XLT

Ojibwe artist from Christian Island (Reserve 30), XLT pulls inspiration from a wide range of sounds and regions. His foundation was built on the raw lyricism and storytelling of artists like Griselda and Flatbush Zombies, whose gritty New York influence shaped his love for darker, hard-hitting production. He also draws from the introspective depth of J. Cole, the creativity and soul of Kanye West, and the genre-bending styles that pushed hip-hop forward. XLT is known for crafting hookless, bar-after-bar rap, using vivid imagery, tight rhyme schemes, and a steady delivery to paint clear scenes through his words. His music balances honesty, intention, and a grounded sense of identity, always reflecting where he comes from and what he’s lived through. As his artistry grows, XLT is expanding beyond pure lyricism into a more melodic direction, taking influence from the fluid, expressive styles of Young Thug and Gunna. His goal is evolution without compromise, bringing emotion, versatility, and new textures into his sound while staying true to the grit that defines his roots. XLT stands at the intersection of storytelling, experimentation, and cultural grounding, building something personal, progressive, and unmistakably his own.