Video XXL 2016 Black Friday: The Most Viral Freshman Cypher in Hip-Hop History and Its Cultural Impact
The Most Viral Freshman Cypher in Hip-Hop History and its impact on the culture of 2016 Video XXL Black Friday
Over a decade later, the phrase “Video XXL 2016 Black Friday” still attracts plenty of search traffic in 2026, as hip-hop fans are once again coming back to one of the most memorable moments in rapping history: the 2016 XXL Freshman Cypher that starred Kodak Black, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty and Denzel Curry.
The cypher was first launched in July 2016, with no official relationship to Black Friday, but it’s a recurring cultural phenomenon that appears every November thanks to nostalgic playlists, product sales, social media posts, and viral re-posts.
The video is widely thought of as the most-watched XXL Freshman Cypher of all time, with over 200 million views and is one of the most influential hip-hop videos of the streaming era. It’s been more than 10 years since then and it still evokes a debate about the best verse, the best artist, and the influence it has had on the music culture.
The Video XXL 2016 is what? So, what is the secret to the legendary freshman Cypher?
In the context of the Video XXL 2016, it is generally a second XXL Freshman Cypher, which was released in July 2016 by XXL Magazine.
The lineup included five young rising stars that would make an impact on the next ten years of rap:
- Lil Uzi Vert
- Kodak Black
- 21 Savage
- Lil Yachty
- Denzel Curry
All five of them were quickly becoming popular on streaming sites, mixtapes, and social media. They were set against one another in cypher format, where each rapper gets a short verse to catch attention, while over a similar beat.
One of the most interesting features of the 2016 beat was that XXL gave the beat to artists beforehand for them to choose from. This was the sole year that XXL took this route, and it has led to better and more memorable shows.
The outcome was unprecedented. It garnered over 200 million views and ended up being the biggest and most watched Freshman Cypher in hip-hop history.
Criticism to Classic Status: The 2016 XXL Freshman Class
Reactions to the unveiling of the 2016 XXL Freshman cover came in mixed. The 2016 XXL Freshman’s cover was released June 13, 2016 and reactions were mixed.
Traditional rap fans criticized the line-up, saying that it was not lyrical rap.
The full class was made up of:
- Kodak Black
- Lil Uzi Vert
- Lil Yachty
- 21 Savage
- Denzel Curry
- Desiigner
- Anderson .Paak
- Lil Dicky
- Dave East
- G Herbo
There were jokes and memes aplenty on social media. The class was dubbed by some “SoundCloud rappers” and estimated to vanish in a few years.
History proved otherwise.
Many of the class have gone on to become multi-platinum records, sold out arenas globally and have charted #1 on the Billboard charts.
Once thought of as a substandard freshman class, it is now recognized as one of the most influential groups of the era in the book of the XXL.
The Cypher by Video XXL 2016 was made too viral for its own good
The 2016 cypher was no fluke. The perfect viral storm was the result of several factors.
1. They have prepared their verses and as a consequence, created stronger performances
Artists were given the beat in advance so that they could have material prepared.
This resulted in cleaner flows, good punchlines and solid chemistry for many of the previous cyphers.
2. Unexpected Placement starring Denzel Curry
One of the most interesting tales behind the video had to do with Denzel Curry.
He was meant to be working on a new cypher groove but wound up doing a beat with completely different artists.
The contrast turned into one of the most impacting features of the video.
Denzel played aggressively and with some technical skill, whereas Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Kodak Black and 21 Savage infused the track with some melodic and free-flowing energy.
3. The Right Time: During the SoundCloud Era
The video came at a time when SoundCloud rap is exploding.
Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Yachty were already internet superstars, 21 Savage and Kodak Black were quickly gaining a national base.
The cypher was a snapshot of a time when hip-hop was in flux and people were craving for new faces.
