Lyrical Chris Shares His Story with Absurd Magazine
Hip Hop’s self-proclaimed Grandchild and multi-talented rapper who dons the moniker of Lyrical Chris. The enigma is at the fulcrum of an evolving hip-hop scene. Lyrical Chris is a very different and uniquely wired musician who isn’t afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with his deeply layered and well-crafted production. Born and raised in Georgia, his drive, focus, and tenacity will lead him to become a relentless and unstoppable force in the independent circuit. Lyrical Chris is making music that is driven by a desire to motivate, inspire, and tell his story his way.
How did you come up with a stage name?
I came up with the name Lyrical Chris during my days in high school. I wanted a stage name that sounded iconic and matched well with my style of music. Something that was simple but gets a hip-hop fan’s attention to want to listen to my music. I also prefer myself as "Hip-Hop's Grandchild." The fathers of Hip-Hop (DJ Kool Herc, etc.) have become grandfathers of Hip-Hop and the sons of Hip-Hop (Nas, Rakim, Jay-Z, Big Daddy Kane, etc.) have become the fathers of Hip-Hop. Now the grandchild has arrived with a new generation of hip-hop
Where are you from?
I am originally from a small town called Tifton, GA. It is a place where you don’t have many opportunities to thrive. If you want to pursue a career, you will have to move out to a bigger city to get those opportunities. I grew up in a very small home with my grandmother and my mother and 3 brothers. Lots of ups and downs and struggles trying to survive and make my way out.
Where are you now?
I am in Gainesville, FL, and I have been in the North Florida area for 5 years now. I love it here. More cities, opportunities, and entertainment in Florida than in my hometown.
Why did you first start making music?
Number one thing, I have a passion for music and it’s been there since my early childhood. I wanted to make hip-hop music that’s iconic with great lyrics and beats that inspires and motivates people. I felt like today’s hip-hop is not providing listeners enough of that type of content. I also want to make hip-hop that even kids can listen to without having it to be a “clean version.” You still get the aggressiveness and head-nodding material and lyrics of hip-hop, just without the vulgar and negativity and explicit words.
Who would you say inspired you the most, as an artist?
Icons such as The Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Mystical, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Sade, and Lupe Fiasco as the pivotal influences in his music. I also draw inspiration from my Big brother, Farinzio, who rapped and helped me fall in love with Hip Hop at a young age.
What’s your latest release?
My latest release is Already Know which is also my first release. This track brings me back to my upbringing coming from a Dead End literally and mentally and how I used that to create who I am today. Real Hip Hop and guaranteed to have your head nodding and giving you that extra boost for your day whether you are at the gym, playing sports, at home, or out with friends. If you love songs with a banging 808, aggressive lyrics, inspiration, and motivation, then this song is for you. You will be able to relate to this.
Who do people say you sound like?
They always say I sound different and that I am my own person. They can tell that I am genuinely trying to be unique and bring a new generational hip-hop era.
How do you currently feel about the state of Hip-hop in general?
I feel like Hip-Hop needs artists like myself to bring a new generational change in Hip-Hop. We need more unique, uplifting, motivational, and inspirational songs that will encourage us to be the best we can be and not to be bothered by the critics and naysayers. More different-sounding songs with great instrumentals and lyrics.
What are you focusing your time on now (e.g., recording a new record, touring the Midwest, writing, etc.)?
I am working on my next single which will be released at the beginning of 2022 in early February or sooner. I will be introducing a new flow and rhythm pattern to the Hip-Hop world. The song is called “Know Thyself.” Get ready hip-hop fans. This is going to be monumental. I am also focused on getting ready and prepared for my show in Jacksonville, FL, and my show in Miami, FL in December.
If you could only listen to 3 albums for the rest of your life, what would they be?
I would go with Nas – Illmatic, J Cole – 2014 Forest Hill Drive, and Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness. Illmatic is my favorite album of all time. 2014 Forest Hill Drive is an album I can play without skipping a track. I went with Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness since it is my favorite R&B album and I don’t want to have hip-hop as the only genre of music I could play for the rest of my life.
Lyrical Chris combines various unique and experimental sounds with his intricate wordplay and often dabbles in various contrasting flows resulting in Hip Hop centered fusions that are still firmly stitched together by emotive undertones. Lyrical Chris cites icons such as The Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Mystical, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Sade, and Lupe Fiasco as the pivotal influences in his music. He also draws inspiration from his Big brother, Farinzio, who rapped and helped Chris fall in love with Hip Hop. This all culminates in Lyrical Chris producing an enjoyable, and easygoing musical experience that is authentic and grounded in reality. His overarching ambition is to empower people through his gift and to be remembered as a generational icon.