SignedXO
Meet the DMV and PG County Native
Signed XO, a rising rap artist from Prince George’s County, Maryland, but based in Los Angeles, has recent released the music video for his latest single “Unforgiven” on February 27th. The video is directed by Past The Stars Productions and showcases the raw emotion of the song.
“Unforgiven” has a dark undertone and a message of vengeance, fueled by anger and a sense of refute. Signed XO references the challenges he’s faced on his journey to success and how his life has changed as he continued to grow and evolve.
The music video captures his journey, showcasing stunning visuals filmed in Fillmore, California and Marina Park in Ventura at the beach. With its powerful message and stunning visuals, “Unforgiven” is set to be a must-see event for fans of the genre.
Signed XO – Unforgiven
Meet and Get To Know SignedXO
Kulture Vulturez: What was it like growing up in the DMV for you?
SignedXO: It was cool, man. I grew up middle class. Mom and dad was together. They got divorced. I grew up outside, you know, typical childhood, playing in the streets, having a good time. It wasn’t too rough for me. Just pretty, pretty normal childhood.
Kulture Vulturez: What do you feel impacted you creatively growing up there?
SignedXO: Where I’m from, like you said, there is Go Go music, that’s different. I’ve never heard that anywhere else. I play Go Go for people out here in LA, and they say ‘turn that shit off.’ I’m like, ‘Damn, bro.’ Our slang is different. Just like every city, they got their slang and their culture, what they wear. Just different cultural influences.
Kulture Vulturez: What motivated you to get involved with music?
SignedXO: I’m gonna tell you this story, bro. One day we were all outside and all the neighborhood kids used to gather outside of my house and we used to like freestyle and rap. In my head, I’m thinking like, ‘Yo, y’all are trash. Like, y’all suck.’ In my head, I’m like, it ain’t no way I could do worse than what they doing. I gave it a try. I just started kind of= writing music and getting interested in that. That’s how I came across it.
Signed XO- D.R Flows
Kulture Vulturez: What gave you the inspiration to begin to take it seriously?
SignedXO: I got serious with it when I started showing people my music, and they were like this this is actually decent. This is actually okay. I listened to my first song now, and I’m like, ‘Yo, like, who lied to me? This is trash.’
Kulture Vulturez: Did the initial response and feedback motivated you to keep pursuing?
SignedXO: Yeah, the feedback motivated me. Realizing this mic could be something, you know, just standing out, being different. People told me I have a unique look to me. It definitely motivated me.
Kulture Vulturez: What was your process like finding your sound and style as an artist?
SignedXO: I’ve gone through so many different phases of artistry, man. At one point in time, I was focusing on club bangers. Then I kind of started feeling like I was stuck in that lane. I tried making music for women and, you know, I was decent at that. I got stuck at that. Where I’m at now with it, I don’t even give a f*** no more. I’m doing exactly what I want to do.
Making the music I want to make. It’s sounding exactly how I want to sound. I don’t care to appease or please anyone. Stick to one different sound because that’s how you lose your mind. Music is an art first, and I just try to treat this shit like an art form. However I’m feeling. That’s what you’re going to hear. As a reflection. However I’m feeling that’s just what I’m going to do.
Signed XO – On Time
Kulture Vulturez: What have been your biggest inspirations when it comes to the process of song making?
SignedXO: The first step when I create music, well for some people it is listened to beats first or they come up with a melody in their head or, I go off based off of how I’m feeling. The very first thing I do is decipher how I’m feeling and then try to find the second step, which is the beat to match that. I write my words down and I start writing. Uh, and I think you said I’m inspired by it.
I really appreciate how artists like Drake and Tory Lanez can go so many different routes and so many different ways. They’re good writers. They’re decent singers. They can paint a picture. They’re good at storytelling. That’s everything that I feel like I am. That’s everything that I want to be is just versatile and which I am. But, you know, they’re not restricted. They do whatever they want to do and they’re pretty decent at every lane of music that they do. So, that’s how I kind of want to be okay.
Kulture Vulturez: How has it been relocating to LA? For your creative spirits and things of that nature?
SignedXO: It’s cool. It’s a whole different way of life out here in LA. I think your way of life is an inspiration to your music. Where I’m from is predominantly African American. Out here in Los Angeles is mixed. I do a whole bunch of different things out here now that I wasn’t doing back home. I go surfing and shit now. They got snowboarding in the mountains. I’m hiking on trails. Even different types of women I’m dealing with. So that all is inspiration to the music as well.
Kulture Vulturez: Can you talk about your latest release “Unforgiven”?
SignedXO: “Unforgiven” was like animosity toward people who doubt you. Currently, where I am now. It’s like y’all didn’t think I was going to be here. I’m taking trips now, I’m doing this, I’m doing that. Y’all thought that I was just going to end there, but I kept going. I kept believing in myself. A few things that I just I can’t forget. That’s just what it is like. Take it how you want, but you know I’m a prevail and I am going to do me and I am going to keep moving.
Signed XO – Played Now
Kulture Vulturez: Going through your catalog, what are some standout songs of yours?
SignedXO: Man, I got this other one called “D.R. Flows”. I released that in the past. I went to Dominican Republic to shoot the music video. That was pretty cool. I got this hit called “On Time.” That samples the Ashanti and Ja Rule record “Always on Time”. That did pretty well. I think that’s probably at 200,000 views on YouTube, and it’s still going up on Spotify too.
“Played Now” with my boy Guapo. That’s been doing pretty well. I’m just focused on dropping singles. It’s like a snowball effect. Just keep dropping, hitting them with singles. Building slowly and it all trickles down. You drop one single, now they want to go see what else you got. So, that’s kind of the approach I’m taking.
Kulture Vulturez: What’s upcoming for you, following the release of your latest single?
SignedXO: Right now I have 4 or 5 songs and videos already in the vault, so I’m already ahead. Keep dropping singles and keep networking. I’m trying to make the most out of every single that I put out, so that none are wasted. I’m looking to get a few features. I’m tapped in with a few cool artists, Los Angeles artists [specifically]. Just trying to work on my consistency, man. I’m trying to get to a space where I’m dropping at least three singles and videos a month. That’s my goal, to just stay super consistent.