Artist Biography
Zxxk Lakhi/Blackstar
Musician/Electric Guitar - Chicago, IL
Rolling Stone Magazine: “On The Late Show, the young singer-rapper (Taylor
Bennett) breezed through “Streaming Services” as his backing band crafted a bombastic beat underscored by Zxxk’s scorching guitar.”
Music Journey
❖ 4 yrs. First Drum Set
❖ 12-14 yrs. Najwa Dance Corp
Instrument: Percussions (Inducted as Professional Percussionist)
Instructor: Jabu (Master Percussionist)
❖ 14-16 yrs. Chicago West Community Music Center (ASM)
Instrument: Percussion/Guitar
Instructor: Will Cosby (Master Guitarist)
❖ 14 -20 yrs. Ron Prince Studio
Instrument: Electric Guitar and Synthesizer
Instructor: Ron Prince (Master/Guitarist/Producer/Engineer)
❖ 15-17 yrs. Youth Bands: Emergency Exit & Attack the Sound
Awards
❖ 16 yrs. (2016) First Place: Headline Performance @Reggie’s Rock Club
Emergency Exit Band
❖ 16 yrs. (2016) First Place: (Independent Artist Competition) ESP at The Chicago Open Air Fest - http://www.espguitars.com/ videos/2028946
Professional Career
❖ 17-20 yrs. - Taylor Bennett Entertainment
Taylor Bennett Band: Lead Guitarist
Appearances
Concerts:
● Governors Ball
● Lollapalooza
● Lyrical Lemonade Chicago (w/Yung Bans)
● South by Southwest
● Taste of Chicago
* The Chance The Rapper Big Day Tour kick off at United Center/2019
● United Center NBA All Star Game/2020
Television
● Good Morning America
● Jimmy Fallon
● Jimmy Kimmel
● Steven Colbert
● Wild “N” Out
● Windy City Live
Philanthropy: Black Star Productions, NFP (August/2020)
Zxxk Lakhi/Blackstar launched BLACK STAR PRODUCTIONS NFP (BSPN), a non-profit organization that promotes and teaches a “Chicago Music Culture” of multiple music genres.
BSPN Mission: To give free on-line guitar lessons to youth who are learning remotely d dueto Covid-19, with support from other partners to assist in the efforts of BSPN, to help reach our goal and provide music instruction and instruments to underserved and underprivileged communities.
Zxxk Lakhi/Blackstar Volunteer Performance
❖ West Side Cultural Arts Council (2019):
Garfield Park Gold Dome Christmas Show
(500 Youth in Attendance)
❖ Garfield Park Gold Dome (2020)
West Side Cultural Arts Council
GPAC Juneteenth Celebration
A Guitar Serenade of the “ Black National Anthem”
Summary: Zxxk Lakhi/Blackstar’s music career has been supported by his family’s prayers and hopes that his Music Journey is a pleasant, blessed experience guided by his profound talents. Dedications to his mother (Keziah: purchased his first electric guitar), grandmother (Levette: purchased his first drum set), great-grandmother (Odessa - #1 Fan), five sisters (Naomi, Elisheba, Zionah, Naysiyah & Ahyanah), aunt (Keturah), uncle (Asriel), late great- grandfather (R.I.P. Timothy) who Zxxk Lakhi/Blackstar (at 12 yrs old) cared for in his illness before his passing and late grandfather (R.I.P. Abdiel) who inspired Zxxk Lakhi/Blackstar’s love for music through his instructions as a Jazz Saxophonist.