this is a much more opinionated video than usual, so let me know if you guys agree / disagree and why. thanks!
@oneyedeagle
Жыл бұрын
fair takes
@tttwotwelve
Жыл бұрын
fuck xxl ur right mattyballz top 10 list better
@garvinw
Жыл бұрын
You kinda answered your own question with the reasons you gave. You said that cyphers are outdated bc artists aren't lyrical but also said that rap is stale. Could one not be the cause of the other? Production and beats can only take you so far. Most of these artists are trash on stage bc you can only hide so much.
@ninjasmokefromnarnia
Жыл бұрын
XXL made a lot of people’s careers, even if they go way past XXL’s numbers. They weren’t doing 2016 numbers with nipsey and j Cole in the same year, but the impact is unforgettable. Numbers is just numbers, they’re gonna keep on doing what they do.
@dukstedi
Жыл бұрын
XXL has fallen outta favor for awhile. Cool you covered it.🎉
@Tadiztouch
Жыл бұрын
XXL went from being every up and coming rappers dream, to just being another place where wanna be rappers catch up on how to get the internet to troll them
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
especially with how many people decline nowadays
@ysmdylan3023
Жыл бұрын
most of the artists on this years XXL have a year or two of experience rapping, DC The Don has been making music since 2017
@Steezealways
Жыл бұрын
It’s really just marketing really, just to get people talking about them because how many times have you never heard of a person on xxl freshman nowadays and your wondering where this person even came from😂
@cozyjonah
Жыл бұрын
They used to put artists who actually knew how to freestyle or construct a good rhyme. The freestyle/cypher format isn’t for everyone
@edwardtorai3545
Жыл бұрын
This is not true at all, it’s just that the general image of XXL was tainted after a few notoriously bad ones, to say the entire platform is now gimmicks and trolls is disingenuous and unfair to artists like Rob49 and Boston Richey (despite him losing hype after the snitching rumors) and sleazyworld go who have had genuine buzz, talent and good records to back up their come up. You do know Rob49 is scorching hot in New Orleans right? Women love his freaky strip club love songs too, his “Mama” song is literally going insane as we speak and it’s not even released yet. If you look up live performances of his song vulture island, you’ll see the crowds know every word. Not to mention they had Babyface Ray last year whos damn near running Detroit right now. Many of the picks are good, it’s just an apathy issue from the people and just the brand of xxl kinda falling off. It’s corny to just group all of the artists together and label them as gimmicks or trolls just because you’re not tapped in with them.
@ScruFaceJeanOfficial
Жыл бұрын
It’s not a disinterest in rap, and makin songs instead of the cypher is NOT goin to make ppl care. It’s the fact that the caliber of artist they get are basically whoever they can get. If someone actually KILLED the cypher I bet you they’d go VIRAL just because we haven’t seen that in so long. The views are low cuz the artist they get don’t really have the fan bases they pretend to have. Central Cee & Drake just dropped a freestyle and went viral cuz they actually rapped very well on it.
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
yea only reason i brought up the disinterest is because they used to pick artists that were set to blow, and there were quite a few in most of the old classes. recently we just havent seen as many. i agree tho fs
@ant2011
Жыл бұрын
Anything with drake involved will do numbers. If drake sold a paper clip, it would be trending online
@rambunctiousbear224
Жыл бұрын
@@ant2011this true aswell, and central cee pretty big too
@BeenBenji
Жыл бұрын
I ain't seen a video by you in years loved your reactions to XXL hole you doing well keep up the good content
@blastingoff
Жыл бұрын
This is a contender for the dumbest take of 2023
@jsnike91
Жыл бұрын
I think one thing you didn’t mention and definitely hurt the later classes is when the freshman flat out wouldn’t do their freestyles or cyphers. Like Gunna in 2019, literally didn’t do a freestyle or cypher. Just took the cover shot and left. To me, that belittled XXLs brand and made it seem like some artists are bigger than them.
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
very true shoulda mentioned
@zentar2646
Жыл бұрын
to think xxl wouldnt have temporary contracts that force you to freestyle if you are there for the photoshoot/cover, or that they didnt learn to have one for artists after 2018/2019 what a bunch of amateurs, i disagree with your last bit, they are in fact smaller than those artists, theyre unprofessional as fuck
@debrabardensteele9942
Жыл бұрын
Gunna got that from young thug. Young Thug did the same shit on the 2014 xxl cover
@traezaX1
Жыл бұрын
Can they even freestyle 😂😂😂😂
@yt.person_9629
Жыл бұрын
@@traezaX1Probably not
@plainezaine5065
Жыл бұрын
I also think XXL no longer searches for “up and coming” talent but “one hit wonders” or artists with an underdeveloped catalogue. If someone makes one or two viral TikTok sounds, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should be a Freshman.
@brumfeldo
Жыл бұрын
Exactly.
@polojagger
Жыл бұрын
It’s Almost like me and you share the same brain . My biggest gripe about that is that they tryna force them on us , like what makes them think we would take 2Rare seriously. Not to mention getting these artist who don’t pair well or rap well. XXL need to take a book out of the BET cyphers , they smart They’ll go get Busta Rhymes / Kendrick Lamar / Snoop Dogg / E40 , pair them up , or shii we get Eminem freestyling . They not using they head
@plainezaine5065
Жыл бұрын
@@polojagger Couldn't agree more. Their pairings really make zero sense. I wish they would try and actually learn their artists' strengths (style, previous collabs, etc.) so it doesn't sound incredibly disjointed. Like why are we pairing YK Osiris with DaBaby?? I really like the older pairings (2014, 2015) where its clear the freestyles were more collaborative rather than a jumble of verses. I think the only ones recently that even got close were the 2020 cyphers, but even those still had moments that felt whiplash like.
