I roll with The North Starz.....Sky, Y.C, J.A.E, and Ross "Confucius" Young.
Influences
I wasn't exposed to hip hop/rap growing up as a child. I was raised in a home where Michael Jackson was KING!! He is my major influence. Eminem, Prince, Elvis, Dr. Dre, Royce Da 5'9" and a few others fall a close second place..lol
Sounds Like
I try to be as original as possible when creating my music. I dont listen to rap AT ALL while working on a project (even my own). I want all of my ideas to be born inside my head before they reach your ears....
Record Label
Record labels are destroying the music industry...
Imagine a rapper who’s extremely confident, refreshing, fearless, independent, and unpredictable. Now meet the reality known as XI. Born Gary Lucy, on January 28, 1985 in Detroit, MI, his love affair with music commenced at the tender age of 8 when he began playing the piano. As a result of being raised in a religious household, XI was somewhat sheltered from hip hop music as a child and during his adolescent years. Instead of hip hop, XI’s musical foundation was established by the classic sounds of Motown; more specifically, Michael Jackson had a profound influence in birthing his passion for music.
While in high school, XI’s ears finally discovered hip hop and he immediately fell in love with the music and the culture. Eminem became the second major artist to make a remarkable impression on XI’s next musical phase. Reminded of his initial reactions to Eminem’s lyrical ability XI states, “Eminem instantly became my favorite …the way he can bring raw emotions to tracks, and also have fun on tracks, and also be lyrical on tracks really caught me.”
In addition to falling in love with hip hop, XI’s cousin and production partner, YC, introduced him to Fruityloops, a computer software program used for music production. And XI the producer was born. Years later, XI would go on to form a production team, The North Starz, with YC and childhood friend Ski Blanchard.
As his production techniques advanced, XI began hearing his voice over the beats he was composing. So he labored on his song writing ability. Those two skills combined provided an avenue for XI to express himself. XI the producer was now XI the rapper/ producer.
As time passed, XI began to amass significant song material. The result:
his highly anticipated debut album, “Life As I Know It”. A collection of therapeutic statements in song form that address real life situations. Essentially, “Life As I Know It” will be an introduction into the mind of XI- who he is and how he perceives the world. The first single off the album, “Nikki Nikki”, produced by YC, is a lively upbeat spin off of Prince’s “Darling Nikki” from the Purple Rain album. In the area of production, XI assumes the bulk of that responsibility and YC makes other contributions to round out an album which production quality is exceptional. “Life As I Know It” also features guest appearances by label mates rappers J.A.E and Ross “Confucius” Young. “Life As I Know It” is a complete album with unique song concepts and themes. Undoubtedly, “Life As I Know It” is sure to be one of the best independent releases of 2008.
Keenly aware of the power of hip hop culture and its history XI says, “Hip hop is the foundation. It is up to us to build off of that foundation and add new floors as we build towards the sky.” Forever mindful of the essence of the culture, XI is determined to use his talents with a sense of responsibility. Destined to reach success, he is adamant about remaining an independent artist who makes music that is original, sincere and of substance.
XI has ripped the stage at various venues around Metro Detroit including: Hoop City Grill, Alvins, Checkers Bar and Grill and Cass Tech High School.
For XI, life becomes lyric. And he constantly wears the competitive confidence, an indispensable characteristic, which the arena of hip hop culture demands of its members. Afraid of nothing, including being vulnerable, XI welcomes every challenge life brings. Without those challenges there would exist no motivational energy from which his music is created. So please listen closely as XI recounts to you life as he knows it.
For more information on XI, including booking, upcoming shows and updates on the release of his forth coming projects he can be reached at: phone: 313.971.5812, email: xi@thenorthstarz.com or Myspace.com/meetxi.
AOL Instant Messanger = MeetXI
For more about me, visit http://www.TheNorthStarz.com (under construction)
Hey yo, let's walk baby, and talk baby You know where I'm from (New York baby) You look good enough to put you on a fork baby You got them other chicks outlined in chalk baby Uhh - you killin 'em
(Okay) Blow with me, flow with me I wan' take you to a show with me I wan' cool out in the crib with a lil' sticky I wan' see how you look in a lil' Vicky Ha ha, you sexy baby, stomach tight Ass right, nice heighth Damn baby bless yo' momma Any girl scratch yo' face it will be drama Comma, I'm just jokin But your body kinda got me open - damn!
yea, i got certified to be a mechanic down there, was there for 2 years almost, it was wild. gotta tell u abot it sometime. came back here, worked for a few years, made some bread, in a few different ways, had a kid. thats it in a nut shell. now i got some new moves im about to make, take my life to that next level u know. but next time im around im'a definately be in contact.
GLUCY what it do? Drop a line, hollar at your boy, long time no see. Sup with that boy Ross. Nigga cant return phone calls. Anyways glad to see you out here.
GL Where u been? Haven't heard from u in a long time. Miss talkin 'bout movies w/cha. So how 'bout "Cloverfield"? Drop me a line and let me know how you've been and what u thought about that monster movie!. Love ya! ~EM
whas good wit it, I havent been on this piece in a minute...not really on that much anyway. But hit me up if you wanna collab or something my dude 100...
Wow, XI has me speechless, I was gonna let you know how tight I thought that Boom beat was, but then I realized I didn't know what No One was, and . . . well . . . thats the speechless part, got Mamma Jonez on the emotional tip, dahmn. . I need that on disc so I can bang it in the whip!
Damn... i'm luvin the new songs!! still waitin on that cd!! call me i wanna come and get that i'd have it in my car everyday lol!! but hit me up sum tyme!
