Here’s UK Rapper, XtG

That was just 1 thing – time.

See, ever since becoming a die-hard G-Unit fanboy in the early noughties, the idea of becoming a UK rapper has always been simmering in the back of my mind. Plus, the idea of bossing a computer around for £10/ hour never really floated my boat. I mean c’mon – there’s more to life than that!!

Precisely why after a couple of years pen pushing, I got fed up. So much so that becoming a UK rapper was soon a goal I was shooting for. One that as you can imagine, earned me a lot of questionable glances. But…

As a great 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!” 

Exactly why I’m spitting on the mic today. What’s there to lose??… YOLO 

Okay – so my dress code ain’t perhaps what you’d expect from a UK rapper, but don’t be too quick to judge, as the reason behind it is actually pretty simple. 

The street attire of your typical UK rapper (while swagtastic) just doesn’t float my boat. And let’s just say that, being known as someone I’m not doesn’t take my fancy. All of which is why behind the mic, I refuse to dress as anyone else, but me.

CLUE: XtG is not some wild façade. He’s a caricature of my most confident self. The denim? That’s hands down one of my fav things to wear. That chain? It’s been with me for over 5 years!! As for shades, I love a circular pair in the summer, & even sport a flat cap on the odd occasion, as a nod towards my Yorkshire heritage. 

This is me – that’s it. I’m not trying to impress you! 

So just to be clear, the XtG you see on the screen, is the same UK rapper you’ll find on social media & who you’re chatting with now. I’m no different around you than I am around friends & family.

And that’s because XtG was never meant to be a façade, merely an outlet for the more ‘in your face’ side of the everyday me. Hopefully now, my motto makes a lot more sense: 

“Follow Intuition, Not The Crowd”. 

Errrm… only when I was forced to.

Prior to becoming a UK rapper, achieving Grade 1 in piano was my largest musical achievement (permission to laugh). And when it came to school, music was one of the first subjects I couldn’t wait to drop, as at the time I wasn’t even aware of my creative process!! 

A part of growing up that I can’t help but think the education system ‘conveniently’ glosses over (eyebrows raise). So for young me, becoming a UK rapper, was still very much a distant fantasy – XtG wasn’t even born in thought.

It was only when (years later) I started venting my frustrations into the Notes on my phone that suddenly this fantasy, became a possibility.

Perhaps not what you’d expect from a UK rapper, but my ‘go-to’ workout song actually comes out of the US – NYC to be laser specific. 

The tune itself is called ‘Reminder’ & is by Lloyd Banks. Take a listen & within the first couple of lyrics you should see why it encourages me to put in the extra rep. The song itself is a reminder. One to not confide in the norm or settle where you are. Exactly the type of progressive thoughts you need in the gym!!  

Hence why if you’re a fitness junkie, I’d suggest rinsing his entire F.N.O. mixtape. As far as motivational cocktails go, I’m yet to find a better one. 

You got that right.

I’m one of the few UK rappers to come out of Huddersfield (junction 24 of the M62). For those who don’t know, Hudds is the mill town you find smack bang in the middle of Leeds & Manchester – 2 of the North’s largest postcodes. Talk about a tough gig!!

But really, that just makes the Hudd a lot like me – the underdog. So if you fancy learning more about Huddersfield (my hometown), be sure to check out my blog – Huddersfield 101.

Seriously?! (laughs)

No UK rappers shouldn’t fear me… the only person I’m competing against is myself. 

If that’s the case, call me the exception. 

As it’s no accident that I’ve spent months on end building this website. In fact, I’ve done so purely for 1 person – you. 

From what I can tell anyway, these days it’s harder than ever to keep track of your favourite MCs; social media’s overcrowded & everyone’s buying followers like they’re stocks & shares. 

Hence why I’m actually pretty quiet over social & prefer to interact with fans via this website. Because aside from it being different, it’s also a LOT easier for you. Bookmark this URL & you can find everything XtG in a matter of clicks, be that my recent social updates, latest tunes or freshest merch.

No intense social stalking required!! #ThankMeLater

PS/ Because of this site, I even have a blog. So if you’re a fan of blunt-minded rants or philosophical thinking, be sure to check it out (link below).

Grant me such a power & I’d try & persuade music artists (especially upcoming UK rappers) from hiding behind a ‘tough guy’ façade just that’s what’s poppin’. 

And that’s because while you could say on the surface it’s quite business savvy, not only prevent the scene from evolving, but it also doubles as a form of self sabotage!!

Construct your entire career around a false image of yourself & what do you have? Answer: not much. Just a bunch of fans who’re crazy for the person you’re trying to be, & completely clueless to the real you.

Hardly the recipe for a ‘Happily Ever After’ if you ask me.

So while naturally, you’d expect the stack of CDs belong to a UK rapper to be rammed with homegrown material, that’s not always the case. Take me for instance…

Jump into my regular listening & while you will find the odd Skepta/ Wiley EP, it won’t take you long to realise that the majority of what I listen to, originates from outside the UK. Tapes from the likes of: G-Unit, Notorious BIG & Usher. 

However with me (plot twist), there’s also a LOT more besides Hip Hop. Delve deeper & you’ll come across the likes of: Britney Spears, Dean Martin, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Westlife, Frank Sinatra, Simply Red & even Il Divo. 

The consequence of you Dad being a downright Pop-fanatic & your Grandad being crazy over every classic crooner since Sinatra. 

Quite the mashup then!