Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavvi.
Hi Xavvi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My music career is only a few years old, but the foundation for it started long ago. I grew up in a family of musicians.
My mother sang around the world on tour with Las Chicas De Nueva York and my sister joined her as a vocalist and percussionist when she came of age. My nephew began as a DJ in his teen years and converted to music production now with over a decade of experience.
So music was always around me, but I instead took the academic route into adulthood. Focusing on school, friends, and living a non-creative life. I’ve always enjoyed music and respected the fact that my family lived their lives to it, but I never truly understood the impact it could have until 2017. I had recently discovered the artist formerly known as XXXTentacion and grew fond of his music along with my other top artists. During the time that I was dealing with a deep depression stemming from a bad breakup, X released his album titled “17.” I remember going into my room, ready to just deal with the emotions of my younger self and listening to each song thoroughly. I felt tears with each track and it was almost as if he had gone through the exact same pain and situations that I have been through and was at that time going through. The impact that album had on me was what really started my appreciation for music and its influence on people.
With a newfound understanding of music, I became a strong fan while also expanding my music preferences and continuing my studies at UCF. I would spend time sometimes imagining myself in the studio with these artists that I’ve grown to admire, singing along with them or rapping along. In 2018, the passing of X hit me like a wrecking ball. I felt a slew of emotions as the artist who made me fall in love with music was now no longer with us. After the mourning period passed, I did some self-reflection. I remember looking in the mirror and telling myself “This kid was only 20 years old and he left a legacy…what am I doing with my life? Can’t I do the same thing?” It was that moment of realization that I decided to delve into the music world and try my hand at songwriting, rapping, and singing. I would spend my free time between work, class, and the gym, just writing songs to beats I found on YouTube and Soundcloud.
College forced me to expand my writing capabilities in general and also forced me to confront my fear of public speaking, both of which helped feed into my eventual music career. After spending months writing and practicing in private, I finally developed the courage to ask the only person I could think of who would help me. My nephew and now primary producer, Riko Tha’ Producer, chuckled when I first mentioned to him that I wanted to record a song. He didn’t pay too much mind to it, but he gave me a throwaway beat for me to practice on. After spending some time writing and rehearsing with him, we recorded my first ever song “Regret” under my initial artist name Wraith.
Wraith was meant to be a masked individual who released music and never appeared in public spaces, but that was only initially created out of fear. With the help of some pep talk, I decided to change my name and approach.
“Regret” was released under Xavvi, a charismatic and positive individual ready to create magic. With the momentum of releasing my first-ever song, we got straight to work, making single after single with plans for a great future.
Working with Riko in the studio, performing at open mics and small shows, then progressing to working with more producers and artists, my music career is really just beginning and I’m excited about it. Everything I write, and every story I tell comes from my life experiences, the experiences of those close to me, and my inner thoughts. I choose to be unique, but relatable every day and I hope it shows in my music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have always been struggles along the way. Finding time to balance school, work, and health, in the beginning, was tricky. Things also took a big hit when COVID came around. Not being able to perform, and limiting my interactions with the outside world took its toll on my mental.
I’m glad that over the last year or so, I’ve been able to redevelop my performing skills and get my name out there again as a prominent artist in the area. Having recently released my first EP and preparing for another, it seems like the dark times are in the past.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Put simply, I am a music artist that specializes in Rap, Hip Hop, and R&B. I serve as a songwriter, performer, and recording artist. I like to balance lyricism and hype within my music, adding a sense of melody and emotion as well. Anyone who knows me knows that I can really put pen to paper and develop amazing verses and hooks. Everything else follows as I develop as an artist.
And it is that development that I am most proud of. My year-over-year improvement is astounding, especially knowing that I wrote my first song in 2019. Being booked for paid performances, getting featured in blogs and articles, and hitting almost 300k streams on my music have all been highs as well. What really sets me apart is my authenticity. I am never afraid to show love and hand people their flowers.
I’m also not afraid to put in the work that is needed to achieve my goals and help others achieve theirs. I make sure that the quality of my music shows that, and the quality of my character follows suit.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories always involved being home or in the car singing along to Ne-Yo’s “In My Own Words” which was the first album my mother ever bought for me.
I knew and to this day 90%, of the words to each song. Ne-Yo and 50 Cent were the two most prominent artists I grew up listening to and I would always smile when I heard their music. Nothing will ever beat playing video games and listening to “Get Down Like That – Remix” by Ne-Yo featuring Ghostface Killah.
Contact Info:
- Website: xavvi.webflow.io
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xavviofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DDKXavvi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-negron-ab51581b4/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/xavviofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@XavviOfficial
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/xavviofficial
Image Credits
@mjm.4, @host_visuals, and @fusionandco