@MrVaDelux
Жыл бұрын
@@plainezaine5065saw a video somewhere that said the format is outdated, in a generation where rappers dont rap like back then. Shit some rappers are even scared to freestyle on the CYPHER which is the whole point of XXL. Maybe an XXL album would be a little better since it gives artist the chance to work with each other while also being able yo showcase there talents there way! No everyone can freestyle like JUICE.
@neverhungryagain2187
Жыл бұрын
@@MrVaDeluxdj clue style
@amel3457
Жыл бұрын
A song with Denzel Curry, Lik Yachty, Lil Uzi, 21 Savage and Kodak Black should happen in 2026 as a 10 year anniversary
@MirageUchiha
10 ай бұрын
That would actually be dope. They've grown musically since then. I song would actually be heat if they all try. I mean, 🍛 ain't really gotta "try," lol, but ya feel me.
@corey4370
3 ай бұрын
Zel and Uzi would go absolutely insane together
@Lizzoncker
2 ай бұрын
kodack black is actually the seccond worst rapper ive heard
@corey4370
2 ай бұрын
@@Lizzoncker who’s the worst?
@Lizzoncker
2 ай бұрын
@@corey4370 tom MacDonald
@DaLockedOne
Жыл бұрын
I think instead of the cypher they should do a filmed session in the studio with the group of artists and the the dj and create a fully produced orginal song together with a low budget music video to go along with it in the end. Thatll be something fresh, protects non rappin or lyricist artists, and further highlights the talents and personalities of the artists and dj. Overall like an episode of Kenny Beats the Cave.
@antoniobronx3548
Жыл бұрын
You’re a genius
@LOWKEYMEMPHIS
Жыл бұрын
They put out a XXL freshman mixtape before but for whatever reason, it was short lived. WATTBA
@gabriellej7532
Жыл бұрын
Shitty idea
@dehno3538
Жыл бұрын
It'd be hard to generate new interest in artists we haven't really heard of doing this but this would probably work great for when they actually land really anticipated new coming artists
@DaLockedOne
Жыл бұрын
@@dehno3538 I agree I genuinely think the picks have been bad the last 2-3 years or so. Interest would come with the names so I think xxl should pay the artists more or offer more to the ones already hot to not only be on the cover but incentivize doing all the festivities. The Artists that been doin the cover but bailing on the rest of the vids have made us as viewers look at this as beneath them.
@JokeStarMusic
Жыл бұрын
Short answer: real artists don’t get coverage anymore
@TheRealFinesseGod
Жыл бұрын
That’s heavy
@wasacey2888
Жыл бұрын
Yes! This cover turned into another "if you got the money you qualify" opportunity. No one actually cares.
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
unfortunately true
@railroadforest30
Жыл бұрын
Not completely true
@JoeTolle
Жыл бұрын
Yup XXL trash
@dshawnclark6386
Жыл бұрын
What do you think if they did a XXL Senior list with legends who could freestyle ?
@anthonyt425
Жыл бұрын
This would be 🔥
@shawnbrucker1697
Жыл бұрын
I would definitely tune in if they did this. A big platform giving an outlet for legends to drop crazy verses would be nice. Would also be cool to see something with some legends freestyling off the top like the Asher Roth example here too
@killjoy8372
Жыл бұрын
Im completely out of loop about rap and the culture in general, but the state of rap you described sounds like how rock was the last ~10ish years, with no real notable newcomers or new sounds and just a general air of staleness, people have also been saying rocks dead for years but recently theres been more interest in rock and new bands and singers and albums and it feels alive again I say all this because I feel like theres a certain eb and flow with what musics popular, rock had it for a while then rap came up for a while now rock is having a minute and im sure rap will be back with new artists and sounds within the next couple years, you just need to give the culture a bit of time to marinate
@tracyswrld6331
Жыл бұрын
Rap lowkey down rn cause from 2020-2022 gangster rap was main genre of rap and now those rappers are either dead, locked up , or been exposed for snitching along with it not having a high ceiling. There is also terrible albums designs of dropping 30 songs an album with poor quality just to get more streams and 30 song deluxe albums. Also rappers like uzi and carti and pushing people more to rock and metal cause most rap fans find that culture weird if it goes past anything those two do.
@cherrytonshawty9120
Жыл бұрын
Name some actual good newer bands, because true rock music takes real talent. Lmao.
@coldloner7453
Жыл бұрын
The Entitled sons, Raue, Palaye Royals, KennyHoopla, The black keys, and especially turnstile are starting to turn up
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@@tracyswrld6331that ain't even true
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@@tracyswrld6331terrible albums design? They are bad albums but they are some good albums
@peruvit
Жыл бұрын
I think it's obvious. They've tried to elevate artists that are not good rappers that only have popularity hoping that would turn into clicks. But, the freestyles and cyphers are not what that artist's following care or want from them. XXL can either go back to actual artists that can showcase their skill/Artistry or continue this decline.
