Photo credit: BigXthaPlug (X)
BigXthaPlug was arrested in Texas on Friday, Aug. 21, just hours before he was expected to headline the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
The Dallas rapper, whose legal name is Xavier Landum, was booked into Collin County Jail after Allen police arrested him. Jail records list charges involving driving while intoxicated, marijuana possession and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Yet the Iowa State Fair appearance remained on the schedule this morning. The fair had booked BigXthaPlug for its Grandstand series on Aug. 22, with XOLEX as the special guest. The scheduled start time was 8 p.m.
The situation leaves fans with an unusual question. Can an artist move from a Texas jail booking to one of the weekend’s biggest performances?
BigXthaPlug faces another difficult moment
The latest arrest comes almost one year after Landum faced similar charges in North Texas.
In August 2025, he was arrested on allegations involving marijuana possession and unlawful firearm possession. He also had an earlier 2025 arrest involving marijuana possession. The new case puts those previous legal issues back into the spotlight.
Police have not released many details about what led to Friday’s arrest. CBS Texas reported that Allen police confirmed the arrest but said they could not provide additional information.
The Dallas rapper behind the hit song ‘Texas’—streamed over 200 million times and played regularly at Texas Rangers games—now faces DWI and firearm possession charges. BigXthaPlug was arrested Friday, his second arrest in a year on comparable allegations.https://t.co/x8nJXQFjuQ pic.twitter.com/LLHxxfAxZD
— WFAA (@wfaa) August 22, 2026
BigXthaPlug had also been expected at the Country Rising Festival on Friday. He did not appear, and festival organizers cited a personal emergency.
That missed performance came shortly before the Iowa State Fair date, adding another layer of uncertainty around his weekend schedule.
The Iowa State Fair date remains significant
The Iowa State Fair announced BigXthaPlug as part of its 2026 Grandstand lineup in March. His Aug. 22 performance was listed alongside a special appearance by XOLEX. Ticket listings continued to show the concert for tonight.
BigXthaPlug has built a following through a blend of Southern hip-hop, trap and country influences. Songs including Texas and Mmhmm helped push his music beyond a strictly regional audience.
His growing profile has also brought collaborations with major country performers. That crossover has made him one of the more visible artists connecting rap and country audiences.
For now, the biggest question is whether tonight’s Iowa appearance will proceed as planned. The answer could shape one of the more closely watched moments of this year’s Iowa State Fair music lineup.
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