We have the debut of traditional type interviews here on The Breezy Effect. Peep my interview with DMV rapper Lyriciss after the jump. His mixtape "The Day Job," is available now, so be sure to visit that link after you read the interview.
MinM:
Your name is kind of different, what is the story behind it?
Lyriciss:
It's actually a pretty short story. I feel like there's plenty of rappers out there, but not many that take the time out to craft out their words into true lyricism. Being that I tend to do that, i just took the word "lyricist", took out the "T", added an "S", and ran with it as my moniker.
MinM:
Oh ok, I like that, that's clever.
Lyriciss:
It pretty much stuck from there, because I had a few rap names before Lyriciss was the final decision.
MinM:
Out of curiousity, what were some of those other names?
Lyriciss:
Aw, man...you're really going to make me say it, huh? (laughs) Um...Knawlege, Young L, and Young Lyriciss. That was before the rush of "Young/Yung" rappers though...everyone was "Lil" back then!
MinM:
Well I think you made a good choice, [Laughs]. Can you give me a little background about yourself, so our readers can get a better feel for you?
Lyriciss:
Well, I consider myself a young average joe out of the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area. I was born in DC, spent some time in Riggs Park in the Northeast section of the city. Moved around a lot in PG County, Maryland on the northern side of the county. West Hyattsville, Historic Hyattsville, Brentwood, and now living in New Carrollton. I'm in Northern Virginia a lot, where my daughter lives.
Lyriciss:
So I'm a true representative of the DC metro area...I'm all over. Simply put, I'm a young dude that loves hip-hop and strives for success for me and the people around me.
MinM:
That's a good way to put it. So how did you get started rapping, were you inspired by a certain song, artist, or?
Lyriciss:
Well, moms raised me on hip-hop heavy since a baby, so I've always loved hip-hop. I started rapping myself when I was 9. I used to take other peoples' songs and put my own words to it. From there, I just did it constantly. Then I got into freestyling and getting into ciphers and battles, and that brought the love for it to a whole different level. As far as artists, I have many inspirations though.
Lyriciss:
Big L (R.I.P.), Jay-Z, AZ, Rakim, Joe Budden, Wale...they all play a part into me as an MC.
MinM:
Your mom raising you on hip-hop is an interesting point, not a common thing in most people's upbringing. What artists did she raise you up on?
Lyriciss:
There was a lot of Snoop Dogg, Big Daddy Kane, Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J...she had hip-hop around all the time. It would take forever to name all of the artists.
MinM:
Ok, you got some good inspiration going on there. What is it about hip-hop that you love so much?
Lyriciss
:
The expression...the freedom to say what I want and share me with the people. Plus I find it fun to say something slick and get the reactions from people [Laughs].
MinM:
[Laughs], good answer. You also have a history in music journalism. What got you into that?
Lyriciss:
A friend of mine offered me the opportunity to review mixtapes and albums for his now-defunct website, MyHoodYourHood.com, so I accepted. I've always been into writing, so I couldn't think of anything better than getting albums early, listening to them, and giving my opinion on them. Dream job of sorts.
MinM:
Cool, now that your rap career is taking off, are you done with journalism?
Lyriciss:
Not at all. If the door opens to me to do something, I'm always up for it, whether it's blogging, for a magazine, etc. Anyone interested can contact me and let me know.
MinM:
Okay. so what three words would you use to describe your music and why?
Lyriciss:
Sincere. I think that's about the only word needed. It's very sincere. I don't back away from putting myself into my music and letting the public really know ME.
MinM:
Alright, fair enough. If someone was a first time listener of your music, what song would you suggest they start with as a good introduction into your work?
Lyriciss:
"Welcome To Me", perfect track, in my humble opinion. Funny how that kind of lined up, huh? I promise, there was NO pun intended [Laughs].
MinM:
[Laughs], Okay I'll take your word for it, you seem like a trust worthy guy, [Laughs].
Lyriciss:
[Laughs], I do, huh? I try, I try.
MinM:
Well your doing a good job, [Laughs]. Speaking of your work, I recently listened to "Blue Collar Chronicles," hot track by the way. What is the meaning or story behind it?