@humanthetooth
Жыл бұрын
mattyballz is one of the very few music critics talking on hiphop (or any genre really) that comes off as knowledgable without sounding condescending. especially with hip hop you always get these guys that seem to be playing who knows the deepest cut, or talk with airs like their opinion is some objective truth, making the reviews about/centering the reviewer instead of the music. the videos on this channel are more like opening up a window into the hip hop scene with an enthusiastic guide.
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
thank you!
@thecosmicblueautie
Жыл бұрын
I don't think cyphers are outdated. Cyphers are, like freestyles, a way to show if you truly got it like that as a rapper. Rapping over any beat is also their test to your greatness and you deserving to be on the list.
@splinter1psi99
Жыл бұрын
Problem is, most of these rappers CANT rap. And don't got it like that when it comes to rapping. Yeah, they got fans and people like what they put out, but I think most can look and say the bars ain't what's getting them attention. I ain't even attempted to listen since that 2016 one, as I could see from that year that RAPPING was no longer important. It's not the cyphers are outdated, it's just that cyphers are still for spitting, or showing your greatness as you said. And no one is trying to listen to something called a rap cypher where cats doing more adlibs than bars. They need to get back to the roots, and pull up some true underground MCs
@GrinchyGreen334
Жыл бұрын
EXACTLY!!!
@aaliyahstark7948
Жыл бұрын
@@splinter1psi99rappers today CAN RAP but the thing is most of the ones that are mainstream cant/wont freestyle (there are exceptions such as Juice and Meghan etc). Freestyling and rapping are two different things, i agree they need to find more artists that are able to freestyle like underground mcs
@tvbuu
9 ай бұрын
bingo @@splinter1psi99
@imkarmabtw
Жыл бұрын
i think the problem with XXL and rap in general have is that every "upcoming" rapper is just a copy and paste of every other rapper that has gotten some buzz in the past 5 years, as well as the fact that there are so many more new genres and sub-genres to listen to every year that are subjectively WAY better than basic rap, i think if they'd take a few artists from genres that are popping and have every cypher be a different genre of new wave artists they could really make some noise again, but due to corporate greed and unawareness they will most likely never change at all
@imkarmabtw
Жыл бұрын
like you can't tell me that a hyperpop cypher with juno, midwxst, ericdoa, brakence and b2nny wouldn't go stupid
@c0rxpseb0i13
Жыл бұрын
Nobody wants to accept this..they want to say that hip hop has changed yeah it’s changed for the worst At least mainstream hip hop Some people want to be fed the same shit over and over again Lyricism is now considered boring Now it’s about having the best beat the lyrics don’t have to have any kind of meaning to them
@imkarmabtw
Жыл бұрын
@@c0rxpseb0i13 yeah around the lil pump era was where i started to listen to rap less in less and now that i've found so many more genres i just can't stand rap anymore, minus some of the og's
@railroadforest30
Жыл бұрын
@@c0rxpseb0i13it’s true that new rappers are by enlarge saying the same shit but that doesn’t mean they aren’t talented at rapping
@GrinchyGreen334
Жыл бұрын
@@railroadforest30They are definitely less talented, only a few are actually skilled and talented. They can’t even rap in a cypher. That’s one of the cornerstones of hip hop. That’s like a doctor that can’t perform surgery but only knows how to check your blood pressure and maybe draw some blood. How can u be a rapper but not actually know how to rap??
@Eleven_11
Жыл бұрын
3 valid points for sure 🔥 I would say #2 is the biggest in my opinion with the rise of social media too cyphers are pretty outdated
@danielvilla2497
Жыл бұрын
I think rap listens are going down because alot of hiphop listeners are Hispanic and right now regional mexican music almost trap but in Spanish is having a really booming moment and those listener are going on that direction I'm speaking for myself but the views on that music speaks for itself
@turntprophet7960
Жыл бұрын
You’re not wrong. Most Hispanics I know haven’t been keeping up with hip-hop like before.
@Lunarpanels
Жыл бұрын
The mainstream rap culture is basically dying. Fans are getting tired of the same ole things and mainstream rap is sounding artificial these days. Overall theres not a ton of real movements out there to accompany the music like there was before. Right now the culture feels like a group of individuals with the most Tik Tok clout.
@BeenBenji
Жыл бұрын
Even the ppl who could make movements are just to lazy to pursue them
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
All of what you're saying here is not true
@giovonci_e3120
Жыл бұрын
The Cypher, historically is reserved for the "spitters". It's where the MC's who are LYRICALLY inclined can showcase their skill. The rappers who don't normally get mainstream attention could get the chance to shine in a cypher. Now it's just a showcase for microwave food.
@BoldBrandFlakes
Жыл бұрын
I also think that XXL and the artists they pick play a mutual benefit to both. Many artists nowadays are very disposable, not in a mean or degrading way. It’s just longevity is not common as it used to be. Many artists are one hit wonders or they fail to keep a fanbase. The ideal artists XXL wants these days will either have a short career or they’ll consider themselves “too big for the cover”. Short form content such as TikTok and viral popularity validation is leading to worse off music. In a way it’s comparable to fast food, you’ll get that quick dopamine hit but you’ll feel empty or bad after consuming. Not as many people are checking for XXL videos because the artists truly aren’t interesting anymore besides being laughing stocks.
