Grammy Award-Winning Hip-Hop Artist Undergoes Shift in Message & Creates Music With 12 Year Old Son
Seattle native, Xola, also known as Kid Sensation, made his name by being one of the first major hip-hop acts to break out of Seattle alongside Grammy Award Winning artist Sir Mix-A-Lot, and still is making major moves on the Seattle music scene after undergoing a shift in his message; most recently with the debut of his newest single 'Letters' featuring his 12-year-old son, Kendi Fresh.
Xola was born and raised in South Seattle by a hardworking single mother of two, who worked two jobs with no car and put herself through school at University of a Washington. Xola was motivated by the education foundations his mother instilled in him and his brother. He always knew he wanted more, and to avoid the pitfalls he saw many of his peers sink into. During the peak of his 'Kid Sensation Era', Xola was inspired by many east coast MCs. He said "I made music that spoke to what I knew. I made singles that represented a young man having a good time, happy to make it out of a rough childhood," and continued "I simply wrote from my heart from the level I was at, but I always sought to be myself."
However, as he rose in fame in his mid 20's, he felt like something wasn't right; living and representing himself as a tough guy, player, and self centered man, and because of that so much was falling apart. He then left his rap group with Sir Mix-A-Lot, while simultaneously battling strife in his personal life. He felt his spending and lifestyle were out of control. "I needed a change and peace in my life. I decided to start fresh. My name Xola means to stay in peace." Xola credits his evolution to finding religion. He said "Growing a relationship with God has been the key to my development as a man and artist. Following the example of Jesus has taught me kindness, strength, compassion, integrity and every good thing a man should strive to be. My music serves a higher purpose than me getting rich and popular. I want to inspire people and make the world better. Most of all I hope people will see my change and seek connection to God for themselves."
As a solo artist, Kid Sensation released 5 CDs, and sold over 1,000,000 units. In the early 2000s, Xola began recording music with a message under his real name, and creating content for sports music endeavors, and various charities. He has contributed to music in Seattle in a major way, and brings an energy unlike any other performer in the Northwest. He has created music for former Seattle Seahawks running back Shawn Alexander's local FSN show, and also some of the most talked about team songs of all time, such as the 'Ichiro Song'; the only song licensed by Ichiro and the Seattle Mariners, and the co-recorded duet 'The way I swing' with Ken Griffey Jr. Most recently, The Official Legion of Boom song, in 2015. Xola made his big screen debut in the Sundance Award Winner, Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) starring Kristen Bell, Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson, and directed by Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World, 2015).
Xola's son, 12-year-old Kendi Fresh has been collaborating on music with his dad for a few years, and his debut single/video 'Lean' started a dance craze that led to partnerships with police departments from Tacoma to Pasco to lean together with kids in the community. Xola and Kendi's new single is a 'letter' between the father-son duo, and speaks to the important relationship between a father and his child. Xola recalled, "as a man raised without a father, I understand the impact an engaged, healthy father figure can have on a kid and his future. We want to inspire dads and kids find ways to creatively engage."
