Star in The Making - XYnothing

Creative Spotlight on XYnothing

In the world of hip-hop and R&B production, a rising name is quietly commanding attention — Machado Joseph, professionally known as XYnothing, is carving out a rare place as both artist and craftsman. Hailing from the Virgin Islands, XYnothing stands out not only for his Caribbean roots and classical training, but for his signature skill as a sample-specialist, delivering sounds that bridge refined musicianship and street-level gut feeling.

Background & Training

Born and raised in the Virgin Islands, XYnothing brought with him from home a deep musical foundation. He is classically trained, having pursued higher studies in music in Barbados at the The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (Barbados) — a programme that emphasizes performance, composition, and the wider Caribbean musical tradition. This dual identity — Caribbean island roots + formal training — gives him a distinctive voice in the production world: one that fuses melodic elegance with raw texture, one that sees the sample not merely as background but as story.

Signature as Sample-Specialist

What places XYnothing into high demand is his reputation as one of the go-to sample specialists in hip-hop and R&B. His credits already include major titles such as:

• “Fear of Heights” by Drake

• “Bed of Roses” by Teyana Taylor

• “No More Old Men” by Chance the RapperThese placements underline how his sound—whether chopped orchestration, vintage loop flips, or lush instrumentation—has become a sought-after texture in contemporary R&B/hip-hop.His presence on these major records positions him not just behind the scenes, but as a creative force.

  
  

2025: A Breakthrough Year

This year has been especially prosperous for XYnothing — in both his artist capacity and as a producer and an artist:

• 3 singles: “EYE4EYE”, “Lovestory”, “Undermyskin”

• 2 EPs: Mind/Matter and HindsightAs a producer:

• “No More Old Men” (Chance the Rapper) — nominated for Grammy for Best Rap Album

• “Bed of Roses” (Teyana Taylor) — nominated for Grammy for Best R&B Album

• “Record Deal” (Gucci Mane)

• “Seeing Red” (Chase Shakur)

  
  

These accomplishments show his versatility: while launching his own voice as an artist, he’s simultaneously shaping top-tier records for others—and doing it at trophy-level prestige.

Why It Matters

• Dual craft: Many producers stay behind the boards; XYnothing steps forward as both creator-artist and behind-the-scenes architect.

  
  

• Caribbean musician-mindset: His classical training + island upbringing informs a musicality in his work—melodic lifts, harmonic sophistication, and rhythmic intuition—that sets his production apart.

  
  

• Momentum & visibility: With two Grammy-nominated productions this year and multiple solo releases, he’s breaking into a wider spotlight—no longer just “behind the scenes,” but increasingly a recognized brand.

  
  

• Authenticity: From sample specialist to full-blown artist, his journey resonates in a business filled with “branding”; XYnothing represents the craft and story of the creator, not just the product.