Events by Eventful
XO
XO age 21 is bringing the midwest crunk scene to the forefront of the hip hop game . With banging bass lines and hypnotizing melodies to make any trill cat bounce off the stage this young crunk prodigy is being crowned as having the most anticipated cd of 2007!!! The streets are buzzing with rumors of this young cat with a crunk sound like no other. for most this might be the first time seeing this cat but be sure the labels have been watching since he first dropped a track!!! Stay tuned for future information and samples from his upcoming debut!!! Due out early 2007!!!
Despite St Louis, Missouris quiet country atmosphere, Twan "XO M.O.B." Donson is very loud and well-spoken in his music . A typical child of the city, X-O’s upbringing wasnt too harsh. His mother, Adrienne, had him attend a school in the rougher parts of St. Louis city although he lived in the county. This was because his grandmother was a teacher at the school of Dunbar Elementary. He spent his early childhood years shuttling back and forth between the care of his grandfather and grandmother.
Ever since he was eleven, writing rhymes had been his release. "I just picked up the pen one day in 5th grade and started writing," X-O recalls, adding that his mother and sister were music lovers who often danced to songs. Fascinated by music that reflected his upbringing, he started listening to all the thug rappers, including Tru, 2Pac, Soulja Slim, Bone Thugs, and more.
XO started off an honor roll student all the way until he got into middle school. He began trying to be tough and get into altercations with students. He struggled throughout school, not because it was too difficult but because he wasnt focused on it much. "I cared about school mane.. but on my mamma I used to get distracted cuz I was on them females yuh.. dig. Either that or I was in beast mode for some wild reason... I’d have loved to make all A’s, but I just never did after I got to middle school."
His interests lay elsewhere. At the time, there were no St. Louis powerhouses like Chingy and Nelly commanding the music scene. I felt the impact from New Orleans rappers though. I was at home rocking right with them too, says XO. I was already rapping before I heard anDONOTBLOCKOURADSybody out of St. Louis, but [to see them make it now] makes it seem more existent. At age 15, XO found a home with local label Playboi Records. XO M.O.B. felt comfortable with the label because he felt they had his best interest at heart. "They kept it real and treated me and my squad like family," he says.
Playboi signed XOs group shortly after taking him under their wing. Together XO and his three man army Startin Lineup gained an impressive street fanbase with street releases like Playboi Compilation Vol. 1 and Startin Lineup Mixtape V.1. Graced with a quick tongued flow, sometimes violent deliveries, the deep voiced rapper is often crunk. XO isn’t sure exactly how many albums they’ve sold out of their trunks, I just know it’s a lot for a group who didnt have a deal. After creating a little buzz with their releases, X dropped from the group for a couple reasons he wouldnt state. X had nothing to worry about since he had been recording his solo album for several months prior to the break up. Finally XO was picked up to be the head artist of KoldKutz with labelmate powerhouses J-Depp, Red Paint, and KenKen.