Exclusive Interview with Xavier Lewis – From America’s Got Talent To The Studio, The Music Speaks!

WWS: You got your start in the church why did you choose to go R n B rather than becoming a gospel singing artist?
XL: Despite growing up in church, I wanted to bring back a message of Love, Family, Commitment, The struggle and Pain yet Triumph and Victory as well as Church itself back to the R&B platform. True Rhythm and Blues was originally about all of these things and not just SEX which most of the male R&B artists today make records about.

How did the strong musical elements of the south and church influence your music?
Well, I grew up in Miami, FL and what the average person doesn’t know or realize is that the true sound of Miami was SOUL and Funk not POP. My church was a deep, down south sanging church so no matter what, I couldn’t get away from it!

What separates you from other R n B artists out there? and how do you think you can evolve in this progressive industry?
What separates me from other artists outside of the obvious is that Imma stay true to me. I’m not interested in molding my brand or sound after what’s heard on the radio or seen on television but instead present a Brand and vocal style that grants me my own lane. I really believe that in itself guarantees me the opportunity to evolve in this progressive industry by giving the “people” Xavier Lewis-The Antidote to R&B.

What inspired the title of your album ” The Antidote To R N B?”
I haven’t come up with an official name of the album just yet but The Antidote to R&B is more so like my added-on stage name.

What are some really effective marketing and promotional tools you have used and are currently utilizing?
You can definitely keep up with me on FB by joining my fan page, The Antidote to R&B and on TWITTER @ XavierLewisXL as well as checking out my website www.XavierLewis.com.

What message are you trying to send to listeners through your music?
At the end of the day, the message I want to send out to my listeners can be summarized in one word, “LOVE.” It’s a message that comes in many different forms from courtship to marriage to make up and break up to stepping out to baby mama/daddy drama.

If the opportunity presented itself would you be ok with taking a behind the scenes role as a ghost writer or do you feel your music is less effective if performed by someone else?
I’m interested in being a true professional within the uses of my God-given talents so as a result, that involves everything from singing backgrounds to ghost writing and producing to running my company as CEO of Millennium Soul Music Group. With this being said, I believe that my music is most effective no matter whose performing it but just by getting the message out there. Now on the other hand, there are some writers out there that are interested in promoting a message I may not agree with so personally I would choose what I will and will not allow to be my choice of song.

What is more significant to you in the realm of music the lyrics or the melody to the song and why?
To me, lyrics and melody go hand in hand. There isn’t one that’s more significant over the other. It’s a custom suited fit! Melody can make you dance, cry, get crunk, think, dream and aspire but the lyrics must match to create and deliver the story line. So I love them both equally.

What essentials do you feel are necessary for a good development and management team?
I definitely want a team that’s professional and capable of multitasking and wearing multiple hats. Some artists prefer management to be nasty and pushy but I prefer management to be people friendly and personable and I want a team that’s more willing to create it’s own path instead of choosing the path most traveled.

What does the future hold and what aspirations do you intend on embellishing throughout this year?
The future for me, Xavier Lewis, holds a world of opportunities from music, movies, record label, acting, autobiography, clothing line, modeling plus some but most of all, by the end of the year anticipate being halfway to a household name, getting the “BRAND” out to the world!