Josh X-an-tus Blog: Making Of My Debut & First Single

Aiiiight, the recording process was great! I spent days and nights in the studio. I became it -- and it became me. My album, Can I Live, out on February 10th on M USA Entertainment is really conceptual. While recording, I got a chance to express myself and my emotions and put my life and experiences into my music. As the story unfolds, I'm meeting a girl for the first time and taking her on a smooth drive, that brings us to my first single, "Let's Ride." Each song after that follows the ups and downs I've faced in my 22 years with love, life, and relationships. I'm extremely confident and happy with this album, writing 90% of Can I Live, and co-producing every track. It was really a personal process for me and I'm excited for everyone to finally hear what I have spent so much time creating. Instead of turning to the hot producers of the moment, I wanted to reach out to lesser known but talented cats who could really listen to my vision and work with me on making it happen! I know, I may be a new artist in the public's eye, but like the producers who spent so many days and nights in the studio with me, we've all been working on music for a long time. My boy, Lil' Wunda, who produced "Let's Ride," has worked with everyone from T.I. to Wyclef and he is definitely one to watch out for!

The album title, Can I Live, comes from the idea that in life we all have choices, whether right or wrong -- and at the end of it all, we have to live with our decisions. I know a lot of people can relate to some of the situations I've been in and touch on in my music. Being 22, going to school, meeting new people, experiencing life in new ways, the drama, the heartbreaks, the hookups and relationships, I look forward to gaining new listeners and definitely want my fans to know that this album is from my heart and 100% real.

Making my first video was CRAZY! It was dope having my homie Jadakiss on set with me. I know he has a lot of experience in his years as an artist on video sets, so that definitely made me more comfortable. I've always been of fan of Jada's and like his other fans, I'm looking forward to hearing new music from him. Big shouts to Jada for holding me down and blessing me with his appearance on my first single! We filmed the video in Jada's hometown of Yonkers, NY. There were folks from the neighborhood all around checkin' out the set and showing love for the song. I actually went to college with my leading lady Jae and we didn't know it until we met each other on set that day! She was dope, and so was the video director, Va$htie -- she is one to watch out for, her vision is sick!

As you can see I was mad excited to drive that drop top Bentley, the interior was like butta! I also have a few of my boys in the video in the scene where we're looking for miss right to come out of the bodega. They were amped to be on set and it's always good having people that know you around you while you're doing what you love. My next video is for the b-side to "Let's Ride," which is my piano track called "In Love with 2." With "Let's Ride," as my first single, not everyone knows that I have another side to me with my piano and composition skills. I've already shot the video for "In Love with 2," and that will be coming to you real soon.

MySpace.com/JoshXantus.
Imeem.com/JoshXantus.

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