Now with the release of his new album, HIStory, Lucci is preparing to take the next step in his promising career.
“HIStory is basically me telling my story,” Lucci said during an exclusive interview with rolling out. “A lot of music on this album was about things that I am going through. The title fits the whole vibe of the music.”
The cover art for HIStory puts Lucci in an environment that some may view as uncharacteristic. In the photo, Lucci is seated in a library or study as he indulges in a book. The look represents a new level of growth for him.
HIStory could be considered his most personal album to date. During our interview, he broke down the concept behind “Lonely.”
“I went to Los Angeles for like two days and I made ‘Lonely’ the second day I was out there,” he said. “I had press that morning and went to the studio that afternoon. I did two songs. I was vibing. I didn’t have too many of my homies with me. I was getting that 2Pac ‘Brenda’s Got a Baby’ vibe. When I rap, I go into the booth and I may go with the melody and fill in the lyrics.”
Lucci then rapped the lyrics to “Lonely” by saying, “Brenda got a baby, but Brenda can’t be saved, and my brother got a case, I try to tell ’em ‘chill’ but I can’t tell that boy a thang, it’s another route but he don’t know another way, Lonely. Lately I’ve been feeling real lonely, if you say you love me why you don’t show me, I’ve been trying, but my heart getting cold, thinking about my past, I gotta pour up a four, all these lawyer fees I hope they free my little bro, I gave them everything they need but they’re asking for more.”
He then discussed the difficulties he endured during that time.
“I guess it’s the success. Some people feel as if I owe them,” Lucci shared. “When you tell someone ‘no,’ they feel some type of way. Some people have jealous ways. They want to be you instead of just playing a role on the team, so I was dealing with that. I just felt like I was alone and nobody was with me.”
The growing pains caused Lucci to become more focused on his own business and career.
“I don’t regret anything because you live and you learn,” he explained. “Now I’m learning how to run my label. I wish some of the things I know now I would have known back then. Like I would have made sure more of my homies were able to get a [record] deal, and I wouldn’t spend as much money on unnecessary things. Right now, I have three properties that I have investments in, and I’m working on putting one up for rent. I’ll buy some more property and just flip it.”
Lucci’s journey in hip-hop can help others who are seeking to walk a similar path. He often gives advice to younger artists who are hoping to find success in music.
“You have to know everything ain’t real,” Lucci said. “You can’t come into the game like it’s the streets. You have to learn how to play the game. You have to be focused, hungry and ready to work. If you trust and believe in it, you have to go all of the way with it.”
Story by A.R. Shaw
Images by Louis Cuthbert
