XL Middleton is one of the few musicians on the West Coast whose musical format falls into the funk-laden style the region is known for. The Pasadena, CA-based artist/producer has been hard at work for years, albeit under the radar of most rap fans. Still, his melodic, chord-heavy tunes and party-flavored raps have earned him accolades on websites from dubcnn.com all the way to HipHopDX.com, where his collaborations with Sly Boogy and Eminem signee Crooked I made the rounds. A tour of Japan in 2006 was also a huge success. XL caters to fans of the traditional, funked-out West Coast sound – a fanbase which, although not the norm in mainstream hip hop, still has a huge following overseas, particularly in Japan, France, Italy, and all over Europe.

XL has released volumes of work, many of which carry celebration-inducing titles such as “Barliament Drunkadelic”; or his latest, the forthcoming “Hedonistic Album”. His sound embodies the party feel, bringing hip hop back to where it was before it found its way into upscale clubs, while at the same time mixing it with a futuristic brand of funk inspired by legends such as George Clinton & Morris Day. A Google search will quickly reveal the underground following that Middleton has already amassed through word-of-mouth and internet buzz. Already, his titles have been picked up and licensed by labels overseas, mainly in Japan, where XL is quickly becoming a foreign sensation.

Through guest appearance or production, XL has collaborated with artists including Crooked I, Sly Boogy, Cashis (Shady Records artist), Jon B., Ralph Tresvant, Down (of “Lean Like A Cholo” fame), Suga Free, Shade Sheist, Big Gemini, Young Keno, Topic, E-White, Bad Azz, Bigg Steele, and many others.