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I still never understood how OJ could be on this cover. No, not because of the rapping skills or lack thereof, but because of the fact he’s already dropped a national album & had a chart-topping single. But maybe that’s just me…
The new breed of hustlers includes: Roc Nation’s first signee J. Cole, gangsta rap up-and-comer Nipsey Hu$$le, newly-minted Asylum lyricist Pill, 1017 Brick Squad member OJ Da Juiceman, indie-sensation Wiz Khalifa, G.O.O.D. music’s own Big Sean, underground favorite Fashawn, Gary, Indiana rep Freddie Gibbs, West Coast phenom Jay Rock and the latest addition to the Atlantic roster, Donnis.
In addition to the special issue, XXL will also be dropping an exclusive DJ Whoo Kid mixtape next Monday (March 8)— available for free on XXLMag.com, radioplanet.tv and thisis50.com— featuring new music from all ten of the cover stars. Whoo Kid will also be playing select cuts from the tape while the artists call into his show this coming Saturday (March 6) on Sirius/Shade45.
Keep an out for behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot and interviews with all the Freshmen on mtv.com/news, MTV2’s Sucker Free and here at XXLMag.com. More info to come soon on the XXL 10 Freshmen for ’10 concert later this month in New York City. (You’ll also be able to win tickets to the show here.) – XXL
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