Lil Xan is the latest white male rapper looking for his ‘come up.’ Could his latest single “Far” give him his breakthrough? Hmm…

Rappers are everywhere – new, up-and-coming rappers searching for their breakthrough that is.  Also, fair or unfair, the number of white male rappers has increased in recent times.  Rap isn’t about ethnicity, but, for years, it seemed there was only room for one white male rapper to succeed.  Perhaps it was a myth, but few have experienced the success of Eminem or more recently, G-Eazy.  But this isn’t about the impact of white male rappers, but rather about Lil Xan, the latest newbie looking for his ‘come up.’ “Far” is the latest single by the tatted, 21-year old Cali rapper.

Lil Xan exemplifies the modern vein of rap.  He pop-raps (pitched rap), giving “Far” a melodic quality, combined with agile, rhythmic rhymes.  The production work supporting him is moody, establishing a ‘vibe.’  It can’t be overstated that the music industry is in a time where ‘vibe’ is everything.  Also, Xan seems a bit less concerned about form on “Far.”  Sure, there’s two choruses, with a verse sandwiched between them, but the new breed of rapper is moving away from the tradition two to three verses, with hooks separating them.  Also, “Far” clocks in under two-and-a-half-minutes.

Final Thoughts

There are things to like and appreciate about “Far.”  The chorus is enjoyable.  Calling it outright catchy might be an overstatement, but it’s definitely enjoyable.  As far as his content, its more of the same.  Profanity (“You ever been so f*cked up?”), referencing “the whip,” sex (“That b*tch suck dick, she go down, she go deep-throat”), and drugs (“Poppin’ a bean / I lost my spleen.”) Lil Xan has something, but it’ll take more distinction than rapping about Xanarchy to elevate him to superstardom. Or maybe not – Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Pump, and XXXTentacion seemed to come out of nowhere. 

Lil Xan • Far – Single • Columbia • Release: 11.3.17 

Photo Credit: Columbia