BigXthaPlug brought big energy to Stagecoach on Friday, as the afternoon sun eased into the early evening. The artist kicked things off with his potent single, “I Hope You’re Happy,” from his star-powered, country-rap album of the same name.
He followed it up with more hits from his third studio LP including “Pray Hard” (feat. Luke Combs), “All the Way’ (feat. Bailey Zimmerman), and the biting “Hell at Night,” his track with country singer Ella Langley. At one point, BigXthaPlug led a massive sing-a-long to Langley’s chart-topping single “Choosin’ Texas,” with thousands in the crowd roaring back the lyrics to the heartbreak hit.
BigXthaPlug also brought in fan favorites and got the packed-crowd jumping with his pre-country era tracks, delivering “Levels” and steel guitar-heavy “Texas” from his debut album Amar — donning a glittering Dallas, Texas, chain for the occasion.
While there weren’t any guests for the artist’s Stagecoach set, the solo performance showcased why BigXthaPlug has dominated the country charts as he effortlessly moved from hip-hop to country-rap at the desert festival.
BigX, whose first two albums Amar (named after his son) and Take Care leaned hip-hop and cinematic rap, made his country debut last spring with his phenomenal record I Hope You’re Happy. The album’s lead single, “All the Way,” with Zimmerman, achieved a feat on the charts and became the first song ever to top both Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot Rap Songs.
As I Hope You’re Happy introduced BigX to a new fan base, it also garnered several industry recognitions including Billboard’s Country Power Players Innovator, a Ryman Auditorium performance in Nashville, and closing out the CMA Awards alongside Luke Combs, performing their song “Pray Hard.” At last year’s Stagecoach, Jelly Roll brought out BigX as a surprise guest, marking one of the standout performances of the night.
When speaking to Rolling Stone for its Future of Music special last month, BigX laid out his intention to be the best artist in the world and how that required him to take risks while exploring new genres. “You can’t be one of the best artists in the world and have only done one genre,” he said. “Beyoncé, a GOAT, a queen. She’s done pop, country. Lil Wayne: rock, pop. Snoop Dogg did songs with Katy Perry and shit. All these people are greats, from Eminem to Dr. Dre to Ice Cube. Everybody has stepped out of that lane.”
