Ja’kevious Smith, better known as XO Murkie (formerly 21 Murkie), is a rapper and a punk rock artist who has been releasing several new tracks and projects. His latest is Grand Thug, a tough and exciting EP that explores the darker side of this artist and creates a powerful, emotive sound with a rough style.
XO Murkie is a Native American rapper, singer, and artist with a distinctive punk rock style that has helped him rise and stand out among the indie scene, but beyond just being a style, it’s also something authentic to his distinctive spirit. Murkie was born in 1997 and has been involved in collaborations with many different artists and influencers. His music comes from a place of his raw experiences and emotions, and the experiences that provide the foundation can sometimes be very harsh. In 2013, Smith was shot seven times by a close friend of his when this friend tried to steal several things. This was just one of many hardships that the artist has faced on his journey that he continues to explore through his music. This is a profoundly life-altering event that gave the artist not just the scars to prove it but a deeper insight into life and a message to share with others.
XO Murkie has done a lot of things since then and has been embroiled in different situations. He was one of Ynw Melly’s close friends, drawing inspiration from the work of this rapper. He was a member of the 21 savages gang, went to prison, and built a bond with Ttay 21 G. XO got the opportunity to sign with Widgi World LLC in Florida but chose to cut ties with this part of his life and moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue an independent career and work without these ties. Now, he is doing his own thing with independent projects and working with his Summer Kamp and 000 Collective. The work the artist has done since includes works like SummerKamp vol.1, Void, No Valentine, 000 y(-_-). Grand Thug is the most recent release, one that explores the artist’s aggressive side.
His music is sure to engage listeners who like more aggressive music with a lot feeling behind each release. With a unique presence and a style that is inspired by his real experiences, his music is raw and honest, exploring not just rap but also drawing from rock and punk. XO Murkie is a rising star in the indie rap scene and has managed to find some success, but he is now looking for success on his own terms and through his own merit. His music goes beyond holding a mirror to his experiences, as it explores some difficult topics and finds a lot of artistic merit through his narratives and sound.
You can find the artist’s music streaming on all the main music platforms. He also has a great YouTube presence. His music is on Amazon too.
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