Iowa State Fair Grandstand Headliner BigXThaPlug Arrested Hours Before Show, Fair Says Performance Will Proceed

Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug, whose legal name is Xavier Landum, was taken into custody on Friday in the Dallas suburb of Allen, Texas. Collin County jail records list three charges: driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, and unlicensed possession of a firearm. The records also note that Landum had previously been jailed on drug and weapons offenses in 2022 and 2025. As of Saturday morning he remained incarcerated.

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Fair officials confirmed that the arrest will not cancel the scheduled Grandstand show on Saturday, August 22, 2026. A fair spokesperson said the organization is in contact with the artist’s agent and has been told the performance will still occur. The headliner is set to appear at 7 p.m., with XOLEX as the opening act.

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Earlier in August, the Grandstand’s original headliner, Rod Stewart, withdrew two days before his show for medical reasons. The fair processed electronic refunds through its ticket vendor, E-Tix, and offered in-person refunds for cash purchases. John Waite stepped in as a replacement, delivering a free performance that attracted roughly 2,000 attendees. Despite missing Stewart’s ticket-sale goal, the fair still broke its single-show ticket record with Lainey Wilson’s sold-out concert earlier this month.

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• Arrest date: Friday (recorded in Collin County jail).

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• Charges: DWI, marijuana possession, illegal firearm possession.

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• Prior arrests: documented in 2022 and 2025.

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• John Waite replacement audience: ~2,000 people.

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• Record-breaking ticket sale: Lainey Wilson’s earlier this month show.

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• "We are in communication with his agent and at this time, we have been told he will still be performing," — fair spokesperson.

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