Nicki Manaj Explains Decline for XXL Freshmen Class of 2010

The April issue of XXL Magazine was released on March 16 and focused on the interesting list that the XXL staff put together for the Freshmen class of 2010. The names included in that list came from different corners across the nation. From the West Coast to the Midwest, even to Atlanta, the names mentioned were pivotal in the timing that they to choose the prestige that was given to them for the April issue. However, two names that were initial chosen, were not listed in the class of this year, chose not to participate because of their own personal thoughts.

Young Money members Nicki Manaj and Drake both declined to be part of the Freshmen class of 2010 due to the fact that they believed they have already gone beyond that. It was sort of like a chain reaction, first Drake declined and then Nicki followed after. MTV News recently caught up with Nicki on the set of the ‘Massive Attack’ video and inquired about the decline to XXL.

These were her comments:

“Drake and I, we love XXL. We just shot for XXL. With all due respect, we felt like we kinda had graduated from the freshman class. We felt that XXL missed the mark when they didn’t put us on the cover prior to that. They have to pay for that. They can’t say, ‘Hey, get on the next one.’ But we love XXL. That’s like a hip-hop classic. So we said, ‘Can we have something just a little bit more catered to us, so that we feel like we have still grown as artists, so we’re not at all disrespecting the magazine?’ They were cool with that. We didn’t dictate, we just asked nicely.”

At press time, the Top 10 XXL Freshmen Class of 2010 is: OJ Da Juiceman, Nipsey Hussle, Jay Rock, Pill, Donnis, Fashawn, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifah, Freddie Gibbs and Big Sean.

Either way, it should have been an honor for those two to be elected as part of the Freshmen class of 2010. Their reasoning behind it stating that they belong in last year’s list can be debated. Both Nicki and Drake weren’t even heard about or even vastly commercial until the end of 09. If anything they are part of this year’s Freshmen class and should be proud of it. I personally think they let their ego get the head, but that’s my opinion.

Drake & The Dream’s ‘Shut It Down’ Leaks to the Net

The debut album by Drake entitled ‘Thank Me Later’ has yet to hit stores, but fans are still in deep anticipation about the coming of his debut. However, before the release date has even been scheduled, Drake already has a set of songs out that he has featured in including his own. ‘Over’ is supposedly his first single and has been spinning his clubs for quite some time now, but it seems as though he has more surprises in the vault yet to be released to the world. One even featuring the likes of The Dream.

That record in question, an unfinished version entitled ‘Shut It Down,’ has apparently been leaked to the net over the weekend causing a stir of controversy. The Dream recently spoke about the upcoming record with MTV News.

These were his comments:

“[It’s] a great-sounding record, he wrote an incredible record and allowed me to feature on this record. Beautifully written, and the guys that did the track [producers Omen and 40 made a] great track.”

The songwriter continued adding on stating how the collaboration came about:

“I don’t know how these things just, you know, they just happen, you get a call and you are in there doing the record, and it just happens, man. There are so many things going on right now with me, I don’t even know what’s happening tomorrow. There may be somebody waiting outside for a guest appearance.”

At press time, ‘Thank Me Later,’ has yet to have a scheduled release date, however, distribution is looking for a May release. The album will be released under Young Money with a joint venture under Cash Money with distribution from Interscope.