2025’s XXL Freshmen List was just released, including BabyChiefDoIt, YTB Fatt, Loe Shimmy, and EBK Jaaybo, as well as the producer of this year’s freestyles and cyphers, Cardo Got Wings. It’s been a banner year for these outstanding artists with BabyChiefDoit dropping his latest mixtape ZOO LIFE last month and performing at Lyrical Lemonade‘s Summer Smash this past weekend, Loe Shimmy announcing his upcoming album Rockstar Junkie (coming soon) and joining Lil Baby’s WHAM Tour, and YTB Fatt following his Billboard-charting run with the recent release of Da Foxprint. EBK Jaaybo returned with Don’t Trust Me and is set to join NBA YoungBoy on the forthcoming Masa Tour; while Cardo Got Wings is set to drop his upcoming collab album Until Night Comes with Larry June after producing 9 tracks on Playboi Carti‘s MUSIC. Each of these artists helped to make 2025 XXL Freshman history!
Since his nod to Complex‘s 25 Rappers To Watch In 2025 list, EBK Jaaybo has stayed active, linking up with Chicago heavyweight VonOff1700 for “Exposing Me” and releasing his new album Don’t Trust Me, out now alongside a video for “Stand Over Music”. The 21-track tape arrived ahead of his forthcoming national run opening for YoungBoy Never Broke Again on the Masa Tour, and was met with critical acclaim from Pitchfork (6.9) and an interview with Rolling Stone.
Since releasing “For Me” with Brent Faiyaz — his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 — Loe Shimmy has wrapped his sold-out Nardy World Tour and joined Lil Baby’s WHAM Tour alongside Rob49 and PLUTO. He’s continued a steady run of singles, including “Kill The Scene”, “Off My Mind” (directed by Hidji World), and a collab with Trippie Redd on “Coco Chanel”. Shimmy has now announced his next album – coming soon.
Since being named one of COMPLEX’s 25 Rappers To Watch In 2025, BabyChiefDoit has released his new mixtape ZOO LIFE, featuring the video single “Rich Guys” (feat. Babyfxce E) and its lead single “Why Would I?” with Florida star Luh Tyler. He also dropped “YN” with Sexyy Red, LAZAR DIM 700, and Baby Kia after his In The Booth stream appearance, and joined Jorjiana on the “ILBB2 (We Love BB2)” remix. This past week, he appeared on stage for his first festival performance at Lyrical Lemonade‘s Summer Smash Festival.
Since dropping On Zai, his first Billboard 200 entry and a #1 on the Heatseekers chart, YTB Fatt has toured with Moneybagg Yo, Sexyy Red, and Rod Wave, while continuing to drop standout singles like “Score” and “Same“. This spring, he delivered collabs with Rob49 and Luh Tyler before announcing his latest project, Da Foxprint. The release is led by a new video for “I’m Him” featuring Moneybagg Yo, marking their fourth collab.
Known for crafting tracks for artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Travis Scott, Cardo Got Wings has remained one of the most consistent producers in music. After producing Kendrick Lamar‘s “Euphoria” last year, in 2025, Cardo has produced 9 tracks on Playboi Carti‘s highly-anticipated album MUSIC (including “Evil J0rdan” and “Good Credit” feat. Kendrick Lamar), and reconnected with Larry June for a pair of new singles, “Black Man” and “On The Unda”, which are building anticipation for their upcoming joint album Until Night Comes, set to drop this fall.
