XXL’s annual Freshman Class issue is always a sketchy proposition, but it always includes at least a handful of genuine talents. Five of the most interesting guys on this year’s list have joined forces for a cypher not unlike the ones we see on the BET Awards every year. Watch below as Southern storyteller supreme Kevin Gates, sing-songy Chicago youngster Vic Mensa, R&B crooner August Alsina, cerebral TDE rookie Isaiah Rashad, and acid-fried whiz kid Chance The Rapper showcase their talents.

Not Mensa’s most poised performance, and Alsina is capable but biting Chris Brown pretty hard. Chance’s rapping is impressively commanding but only average by Chance standards. From where I stand, Gates and Rashad come off the best here. In case you missed it, Chance also did a solo freestyle as part of the Freshman Class promotion.