Rapper & Activist Xiuhtezcatl Introduces Transitional EP ‘Runway Tapes’

Innovative soundscapes and socially conscious messaging connect effortlessly on Xiuhtezcatl’s (pronounced shoe-tez-caht) new 7-track EP ‘Runway Tapes’. The independent artist’s Indigenous roots to Mexico are anchored across the collection of songs that illustrate his journey sonically and serve as a prequel to his forthcoming debut album that’s on the horizon.

Xiuhtezcatl will admit that ‘Runway Tapes’ almost never even happened. In 2019, Xiuhtezcatl’s longtime producer experienced a catastrophic computer crash, erasing early manifestations of the project and years of his own personal work. Wanting to charge forward creatively but not wanting to abandon the songs they had crafted, the duo recreated some of their favorite records to form what is now the final version of ‘Runway Tapes’.

‘Runway Tapes’ Cover Art

The EP has a captivating, transitional energy that embodies Xiuhtezcatl’s life — on the road, in motion, and ever-evolving. The project is a representation of the intentional expansion of his artistic identity, reintroducing himself as much more than a conscious artist. Each song off the EP has its own unique flavor, flitting between both English and Spanish, singing and rapping, modern production and instrumentation.

The project’s debut single “El Cielo,” with accompanying visual, centers on the message of love transcending human-built borders with an intimate view into the complex struggles of family separation in the US. Viral TikTok star DoggFace, aka the cranberry-drinking, Fleetwood Mac “Dreams” singing, meme-worthy skateboarder; showed his support of the record with his recent post giving nod to X’s powerful message.

“This EP reflects the many parts that my life has been composed of over the past few years, from fighting and organizing on the frontlines of movements to touring the country and playing shows worldwide. We are not living in ordinary times, and the art that emerges will do more than just collect streams and industry awards as much ‘successful’ music does.” – Xiuhtezcatl

Pushing the envelope on what hip-hop can look and sound like, Xiuhtezcatl’s message and depth transcends his mere twenty years on the planet, yet is still packed with all the hard-hitting grit that appeals to today’s generation of listeners. His rhyme scheme is raw and quick-witted. Being trilingual and a skilled code-switcher, he incorporates Spanish, English and his native tongue Nahuatl interchangeably into his music, which has become the outlet for representing his generation, and his people.

Xiuhtezcatl has performed and collaborated with artists such as Jaden, Raury, Satellite Mode, and Willow, while building outside the boundaries of the music industry to use art to challenge systems of injustice and re-envision the future. As 1/3 of the emerging hip hop group Voice Runners, Xiuhtezcatl, LA-based artist Tru, and producer Jaiia Cerff launched into 2020 in full force dropping a series of singles that culminated with the self titled Voice Runners album in February.

Xiuhtezcatl is a leader, activist and hip hop artist. Recently named TIMES Next 100, Xiuhtezcatl has felt called to change the narrative on what it means to be an activist from an early age. At 20 years old, X has spoken multiple times at the UN, addressing the General Assembly, served as a surrogate for the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign as well as spoken on panels and interviewed with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Shailene Woodley, and Pharrell Williams.

Xiuhtezcatl has been a guest on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah & Real Time with Bill Maher. He has also been featured multiple times in Rolling Stones and on PBS, Showtime, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Upworthy, The Guardian, Vogue, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CNN, MSNBC, HBO, VICE, as well as photographed by Annie Leibovitz.

Xiuhtezcatl has a unique talent for connecting people through popular culture and sharing the message of his indigenous roots to better serve the planet and reimagine the future for his generation.

Listen to ‘Runway Tapes’ —