Next In Show Exclusive SXSW Mini Interviews W/ Ryshon Jones L./\. & Lyriciss

SXSW came, great performances went down, and it definitely conquered all media for 7 days. Unfortunately Next In Show couldn't make it out this year, but we are planning big things for 2013. A few of my friends and featured artists on our blog made it down and were privelaged enough to perform. L./\ considered it a "great stepping stone in her learning process...". Lyriciss made his return this year to the festival and said "it was bigger for me this year". Ryshon Jones not only met superproducer legend 9th Wonder, but also got to perform at 2 showcases including one opening for Schoolboy Q. Read below my exclusive mini interviews with these three artists.

SXSW Interviews

Ryshon Jones


How was your debut at SXSW?

It was awesome the crowd was on point everything felt good it was the first time I enjoyed a performance of my self.

What showcases did you participate in?

I was on the bombonem/uheardthatnew stage with sts john conor. laws and a few others

How did you end up opening for School Boy Q?

i was actually removed from the show wont even say why

Besides your own performance, do you think any other performance were buzzworthy?

I think by. far 50cent performing was the most popular show.

What was it like to meet hip-hop legend 9th Wonder?

It was crazy he knew of me we didnt talk much but it was enough for me

Do you think SXSW helped grow your fanbase?

I dont think I did enough down there but I promise next year will be a whole diffrent ball game

L./\


What was it like for you to perform at such an epic festival like SXSW?

Firstly its a blessed experience to be in the presence of so much art and artists. The whole week was a great stepping stone in my learning process and was also beneficial to my growth as an artist. As for my performance it was really dope especially with all these people I never met before.

Everyone who is anyone from the industry was down in Austin, Texas. Who did you meet?

I met and seen a lot of amazing people out in Austin. Meeting Chaundon was so inspiring, but I was mostly excited to meet up with 9th Wonder and Boog Brown. Two every dope and inspirational workers in this industry right now.

Beside your own performance, who else killed the stage?

Of course Kendrick Lamar ripped. But my two favorite performances was at the SOB's 30th Anniversary show when 2 Chainz brought out Kanye West and Big Sean and I wasnt a huge MGK fan before but after his performance I give that guy hella props. He freakin flew from the stage onto a balcony. It was nuts.

What were your expectations about SXSW before going there?
I didn't really have many, I kinda knew the deal since we have festivals similar in NY like CMJ. However, my expectations as a whole for Austin was different, cause I was expecting more cowboys. :(

What showcases were you a part of?

I got to rock at the SXMW2 show with GLC, Boog Brown, Lyric Jones, Harmony Muzik and a bunch more. I also got to do some quick freestyle joints at some other spots that I can't remember lol. It was sooooo much going on.  

What is one thing you learned about yourself after attending SXSW?

I learned .... that I really love music, that Hip Hop is truly life and that next year.....we go big or go home.  

Congratulations on your success at SXSW.
Thanks!

Lyriciss

Was this your first time performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas?

Nah, actually my second year doing SXSW. This year was bigger for me, though.

What showcases were you featured in?

I was featured in "The Indie Life" concert that SmCity & Harmony Muzik put together, which featured them as performers, as well as 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology), Jon Connor, Rapsody, Maffew Ragazino, Pro'Verb, Nike Nando, Carlitta Durand (along with Jabee), Kooley High, Beanie Sigel, & more. I was also featured in Sean Falyon & Playboy Tre's Red Cup Party, which was under the umbrella of 3 events in one location that my label (Inner Loop Media Group) put together, dubbed "Beats, Rhymes, & Alcohol". The Red Cup Party had me, El Prez, Shawn Chrystopher, Big Rec, Stanza, & more performing. That show was dope as hell to me, because I wasn't quite hip to a lot of the performers before the show, but a lot of them were insane with it. Made me a fan out of a few of them.

I’m sure you met a lot of important and influential people. Who did you have the best conversation with?

I can't really call it, man...I like to have some good short conversations with a lot of people, and a lot of that was going on at SXSW. I've never been the type of rapper to just promote to you and walk off...I'd rather chop it up with you for a little bit and pick at your brain. I had some really good conversations with Jabari, Peter Rosenberg, Jabee, & Kane Mayfield, though. Oh, the most shocking short convo was between me and Sha Stimuli...he stopped me on the stairs after I rocked at The Red Cup Party and told me that he was a fan of my music and my live show. That shit meant a lot to me because I'm a Sha Stimuli fan. "Brooklyn Stand Up" still gets heavy plays from me, and I'm not even FROM there. He's telling me he's a fan and I literally said to him, "do you know who YOU are, though?" That was dope.

