Alternative R&B’s boldest storyteller, HyenaXXL, returns with a high-voltage reimagining of his track “MR.XXL,” enlisting R&B titan Ne-Yo to deliver a remix that pulses with charisma, cinematic allure, and unfiltered sensuality. Where the original leaned heavily into an ’80s-tinged funk aesthetic, this version—revamped by Grammy-nominated producer Riley Urick—injects the song with a modern edge, transforming it into a full-blown alt-R&B-pop spectacle.
From the first beat, “MR.XXL (Remix)” wastes no time asserting its presence. The groove is tighter, the bass deeper, the mood more electric. HyenaXXL’s signature themes—lust, longing, and liberation—are amplified, pushed into new emotional territory through Ne-Yo’s velvet-smooth vocal contrast. Together, the duo create a rich, evocative atmosphere that channels the spirit of Prince while forging a path undeniably their own.
Lyrically, the song invites listeners into the decadent dreamscape of “Erotic City,” a symbolic realm where boundaries blur and passion reigns. It’s escapism through intimacy—a narrative arc woven across the remix and throughout HyenaXXL’s self-titled album, which explores love as both fantasy and revelation.
HyenaXXL has always embraced risk—his music exists at the intersection of retro bravado and contemporary soul—but the Ne-Yo collaboration marks a major moment. It’s not just a co-sign; it’s an artistic elevation. The track oozes chemistry, confidence, and craft, and in doing so, it cements HyenaXXL’s rising status in the alt-R&B space.
What makes the remix especially potent is its duality: it feels both timeless and of-the-moment, nostalgic yet progressive. That’s no small feat—and it’s what makes HyenaXXL one to watch. With no major label backing and a growing list of heavyweight collaborators, he’s building something rare: a lane of his own.
