BigXthaPlug Explains Why He Thinks Rap Is Dying

Going viral can make someone an overnight Rap star, but BigXthaPlug isn't convinced that's necessarily a good thing. The Dallas rapper believes the genre has lost its way, particularly when newcomers with little experience are being placed alongside artists who've spent years building their careers. He's even questioning whether his own success came too quickly, arguing that the industry has become more concerned with making money than developing lasting talent.

While chatting on Club Shay Shay, Shannon Sharpe asked BigX whether he thought Rap was dying. He answered yes without hesitation, surprising the host with his certainty. "I been rapping five years," he explained, then asked how someone with a viral TikTok song could reach the top of the charts and compete with established artists. He specifically mentioned Drake and Future, arguing that people who've barely put in the work are suddenly being treated as their equals. BigX believes the industry's priorities have become increasingly financial. This leaves little distinction between a viral moment and an established career.

However, his criticism wasn't limited to the industry's obsession with viral success. BigX also believes Drill music has contributed to Rap's decline, particularly by making aggression seem like a requirement for younger artists. He acknowledged that his opinion might upset Drill rappers. However, Plug maintained that the genre's popularity changed what audiences and aspiring performers expect from Hip Hop. "They was killing other things, but they was killing Hip Hop, too," he said.

His solution is surprisingly straightforward. "It need to be fun again," BigX told Sharpe, recalling a time when Snoop Dogg could collaborate with Katy Perry without anyone questioning his place in Hip Hop. He argued that today's artists often feel pressured to present themselves as gangsters, leaving less room for the playful collaborations that once crossed musical boundaries. BigX also pointed toward country's recent commercial success, noting that the genre had experienced its own difficult period before finding renewed popularity.

That comparison is particularly interesting coming from someone who's already found considerable success outside traditional Rap. He released his country-influenced album I Hope You're Happy in 2025, collaborating with artists including Luke Combs and Shaboozey. He's since returned to Rap with his October 30 album Better Over Time, which features GloRilla and Lil Yachty. His own willingness to move between genres offers some context for his argument that Hip Hop could benefit from loosening its expectations of what rappers are supposed to sound like.