The 2026 XXL Freshman Class has officially arrived, bringing a diverse wave of talent to the forefront of hip-hop. This year’s roster—featuring Chris Patrick, La Reezy, Belly Gang Kushington, YKNiece, Skrilla, Trim, Hurricane Wisdom, Babyfxce E, Trap Dickey, Slayr, Sosocamo, and 10th spot winner Miles Minnick—is ready to prove their mettle. As part of their induction, the group took on the most humbling experience of the process: reading and responding to 2026 XXL Freshman mean comments.
While many artists thrive on praise, the XXL Freshman experience is designed to test their resolve. Year after year, we put the rising stars in the hot seat to see how they handle the unfiltered vitriol often found across social media and streaming platforms. This year, the class—with the exception of Trim—stepped up to the challenge, offering candid, often humorous, and sometimes fiery rebuttals to their detractors.
Thick Skin and Quick Retorts
The 2026 class proved to be largely resilient. Belly Gang Kushington handled critiques regarding his appearance with sharp, quick-witted retorts, while Trap Dickey remained entirely unfazed by personal attacks directed at his physical features. The segment also highlighted the artists’ ability to navigate the complexities of modern fame; Slayr, for instance, addressed being labeled the “voice of the fat f**ks” and even called for the suspension of an X account that drew unfavorable comparisons between him and Diddy.
Other artists, such as Sosocamo, found themselves grappling with the “industry plant” narrative, though he admitted to being genuinely stung by comments suggesting that “nobody cares” about his music. Meanwhile, YKNiece showed she isn’t one to back down, with one particularly harsh comment leaving her ready to stand her ground.
The Internet’s Cruel Reality
Despite the internet’s reputation as a harsh environment, these freshmen demonstrated that they possess the necessary thick skin to survive in the industry. By facing these trolls head-on, they have shown that their focus remains on their craft rather than the noise of the comment section. Fans can watch the full interaction below to see how the class handles the heat.