Lyriciss:
That whole song is a true story. It's basically speaking on my experiences working at both Giant [East Coast Grocery Store Chain] and Gamestop. Man...you can pretty much tell from the song that I hated those jobs [Laughs].
MinM:
[Laughs]. So what is the overall message that you are trying to put out there with your music?
Lyriciss:
Be you. Always be you. And true MCs still exist! That's about the only specific messages I can name, because a lot of my music is versatile...a lot of different topics and concepts in there. I feel like this mixtape will truly have something for EVERYONE. Everyone will be able to relate to at least one track on this project.
MinM:
Your representing an area that is not too well known for hip-hop. Has that been a problem for you so far and do you see it becoming a problem as you try to advance in your career?
Lyriciss:
I'm pretty young, so it didn't affect me too much. It's affected my area forever though. I'm probably coming out as a hip-hop artist at the best time ever for this area, because a lot of love and attention is on the DMV right now.
MinM:
Ok, the game has tons of rappers on the come up. What makes you stand out from the rest?
Lyriciss:
That's on the people to decide. If I really gave an answer, I just feel like it would be kind of cocky [Laughs]. But really, that's on the listener to decide. I just make music that I love and that I want the public to love.
MinM:
[Laughs], okay, not quite the answer I was expecting but it works, [Laughs].
Lyriciss:
Look at it this way...at least I'm not predictable [Laughs]
MinM:
That is very true, [Laughs].
Lyriciss:
I mean, for me as a fan of hip-hop...I hate to say that I'm different...because it's become cliche to say...when most of these people are really serious carbon-copies of whatever is hot at the moment.
Lyriciss:
So I don't want to say I'm different at all...let the fans say it and describe it. I feel better that way [Laughs].
MinM:
You have been in the game for a few years now. Do you have a favorite moment in your career so far?
Lyriciss:
Performing on my 21st birthday this year. That was great, because I really wanted that. Not to mention, I used it as an opportunity to let a friend of mine and fellow artist, Mouse aka The Waldorf Posterboy, have his first performance EVER. So I basically brought in 2 milestones with that.
MinM:
Elaborate a little on that experience for the readers please. For example, where it was, the atmosphere, etc.
Lyriciss:
I performed at this club named Felix in the Adams Morgan section of DC. That's like the spot for all the bars and nightspots. It was a birthday party for this up-and-coming female model named Teddy Iglesias, and it just so happened to be on my birthday (February 1st), so it was a great look. I'll admit, it wasn't as many people as I would've liked, but it was still a good time. I was in there with my team (Mouse, Pro'Verb, Lord Vada, NandoMcFlyy.), plus other names in the music scene out here like J-Scrilla and PHZ-Sicks. Plus a few friends came out to support and celebrate my birthday with me too. So it was definitely a good night for me.
MinM:
Alot of people feel that hip-hop in it's current state is dying or already dead. As a rapper, what are your thoughts on the current state of hip-hop?
Lyriciss:
Hip-hop will never die. It's just overly commercialized in the mainstream. It happens...that's the business side of the game. But the core underground artists and fans will always be here, and there are still doors open to be in that lane and make money, so as long as the art and the option to financially succeed are still alive, it won't die. Hip-hop is not dead. The radio's just wack.
MinM:
[Laughs], I like the last part, very true about the radio.
Lyriciss:
Yeah, I haven't SERIOUSLY listened to the radio in years. There's no real reason to.
MinM:
[Laughs], same here. Im about done with music video countdowns and stuff too. Is there any work or special projects that you would like to put out there, for readers to look out for?
Lyriciss:
Yes, indeed. My new mixtape, The Day Job, presented by DMG, Equinox Professionals, and Aplomb Clothing is out. The video for "Go Hard", featuring me, X.O., Pro'Verb, and produced by AB The Producer, will be dropping very soon. I also have about 5 more projects dropping this year, so I'll definitely keep y'all up on that.
MinM:
Ok, looking forward to it. any final words for your: fans, people, haters, whomever?
Lyriciss:
Always progress, and always be you. If you need to contact me, hit Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/lyriciss202 , Personal Blog - http://www.lyriciss-dmv.com , or Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Lyriciss.
Peace & Hip-Hop!
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