From the streets to the sheets, West Coast prodigy Blxst has turned his pain and passion into profit by masterfully blending melodies with bars. “I feel like I’m the type of artist that plays in both lanes,” he tells VIBE a few days after the release of his sophomore effort, Labor of Love, his first project in two years, written and produced entirely by him. “I’m a perfect bridge between rap and R&B.”
The 30-year-old artist traces his beloved brand of “neo-soul rap” (as described on Apple Music) and love for music-making back to childhood. His mother, who worked for L.A.’s Mental Health Department, played music by the likes of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Musiq Soulchild, while his uncle blasted East Coast hip-hop. That pairing, plus the rise of Rap&B collaborations in the ‘90s, proved pivotal for a young Blxst, who would learn to write songs from “being a fan of rap first [then] lyrics, metaphors, and the art of telling a story.”
His noteworthy narratives on life, love, and legacy have expanded his network and net worth, building a fanbase quick to say, “I ain’t heard one bad Blxst song.” The proof: His 2020 breakout EP No Love Lost, home to the runaway hit “Gang Slide,” the Donnell Jones-sampling gem “Overrated,” and the West Coast jamboree “Chosen” co-starring Tyga and Ty Dolla $ign. For his latest album, the Grammy-nominated multihyphenate – who secured nods for “Die Hard” on Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers – reconnected with his purpose on a deeper level.
