What You Expect's 2021 R&B Freshman Class 
The XXL Freshman Class is a moment every year, it’s a crowning for the projected next stars of Hip Hop. The list comes with a bunch of controversy every year, but it’s needed. They don’t get it right all the time, but it’s important to have a list to see the new crop of stars for each generation.
Some may already be stars, while others are projects based on their talent level and/or hitmaking ability. Crazy enough, we’ve never really had a freshman class for R&B that’s been able to stick around year after year like XXL’s freshman rap list. But, this is where I come in.
Now, my word doesn’t hold nearly as much weight as XXL’s does but… we move. Now before you scroll down and see my 2021 Freshman R&B list I need you to understand that my list is based on artists who emerged in the last 18 months (since the beginning of 2020 roughly).
If you’re familiar with the XXL list you know that just because an artist is on the freshman list it doesn’t mean that they just started putting out music the year prior.
This list is about R&B artists whose careers took off on a mainstream level in the last 18 months along with artists who I’m projecting to reach another level of stardom because of their past work and talent level. I want to give a major shoutout to the likes of Summer Walker, Kiana Lede, Snoh Aalegra, Lucky Daye, etc. because while they can’t be considered freshman their careers have elevated immensely in the last two years. With that being said, here’s my first annual 2021 R&B Freshman Class.
1. Giveon
Giveon came on the scene in 2020 in a major way. I don’t know a better way to kickstart your music career than to be on one of the biggest songs of the year in “Chicago Freestyle” alongside the biggest artist in music in Drake.
It proved to be perfect timing as his singles “Heartbreak Anniversary” and “Stuck On You” coupled with his impressive feature on “Chicago Freestyle” lead up to March album Take Time. Giveon’s relatable lyrics and resonated with listeners. He capitalized on his moment once more in 2021 by dropping the deluxe version to Take Time, cementing himself as an R&B superstar.
He’s been active in 2021, jumping on one of the biggest songs of the year in “Peaches” by Justin Bieber also featuring Daniel Caesar. The Long Beach native has been on an amazing run and it doesn’t look like he’s stopping anytime soon.
2. Brent Faiyaz
Brent Faiyaz has been one of music’s best secrets for a couple of years now. From his appearance on the hit “Crew” to his work on his mixtape Sonder Son. The secret’s over now, Brent Faiyaz is here and he’s established himself as one of the most talked about names in R&B on a mainstream level.
His project Fuck The World was undoubtably one of the best projects of 2020 regardless of genre. It truly came at the perfect time, Covid-19 was just warming up before it put an effective stop on the world as we knew it along with a summer full of protests due to the racial injustices that have continued to stain America. I mean, what better project to sum up the emotions of 2020 than a project titled Fuck The World. Songs such as “Clouded” and “Fuck The World (Summer in London)” put Brent Faiyaz towards the front of a crowded R&B game.
His approach to R&B, lyrically expressing what some would call “toxic” in a heavenly voice gives him his uniqueness in the game. He followed his amazing project up with two singles (both of which are two of his biggest songs) in “Dead Man Walking” and “Gravity”. And it help’s having the biggest artist in the world on your latest single in Drake on “Wasting Time” produced by the legendary Neptunes. The anticipation for Brent Faiyaz’s new project is extremely high, this next project is going to be huge for Brent.
3. Chloe x Halle
Chloe x Halle have been putting in work for a minute. From establishing a role in the hit tv show Grown-ish, to Halle starring in the upcoming “The Little Mermaid” movie. If that wasn’t enough, Chloe has dominated social media with her presence by pushing out a bunch of content such as her numerous covers of popular songs.
It seems like everything has come together for this duo in the eye of the pandemic as their critically acclaimed project Ungodly Hour came out in June 2020 which produced hits such as “Do It”, which took off even more once Doja Cat hopped on the song. The album was one of the best musical offerings of 2020 and showed that these two are future superstars in not only music but in acting. Their potential in entertainment in general is truly unlimited.
4. Yung Bleu
Yung Bleu had to earn his stripes. It was a slow grind to get to this point. It took a bunch of projects to build up his fanbase (four projects in 2020 alone, six in the last two years) before he finally got his big break. “You’re Mine Still” featuring Drake was a career changing song for the Mobile, Alabama singer. Yung Bleu had a strong foundation before the feature though, already securing features from the likes of Boosie, K Camp, Lil Tjay, Dej Loaf, PnB Rock and more.
