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Interview: Lyricson
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Interview: Lyricson
"The most important thing is not to betray myself in my choices. I do things as I feel them"
Sampler
Lyricson, a young singer from Guinea, living in France and known to the general public for having collaborated with Manu Chao and the hip hop band Assassin, presents his third record 'Messages'. It's out on his own label PJK.
A new opus filled with love and hope, it focuses on the youth, in these times of crisis.
Your third album was released in November and for this one you have worked with various producers and musicians - who are they?
For riddims I have worked with various teams. First there is Bost & Bim (French producer, Soprano riddim ...) with whom I worked on my first album. I also worked with the Jamaican Fire House Crew known for their work with Sizzla and Junior Kelly...
Then there's a young composer who comes from Martinique, Foxx T (AK47 riddim, Arsenal Riddim) and Guyanese composer naming Patko, who worked with Tiwony Straika D. There are also riddims by T'N'T, Moolood ....
For the mix I also work with the Jamaican Steven Stanley (Tarrus Riley, Sean Paul) with whom I'm already used to working, and Ghost my sound engineer.
How did you approach working with these different teams? Do you have a method you apply each time or you adapt yourself according to the producers ?
I work on instinct. I have no predefined recipe. It's all about feeling.
When I meet interesting producers, I ask them for riddims. Nothing is calculated beforehand - all depends on timing. Like with Patko Foxx T with whom I worked for the first time on one of my albums.
The most important thing is not to betray myself in my choices. I do things as I feel them.
Your music is full of different influences. Which are the artists who inspired you most?
My musical influences are numerous, ranging from, Hip Hop to Soul through African music, Caribbean music, they are manifold.
Artists like Bob Marley to Peter Tosh, Sam Cooke, Tupac (r.i.p) ...
I don’t wait for things to fall from the sky. In reggae music it isn’t the right attitude
You were born in Guinea, What is your feeling about African Reggae?
When you ask to me of my influence, there is a South African artist that inspired me. This is Lucky Dube, murdered in 2007. For me he was the first who carried the torch for English African reggae.
Not forgetting Alpha Blondy who is the founding father of the French African Reggae.
There are many artists I appreciate. I respect the work of Tiken Jah Fakoly. I know that the Ghanaian, Nigerian and South Africa scenes are full of innovation.
In my country, Guinea, there is a young artist who is full of talent, Takana Zion. I spend as much time as I can over there. I try to follow what is happening but when I‘m not there, I miss a lot of things.
What did you gain from your collaborations with Assassin (French Hip Hop group) and Manu Chao, who are big names, which is rather rare in reggae circles?
It gave me a lot of things. On the one hand I could reach their audience and maybe direct them to my own productions. I also learned a lot about working arrangements, managing a tour, and gig management. I have taken nothing but positives.
How do you see the CD market in 2010, especially that of reggae music?
The market is currently very uncertain. I do not really know what the future holds for music. In fact, I listen to music most of time on my computer, but I will always go to buy the record of an artist who is really worth it. Someone who has more than three good songs on his album.
I will always go to buy the record of an artist who is really worth it
Which artists or producers you would like to work with in the future?
I thought a lot about the producer Bobby Digital with whom I would like to work.
In the new generation of dancehall, are artists like DCK or Stephen McGregor, the son of Freddie McGregor, who is on top now (he has produced the Redbull & Guinness riddim). But I do not really follow trends.
There are many people with whom I wish to work, but I'll see how things pan out, and once I make my plans, I will knock on doors and see if the collaboration is possible.
I don’t wait for things to fall from the sky. In reggae music it isn’t the right attitude.
Why do you sing in English? Did it open doors for you?
I have always sung in English, as far as I can remember. I was born in Guinea but grew up in Liberia. It is an English speaking country. I left Liberia due to civil war.
It is true that the English are a big part of the cultural landscape, in film and music. Today's English language was a little bit like the dollar. Speaking English when you are German or Chinese or French, opens doors today, but it is not something I calculate. It ‘s just natural.
Today's English language was a little bit like the dollar
What is the latest news about your crew Black Unite?
There are many projects in the pipeline. In the near future there will be a Chadness mixtape and an album later.
He also collaborated on my album with background vocals, and he was with me a lot during the making of this album.
All the soldiers from the crew work hard. For my upcoming shows we will try to bring the family on stage whenever possible.
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Read comments (1)
| Posted by dusan on 02.07.2011 | |
| One of the best reggae singers. Lyricson keep on making great music and spreading a message. | |
Comments actually desactivated due to too much spams
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