Only two words can summarize the sudden emergence of Black Wall Street’s newest rapper, X0: infinite possibility. X0, formerly known as Scipio, is symbolic for life after death, also representing the shedding of one persona in preparation for the necessary rebirth of a dying breed: lyricists. On the recent name change and signing status, X0 is confident but also cautious saying, “I figure it like this in the rap game, with the name X0; people grow, in whatever they do, whatever profession, and in life. So just like the industry’s seen Jay-Z reinvent himself from Jay-Z to Sean Carter to HOVA, psychologically it shows everybody a different part of the man like, ‘ok maybe this is another part, another face of the individual that I didn't get to see.’ There is more than one side to every human being. You have to recreate yourself every so often in the music game, in any game I believe, in order to evolve.”
After five years in the game, five mix tapes down, a seven year association with the Game, and catching the ears of and getting nods from rap icons: Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Pharrell (who referred to X0 as “one of the greats”), X0’s signing with Black Wall Street has resulted in a powerful and strategic alliance. A triple threat, this West Coast lyricist, Billboard charts topping songwriter, and actor has been pounding the pavement collaborating with the likes of: Kelly Rowland, Teedra Moses, the Game, West Coast gangsta rapper Krooner, MC8, Jon B, and Snoop Dogg – to name a few. His work ethic is unmatched and his success is a mere prequel to what lies ahead.
X0, an Altadena/Pasadena native, got his early introduction to rap via writing poetry, an eerily similar start to another legend, Tupac Shakur, whose lyrics were anchored in prose roots. Under the backdrop of the drug and gang infested, wild streets of Los Angeles County, many did not survive the element, but X0 has overcome overwhelming odds that were often against him. X0 recalls his beginnings, “Shit, I've been writing for a minute. Everybody in the hood basically does some type of writing in their lifetime. Especially African-Americans, they always got some poetry going on as a way of expression whether it be graffiti, poetry, or rhyming. So I started writing when I was around 12, just jotting some shit down cause’ I love rap, hip hop, and poetry. Words always found a way to shift an emotion and I always wanted that ability, to affect someone’s emotion. I feel like that is power.” As a student of the game, he grew up listening to and studying a wide range of artists including: DJ Quik, Hieroglyphics, Rakim, LL Cool J, Nas, and Ice Cube.
X0 has recently been breaking ties and taking names later. Originally a protégé of Ras Kass, debuting on the ‘Kiss of Death’ track, he is more than vocal about his disassociation from Ras Kass, Xhibit, and the Re-Up Entertainment camp, pledging his allegiance and loyalty to the Game and his new label Black Wall Street saying, “I truly believe that I'm different than other human beings walking around. I'm an extremely loyal nigga, and you don't find that in a lot of people. I am a man of principle. I refuse to be a lion led by sheep.”
On recording his new project X0 clearly states his intention to make his mark, saying, “I bring a different era to the game. It goes beyond just rap. I’m a songwriter; I’m an artist that writes hip hop, R&B, and alternative. I’ve also been acting and I am very business minded. I am the complete package. I'm that next, new genre of hip hop. I’m not selling albums, I’m selling a way of life” His razor sharp lyrical precision, dynamic delivery, and ability to craft vivid vocal snap snots as well as clever wordplay establish X0 as one of the great urban griots, or ghetto prophets, of our time. From someone this ferocious, concentrated, and explosive – we can only anticipate a larger than life release. And results. Get ready because X0 is preparing to dominate the ranks, he is authentic West Coast rap royalty in the making. The Lost Angel is ready to claim his throne as the new prince of Los Angeles.
"STEP YA GAME UP"- X.0. ft. Pharrell
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