User:XS.iF (Discography)

XS.iF (born, November 11, 1977) is a British hip hop artist, born in the Cheetham Hill area of the city of Manchester. He released his debut album, 'The Hip Hop Disciple' on WithMe Music (part of WithMe Media) in 2008. Following the release of his album and debut single the same year 'School of Life', he has been referred to in some media quarters as having a brand of intelligent hip hop full of social conscience, as well as being lyrically stylish and captivating.

Early life
XS.iF began his musical career providing hooks and making appearances on tracks by Ch’ill Cru in the mid to late 1990’s, a local hip hop group from the same neighbourhood of Manchester he is from. He recorded his first full track at the age of seventeen, following numerous features.

Career
In 1997, XS.iF moved from Manchester to Nottingham to study at The Nottingham Trent University, after his studies he lived in Nottingham for another five years. During this time he managed to develop his musical career as an artist, DJ, and promoter all of which, in addition to his contribution to the cities hip hop scene aided in earning him the respect of the musical community of the city.

In 2002, he set up WithMe Media as a medium and umbrella for which all his musical ventures were to fall under. He started promoting a number of events such as SoulFood, Sonitus and the renowned Nottingham hip hop night, Prescription - conceived to promote up-and-coming hip hop acts. The event incorporates all the elements of hip hop including turntablism, MCing, beatboxing and breakdancing.

XS.iF has performed both nationally and internationally in countries such as Mozambique, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Tanzania, to name some. He has also performed alongside some of the greats in the form of Maceo (of De La Soul), Rahzel, Jazzy Jeff and Cash Money. XS.iF returned to Manchester late 2006 and in August 2008, after over a year in production, he released his debut album ‘The Hip Hop Disciple’, working with a number of up and coming artists and producers including the award winning beat-boxer ‘The Petebox’. The album is out now on sale digitally and physically in shops in the UK, the US, South Africa, Peru, Germany, and Australia.

The Hip Hop Disciple album received a number of rave reviews since its release from the likes of the BBC, Sandman Magazine, LeftLion Magazine, UKHH.com, The Beat Surrender (Record Box), Mr CRF for Critical Beatdown, and has received regular airplay on specialist podcasts, BBC 1Xtra, Unity Radio, Hip Hop Basement Radio, to name a few. Aside from this, XS.iF has also presented shows for Fly FM (The Nottingham Trent University student radio station) as well as being interviewed and featured on shows on Manchester Radio Online, Peace FM and All FM.

Over the years, XS.iF has featured on numerous tracks by ex-Ch’ill Cru members, Sylence and Pisees. In February 2009, XS.iF co-founded the Manchester-based hip hop group known as State of Rhymes.

XS.iF has began working on his second studio album ‘Hip-hop-fully Yours’ (working title), he as tweeted on his twitter page he will confirm the release date of the album by the end of the summer 2011.

Album(s)

 * The Hip Hop Disciple (2008, WithMe Music)

Single(s)

 * Visions featuring Sylence & Pisees (1997, Don't Stop The Flow Records)
 * School of Life (2008, WithMe Music)

Appearance(s)

 * 'Rusty Wishes' from Sylence: Sparring Session: The Warm Up Mixtape (2006, Locally Known Production)


 * 'Manchester Royale' from Pisees: Mancunian Slogans: Code Yellow EP (2007, Don’t Stop The Flow Records)


 * 'Where U From' from Sylence: Out of The Darkness & Into The Light (2009, Locally Known Production)


 * 'Yours Sincerely' from Pisees: A Piece of The Pi (2011, Don’t Stop The Flow Records)