XG’s Maya and Harvey reference ‘John Wick,’ Super Saiyans in new cypher video ‘Two Tens’
June 2, 2023
Maya and Harvey of the Japanese girl group XG released a cypher video set to the beat of “Two Tens” by Cordae and Anderson .Paak.
The release serves as a follow-up to their previous cypher tape releases and was first showcased during their U.S. music festival debut at Head in the Clouds New York last month.
Dubbed “XG TAPE #3-A,” the video showcases Maya and Harvey’s lyrical prowess as they incorporate references to their previous tapes, pop culture and iconic ’90s and 2000s hip-hop hits into their rhymes while also sprinkling in their native Japanese language.
They refer to themselves as “two lil Asians” and remark, “If we ate the last tape, then no crumbs tonight.” In one verse, they pay homage to the legendary fictional assassin John Wick, rapping, “Slick with the shots like John Wick when I’m killin’ it.” They also tip their hats to the beloved anime franchise “Dragon Ball Z” with the line, “Stats stackin’ immaculately, super saiyan, slayin’ it.”
The cypher is rife with noteworthy references to hip-hop classics from the 90s and 2000s.
They drop lines such as “rock the mic right” from Beanie Sigel’s 2002 track “Roc the Mic,” “busy like bone and harmony” as a nod to Bone Thugs & Harmony and “no cap ’til infinity” borrowed from Souls of Mischief’s 1993 hit “93 ’til Infinity.” Additionally, they borrow the iconic phrase “plus I got five on it” from Luniz’s 1995 track “I’ve Got 5 On It” and reference the movie quote “Who got the juice” from Tupac’s 1992 film “Juice.”
XG has gained traction with their previous cyphers, with Cocona’s trilingual rap in “[XG TAPE #2] GALZ XYPHER” going viral.
Their talent caught the attention of soloist Jackson Wang, who hailed them as “the future.” Wang even performed XG’s own hit “Left Right” at Coachella earlier this year. Furthermore, he collaborated with Ciara on a remix of “Left Right.”
Jurin and Cocona released the follow up “XG TAPE #3-B” on Friday.
Both Wang and XG are set to perform at the upcoming Head in the Clouds Los Angeles music festival at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Aug. 5 and 6.
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