So we got this interview of the homie Lyriciss in our inbox... After a busy several days, I got the chance to read what he had to say, and he definitely has his head on straight... I really enjoyed, in particular, his perspective on the game and how introspective his concern was for the game. Peep the entirety of the interview below.
Arize: You were featured on Arize earlier this year, since then alot has changed in the economy and world, to say the least. What’s new with Lyriciss and your music?
For the most part, more people are hearing it. (laughs) But nah, man, I’m just working on new projects. Got a new mixtape dropping this winter called “Voice Of The Metro”. So far, I got the homies Pro’Verb, G*Two, Theo, & RAtheMC on there…may be more soon. Also working on a DMV compilation album with an independent label. I can’t say many details on it, but that should be major. Other than that, just attacking the internet, the magazines, and the radio to keep the name buzzing, you know?
Arize: Yea i definitely hear that. A few of your new(er) tracks ie. “Willie Lynch Chip” and others, seem to have a sharp edge to them. You’re addressing a lot of topics, not only in this track, but others as well. What made you want to tackle controversial topics such as the black communities different perceptions for “light skinned” blacks and “dark skinned” blacks?
Well, it’s real life. I’ve never really liked the more recent hip-hop trends of fictitious ballin’ and partying everyday. Nobody’s that happy all the time…we’re in a recession, soon to be a depression. Y’all ain’t making it rain EVERY night. And everybody isn’t a thug, gangsta, goon, etc. So you know, why not have a young voice talk about some real-life issues? Those are my favorite tracks anyway, because I relate to them the most. Life experience through me and people around just helped me write the actual songs and make them able to relate to the public also.
Arize: Point taken…So since you referenced the “fictitiousness” of the hip-hop trends that are around now, which one of these pisses you off the most? And do you think that the “I don’t give a fuck” attitude, or the “its cool to be stupid” demeanor, that a lot of mainstream so called rappers possess will ever end?
It’ll never end. Why? Because it’s an easy sellout. The people who do that try to ignore the responsibility their music holds with the public, while they make money off of it, which is nothing new. That’s the commercial music industry. I’m not mad at it, but I also can’t go that route, because it’s not me. None of it pisses me off though…does it make me chuckle? Yeah. (laughs) These dudes hop in photoshoots and music videos looking like they wake up angry at breakfast, but they’re the nicest dudes when you meet them. Rappers need to just be themselves, man. If you like being a regular dude, be a regular dude in your music…ain’t nobody going to knock you for it, and if they do, they ain’t SUPPOSED to be your fans.
Arize: hahaha…yea people are people…just be yourself, right?
Exactly, man.
Arize: The track “Blue Collar Chronicles” couldn’t come at a better time. What made you want to be honest enough to reference your previous employer? (Game Stop) How do you hope people will feel when they hear this joint?
Again, just being honest with my life. I’m still working regular jobs out here. I was talking about retail jobs on the song, but it’s called “Blue Collar Chronicles” because I was talking about my time working at UPS at first, but then I decided the stories of me working at Giant and Gamestop would be funnier, and according to the people, I was right. So many people gave me love over that track, because everybody’s worked a retail job that they’ve hated…I’ve worked A LOT of them. Almost everybody relates to that song in some way, so you know…the trick to it all is music that people can relate to.. Shoutsout to David E. Beats for producing that one.
Arize: right…yea i laughed hard at a few of the lines in the song. It almost felt like a flashback to when I was working in retail. lol. So since the indie market seems to be flooded with mixtapes of all sorts, what sets your mixtapes apart from others? And what can we count on hearing from yours?
You’d have to listen to my music and see what separates me from everyone else, you know? If I say this and that, I’m going to look cocky, and I’m so humble, joe. (laughs) I think I’m dope though…I think I make good music. People seem to agree, so just expect good music. Might hear some different types of sounds…some dope lyrics…some raw emotion…things of that nature. Maybe. (laughs)
Arize: Stayin humble huh? Thats cool though, keeps you on the grind. Hows the DC hip hop scene treating the unsigned and indie artists like yourself?
Man, I’ll be honest, the public doesn’t give us our proper respect. The people in the scene, we’re supporting each other more than ever. This has always been a go-go driven area. Hip-hop was pushed to the back. Now, we got artists hitting these open mics, collaborating more, and supporting fellow artists. The DJs are supporting online, even though it hasn’t translated too much into radio spins.
College radio is where it is…they’re supporting a lot. Shouts out WHBC over at Howard University and WRGW over at George Washington University, jben.ok and the whole Funkadelic Freestyles Radio Show. DJ Heat & DJ Dirty Rico at WPGC, DJ Alizay and Angie Ange at WKYS…they all show love to the underground DMV hip-hop scene.
Arize: Cool shit..Well, we make sure we show all the unsigned and indie artists love. There is definitely a lot of real, raw, and true hip hop that has yet to be heard. So before I let you go I have one more question to ask. You voting for McCain right? lol
Obama all day. And I’m from DC…if he gets elected and somebody harms Obama, it’s gonna be hell in DC. You heard it here first. Bong.
For more information on Lyriciss, check out his Myspace or his Blog.
DOWNLOAD:
Pro'Verb ft. Lyriciss - The Rapture
Lyriciss - The Blue Collar Chronicles
Lyriciss - The Hope (mixtape)
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