Episode #44 - Getting to Know New York Based Singer/Songwriter JOSH X

Join my conversation with JOSH X. The singer/songwriter has worked with Cardi B, Rick Ross among others. He attended the prestigious summer program at The Juilliard School. We discuss his upbringing, his latest singles "I Miss You" and "Creole Love Part 2", meeting his idols Brian McKnight and Stevie Wonder, and his upcoming podcast and cooking show in 2021. Raised in Queens, the singer/songwriter/producer (born Josh Xantus) initially honed his musical chops as a classical pianist at the age of 6. “My mom being originally from Haiti, the thing she loved the most was classical music. My first influences were Mozart, Chopin, Bach, Beethoven,” he says. Although he’s trained in the Western canon, when he got around to listening to r&b, he fell in love with Brian McKnight. “He was a piano player and a singer. I wanted to learn his songs so I could do it too.”

Josh studied at the prestigious summer program at The Juilliard School and graduated from Five Towns College. Realizing that classical music just wasn’t in his heart, nor getting him attention from the ladies, he decided to pivot. “By college, I knew I wanted to be a R&B singer,” he laughs.

In college, the wunderkind began to sneak away to late-night studio sessions, eventually meeting rapper Jadakiss. It just felt right. “I knew this is what I was supposed to do. I started doing a lot of open mics and putting my face out there. The dots started connecting.” By 2008, he was making the rounds as an independent artist (under the moniker Josh Xantus) and released “All For Love” (featuring Jadakiss). His network grew, working with notables like Swizz Beatz (co-writing “Ready to Go” for FOX’s hit show Empire), Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis and Bryan “Birdman” Williams from Cash Money Records. 2009’s “First Time” even caught the ear of Stevie Wonder and led to a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the legend. “I’ll never forget that song. He took interest in me. That song opened up a lot of doors,” says Josh.

One of those doors was linking with Shaft of The KSR Group, a NYC-based record label that was working with then-fledgling artist Cardi B. Josh was tasked with writing and producing for Cardi beginning in 2015. “I saw the vision. I was the first person to produce Cardi. The two collaborated on her single “Selfish” as well as his “Heaven On My Mind” in 2016. After working tirelessly behind-the-scenes for three years to help shape Cardi’s astronomical rise, Josh X is ready to emerge as a star in his own right.

Dropping “Xantus” from this stage name, Josh X is ready for this new chapter in his life. He signed with Epic Records in early 2018 and released his first single, “All On Me (featuring Rick Ross).” The song is an ode to triumph and perseverance; something Josh knows all about. “Man, so I’m in Miami. I’m cutting the record—not on pen—all in the booth. I heard the beat and the track has over 60 brass instruments alone!” he says. Immediately he was hooked. “It just came out of me.” The song serves as a fitting introduction for a career a long time in the making. “At that moment, I wanted to show everyone who has been patient waiting for me the man that I’m going to be. This moment is how we’re going to celebrate life. It’s about elevation. It’s about achieving the goals you set for yourself.”

In 2019, Josh released his “Piano Confessions” EP to rave reviews followed by the success of his latest single, “I Miss You”. The single topped the Billboard R&B UAC Charts at #20. All in preparation to the upcoming release of “The X Project“. “A blend of that new age R&B with bits of trap-vibes sprinkled throughout, while giving my fans the traditional Josh X sound with records as “One Last Time”. Musically and symbolically, it’s a full-circle for Josh. “I’ve been patient. It’s my time to shine.”

 

CONNECT WITH JOSH X:

Website: www.JoshXantus.com

Instagram: @JoshXantus

Twitter: @JoshXantus

Facebook: /JoshXOfficial

 

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