Los Angeles is a vast place full of deep musical traditions and hidden insights accessible only by locals—and Blxst has seen and unlocked virtually all of them. Born Matthew Burdette in 1992, the rapper and singer grew up bouncing around Southern California, from L.A.’s east side all the way out to the Inland Empire and then back to Inglewood. This expansive view of his hometown has helped give his music its richly layered texture, which has earned him comparison to local legends like Nate Dogg and Ty Dolla $ign. Since he broke through to national audiences at the beginning of the 2020s, Blxst (pronounced “blast”) has infused his work with an easy confidence that lets him navigate even harrowing stories with ease, making him one of the most magnetic talents in hip-hop and R&B.