Christian hip-hop artist Miles Minnick has been named to XXL’s 2026 Freshman Class, becoming the first openly Christian rapper ever selected for the magazine’s annual list of rising hip-hop artists.
Since launching in 2007, the XXL Freshman Class has become one of rap’s most closely watched showcases for emerging talent. The annual list has helped introduce artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Future, Megan Thee Stallion and Jack Harlow to wider audiences before they became mainstream stars.
Minnick earned the final fan-voted 10th spot in this year’s class after campaigning heavily with supporters throughout the voting process. Ahead of the vote, he framed the opportunity as a chance to bring Christian hip-hop into one of rap’s most influential platforms.
The 2026 XXL Freshman Class also includes artists such as Skrilla, Xaviersobased, Star Bandz, Joony, Hurricane Wisdom and Lelo, among others.
Minnick, who has built a growing following through collaborations with artists across both Christian and mainstream hip-hop, has become one of the most visible figures in Christian rap’s current generation. Last year, he became the first Christian rapper to perform a solo set at the music festival Rolling Loud. His inclusion on the XXL cover marks a milestone for a genre that has often existed outside hip-hop’s major industry institutions.
The full XXL Freshman Class rollout, including freestyles, cyphers and artist interviews, will be released in the coming weeks.
