Five good-looking guys - Syed Affendi Syed Ibrahim (Fendi), Irwan Shah Azhar (Shah), Zachery Francis Ubu (Zach), Mohd. Khardanie Anwa (Danny) and Ivarn - were selected from hundreds of hopefuls who went for auditions held by KRU Records. They formed a group that goes by the name X Factor, implying that they have certain special virtues that can only be described abstractly (deep…). X Factor was officially formed on April 24^th 1999.

X Factor held their first performance in June 1999, opening for Juliana Banos. They were even featured in a duet with Elite, Bertuah. The song serves as a warm up to their self-titled debut that was released in year 2000.

The album concept is hi-tech pop dance (with hints of R&B and hip hop) and the song Sehangat Api shot them to instant fame, making them an overnight sensation, especially among pre-pubescent girls. Fans also loved their follow up singles, 7251364 and Sehingga Ke Akhir Hayat. The album sold more than 25,000 units, no mean feat for a new group.

Ivarn has since left the group in December 2000 to pursue a solo career but there's no turning back for X Factor. The remaining four lads are still going strong with numerous shows and appearances, apart from branching out into different aspects of the entertainment business.

In late 2002, things took an interesting turn when Faizal Ezuan Ishak (Jim - previously of the disbanded group Trez) joined the X Factor line-up. With Jim joining the group, they released their sophomore album, titled X2. The album, on sale from 27 May 2003, was released under radioaktive, the pop label of KRU Music Group.

The first single from X2 is a cover version of Gene Pittney's '70s hit, Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart, titled Tak Sanggup. The song became an instant hit among music lovers and shot up to the top spots of major music charts. The boys have also come up with a video clip for the song.

Other radio-friendly tracks from X2 includes Tak Akan Jatuh Cinta Lagi, Kau, Renunganmu, Disko, Hidup, Mantap, Haruskah, Ku Tak Hirau and a remake of KRU’s 1995 hit, Di Dalam Dilema.