XXII (pronounced ‘Double X Line Line’) is often regarded as a Malaysian HipHop-based music collective. However, the crew transcends music and borders.
Founded 2004 in Damansara by then-college students; QBe, Sayla, Dennis and Hunny Madu – XXII was formed out of shared comradeship and enthusiasm for the art of rap and Hip Hop culture as a whole – incidentally at a rap cypher circle. Initially branded as Flow Fam, the little circle grew with new bonds made with young come-ups that shared similar hunger to pursue music; early recruits included producers, DJs and rappers within and around Malaysia, in the likes of SonaOne, DJ Iman, Karmal, Kayda, Wan-D and Frequensi.
By 2010, Flow Fam consisted of artists, beatboxers and producers across Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. New Singaporean members like Sleeq, Akeem Jahat, Richard J and Zul Maestro, coupled with Sri Lankan producer Dizzy-D and KL-based talents DJ Guibo, and Tatsuro Miller – added new dimensions to the group, in both synergy and sound. As a result, the group evolved beyond being just a rap collective to become a multi-disciplinary group of friends that dived into an expansive array of skill sets and focuses – yet rooted and kept close by their ties to music.
In slightly over a decade, XXII has proven its grit and longevity via a list of commendable achievements and milestones; from its natural evolution as an underground affair, into an enterprising brand synonymous to fresh music releases and entrepreneurial musicians. To date, XXII members have ventured into an array of successful businesses and efforts within and beyond music – from owning studios and beat production, to dabbling in advertising/media and self-initiating merchandising/events. As a cherry on the cake, XXII members have earned an impressive string of awards, accolades and credible nods for a great range of projects – a testament to the crew’s capabilities, determination and might.
What’s more, XXII’s inception into the industry introduced waves of noticeable influences and often emulated trends; distinctive hand-signs, slangs, performance styles, production styles, rhymes schemes, and catchphrases (“put your 22s up!) – while introducing a new holistic take on Hip Hop, R&B and music – blurring genres and bridging the underground onto the mainstream.
2017 will prove to be a big year of XXII, with new blueprints to further evolve the brand into a more pronounced and consolidated force; supported by the introduction for new business entities, a strategic rebrand, new merchandise, new XXII members, and a new wave of music releases and sounds.
22s up!
Email: xxiimusicent@gmail.com
Twitter: @itsXXII
Instagram: xxiientertainment
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