Biography
GET READY FOR FACTOR X ! ! !
Neither strictly roots nor exclusively dance-hall,
the repertoire of Factor X rides on the new wave of
French-language reggae. Through contemporary riddims
- urban versions of the classic Studio One sounds
- she delivers a clear and strong message… and
she’s not shy of a few gags.
Anne Factor X Michalakoudis, one of the revelations
at the 2003 Reggae Geel festival, learned the ropes
as a background singer with her sister Mika, appearing
both locally (Maartrock, Gentse Feesten…) and
internationally (Rototom Sunsplash, Reggae in Budapest…).
But it was after being inspired by the outstanding
musicians she met in Jamaica (Black Uhuru, 809 band
and Chalice) that Factor X decided it was time to
go solo. Back in Brussels she hooked up with The Right
Prophecy, one of Belgium's first truly Jamaican-style
ventures, and recorded a few ragga versions of classic
Studio One riddims. The tone was set immediately:
catchy and danceable riddims, steering clear of all
reggae clichés, projected through a personal
and truly original voice.
With DJ and composer, Popa Grassie, Factor X has
developed a repertoire fusing the power of ragga with
the melody of roots. After appearing solo at the 2002
RAF Festival, she was invited by Omar Perry to participate
in the Golden Throne competition. This earned her
the opening spot for Yellowman at the VK in Molenbeek
(Brussels).
More opportunities followed and Factor X became an
in-demand ambassador of Belgian reggae on projects
such as the compilation albums, Reggae Demo'z and
its dance-hall counterpart, Big Bang. Since her successful
appearance at the Reggae Geel festival, she has also
enjoyed stints as a guest singer with well-known local
bands such as Panache Culture, Calabash and Deep Culcha.
She has performed in both Wallonia and Flanders areas,
where she has met the same enthousiasm from a warm-hearted
audience.
2005 has just begun in a favorable mood as she appeared
in february as the supporting act of Jamaican legend
Eek-a-Mouse.
Her broad repertoire and dynamic live performances
have made Faxtor X what she is today: a young and
powerful voice in French-speaking reggae. European,
Belgian, French-speaking and conscious, she intends
to stand her ground in the face of a scene predominantly
black, male and English-speaking, etc.
While waiting for the very first Factor X mini album
to be released, you can listen to her demo at http://www.beam.to/produbution
or catch live extracts from Reggae Geel 2003 at http://www.reggae.be
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