@keyscored3710
Жыл бұрын
I think xxl freshman classes is one of those things that really only works as well as the performers do, and since xxl essentially takes whoever they can get and have a dated, obviously flawed structure for the class, the actually popping artists don't take it seriously. Central Cee and Glorilla were the biggest rappers for this year and they did little to nothing for the things people care about like the cyphers and the freestyles.
@heyzardkindrekta2007
Жыл бұрын
We Love You MattyBallz
@humdinger7548
Жыл бұрын
Yes
@soneblac1
Жыл бұрын
BIGGEST POINT HE MADE IS RAP IS GETTING STALE! HE IS COMPLETELY RIGHT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO OTHER GENRES FOR THEIR MUSIC.
@DJ_CARCINOGEN
Жыл бұрын
the 3rd 2016 xxl cypher with G Herbo and Dave East is one of the most focused cyphers out there and also, set the bar wayy too high.
@diabeticmonkey
Жыл бұрын
JID didn’t help things either. He was the last unique or good one
@LostLove-g4g
Жыл бұрын
XXL should just have them make an actual song and have them perform it as a cypher, it'll show their skills better because rap is more than just freestyling now, and imagine if the song is actually good and it starts going viral, then XXL can profit off it.
@JustSomeMisfit
Жыл бұрын
No better way to showcase your ability as an MC and uniqueness than to freestyle. Anyone can make a song. There's countless examples of that over the last few decades alone.
@logoutofmyaccountweirdo
Жыл бұрын
@@JustSomeMisfitTheres no better way to showcase your uniqueness and abilities as an artist than to make a song. Anyone can freestyle. There's countless examples of that over the years.
@cigmax
Жыл бұрын
@@JustSomeMisfitI'd disagree freestyles are so unimportant for a good rapper take future for example has one of the worst freestyles but is a top 3 artist that's been on xxl
@ktbecstasy
Жыл бұрын
Who wants triple doubles on Gregor
@D3viousDuo
Жыл бұрын
The point of XXL is to showcase what you can actually do as an MC, freestyling is one of the most important if not the most important thing to an MC, all rappers do is make songs. So whats the point of making songs, taking a break from YOUR music just to make a shitty 2-3 minute song w other artists who are their for the buzz and check and wasting studio time for something thats not gonna go anywhere?
@Virru112
Жыл бұрын
The problem is hip hop is boring now. It's actually corny. The cypher doesn't work because the rappers can't actually spit. XXL don't have much choice in who is up next because the artists aren't very good. People like Future show that it's no longer about talent, it's about the producer's talent. Also, it would help if they weren't getting killed by their own... Xxxtension, PnB Rock, Nipsy are all on those covers...Look at where hip hop is in the charts now. People are bored of it. The fact that Drake is still the top artist in hip hop says it all. He's great, but in the 90's there was so much more competition. People like Da Baby have come through but he's not exactly big in the way artists were previously. He's just there.
@hulkboifanki
Жыл бұрын
The US and South African Hip-Hop artists should be helping each other. A lot of great music that can rejuvenate the culture.
@andresciahooten9598
Жыл бұрын
I think that the reason why rap is sort of dying out is because everyone sounds the same. And the people who are different aren’t getting promoted enough. Because the record companies only want to sign rap artists who have a lot of instagram followers. They are “afraid” of signing someone who is different because they are scare to loose money. So they want to do what works for them
@AfroDevil
Жыл бұрын
The reason I think rap is dying is because of the lack of lyricism. I know the yall like to clown on that reasoning and call people "Olds heads" (I'm 22) but there is truth to that statement. The Production, although good is played out and the current day artist now don't have the lyrical ability to add much of any substance to the tracks, so it all just feels empty and meaningless.
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@AfroDevil all of that ain't even true
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@AfroDevil it's not always about lyrical it's more than that
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@AfroDevil so please don't ever say stuff like this again
@AfroDevil
Жыл бұрын
@@assassin8636 unfortunately buddy it is. These rappers that are out rn are verbally stunted and the music shows that and now people are noticing they have no substance. But hey if you like that shit then go ahead just don't be surprised when people are burned out on listening to this shit.🤷🏿♂️
@trash_bender420
Жыл бұрын
Dude, its all about experimental and industrial rap. That subgenre is so broad it can go anywhere. Clipping, death grips, AFK, Lil Ugly Mane, Shabazz Palaces, Ho99o9, JPEGmafia, Danny Brown, Injury Reserve, Show Me the Body, all doing great stuff. All still very underground. Id love to see more young hip hop artists get into more boundary pushing styles
@_yeahyeah
Жыл бұрын
death grips (and clipping.!) mention !!!
@trash_bender420
Жыл бұрын
@@_yeahyeah major league swag out 😎
@TonyMichaels166
Жыл бұрын
I remember bumping the XXL Cyphers and RAW Cyphers like they were singles lmao
@jeffthesimpkiller
Жыл бұрын
I think a big reason is the artists themselves don't care. Assuming they even accept the offer to begin with, you usually get at least one artist who doesn't do a freestyle or cypher. This year Central Cee and Glorilla didn't do either and treated the cover like a photoshoot. If the artists don't care why should we?
