Vegan six-time Formula 1 racing champion Lewis Hamilton has confirmed that he is rapper XNDA.
Rumors that the British race car driver is also XNDA have been swirling since June 2018, when Grammy Award-winning pop star Christina Aguilera released her eighth studio album, “Liberation.” The song “Pipe” featured a rapper under the pseudonym XNDA.
“I had this incredibly beautiful and talented person reach out to me a while back asking for me to be on her album, I was so blown away and jumped at the opportunity,” Hamilton wrote in his Instagram Stories.
He added: “I had 2 hours to write the short verse and record. The goal was to have the music come out under a different name so that you could hear the music first and then later know it was me but it didn’t work out the way I’d planned.”
‘I Want to Say That XNDA Is Me’
Despite the secret, media outlets were quick to speculate that Hamilton was XNDA. Long-running British music journalism publication NME declared in a headline: “Lewis Hamilton has made his secret singing debut on Christina Aguilera’s new album.”
However, Hamilton remained silent on his role.
“I shied away from acknowledging it was me, I don’t know why, maybe insecurities, fear, overthinking, something I think a lot of people can relate to,” he continued. “Well, I want to say that XNDA is me and I am so honored and grateful to @xtina for giving me a place to use my voice. I have so much gratitude and respect for her and what she’s done in the business.”
Hamilton added that he has been making music for over 10 years, often collaborating with other artists. “It’s been the most incredible outlet,” he wrote.
“Finding something that you love so much and can do just for you, for your spirit, is I think such an important process,” Hamilton continued. “I’ve come to the place where I’d love to share it with you.”
The 35-year-old vegan athlete added that while he doesn’t have an album planned, he does have songs that he hopes will make a connection with his fans.
“They have helped me get through some difficult times,” he wrote. “At some stage, I’m going to find a moment to share it with you, so bare [sic] with me.”
