XXL Magazine Unveils 2013 Freshman Class

Some of your favorite emcees are gracing XXL magazine's annual Freshman 2013 cover. This year, we get a mixture of aspiring rappers who have been generating plenty of buzz in the past few months.

This year's class includes Joey Bada$$, Kirko Bangz, Action Bronson, Angel Haze, Trinidad James, Logic, Travi$ Scott, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q and Dizzy Wright. There's also an "11th Freshman" -- Chief Keef. The magazine said they'll explain why the Chicago rapper, who was released from juvenile detention recently, made it on the cover as well.

Reactions to the list have been both congratulatory and critical. Hip-hop elderly statesman Russell Simmons tweeted, "Congrats to the 2013 XXL Freshman Class. Great list." Meanwhile, Joey Bada$$ wrote, "Progress. Knew I'd make it this year. Swank the lord."

However, some weren't happy that Trinidad James and Chief Keef were chosen for the Freshman cover. "It's disrespectful to put [Schoolboy Q] and [Joey Bada$$] on that freshman class list. They shouldn't be compared to Trinidad James or [Chief] Keef," wrote one commentator. Another tweeted, "Chief Keef and Trinidad James look like they couldn't pass freshman year in high school. Let alone @XXLMag Freshmen."

Ouch!

XXL magazine's Freshman tally is among the few hip-hop lists that seem to get people riled up on the Internet. So let the debates begin!

Who do you think should have appeared on XXL Magazine's 2013 Freshman cover? Tell us in the comments below.

Watch the 2012 Freshman Class Cypher (Part 1)