@HCG
9 ай бұрын
They skip because they know they’d be clowned for being trash, because they are trash
@mistercoolio45
Жыл бұрын
I totally agree, its something i couldnt put into words, but yea. We havent really gotten a huge new wave since the SoundCloud era. So people arent having much interest in the lists like they used to, or really in rap genrally speaking. Personally ive went from a huge hip hop fan to being captivated by rock and metal. I still love rap but i totally forget about the lists and any new popping rapper. Im sure theyll hit the mark again. Loved the video!
@rommieyay4444
Жыл бұрын
Hot take but as much as we hate it as a whole, the SoundCloud era introduced a lot of artist who created their own unique sound. Uzi, Trippie, Playboi, Xxx n Ski mask, Lil Peep, Juice Wrld
@mistercoolio45
Жыл бұрын
@@rommieyay4444 dude 💯
@Amir-qz4bn
Жыл бұрын
It’s crazy how i know all the 2016 XXL names to this day that’s how yk they were at their peak then
@natenorris3089
Жыл бұрын
The fact is the format does not work for current new rappers. The freestyles and cyphers are things that people wanna see great rappers do, and most of these people that have ended up on the covers for the last several years aren’t that great at rapping. And it started with 2016. Yeah, it was entertaining because of the chemistry and all that, and it’s the most viewed, but it was also the first time that most of the biggest names weren’t really all that great at rapping. The cypher had entertainment value, but it was not a good cypher. And every year since, they’ve put these people that don’t even care about being a great rapper into things that are meant for great rappers. You don’t even see most of these people do freestyles anywhere else because that’s not what they do, which makes doing it for XXL seem pointless. And that’s why rap is getting stale too. The music has sounded the same for too long. Trap beats and variations of the same flow have dominated mainstream hip hop for years. We’ve listened to a few big rappers basically make the same couple of songs over and over for years. It’s not interesting because it’s all the same shit that it has been. Add in the fact that more and more popular rap became about killing, for sport in some cases. A lot of people love it, but a lot of people don’t at all and it’s pushing people away. I think there’s room for people to make whatever music they want, but there just been way too much death and killing pushed to the forefront.
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
You are making lies
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
Stop complaining please....😭I'm so sick and tired of hearing this
@natenorris3089
Жыл бұрын
@@assassin8636 I deleted my first comment because I thought you were replying to something else, but it honestly applies just the same. I’m not making any complaints, I’m just stating some facts about why hip hop is losing some steam and why no one cares about XXL Freshmen anymore. If you love all of it, you’re well within you’re right to continue doing so. But you look silly coming out of your way to reply to a comment that wasn’t directed towards you, to tell me what you’re tired of hearing.
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@@natenorris3089 I'm not talking about this XXL I'm just sick of tired of people complaining about hip-hop being dead over and over again to the point it feels like a hate message
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@@natenorris3089 please don't be like those people
@diabeticmonkey
Жыл бұрын
It’s a good commentary on the status of hiphop in my opinion. It’s almost a stealthy backhand to the artists on the cover. Also, did we all forget how hard everyone was clowning everyone except Denzel in that 2016 cypher? Even I think he was the only one who did well, but I’m glad 21 became a more mature artist alongside Denzel.
@yungclvver
Жыл бұрын
I think letting new and upcoming producers make beats for the cyphers could help because these prods are super underated and super talented
@SaltSpirits
Жыл бұрын
nah, if people clown pierre and sunny they’re gonna destroy any underground producer, it would be career suicide
@TheSlawman1
Жыл бұрын
Doubt it would be possible, but if they could get og lists back together like the 2016 list for a re-edition since they have all grown as artists, it would be huge. It’s very unlikely with the landscape of rap now, and there is a big possibility it would just turn out to be a corny cash grab to try and spark an old flame, but if done right could be crazy.
@KevM00734
Жыл бұрын
You hit the nail right on the head biggest problem is the rap game is stale over saturated with the same sound and no creativity
@ciera1511
Жыл бұрын
You have a point with the “rap in general is kinda getting stale” I completely understand that and agree, I’m 21 and all my life I’ve listen to rap my mom listened to people like 50 cent and snoop dog, she listened to all the og rap so I grew up on rap and I personally listen to, polo g, mozzy, and omb Peezy, however in the last month I’ve been listening to more aggressive rap (drill) because regular rap is just getting old, it’s all the same with the same lyrics just said in different ways, idk I just know I personally agree because my music taste has changed.
@lain3lain3lain
Жыл бұрын
you also should factor in that XXL gives the option for artists to pay their way onto the freshman list
@ZackeryBackery
Жыл бұрын
Personally I think the rap community is oversaturated, and this is causing less interest. Of course there will always be new rappers and some talented ones to, but sometimes I think we don't need any new ones for the next 10 years
@smellsfishi
Жыл бұрын
mattys just trying to set the scene for his rap debut
@nrg6245
Жыл бұрын
Mac and Kendrick sitting next to each other back then is so damn chilling. Rip to mac PITTSBURGH LEGEND.
@yungvinnii
Жыл бұрын
XXL should start categorizing the freshmen by cities that they’re from every year there’s always like 2-4 new poppin artists from each major city
@BeenBenji
Жыл бұрын
Well who would you say is the most popping in ATL right now
@johnnysocket76
Жыл бұрын
Matty been killin it lately🔥🔥🔥🔥
@allflavournopower4464
11 ай бұрын
4:07 Here’s your problem; longevity. It is veryyyy rare these days. Everything is trends and when you start to try and keep up or stay on trends, you start loosing your authenticity.
