WebsterX

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WebsterX

Sam Ahmed
Born (1993-09-24) September 24, 1993 (age 27)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
OccupationMusician
Known forMusician, community organizer
Websitewww.websterxdotcom.com

WebsterX is a Milwaukee-based alt-rap singer and songwriter, blending indie-rock and hip-hop. Motifs within his work contrast darkness and depression with hopeful upbeat and psychedelic instrumentation. The Fader speaks to his work as a "personal dive into the rapper's psyche", as he wrestles with his "doubts and fears", but, ultimately provides "glimmers of hope throughout".[1] WebsterX writes all his own lyrics and works with a number of producers to create the beats. In 2016, WebsterX was awarded 'Solo Artist of the Year' by the Radio Milwaukee Music Awards, sponsored by Koss. Among his affiliates include Chance the Rapper, Bon Iver, SaveMoney crew and Mick Jenkins. Also in 2016, WebsterX signed to Chicago-based label Closed Sessions, whose alumni include Vic Mensa, Kweku Collins and Thelonious Martin. His song "Intuition" was featured in a Super Bowl ad for the Microsoft Surface, starring Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.[2] WebsterX was set to perform alongside Bon Iver for his Wisconsin Get Out the Vote tour in October 2020 but has since been postponed due to COVID-19.[3] His music has been featured in The Fader,[1] NPR,[4] Complex,[5] PBS,[6] Paper Magazine,[7] Vice,[8] Bonafide Magazine,[9] Hypebeast,[10] Koss,[11] TimeOut,[12] and Pitchfork.[13]

Career[]

Inspired by a family legacy in music, Sam Ahmed was born to Ethiopian immigrant parents – his father was the notable Hari musician, Abdi Guitar of known African group, Roha Band. in 2015, Ahmed dropped out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and deciding to pursue music and art full-time.[14]

He released his debut mixtape Desperate Youth in 2013, his 2015 single “Doomsday” and its subsequent video earning national press. In late 2015, he released a collaborative EP with NAN producer Q the Sun, called KidX. The same year he performed with Riff Raff, and Chanel West Coast at historic Milwaukee music venue, The Rave.[15] In March 2017 he released his 15-track debut album Daymares, produced by Simen Sez, which was awarded No. 1 on the Journal Sentinel's Best Milwaukee Albums of 2017 List.[16] WebsterX performed at SXSW in both 2016[17] and 2018.[18] Notable 2019 performances include opening for Lil Yachty at Freakfest.[19] In fall of 2019 WebsterX was selected by director Enrique "Mag" Rodriguez, for an offer to join the Backline Music generator, a 12-week grant accelerator program developed by venture capital firm Gener8tor, which provides coaching, mentoring, industry networking, and grants to cohorts of up to three musicians annually.[20]

Aside from music, WebsterX supports youth-oriented community engagement and is a co-founder of organization FreeSpace, founded in 2015 as a free, monthly, all-ages music showcase that invites Milwaukee's young creatives to come together and collaborate.[4] Hosts bring together guest youth artists mainly from Milwaukee's North and West sides and build skills as experienced headliners perform alongside emerging artists. Interviews are also conducted with the artist in front of an audience.[21] Freespace evolved into The New State, an upcoming permanent all-ages music venue, engineering studio, consignment store and performance space in the heart of Milwaukee.[22] WebsterX was additionally part of the Milwaukee music collective, New Age Narcissism. The group – whose members include Lex Allen, Siren, Lorde Fred33, Bo Triplex, Jay Anderson, and Christopher Gilbert – each having their own solo careers, sporadically performed and created together. The group "toured" and collaborated with Milwaukee Public Schools, performing at elementary and middle schools while educating students on music entrepreneurship.[23]

In 2020, WebsterX hosted the 3,000 rider strong Black Is Beautiful benefit bike ride in honor of POC Mental health, proceeds going to local charities ConnectMilwaukee & Wisconsin Bike Fed.[24]

Discography[]

  • Everfeel (2018)
  • Ain't My Fault (2018)
  • No End (2018)
  • Feels (2018)
  • Intuition (2018)
  • Daymares (2017)
  • Lost Ones Freestyle (2016)
  • Blue Streak (2016)
  • Everything (2016)
  • Kinfolk (2015)
  • Lately (2015)
  • Doomsday (2015)
  • KidX (2015)
  • Desperate Youth (2013)

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "WebsterX Finds Some Light In The Darkness On His Debut Album Daymares". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  2. ^ Levy, Piet. "Watch the Super Bowl ad featuring a song by Milwaukee rapper WebsterX". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  3. ^ "WebsterX, Field Report and Zola Jesus will open for Bon Iver's Wisconsin get out the vote tour". 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "WebsterX's New Trio Of Songs Denotes His Restless Summer". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  5. ^ "Premiere: oddCouple Links Up With Mick Jenkins and WebsterX for "Blinded"". Complex. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  6. ^ 30-Minute Music Hour | Webster X | Season 7 | Episode 4, retrieved 2020-08-22
  7. ^ "PREMIERE: Watch WebsterX Risk Life and Limb in New Video for "Blue Streak"". PAPER. 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  8. ^ "Listen to Webster X and Q The Sun's Radiohead-Inspired EP". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  9. ^ "Introducing: WebsterX". Bonafide. 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  10. ^ "WebsterX featuring Allan Kingdom – Kinfolk". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  11. ^ "Interview: WebsterX". Koss Blog. 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  12. ^ "Ric Wilson + WebsterX + DJ Sunburnt Reynolds | Music in Chicago". Time Out Chicago. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  13. ^ Strauss, Matthew. "Bon Iver Cancel Wisconsin Concerts Due to COVID-19". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  14. ^ McCollum, Maureen (2017-05-15). "Milwaukee's WebsterX Powers Through Pain On New Album". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  15. ^ Staff, T. E. R. (2015-02-07). "Photos: Riff Raff, WebsterX and Chanel West Coast Perform at The Rave in Milwaukee". The Early Registration. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  16. ^ "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  17. ^ Wild, Matt (2016-03-14). "Tracklist: 7 Milwaukee artists playing SXSW 2016". Milwaukee Record. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  18. ^ "WebsterX". SXSW 2020 Schedule. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  19. ^ "lil yachty songs he wrote – Lil Yachty, WebsterX And Gin Blossoms Will Headline Madison's 2019 Halloween Freakfest". North Sea Jazz Club. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  20. ^ "WebsterX". BACKLINE. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  21. ^ Mahadevan, Tara. "Meet WebsterX, a Milwaukee Rapper Having 'Daymares' About His Growing Pains". DJBooth. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  22. ^ "The New State". The New State. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  23. ^ McCollum, Maureen (2017-05-15). "Milwaukee's WebsterX Powers Through Pain On New Album". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  24. ^ "Black Is Beautiful II". Eventbrite. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
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