Valeria R. (@Val.ok) via artist
rexv2 exemplifies rising stardom in the post-streaming era. For a certain subset of rap fans predisposed to rage and trap, the Houston producer-rapper is one of the scene’s preeminent beatmakers, yet for those out of the loop (or algorithm), his success can seem marginal. But beyond production credits for Maajins, xtsy, and Dom Corleo, it’s rex’s solo work that shows his musical promise.
Whether bouncing across the stuttering rhythms of last year’s “TMSU” or yelping over endless arpeggiated synths (“TinyTina”), rex’s variable flows burrow into the cracks and crevices of his intense instrumentals. At a very basic level, that reminds me of solo music by forebears like Pi’erre Bourne and contemporaries like Devstacks, who rexv2 will be touring with later this year. Even if you prefer to hear more established stars rap over their beats, these producers’ innate understanding of their music yields irresistibly conjoined melodies and hooks. On his latest mixtape babyhouston, rexv2 makes a similar case to prove he’s as capable as anyone who’s gotten their hands on one of his beatpacks.
Dev and Pi’erre lean heavily on heartfelt melodicism in their music: by comparison, though less emotional, rexv2 is a more agile rapper, with a broader stylistic range to boot. That isn’t to suggest he’s a stoic hedonist. In fact, the twenty-year-old seems to take being a father quite seriously, and opens the tape with a gentle voicemail from his mom, saying she’s proud of his nonstop hard work and that it’s okay if he has to take a break from it all. This doesn’t quite soften the hard edges of his lyrics about money and hoes, but it does suggest that rex has deeper feelings and aspirations lingering beneath the surface of his hardest hitting rap songs.
The FADER caught up with rexv2 over email to chat about living in Houston, getting his neck tattooed, and his “favorite song ever.”
The FADER: What’s the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
rexv2: I’m kinda ducked off a lot of the time, my favorite thing to go out and do has honestly been the studio… Anyone from Houston please let me know any recommendations lol.
What was the first album you bought?
Honestly I can’t say I have really bought an album, by the time I was conscientiously listening to music it was free streaming era and I was just listening to music on SoundCloud.
Tell us about the last movie you watched.
Alpha Dog is the last movie I watched, I would give it a 9/10. It’s really inspired by something that actually happened so I can’t give it a perfect score because they didn’t just create the idea. Was super good watch tho, me and my girlfriend loved it.
Valeria R. (@Val.ok) via artist
When you’re not making music, how do you spend your free time?
These days my free time has been mostly dedicated to being a father and taking care of my son which is something I love to do and wouldn’t change for the world. Other than that occasionally shopping, going out to eat, and playing random video games with my brother
What’s a motto you think everyone should live by?
“If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything”
What’s a song you’d want to remix and why?
“3005” by Childish Gambino. Simply because it’s my favorite song ever and I think I could honestly do it justice without Gambino fans getting mad.
Explain a lyric of yours that people misunderstand.
“I got rizz like Baby Gronk” [from “WISHIN”].
To be honest I thought this was much more hip / cool but apparently people had already moved on from Baby Gronk lmao
What’s the best thing you’ve bought for $100 or less?
My Wilson evolution basketball. It was $99.99 so it’s just under lol but that was def my favorite purchase under $100.
Tell us about your favorite tattoo.
My neck tattoo - the castle. I love the tattoo itself and it was such a cool experience I was tattooed in the crib on the couch, which was definitely a first
Best advice you’ve gotten
the best advice i ever gotten is “when people show you who they are, believe them the first time”
Worst advice you’ve gotten
the worst advice i ever gotten was buying archive clothes will boost my “aura”
Show us the last meme you saved to your phone:
Describe the best concert you’ve attended.
the best concert i attended was my own in LA for Winners Circle listening party, I’ll never forget it.
What’s the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
the last thing i wrote in my notes app was music video locations in houston to remember lol
What’s the ideal level of fame and why?
my ideal level of fame is just enough to be respected for my art and be financially stable enough to keep doing it
Valeria R. (@Val.ok) via artist
