26 Nov Arkansas Rapper XLUE Reflects on Battling With The Tragedies of Street Life In His Debut Single “One Take”

On his debut single, “One Take,” Xlue (pronounced “Blue”) proves that baring his soul on the mic is second nature to him.

Recorded in one take, the contemplative track finds the Arkansas rapper settling in an effortless flow as he unflinchingly recounts the tragedies and redemptions of street life. His imagery-driven lyricism invokes the storytelling tradition of hip-hop, and producer MoutonontheFouton [of Little Rock] strikes a timeless chord with a beatscape crafted from lavish string samples and smooth funk bass.

In the spirit of legendary hip-hop forefathers like Tupac, Xlue paints inner-city dangers in profound and poetic tones, capturing the essence of Southeast Little Rock and the realities of “tug-a-waring with death” and “crying bullets and tears.”

A newcomer on the scene, Xlue has steadily garnered an enthusiastic following this year, even in the midst of a pandemic. His innovative IGTV series, #OutTheXlue, consists of intimate performances of unreleased music and freestyles recorded in the neighborhood Xlue calls home.

Without a doubt, Xlue not only reps where he comes from, but ​who​ he comes from. Throughout the series, the presence of his close friend, Luccy, is palpable, represented not only in Xlue’s tragic lyrics, but also in his use of four leaf clover iconography. After witnessing his death last year, Xlue felt compelled to create music and made it his mission to keep Luccy’s memory alive.

At the climax of “One Take,” the resonant string samples give way to stripped-back synth and Xlue lands on a heartbreaking realization: “I need better situations to better myself / I seen my momma in that casket, I hated myself.”

Xlue is no stranger to loss and at 20 years old, he possesses a resilience that is beyond his years. In his music, he holds fast to hope, even in the midst of grief, because, for Xlue, out of suffering can come salvation.

Stream below and stay connected with Xlue here.