I’m pretty sure this lost credibility last year when they flopped and forgot Drake and Nicki Minaj, who declined being a part of their list this year. This year they got a lot of talent on board thou from J. Cole, Nipsey Hussle, Pill, Freddie Gibbs, Jay Rock and Wiz Khalifa… check it out at XXL.

The new breed of hustlers includes: Roc Nation’s first signee J. Cole, gangsta rap up-and-comer Nipsey Hu$$le, newly-minted Asylum lyricist Pill, 1017 Brick Squad member OJ Da Juiceman, indie-sensation Wiz Khalifa, G.O.O.D. music’s own Big Sean, underground favorite Fashawn, Gary, Indiana repFreddie Gibbs, West Coast phenom Jay Rock and the latest addition to the Atlantic roster, Donnis.

XXL will be dropping a mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid next Monday, March 8 featuring new exclusive music from all ten. More info to come soon on the XXL 10 Freshmen for ’10 concert later this month in NYC.

XXL’s April issue hits newsstands March 16 and includes the Freshmen producers, hip-hop soul artists, hip-hop duos & groups, also an in-depth look on what it’s like to be a new rapper today, a look back at last year’s Freshmen class, with an Eye Candy that’ll make you say ahh.