Hard Body Academy

XO age 21 is bringing the midwest music scene to the forefront of the hip hop game . With banging bass lines and hypnotizing melodies to make any trill person bounce off the stage, this young prodigy is being crowned as having the most anticipated cd of 2009!!! The streets are buzzing with rumors of this young cat with a energetic sound like no other. For most this might be the first time seeing him, but be sure the labels have been watching since he first dropped a track!!! Stay tuned for future information and samples from his upcoming debut mixtape!!! Due out November 2009!!!

Despite St Louis, Missouris quiet country atmosphere, Twan "XO McFly." Donson is very loud and well-spoken in his music . A typical child of the city, XO’s upbringing wasnt too harsh. His mother, Adrienne, had him attend a school in the rougher parts of St. Louis city although he lived in the county. This was because his grandmother was a teacher at the school of Dunbar Elementary. He spent his early childhood years shuttling back and forth between the care of his grandfather and grandmother.

Ever since he was eleven, writing rhymes had been his release. "I just picked up the pen one day in 5th grade and started writing," XO recalls, adding that his mother and sister were music lovers who often danced to songs. Fascinated by music that reflected his upbringing, he started listening to all the thug rappers, including Tru, 2Pac, Soulja Slim, Bone Thugs, and more.

XO started off an honor roll student all the way until he got into middle school. He struggled throughout school, not because it was too difficult but because he wasnt focused on it much. "I cared about school.. but on my mamma I used to get distracted cuz I was on them females. Either that or I was in beast mode for some wild reason... I’d have loved to make all A’s, but I just never did after I got to middle school."

His interests lay elsewhere. At the time, there were no St. Louis powerhouses like Chingy and Nelly commanding the music scene. I felt the impact from New Orleans rappers though. I was at home rocking right with them too, says XO. I was already rapping before I heard anybody out of St. Louis, but [to see them make it now] makes it seem more existent. At age 15, XO found a home with local label Playboi Records. XO Da Phresh Kid felt comfortable with the label because he felt they had his best interest at heart. "They kept it real and treated me and my squad like family," he says.

Playboi signed XOs group shortly after taking him under their wing. Together XO and his three man army Startin Lineup gained an impressive street fan base with street releases like Playboi Compilation Vol. 1 and Startin Lineup Mixtape V.1. Graced with a quick tongued flow, sometimes violent deliveries, the deep voiced rapper is often hype. XO isn’t sure exactly how many albums they’ve sold out of their trunks, I just know it’s a lot for a group who didn't have a deal. After creating a little buzz with their releases, X dropped from the group for a couple reasons he wouldn't state. X had nothing to worry about since he had been recording his solo album for several months prior to the break up. Shortly after in 2006, XO was picked up to be the head artist of KoldKutz with labelmate powerhouses J-Depp, and Red Paint. Here, XO went through artist development and recorded over 100 songs. He did so much at this point that basically everyone in the streets knew him. He was released from the label in mid 2007 due to a lack of chances to advance from the street fame. XO's talent was now undeniable, and he caught the eye of some All For You Ent representatives while performing at a high school graduation party in 2007. He did the deal with All For You Ent, and in Spring 2008 released the CD "Hardbody Reality: The Blockumentary" with Bud Loc. This album, backed and promoted by Saint Louis, was his strongest yet and featured the city-wide hit "Screensaver". In Fall 2008, XO came with yet another hit, "Swag On It". He teamed up once again with J-Depp for the production of it everyone will hear of this one. No one can deny The Iceman.