Jim Jones Gets Serious About Being a 2025 XXL Freshman
Jim Jones is an MC known for his innate ability to constantly evolve his skills over time. Throughout his storied career, the cofounder of The Diplomats has consistently refined his artistry both in and out of the booth. However, in 2025, Jomo considers himself an entirely new artist altogether. In fact, Jim feels as though he’s flipped the script so much this year, he should be considered a top contender for the 2025 XXL Freshman Class.
For the past several months, XXL has been meeting and connecting with with the hottest up-and-coming rappers worthy of making the grade as members of this year’s Freshman Class. With ears to the streets and, of course, the internet, dozens of blossoming hip-hop careers are currently being dissected and analyzed with the hopes of finding the next crop of rap superstars.
While in the throes of the painstaking process, Harlem legend Jim Jones hit up XXL‘s DMs on Instagram with a very unexpected inquiry as it pertains to the 2025 XXL Freshman Class. “How come I’m not up for Freshman this year?” Jomo asked. “I’m a whole new artist out here. I should be up for a vote.”
Given that Jim Jones has decades of hits under his belt, like 2006’s “We Fly High” and 2008’s “Pop Champagne” featuring Ron Browz and Juelz Santana, and released a new album, At the Church Steps, this year, XXL asked Capo if he truly feels that he’s Freshman worthy or if his IG message was in Jest. It turns out Jim wasn’t trolling at all.
“U can hit me up but I’m def serious,” Jim Jones immediately replied. “I’m a brand new artist out here. Jomo got the best album of the year so far. What else requirements is needed? Oh, I’m still setting trends also lol. Let’s do it.”
So, in a year that has found Jim with a critically acclaimed album, along with headline-snatching moments with the likes of Ye, Cam’ron and 50 Cent, the redefined rap veteran sat with members of the XXL staff to offer the many reasons why he should be in consideration for the 2025 Freshman Class.
See Jim Jones’ official 2025 XXL Freshman consideration pitch in the video below.