DrexTheJoint is carving out a space for himself in hip-hop, and with his latest release, The One Who Did, he’s marking his territory. Hailing from Santa Ana, California, Drex, at just 19, is defying the odds by staying rooted in his city’s identity while pushing his sound far beyond. The 15-track EP has already racked up 1.2 million streams, a feat that feels almost inevitable given Drex’s raw talent and unfiltered storytelling.
What sets The One Who Did apart from the noise of mainstream rap is Drex’s refusal to claim Los Angeles as his own, despite being in the same region. “There hasn’t been anybody in Orange County who has done it like me,” Drex states confidently. That’s a bold claim, but it’s backed by his authenticity. Tracks like “City of the Real” and “Orange Dreams” show that Drex is creating music that speaks directly to his roots—without the flashy LA moniker.
Not only does the EP feature collaborations with heavyweights like Heembeezy, Rowdy Racks, and Mike Sherm, but it’s also a solid 15 tracks of Drex’s uncut, unpolished life experiences. His 2019 viral hit “Bounce Out” had already shown his potential, but The One Who Did proves that Drex isn’t just some flash-in-the-pan artist. He’s in it for the long haul.
Set to take the stage at Rolling Loud California 2025, Drex’s future is looking nothing short of exciting. But here’s the question: can Drex maintain this momentum as he rises above the competition? If The One Who Did is any indication, he’s just getting started.
