Payton Reed, rapper name XL, shares with Formidable Men about his new single, “You Ready” and his lead role of Tyson in a short film called “ The Antidote“ directed by Elgeletha Dizaar.
FMM: Tell us your background and what led you to your career as an artist.
Where do I start? A little about my entertainment background is as a teen I started modeling and my first job was a photoshoot for Macy’s where I was dressed as a football player. I remember going in Macy’s and seeing my face on the wall was a amazing feeling and being a teenager and getting a check, you couldn’t tell me nothing . A little later on in my life I decided I might want to be a radio host. So while at Georgia State University I interned at Streetz 94.5 were it fed my inner spirit it gave me the feeling that I was so much closer to my dreams. While interning at Streetz 94.5, I also was tapping in my on-air journalism. I remember I got invited to a celebrity movie premiere to be a select journalist, where I interview Miss Mulatto who is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. She first appeared on the reality television series, The Rap Game in 2016, where she was known as Miss Mulatto and won the show’s first season. What led me to the career in the arts, was that I tried college and a norm 9 to 5, but it wasn’t feeding my soul. I even played college football and I wasn’t too bad at it. What made me take this leap of faith, was it felt right. Every time I was on set as a P.A., actor, model or rapper/ singer I felt alive. To be honest, I tried everything else and it didn’t work. So, I prayed to God and said if this is what you have for me I’m ready. He started bringing people in my life they gave me little gems along the way. God and the people that believed in me led me to the career of arts. Also music hasn’t been the same and in these times we need artist and leaders to use their gifts to change the world.
FMM: Share your raps. What will people notice about you as an artist?
What people will notice about my music, is it’s never the same and also will touch on political and social events of past and today. I also want my future supporters to get to know me so whatever I’m feeling at that time I will put it behind the mic. Also, people will notice creativity and push the envelope.
FWM: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from life. Others people stories as well. Also from church because in an African American church when you sing in the choir it’s not about structure it’s about a feeling and those experiences inspire me to create today.
FMM: How has your music career led you to film?
I wouldn’t say one led to another, I didn’t even think I was good enough to do music until hearing it over and over – You got something. For that reason I was more focused on acting and working behind the scenes with music in production, radio or management.
FMM: Tell us about your lead role in “The Antidote.“
My lead role in “The Antidote “ I’m a young man that comes from struggle but has worked his way out the streets, but has to do one more drug deal before he leaves the game for good. Because he now wants better for his future wife and child, but something goes wrong.
FMM: What genres/roles interest you?
What roles that interest me is all roles that challenge me and also are inspiring and life- changing stories. But, I also love comedy and action movies. I would love to work on a Marvel set or playing Al Green for the new project Dr. Dre is working on. Dr. I’m your guy.
FMM: Where do you see your acting career in 2021?
Actually, I just got done auditioning for a pilot. Truly, I see me working, accepting awards and giving God the glory because nothing is possible without him.
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