- - BigXthaPlug Shares How Friend Shaboozey Keeps Him 'Level-Headed' (Exclusive)

Daniela AvilaJanuary 1, 2026 at 12:30 AM

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Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Shaboozey and BigXThaPlug in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2025 -

BigXthaPlug opened up about his friendship with Shaboozey at Variety's Hitmakers brunch

"He keeps me level-headed. I keep him level-headed," BigX tells PEOPLE of Shaboozey

The duo previously collaborated on "Drink Don't Need No Mix" and "Home"

BigXthaPlug has a friend in Shaboozey.

Speaking with PEOPLE at Variety's Hitmakers brunch earlier this month, the "Hit List" rapper opened up about leaning on Shaboozey as their star simultaneously rises.

"We kind of came up at the same time, and we keep each other leveled out," BigX (born Xavier Landum) says of the "A Bar Song" hitmaker.

The 27-year-old rapper adds, "Every time I see him I'll be like, 'Bro, you're one of the biggest artists in the world.' And he'll be like, 'No, bro, you're one of the biggest artists.' He keeps me level-headed. I keep him level-headed."

Big X notes that Shaboozey, 30, is "definitely one of my close friends in the industry for sure."

BigX and Shaboozey previously collaborated on "Drink Don't Need No Mix," which was featured on Shaboozey's 2024 album Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going. Then, in 2025, they teamed up on "Home" for BigX's I Hope You're Happy album.

In an interview with Holler published in March, the "Good News" singer praised the rapper for being a "good guy."

“Man, he's amazing, that's my guy. He's just a humble guy, a loving man and a great guy," he told the outlet.

Shaboozey added, “Everyone around him loves him, he takes care of his people, his family, he's just a really stand-up guy. I think he's one of the most polarizing people in music right now."

At the Hitmakers brunch, BigX was honored with the Hip-Hop Disruptor of the Year award — and he called it a "huge blessing."

Reflecting on his whirlwind year, and the making of star-studded album, BigX said it meant "everything" to "switch lanes" and be accepted by country music artists with open arms.

"And not just regular, these are like top tier artists, the Shaboozeys, the Luke Combs, the Morgan Wallens, the Post Malones, the Ella Langleys... It's just a blessing to be accepted. Then when you do the music with them and it goes as crazy as it went, it's a blessing," he says.

Arturo Holmes/Getty for Coachella

Shaboozey and BigXthaPlug in April 2025 in Indio, Calif.

In August, BigX's sophomore album Take Care was certified platinum. To mark the milestone, the "Big Stepper" artist opened up about falling into the "darkest hole" he'd ever been in.

"I questioned my purpose for life. I questioned my goals. I even questioned being on this very earth," he wrote on Instagram. "Depression and the life of being @bigxthaplug was moving faster than I could ever think of for the first time since I’ve been [an] artist. I let everything out and put it into this project."

BigX then went on to thank his team for standing by his side as he made the project that "means more than what the world would ever know."

"They didn’t just help me make this platinum album, they helped me SAVE MY LIFE," he wrote. "Less than a year… No features… No major label… We PLATINUM!!! I thank you all for helping me achieve this … oh and TAKE CARE❤️‍🩹"

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”