What did you do in your downtime?

I didn't really have much downtime...I found a lil' bit of time to rest at the hotel or chill with my girl, though. Aside from that, I was just walking around and performing or networking.

Was there anything you wish you would have done that maybe you didn’t get to?

More shows. I really wish I could have done more shows, but I couldn't really campaign on that because my USB malfunctioned while I was out there. So I couldn't access my show set at will. I had my DJ there for my Indie Life showcase, then I had to borrow Pro'Verb's USB for my Red Cup Party showcase. If I could have had my own USB and went 100% on getting more shows, I think I would have felt a little more satisfied.

Who did you see that had the best performance?

Hands down, Machine Gun Kelly at the SOBs 30th Anniversary show, at The Belmont. I'm not going to say too much on that...if you see the full footage of his set...the best performance, period. Big Rec is an amazing performer, along with Shawn Chrystopher. Rapsody...Oddisee...I saw a lot of dope live performances.

Congratulations on your success at SXSW.

Thanks, man, truly appreciate that! A3C's not too far away! *laughs*

Congrats to @ryshonjones @ucancallmela @lyriciss. Stay on your grind. Stay humble. #nextinshow

@ihate_chris

Read More

Next In Show Presents An Interview With Lyriciss

Today Next In Show brings you an indie rapper, who is not only a creative artist, but a phenomenal lyricist as well. Lyriciss represents everything that is right with hip hop now a days; from a humble attitude to always staying true to himself. Check out the exclusive interview below, where Lyriciss talks about being from the suburbs, influences, and being a part of the upcoming indie music festival, SXSW.

Twitter

Facebook

Blog

Next In Show x Lyriciss xExclusive Interview

Wheredid you grow up?

I was born in Washington,DC, but was raised mostly in Maryland. Prince George's County, specifically -Hyattsville, Brentwood, & New Carrollton.

Did you grow up in the city or in thesuburbs?

It was the suburbs, butthe thing with PG County is that...it's right outside of DC. So we share thesame culture as DC, from music to fashion to food, and unfortunately, in crime.So it's a suburban area with a lot of the same issues as DC...murder, drugs,low income, etc. It's sad when you look at the situation, because most familiesmove out of DC to get away from all of that, and while it's somewhat to alesser degree, it's really the same old thing.

Would you say you were a product of yourenvironment?

Definitely so. But I'llalso say that I aim to be a positive product of my environment. I've donethings that I shouldn't have while younger...it comes with growing into a man.You test the waters, but I also always had a strong support system with myfamily and their values, so I never went too far off the deep end. I'm blessed,and I really try to use my music to show others who may not have been or stillmay not be as fortunate that there's better lives to lead than what we're toldor shown.

What music influenced you most as ayoung Lyriciss?

My older brother...forbetter or worse, he influenced me a lot. A lot of morals and values were taughtby him. My mother also supported me through everything, especially with herbeing heavily involved in the arts herself. She sings, draws, paints, writespoems, makes crafts...she's very artistic, so that played a role in medeveloping into the arts. As far as other artists, I listened to a lot of DMX,Jay-Z, Joe Budden, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas, Eminem, and more when I startedto take music really serious as a teenager.

Cutto today, and within the last year you have been named as one of the hottestunderground, upcoming artists to emerge from the earth period. What is yoursecret?

I just speak my mind andspeak my heart. I think the problem with the game is everybody's focused onbeing hot and finding the formula, trying to sound like whatever is hot. Evenback home right now, the most popular artist in DC is Fat Trel. Sure enough,there's a lot of new rappers there trying to sound like Fat Trel now. I don'tdo that...I just try to sound like me. I even go as far as to changing my flowand voice up a little bit if I ever get compared to anyone. Nobody wants tohear a carbon copy...people want something new, and I can't bring something newto the table by copying someone else, so I just do me to the fullest.

You have been recognized on such blogsas Allhiphop.com and UK-based hip-hop site Rawroots.com for your stand outswag. I wanted to point out the fact that you are a part of URB Magazine’sFuture 1000 Program. Can you explain what that is for people that don’t know?

Well, the URB Next 1000was a program that they ran to give new artists exposure. You'd submit yourmusic and if it was good, they'd post you and blast it out. They even have (orhad...not sure if they still do it) another level to it, which was the Next100, but I never reached that level because I was already on to the next thing.I'll admit, I kinda loafed on getting the people to fully support that one.

How has your career changed sincesigning to Inner Loop Records?

