BigXthaPlug’s latest weekend took a dramatic turn after the Dallas rapper was arrested in Allen, Texas, on Friday, August 21, 2026. Xavier Darnell Landum was booked on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The arrest happened nearly one year after a similar 2025 arrest in Dallas, with that earlier case still pending. Yet just one day after being released from Collin County Jail, BigXthaPlug was back on the road and performing at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand in Des Moines after missing a scheduled appearance in Winnipeg.
It’s a reminder that off-the-clock incidents can upend a public figure’s schedule with little warning — Kyle Shanahan’s car crash disrupted 49ers training camp earlier this offseason in much the same unexpected way.
BigXthaPlug faces three charges after Allen, Texas, traffic stop
The Allen Police Department confirmed that Landum was arrested on Friday, August 21. Jail records listed three charges: DWI, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Authorities have not released additional details about the traffic stop or what allegedly led to the arrest. The investigation remains active, meaning more information could emerge later.
The firearm charge was listed as a Class A misdemeanor, while the DWI and marijuana possession charges were classified as Class B misdemeanors.
Landum, whose age is reported as either 27 or 28 depending on the source, was already out on bail from his previous case when the new arrest occurred.
The timing immediately stood out because the latest arrest happened exactly one year after his August 21, 2025, arrest in Dallas.
| Date | Event | Details |
| February 2025 | Arlington arrest | Marijuana-related arrest; charge later dismissed |
| August 21, 2025 | Dallas arrest | Marijuana and unlawful firearm possession charges |
| August 21, 2026 | Allen arrest | DWI, marijuana possession and unlawful firearm possession |
| August 22, 2026 | Release | Released from Collin County Jail |
| August 22, 2026 | Iowa performance | Performed at Iowa State Fair Grandstand |
A DWI booking is far from unique to the music world — Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of OWI after a Wisconsin golf tournament last year, a reminder that these stops can catch even the most recognizable names off guard on an otherwise ordinary drive.
The 2026 arrest follows BigXthaPlug’s previous drug and firearm cases
The new charges arrive after several earlier legal incidents involving marijuana and firearms.
During the August 2025 Dallas arrest, police stopped Landum’s pickup truck near South Great Trinity Forest Way over a missing front license plate. According to reports, he told officers that a firearm was inside the vehicle and directed them to a weapon underneath an armrest.
A search reportedly uncovered a small amount of marijuana. Some reports put the amount at around 3.4 grams, while other accounts reported the discovery of a second firearm.
A criminal database linked Landum to a gang in Arlington, which formed part of the basis for the unlawful firearm possession charge. He was booked on misdemeanor marijuana possession and unlawful firearm possession before posting bond and being released.
That case was still open when the latest Allen arrest happened.
Landum had also faced another marijuana-related arrest in February 2025. Arlington police arrested him after a traffic stop involving expired tags, with a handgun reportedly found inside the vehicle. The marijuana charge was later dismissed.
He also faced similar drug and weapons charges in 2022.
Repeat legal trouble tends to follow public figures long after the headlines fade — Justin Timberlake’s 2024 Sag Harbor DWI arrest is still generating news two years later, now through a 2026 lawsuit over releasing his bodycam footage.
BigXthaPlug missed a Winnipeg festival appearance after his arrest
The timing of the Allen arrest also disrupted the rapper’s busy performance schedule.
Landum had been scheduled to perform at the Country Rising Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Friday, the same day he was arrested. Organizers later announced that he would no longer appear, explaining that he was absent “due to a personal emergency.”
The cancellation came shortly after Landum had posted on Instagram about upcoming music, making the sudden change particularly noticeable to fans.
But his touring schedule was not derailed for long.
Landum was released from Collin County Jail on Saturday, August 22. He then traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for his previously scheduled performance at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand.
Fair organizers said they had communicated with his agent and expected the performance to proceed. Landum also posted an Instagram Story indicating that he was on his way to Des Moines.
Touring artists managing a legal case in the background while still hitting the stage isn’t new — Britney Spears’ 2026 DUI arrest in Ventura County played out under similar scrutiny, with fans and organizers watching to see whether performances would go on as planned.
BigXthaPlug addressed his unexpected Iowa State Fair appearance
The rapper ultimately made it to the stage, with his performance beginning at around 9:15 p.m.
He acknowledged the unusual circumstances almost immediately.
“They didn’t think I was coming,” he told the crowd.
During his performance of “Pray Hard,” his collaboration with Luke Combs from the 2025 album I Hope You’re Happy, Landum also referenced his time in jail.
“When I was in Collin County, I was praying hard. I was like ‘Please let me make it to Des Moines, Iowa,’” he told the audience.
He then continued with several of his best-known songs, including “Texas,” “Mmhmm” and “The Largest.”
Videos from the Iowa State Fair show captured Landum performing with high energy while dressed in white. His appearance meant that despite missing the Winnipeg festival, he was back on stage just one day after his arrest.
BigXthaPlug isn’t the only artist whose off-stage legal issues have drawn as much attention as the music itself, as singer-songwriter Todd Snider’s arrest showed in its own coverage cycle.
BigXthaPlug’s career continues to grow amid the latest legal case
BigXthaPlug has become a recognizable name in the Southern hip-hop scene, developing a sound that blends trap and Southern rap with country influences.
His rise has been helped by viral tracks including “Texas,” “The Largest” and “Mmhmm.” He released Amar in 2023, a project named after his son, followed by Take Care, which received praise from outlets including NPR.
His 2025 album I Hope You’re Happy pushed further into country-rap territory with collaborations featuring Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey.
He has also performed internationally, including at Wireless Festival in the UK in 2025, while continuing to build his audience through tours and online performances. Landum has previously spoken about earlier time spent in jail and how those experiences helped motivate his focus on music.
For now, however, his latest legal situation remains unresolved. The three new charges are pending, while his 2025 case also remains ongoing.
Disclaimer: This article is based on thorough research of publicly available news reports, jail records and police statements from BBC News, The Dallas Morning News, Rolling Stone, Dexerto, TheGrio, Chron, USA Today, Rolling Out and CBS News Texas, using information available as of August 23, 2026. The charges against BigXthaPlug are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Authorities have provided limited information about the latest traffic stop because the investigation remains active. Details such as his age and information surrounding prior cases vary slightly between reports. This article is not legal advice or an official court record.
Sources
- BBC News
- The Dallas Morning News
- Rolling Stone
- TheGrio
- Chron
- USA Today
- Rolling Out
- CBS News Texas (context on 2025 case)
- Des Moines Register (performance details)
Image Credit:
- Instagram @bigxthaplug
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