XXL Freshmen 2010 - Where Are They Now?

It has been nearly four years since we first posted XXL's Freshmen Class of 2010. The cover issue from the magazine featured some mainstream artists such as Wiz Khalifa, J.Cole, and Big Sean, some underground hip-hop heavyweights in Nipsey Hussle, Freddie Gibbs, and TDE's Jay Rock, as well as Fashawn, Donnis, Pill, and OJ da Juiceman. Check out a recap of where these artists are now in the year 2014, and what they have accomplished down below.

#1. Wiz Khalifa
Estimated Net Worth: $20 MILLION

Albums (Since 2010):
Rolling Papers [Opened at #2 on The Billboard]
Mac & Devin Go to High School (with Snoop Dogg) [Opened at #29 on The Billboard]
O.N.I.F.C. [Opened at #2 on The Billboard]

Notable Singles: 
"Black and Yellow" [Peaked at #1]
"Roll Up" [Peaked at #3]
"On My Level" (ft. Too Short) [Peaked at #52]
"No Sleep" [Peaked at #6]
"Young, Wild & Free" (with Snoop Dogg, ft Bruno Mars) [Peaked at #7]
"Work Hard, Play Hard"  [Peaked At #17]
"Remember You" (featuring The Weeknd) [Peaked At #63]
"We Own It (Fast & Furious)" (with 2 Chainz) [Peaked at #16]

Wiz Khalifa has done it all so far in his career. The only thing missing from his accomplishment list is opening at #1 on The Billboard. I'm sure with the upcoming album Blacc Hollywood, this will be the primary goal. Besides that, his rap stint has gone a long way. From getting over $100,000 a show, to creating an incredibly diverse fanbase in his Taylor Gang following, the young Pittsburgh MC has come a long way from his "Black & Yellow" hit single which opened up all his doors a few years back. 

#2. J. Cole
Estimated Net Worth: $4.5 MILLION

Albums:
Cole World: The Sideline Story [Opened at #1 on The Billboard]
Born Sinner [Opened at #1 on The Billboard]

Notable Singles:
"Work Out" [Peaked at #13]
"Can't Get Enough" (featuring Trey Songz) [Peaked at #52]
"Nobody's Perfect" (featuring Missy Elliott) [Peaked at #61]
"Power Trip" (featuring Miguel) [Peaked at #19]
"Crooked Smile" (featuring TLC) [Peaked at #27]

If we were to rank the XXL Freshmen 2010 class by simply raw talent and diversity as an artist, we would put J.Cole at the top of our list. Though the artist hasn't earned as much as Wiz, the co-signs and overall respect that this Fayettville, NC artist has received in his short career can be considered spectacular. Two number one albums, one of which (Born Sinner) ended up outselling Kanye's Yeezus at a certain point in time, and even two Grammy nominations round out the amazing start to a promising career in rap from J.Cole. He currently is working on his next LP, which is sure to be just as rewarding for his profession.

#3. Big Sean
Estimated Net Worth: $2 MILLION

Albums:
Finally Famous [Opened at #3 on The Billboard]
Hall of Fame [Opened at #3 on The Billboard]

Notable Singles:
"My Last" (featuring Chris Brown) [Peaked at #30]
"Marvin & Chardonnay" (featuring Kanye West and Roscoe Dash) [Peaked at #32]
"Dance (A$$)" (featuring Nicki Minaj) [Peaked at #10]
"Mercy" (with Kanye West, Pusha T and 2 Chainz) [Peaked at #13]
"Clique" (with Kanye West and Jay-Z) [Peaked at #12]
"Beware" (featuring Jhené Aiko and Lil Wayne) [Peaked at #38]

Big Sean has come a long way from being a mixtape rapper affiliated with G.O.O.D. Music. He has established his own name, has made good money, and even has a trophy of a girlfriend in Naya Rivera. The Detroit Rapper has has two albums that both opened at #3 on the charts, and multiple hit singles, including "ASS" featuring Nicki Minaj, which was played at every single party or club for a year straight. The future looks bright for Sean, and there will be more hits to come.

#4. Nipsey Hussle
Estimated Net Worth: $4.5 MILLION

Most Popular Mixtape:
Crenshaw [Sold 1000 physical copies for $100 each]

Notable Singles:
"The Life" (ft.Snoop Dogg)
"Run a Lap"
"I Need That" (ft. Dom Kennedy)
"Rose Clique"

Nipsey Hussle has become one of the biggest west coast artists in underground hip-hop since releasing his mixtapes The Marathon, The Marathon Continues, and most recently Crenshaw. Crenshaw received a lot of positive recognition from fans and critics alike. He even sold a thousand copies of the project for $100 each, some copies even bought by JAY Z. Nipsey is currently working on his debut studio album titled Victory Lap, which will release through his All Money In record label.

#5. Freddie Gibbs
Estimated Net Worth: $1 MILLION

Albums:
ESGN [Opened #17 on Rap Charts]
Piñata (with Madlib) [Opened at #39 on The Billboard]

Freddie Gibbs has had a real up and down rap career. It is well known that he is a ghostwriter for many different artists, and it is also a fact that he is great at his profession of rapping. Many things have been in the way for Gibbs, including his recent fall out with Jeezy. It seems as though the young rapper has bounced back however, and released a marvelous critically-acclaimed piece of work in Piñata alongside producer Madlib. Look for more Freddie Gibbs music in the future, as his career should skyrocket in this year of 2014. 

#6. Jay Rock

Album:
Follow Me Home [Opened at #83, #10 for Rap on The Billboard]

Notable Singles:
"All My Life (In the Ghetto)" (ft. Lil Wayne and will.i.am)
"Hood Gone Love It" (ft. Kendrick Lamar)
Kendrick Lamar - "Money Trees" (Featured)

Jay Rock has been around for a while. Even to hear him making the 2010 list back in 2010 seemed quite odd. Though he has only one studio album out now, he has many street singles, and is featured on his fellow TDE members Kendrick and ScHoolboy's albums. He should release his next album after Ab-Soul finally releases his debut. Be on the look out for more from the Black Hippy MC.

#7. Fashawn

Notable Projects:
This Generation (with Murs)
Higher Learning Vol.2, Champagne and Styrofoam Cups

Notable Singles:
"This Generation" (Murs and Fashawn)
"Nothing for the Radio" (ft. J.Cole)

#8. Donnis

Notable Projects:
Fashionably Late EP
Break Hundreds & Hearts EP

Notable Singles:
"Gone"
"Tonight"
"Hello Kitty"

#9. Pill

Notable Projects:
Self Made Vol. 1 (Featured with MMG)
The Epidemic (Hosted by DJ Holiday)

Notable Singles:
"Pacman" (with Rick Ross)
"By Any Means" (with Ross, Mill, & Wale)

#10. OJ da Juiceman
Notable Projects: Over a dozen mixtapes since 2010.

Notable Singles:
"Make tha Trap Say Aye" (ft. Gucci Mane) [Peaked at #13 on US Rap Charts]
"Supaman High" (R. Kelly feat. OJ da Juiceman) [Peaked at #46 on US Rap Charts]

Previous: XXL Freshmen 2009 - Where Are They Now?

Artist Label: Big Sean, Donnis, Fashawn, Freddie Gibbs, J.Cole, Jay Rock, Nipsey Hussle, OJ da Juiceman, Pill, Wiz Khalifa