A lot more team support,I feel. They're an independent label, so it's not any big-budget thing, butthey really take time out to make sure the music comes out right with me. Wesit down and go over ideas, from pre-production to recording topost-production. We figure out the right sequencing for the projects together.They give their honest opinions on the music, which has honestly made me comeout with the best music of my entire career, I feel. I used to do my own thingbefore...write the songs, record it, bong. Now, we really put together astrategy, from the music to the marketing of it all. Even the idea of the multipleEPs leading to the album and deciding on using an abstract artist to draw thecovers was a team decision. So yeah...it makes things easier.

The man that put me on to you was FlowJoStevo originally from Highbridge, South Bronx, NY. He know moved out to San Diego, CA to take his careerto the next level. What are you doing to take yourself to the next level?

Peace to the homieFlowjo, man! Just making the best quality music I can...going left while therest of the world goes right. The entire presentation of the project, as I mentionedearlier, has made me stand out more. Killing these live shows has made me standout. I'm about to head down to SXSW and do 3 or 4 shows, if not more, just so Ican now reach more people and show them what my vision and my sound is. I'mexpecting this year to be a defining one for me, because I've finally trulyfound myself as an artist.

The Balance: Money EP was recentlyreleased and is in rotation as we speak. Does the EP have a concept? If notexplain the title.

Well, it goes likethis...the first track that started it all was "The Balance". In thebeginning, I started it off by saying,"Money...power...respect...heart...yeah, I'm just lookin' for thatbalance!" Truth be told, "The Balance" is more than just a song,but it's a mentality, a lifestyle. For better or worse, we all yearn for money,power, respect, and strength/purity of heart to some degree. It's all aboutfinding what degree and balance of the four qualities will better you as aperson. Once you find that, you've got your Balance. Some people find it...somepeople never do...but we live searching for it. I've decided to name my EPsleading to the debut album, The Balance, after those 4 qualities and have thesongs on each one themed around the subtitle. The Balance: Money had 4 songs in the realm of the moneysubject.

Will there be more EP’s to The Balance?

Indeed...we alreadydropped Respect & Money. Next up will be Heart, then Power. We'll drop the full debut album, The Balance, in the fall.

TheBalance EP: Money (2012)

http://lyriciss.bandcamp.com/album/the-balance-money-ep
The Balance EP: Respect (2011)

http://lyriciss.bandcamp.com/album/the-balance-respect-ep 

Not only hip-hop, but also all music is in atransition period right now. What do you think of where it is headed?

I think the music isgoing back to being diverse for the masses. The commercial radio scene is dyingnowadays...the internet and satellite radio is getting more listens. With thatcomes more freedom for the DJs to play what they find dope, so it's just reallya lot of different sounds. I like it that way, though.

What music do you have playing in heavyrotation at the moment?

I listen to a lot ofartists...I'm a fan first, artist second, you know? Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole,Pro'Verb, Scolla, Wale, Skyzoo, Gods'Illa, Phil Ade, Logic, L./\., D. Julien,Dee Goodz, Kool Klux Klan, Dom O Briggs, Nike Nando, K-Beta, Laelo, Sketch, TefWesley, Joe Budden...there's a lot more, man. That's without even going intomusic outside of hip-hop that I listen to, also. Love that "Scott Pilgrimvs. The World" soundtrack on the low. *laughs*

Possibly the most important festival fornew/indie artists is coming up this month known as SXSW. You are lucky enoughto be performing this year. How are you feeling about it?

I'm feeling great, man. Iwent last year and only did one show...this year, I'm looking like I have about4 shows locked, and Lord willing, I'll hustle my way on to some more showswhile I'm out there. I'm excited...it's an opportunity to make what you havegoing on a big deal if you use it right, so that's my whole plan...take overeverything that I can.

What are your expectations for the next3 years?

3albums...tours...providing for my family...bringing a positive influence tothis game...opening doors for the community and other artists back home.Anything that falls under all of that, let's go.

How do you plan on reaching those goals?

By staying focused,driven, and positive. It's on me to make great music. It's on my team toconnect me with people that can help our situation and keep me focused. It's onmy fans and supporters to go 150% for me so we all win...my supporters are morethan faceless people to me. I have so many tweets on Twitter because I reallymake an effort to answer anyone who hits me up with love...I really appreciateit. I rock with them just as much as they rock with me. So with all thingsmoving in the right direction, we'll reach the goals.

Thanks for your time Lyriciss. Your nextin show

Thank you,man...appreciate the opportunity. Much love.

Read More