In a world where culture, identity, and artistry converge, Xia XiAnne Freeman, professionally known as XIANNE-XI, stands at the forefront of a powerful movement. Born on May 23, 1994, in Tacoma, Washington, she is a proud Afro-Indigenous multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and music producer. Through her work, she fuses ancestral strength with contemporary creativity, creating not just music—but movements of healing, resilience, and cultural pride.
“I’m not broken. I’m built different. Diagnosed but not defined,” XIANNE-XI says with conviction—a bold statement of empowerment that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide.
Honoring Her Heritage: Afro-Indigenous and Unapologetically Proud
Growing up in Tacoma, a city rich with Native and Black history, Freeman developed an early and deep-rooted sense of her identity. Her cultural lineage reflects the strength of Black America and the enduring spirituality of Indigenous communities, with ties to the Nause-Waiwash Band of Maryland and the Susquehannock-Saponi heritage.
Despite many of these tribes lacking federal recognition, Freeman remains fiercely connected to her roots. “I was raised by women who taught me that being Black and Native is a blessing, not a burden,” she often shares. This connection is not just personal but artistic—her music, storytelling, and leadership all stem from that deep, intergenerational pride.
Founding YOUNGWEALTHDC: Empowering Black and Indigenous Creators
As the founder of YOUNGWEALTHDC, XIANNE-XI has created a groundbreaking platform to uplift emerging Black and Indigenous voices. The mission is clear: “Creativity is currency, and healing is the goal.”
Through YOUNGWEALTHDC, she champions artists who often get overlooked in mainstream industries, offering mentorship, collaborative spaces, and opportunities for storytelling through sound, art, and movement. This work echoes her family’s generational tradition of community leadership.
“Wealth isn’t just money,” she explains. “It’s about cultural and spiritual abundance, passed from one generation to the next.”
Music with Meaning: The Trilogy of Transformation
XIANNE-XI’s artistry goes far beyond conventional music. Her debut trilogy of EPs conceptually explores the emotional journey from grief to love to rebirth. Each installment reflects a critical stage in her—and her community’s—process of transformation:
- Grief – confronting historical trauma and personal loss
- Love – embracing identity, community, and ancestral pride
- Rebirth – emerging stronger, renewed, and empowered
Critics have praised her genre-defying sound, describing it as “a fusion of soul, experimental beats, and cultural memory—music that refuses to be boxed in.”
Here’s a sneak peek
https://on.soundcloud.com/fWUI8Na7F68EdG3ZiT
Breaking Stigmas: Mental Health, Identity, and Resilience
One of the most powerful aspects of Freeman’s work is her open dialogue about mental health in communities of color. Her now-iconic quote, “Diagnosed but not defined,” challenges societal stigmas surrounding health, disability, and mental well-being.
“What others call weakness,” she explains, “I call a superpower. My challenges sharpened my creativity and made me a leader.”
Freeman’s commitment to mental health advocacy is both personal and communal, blending art with activism in ways that inspire and heal.
Recognition and Influence: Leading by Example
In 2025, XIANNE-XI was recognized among the “Top 10 Influential Women to Watch”, a distinction that reflected her growing impact across multiple fields. More than just an artist, she’s regarded as a cultural architect, shaping what empowerment looks like for marginalized artists in the 21st century.
“I’m not here to fit into old spaces,” she boldly declares. “I’m here to build new ones where authenticity leads.”
The Legacy Continues
For XIANNE-XI, art is more than entertainment—it’s a form of survival, expression, and ancestral continuation. Whether through music, mentorship, or public advocacy, she continues to turn pain into power and creativity into community wealth.
As she explains: “My work is a living prayer to my ancestors—and a gift to those who come next.”