Maikal X's solo career gathers steam

Out of the best-selling hip-hop/reggae group ever in The Netherlands comes a humble individual with a strong voice and distinct personality.

With the Postmen group, Maikal X had a number of popular songs such as You Wait and Cocktail on their debut album titled Documents.

After winning several awards such as Heineken Crossover and Silver Harp, among others, and releasing three albums, Maikal X left the group in 2004.

After the split, he focused on his solo career, releasing his debut album Genesis in June this year.

Maikal X gives listeners music for the soul on a 14-track album, filled with love songs and social commentaries.

He starts off Genesis with a love song about the girl that brings out the best in him in The Best In You, and he collaborates with Peetah Morgan from the reggae group Morgan Heritage on We Know Why, as the two singers belt lyrics over a smooth blend of instruments.

Material possessions

Maikal warns men about women who are 'wolf in sheep clothing' in Lies.

The sweet vocals of female reggae artiste Irie Love can be heard as she gives her Irie Love to Maikal. In Here She Comes, Maikal can be heard singing about a promiscuous 'man eater' whose love of money and material possessions forces her to defile her body.

He also combines lyrics with popular reggae artiste Luciano to praise Jah in Give Thanks, before slowing down to sing sweetly to his love in Darlin, telling her never to let go of their love.

He also sings about the violence and bloodshed in the streets and outlines some of the foremost causes of that violence in Senseless.

The album ends with, The Warning, a track emphasising the need for righteous living.

Maikal X is managed by Rock 'N Vibes Entertainment, which can also be credited for the success of Ziggi, an artiste from Europe who has also been doing well on the reggae scene.

Maikal X recently performed at the Heineken Music Hall and at the Amsterdam Reggae Festival in September.