Mic Navarro's Corner: 2014 XXL Freshman REVIEW

Well...it's that time of year again. XXL magazine have released their annual freshman issue. Every year people anticipate this list and it seems like with each passing year it grows more and more popular. This year it took a little while but after strong deliberations from the XXL staff, it is now here. This years list caused quite the outpouring of shocked reactions. This years class features four Chicago natives, A couple of underrated lyricists (one of which was picked by the fans) and yes....for the first time ever, two singers. Which that alone caused controversy on Twitter. Needless to say, this years class is quite interesting. So let me get right to it and start breaking it down one person at a time:

August Alsina

- New Orleans, LA

Well...let the controversy begin. Right now, August Alsina is one of the more popular new singers on to the music scene. Key word: singer. On what is supposed to be a list of all rappers, many were outraged to see August grace the XXL cover as a freshman. Now I haven't heard XXL's explanation for this but I can't imagine how they could defend. Whatever the case, August is still a freshman regardless the genre. Also his style is somewhat hip hop so that adds to it. I recently listened and reviewed his debut album Testimony which received positive feedback from his fans. As he continues to churn out hits following "I Luv This Shit", it should be a huge 2014 for August Alsina.

Chance The Rapper

- Chicago, IL

For some rappers that make their debut in hip hop, all it takes is that one mixtape. The one that pushes them over the edge. For Chance The Rapper, it was his sophomore mixtape Acid Rap from last year that put him over the top immediately. I had the pleasure of listening and reviewing that mixtape. His bizarre and "cooky" character made it quite a interesting listen. But the tape was cool. However I have to admit, he still has some growing on me to do. He may be a little...too weird for my taste. But it's easily understandable why he has such a strong following of support. He's even done a song with Justin Bieber already. How's that for notoriety? It's only the beginning for Chance.

Isaiah Rashad

- Chattanooga, TN

There's no question that right now, TDE is on top. So if it's found out that an artist has some kind of affiliation with the group then that artist will draw attention immediately. Isaiah Rashad was announced as a member of TDE in late 2013 and already has a huge buzz. It seems like he just debuted last week. Already he's dropped a debut mixtape, Cilvia Demo, which has gotten plenty of positive praise from both critics and fans. It was most certainly a dope project for a debut. Many, like me, were very intrigued to see how a southern rapper could mesh with a group filled with west coast MC's. His soulful sounds and lyrics make him a stand out in the group but in a good way. With TDE by his side, I have no doubt 2014 will be huge for Isaiah Rashad.

Jarren Benton

- Decatur, GA

He was voted by the fans as the twelfth and final freshman, and I couldn't have agreed more with them. Jarren Benton is one of few names on this year's list I'm excited to see make it. Last year I reviewed his album My Grandmas Basement and it was easily one of my favorite albums of the year. His sinister lyricism and his wild, bizarre and down right vulgar shock-rap content makes him such a huge stand out among the rest of the freshmen. Jarren is now the third consecutive Funk Volume member to be named a freshman. I guess that's means all eyes are on Funk Volume and Jarren Benton looking into the future. I got my eye on them as well.

Jon Connor

- Flint, MI

If you tuned in to the BET Hip Hop Awards this past October, then you already caught a glimpse of what Jon Connor is all about as he participated in the annual cipher. That was actually my first time ever hearing him. Haven't heard any other songs or other projects. However, I've heard nothing but good things from people who listen to him. Based on what I saw on TV and what I've been told, he's more of the underground/lyrical/battle rap type of rapper. Which makes sense seeing as how majority of rappers from that Michigan area (specifically Detroit) fit that description. I'll definitely keep an eye out for Jon Connor in 2014.

Kevin Gates

- Baton Rouge, LA

Last year I heard about Kevin Gates right around the time his mixtape dropped. I actually had a few request from my readers to review it. Although I never got a chance to listen to it (or anything fro him for that matter), it appears he has good following of support. I'll probably have to go back and check that tape out now. Most Louisiana artists come straight from New Orleans. Let see if Gates can carry Baton Rouge on his back and put it on the hip hop map.

Lil Bibby

- Chicago, IL

Now...like many others, majority of this years list of rappers I've either never heard of or never heard music from. This is my first time being introduced to Lil Bibby. I've literally never even heard his voice. So there's not much I can say. But I assume the hype around him is because he's from Chicago, where they're just churning out talent left and right as this list indicates. I'll be sure to follow him more and see what the buzz is about.

Lil Durk

- Chicago, IL

....and the Chicago dominance continues. Once again though, I'm just being introduced to Durk. Never heard a song or his voice. Nothing I can think of to say. But just like Lil Bibby, the hometown thing is where the buzz is coming from I'm sure. I'm gonna have to check for all of these Chi-Town kids this year.

Rich Homie Quan

- Atlanta, GA

This one was certainly no surprise to anyone. Rich Homie Quan probably has the biggest buzz of any of the freshman heading into 2014. His record "Type Of Way" was certainly one of the biggest hits on the radio, and may be the sole reason why he's on this list. It's also why he has a growing support of followers now, and his successful mixtapes. Other than that song and a couple of guest feature verses, I have yet to hear a full project from Quan. His debut album will certainly be one to check out later this year.

Troy Ave

- Brooklyn, NY

With so much mid-west and southern love being shown, where's the east coast love? It's shown here by Brooklyn born MC Troy Ave. To some it's been a long time coming. He's been out for a while and some believe he should have been a XXL Freshman a long time ago. Now I've heard him rap here and there but nothing more than that. Since he's the only east coast artist, he definitely gotta put on for NYC in 2014. We'll see what happens.

Ty Dolla $ign

- Los Angeles, CA

From the lone NY representative, to now the lone west coast representative. Ty Dolla $ign's place on the list isn't quite a surprise either. He right now has one of the biggest and most popular records on the radio in "Paranoid". The infectiousness of the beat and the catchiness of the hook made people take a closer look at what he about. It's a perfect fusion of rapping and singing. Which leads to this question: Is he a rapper or a singer? Many see a singer which is why many were upset to see him on the list (like August Alsina). I just think he does both. Like Drake. Either way, his sound is what's popular now and he'll be looked at a lot in 2014. I'm sure of it.

Vic Mensa

- Chicago, IL

Well it's pretty damn clear now. 2014 is "Chi-raq's" year. Vic Mensa is another Windy City hopeful. He's also another one I'm just being introduced to. Well, I did get a opportunity to hear him spit on Asher Roth's Retro Hash album. But outside of that, nothing. He's seems pretty cool based on that guest verse. I'll definitely check for more from him this year.

Well, whether you love the list or hate it, these guys are now the ones to watch for this year. Hopefully everything goes well for them and they don't become "here-today-gone-tomorrow" rappers. Good luck to the 2014 XXL Freshman Class.