Cocona, a member of the global group XG – known for its fusion of hip-hop, R&B and avant-garde pop – has publicly shared his identity as a transmasculine, non-binary person. The news was announced via a personal message posted on his 20th birthday on the group’s official Instagram account.
The release comes after a year of great international visibility for XG, highlighting its presence at global festivals such as Coachella 2025, where the group’s performance was praised for its strong stage presence and stylistic approach to new Asian pop/hip-hop.
A personal statement of courage, identity and liberation.
In his birthday message, Cocona expressed the following:
“Today was my 20th birthday. I want to share something that has been in my heart for a long time. I am an AFAB, transmasculine, non-binary person.”
She also confirmed having undergone thoracic masculinization surgery (top surgery) earlier this year, referring to an intimate process of self-knowledge:
“I was perceived as female at birth, but that label never represented who I am. I live in a way that feels more masculine and true to me.”
Throughout his message, the artist emphasized how difficult it was to accept his identity and how that process allowed him to “open a new door” to live with more clarity, strength and authenticity.
Support from XG, family and seal
Cocona thanked the other XG members for their support, as well as his family and XGALX CEO Simon Jakops. In his own words, that support was the key to being able to live freely:
“Thank you for walking beside me and supporting me. I am excited for the future we will continue to build with XG and XGALX.”
This gesture underscores the importance of trans visibility in the Asian music industry, where image pressures, gender conventions and cultural expectations are often particularly intense.
Who is Cocona? A key talent of XG
- Rapper, dancer and vocalist.
- Recognized for his aggressive flow, deep voice and stage presence.
- An essential part of the group’s hip-hop sound, standing out in tracks such as “Left Right”, “Tippy Toes”, “Puppet Show” or “Woke Up”.
Since its debut in 2022, XG has been one of the most influential projects in the global new Asian pop scene, moving away from the traditional K-Pop model and going for an international aesthetic of trap, hip-hop, R&B and urban performance.
Why is this announcement historic?
✔ Transmasculine representation in global pop
✔ Visibility from an international mainstream project
✔ Message of support within the music industry
✔ An important reference for LGBTQ+ fans around the world.
This announcement not only marks a personal milestone for Cocona: it opens a significant chapter in the history of contemporary Asian pop music.
