Q: I love the positive message in this track about how we are in charge of changing our destiny. What do you hope listeners take from “By Your Side”?
LyricalGenes: I have a line within that song stating, “When people never accepted me, I accepted me. Moment I realized everything is up to me…I’m an outcast allegedly, but every person that fits in started to come to me eventually.” Accepting yourself is honestly easier said than done. Part of my message in “By Your Side” advocates for others to be comfortable in their own skin because I believe this can help with gaining support and even expedite your vision.
Q: In the beginning of the track you say you had covid. How did quarantine and that experience change the way you create music? Did it put you in more of a writer’s block or were you more inspired?
LyricalGenes: If I am being honest, I do not think I have ever been through episodes of writer’s block. When it comes to the creative process, it has been my experience that once you start thinking too much, you start second guessing and ultimately slowing yourself down. So, I seriously do not think about it. Moreover, when I had covid, my energy levels were completely depleted; however, since I am a mentally restless individual, I had to be doing something stimulating. Due to this reasoning, I made half of my Generations The Beat Tape project, wrote By Your Side, then made some unreleased singles. So to answer your question, I was more inspired because, while in quarantine, making music was all I literally could do besides watch movies.
Q: You have great lyrical talent! Who are your musical inspirations?
LyricalGenes: Believe it or not, some of my musical inspirations are actually writers, poets, and activists like: James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Malcolm X. In regard to music specifically, the first artist that truly inspired me to hone in on my lyrical abilities was Eminem. I would listen to his tracks, write his lyrics word for word, until I memorized it. Then I started to study Tupac, Jay-Z, Big Pun, and Big L especially. But these artists were always “lyric heavy”; therefore, after a while, my interests shifted toward beat production. My intrigue for instrumentals were mainly sparked by Russ and Kanye. Then I discovered how listening to different genres of music can increase your creative capabilities. So I began studying Vadim Chaimovich, Nirvana, Luke Combs, Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, The Eagles, and many more musicians as this list could literally go on forever.
Q: In your own words, how would you describe the music that you typically create?
LyricalGenes: I create music that is original, unpredictable, and diverse. I may publish a hip-hop song one day then publish a classical instrumental. It just depends on how I feel and the inspiration I drew from.
Q: Did any real-life events occur in your life that inspired “By Your Side”?
LyricalGenes: Being an outcast. I have always been a popular loner. Everyone likes you, but you’re not sure who really loves you. With that being said, I sometimes questioned who I was because I was not always comfortable in my own skin, showing my full personality at times.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a musician? What do you hate most?
LyricalGenes: I love creating compositions that others can use as a coping mechanism, if need be. In general, I love evoking emotion. Whatever that emotion is. I dislike when others listen to a song or my songs and prejudge the lyrics with no context/explanation from the source.
Q: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists who are trying to get their name out there?
LyricalGenes: Make music you enjoy! Seriously. Have fun!
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
