XLA (singer)
Joseph Achakji (born February 11, 1981) and better known by his stage name XLA is a Canadian urban indie artist and more recently an Electronic dance music (EDM) artist of Egyptian origin In 2006, he also established the independent music production and record label XWide Tidals. He sings mainly in French and English, but also occasionally in Spanish and Arabic. He has collaborated with a number of EDM DJs and producers notably in Mexico (EMPO) and Spain (Blanco y Negro). Besides vocals, he plays guitar, piano, keyboards, drums and tabla. He is also a digital marketer and manages  a number of up and coming artists. Career. In 2002, he was the "Pop Star" competition winner in Ottawa organized by the University of Ottawa where Achakji studied engineering. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 2004 with a management option. However, he decided to pursue a musical career. In his YouTube page, he explains his artistic name was originally BETO XL and that he chose the letters X-L-A as pronounced English – French – world languages as to represent a fusion of cultures and representing his personal conviction of "do what you love and always  excel". XLA performs in a music style he calls "Urbaine-Monde" (Urban-World). His debut album was "Nouvel Autrefois" that was released in 2007 on XWide Tidals record label and distributed by Sizzle-Distribution Select. The album has Latin, Middle Eastern, Reggaeton and World-Urban influences. The single "Quoi Faire" taken from the album was nominated in 2009 for Best Video Clip at the Trille Or awards gala, and XLA nominated for Best New Discovery and Best Singer-Songwriter. Other notable singles / videos from the album include "Jusqu'à Demain" and "J'aime Jammer". He is a member of Association des Professionnel  de la Chanson et de la Musique (APCM), L'Union des Artistes (UDA), Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Société Canadienne de Gestion du Droit de Reproduction (SODRAC). In addition to many gigs in various cities around Canada, XLA has taken part in a number of festivals and public events including: XWide Tidals. XWide Tidals is a music publishing and record label established in 2006 by Joseph Achakji (XLA) for release of his own materials and those of other artists. It also expanded into music video production and digital marketing. XWide Tidals was also selected to represent  the province of Quebec at SXSW (South by South West) in Austin, Texas under the umbrella of "Planète Québec". Discography. Albums. Tracklist