David LaChapelle Photographs BigXthaPlug for Rolling Stone’s Future of Music

Rolling Stone Magazine "Future of Music Issue featuring BigxthePlug" shot by David LaChapelle

David LaChapelle photographs BigXthaPlug for one of three covers of Rolling Stone’s 2026 Future of Music issue, alongside fellow cover stars Lola Young and Fuerza Regida. The special issue brings together three distinctly different voices shaping contemporary music, with LaChapelle creating the photography for all three covers.

BigXthaPlug by David LaChapelle for Rolling Stone ©David LaChapelle

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BigXthaPlug by David LaChapelle for Rolling Stone ©David LaChapelle

Born Xavier Landum and raised in Texas, BigXthaPlug has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary hip-hop. His unmistakably deep delivery and Texas-rooted sound first established him in rap, while his recent move into country music has introduced another dimension to his work and expanded his audience well beyond the boundaries of a single genre. Rolling Stone’s profile explores that evolution, as well as the turbulent experiences that preceded his success and his ambition to become an artist capable of moving freely between musical worlds.

BigXthaPlug by David LaChapelle for Rolling Stone ©David LaChapelle

For LaChapelle, the collaboration offered an opportunity to translate BigXthaPlug’s larger-than-life presence into a series of equally bold images. The resulting photographs bring LaChapelle’s heightened visual language together with the rapper’s unmistakable sense of identity, confidence and Texas swagger.

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Together with LaChapelle’s portraits of Lola Young and Fuerza Regida, the BigXthaPlug cover forms part of a three-cover celebration of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music 2026—a portrait of three artists coming from very different musical traditions, each forging a path distinctly their own.

BACKSTAGE LOOK INTO THE PHOTOSHOOT:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/3e273b_0b6c6ac782c24414bd83a9749931c707/720p/mp4/file.mp4

David LaChapelle Shoots BigXthaPlug at David LaChapelle Studio in Los Angeles.

The full article is available to view at Rolling Stone Magazine.

Credits:

Photographed by David LaChapelle

Writer @e_diep

Crew & Staff Credits

Editors in Chief @seanfwoods & @shirleyhalperin

Executive Music Editor Christian Hoard

Creative Director @joe_hutchinson

Director of Photography @jennsantana

Director of Social & Video @waiss_aramesh

Senior Art Director @coolade77

Executive Producer @chriskimfilm

UX Editor @nthompson89

Senior Visuals Editor @photoeditorjoe

Social Media Editor @leahluser

Producer/Editor @mitchsaavedra

Styling @terrellish

Extras Styling @mrchriscampbell x opusbeauty

Hair @riadazarhair x @artdeptagency @artdeptbeautystyle

Makeup @jenichua x @exclusiveartists

DLC Production Design @213annie_sperling

DLC Art Department Coordinator @shepherd.stevenson

DLC Set Decorator @martianlanding

DLC Leadman @rbantam

DLC Set Dressers @therealcheez & @ozzie13sela

DLC Carpenters @maxflats @perronjpg Johnny Gonzalez and Daniel Torres

DLC Scenic @palomayazmin Isabel Hernandez & Juan Beltran

DLC Executive Producer: Ghretta Hynd

DLC Studio/Production Manager @ethan_haug

DLC Projectionist @digitaldebrisvideogallery

Tailor @anetavelizar x @carol_ai_studio

DLC First Camera Assistant @jim.photo

DLC Second Camera Assistant @jenellefong

DLC Third Camera Assistant @davklaus

DLC Director's Assistant @jjj0el

Hair Assistance @magaliserrano

Stylist Assistance @gorgevillalpando & @_caseymcclellan

DLC Art Production Assistance @smallcalvillo & @dexter_demme

DLC Production Assistance @addy0g & @julslate

DLC Extras @guetcha @solaybebe @sayde.ty

RS Video DOP @austin__wight

RS First AC @ayo.geeq

RS Second AC: Jordan Martin

RS Audio Engineer @phforandafter

FASHION CREDITS

Cover & Projected X's

Jeans custom made by @terrellish

Jewelry is talent's own.

Living Room

X's Jeans custom made by @terrellish

X's boots @durangoboots

Sayde top @hollywoodexoticshop

Sayde boots @richealnana

Tondreau-Liu boots @guessusa

Solay top @houseofcb

Soley Belt @amazonfashion

Sayde, Tondreau-Liu shorts @guessusa

Sayde & Tondreau-Liu Jewelry

@amazonfashion

Western

X's Hat @stetsonusa

X's vest & hat custom made by @terrellish

X's shoes @adidasoriginals x

@willychavarria

X's jewelry all his own.

Solay: hat, neckpiece, boots, Tondreau-Liu:

top & belt @amazonfashion

Martin bikini top & bottom @stagehollywood

Tondreau-Liu boots @caperobbin

Women's jewelry @sevillemichelle

Doorway

Tracksuit @adidas

X Ice

Pants custom made by @terrellish

Goggles @louisvuitton

Shoes @adidas