Eager for what’s ‘Next,’ Xavi opens up about his rise to the top

With a flushed complexion and beads of sweat running down his forehead, an enthusiastic middle school student proudly waves a backpack aloft as he navigates through a bustling throng, eager to secure autographs from one of Mexico’s most prominent musicians. The items up for grabs ranged from phone cases, uniform polos, acoustic guitars, and even bags of Takis.

In the mellow afternoon of late November, singer-songwriter Xavi was slated to feature on Telemundo’s live news program “Al Rojo Vivo” at Walnut Park’s Plaza La Alameda. Just a few hours prior to his planned interview, the 20-year-old idol let his 3.2 million Instagram fans in on the secret location. This sparked a mad rush of starry-eyed admirers, along with their proud parents, towards the southeast L.A. shopping mall, transforming what was supposed to be a media engagement into an impromptu Xavi fan meet-up. The rising star finds this level of recognition mind-blowing, as he strongly identifies with his younger audience members.

He shared, ‘Just like everyone else, I was once young, nurturing a dream to become something special while pursuing what I loved most. That’s a common experience for us all.’ He added, ‘Everyone strives to work diligently and provide for their families. And I believe that determination resonates with them.’

Soon after, Xavi’s security escorts him away from the bustling crowd and guides him towards the closest eatery, Don Chente, leaving spectators to gaze and cheer in their wake. Fresh off the October launch of his first album, “Next” (Interscope), and his latest hit single, a collaboration with Fuerza Regida titled “SRT”, the artist known as Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez reflects on the tumultuous year he’s experienced.

Everything kicked off in December, as he made his way onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “La Victima” and “La Diabla” – two songs centered around the requinto that delved into the turmoil of teenage romance. Prior to this mainstream debut, Xavi, along with his brother Fabio Capri, had already gained popularity on TikTok, amassing millions of views from their acoustic corrido covers of artists such as Junior H, T3R Elemento, and Natanael Cano. It was these videos that eventually caught the eye of Nir Seroussi, executive vice president of Interscope Capitol Labels Group.

In his own words, Seroussi shared, “Initially, we transported him to our workplaces, and upon entering the recording studio, he carried his guitar. As soon as he identified himself, he commenced singing and playing for an entire hour without pause.” At that instant, I was convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt. It was apparent to me that this young talent was exceptional in some unique way.

16-year-old Xavi was compared by Seroussi to a “Mexican equivalent of Justin Bieber,” given his shaggy hair and braces, making him an ideal teen idol capable of expressing young love and heartbreak through song, as well as making an impression in the trap-oriented realm of modern Mexican music.

As a movie buff and music enthusiast, I’ve noticed that many prominent figures in certain genres often depict themes of excessive partying, violence, and drug use. For instance, Peso Pluma, one of Spotify’s top seven global streamers, has a history of glorifying cartel members through narcocorridos in tracks like “Siempre Pendientes” and “El Gavilán.” Similarly, the five-piece band Fuerza Regida predominantly sings about their experiences of partying, flaunting wealth, and pursuing women, as heard on songs such as “Nel,” “Tu Name,” and “Crazyz.”

The influence of Interscope Records seems evident from the massive crowd that showed up at Plaza La Alameda. It was a scene reminiscent of fans gathering for acts like One Direction, N’Sync, or Olivia Rodrigo. Xavi’s followers proved to be persistent, camping outside the restaurant for hours.

A few months following the signing of his recording contract, Xavi employed some of his label’s advance money to acquire a Dodge SRT. Unfortunately, in 2022, he was involved in a near-fatal car crash with this vehicle, leading to a fractured skull and the need for facial reconstruction surgery. At one time, it seemed uncertain if Xavi would ever sing again. In a similar vein to Kanye West’s journey to stardom, who also experienced a life-threatening accident following his signing with Roc-a-Fella Records, music served as inspiration for Xavi during his recuperation process.

In simpler terms, Xavi expressed that before the accident, he was an entirely different individual. He had to rediscover himself, and it was music that helped him understand he was still the same person. Essentially, music played a significant role in his healing process, and now, he wishes to use music to help others heal as it did for him.

Looking back, Seroussi is thankful that the new artist didn’t immediately become a household name following his debut single.

There’s a world of difference between the boy I initially encountered and the young man I now know. His talent has always been exceptional, but we held off until people were open to something unique. That’s when everything fell into place for him – it was just the right moment. Sometimes, success coming too soon can catch you unprepared.

Serving waters at the secluded table, our server patiently bides his time for a lull in their chat to praise the singer about “La Diabla,” expressing his admiration for the song and enthusiasm for Xavi’s burgeoning career. With its catchy pop undertones, “La Diabla” played a pivotal role in solidifying him as an emerging Mexican music sensation. In January, it soared to the number one position on Spotify’s global chart, making Xavi the solitary artist of Mexican descent to achieve this feat with a solo track. The song was also the most listened-to Mexican music globally, the fourth most popular Latin song, and the most added globally to personal playlists, as per Spotify’s 2024 Wrapped statistics.

On ‘La Diabla,’ Xavi blends different elements, a bit here and a bit there,” he said. “However, we strive not to stray too far. There’s always the option to correct if the track strays too far from Mexican music. I must stay on course. It’s what I need to do. I need to continue representing our culture and identity.

The popular corrido format paved the way for his initial album titled “Next.” This album was produced within a single month during his Poco a Poco tour, making it an October release. Consisting of fifteen tracks, this record delves into what he terms as “Mexican music fusions,” where he skillfully balances traditional corrido and modern pop production styles, all while wearing his emotions on his sleeve throughout the entire project.

Xavi remarked, “It’s astonishing how love remains constant. No matter how hard we might attempt to escape it, it lingers. It doesn’t matter if I’m having a relaxed day or traveling, that unique someone is always lurking in the recesses of my mind.” He finds the need to express this feeling through music since he doesn’t discuss it with anyone else.

The cover art of the album portrays a caricatured version of the singer with disheveled hair, flanked by an angel and a devil – symbolizing the mix of heartfelt upbeat love songs and melancholic ballads about sorrow and defeat. In “Flores,” he sings tenderly about purchasing flowers for his beloved against a lively backdrop of horns and a vibrant tololoche rhythm. A few songs on, his signature rhythm guitar steps aside on the more alternative-influenced “Filosofia,” where he expresses remorse for a breakup over a mournful Mexican music melody.

Estevie, who performed as the opening act for Xavi during his U.S. Poco a Poco North American tour, remarked, “I noticed an incredible range of ages in this audience – from children as young as 5 to adults over 60 or 70 years old. It was truly remarkable about him as a musician.” He continued, “This young artist is able to connect with people of all ages. To me, that’s the essence of a genuine artist – someone whose music transcends age boundaries.

Outside the restaurant, a group of enthusiastic spectators keep tabs on Xavi’s actions. As our discussion wraps up, he heads towards the back patio for some photo shoots. Peering through the window tint, they catch sight of his destination and begin to encircle the building, searching for any possible escape routes. They eventually spot him on the patio and demand photographs, showering him with declarations of affection and even serenading him with their own renditions of his songs. Xavi chuckles and responds in kind, further fueling the excitement.

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2025-01-07 02:01