“Continue to carry out the legacy of being a musician that represents real music,” is what the iconic Stevie Wonder told up and coming singer-songwriter Josh Xantus. Catching the pitch-perfect ear of Stevie Wonder is unheard of for a new artist. However, after one listen to Josh’s fresh sound, whether it is 2011’s Can I Live? or his upcoming mixtape The Antidote, it’s no shocker the entertainment industry is taking notice.
Josh’s musical roots have a unique start. Born to Haitian parents in Brooklyn, New York, Josh and his four siblings moved to Queens after his mother and father separated. His mother, a violinist, had a passion for music; however, like many single mothers, her aspirations were put on hold to raise her children. But, she never forgot the music. “My mother wanted her kids to play an instrument so she gave us pianos. She couldn’t pursue music like she wanted to — in her mind, it was a self-fulfillment for us to play an instrument.” Little did his mother know, she was cultivating the beginnings of a superstar.At only 26, Josh Xantus, which means golden in Greek, has already caught the likes of Swizz Beatz, Ne-Yo, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis and Birdman from Cash Money. A fusion of sharp musicality with infectious party anthems, his sound is accentuated by the discipline of a Julliard trained pianist and the swag of a pop-R&B prince.