Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, better known by his performing name Fantastic Negrito grew up in western Massachusetts. One of fourteen children, he relocated with his family to Oakland, California as a twelve year old. The move was a culture shock for the child, moving from a mostly white New England suburb to one of the blackest cities in America. Dphrepaulezz immediately ran away from home, joining a street gang and selling drugs.
At fifteen he had been caught by the police and sent to a foster care family, and it was there he got his introduction to music. Seizing the opportunity to perform did not separate him completely from street life and only after some life threatening experiences did Dphrepaulezz completely abandon street life.
A complete flop of a first record left him discouraged and after a near fatal car crash left him in a coma, the bottom fell out when on his revival from the coma he was released from his record contract.
Fantastic Negrito recovered from his music disaster by forming a new band which would play at his own after hours. Gaining confidence from the successful enterprise, and with a wife and child,Dphrepaulezz returned to Oakland and adopted the performing name Fantastic Negrito on his return to the studio.
This was a much more successful venture underscored by Fantastic Negrito’s three Grammys in six years.
