Music
2023 XXL Freshman Cypher
The 2023 XXL Freshman Class has had all eyes in its direction over the last month. They’ve clapped back at mean comments, offered up their own version of the ABCs and recounted their come up. Now, they’re pulling up with a hefty supply of bars for this year’s Freshman cyphers.
For the first cypher, Finesse2Tymes, Real Boston Richey, Lola Brooke and Fridayy. Cruising over a haunting beat from this year’s Freshman cypher producer Pi’erre Bourne, the four spitters unload a barrage of acrobatic couplets and emphatic flexes, showcasing the skills that got them all a spot in the class.
Taking the lead, Finesse2Tymes makes it a point to contextualize his legal struggles as a convict who was just released from prison a year ago. “I’m from Memphis, R.I.P. to Billy Bo/Wrestling with my freedom, now I got s**t in a figure four,” he raps over the pummeling beat. Next up is Real Boston Richey, who lets loose philosophies on loyalty and block logistics. “Slidin’ in the Mustang, half a brick, I’m duckin’ undercover/You know I been havin’ s**t, I ain’t never been no f**kin’ runner.”
While Richey and Finesse dismantle the beat with percussive flows and spurts of venom, Philadelphia’s Fridayy leans into his melodic instincts, singing his way through a tale of self-belief and perseverance. “They wasn’t with me, back when I was driving in my ’03/I was sitting on that bench, they wouldn’t play me/Now I’m up on n***as like I’m KD,” he sings in a tone that’s at once husky and gentle.
Hailing from Brooklyn, Lola Brooke closes things out, unspooling a barrage of not-so-humblebrags with her signature authoritative delivery. She’s got quippy bars, but her tone is embedded with a deadly seriousness: “Put my problems in a blunt, I’ma spark them Ls/Send shots to your mans while he pick up the shells.”
Source: XXL
