Lil Xan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lil Xan
Birth name	Nicholas Diego Leanos
Also known as	Diego
Born	(1996-09-06) September 6, 1996 (age 28) Redlands, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip-hop trap emo rap cloud rap pop rap mumble rap SoundCloud rap pop
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter
Years active	2015–present
Labels	Xanarchy Columbia 3rd Eye
Associated acts	$teven Cannon Diplo
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Nicholas Diego Leanos (born September 6, 1996), who is better known as Lil Xan or simply Diego, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Redlands, California. He is most famous for his song "Betrayed". The song was a big hit and appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart.

On April 6, 2018, Leanos released his first studio album, Total Xanarchy. His second album, Diego, was released on September 6, 2024.

Early life

Leanos was born in Redlands, California. He grew up in a family that did not have a lot of money. For most of his childhood, his family lived in motels. He went to Redlands East Valley High School but left during his first year.

After leaving school, Leanos worked as a street cleaner to earn money. He later became interested in photography and started taking pictures for his friends who were rappers. He decided to start rapping himself after his camera was stolen, instead of buying a new one.

Career

Lil Xan performing in 2018

Leanos got his stage name from the name of a prescription medicine. He has spoken out against the misuse of this medicine and encourages people not to use it.

He started to become popular on websites like SoundCloud and YouTube. His fame grew a lot after he released the music video for his song "Betrayed" in August 2017. The song reached number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In an interview with XXL magazine, Leanos said his first album would be called Total Xanarchy. He also said he would work with other artists like Diplo and Swae Lee. In December 2017, he announced a tour for the album, and all the tickets were sold in just five hours.

In 2018, Leanos thought about changing his stage name to Diego to show his support for an anti-drug message. He has not officially changed it, but he sometimes uses the name Diego.

Albums and Other Music

Leanos released his first album, Total Xanarchy, on April 6, 2018. The album was a success, reaching number ten on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold 28,000 copies in its first week. A few months later, he released a mixtape called Heartbreak Soldiers.

Over the years, Leanos planned to release a second album several times, but these projects were often delayed or cancelled. Finally, in August 2024, he announced that his second album, Diego, was finished. It was released on September 6, 2024, more than six years after his first album.

In 2022, Leanos worked with another rapper, Chris Miles, to release an EP called have a nice day.

Music Style

Leanos has said that his early musical influences were Pharrell Williams and the group N.E.R.D.. He also likes rock bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Cage the Elephant, and Queens of the Stone Age. He has also named Drake and Mac Miller as musicians who have inspired him.

Music writers have said that his music style has changed over time. It started as "typical trap" music and later became more like a "dream-like sound." His music is often described as part of the "sad rap" movement.

Personal life

Leanos has been open about his past health struggles and now speaks out to encourage his fans to live a healthy lifestyle. In 2018, he had a funny incident where he went to the hospital after he said he ate "too many Hot Cheetos."

In 2018, Leanos dated singer and actress Noah Cyrus. They recorded a song together called "Live or Die." They broke up later that year. Leanos later said he took responsibility for the breakup and that he respects the Cyrus family.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leanos lived with his mother. He has shared that he sometimes deals with anxiety attacks.

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

Extended plays

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Lil Xan para niños