phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES JUNR 9TO– JUNR 15TO, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Xanarchy from p 33 name as well, saying he’ll eventually be billing concerts with his middle name, Diego. The name change is to alleviate any future confusion to his fans — as antidrug advocates said his stage name promotes the “pill-popping” lifestyle. But he told New Times that “Xanarchy” is the opposite; it’s “an antidrug move- ment.” Many of the Phoenix retailers and concertgoers at the show applauded the “Wake Up” rapper’s 50-day sobriety of prescription pills, and gifted him weed and cannabis-related goodies. Now, Xan is optimistic and also looking forward to giving back. “We want to help people struggling with addiction and, you know, get them in recovery,” he added. “Soon, [we’re planning] to have rehabs all over the world: Xanarchy Health Treatment Centers.” When Lil Xan walked onto the stage that Friday night, he held his arms in an “X” formation, then pointed and looked up, seemingly past the venue’s high ceilings and chandeliers, and into the north Phoenix sky and beyond. He yelled into the mic: “Who the fuck is stoned right now?” The crowd screamed in response. The first song he performed was “Slingshot,” where he raps: “I got weed for the low / I don’t pop fuckin’ Xans.” Afterward, a fan from on stage handed him a joint. “How the fuck don’t I have weed in my hand,” he said. “Keep smoking; let’s get high.” Next, he rocked “Color Blind,” a song by electronica-and-dance artist Diplo featuring Lil Xan. And lastly, he performed “Deceived” and then “Betrayed.” “Betrayed” is a melancholy emo-rap song about clout chasing groupies — and his battle with addiction to Xanax and other prescribed drugs. The song goes, “Xans don’t make you / Xans gon’ take you / Xans gon’ fake you (yeah) / And Xans gon’ betray you.” The accompanying music video, which garnered over 290 million views since its summer 2017 upload, was directed by Cole Bennett. Bennett’s affecting visuals of the real Nicholas Diego Leanos (a.k.a. Lil Xan) and accompanying post-production brought the already catchy track to another level. It peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100 chart. “I wanna shout out to Cole Bennett,” Xan yelled into the mic. After the performances, the musicians linked up backstage to eat some “kid- friendly” cake made by Kate Makris and Chad Dobbs of Dabbs Delights. “The cake doesn’t have any cannabis in it, just if they want to consume it strictly for the munchies,” Makris said. “I liked the Sheldon Cooper Lil Xan (left) and Sheldon Cooper. concerts and the weed together; it’s bringing new people here.” Lil Xan might bring something else to Phoenix when he returns. “We have a [new] cannabis flower company called Xannabis; look out for Xannabis, man. “I love coming out to Arizona, man, like even when I was first starting to blow up in music, you know, we always made sure Phoenix or Mesa, all them were on the map when we came out here,” he added. “Mad love for Arizona, mad love for Phoenix, and the [New] Times.” “I’m so proud of Lil Xan,” said Sheldon Cooper, the 33-year-old founder of All Access Phoenix and the Phoenix Cannabis Awards Music Festival. “It’s one of the best performances we have seen.” 35
