Entertainment

How independent rapper X Li is building bridges between various cultures through his music; read more!

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2020

Music is a universal language. Every culture enjoys music and songs, and those songs serve many different purposes. The music and the art continue to embrace, even celebrate, its transnational dimensions while staying true to the local cultures to which it is rooted. Hip-hop’s impact differs depending on each culture.

Prolific Asian Rap artist X Li brings his own unique print by integrating Asian culture into the mix. The rapper is the only independent Hip-Hop artist in North America who was born in mainland China and successfully entered the mainstream hip-hop industry.

Currently based in Toronto, X Li has successfully brought in the rich cultural flavours from China and has implemented them along with the adopted Toronto’s local hip-hop style further creating a great fusion that he has been using to treat all his fans.

Talking about music and culture, X Li says, “I think music in itself is healing. It is like therapy for me. An explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music. My journey as a hip-hop artist has been extremely overwhelming and through my music, I want to tell people how I feel, and hopefully, motivate them too.”

With the start of the year 2020, X Li treated the fans with Luxury Pain followed by Wangleta’, a track which attracted over 100,000 hits in just the first week of its release. After the success of the last two tracks, X Li is all set to release his next titled Tiger later this year. Over the years, X Li has fought all the odds, be it the language barrier, family support, the adaptation of different cultures, and whatnot. But all of these issues have only made X Li bigger, better and stronger with each passing day.

X Li is presently enjoying a humongous fan base across quarters so much that his fans have started citing him as the next big Asian superstar in the music industry.

Entertainment

“The Firing Squad”: I Cried Buckets of Tears

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Sitting in the dimly lit theater, I had no idea what to expect as the opening credits of “The Firing Squad” began to roll. Little did I know that I was about to embark on an emotional journey that would leave me reaching for tissues and struggling to catch my breath.

The film follows the true story of three Christians facing execution by firing squad in a third world country. Directed by Timothy A. Chey, it features a stellar cast including James Barrington, Kevin Sorbo, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Each actor brings their character to life with such authenticity and depth that it’s impossible not to be fully immersed in their struggles and triumphs.

As the plot unfolded, I found myself drawn into a world of despair and desperation, but also one of unwavering faith and hope. The characters’ journey from darkness to light, from despair to redemption, resonated with me on a deeply personal level. I couldn’t help but be moved by their courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

But it was the performances that truly stole the show. James Barrington’s portrayal of the protagonist’s internal turmoil was nothing short of mesmerizing, while Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding Jr. delivered powerhouse performances that left me in awe.

And then there was the message of the film—that no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem, there is always hope. That even in our darkest moments, faith has the power to transform lives and bring about redemption. It was a message that hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me with tears streaming down my face and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the credits rolled and the lights came up, I found myself struggling to put into words the impact that “The Firing Squad” had on me. All I could manage was, “I cried buckets of tears.” And I wasn’t alone. As I looked around the theater, I saw others wiping their eyes and exchanging emotional glances.

In the end, “The Firing Squad” wasn’t just a movie—it was an experience. An experience that left me feeling inspired, uplifted, and profoundly grateful for the power of cinema to touch the soul. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

The movie is set to premiere in the theatres worldwide on August 2, 2024. And this is definitely a must watch movie, reminding people of the strength of faith.