Theravada
ABOUT
Theravada, often stylized as THRVD, is an American rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. Born Xenophon (sometimes referred to simply as "Xen"), he has emerged as a notable figure in the underground hip-hop scene, particularly within the sample-based and producer-driven subgenres. Alongside his cousin and frequent collaborator Rob Chambers (stylized as rbchmbrs), Theravada co-founded 2000 ENT., an independent hip-hop label that has been pushing boundaries in the genre for over a decade.
Theravada initially started as a DJ and producer, crafting beats and manning the decks for friends and collaborating with Chambers, releasing instrumental projects as early as 2013. By this time, he had deliberated rapping as part of his performances, driven partly by necessity when he couldn’t find emcees to match his production vision. His debut projects, "Xen Griffey" and "Xenny Hardaway", dropped in 2017, followed by "State of the Art" in 2018 and the expansive 91-track "Xennis Rodman" in 2019. His work is characterized by moody, cerebral flows, spacey beats, and a DIY ethos, often chopping samples from vinyl and DJ'ing his own performances.
His discography includes collaborations with prominent underground artists like Earl Sweatshirt, Armand Hammer, Navy Blue, AKAI SOLO, and YUNGMORPHEUS, with whom he released "Up Against the Wall; A Degree of Lunacy" in 2022. Albums like "Strange Voice" (2022) and "My Own 2 Hands" (2022) showcase his knack for blending psychedelic, jazz-infused production with introspective lyricism. Theravada’s name, inspired by the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, reflects a unique personal identity he embraces, having grown up feeling like an outsider due to his Greek heritage and unconventional name.
Known for his prolific output and cult following, Theravada continues to evolve, balancing raw authenticity with experimental flair, making him a standout voice in New York’s indie rap landscape.
Theravada initially started as a DJ and producer, crafting beats and manning the decks for friends and collaborating with Chambers, releasing instrumental projects as early as 2013. By this time, he had deliberated rapping as part of his performances, driven partly by necessity when he couldn’t find emcees to match his production vision. His debut projects, "Xen Griffey" and "Xenny Hardaway", dropped in 2017, followed by "State of the Art" in 2018 and the expansive 91-track "Xennis Rodman" in 2019. His work is characterized by moody, cerebral flows, spacey beats, and a DIY ethos, often chopping samples from vinyl and DJ'ing his own performances.
His discography includes collaborations with prominent underground artists like Earl Sweatshirt, Armand Hammer, Navy Blue, AKAI SOLO, and YUNGMORPHEUS, with whom he released "Up Against the Wall; A Degree of Lunacy" in 2022. Albums like "Strange Voice" (2022) and "My Own 2 Hands" (2022) showcase his knack for blending psychedelic, jazz-infused production with introspective lyricism. Theravada’s name, inspired by the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, reflects a unique personal identity he embraces, having grown up feeling like an outsider due to his Greek heritage and unconventional name.
Known for his prolific output and cult following, Theravada continues to evolve, balancing raw authenticity with experimental flair, making him a standout voice in New York’s indie rap landscape.
VIDEO