Fantastic Negrito completes the 2026 line-up
The story of Fantastic Negrito, whose real name is Xavier Dphrepaulezz, is worthy of a novel, as is often the case with great artists.
Born in Massachusetts and raised in Oakland, California, he left home at an early age and lived on the streets. At eighteen, inspired by Prince’s album Dirty Mind, he taught himself to play several instruments and began writing his first songs. After releasing a first album in 1996, his life changed dramatically in 1999 when a near-fatal car accident left him in a coma for several weeks with broken arms and legs.
He stepped away from music for five years before picking up an old guitar again to play for his son. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he reinvented himself as Fantastic Negrito and created a unique sound blending blues, soul, funk and “Black Roots Music.” His album The Last Days of Oakland won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2017. Since then, success has continued with acclaimed albums, a Grammy nomination for Oh Betty, tours with Bruce Springsteen and a collaboration with Sting on the song Undefeated Eyes.
Fantastic Negrito will perform at the Sierre Blues Festival on Friday, June 19 at 8:30 PM for a concert filled with raw energy, authenticity and soul.