Engage Artist Spotlight: Theravada

Theravada, born Xenophon (Greek) is an underground rapper from Queens, NYC. Xen (as he calls himself) brings years of experience as a DJ and producer for other rap artists to the table for his own rap releases. The results are magical: subtly intoned arhythmic rap poetry that melts into the background of underground hip-hop, swirling with jazz, psychedelia, and lo-fi soundscapes. The name Theravada seems to imply some link to Southeast Asian Buddhism (what else could it be?). I don’t know that Xen has any interest or connection to Theravada Buddhist practice, but so what? His music and poetry are illuminating nonethless. HIs latest release, Xenophon (his birth name), has over 20 tracks of raps and compositions, each no more than 1-3 minutes long. Check this out:

https://its2000.bandcamp.com/track/wasted-rize-prod-mgkrp

Another sample, “Air Sky Earth” from My Own 2 Hands

https://its2000.bandcamp.com/album/my-own-2-hands

You can get a feel for Xephon and his creations at Fresh News Now https://freshnewnow.com/2020/09/21/xen-theravada/

and KultureHub