The X Presidents
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF | AFTRA
Music
Press
In an era of Hip Hop where the spotlight often follows dollar signs and bolsters those that lack real passion and love for the culture and craft, Canadian act The X Presidents are thriving in the shadows, but that could all change soon.
The X Presidents is comprised of Matt Diamond & Khingz, a Vancouver-based duo with extensive vocabularies and a clear desire to steal the spotlight and put it back on lyrical, quality Hip Hop.
On their latest project, Clear Skies On A Cloudy Day dropping August 7th via Standstill Music, the bar has definitely been set high for not just Canadian Hip Hop, but Hip Hop in general. Brody Mudryk (formerly of also-amazing group Conscience) shines on this project as both an emcee and producer, spitting passionate, heartfelt verses, often over his own soulful production.
Ka.lil is no slouch on the mic either. Voted "best rapper in Seattle" in 2009 by Seattle Weekly readers, Ka.lil is full of wordplay that will have listeners frequenting the rewind button, like when he raps "No humanity they sell fantasies, you OD on it/ We would detox it but...we chronic" on the standout track "What Don't Kill You..."
Another noteworthy highlight on the project comes in the form of vocalist Lyndsay Johnston's powerful pipes. Evoking totally warranted Jill Scott comparisons, it's no wonder she appears on 2 of the project's 6 tracks. Guest emcee Yex Lee will surely garner comparisons to artists like MURS with his contribution to "Summer Nights" as he adds to the west coast vibe of the track.
You may not see The X Presidents album going gold anytime soon, but in a just world artists like Brody & Ka.lil would garner just as much if not more attention than the Riff Raff's and Trinidad Jame$'s of the world. Quality Hip Hop is still very much available if you're willing to look for it, and Clear Skies On A Cloudy Day is 100% worthy of closer inspection. - Brent Bradley @ Strange Music
Discography
Clear Skies on a Cloudy Day - July 2014
Hands Up - June 2017
Photos
Bio
The X Presidents are an award winning band based out of Vancouver, Canada. Blending self produced beats, live instruments, samplers, singing and emceeing, this group is not one to miss. The group is comprised of producer/emcee Matt Diamind, Khingz (named Seattle’s Best emcee by Seattle Weekly), looping instrumentalist/singer Mark Woodyard, Bassist Bobby Dimock & emcee Mic Flont. With their sound blending a wide variety of influences including jazz, rock & blues, this group is pushing themselves both musically and lyrically.
Their debut, self-produced EP “Clear Skies on a Cloudy Day” was very well received across Canada and the United States. Brent Bradley (Media Editor @ Strange Music Inc.) spoke highly of the project; “On their latest project “Clear Skies on a Cloudy Day”, the bar has been set high for hip-hop in general.”
TXP has shared the stage & toured with many acclaimed artists such as Kool Keith, Redman, Slum Village, Akil (Jurassic 5), to name a few. After releasing their single & video for “Tumblin’ ft. Fatlip & J-swift (formerly of The Pharcyde)”, they joined Bizarre Ride for a 15-date, 10-country tour in Europe to promote the new single & upcoming album “Hands Up”.
The X Presidents’ second album "Hands Up” was listed in BeatRoute Magazine’s top 25 Vancouver releases of 2017.
“The X Presidents’ self-produced second album is a largely introspective affair, with tracks ranging in tone from melancholic, guitar-driven reflections like “What I Should Have Said” and “Get Me Through (ft. Slimkid3 of The Pharcyde)” to the more feel-good “Carefree” and ‘Tumblin’ ft. Fatlip & J-Swift of The Pharcyde)”. Jazz, blues, and rock influences underscore the album, resulting in a cohesive, relevant release from a local hip-hop crew worth keeping an eye out for.”
Shortly after its’ release, The X Presidents were asked to perform at the Canada Day 150th festivities at Canada Place, alongside many other acclaimed artists & also performed at the revered Phillips Backyard Stage for the Rifflandia Festival - 10th Anniversary. TXP recently joined Fatlip & Slimkid3 (formerly of The Pharcyde) for the Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde 25th Anniversary Tour across Canada in October 2017, selling out shows across the country.
With new music and videos on the way in 2018, The X Presidents will be joining Akil from Jurassic 5 across Canada in the spring and will also be headlining their own Eastern Canadian tour in the summer.
Band Members
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