The Dirty Dozen: XXL's 2014 Freshman Class

Photo: XXL

Since 2008, hip-hop magazine XXL has released an annual Top 10 Freshmen list. The issue features the ten picks of whom to watch out for, and on the cover of the magazine showcases new rappers that aren't well known, but are considered to be on the rise. The list has become known to create buzz and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame (Wikipedia). 

This year’s issue sparked two noticeable changes:12 freshman made the cut this time around, and one is a singer. Dubbed the “dirty dozen,” this year’s Freshman are:

Chance the Rapper

Isaiah Rashad

Ty Dolla $ign

Rich Homie Quan

Vic Mensa

August Alsina

Troy Ave

Kevin Gates

Lil Bibby

Jon Connor

Lil Durk

Jarren Benton (Viewer’s Choice)

My favorite from this year’s freshman class is Chance the rapper. His sophomore mixtape Acid Rap is probably one of the most creative pieces of work i’ve heard in a while. Who does he sound like? No one. He sings, he raps, he writes, and his talent and style is ridiculously undeniable. His style is eccentric and reminscent of Outkast’s Andre 3000 – in regard to Dre’s no-holds-barred style and vision of life, style, music, and art in general. Needless to say, Chance is dope.

Though i’ve heard the names of the other artists mentioned, I would be slighting their work if I gave an opinion of them without having heard what their capable of. If I had to choose runner-ups to Chance though, it would probably be Rich Homie Quan and Ty Dolla $ign. 

Not necessarily because of their lyrical ability, but because of their independent work ethic and hustle. These guys have definitely created a lane for themselves and have built great momentum, as well as a growing catalog and fan base – independently. So I can definitely understand how and why they made the list. Their names are in no way shy to the radio, the club, or the internet streets.

In that same right, my only complaint with XXL’s recent freshman issues is that their list is gradually becoming more driven by the popularity of an artist, over the quality of the music. And typically the artists who should have made the year’s list, end up on the following year’s issue. 

Last, although August Alsina isn’t a rapper, I also respect his hustle and I congratulate him on being the first R&B singer to grace the cover. 

I look forward to seeing more dope – and hopefully underground – artists on the cover of next year’s issue. 

Kendrick Johnson: An Accident or Homicide?

Photo: BET

Recent developments in the Kendrick Johnson murder case report that “the family of Kendrick Johnson has sued a south Georgia school district, claiming it was negligent in protecting their son from harassment and bullying, which they contend led to his death,” according to CNN.

The lawsuit was filed in State Superior Court on Tuesday, May 13. "It alleges that Lowndes County Board of Education was negligent and violated Johnson's constitutional right to equal protection based on race,” according to CNN.

On January 11, 2013, Johnson – a 17 year-old African American student – was found dead in a rolled-up mat in the Lowndes High School gymnasium.

Investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office originally ruled his death accidental after concluding that Johnson climbed into the center of the gym mat to reach for a shoe and got stuck – dying as a result of asphyxiation. The state's medical examiner agreed, citing "positional asphyxia" as the cause of death.

However, as the story has developed throughout the past year, the amount of work that has been done to prevent the truth from being exposed, suggests that Kendrick was murdered.

Johnson’s parents Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson also believe otherwise. In June of 2013, they hired an independent pathologist who found "unexplained apparent non-accidental blunt force trauma" and concluded the death as a homicide. According to CNN, “Johnson's parents have called the official story a ‘coverup’ and said they believe their son's death was a homicide.”

Even more devastating than the death of their son, was the discovery – or lack thereof – of Kendrick’s organs. After Kendrick’s body was exhumed, the pathologist noticed that Johnson’s heart, lungs, liver, and other organs were missing and had been replaced with newspaper.

The family has since filed a lawsuit against the funeral home that handled his remains, alleging negligence and fraud. According to CNN “the lawsuit revolves around what the owner and employees of Harrington Funeral Home in Valdosta, Georgia, knew about the state of the young man's body. It was a fraud intended to mislead and make it difficult to establish the manner and cause of death, the lawsuit alleges.” However, an investigation by a state board found that the handling of the body by the funeral home did not violate the law.

The FBI are now involved, and on October 31, 2013, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia – Michael Moore – launched a federal investigation into the case. In December 2013, the FBI seized the original hard drives from the surveillance system at Lowndes High School, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation surrounding the hard drives. Schoolmates of Kendrick’s have also been subpoenaed.

Personally, I believe there’s foul play. If the rushed investigation wasn’t enough evidence, the updated details of Kendrick’s missing organs definitely prove that this case has not been handled effectively or honestly. From flawed, skewed and cut surveillance video, to lies and cover-ups by all authorities involved, something isn’t right.

To me, this case is no different than those of Trayvon Martin or Emmett Till. Cases like these are deeper than facts, and show the blatant disregard for black life – specifically our young black men. This case was handled very carelessly, and without any real effort. 

Even more disgusting is all of the attempts to mask the truth and save face for those who have lied from the beginning. Though their goal was to have it handled quickly in hopes of it being rushed and forgotten, public outrage and the persistence of Johnson’s parents proved otherwise.

Video: CNN