…As with each summer, something new, fresh and even untamed comes our way and this week is no exception.I had the opportunity to attend the album release party a few weeks ago, for none other than “stand-out” kid, rapper X.O. who is by way of D.C.
…Just as any summer night is in D.C., the weather was muggy, humid and damn near hot, but it did not stifle excitement for the release of rapper X.O.’s album release party at Reef in Adams Morgan. We arrived on the scene at about 10:45pm to a nicely packed “oceanic-like” scenery. I noticed rapper X.O. standing amongst his friends and family with a look of calmness on his face and upon my introduction, he greeted and socialized as music lovers, fans and friends walked in and out of the bar. Slipping into a somewhat comfy stool, I noticed the subdued lights, they were bright enough for you to see who walked in and out, but not so bright that you feel like you’re walking through Wal-mart on a late night run for randomness…
*rocking the mic @ the monumental album release
…Peeping the scene, and enjoying the tunes from the D.J. my attention was turned to a rambunctious X.O. with microphone in hand, who was giving “shout-outs” to what seemed like everyone in the room. Still smooth, the energetic rapper gave us updates as to when we would hear the new joints. He popped back in from time to time filled with energy that seemed jovial..
…As midnight hits, (well it was about 12:15 a.m.) X.O. enters the small room and announces that he’s ready and the soundtrack abruptly changes from one of tracks from albums past to ‘Crabs in a Barrel’ on the Monumental mix tape. The head-bobbage continues throughout the morning and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves…Since I’m just a tad courteous, I gave X.O. the time to enjoy himself without the hounding questions from a feisty journalist(Me)…
…Seeming to be some-what-sleep-deprived, rapper X.O. speaks in a somewhat groggy voice and says, “Whatup…” The 23year old rapper who has been in NW D.C. since 99 admits that he’s different(but hey, who isn’t?) But, to his defense he backs his verbage by saying, “I’m always coming from different angle…”
…Coming from a long lineage of creativity, X.O.’s parents are both musicians who graduated from Howard University, so it was only natural for X.O. to allow his creative juices to flow in another way. When asked about how his parents felt about his creative ventures he mentioned, “…they love it as long as I’m doing something positive…”
…X.O. may be most recently known for his involvement with the group Diamond District who involves producers Oddisee as well as YU who together form the group Diamond District, who released a project called ‘In the Rough’. And prior to this linking X.O. dropped a project called ‘Realmatic’ which dropped March 2009…
…As we continue to dive into the subject of music and where X.O. stands in the arena, he says, “I think that my music is going straight to the top. I see my music going straight to the top and studying the game, I know that it’s a formula and there is formula to success… ” Speaking of success and polarizing on the thought that there are actions and thoughts that lead us in successful territories, I inquire with X.O. about how he even ended up in the music game anyway… “It was a transition for me and I wasn’t in college” admits the rapper,”…but it all happened about six months ago and I was cleaning carpet and it was messing with me..and I have always been a ‘go-getter’, so I took that step toward this music…”
…As for most of us who breathe, eat and sleep Hip-Hop the subject or even conception of thought questioning Hip-Hop’s lively hood still hits a nerve and X.O. is no exception. His opinionated optimism speaks volumes when he mentions, “…Umm, hip hop ain’t never died, it has changed and grown up. It’s a being and it’s alive, a person ain’t gonna keep doing what they were doing the last ten years. Hip-Hop was created and as we grow, it grows. All of us listened to different things. You can expect that when something gets started amongst th group and it gets handed over…Nas, said Hip-Hop is dead, it will never be dead…”
As we speak more I get the *hint* that there is definitely something different about X.O…something that stands out just a tad bit more, but I can’t put my finger on it…as I listen to his latest Monumental project I hear the difference of mood, pace and passion that he exudes over the microphone…
look out for X.O…and please check out the Monumental project…
take a listen: “street love by x.o.“
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