@bmhwdy
Жыл бұрын
The main reason I stopped caring about the freshman lists is the artists. They've gotten boring. The last 3 classes have been a snoozefest. I don't know if it's XXL's fault or if the landscape has just gotten dry, but a lot of the rappers from the recent lists sound like they just came out of a factory. They're generic, their buzz comes and goes, and they aren't doing anything that previous rappers weren't already doing better. I just don't see a reason to care. Not to say previous classes didn't have some forgettable artists, but the problem has gotten way worse. They still have some interesting picks (Babytron, Flo Milli, 42 Dugg, Doechii) but for the most part, it's gotten bland.
@TchSktch
Жыл бұрын
You're bang on about the lack of rap artists blowing up rn, or even being deserving of it lately.. BLP Kosher has been the only artist to get me hooked on his music since Nardo Wick, it's just been lacking a lot i'm sure there's some good ones hidden like you said but it's just not intriguing me enough to even look into them anymore
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
i think theres a lot of great artists that deserve to blow up to mainstream it just hasnt been happening as much lately for whatever reason
@TchSktch
Жыл бұрын
@@mattyballz i think the statistical information you showed in the video sheds a decent amount of light on why as well
@Travtwotimes
Жыл бұрын
Yea, I stopped watchin xxl years agoooo, so that part, and I agree with your statics and opinion as well, because even I’ve started to venture from rap due to the “new wave” comin in. Uzi’s pink tape was hard asf. I’m glad he hit the #1 spot, def a clear image rap will always hold value. As far as the rap game…any come back is possible.
@HonkeyKongLive
Жыл бұрын
It's for the same reason any music magazine has fallen off. Artists don't need magazines or radio to get popular, audiences don't need them to find new music. So all they can do now is follow behind the zeitgeist rather than directing it.
@melyheadzmusic359
Жыл бұрын
It’s simply just too much rappers especially with spotify its easy too forget about artist with soo much exposer too others
@FakeAdirTV
Жыл бұрын
The XXL picks are just a throwaway nowadays. That's why nobody cares about it
@userelite523
Жыл бұрын
I love when Matty puts so much good words on Mac's name. He was my favorite person, and got me through so much hard times. I've been going through such a dark time lately so it's been so comforting to hear others say or mention his name in such a light
@iamthefuss934
Жыл бұрын
Yur a cornball. “ I love when” bro. Stop
@c0rxpseb0i13
Жыл бұрын
They used to have rappers worth checking out now they have wack cash grab rappers it’s sad they’re like the Grammys now
@jojoheartsu
Жыл бұрын
the standards of the artists they bring on have also declined over the years so bad to the point other upcoming asrtists view it as a joke or a one way ticket to troll central I mean this year 2rare literally had the worst verse ive ever heard and still managed to make it somehow worse by doing a tik tok dance, i mean, do you know how bad u gotta be to outdo lil mosey, at least lil mosey didnt do his blueberry faygo dance, this was just awful
@BeenBenji
Жыл бұрын
Wait wasn't that his dance though like he came up with it first
@rayraeofficial793
Жыл бұрын
You probably won't see this but I started following just two weeks ago & I must say your content is F'n awesome!! The way you explain things it's straight to the point without being boring. You definitely deserve more subscribers than what you already have. Keep it up Matty!!!! Big love from the big apple! 💯🙏💙
@squirrel9760
Жыл бұрын
Don’t ever use f’n again
@rayraeofficial793
Жыл бұрын
@@squirrel9760 A squirrel thinks they gonna tell me what to do over a KZitem comment 🤣🤣🤣 OMG never f'n again.. blast off mate
@squirrel9760
Жыл бұрын
@@rayraeofficial793 yeah you should listen 👂 mate
@illwind
Жыл бұрын
i'm pretty sure the last class that i cared enough about to look into was 2019's lmao
@theeruption3217
Жыл бұрын
I agree with rap getting stale, in 2021 and 2022 I was listening to new music all the time but this year there really hasn’t been anything that’s caught my attention, so I’ve started drifting towards other genres
@Beyondtheknight
Жыл бұрын
Ken carson
@ExtortedSponge
Жыл бұрын
Good video keep up da good work
@njnja3389
Жыл бұрын
U haven’t even watched it yet💀
@kb0x
Жыл бұрын
it just came out bro wdym
@ExtortedSponge
Жыл бұрын
@@njnja3389 yea I haven’t 💀, my original comment was “video” I just thought I’d say sum nice this time 💀
@ExtortedSponge
Жыл бұрын
@@kb0x I just wanted to say sum different cause my original comment was only “video”
@deannaa.491
Жыл бұрын
As a metal fan I think the music that a lot of rappers are making today are simply not sustainable. They make a song and it’s popular for a few weeks on tik tok, maybe a few months if they’re lucky, but then they style or music changes. Our culture is changing at sugg che a fast rate and I think these artists can’t keep up with it
@blahblahblah7586
Жыл бұрын
Good vid but I definitely disagree with that there were no other options for the list like bruh who the hell was even askin for 2rare??
