Los Angeles Rapper Sets the Coronavirus Pandemic to Rhyme

The Los Angeles based hip hopper, Xcellence!, made headlines last year when he accused reality star Blac Chyna of robbing him on a $35,000 record deal. Now he is back in the news, defending the title for his new song about the coronavirus pandemic.

The song's title is "Wu Flu Pandemic," however, Xcellence! argues it was never intended to place blame for the coronavirus on China. His message isn’t one of fear or hate, he contends. It is simply to be more careful, use better hygiene, wash hands, stay home, and to be aware that coronavirus is not an Asian, European or Middle eastern problem. It is a humanities problem.

"I wrote and recorded the single at the start of the epidemic, before it was given the name COVID 19," he explains from his Los Angeles home, where he has been self-quarantining through the pandemic. "I was seeing friends on social media, posting about being at Brazil Carnival, Venice Carnival, Milan fashion week and Australia Gay Mardi Gras, ignoring the health risks of large gatherings and just blissfully unaware of what was going on in the world. I wanted to get the word out to people about the seriousness of this virus and to encourage everyone to practice good hygiene and to pay attention to symptoms to protect the populace.”

The song is a marked departure from Xcellence's typical hip hop tracks that are often lighthearted and danceable, but as he explains, “Someone needs to get the word out on coronavirus in a way that youth will digest it because the news is all doom and gloom and frankly, most kids don’t pay attention to it.”

Xcellence!’s “Wu Flu Pandemic” is available now on Spotify and all streaming platforms. Follow him on Instagram.