I2G conducted a interview with one of the rising stars in R&B music today, Josh Xantus aka Josh X. We discuss his upbringing in music, which entails a deep classical music background, his new hit single 1st Time, his new album, Can I Live and much more so check it out.
Illuminati 2G is here with Josh X how’s it going?
Everything is good man, how is your day so far?
Not too bad, staying out this Vegas heat.
Oh man I was just out there last week, WOW. I hear it is for real out there.
Yeah it is 108 right now.
Wow
Yeah so I am trying to stay cool (laughs) Tell me about how you got your start in music and who are some of your musical influences out there.
I have been playing piano music ever since I was 6 years old. Ever since I have been playing…, well I started off with classical. My mom wanted me to be a classical pianist growing up. From there I realized classical music was not working out for me once I got into junior high school and high school for the ladies. I would play this beautiful classical piece for this lady and she was like what the hell is that?
Laughs
It just was not working, so I started listening to Brian McKnight and from there I decided when I grow up that is the kind of music that I want to sing. He has been a great influence on my music, Stevie Wonder, of course Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Wyclef, the list just goes on and on.
You have a new single out called 1st Time. Tell me a little bit how that song came together for you.
First Time was a song that I wanted to touch base on people experiencing their first time of love. So I wrote that song, and it is a personal song from my personal experience with love. I was in the car one day and I was driving up to Boston when I wrote the entire song. After I finished it I thought the song was going to turn out dope. I recorded it in the studio once I got home from Boston and it was brought to life.
You also have a really nice single Let’s Ride with Jadakiss how did you end up linking up with Jadakiss?
Jada is actually a friend of the family, that is like my big brother. He looks out for me in the game and gives me advice, but my boy Killa Touch DJs for him. We played the record for Kiss and he was like yo this is hot I want to jump on it and be a part of it and shoot the video with you. Ever since then he has been family to me, I have been on the road with him, radio promotional tours with him, I chill at his crib, that’s my boy. He borrowed my car for his video, we family.
So tell the people and the listeners out there what they are in store for when your new album Can I Live drops?
Well pretty much the album is about making choices. Whether or not if they are the right or wrong choices, at the time when you make them, the question is can you live with it? People are going to be in store for some real stuff. I feel like my album Can I Live is going to make people have a outlook to look more at themselves and topics that most artists do not speak about, I feel like alot of listeners are going to be like wow, I am feeling him from that song or I went through that. People that listen to this album and support it are going to find alot of things and experiences of life that they are going through.
So is it like a conceptual album? Is there different scenarios as far as situations from track to track or just random things?
Well from start to finish each track connects itself. So the first track is me finding that girl and from there it goes into relationships and feelings with your girl and real life family problems and just real life deals of just making it in life. Because everybody at the end of the day is try to live. We all living for something. The whole concept of the album is can I live. Because everyone is trying to get where they need to be at and the ups and downs that you deal with when you are trying to acheive something in life.
Do you have a release date or anything set for the album?
We are looking at a October release. Going on tour in August and September and I am planning to open for Ginuwine during the tour. My single is doing really good right now, radio is loving it, the video is being broadcasted on all the major networks. We are looking at a Fall/October release.
Do you have any guests or producers on the album or did you produce the album yourself?
I produced most of the tracks on the album myself. I have Swizz Beats on the album, he produced on the album. I have Los Da Mystero, who produced 2 tracks on the album and I also have Lil Wonder from Wyclef’s Refugee Camp, he also did some beats. So it is a big mix.
What is some music right now that you are bumping right now in the ride or at the house that you are really feeling at the moment.
Michael Jackson, all day everyday, in the car, HEAVY.
You had mentioned earlier that you had some upcoming shows and tour dates. Do you have any other dates that you want to get out there to the people?
When I get more tour dates I will shoot you over that information so you guys can support the whole movement.
Ok sounds good. What is your website information for people looking to check out your music and see what you got going on?
www.joshxantus.com. My twitter, come follow me. I am on there everyday communicating with my fans. www.twitter.com/joshxantus.
Alright well that is all the questions that I have for you, appreciate you getting down for the interview. Is there any last words or shoutouts you want to get out there to the people?
I just want everybody to know that Can I Live will be in stores this Fall. Everybody that gets a chance to learn about ya boy Josh will not be disappointed. I make good music and I put 100% into it and when you listen to it, you can be the judge for yourself.
Appreciate the interview
Aight man appreciate your time.
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