Today Next In Show brings you an indie rapper, who is not only a creative artist, but a phenomenal lyricist as well. Lyriciss represents everything that is right with hip hop now a days; from a humble attitude to always staying true to himself. Check out the exclusive interview below, where Lyriciss talks about being from the suburbs, influences, and being a part of the upcoming indie music festival, SXSW.
Next In Show x Lyriciss xExclusive Interview
Wheredid you grow up?
I was born in Washington,DC, but was raised mostly in Maryland. Prince George's County, specifically -Hyattsville, Brentwood, & New Carrollton.
Did you grow up in the city or in thesuburbs?
It was the suburbs, butthe thing with PG County is that...it's right outside of DC. So we share thesame culture as DC, from music to fashion to food, and unfortunately, in crime.So it's a suburban area with a lot of the same issues as DC...murder, drugs,low income, etc. It's sad when you look at the situation, because most familiesmove out of DC to get away from all of that, and while it's somewhat to alesser degree, it's really the same old thing.
Would you say you were a product of yourenvironment?
Definitely so. But I'llalso say that I aim to be a positive product of my environment. I've donethings that I shouldn't have while younger...it comes with growing into a man.You test the waters, but I also always had a strong support system with myfamily and their values, so I never went too far off the deep end. I'm blessed,and I really try to use my music to show others who may not have been or stillmay not be as fortunate that there's better lives to lead than what we're toldor shown.
What music influenced you most as ayoung Lyriciss?
My older brother...forbetter or worse, he influenced me a lot. A lot of morals and values were taughtby him. My mother also supported me through everything, especially with herbeing heavily involved in the arts herself. She sings, draws, paints, writespoems, makes crafts...she's very artistic, so that played a role in medeveloping into the arts. As far as other artists, I listened to a lot of DMX,Jay-Z, Joe Budden, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas, Eminem, and more when I startedto take music really serious as a teenager.
Cutto today, and within the last year you have been named as one of the hottestunderground, upcoming artists to emerge from the earth period. What is yoursecret?
I just speak my mind andspeak my heart. I think the problem with the game is everybody's focused onbeing hot and finding the formula, trying to sound like whatever is hot. Evenback home right now, the most popular artist in DC is Fat Trel. Sure enough,there's a lot of new rappers there trying to sound like Fat Trel now. I don'tdo that...I just try to sound like me. I even go as far as to changing my flowand voice up a little bit if I ever get compared to anyone. Nobody wants tohear a carbon copy...people want something new, and I can't bring something newto the table by copying someone else, so I just do me to the fullest.
You have been recognized on such blogsas Allhiphop.com and UK-based hip-hop site Rawroots.com for your stand outswag. I wanted to point out the fact that you are a part of URB Magazine’sFuture 1000 Program. Can you explain what that is for people that don’t know?
Well, the URB Next 1000was a program that they ran to give new artists exposure. You'd submit yourmusic and if it was good, they'd post you and blast it out. They even have (orhad...not sure if they still do it) another level to it, which was the Next100, but I never reached that level because I was already on to the next thing.I'll admit, I kinda loafed on getting the people to fully support that one.
How has your career changed sincesigning to Inner Loop Records?
A lot more team support,I feel. They're an independent label, so it's not any big-budget thing, butthey really take time out to make sure the music comes out right with me. Wesit down and go over ideas, from pre-production to recording topost-production. We figure out the right sequencing for the projects together.They give their honest opinions on the music, which has honestly made me comeout with the best music of my entire career, I feel. I used to do my own thingbefore...write the songs, record it, bong. Now, we really put together astrategy, from the music to the marketing of it all. Even the idea of the multipleEPs leading to the album and deciding on using an abstract artist to draw thecovers was a team decision. So yeah...it makes things easier.
The man that put me on to you was FlowJoStevo originally from Highbridge, South Bronx, NY. He know moved out to San Diego, CA to take his careerto the next level. What are you doing to take yourself to the next level?
Peace to the homieFlowjo, man! Just making the best quality music I can...going left while therest of the world goes right. The entire presentation of the project, as I mentionedearlier, has made me stand out more. Killing these live shows has made me standout. I'm about to head down to SXSW and do 3 or 4 shows, if not more, just so Ican now reach more people and show them what my vision and my sound is. I'mexpecting this year to be a defining one for me, because I've finally trulyfound myself as an artist.
The Balance: Money EP was recentlyreleased and is in rotation as we speak. Does the EP have a concept? If notexplain the title.
Well, it goes likethis...the first track that started it all was "The Balance". In thebeginning, I started it off by saying,"Money...power...respect...heart...yeah, I'm just lookin' for thatbalance!" Truth be told, "The Balance" is more than just a song,but it's a mentality, a lifestyle. For better or worse, we all yearn for money,power, respect, and strength/purity of heart to some degree. It's all aboutfinding what degree and balance of the four qualities will better you as aperson. Once you find that, you've got your Balance. Some people find it...somepeople never do...but we live searching for it. I've decided to name my EPsleading to the debut album, The Balance, after those 4 qualities and have thesongs on each one themed around the subtitle. The Balance: Money had 4 songs in the realm of the moneysubject.
Will there be more EP’s to The Balance?
Indeed...we alreadydropped Respect & Money. Next up will be Heart, then Power. We'll drop the full debut album, The Balance, in the fall.
TheBalance EP: Money (2012)
I think the music isgoing back to being diverse for the masses. The commercial radio scene is dyingnowadays...the internet and satellite radio is getting more listens. With thatcomes more freedom for the DJs to play what they find dope, so it's just reallya lot of different sounds. I like it that way, though.
What music do you have playing in heavyrotation at the moment?
I listen to a lot ofartists...I'm a fan first, artist second, you know? Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole,Pro'Verb, Scolla, Wale, Skyzoo, Gods'Illa, Phil Ade, Logic, L./\., D. Julien,Dee Goodz, Kool Klux Klan, Dom O Briggs, Nike Nando, K-Beta, Laelo, Sketch, TefWesley, Joe Budden...there's a lot more, man. That's without even going intomusic outside of hip-hop that I listen to, also. Love that "Scott Pilgrimvs. The World" soundtrack on the low. *laughs*
Possibly the most important festival fornew/indie artists is coming up this month known as SXSW. You are lucky enoughto be performing this year. How are you feeling about it?
I'm feeling great, man. Iwent last year and only did one show...this year, I'm looking like I have about4 shows locked, and Lord willing, I'll hustle my way on to some more showswhile I'm out there. I'm excited...it's an opportunity to make what you havegoing on a big deal if you use it right, so that's my whole plan...take overeverything that I can.
What are your expectations for the next3 years?
3albums...tours...providing for my family...bringing a positive influence tothis game...opening doors for the community and other artists back home.Anything that falls under all of that, let's go.
How do you plan on reaching those goals?
By staying focused,driven, and positive. It's on me to make great music. It's on my team toconnect me with people that can help our situation and keep me focused. It's onmy fans and supporters to go 150% for me so we all win...my supporters are morethan faceless people to me. I have so many tweets on Twitter because I reallymake an effort to answer anyone who hits me up with love...I really appreciateit. I rock with them just as much as they rock with me. So with all thingsmoving in the right direction, we'll reach the goals.
Thanks for your time Lyriciss. Your nextin show
Thank you,man...appreciate the opportunity. Much love.
