Lil Xan will 'quit' rapping to focus on clothing line

US rapper Lil Xan says he is quitting music to focus on his clothing line.

The 23-year-old, who gained recognition on the music sharing platform SoundCloud, shared his announcement via his Instagram story on Saturday (local time).

"I quit rapping and I'm only gonna focus on moving forward with the Xanarchy clothing line and brand to [sic]," Lil Xan, real name Nicholas Diego Leanos, informed his 5.5 million followers. 

A screengrab of Lil Xan's Instagram story announcement.
A screengrab of Lil Xan's Instagram story announcement. Photo credit: HipHopHeads / Reddit

The 'Betrayed' rapper's supposed retirement comes just days after he teased the 2020 release of his sophomore album, When September Ends.

The rapper's colourful career has endured its fair share of controversy since his 2017 breakthrough. Last September, Lil Xan's messy break-up with Miley Cyrus' sister, Noah, hit the headlines. Not long after the dramatic split, he was hospitalised after eating "too many Flamin' Hot Cheetos". According to Consequence of Sound, the rapper was investigated after pulling a gun on a man at a gas station in June. 

Lil Xan, whose pseudonym is derived from the prescription drug xanax, has also been candid about his addiction to opiates and benzodiazepines. 

In a 2018 interview, the rapper said he wanted to make "a movement", Xanarchy, to promote "anti-Xan use".

"I really don't agree with glorifying the drug at this point," he said.

Saturday's Instagram announcement was a source of derision on the subreddit HipHopHeads, many saying his proclaimed withdrawal from music isn't a surprise.

"This is like the third time he's said he was gonna quit rapping," a Reddit user commented.

"My first thought was, 'again'?" another agreed.

"It's not like he ever really rapped to begin with," one mumble rap adversary chimed in. 

Lil Xan released his debut album Total Xanarchy through Columbia Records in April 2018.