[Just Keep Swimming], the latest EP from Des Moines rapper xco$mox (pronounced cosmo) pulls you in almost instantly and rolls right into the end credits so fast, it takes you a moment to realize it’s already over. With a runtime of just over nine minutes spread over five songs, I had to immediately replay the storyboard in my head to recap who I just met and what I learned.
Through sincerity and attention to detail, xco$mox shows his weight as an artist on [Just Keep Swimming], released in September. His lens operates fluidly, taking in the skylines, streetlights and sneakers on concrete. There’s an authenticity in the rawness of his vocals, which I personally find pretty rare from rappers these days, that exhibits a certain confidence that few have the stomach for. His flow and cadences are reminiscent of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Yet xco$mosx also shows an affection for the earlier eras of rap. He’s observational but clear, decisive and confident in his convictions. Themes hit on the importance of staying grounded despite the frustrations of the hustle. Sonically, there’s a balance throughout the EP. The low end stays driven but there’s a definite bounce in the drums to keep you motivated. The samples lean more into an abstract voice while keeping a low cruising speed that acknowledges the listeners’ need for tranquility and obscurity.
The first track “Yea Yea” is a clear declaration of arrival, “I caught onto this shit early, when you 30 it’ll probably hit you.” The beat knocks hard while carrying just enough of a chaos factor to hold your attention and make you curious what’s next. The song features Double R, who is one of only two features on the whole project. While xco$mox outshines both features on this project, they hold their space competently.
[Just Keep Swimming] mostly pulls from the West Coast in how it bumps, but the title track has a bounce that I tend to hear in the South. I’d pinpoint that bounce right around the end of the Mississippi River and along the Gulf of Mexico, where the likes of Big K.R.I.T. or early Wayne reside.
xco$mox is a talented rapper and lyricist, his beats spacious. Some people never reach that point, seeking the busiest music they can and drowning themselves in autotune. Even though this is such a short project, it’s consistent ’til the end.
Whether you’re an acquaintance or stranger, xco$mox locks you into conversation with ingenuity. The interaction may have been brief, but it has you both walking away with clearer vision and a fuller understanding of the world.
The tracks on [Just Keep Swimming] provide motivation and unspoken solidarity to those of us who know what it means to grind it out, day after day.
This article was originally published in Little Village’s March 2025 issue.
