Emperor X is the stage name of Chad Matheny, an American-born, Berlin-based experimental indie musician known for his inventive soundscapes and deeply personal songwriting. Originally hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Matheny has built a cult following through his prolific output, DIY ethos, and energetic live performances, often incorporating crowd participation and unconventional venues. Since relocating to Germany, he has expanded his artistic exploration, blending electronica, folk, lo-fi, and post-punk elements to craft both introspective ballads and politically charged anthems.

Emperor X’s lyrics frequently tackle themes of science, history, climate change, and the immigrant experience, delivered with wit and poetic urgency. Matheny’s sonic experimentation is matched by his creative distribution methods, including hiding physical copies of his albums around the world in geocached locations for fans to discover. His discography boasts critically acclaimed records such as "Western Teleport" and "Oversleepers International," cementing his status as an innovative voice in the international indie scene.