@melkormorgothbauglir.4848
Жыл бұрын
And the thing is that we would've had rappers like Pop Smoke, Juice World, XXX, King Von and Mac Miller that would've propped up rap right now when new artists just aren't hitting like before but they're dead and another 8-15 guys are locked up right now its way more complicated then new artists are shit because thats happened before but we've had new up and comers holding shit up but the those guys died early on in their careers leaving rap barren of new talent shit it'll be like that for more than a couple of years.
@vrce.
Жыл бұрын
well said
@TimmyDigiorno
Жыл бұрын
anytime that boy mattyballz posts iss popcorn time lmao
@jackgivan798
Жыл бұрын
100% agree with you bro shit makes me sad fr
@vivid.worker
Жыл бұрын
i dont think rap is declining. i think the best artists out in rap are just not mainstream enough or decline xxl cuz its not on brand. ken carson, yeat, kankan, summrs. these artists are reinventing the genre
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
well thats what i mean is rn no one is taking over the mainstream. underground will forever have amazing new artists
@geezburgers
Жыл бұрын
Correction. (Mainstream) Rap is getting stale. There are so many great underground artists who are waiting for their time to shine but they are overlooked by the curators of the Freshman list.
@AlejandroSovsa
10 ай бұрын
Big facts 💯
@waltdraper1
10 ай бұрын
XXL is a product of the culture, no artists on the covers develop into big stars anymore a) because labels don’t do development anymore they just leech off artists with big hits and then move onto the next and b) fewer and fewer listeners are listening from mainstream sources meaning more and more artists are becoming niche/cult rather than the kind of big mainstream artist it’ll be really hard to see again
@asmodeusguys4472
Жыл бұрын
2rare dancing threw me tf off. I was expecting it cuz he was moving real weird all throughout the cypher, but damn, that last bit took me tf out 🤣🤣 And idk about you, but the "special class" cypher with lil pump, blocboy jb and smokepurrp is one of my faves, like they're retarded, but they were having fun. The chemistry was real. Great vid, shout out to you mattyballz, love your shit
@BeenBenji
Жыл бұрын
"On my moma"😭
@Woozy.0
Жыл бұрын
I think the KZitem comments from 2016 are pretty much saying the same thing about kodak, uzi and 21 that people are saying about new artists now. The first time i saw that cypher someone had set it to Spongebob's "idiot friends"and to this day i can't hear the original track without losing it. People are always going to hate on what's current and celebrate the past
@arcayalove2526
Жыл бұрын
I’m sure the 2016 year alum were laughing & having fun, they were probably all 🫠😵💫🥴😳 af. And rap is statistically declining because of all these mediocre reciters and the artists not being artists at all!! Just someone who happens to have a nice amount of followers. No talent necessary. Not all, just some rappers that are supposedly poppin right now. And I’m sure everyone has about 4 or 5 “artists” in mind. 😂😂
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
There is talent
@aliciaalicia2255
Жыл бұрын
I agree honestly I kno hella talented artist and it frustrates me all tha mediocre ones get tha recognition they don’t really deserve
@KyeCreates
Жыл бұрын
@@aliciaalicia2255Music is much more business than art. A reason why artist like comethazine and yk Osiris isn't huge rn, they don't focus on the business side at all.
@tombosley3048
Жыл бұрын
I havent watched or read anything XXL related since 2018. For real. Its a dead brand
@ericglenn9984
Жыл бұрын
It's been like this since at least 2018 for a lot of people. Every year since 2016 getting worse and worse.
@LEBUMCHOKEDIN6FINALS
Жыл бұрын
XXL peaked after Lil B’s god like verse in 2011
@ynrkenshi
Жыл бұрын
i didnt even know they did freshman mixtapes damn a 2016 tape wouldve been super crazy..
@anthonyt425
Жыл бұрын
I forgot the XXL had the new freshmen until one of my favorite KZitemrs reacted to it in my timeline whereas in previous years I was seeking it out.
@rommieyay4444
Жыл бұрын
Me too 😂! It’s crazy how many of us don’t even realize that it dropped
@vinsemi9734
Жыл бұрын
I started reading XXL when they put Lil Kim in the aqua green. 😂😂
@coldloner7453
Жыл бұрын
Rap is dying and rock is on the revival surprisingly and I’m all for it I’m bored of rap.
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
That's not true
@BarXingMule-kh4be
Жыл бұрын
Love your channel Mattyballz
@cheepersmommy
Жыл бұрын
My boss at my old job was best friends with Vanessa Satten so I've met her in person a bunch of times. I asked her if I could work for XXL when I left my old job but she didn't hire me. Lol
@VizionENT
Жыл бұрын
Most of these new rappers don't know how to be lyrical which is one of the main things that made us tap with cyphers. It's a whole bunch of yeah yeah raps that's only good for hyping up people that like hype songs and not into lyrics especially the ones this actually talking about something.
@courtlandblair7078
Жыл бұрын
Since the artist are so heavy on production now, why not just have the artist Colab on a song and just premiere the songs live on cypher. Yes I know that would be hard because of labels clearing shit but they would be a refresh . I mean it would be better than the trash written freestyles over trash beats.
@joelesque
Жыл бұрын
isn't it because lyrical rap is kinda unpopular right now, mainstream-wise, and cyphers is really uninteresting if you're not into bars and lyricism? plus the popping rappers of 2023 ain't really making lyrical stuff, which makes their lyrics uninteresting to listen to?
