L.I.F.E. (Lyrical Influence For Everyone, Lyrics Interpreted From Experience) is yet another aspiring emcee, amongst the ever so growing field of many. Like most up and coming artist, LIFE isn’t solely out to make a name for himself, but more so to act as another component and that transcends the state of hip hop. “I’m not doing anything different from the next. I’m simply just trying to focus on doing what I like to do, all while trying to garner an audience.”
LIFE, is originally from suburban Philadelphia. “Where I grew up at was actually the same hood Kurupt (of the Dogg Pound) is from. You had your drugs, beef, teens having babies and what not, but you aint have to worry much bout getting shot or nothing like that. It was cool, it wasn’t the gutter, but it wasn’t a gated community either.” LIFE was first introduced to hip hop around age 9, while spending summers with his older cousins. “My cousins would play they tapes all the time. Can’t remember the exact first cats I heard, but it was something like NWA, then like on the radio was Rakim, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, ATCQ, then it was a rap from there. I had to hear any and everything.”
Though his first encounters with hip hop can be dated, he says he’s been around music itself for as long as he can remember. “My moms sung on the choir, she also played the violin, and pops never went a day without playing his jazz.” As a foreseeable result, LIFE learned to play the saxophone, and started to play with a keyboard, both at an early age. “I think it’s in the family. Like I said, moms could sing, and played the violin, I got a cousin who sings, and plays piano on a full scholarship attending a music institute, my younger cousin now plays the sax, and check this, I just recently found out another cousin of mine, is a world renowned jazz teacher, and actually composed songs with Grover Washington Jr.!”
It wasn’t until later when LIFE began writing rhymes though. “I used to just freestyle with my crew all the time. I was writing little raps since bout 12, but no one heard them, nothing really. Then one day I wrote a jam, it was 40 bars, everybody felt it, and I’ve been gassed ever since (laughs).” Unfortunately, it was around this same time when things took a turn for the worse. “Life had gotten hected yo. Like we got evicted from the crib, and my peeps had separated. Moms wasn’t working so I went with her to the next town over, pops went to the inner city. Then when moms took ill, she was in and out the hospital, and eventually stayed, so I started staying with my dad and grandparents here and there. It was so many other things happening all at once that just had me gone, I was lost for real.”
Although times were hard, LIFE now sees this moment as a blessing in disguise, and attributes his admiration of music towards it. “I started really using music as a vice, just listening, and starting to write it more, It’s what was practically getting me through each day. I wouldn’t have the same devotion I don’t think for it without that time in my life.” Today, he finds himself now maturing into a well rounded artist. “I’m just regular, so I don’t know where I’d fit in. I mean, obviously I don’t make gangsta, or party records, they’re cool, and honestly, I enjoy them, but I didn’t live much of that lifestyle so those songs wouldn’t be genuine if I tried them. I try to concentrate on lyricism and articulating the different facets of life, whether it be yours, mine, his, or hers. Experiences in my life, witnessing others, and just life itself, are all what inspires me to write, not as much as I’d like, but I’m getting there.”
LIFE, currently resides in Maryland, and at the present moment is diligently working to perfect his craft, giving him auspicious chances at being a credible and respectable artist. “Honestly, I’m not trying to prove to be the best, there will always be someone better, I just want to get to a point where I’m making aesthetic music, and one day work with and learn from people who has just as much or more of an appreciation of the art.” Recently completing his third unofficial mixtape, LIFE is now getting ready for future projects. “I’m right now in the works of doing another mixtape, which will have all original production, and I’m going to really try and get this one out there. After that, I don’t know, I’ll try to do and EP or something, and try and really get out there, open mics, and I hope some collaborations, other than that, where every the wind takes me. We’ll see…. hopefully. Peace.”
Haha thx flipped it while i was on the trip but yeah man mail can be a real "B" sometimes took them forever just to send me my fringin new laptop cord i think they like to take there time but if it was long for me and your overseas..... da*n lol
Yo Life you probably already gone but i just thought i should drop by and say good luck fam and be safe you got my 'BEST' wishes and hit me up when you "get back."
hey fam... it's yumi.. didn't really get a chance to wish you luck and say bye byes... hope all is well. Let us know if you need anything.. Much love.. and be safe.. hugs and kisses from nunu n lil dre
Was gud fam!just droppin by to see was up with the tracks!? Did u ever change the hook and name title to nighttime maneuevers? hit me back up and give me the 411
Yo whats good! How've you been bro? Everythings been going good for me, been busy with school and music. Yeah I'm still going to engineering school and all, its been a little bit tough at times but I'm learning a lot. About half way done with it already, so its definitely going by pretty fast. You still in the military? Hows that treating you lately? Had time to work on any newness at all? I've been working on a bunch of joints, trying to get as many beats down as I can. We should hook something up when you have a spare minute, no doubt bro. Hope all is well!
Thanks for reaching out fam! I appreciate your comments about my performance at the J Dilla tribute. I hope we can stay in contact.
I'll keep you posted on any up and coming events in the area. Thanks again and I hope to build with you again soon. Peace Sean-Toure' Sound Channeler the Invisibleman LP Spring 2009
L.I.F.E. (Lyrical Influence For Everyone, Lyrics Interpreted From Experience) is yet another aspiring emcee, amongst the ever so growing field of many. Like most up and coming artist, LIFE isn’t solely out to make a name for himself, but more so to act as another component and that transcends the state of hip hop. “I’m not doing anything different from the next. I’m simply just trying to focus on doing what I like to do, all while trying to garner an audience.”