The “Video XXL 2016 Black Friday” trend is highly common every year
The cypher itself didn’t get released on Black Friday, but as each year, searches for “Video XXL 2016 Black Friday” ramp up.
This is not a new phenomenon and there are a number of reasons why
Merchandise Sales
Some of the most popular items to collect are:
- New original magazines, XXL Freshman
- Limited-edition XXL hoodies
- 2016 Freshman apparel
- Signed memorabilia
A lot of these can be found at resale sites on the Black Friday shopping days.
Throwback Hip-Hop Playlists
Streaming platforms will put together playlists with “nostalgia” themes, such as during Black Friday or holiday shopping.
The 2016 cypher has been seen frequently in compilations of iconic 2010s’ rap moments.
Social Media Reposts
These clips are often reshared on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and X (formerly Twitter) by users and can be seen by a wider audience, including those who haven’t viewed the cypher on its original platform.
Consequently, “Video XXL 2016 Black Friday” has become a yearly anniversary of the Nostalgia and Hip-hop culture.
If you’re planning on watching the Cypher from the XXL 2016, you can find out where it is in 2026
In 2026, anyone looking for the video can find the correct one from a credible source.
| Platform | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | XXL Official Channel | Original upload with 200M+ views |
| Internet Archive | Community uploads | Archival access |
| Music blogs | Embedded versions | Analysis/commentary |
It is advisable for users to be careful before clicking on unfamiliar links with titles such as “Video XXL 2016 Black Friday Sale”.
There may be some unofficial uploads with false advertising, clickbait, or even dangerous redirects.
The official or established media is the best place to stick to.
Which Verse was the Best? The Debate Still Continues
Nearly a decade later, fans continue to debate on who played the best in the cypher.
Denzel Curry
Many rap purists believe that Denzel Curry is the best performer.
He delivered with such aggression, technical wordplay and lyrical precision that he made a memorable contrast to the rest of the group.
Lil Uzi Vert
Uzi’s charisma and energy allowed him to set the tone of the cypher.
One of the most cited parts of his video is his performance.
Kodak Black
With the distinctive cadence and style of Kodak, which was influenced by Florida, his verse was instantly recognized and highly replayable.
21 Savage
21 Savage’s chilling and somewhat subdued demeanor was a hallmark of his style.
A few of his phrases became Internet slang.
Lil Yachty
Yachty was a representative of 2016’s carefree, melodic rap scene and an ideal SoundCloud rapper.
The consensus winner is still yet to be decided, which is one factor that continues to keep the cypher relevant in 2026.
How Brands & Creators Will be Connected to Black Friday Marketing at XXL 2016
Many marketers today are incorporating hip-hop nostalgia into Black Friday marketing.
Thousands of Black Friday stock videos that include:
- Sale banners
- Discount animations
- Percentage signs
- Promotional graphics
They’re fused together with mentions to 2016 rap culture and XXL aesthetics.
During the holiday season, brands typically leverage themes from the music, fashion, and internet culture that the millennial and Gen Z generations are fond of to boost engagement.
The visual match is effective, particularly as it uses the iconic black and yellow XXL branding which matches traditional Black Friday promotional colours.
The Legacy of Video XXL 2016 in 2026
The 2016 XXL Freshman Cypher is one of the few hip-hop videos that have remained relevant for this long.
The so-called ‘showcase’ of the freshman was a polarizing event that became a defining moment of a generation.
Its legacy includes:
- Over 200 million views
- This is the most-viewed XXL cypher ever made
- Multiple artists hitting the chart-topping spots on Billboard
- A legacy of the SoundCloud Rap Era
- Prolonged popularity in Black Friday nostalgia cycles
In 2026, people will be looking for Video XXL 2016 Black Friday and more than just a viral rap clip is being sought.
They’re back in the moment of Kodak Black, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage and Denzel Curry demonstrating the new big thing in hip-hop before fans even knew who they were.
Ten years later the cypher is one of the most influential and important videos in recent rap history.
