(April 19, 2024) Today, underground rap phenomenon and Sacramento native X-Raided reveals a new single and music video entitled “It’s Up” featuring Ras Kass and KXNG Crooked out now via Strange Music.
On the track, a triumphant horn loop booms through the beat as these three West Coast rap stalwarts lock into a head-spinning lyrical crossfire. Representing South Central, Ras Kass states his intent with a provocative proclamation, “When you too scared to go outside, I live in the wilderness, psychopaths live to kill, everybody kill to live, I’m somewhere in the middle trying to build a bridge.” X-Raided lives up to the claim of being “one of the dopest rappers on earth you never heard of no matter who you may be” with a fiery flow. Finally, Long Beach’s own KXNG Crooked bodies the production with a rapid barrage as he warns, “I don’t rap; I just speak violently as I read from a street diary. Long Beach is on each side of me.” In the accompanying visual, Strange Music labelmate Tech N9ne makes an appearance and bids the trio farewell as they take an intergalactic elevator up to levels unknown, reaching a room with fast cars and models sipping cocktails.
Regarding “It’s Up,” X-Raided said, "I teamed up with Ras Kass and Kxng Crooked for a west coast lyrical beat down constructed by three of its most well-known rap assassins. I am excited to give the fans some real bars in this era of fast-food lyrics. Hopefully this will cause other emcees where we're from to get back to what made us who we are in the first place.”
“It’s Up” follows X-Raided’s “No Conversations” featuring Ellis Prescott.
Stream “No Conversations” HERE.
From the jump, “No Conversations” garnered looks from I’m Music Magazine and Global Grind.
Prior, the fan favorite “The Sunken Place” racked up over 113K YouTube views on its music video. Meanwhile, the song attracted plugs from Music Existence, Underground Hip Hop Blog, and Hip Hop Over Everything, among others.
Stay tuned for more from X-Raided. He’s going “UP” now!
Most recently, X-Raided shined on “Knock” from Tech N9ne’s BLISS alongside an a-list cohort, including Conway The Machine and Joyner Lucas. Last year, he made a long-awaited return with his Strange Music debut album, A Prayer In Hell. Taking flight, the single “Stratus Fear” [with Tech N9ne] gathered 1.9 million Spotify streams and 432K YouTube views on the cinematic music video. Meanwhile, he landed major looks from the likes of New York Post, Hunnypot, and TMZ, among others. The latter professed, “X-Raided wants his experiences to steer past, current and future inmates in a better direction.” Plus, V13 welcomed him as its cover star in an extensive story as well.
Get ready for X-Raided’s next era!
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Following a first-degree murder charge as a juvenile, X-Raided spent 26 years, 5 months, and 26 days behind bars. The Board of Parole deemed him worthy of reentry into society in May 2018, and he has made the most of his time as a free man. Not only did he release music at a prolific pace and appear on Tech N9ne’s chart-busting album ASIN9NE, but he notably completed a series of reentry programs, including the Dream Center and Hope For Prisoners. His mission to decrease recidivism and increase restorative justice has garnered the attention and praise from various governors, senators, members of U.S. congress, and law enforcement.
Stay tuned for more from X-Raided soon!
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