He already had a core audience that supported him before the mainstream attention that would come after the Drake co-sign. That’s super important because we’ve seen careers be overshadowed by their Drake co-sign. As much of a blessing it is, you gotta know how to maneuver after you attract all of those mainstream eyes on you. Yung Bleu has done such and looks like he’s going to be here to stay.
5. Kaash Paige
The young phenom out of Dallas, TX makes her way on this list after elevating her career in 2020. Kaash Paige first made her mark in 2019 with her project Parked Car Convos.
Since then she’s made it an effort to get on everybody’s song including jumping on Don Toliver’s song “Euphoria” also featuring Texas superstar Travis Scott. She’s also collaborated with the likes of 24KGoldn and Alicia Keys. She took her artistry to another level in 2020 with her project Teenage Fever.
There’s real moments on this project such as the track “Grammy Week” featuring Don Toliver (we definitely need a collab EP between these two) and my personal favorite song off this project “Problems” featuring the elusive Isaiah Rashad.
In 2021 she was even on the intro to Moneybagg Yo’s album A Gangsta’s Pain which is one of the hottest projects of the year. I only expect her to get bigger and become one of the more requested artist for singing hooks and features.
6. Kalan.FrFr
The LA native is a hybrid artist who over the last 6 months has come into his own as one of the biggest acts in California. His 2020 single “Scoring” set the tone by being featured in last year’s NBA playoffs repeatedly. He also announced that he has signed with Roc Nation, which as we know is a huge look. He then dropped one of the best projects so far in “TwoFr 2”.
He’s been experimenting with his harmonies for years now but he finally put it all together in one body of work that you can play straight through. He’s established himself as one of the guys you must have on your hook out west along with his peer Blxst. Kalan.FrFr represents a new generation of West Coast artists that are changing the sound of the West Coast.
7. NBDY
Sometimes it takes time for good music to resonate with the people. In the case of NBDY, his 2019 project Admissions has just recently been getting some of the praise it deserves for being one of the standout projects in 2019 amongst newer R&B acts. After a successful 2020 following the momentum of Admissions, NBDY gave us the acoustic version of Admissions in 2021 along with an 8 song EP titled Tunnel Vision.
It’s been a consistent climb for the New Jersey R&B singer but it’s paid off. Boasting a loyal fanbase and talent that speaks for itself, NBDY finds himself in the mix as one of the emerging R&B artists emerging on the East Coast.
8. Blxst
Blxst is a special talent. I mean, he’s on the Hip Hop and R&B freshman list in the same year. Out in California, especially in LA, you can’t go a night out without hearing a song of his. He’s spent year bubbling, and now he’s finally getting his time to shine. He does it all, he produces, makes a majority if not all of his beats, and lays some of the best melodic vocals you will hear in the game.
No Love Lost was easily one of the best projects of 2020 and really stamped him in the game, from there he started to introduce himself to the masses by collaborating with the likes of Ty Dolla $ign, Dom Kennedy, and Russ. Not only that, 2020 saw him appear on numerous Spotify playlists broadcasting a huge light on the future LA superstar. It’s only a matter of time for Blxst before he elevates to an even higher level than he’s on now.
9. Mariah The Scientist
Mariah The Scientist has been one of the best kept secrets in R&B for awhile. Her project MASTER set the stage for the type of success she’s getting now. She hasn’t been a big collaborator, whether on her own project or hopping on others’ songs.
Her audience has largely been built on her music and her voice which is extremely impressive. She’s still working her way into the mainstream conversation for R&B but her song “Always n Forever”, a collaboration with Lil Baby, really took off and saw her added to numerous huge playlists on every streaming platform.
Things were very quiet after that, but for good reason. The Atlanta native was busy cooking up music for her recently released project RY RY WORLD, which has brought in a bunch of great reviews from fans and journalists/critics alike. She’s already got a Young Thug and Lil Baby feature under her belt, things are heading in the right direction.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction she goes from here. She hasn’t had a high level of activity but she has been consistent in dropping really enjoyable music. Either way, she’s easily one of the new faces of R&B that are coming up in this newer generation. Her talent must be respected, through two projects she’s shooting 100% from the field. She knows how to make lasting music, and that’s really all that matters.