X.O. is an artist from D.C. He recently became apart of the D.C. Supergroup “Diamond District with Oddisee and Yu. He starts the new year off with a bang with a mixtape that not only shows promise but has cuts that are actually album worthy. He opens up with the title track “1.1.10”. The track is produced by Oddisee, it has sort of slowed down go-go vibe to it with pianos, the track is laced nicely. X.O. provides decent lyrics with references to things people from the DMV area would know about such as mumbo sauce, as well as making a claim for his own spot in the rap game.
The next track, “Fast Life”, also produced by Oddisee, also sports another good beat. Lyrics about having fun, living life and not being afraid to crash (make mistakes) but avoid obvious dumb shit.
“Lime Light”, produced by AB, is thoughtful track that has thought provoking and witty lyrics as well as a few punchlines sprinkled in here and there. Fame, the crazy things people will do for it as well as stating the realiziation of what it’s really about, the awkwardness of it all and staying true to self. Down to earth feel.
“Take Home” featuring fellow D.C. R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn is fairly self-explanatory. Nice groove track that boast lyrics of “spitting game” to get that girl to let you take her home.
“You Not Like Me” is another track with a banging beat by AB. The beat is reminiscent of “Drive Slow” / “Shawty Wanna Be Thug” and the drums from “Dreams” by Notorious B.I.G. Track is basically about keeping it real.
“Black Broadway” is another track about X.O.’s aspirations as a solo artist and again staking claim for his spot as well as giving props to the city he’s from, D.C.
“She ‘Posed To” is a tribute track to his mom that is instrospective and thoughtful. Something for those with close relationships to their mothers should be able to relate to.
“We are the 1’s” featuring Tabi Bonney is a track where X.O. experiments with fairly rapid flow and he pulls it off nicely. Talks about how he’s a nice MC and backs it up with the flow. Tabi holds his own as well.
“Crucial” featuring Gorda Brega boasts another tight beat, about how the moves that are made are crucial as the 4th Quarter in Game 7 of the best of 7 series.
“I Want In” featuring Ihsan is a decent track wanting a piece of the pie, gotta eat just like everybody else. Also wanting the attention with the opportunity to use it for the better and positively.
“Blah Blah” sports yet another tight beat from Oddisee with the drums and horns. It addresses the haters, the fakes and all the talking people in general do in regards to him or general issues facing the city or the “Blah Blah” as the title of the track says. Tight track.
“City Loves Me Back” produced by AB is done in a similar vein as “Empire State” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes Another introspective track about his own journey from where he came to where he is now and the progress he’s made in his career. Nice tribute to D.C. which needs artists to show more love and rep the city.
“Do It” A track that’s to the point. Tight beat from AB. States who he does it for and why he does it with a simple yet infectious chorus that will be sure to have you bobbing your head.
“City Shit” Another track about what he does for him as well as his city. Decent beat from AB.
The mixtape closes out with “How Does It Feel” produced by AB. It closes the mixtape with a thoughtful and introspective track, about the success that’s been achieved, making progress even with knowing the odds and what’s stacked against him. A nice way to close the mixtape.
Overall, the mixtape is very good with a few tracks that are more than album worthy. It’s the chance to witness the growth of a local artist, especially if you are familiar with the recently released Diamon District Album “In the Ruff”. It’s a nice mixtape to hold one over until an album comes out from him or any other album they are waiting for. IT’S FREE to download and considering you don’t have to pay for it, you get a whole lot more than you do with even some album releases. If you’re searching for local artist to support, X.O. is definitely one of them.
~Juan Garner
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