XXL’s ‘Not Like Us’ Freshman Class Faces Backlash for West Coast Snub

The 2024 XXL Freshman Class has been unveiled, creating significant buzz online. However, the slogan “Not Like Us” associated with this year’s class has sparked controversy, particularly among fans who noticed the absence of West Coast artists on the list.

This backlash is tied to the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” whose music video was recently filmed in Compton. Given this strong West Coast connection, the exclusion of any West Coast artists from the Freshman Class is particularly glaring. Critics argue that using “Not Like Us” as the slogan misses the essence of Lamar’s song, which partly celebrates West Coast culture.

Despite this controversy, the 2024 XXL Freshman Class is generating excitement. The list features artists such as BigXthaPlug, Maiya The Don, Hunxho, Rich Amiri, Cash Cobain, Lay Bankz, That Mexican OT, 4batz, Skilla Baby, Bossman Dlow, and ScarLip. Fans are eager to see what these artists will bring to the table, and the publication has already launched a video addressing hate comments.