At this point everyone knows these lists are bullshit. Politics and money have become the primary reasons that certain artists make it on this list (Lil’ Twist anyone?). It’s so bad that some of hip-hops most successful young MCs are turning down an opportunity to be on the list (A$AP Rocky, Tyler The Creator). Like MTV’s Hottest MCs list, the XXL Freshmen cover is another reason why the mainstream media has become a laughing stock. They serve as message board fodder and are no longer the barometer for who’s up next in hip-hop. Without sounding like a pretentious blogger, I’m not sure how XXL has any credibility anymore after the past couple of covers. How do you not include Casey Veggies or Action Bronson? But you include Roscoe Dash and Hopsin? See? It’s happening already. We’re all talking about it. So I guess XXL does know what they’re doing.