Victor Xman Taylor

BIO/CREDITS

Victor “XMAN” Taylor is a master musician and prince of production; especially within the progressive rap and spoken word art form that he has coined, “Rhythm and Rhyme.” His musical career spans two decades and carries a cadre of credits for writing and producing gold and platinum records. Versatility and talent has compelled his presence in recording sessions and on production teams like, “A Man Apart,” starring Vin Diesel and “Set It Off” starring Queen Latifah. His motion picture credits include MGM’s “Be Cool”, staring John Travolta; Universal’s “Bowfinger,” starring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy; Warner Brother’s “B.A.P.S.” starring Halle Berry; Priority / Capcom’s “Street Fighter” and BET’s “High Freakquency.” The Wayans Brothers, ESPN Awards, BET, Vibe TV and NY Undercover also head his credits for music production on numerous television shows.

Victor’s production wizardry has appeared on projects with musical greats such as KRS-1, Prince and Ice Cube. In an era that rewards almost any new dressing on traditional music, the “XMAN” elevates mainstay rap by socially conscious lyrics with authentic melodic components that echo poetic messages inside compound chambers of seductive sound. Ice Cube calls “XMAN” “the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of hip hop,” a phrase which only reflects the high esteem which many other industry icons hold for Victor’s musicianship and production savvy.

Taylor’s musical education began at the age of 12 in his father’s 24-track production studio in Compton, California where he was exposed to the musical genius of Marvin Gaye, George Clinton, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, the Crusaders and the work of Stanley Clarke. In many ways, his father’s production studio was the cradle of his passion but he attributes his personal commitment to music to a distinct and personal internal influence. In fact, the “XMAN” is driven by a pursuit of musical perfection and pure love of lyrical message delivery. He says, “I can listen to and engage in conversation and then go into the studio and translate everything that was said, heard and felt during the conversation into music.” At an early age, Victor developed a command of communication in the musical mode through the bass guitar, his ultimate instrument of choice. He puts down a deep, fertile foundation for each artist to musically create and express beyond their perceived limits.

Publications that have celebrated “XMAN’s” talents include, The Source, MIX, Rap Pages, Urban Network, Mainstream, and BRE Magazine. Music critics have described him as a seasoned, consummate musician that can deliver a dynamic performance by capturing his audience’s attention while exceeding their expectations and shocking their sensibilities. With what appears to be magical musical fingers and incredible production insight, he has spawned a line of hits including, “What Can I Do” Ice Cube, “Robin Hood” Ice Cube, “On Dem Thangs” Mack 10, “Blind Side” XMAN (Set It Off sound track) and “Who I Be” Leimert Park Poets.

Currently, Victor “XMAN” Taylor successfully leads Cyber Street Records. He enchants, courts and wins over the best talent like a weaver spinning threads of earthly elements into tunes of “Rhythm and Rhyme.” The only thing more captivating than seeing an “XMAN” performance is seeing him produce unprecedented music. The “XMAN’s” manipulation of the bass guitar strings goes beyond multi-tasking; it demonstrates a level of “musical intelligence” that is rare in the music business, if not the world. Taylor says, “it all comes down to “musicianship” over “machineship”... “creative production over cookie cutter product.” XMAN is as rare as a pink diamond; he is a producer-performer-instrumentalist.

CURRENT PROJECTS

2011 Cast member on VH1’s hit reality show “Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp” from acclaimed reality producer Mark Burnette
Working on new music and special projects with renowned film director F.Gary Gray
Hosting itunes radio show “INDI LOUNGE” on LA TALK LIVE.com
Just completed new XMAN LP “The 24th Letta” a compilation of 14 songs with features from celebs such as ICE CUBE
Completed NEW XMAN music video, “The 24th LETTA” /featuring beat box sensation the beautiful BUTTERSCOTCH (Americas Got Talent Finalist)
Producing the “Cup Of Coffee” CD on Ugandan Hip Hop founder SABA SABA
Currently producing Australian Poet IAN for Anti AIDS EP to help children in Africa
Launching new dot com IBEATTV.COM spotlighting the hottest beats of yesterday and today as well as beat placement and introduction of new track making and producing tools for today’s musicians.
Currently in pre production with emmy award winning director Michael Shultz on upcoming reality series.
Launching new multi-media production company with Ru De Passe with a focus on music and film production
Launching new non profit organization “College Kids Rock”, tailoring early learning strategies for middle and high school youths traveling the road to ivy league colleges.

DISCOGRAPHY

Victor “XMAN” Taylor

(aka 88/X UNIT) asb music publishing (ascap)

Formerly known as Gaphlin Entertainment Group

Song Artist /LP & Label

1. “What can I do” ICE CUBE, Lethal Injection LP (Priority)

2. “What can I do” (remix) ICE CUBE, Bootlegs & B Sides LP (Priority)

3. “Robin Hood” ICE CUBE, Bootlegs & B Sides LP (Priority)

4. “Street fighter” ICE CUBE, Street Fighter Soundtrack (Priority)

5. “Trapped” DA LENCHMOB F/ ICE CUBE, Planet of Da Apes LP (Priority)

6. “On dem thangs” MACK 10, Self titled LP (Priority)

7. “MACK 10's the name” MACK 10, Self titled LP (Priority)

8. “From Yo Blindside” XMAN Featuring H squad, Set It Off, movie soundtrack (east west)

9. “Strange Hotel” TROOP, Deepa LP (Atlantic)

10. “Hot Water” TROOP, Deepa LP (Atlantic)

11. “Beethoven’s 5th” 88/X UNIT, B.A.P.S., movie soundtrack (Milan Ent)

12. “XMAN Beat” XMAN, Bowfinger movie score (Universal)

13. “Simply” Militia featuring Ms. Toi (Da Entity/Ryco)

14. Entire Movie Score Victor “XMAN” Taylor, High Freakquency Movie, (BET/VIACOM)

15. Music Supervisor Victor “XMAN” Taylor, High Freakquency Movie, (BET/VIACOM)

14. “What It Is” XMAN F/ Joyce Tolbert, A Man Apart movie score (New Line)

15. “Spreading Love ‘n Spoken Word” Leimert Park Poets (Cyber Street Records)

16. “Santa Monica Man” Be Cool movie (MGM)

17. “Brazilian Day” XMAN, Be Cool movie (MGM)

18. “Wild Out” Cheming F/ XMAN, Be Cool movie (MGM)

19. “Pause” XMAN, Man In A Chair movie (New Line)

20. Various tracks for 3 major MTV shows

DISCOGRAPHY (con’t)

Victor “XMAN” Taylor

(aka 88/X UNIT) asb music publishing (ascap)

Formerly known as Gaphlin Entertainment Group

TV Credits

Wyans Bros. (Warner Bros)

BET Movies

New York Undercover

PSA for the Association of Black Parenting, Director (F. Gary Gray)

ESPN awards

Vibe TV

MTV’s Run’s House

MTV’s Rob & Big Black

MTV’s Yo Mama

Motion Picture Credits

Be Cool (MGM)

Set It Off (New Line Cinema)

B.A.P.S. (Warner Bros.)

Bowfinger (Universal)

Street Fighter (Universal)

A Man Apart (New Line Cinema)

High Freakquency (BET)

Man In A Chair (New Line Cinema)