Fantastic Negrito: Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? – Salem Film Fest 2023

A Q&A with Co-Director Yvan Iturriaga follows the screening.

Beyond the bombastic stage persona of Fantastic Negrito lies a 51-year-old survivor, hustler, and self-described ‘recovering narcissist’ named Xavier Dphrepaulezz. After his improbable midlife transformation from busking bluesman to back-to-back Grammy winner, Xavier is now ready to face his demons.

Full of musical performances and featuring intimate and often hilarious interviews with philosopher-poet Xavier and his brilliant band of collaborators and close friends, the film traces his journey from early isolation as a Black Muslim kid in rural Massachusetts to Bay Area star with a global fanbase. Along the way, the story of a singular musician unfolds as Xavier evolves from misfit, to homeless teenager, drug dealer, struggling L.A. pop hopeful, underground punk innovator, and urban farmer. From tragedy to triumph to tragedy and back again,

FANTASTIC NEGRITO: Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? is a rollercoaster story of life and creation after destruction.