In the summer of 2017, TOK’s Flexx was about to take his solo career as Double X to new heights with his debut EP, I am double x. The eight-track set, produced by his Xplosive Productions team, showcased its artistic dimensions outside of the quartet it emerged in the ’90s, from the multi-genre offerings to the sharp visuals. But before the project’s promotion got into full swing, Double X found himself on an egotistical hiatus, battling personal issues that would take a toll on his sanity.
“I really believed in that project, but because of everything I was going through mentally and emotionally, I felt like I couldn’t do the promotion and put in the work that I knew I had to do for that EP,” Double X said. the gleaner. “When it came out, a couple of songs, like baby come back Y the best ever (with Katrine), I started playing and walked away from that project to focus on myself. I was going through a bad breakup at the time and a lot of stuff, some of which I can’t even explain, but I felt like I had to pause and find myself.”
Double X added, “I was actually going through a depression, but I didn’t know it. I found out while receiving counseling on another topic.”
SELF-CARE
The singer said he’s in a much better place and sees the value in slowing down, taking care of himself and maintaining meaningful relationships.
“When I look at it, I see myself going back and forth, because we (TOK) sang together since we were teenagers and there was no break. And I felt like, for all of us, that took its toll after a while because we were always performing, always touring, always recording, and we never spent as much time as we should or wanted to. I was always on the road; so for the first couple of years with my son, I never spent as much time as I really wanted to, because he would come back for a week and leave again.
“During that time that we went our separate ways, I was able to spend more time with him, watch his soccer games and do things that I couldn’t do as much as I wanted to when I was on the road; so I really appreciated it a lot. I feel like in everything, you just need to take a break to calm down and come back, and I think now is the time for me.”
DANCE HALL effect
is currently promoting Gratefula thoughtful reggae number that puts a positive spin on its tests and encourages listeners to reflect a similar mindset. Grateful is one of 10 tracks set to appear on Double X’s collaborative album with producer DJ Blaze Worldwide, scheduled for release later this year. Unlike his explorations of gender in I am double xthe upcoming album will be based on what Double X called “authentic dancehall music.”
With the current discussions surrounding the trap-injected sounds emanating from Jamaica, Double X said he’s not opposed to evolution, but said the core sound of dancehall has changed.
“80s dancehall music sounded like dancehall music. In the ’90s, the beat got faster, but it still sounded like dancehall music. In the early 2000s the sound changed, but it still has that dancehall effect. The problem I have with this (the new era of music) is that the identity is lost. I feel like that’s what I wanted to bring back, what we did on this album, while still keeping it fresh.”
