The XXL Freshman Class highlights some of the most promising young rappers every year, and they've just returned with their class of 2018. Today the most skilled lyricist of the group J.I.D. has delivered his anticipated acapella freestyle... and it's just as impressive as we could have imagines. 

With the list comprising of Ski Mask The Slump God, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, J.I.D, Stefflon Don, BlocBoy JB, YBN Nahmir, Wifisfuneral and Trippie Redd, XXL focused more on clout and flows than lyrical rappers this year, but J.I.D. showed he more than makes up for this with his rapping prowess. Last hear his album The Never Story landed a top 5 spot on our list of best hip-hop albums of 2017 as he once again showcases his insane rapping abilities spitting rapid-fire verses off the top of his head changing up his flow throughout. Enjoy!

J.I.D. Freestyle

Medasin has been a machine lately, pumping out new music left and right. More and more big artists are turning to the young producer to flip their music into more danceable, vibey tracks, and Medasin has been executing each remix with ease.

The latest piece of music he’s hopping on is Khalid and Normani’s affectionate ballad, “Love Lies.” Medasin keeps the tempo around the same, but adds a wave of daydreamy synths, and powerful percussion that give the track a colorful makeover. He’s successfully flipped “Love Lies” from a bedroom jam into something you can get down to in any setting.

We’re only halfway through 2018, and Medasin has dropped more music than a good portion of all the artists we regularly follow. Through this tweet, we know that he’ll be taking a bit of a break so he can focus on the release of “Irene 2.0.” As soon as we know more about that forthcoming project, we’ll let you know.

Check out the remix below and enjoy!

Last year TSIS favorite Illenium put out his impressive sophomore album, AWAKE, and we've had it on rotation ever since. The project showcased Illenium's incredible sound design and songwriting, which landed the LP on our list of best electronic albums of 2017. Now the album has been entirely reimagined from a group of talented artists across the official remix album we have the pleasure of premiering today. 

We've already heard some of the remixes from artists like The Glitch Mob and 1788-L and the full project does not disappoint. The new remixes include artists like Felix Cartal, Kap Slap, StayLoose, Trivecta and more as they hit different ends of the spectrum with everything from melodic bass, future bass, progressive house, dubstep and everything in between. These fresh remixes bring a new spin to AWAKE, rejuvenating the album that was one of our favorites from last year. Check it out below and enjoy!

Illenium - AWAKE (Remixes) | Stream / Download

Tracklist: 
1) ILLENIUM - Needed You (ft. Dia Frampton) (StayLoose Remix)
2) ILLENIUM - Crawl Outta Love (ft. Annika Wells) (The Glitch Mob Remix)
3) ILLENIUM - No Time Like Now (Yoste Remix)
4) ILLENIUM - Free Fall (ft. RUNN) (Kompany Remix)
5) ILLENIUM & Said The Sky - Where’d U Go (Thoreau Rework)
6) ILLENIUM - Fractures (ft. Nevve) (Trivecta Remix)
7) ILLENIUM - Leaving (AWAY Remix)
8) ILLENIUM - Lost (ft. Emilie Brandt) (WE ARE FURY Remix)
9) ILLENIUM & Kerli - Sound Of Walking Away (Kap Slap Remix)
10) ILLENIUM - Taking Me Higher (Felix Cartal Remix)
11) ILLENIUM – Let You Go (ft. Ember Island) (Crystal Skies Remix)
12) ILLENIUM, Said the Sky, 1788-L & Kerli – Sound of Where’d U Go
13) ILLENIUM - Needed You (ft. Dia Frampton) (Jason Ross Remix)
14) ILLENIUM & Kerli – Sound Of Walking Away (Au5 & Fractal Remix)
15) ILLENIUM - Let You Go (ft. Ember Island) (Lights & Motion Remix)