The 2017 XXL Freshman cover is here and it features a crew of upstart rhymers who are already known for dope music, influencing the culture and causing controversy. This year’s cover announces Kyle, Aminé, Ugly God, Playboi Carti, PnB Rock, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Madeintyo, Kap G, Kamaiyah and 10th Spot winner XXXTentacion as the young lions in the game—and for good reason.

Kamaiyah dropped one of 2016s most buzzed-about releases with A Good Night In the Ghetto; and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has been gaining ground since his breakout single "Jungle," from his debut mixtape Artist. And Kap G's "Rings" has him primed for a major push in 2017. "Water" by Ugly God hit the Billboard Hot 100 in late 2016 and Aminé . Madeintyo's "Uber Everywhere" was a helluva single and Cali native Kyle has been on tracks with everybody Kehlani, Lil Yachty to Chance the Rapper--as well his own The SuperDuper Crew.

PnB Rock's "Selfish" was a monster in 2016 and Playboi Carti's debut mixtape is still burning through the culture; XXXTentacion has become one of the more talked-about newcomers in hip-hop; he’s as infamous for his music as he is controversies.

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