@mattyballz
Жыл бұрын
ya thats kinda the point i was making when i said cyphers are outdated
@joelesque
Жыл бұрын
@@mattyballz gotchu g
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
Oh my fucking God there still is lyrical rappers you just have to discover it more
@KyeCreates
Жыл бұрын
@@assassin8636Why are you so offended? He's talking about the mainstream spotlight.
@assassin8636
Жыл бұрын
@@KyeCreates because it's annoying to hear the same statement about hip-hop over and over again
@LynTheL0ser
Жыл бұрын
It really only comes down to not any new artists bringing new waves as SoundCloud did
@Crazyhead432
Жыл бұрын
I truly believe rap is getting old cus of the subject matter. It hasn’t changed much. But the quality has. Without lyricism, all it is is a bunch of immorality and degeneracy. I guess that’s fine cus it’s worked but it’s not even packaged nicely anymore. It just feels evil without skill
@Shlumbus69
Жыл бұрын
Detroit rap? OPIUM RAP??? lil bro don't try to throw out things nobody has ever ever ever heard of and say it's been gaining ground 🤣
@FBi_.
Жыл бұрын
The narrative that hip-hop is dying is false they have been saying this since I was in high school…….
@ese1588
Жыл бұрын
I’m my opinion I feel like a lot of people don’t try and look for other underground artists. There’s a lot of talent out there but people only wanna listen to what they used to.
@user50852
Жыл бұрын
i feel like ppl act like they dont gaf abt xxl but still tune in. even if everybody collectively talks shit about it, yall stil giving it hella attention 😂 hell u made a whole video about it. xxl just one of those things its become a trend to hate on atp and with this era of social media u can hate on something but just shedding more light on it in the process. all publicity is good publicity typa thing. a couple people careers have even kicked off this way look at ice spice, sexy redd, anybody that blew up on tiktok fr
@CheckThisOut1
Жыл бұрын
4:31, anyone notice "big" sean is on a ladder?? 😭😭
@IvyroseGullwhacker
Жыл бұрын
100% agree about rap losing "musical market share" to other genres. I frankly am not informed enough to say it's "going stale" but that phrasing about market share was right on the money.
@ace2311
Ай бұрын
Nah i think what annoys me most is that xxl accepts artist as part of the list and they don't even do freestyles or cyphers. This year alone we had hunxho, 4batz and rich amiri skip out on either a cypher, freestyle or both
@dozhadeville444
Жыл бұрын
Lets play a game, *'Spot The Industry Plant On The Cover'* 🔍
@nrg6245
Жыл бұрын
It’s true. MAINSTREAM RAP IS GETTING STALE. Look at yeat. HE IS ON TOP AND HE WAS ALWAYS UNDERGROUND. it’s about originality and passion. These kids don’t have it anymore.
@tracyswrld6331
Жыл бұрын
Rap lowkey down rn cause from 2020-2022 gangster rap was main genre of rap and now those rappers are either dead, locked up , or been exposed for snitching along with it not having a high ceiling. There is also terrible albums designs of dropping 30 songs an album with poor quality just to get more streams and 30 song deluxe albums. Also rappers like uzi and carti and pushing people more to rock and metal cause most rap fans find that culture weird if it goes past anything those two do.
@MONET8iAM
Жыл бұрын
Good or bad, talented or not, lyrical or not, modern sound or not, it’s all too over saturated. That’s why it’s hard to become mainstream. Everyone is able to have success off of their “small” or niche following. Achievements like the freshman list, or performing at Hot 97 Summer Jam come to have less significance, especially with newer artists not really caring about everything hip hop related. A lot of people rap just because and end up catching a hit, but they have no knowledge of or care to acknowledge the significance of those achievements. That is also a reason why people did not like Drake’s comment on Elliott Wilson at Rolling Loud. He had a point, but that leaves room for younger artists to lack respect for someone like Elliott.
@JohnGarciaLandryGamingChannel
11 ай бұрын
Interesting video
@TheRealFinesseGod
Жыл бұрын
I was JUST talking to the homies about thisss!!! Bro really be reading my mind🔥 GREAT VID MATTY😈🤞🏼
@travismonahan7225
Жыл бұрын
You have some of the best content on KZitem right now. I'm proud of you buddy, keep going! 🤘
@MediumDSpeaks
Жыл бұрын
2016 was the last good one and 2018 was the last time i knew a single member
@dukstedi
Жыл бұрын
The Wakeup Show was the best for showing new and dope artists. Sway, Tech and DJ Revolution!
@johnjeffress1867
Жыл бұрын
i think ur right but traveling down the road of them picking artists that are abt to blow and get big is more of why its been not doing well recently in my opinion. like u said the biggest artists in rap rn have either alrdy had a xxl or dont wanna do it, so theyre forced to go with the people who agree who still show promise which leaves u with glorilla and real boston richeyy. no disrespect to them but i doubt that anyone who listens to rap wants to see anyone on that xxl list. i could make a better 10 3 times over, bc i think what gets pushed and what’s actually liked is two very different things. maybe xxl could come back if they let the people decide on the top 10 artists. and they should allow write ins, sometimes xxl isnt in the know abt a powerful force in underground sound. i honestly dont think a duwap kaine xxl would b good but itd b dope to see sum like that bc i think he deserves that kinda recognition and ik alot of people feel the same way abt alot of artists, just not the ones they picked. if we could showcase up and coming talent better than i think it would stay just as relevant
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