After making XXL’s coveted Freshman cover, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie drops his Freshman interview and freestyle.

During the interview portion, A Boogie spoke about the artists who inspired his rise. While a majority of his favorites maintain a hip-hop flavor, one of the names also explains his admiration for pop music and romantic ballads.

“My biggest influences, I would have to say, JAY-Z, he in the top 5, Nas, Lauryn Hill, and Adele,” he said. “Word. She in the top 5.”

This diverse list is exemplified in A Boogie’s love for rapping and singing, which he says he is currently ruling the rap and R&B game with.

“I enjoy having the spotlight and I feel like hip-hop, I got it in a headlock right now,” he explained. “Hip-Hop and R&B, let me say. I got it in a headlock. Melodies, flows, and all that in New York? I feel like I got it.”

Those melodies are front and center in the rapper’s “Freshman Freestyle” video. “Rapping with a melody got ’em like na-na-na-na,” he rhymes. “Your girl topped me and four of my bros, she top five.”

This year’s XXL Freshman class also includes the likes of Kamaiyah, Playboi Carti, Kap G, PnB Rock, and XXXTentacion. Up next, A Boogie is set to release his TBA EP, which has already spawned “Timeless” and “Drowning.”