In the clip released on Monday, Jan. 13, X broke down the meaning of common phrases such as “T-Jones,” “Knowmtalmbout,” ”Fo Shit Sho,” “On Me,” “Say” and “Overstood.”
“T-Jones” means mother. “It’s your mom,” X said in the video. “I love my ‘T-Jones,’ that’s my momma.”
When asked to define “Knowmtalmbout,” he said: “'Do you understand? See what mtambout? You knowmtalmbout?' Like, 'Do you know?'”
To explain “Fo Shit Sho,” X said: “Fo Shit Sho is like ‘Ok.’ 'Hey, you goin’ to the game later?' Fo shit sho. 'Hey, you shooting dice later?' Fo shit sho. 'Hey, did you get ol’ girl's number? Fo shit sho.”
Next, Johnson asked what “On Me” means, using other references such as “Godam Me” and “But F me.”
“On me is like on me, on God, on my mama. It’s like you're putting it on something like you’re vouching on yourself that whatever," X said. "Like, ‘On me, I’m the best artist out of Texas.'”
“Overstood” is self-explanatory for the rapper, but he explained: “You ask me if we’re in an argument and I’m done talking, ‘Overstood.’ You can also hit them with the ‘Fo shit sho.’ It’s like the end of something.”
For Johnson, hanging out with BigX in Los Angeles felt like a family reunion.
“There are a few people that I came up with from the DFW that are on his team right now, like Situation,” she tells the Observer. “It was really cool seeing them on set. Also loved getting that Southern hospitality and energy. Big X is always a pleasure to chat with, very chill guy, humble and ready to work. He will go far if he keeps that energy.”
BigXThaPlug is a part of Billboard’s new Genre Now series. Saponara’s story labels the rap star the “country’s favorite rapper.” After breaking through in DFW in 2022 and reaching stardom with his massive hit, “Texas,” in 2023, he became one of the biggest new acts in 2024 with his latest album, Take Care, supported by a nationwide tour that included his 600 Entertainment artists Ro$ama and Yung Hood.
As a manager, Johnson's ascension at Billboard began in 2021 and progressed to content producer in 2024. The segment featuring X marked a memorable moment in her career.
“I honestly didn't even think about it like that,” says Johnson.”I was just like, ‘Yo, I want more people to know about Dallas lingo. Who better to talk to about Dallas lingo than BigXThaPlug? I felt like he would have given me good answers — which he did, obviously — and so I think it was just more fun to break that down with him. I was excited to have made the content on a big platform.”
While described as the “future of hip hop,” BigXThaPlug revealed plans to make a country album in December.
“I got a country EP loaded up, you got Shaboozey, you got Morgan Wallen, you got Post Malone, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll …” he told Complex of his collaborators.
According to Johnson, BigXThaPlug’s success showcases a bright future for Dallas hip-hop in pop culture, and its influence has long been there, dating back to the '90s. She believes North Texas will continue to thrive with more resources.@complex @BigXthaPlug has some crazy projects on the way. #bigxthaplug #rollingloud ♬ original sound - COMPLEX SHOP
“Dallas has always had an influence on mainstream music, like D.O.C, Erykah Badu, Big E, the producer,” Johnson says. “There's so many great producers out there that you wouldn't even know their music has been sampled in major songs that have done amazing. So, I think Dallas has always had a huge influence on mainstream music. I think that the Dallas music scene for the longest time has been trying to be built, and when you have people like Kaash Paige, and you have BigXThaPlug, and you have 4Batz, and you got my boy, Yakiyn, on the way. It's really, really dope to see."
Johnson believes that upcoming artists will wield influence as much as the "old heads."
“You had artists like GoYayo and Solo Lucci. Solo Luccii was big, too, for a little bit," she says. "Asian Doll has always had her mark throughout the city. And I think that Dallas is gonna continue to shine. Obviously, Texas is a big state. But Dallas got something to say. I think that as long as we keep putting ourselves out there and the artists keep making dope music, fascinating music. I think that it will continue to shine."
And for Johnson, Dallas is much more than a cradle for hip-hop.
“Dallas is a mecca of artistry that is beyond rap, "she says. "I think that the more that these artists continue to thrive, the city is gonna shine. So many other artists that are making big waves — again, Yakiyn is on the motherfucking way. Yakiyn is killing it. You got the fashion. Dallas is a mecca, so as long as more resources get put into this artist too, we’ll shine.”
