Press Lives Matter: Official X, Houston Playmaker behind Winners Music Group + Noirs Collective
Written by Greg Harris
The Houston music scene is easily one of the hottest in the game right now. This being one of the most sought after places to be in the 3rd Coast, it’s a safe haven for various of talent that’s being presented. While hip-hop still reigns supreme in this place of vast music, it’s been other artists and creative individuals who’s been pushing the envelope in a new direction.
Official X has been a move maker for North Houston and beyond for quite some time, but his most recognizable pieces of work are his contributions to the rise and success of Houston’s dominant R&B act, DONTASKGEN. X has not only molded his creative business platform for GEN, but has done so for the Winners Music Group and the newly founded Noirs Collective, which is a multi-faceted creative company based in The Bayou City.
We recently had the opportunity to speak to him about his foundation coming from North Houston, what its like to work with his siblings, what kind of impact he wants to make, and more.
Check out the new exclusive conversation below.
How’s Your Modern Life?
Beautiful… I’m enjoying the ride
What are three things you have to do when you first wake up?
Pray, check my email/texts/missed calls, and get myself cleaned up
Coming up how would you describe your upbringing?
It was cool. We never had much, but we had each other.
Coming out of North Houston is a different world in its own right, how would you describe the characteristics of the region of The Bayou City and what makes it special?
The North is where anything can happen. It’s like its own city in a way. It’s dangerous if you’re caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it’s home, and there’s love there if you do right by the people.
Coming up during a time when the Northside of Houston was receiving national recognition with the likes of Paul Wall, Swisha House, Mike Jones, and Slim Thug. How was it to see that unfold in front of your eyes and how was it to be involved in the scene during that time?
I can’t lie, it was live. I used to sell Boss Hogg Outlaws (Slim Thug’s Record Label/Collective) CDs at Booker T. Washington my freshman year. Sir Daily used to give me boxes of them and let me keep the cash. We had the house in the hood with the basketball goal, so he used to pull up and park their Excursion out front while he talked shit with my uncle and older cousins.
It showed me that we could do it to. And T.Farris (Legendary Swishahouse Producer/One of the key people behind Megan Thee Stallion/1501 Entertainment’s success) is from the hood too, so I saw that there was real money behind the scenes… It opened my eyes to more possibilities.
Since then, how do you feel like the nature of the city has changed and elevated over time?
The artist are more willing to work with each other, and also more willing to venture away from the city to get their feet wet and bring new feels back. I think the city is more evolved as a whole when it comes to the industry now, even at the lower levels.
You started by being a spectator in the city’s culture but eventually you worked your with creating your own platform with Winners Media and Music. What inspired you to make this move?
I started a record label in high school with a few of my day ones. We made a little noise in the hood, but our business wasn’t together. Then I had a solo run for a couple years learning from an artist and CEO’s perspective. Then when it was time for my brother to take the reigns, so I stepped back to get it right, and here we are.
For those who’ve been following the Winners Media + Music, it’s been artists and producers who’s been apart of the collective that made waves in their own way. How was it to create a new alternative when it came to scenes + sounds in the Houston community?
It feels great. Seeing my people create their own waves in their own ways is a blessing. I like to help people bring their visions to fruition, so it’s an honor to be behind some of the most gifted minds out there
When someone combs through your roster, one of the most influential acts on it is emerging R&B star, DONTASKGEN. How is it to not only work with someone who’s as talented but to have this person be your brother as well?
To me , there’s no feeling like building your dreams with your brother. I’m proud of the man, and artist he’s developing into. We’re just getting started, though.
You guys have received an astounding amount of love from Gen’s last project, “DONTASKFORLOVE”. How was it to help curate, manage, and roll out this project?
It was a learning experience. This was the most detailed rollout we’ve had thus far, so it came with new learning experiences, but all in all, it was fun. Seeing the reception was the coolest though, we all put in the work, so for people to gravitate to it the way they did, made us feel like we’d accomplished something.
Given the fact that “DONTASKFORLOVE” has given you guys ammunition when it comes to crafting a stable body of work, what are some of the next steps for you guys?
We’re going to try to push envelope as far as we can, and make something new for ourselves to reflect on, and for the people to feel
From an administrative standpoint, what are some things you are putting your time into to become better in your craft?
Right now I’m focused on learning as much as i can, so that we can expand the brand, as well as build new ones. I’m also managing my time and resources better, so that life isn’t cluttered and I can focus on the tasks at hand. There’s major changes coming into play, so that’ll be the first of many moves.
Before the year closes, what are three things you want to achieve?
I’m looking to get our new business up and running, Finish up a few of our visual renderings, and solidify my position as an executive.
What are three things you want to make an impact on when it comes to your work?
I want to open the door to resources for the up and coming artist and creatives, give the world the gift of the overlooked geniuses, and their visions, and change the dynamic of the city as a whole.
When it’s all said and done, what do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for giving the knowledge I’ve acquired from trial and error to the generations to come, so that they can bypass the barriers I’ve come across without being crippled or slowed. There’s more to the world than we’re raised seeing, and I want to be able to show that kids from the hood can have more than is presented to us