Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug was arrested in Texas on Friday on weapons and drug charges, forcing him to cancel a music festival appearance in Canada. Despite the arrest, festival and fair organizers confirm the hip-hop artist is still slated to headline the Iowa State Fair Grandstand on Saturday night.
Arrested in Texas Ahead of Saturday Night Headlining Slot
Rapper BigXthaPlug, known offstage as Xavier Landum, faces multiple charges following a traffic stop in the Allen Police Department jurisdiction. Law enforcement booked the Dallas-based hip-hop and country-rap artist into the Collin County Jail on Friday night. The charges include driving while intoxicated, marijuana possession of less than 2 ounces, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Friday night arrest comes exactly one year after Landum was arrested in Dallas on August 21, 2025, for marijuana possession and unlawful possession of a firearm. Landum was out on bail from those previous offenses when police pulled him over.
Impact on International Tour Dates and Festival Cancellations
The legal trouble immediately disrupted the artist’s touring schedule. Landum was forced to miss a scheduled performance at the Country Rising Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which was set for Friday night.
Festival organizers in Winnipeg released a statement addressing the sudden absence. They noted that ticket holders expressed disappointment and frustration
over the cancellation, which they attributed to a personal emergency
.
Iowa State Fair Confirms Grandstand Performance Will Proceed
While the Canadian festival appearance was scrapped, the status of Saturday’s major state fair performance remained a central question for event coordinators. BigXthaPlug is booked as the featured Grandstand headliner at the Iowa State Fair, with special guest XOLEX opening the show.
Fair representatives maintained contact with the artist’s management team following the booking in Collin County. Mindy Williamson, a fair spokesperson, confirmed early Saturday that the performance is still on track, echoing earlier statements provided to local news media.
“We are aware of reports regarding BigXthaPlug. We are in communication with his agent and at this time, we have been told he will still be performing.”
Iowa State Fair officials, via KCCI
Rising Stardom Meets Ongoing Legal Hurdles
The weekend’s events unfold as Landum enjoys a commercial ascent in the music industry. Earlier this year, the artist was profiled in a special music issue following the success of his country-rap LP I Hope You’re Happy. Known for his associations with prominent genre-crossing musicians, Landum has a base of listeners.
Speaking on his cross-genre aspirations in earlier profiles, the artist emphasized a desire to transcend traditional boundaries. You can’t be one of the best artists in the world and have only done one genre,
Landum stated, pointing to icons across pop, hip-hop, and country who stepped outside traditional lanes.
Logistical Scramble and What Lies Ahead
Just weeks prior, the Iowa State Fair faced a separate Grandstand shakeup when Rod Stewart withdrew from his performance on the first Friday of the fair for medical reasons, prompting a replacement with John Waite.
As fair officials prepare for the 7 p.m. Grandstand event, ticket holders and industry observers are watching closely to see if the assurances from the artist’s representatives hold up through Saturday afternoon.
