Michigan’s blxkout, still in his early twenties, has gone from bedroom beatmaker to one of the more interesting young voices in the underground. THE HIGH TAPES, Vol. 1 is his six-song statement of where he is now, and the first chapter of a bigger story.
The sound leans on deep bass and 808s inside of an unhurried pace, with each track telling a different story. “Smoking This Weed (feat. Xander Pages)” gives the slowest, murkiest moment, while “Let's Get High!" uplifts and gives the beat room to breathe. "Myself" (feat. Xephyrine)" pulls the heart strings of the listener with its emotionally driven lyricism and soulful production, followed by “Freestyle On My Porch (+1)” which omits the bass for a more raw and unapologetic take, peeking inside the mind of the genius behind this short series.
At about 20 minutes, it's tight, cohesive, and perfect for those who partake in the ignitable flower. Vol. 2 can't come soon enough.
For fans of: Kendrick Lamar, Mick Jenkins, Joey Badass, MAVI, Tyler, The Creator, Noname, J. Cole, and Smino
blxkout is a conceptual artist that makes music that lives in duality; vulnerability and power, chaos and control, reflection and rebellion. With a sound that refuses to stay in one lane, he weaves raw emotion, sharp lyricism, and experimental production into something unmistakably his own. Influenced by the depth of Kendrick Lamar and MAVI, the creative fearlessness of Tyler, The Creator, and the lyrical wittiness of Mick Jenkins, his work feels less like a genre and more like a world.
Every track is personal: a piece of his spirit or soul transmuted into rhythm, a feeling wrapped in distortion or clarity. He illustrates his internal battles and thoughts onto an instrumental canvas that forces the listener to feel, the clever metaphors and riddles inviting them to explore deeper. From introspective boom bap to synthetic, off-kilter beats, blxkout doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable — he leans into it, using it as fuel.
At the core of his music are themes like identity, mental health, self-worth, and the pressure to grow while staying grounded. There's nothing to prove, no one to impress but himself; he creates to express his truth, and to connect with those who are faced with the never-ending lesson of pain. His lyrics cut through the noise, unapologetic and intentional.
But the vision is far from over. blxkout is crafting an entire universe: a blend of storytelling, fashion, visuals, and emotion-driven concepts that stretch far beyond the tracks. There's no point in playing a rigged game, so why not remake the game?
This isn’t just sound.
This is statement.
Welcome to blxkout.
This isn't a requirement, just available to anyone who wants to show a lil extra love. Anything is appreciated! <3