Snob Diaries is a personal recap of cultural moments around the world, told through the lens of our staff, close friends, and cultural voices. Ahead of his headlining performance at the United Masters’ “A Celebration of Independence” event, platinum-selling rapper BigXthaPlug brings us backstage with him and adidas Originals s during Grammy Weekend.
Being back at the Hollywood Palladium is really a full-circle moment. At this point, I’m in and out of LA so much — for tour, promotions, recording music — that I’ve become pretty familiar with the city. But sometimes something will bring me out this way that feels a little different and means just a little more.
It wasn’t that long ago when I was here at this same venue, watching my partner NLE Choppa perform for the United Masters’ “A Celebration of Independence” concert last year during Grammy Weekend. I remember seeing how much energy he was giving and how the crowd was feeding off of him. The show was so electric, and we had such a good time that my homie and I kept talking to each other like, “Bro, one of these days we’re going to be the headline for this.” Fast forward a short time, and we’re doing just that, right as my new adidas campaign is about to drop, too. It’s really a blessing how things line up.
A couple of days before the show, my team and I headed out from Dallas just to get settled. I don’t really get jet lag anymore since I travel all the time. I just sleep on the plane, so once I hit the ground, I’m already adjusted — that’s my loophole. I’m pretty sure we stayed up until like 4 A.M. the night we came in, though.
The people on my team are the ones who have helped keep me grounded through this process of growing in the industry. Since the beginning of my career, I’ve always kept my day ones around me, but now things are so much different than before. The way people treat me or handle business around me has changed, so I’m grateful that I have some familiar faces in my corner who I know I can trust. Plus, some of them have joined my record label, 600 Entertainment, and we’ve started to turn this whole thing into a family affair.
A few hours before the show, we stopped by the Palladium for a quick sound check to make sure everyone was feeling good. I got some reps in with my artists Kaine, Ro$ama, KevanGotBandz, and MurdaGang PB, just to lock in the timing for when they joined me on stage. Even with the place completely empty and just us up there practicing, I could tell it was going to be something special. There was just that feeling. Once we wrapped, it was back to the hotel to chill for a bit before the real thing later that night.
It’s crazy to think about, but I really was never even supposed to be a rapper. I was a football player growing up, and music was just a way for me to make sure my kids were straight. They’re the reason I started, and the reason I keep going. So seeing how things have gone in my career is well beyond what I ever thought.
I try to treat all of my shows the same. My cousin and I have this saying: “Big or small, we rock ‘em all,” and I’ve kept that mindset. Coming from a football background, we’re used to being under the lights because in Texas, football is everything. I honestly feel like that’s one of the reasons I’ve made it this far, keeping that same mentality. The setting is just a little different; I switched out the field for a stage. Before the show, though, we’re not doing much — just trying to kick it and keep the vibes light for real. It’s a lot of smoking and joking around in the green room until it’s time to go.
Normally, I don’t really care about my outfit during my performance, because by the time my set is finished, I’ve lost my shirt and a chain or two. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these times I came up out of my shoes. But for this moment, I was proud to step out in full adidas, in honor of all the work we’ve been doing. As a kid, I always knew I'd team up with a big brand. I didn’t know exactly how, but it was something that I’ve wanted for a long time.
So now, getting the chance to join the adidas family is that dream becoming real. In high school, I wore adidas. In college, I wore adidas. And now, as one of the biggest independent artists out right now, I’m still rocking the brand. For this show specifically, I came correct with the new style of adidas Originals adistar XLGs, the sneaker I got to star in the campaign for (I know my momma would cry if she saw me in a commercial). That special mix of style and comfort fit my vibe perfectly; not only did they go with the fit, but they felt good on stage too.
When the time finally came, I was overly ready. I could hear the crowd from behind the curtain, and when I walked on, the vibe was there immediately. For a whole hour, we were in sync, flowing through each song, keeping everything on point. Each of my artists had their moment and made the most of it. I just love turning up a crowd, man, there’s nothing like it.
These are the times that you work for. It’s hard for me to think too far ahead on what’s next because, like I said…I was never even supposed to be here. We have some collab tapes dropping very soon, and some more exciting things on the way, but other than that, I’m just taking it day by day, trying to keep putting my people in the best position possible.
I just hope I can be an example, showing people to bet on themselves instead of letting someone else control them. It feels good to be one of the guys who represent this trend. To show everyone that you can do it. I guess the next goal is to finally secure that Grammy.
