XD: The Young Kenscoff DJ Building a Name on Mystery and Discipline

From the hills of Kenscoff to the nightlife of Delmas and Pétion-Ville, a young DJ who goes by XD is steadily building a career he hopes will one day reach international stages.

Behind the two letters is Christopher Claude Walter Desile, who grew up in Kenscoff, a Haitian commune where, as he likes to point out, music is not just entertainment but a cornerstone of the culture. His stage name was chosen with care. A first attempt was dropped because it felt too bland to sell, so he went back to the drawing board: the "X" stands for mystery and depth, while the "D" is a nod to his surname, Desile. It is a simple formula, and it has turned into a recognizable brand.

XD turned professional about six years ago, driven by what he calls a deep, almost inborn love of music. “My love for music is visceral, almost innate,” he says. Singing was never his strength, so he found his place in creating and mixing, with a clear aim: to blend different styles into a smooth, immersive listening experience for his audience.

The early days were not easy. Winning over the people closest to him, his parents above all, took time and persistence, but his determination eventually overcame their doubts. Like many rising artists, he is open about who shaped him. In Haitian DJing, his main inspiration is DJ Valmix.

XD is upbeat about where the profession is heading. He sees a growing appreciation for the DJ's role, in Haiti and abroad, which he links to the constant changes in music itself that make the job more complex and richer.

Music is not his only commitment. He is also studying accounting at Université Quisqueya, a sign of discipline that goes well beyond the stage.

Asked about the high point of his journey so far, XD points to the first major event he organized. He promoted it in just one week, and its success made it one of the most sought-after nights in the area, proof that he can bring a crowd together and move it.

He is not short of ambition. In the near term, he wants to sharpen advanced techniques such as scratching and tone play. Further down the road, his real dream is to develop a sound that is entirely his own and to release his own compositions.

His message to young Haitians chasing a career in music is straightforward: practice your art with passion and discipline, never let anyone plant doubt in your mind, and treat it not as a hobby but as a demanding craft that deserves excellence.

It is advice that sums up the path of Christopher Claude Walter Desile, from Kenscoff to the turntables: guided by passion, rigor and a good measure of mystery.