He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens and Sugababes.
According to an early issue of the now defunct Popworld magazine, Philips' alias comes from a postcard which was sealed with a kiss misinterpreted for the letter X. Richard X is known for his "synthesised, grungy pop music", which was inspired by bands such as The Human League and Kraftwerk.
"[2] Richard X started his career in the underground music scene creating popular bootlegs, which are "illegal, under the counter remixes which combined two existing records to make an entirely new song.
"[1] His mashup "I Wanna Dance with Numbers" (a combination of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and Kraftwerk's "Numbers") helped establish as the most common mashup template the combination of vocals from a female pop singer with a critically noteworthy song.
[3] Island Records heard "We Don't Give a Damn About Our Friends", which was a mash-up of Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me" and Gary Numan/Tubeway Army's "Are 'Friends' Electric?
"[1] Sugababes' version of the song, which kept the Adina Howard title of "Freak Like Me", was recorded in Richard X's flat in Tooting.
He collaborated with pop group Liberty X to create "Being Nobody", a mash-up of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" and The Human League's "Being Boiled".
The album featured "Freak Like Me", "Being Nobody", "Finest Dreams" as well as collaborations with Annie, Jarvis Cocker, Javine Hylton, and Tiga, among others.
In July 2004, pop singer Rachel Stevens released "Some Girls", written by Richard X with Hannah Robinson.
[4] Annie's album included another Richard X production, "Chewing Gum", which remains her biggest hit to date.
[7] Richard X also produced Annie's cover of the Stacey Q song "Two of Hearts" for release as a digital download.
In 2013, Richard X worked with Erasure (Andy Bell and Vince Clarke) on their anticipated 16th studio album for fall 2014 release, a 10-track record titled The Violet Flame.
The album was released via Black Melody and preceded by a limited edition 12" promo EP titled "Dance Like a Star".
In 2009, Richard X created the Pleasure Masters label for the sole purpose of releasing Annie's "Anthonio", which he co-wrote and produced, after her departure from Island Records.
"[2] He often works with people who are seen "as having similar ideals of creating innovative, forward thinking pop music", according to HitQuarters.