A UK rap artist doesn’t get much more ‘alternative’ than XtG.
An MC from Westside of Yorkshire, who’s blunt persona really does come alive behind the mic. Let’s just say that XtG is NOT your conventional rapper. You won’t catch him spending his downtime ‘on the flex’, or being smothered by hordes of bikini models. The phrase ‘Down To Earth’ comes to mind.
So really then, XtG isn’t just another UK rap artist, but more of a one-off type eh guy. The type you only ever come across once in a blue moon.
& LET HIM DM YOU WITH HIS LATEST MUSIC & NEWS…
Curious as to how UK rap artist, XtG, looks to drag modern Hip Hop in an entirely new direction? Get up close & personal with the man himself! Keep reading for a full-on Q&A with Huddersfield’s humble storyteller…
Time (tik-tok).
See, ever since young, the idea of being a UK rap artist was always mulling around in my subconscious. Plus, getting paid £10/ hour to spend my days staring at a computer screen, didn’t exactly float my boat either.
So it wasn’t long before I’d had it with trying to fit in. To the point that I packed in my 9-5 job & decided to go full steam ahead behind crafting a career as a UK rap artist. A career move that earned me my fair share of questionable glances.
But… as a wise man once said: “Life is a ONE time affair. If we’re only here for so long, then what exactly do we have to loose by chasing our dreams?… Nothing!”
Precisely why I’m here behind the mic. What is there to lose?… YOLO.
Being the ‘out there’ type, the typical streetwear of a UK rap artist (while swagtastic), ain’t really my style… that’s literally it though.
I dress as I do because don’t wannabe known as ‘that rapper’ who changed the way her dressed just to be accepted. At the end of the day, I’d rather be controversial if it means I remain true to myself.
CLUE: XtG is nowt but a caricature of the everyday me. I’m a superfan when it comes to denim – black skinnies are half my wardrobe. I’ve wore the same chain for over 5 years & can’t get through summer without sporting a pair of circular sunnies. And yes – I even wear a flat cap on the odd occasion, as a subtle nod towards my roots as a West Yorkie.
You cannot replace/ duplicate me. I’m me – 100% unique.
A theme I also look to channel into my music. So, the person you see on the screen – that’s the me. The same person you’ll find cracking jokes on social & the UK rap artist you’re (in effect) speaking to now. I’m no different around you guys (my fans) as I am around family & friends.
So don’t be fooled – XtG will never be a façade. He’s simply the side of me that’s a bit more ‘in your face’. Hopefully now then, my motto makes more sense:
“Follow Intuition, Not The Crowd”.
May come as a surprise, but… no.
In fact, before becoming a UK rap artist, my biggest musical accomplishment was getting to Grade 1 in piano (permission to ROFL). And when it comes to school, I couldn’t wait to kiss music goodbye. Reason?
At the time, I didn’t fully understand my creative process. A biological quirk they conveniently neglect to teach you about at school. Therefore, I was still under the false impression that life’s sole purpose is to get good grades & hold down a ‘stable’ job.
For the young me at least, being a UK rap artist was just a fantasy. But you know what – it’s funny how times change.
Afraid not.
See, despite listening to a good handful of UK rap artists, when I enter the gym there’s only 1 song I have on repeat. And that song comes from across the pond – New York City to be precise.
It’s called ‘Reminder’ & it’s by lyrical genius that is Lloyd Banks. Take a listen & it’ll soon become apparent why it spurs me on to do the extra rep. Much like the title suggests, it’s a reminder to stand up for what you believe & not be misled by ‘the norm’.
A message that never fails to ignite my fire in-front of a punchbag. For anyone into boxing, I’d highly recommend giving Banks a listen!!
Good detective work!!
My roots are indeed in Huddersfield – the mill town in the UK that you’ll find sandwiched in-between 2 of the North’s largest cities (Leeds & Manchester). A tough gig!
Curious to know more about my hometown? Jump into my blog – Huddersfield 101.
SPOILER: they shouldn’t.
I’m not here to compete with anyone. The 1 person I’m up against is myself.
If that’s the case then call me the exception. Because it’s no coincidence I’ve spent several months going completely boss-eyed just to bring this website to life. In fact, it’s all for you!
See what with there being that many UK rap artists out there, keeping track of your favs ain’t exactly easy. Couple that with the fact that social media is severly overcrowded & even for the most dedicated fan, staying informed is a struggle.
Hence this site – i.e. my private corner of the internet, where you can keep up to speed with all things XtG in 1 place, be that my most recent social updates, latest tunes or merch.
You can thank me later.
PS/ Because of this website, I even have a blog too. So if you’re a fan of blunt-minded rants or philosophical thinking, then do take 5 to check that out too! (link below)
Grant me such a power & straight away I’d look to change this…
To stop artists (especially UK rap artists) from putting on a façade ‘just because it pays’. I say so because while it may sound financially savvy + get everyone screaming your name, it means nothing if they’re fans of the person you’re trying to be & not who you truly are.
Ya feel me? Especially in this ‘hey, look @ me’ type world we live in today, image is nothing but a lie without authenticity.
While you might expect a UK rap artist to have a CD collection brimming with Hip Hop, mine’s a tad more… diverse.
So while I do listen to Hip Hop – G-Unit, Notorious BIG & EPs from other UK rap artists – Hip Hop isn’t the only genre I jam to. In fact, it’s 1 of many. Delve deeper into my musical favs & you’ll find albums from the likes of:
Madonna, Lionel Richie, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, Westlife, Dean Martin, Simply Red, Nsync & even Il Divo. Exactly what happens when your Dad’s a serious Pop-fanatic & your Grandad’s up on every crooner since Sammie Davis Jr.
Really then, a mashup like this was bound to happen.
ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2023 XtG MUSIC