Rob49 is a New Orleans back on the map. The Louisiana native recently unleashed his album 4GodII, and before that, he delivered mixtapes such as Vulture, Krazy Man, 4God and Welcome to Vulture Island. Within that bed of music lies hits “Vulture Island V2” with Lil Baby, “Hustler V2” featuring Kevin Gates, “No Kizzy,” “Yes You Did” with fellow 2023 XXL Freshman Real Boston Richey and much more. And aside from the experiences in Crescent City that Rob has endured throughout his life, which he’s unapologetically put in his music, he has a kid-like demeanor that was put on full display in his XXL ABCs.
Rob49 kicks off the alphabet very simply with apple. “I chose apple because I like apples,” he says with a kiddish grin. “I like to eat apples.” For B, he steps into his luxury bag. “Boats,” he states. “I say boats because I like to be on… I don’t know if it’s considered a boat, but I like to be on yachts with girls and jet skis.”
The Louisiana-bred rhymer also speaks on the importance of family and keeping their memories alive. “D3,” he shares. “I say D3 because it’s my brother’s name and it’s XXL. He passed away, so y’all gotta hear D’s name.” Going onto F, the self-proclaimed 4God taps into his healthy side, although eating fruits doesn’t appear to be something he does often. “I say fruit because I just ate fruit yesterday and I really liked them,” Rob49 explains. “It was kinda good. I ain’t eat fruit in a long time, and they was good and cold. I think I like pineapples. I like watermelon, too, though.”
Showing love to his city, Rob49 goes with interstate for the letter I. “Just because I drive a lot,” he adds. “And I don’t know a lot of words with I, but interstate. Interstate is one. Interstate 10, that’s my interstate.” Also a Marvel comics fan, Rob says quantum realm for Q. He tells the story behind his choice for the letter, saying, “Just because I once saw Ant-Man, quantum realm, and it was so fire. I like that movie. I ain’t gon lie.”
For R, Rob explains the origin of his rap moniker. “R for Rob49, first of all,” he shares. “G.O.A.T. G. Everything, you know what I’m sayin’? All of that goes into one. Rob49. The 49 comes from New Orleans Iberville Projects, New Orleans Desire Projects, 4th ward, 9th ward.”
As the alphabet nears the end, Rob49 goes with winning for W, affirming that he’s winning right now and this is his time to shine.
Check out Rob49’s ABCs below, where he shares some of his future wants, shows the utmost hometown pride and more.
Watch Rob49’s 2023 XXL Freshman ABCs
The Freshman issue of XXL magazine hits stands everywhere on July 18. See Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, GloRilla, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC The Don’s official Freshman pages. In addition to interviews with all 12 artists in the 2023 Class and Freshman cyphers producer Pi’erre Bourne, it includes interviews with Lil Baby, NLE Choppa, Boosie BadAzz, Toosii, DDG, Saba, producer Go Grizzly, engineer Jaycen Joshua, singer Coco Jones, SinceThe80s’ President Barry “Hefner” Johnson and AEW wrestler Swerve Strickland, plus a look back at what the 2022 XXL Freshman Class is doing, hip-hop’s love for golfing featuring Scarface, OMB Peezy and pro golfer Harold Varner III, conversations with 10 new artists making noise and a deep dive into A.I. hip-hop songs. You can also buy the 2023 XXL Freshman Class issue here.
2023 XXL Freshman
