US rapper BigXthaPlug arrested again on drug and gun charges
By BBC, August 23, 2026Rapper BigXthaPlug has been arrested in the US state of Texas on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and illegal possession of a firearm.
Allen County Police confirmed to BBC Newsbeat that the 28-year-old, whose real name is Xavier Landum, was stopped on Friday. He was held in Collin County Jail and later released.
Separately, he is on bail following an arrest on similar charges a year ago.
Rising rap star
BigXthaPlug has built a growing following in the US rap scene with his blend of Southern hip-hop, trap and country-rap.
The Dallas-born artist became widely known through viral singles including Texas, The Largest and Mmhmm, which helped establish him as one of the emerging names in Southern rap.
His music has attracted a growing audience beyond Texas, with his distinctive Southern sound and country-rap influences helping him stand out in a crowded hip-hop scene.
BigXthaPlug has also performed at major events, including the Wireless Festival in the UK in 2025, before releasing his latest album.
He had recently posted on Instagram that he would be releasing new music soon and was due to perform at the Country Rising festival on Friday.
Organisers later announced on Instagram that he would no longer perform “due to a personal emergency”.
However, videos shared on social media showed the rapper performing at the Iowa State Fair as scheduled on Saturday.
He began his set by telling the crowd: “They didn’t think I was coming.”
Previous arrests
The latest arrest is not BigXthaPlug’s first encounter with law enforcement.
In August last year, he was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a small amount of marijuana. That case remains ongoing.
He also faced similar charges in 2022.
The rapper is currently on bail in connection with the earlier case, making the latest arrest another legal setback as his music career continues to grow.
Despite the legal issues, BigXthaPlug has continued performing and releasing music, maintaining a strong presence among fans of Southern hip-hop.
His recent performances and upcoming music had positioned him for another busy period before the latest arrest.
The new charges come as the 28-year-old continues to build his profile outside the US, having already performed for international audiences at major festivals.