King X plans musical reign

When King X, whose given name is Shawn Buchanan, moved on to New York City Football Club he had envisioned a long career in the sport. However, injury forced him to abandon the goal of making to the big leagues.

"I played semi-professionally for multiple teams before I had to have knee surgery. I was never able to get back on the field," he said.

Football suffered a big loss but it was a win for entertainment as Buchanan exchanged his shooting boots for the microphone. King X, the recording artiste, had arrived on the scene.

King X made his recording debut in 2007 with the song Road Kill, which was produced by Dweetnow Entertainment. He is known best for his single, Wonder, which was released in August 2021.

"Big up Dweetnow Entertainment, they are the ones that discovered that I had a real talent and pushed me to go in the studio and for that I'm grateful," he said.

"Also, social media has a big impact on my career because it keeps me relevant in Jamaica while being based in the States, and I see myself being a tastemaker here to the diaspora and American population that loves reggae and dancehall."

The Whitfield, St Andrew-raised entertainer, who left Jamaica in 2002, said he is not afraid to experiment with various sounds as he seeks to connect with the widest possible audience.

"One thing about me and my music, I am going to mix the old - styles from the early 2000s - and the new. I'm also not afraid to show the pain and struggle in my music, which I know appeals to all kinds of music lovers," King X said.

He said that he has caught the attention of artiste Kranium and three-time gold-certified producer Lamar Reynolds, of LMR Pro, and that a collaboration is in the making.

"In a couple of years I see myself as a household name, marking my spot in this culture while touring all over the world," King X said.

He said that they are still in the planning stage for the collab, the nature of which has already been conceptualised.

"I know we want it to be for the females - and to make an impact with the melodies and wordplay," King X said.

He is preparing for the official release of his EP, Ya Girl Favourite X, in April. King X also intends to go on a promotional tour of Hartford, Connecticut, New York and North Carolina in the summer.