In this highly counterfeit music industry it is always great to run across an artist who is genuine and carving his or her own path. Thirteen-year-old Chicago native Lyr!c represents this authentic artist that so many of us have been looking for. She is the granddaughter of the legendary blues bassist Willie “Vamp” Samuels. The innocence in her music is accented by her “old soul.” She has taken part in may stop the violence campaigns in Chicago and will soon be touring with Lifetime Networks “Bring It” stars. Rolling out spoke with her recently to learn more about this up-and-coming teen star.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Lyric Nia, which means melodic words with purpose. I love to sing! I am 13 years old and I am glad that I have this gift that I get to share with the world! This gift has granted me many amazing opportunities and moments. I have been singing since I was 6 years old. My parents call me an “old soul” because I never really listened to the music of my peers. I was in love with people like Jimi Hendrix and Nina Simone. Music is a deeply rooted passion for me. My granddad was a musician and he transitioned when I was 4. Singing somehow makes me feel close to him. Music challenges me, I always find myself studying it, perfecting myself and being my biggest critic!
What do you love about performing?
I love to see fans and I love to show what I have been working on to the world. It’s fun for me because all the hard work shows and pays off. I have to push myself; it can get very hard sometimes, I may want sleep in, sometimes my body hurts, but I know as an artist, better yet, as a professional artist, I have to hold myself to a higher standard. I just have to. I also love the feeling of falling in love with the process. My fans, they are so sweet and they blow up my Instagram in a second just to ask when they are going to see me and I think that’s awesome!
What inspires you to get better every day?
What inspires me is knowing that in the end my hard work and dedication is going to pay off.
How have you managed to stay so grounded during your growth as an artist?
I am a teenager! So sometimes it’s a self challenge because there are times I want to hang out with friends and I can’t because I am either out of town or really busy that day and it sometimes is a tussle but I have to look at the bright side. I have to go back to what I asked for. I asked to work and I asked for the opportunities and I got them and I have to tell myself “this is what you want” and it just makes me feel stronger because I did ask for it and I do want it and I’m going to work for it.
What would you say is the best thing about what you do?
The best thing about what I do is “everything” because you have to fall In love with the process of being an Artist! Yes there are some days where you’re tired, you don’t feel like doing something or you are just mad because stuff didn’t go the way you wanted it to. I have to look at the bright side. The bright side for me is performing to the best of my ability and falling in awe with fans.
I know being an artist is about originality, but if you had to model yourself after any artist past or present, who would that be?
It would be Aaliyah mixed with Brandy. A little of Beyoncé! Aaliyah is someone I really, really love and her music makes me appreciate music more. Brandy, I love all her stuff and I want my voice to be as strong as hers and she is the one who I listen to nonstop and I would tune out all of the background and listen just to her voice and try to see if I could do the stuff she does. Beyoncé, I freaking love her and that’s a person who I look up to as a pop star, super megastar and I am in awe of her “ear.” I want that “ear” and her amazing vocal range. Now if [there] was one I would have to choose [between] Aaliyah, Brandy or Beyoncé? I can’t really decide; they are [all] amazing!
What do you think leads an individual to success?
Humbleness, prayer, practice and the ability to listen, learn and understand.
Where do you see Lyr!c in the next five years?
I see Lyr!c being a megastar, something new and fresh and someone that no one will ever forget! A person that has heart and a person that knows music and can sing her butt off. Not only a singer an awesome performer that happens to be a really cool person!
What words of wisdom would you like to leave with our audience?
Stay humble, trust God and follow your heart, and if you have a dream never give up on it!
Learn more about this talented young lady and what’s next at her website https://www.JustLyric.com.
Her twitter: JustLyric_
Instagram/Twitter: @precise_chi
Eddy Lamarre aka Precise is a hip-hop artist-writer-actor from Chicago. The Chicago Reader recognized “Ladies Love Mixtapes” his latest release as one of the best projects of 2014. Listen/Buy Ladies Love Mixtapes at: https://precise.bandcamp.com/album/ladies-love-mixtapes-the-ep
