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How often is it you come across a rap duo that are twin brothers? How often is it you come across a rap duo that are twin brothers and from the westcoast? How often is it you come across a rap duo that are twin brothers and from the westcoast and talented!? A rarity? Go figure…! I guess the twin connection means your in for a treat, something different, something fresh, surely that should be clear from the start! We present below a little insight into the group as well as news of a mixtape, hosted and featuring Knoc-Turn’Al. Audio is available below and we will have more from the mixtape soon, take time to read below regarding the the group and what they have so far accomplished.
Emerging from North Hollywood, CA, are two brothers at the tender age of 16 who are steet savvy twin offspring who have seen a lot, done a lot and experienced things people may never and should never in an entire lifetime.
The duo’s name, 2XL. 2XL’s mission is to shine a beacon from their relatively un-established homeland, locally known as the “GR-8-1-8” (The 818).
Twin brothers Laze (Bennett Armstrong) and Royal City (Justyn Armstrong) have already created an internet following via their official website, 2XLOnline.com which has been heightened by their touring, teen magazine features, local press and the under-ground mixtape circuit. 2XLﾒs debut album “Neighborhood Rapstars” is testament to a new era in Westcoast Hip-Hop. In such a short time in the industry they have achieved much that some artists would struggle to do in a lifetime in the industry. Having worked with platinum producers like The Co-Stars (Jaheim, Teairra Mari, Sisqo, Lil’ Fizz, New Edition, Twista, Jojo), French (Ciara, B2K, Latif, Jody Breeze), The Nimrods (Nelly, Kelly Rowland, Bow Wow, J-Kwon, Teairra Mari), The Craft Productions (Mike Jones) and Howie Hersh (Ja Rule, DMX, Mariah Carey) just to name a few the buzz they have garnered has been hard but fruitful.
With songs already featured in several motion pictures including Barbershop 2, Four Brothers and Like Mike 2, they have established the name 2XL amongst both the music and film industries. The goal of 2XL is relatively uncomplicated, simply to open up the eyes of the general public to help them better understand the teenage lifestyle which exists today: “There are 15 year-olds getting pregnant and 16 year-olds abusing drugs. However hard this may be for adults to face, itﾒs happening everyday, in every city. Whether we rap about girls, parties or teenage hardships and issues, itﾒs never fabricated because these are events we’ve experienced in our life along with millions of other teens.” Laze explains.
When asked about their inspirations they quickly respond: “Our mom has been our main inspiration for our music and why we do what we do. She struggled to raise 3 kids on welfare, with cancer, as a single mother.” With a deep and sincere love for his mother, Royal explains the 6-inch tattoo of the name Rhea on his forearm: “Rhea is our mom’s name, she’s means everything to us. My brother and I lived seeing her loose all her hair, fighting for her life in a hospital bed; nobody deserves to go through all that. This tattoo reminds me that our momﾒs a soldier and to treat her with respect any time we have disagreements.”
When you listen to 2XL these “Neighborhood Rapstars” have an undeniable natural chemistry, bourne, not from practice or training but simply the fact they are twin brothers. It is such a rarity to come across twin brothers who are working hard to make it in this industry as artists however it is equally a pleasure to find two individuals however linked; that put time, effort and all that they are into every track that they make.
Dubcnn as ever have some audio for you to check of the group and also news that they are releasing a mixtape called, “The Development” which features Treacherous/Universal recording artist Knoc-Turn’Al, who also hosts the mixtape, Black Buddafly, and Capitol Records recording artist Aksent. Take some time to visit the 2XL website, 2XLOnline.com and once you have heard the audio below please visit our forum to leave feedback.
2XL – Neighborhood Rapstar
2XL – Get Down (Freestyle)
2XL – Respect Me (Laze Freestyle)
2XL – Spittin’ Piff (Laze Freestyle)
