is a tight one -- he's definitely focused when he's spitting. He even holds down a Dilla beat pretty well, which is still a difficult thing to do, in my mind. Case in point:
"Last Donut Tribute" -- Skyzoo


Crooked-I: Another dude who's been at this for a minute. Crooked-I has been all over, going from Virgin to DPG to Death Row (?), he finally got his shit together and ended up starting his own imprint, Dynasty Entertainment. Some say he bites Jay-Z like a veritable mosquito (the naming of the label doesn't help this), but the fact is he's truly emerged as a capable emcee with sufficient lyrics and a comfortable flow. He could be big in '09, if he ever gets that album out.
"Boom Boom Clap" -- Crooked-I


Donnis: Probably the only rapper is Atlanta who isn't preoccupied with here T.I. lives, Donnis probably knows how to get a part started better than any other dude on this list. The guy is fun -- and I don't care if that sounds lame. His lyrics, his style, his everything -- dude's just a blast to listen to. Hip-hop needs this kinda shit. He pops up all over the place, on tracks with Kidz in the Hall, Cool Kids, Hollywood Holt, Joe Scudda and others. But I'm not even sure he has a mixtape under his belt. That should change soon.Get it while it's hot.
"Supersonic" -- Donnis


Charles Hamilton: Most people not this guy as "that dude on Nahright who's obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog", but he's truly a talented emcee who is killing the blogs at the moment. I posted his mixtape not too long ago, and if you haven't downloaded it yet, better hop on it quick. This guy is the total package: different stagger, different flow, different everything. I mean, just watch the video I posted here and tell me this isn't ridiculous. It's good shit. I don't care if he's trendy at the moment -- I'm sold. Sue me.
"Windows Media Player" -- Charles Hamilton