Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier Scott.
Hi Xavier, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My father would always tell me that even before I could say words I was humming and singing songs, so art (especially music) has been a huge part of my life before I can even remember. But what I can remember is always in some sort or fashion having it be a major part of life, whether I was spending countless hours sitting by the radio, sketching some of my favorite cartoon/anime characters, recording videos, shooting/editing photography, dancing, writing poetry, playing instruments, etc., but never felt I had a way to display my gifts in the community I lived in. So, at a young age, I knew that my purpose in life was to use my gifts to help others find and love themselves through free expression. In August of 2014, I moved away from my hometown Charlotte, NC to Tampa in search of pursuing that passion. When I arrived, I immediately enrolled in school for music and audio engineering and found a home at USF singing, reciting poetry, and dancing with various multicultural organizations as well as curating events, and helping pageant contestants compete and win. From there I started attending open mics around the city and doing the same, eventually making a name for myself in the art community. I met so many talented people along the way and felt that there was a need for a platform created by an artist for artists to express themselves in any way they see fit. Fast forward to 2020 I decided to bring that dream to life and started Isolated Vybes. IVY started out as a way to promote some of my favorite artists in the city and became a place for me to find isolated gems and help them shine. This has helped me curate, DJ, and organize various hip-hop/r&b/indie/and poetry shows in the bay area over the years and I plan to do even more in the near future. My ultimate goal is to gather a team of like-minded artists and individuals in my community and build a company designed on promoting talent from all over the globe, but mainly local gems hidden in our area who may not have the means to express themselves in the way they see fit. My motto is always “You can do anything you want you just have to WANT to do it.” and I plan to be a walking personification of that quote until the end of my days.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road is smooth, there will always be bumps along the way, it’s just what you do with those bumps that truly define how passionate you are about your craft. I faced anxiety, depression, poverty, and loneliness pursuing my dream. Many times, not knowing where I fit in best, building with people just to see them back out when things get hard and leave me to fend for myself. The Covid shut down (although it is a tragedy) may have been one of the best things to happen to me, because it forced me to sit and really think about what I want to do with my talents and how I can use them to fulfill my purpose in life. Even though we may face roadblocks I feel the best way to overcome them is to collect them along the way, because in the end, they will help you build your pyramid to greater heights.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multifaceted artist who likes to have my hands in everything art. in short singing, rapping, producing beats, writing music, writing poetry, shooting and editing videos and photography, graphic designing, hosting, curating, DJing, playing instruments, and creative directing are all things I do professionally.
I mainly specialize in all thing’s music, film, graphic designing, Djing, and curating events
I am mostly known for performing under the name Solo “X” Equis, playing guitar, DJing, singing, rapping and my YouTube series “Isolated Vybes”
I am most proud of the artists in the community I have been able to connect but even more in continuing perfecting my crafts even through the things I’ve faced that I’ve also seen stop others from doing the same.
My passion, talent, and mindset set me apart from others, where others may be pursuing passion for self, I’ve realized that art isn’t just about me and a true artist will use their gifts to help and inspire others because we are all in this together. If I win you win.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The best thing about Tampa is the fact that no matter what is going on in the city there is always an event or something that you enjoy going on. Also, I come from a small city, so I love the fact events and venues don’t shut down at 9 pm, even on Sundays. I love the amount of different cultures I have experienced while living here and how open my mind has become after being here over the years.
I dislike how many talented people there are in this city that get no shine and that there is more to this city to offer than sports but that is all that is mainly highlighted. I dislike how the wealthy in Tampa dumps its money into tourism instead of building up lower-income communities (the ones that have actually built this city) and giving them away to grow and prosper in this ever-changing world instead of pushing them into the dark where no one can see.
Contact Info:
- Email: soloxequis@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isovybes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADXAMG
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSBRRWEOlDi1SIDPJwaE0NA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/soloequis
Image Credits
herreraphotog
