For nearly two decades, the XXL Freshman Class has been hip-hop's most divisive annual event. But in a world dominated by TikTok and SoundCloud, does a magazine cover still matter?

In this episode, we tackle the complex legacy of the list. We look back at the inaugural 2007 Class and the powerhouse era that followed, featuring future legends like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. We relive the culture-clash moment of the 2016 Cypher—where the melodic new wave met the lyrical old guard—and debate whether the high-stakes freestyles are a proving ground or a pressure cooker.

Ultimately, we ask the big question: When artists like Post Malone and Travis Scott can decline the cover and still dominate, is the XXL Freshman list still creating stars, or is its real purpose now simply to be the ultimate conversation starter for the culture?

Tune in as we break down the history, the legendary cyphers, and the current relevance of rap's most controversial tradition.

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