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Lyrics Born There is a classic feel to the music of Lyrics Born and his music has been taking hip-hop into a new and innovative direction. Like Jurassic 5 (who he is good friends with), the music of Lyrics Born has that deep, dirty, soulful funk that just gets into your spine, your mind, and your soul. More than the music, the Bay Area emcee’s lyrics and flow are impeccable. Like his music, his culture and his life is deep rooted in all forms of music.
Originally born in Tokyo, he eventually moved to Berkeley, California. In 1990s, Lyrics Born met Gift Of Gab, DJ Shadow, and other people who would change his life forever. Eventually Solesides Records (which morphed into Quannum Records) was formed. Working with Qaunnum, Lyrics Born and Lateef The Truthspeaker formed Latyrx. They released “Latryx: The Album” to critical acclaim and formed a new, original, and intelligent approach to hip-hop music.
Since then, Lyrics Born has been doing tracks for Qaunnum as well as collaborations with Blackalicious, Joyo Velarde, and Lifesavas. In 2003, Lyrics Born (aka Tom Shimura) released his debut solo album “Later That Day”. More than ever before, his vocal delivery perfectly complements his thick 70s disco/funk production style.
“Later That Day” is a kind of concept album since it tells a story about one typical day in his life. While there is not a solid story, the LP flows and the concept is never lost. One mind-blowing aspect of “Calling Out” is Lyrics Born’s breath control. He rhymes so quick for so long that when the song is over, the listener will be out of breath.
PIXELSURGEON: Your solo album is called "Later That Day". Tell us about it. Who is on it?
LYRICS BORN: It’s my first solo album. I really wanted to do a lot of the things that culminated in my mind over the years. I wanted to release some of the things and go into certain directions that were not appropriate for a group setting. Another big goal for me was that I really wanted to get better as a producer, a songwriter, and an arranger. I really grabbed the bull by the horns and took it on myself, doing the bulk of the production on my own. I also wanted to make a decent album that was varied. All the songs work together but they are still all different. That was real important to me. I also just had a certain sound that I wanted to do.
What is the meaning behind the title "Later That Day"?
The album was supposed to be a collection of songs that change with a progression and different tones, motions, thoughts, feelings, topics and textures. The challenging part that I realized was this: how do I bring all of these songs together in a cohesive way since they vary so much? I think the underlying sound and the underlying theme is cohesive but I still had to ask: how do I bring these different styles and worlds together? I thought of the concept of going throughout the day. You go throughout your day, your moods change, what you think about changes, and attitudes change as you go through certain emotions from morning to night. The album started off late last night with ‘Bad Dreams’ and then ends late tonight with ‘One Session’ and ‘Outro’. That is what I tried to do. I’m not sure if I quite hit it on the head but that’s what I tried to do.
Do you have a favourite song on the album?
They all have their seasons with me. Right now, I like ‘Bad Dreams’ and ‘The Last Trumpet’ with Lateef. I like ‘Calling Out’ and ‘Love Me So Bad’ with Joyo Velarde. Last week, it was different.
When making hip-hop songs, do you go into the studio with pre-written rhymes, lyrics, and themes or do you hear the beat first and write then and there?
It totally depends. Generally, I start with the beat. Sometimes, I just have an idea for a song I want to do and I try to compose the music to match the mood that I am trying to capture. Other times, I try to shape the beat around things. Generally, it starts off with a sample, like a simple loop. As I find more ingredients, things start to take shape and it inspires cadence, inspires a subject matter or topic or style.
How did you hook up with Lateef and form Latyrx?
All of Quannum met at college. Lateef came along in 1992. Everybody was always rapping together and Lateef was working on his first 12-inch and Shadow laid this beat for him. I told him, ‘I got to have this beat! I have to rap on this too! You must put me on this thing!’ It all started right there.
When did you first begin rhyming?
I would say like when I was in sixth or seventh grade.”
What song made you fall in love with hip-hop?
It was definitely ‘Rapper’s Delight’ by The Sugarhill Gang. I didn’t even hear the song. I head the people singing it on the street. I was probably like in kindergarten and I just moved to the Bay Area. I didn’t even hear the song. I just heard people going ‘Hip hop to the hippy…’ By the time I heard the record, I already knew the words because it was so popular when we were kids.
How did you get the name Lyrics Born? Did you make it up or did someone give it to you?
I think it came up by accident in a freestyle and then, it just stuck. There’s not really a deep meaning behind it. My name used to be Asia Born and for some reason, I was free styling by accident and said ‘Lyrics Born is on the mic’ and it was an accident. It just kind of stuck and everyone started calling me Lyrics Born as a nickname.
In ‘Calling Out’ (one of my favorites on the LP), you rhyme so hard and for so long that your breath control is amazing. How did you perfect your breath control? Did that song take you a long time to do?
That’s just from doing a lot of shows and touring for the past several years. Having to play live really strengthens your voice. It really hones your craft when you are on the road. Also, Joyo Velarde, who is on my album, is a singer. She vocalizes. She really taught me how to breathe correctly as a vocalist. It’s important to use your diaphragm. A lot of rappers don’t do that. It makes a difference and it really has helped me.
What artist would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I want to work with Sade.
I could imagine Sade on a remix of ‘Love You So Bad’.
That would be so hot!
What producer would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I want to work with Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, 45 King, Bobby Digital, not Rza but the real reggae Bobby Digital.
You do much of your own production. Do you have a favorite sampler and drum machine?
The MPC 3000.
What are the 3 best things about living in California?
The weather, the diversity, and the food.
What was the last incident of racism you experienced?
Ah, man. It’s daily really. It happens daily in subtle ways. It could be as easy as walking into a store and having people all over me. I was also on the road one time and this guy was yelling racist shit in the crowd. You feel it daily. It doesn’t go away. Sometimes, it is more overt than other times.
You did an incredible collaboration with Cut Chemist on “Do That There” from your solo debut LP. How did you hook up with him and what was that collaboration like?
I consider Cut Chemist, Nu-Mark, and Jurassic 5 to be an extension of Quannum, to be honest with you. We all came up at the same time, doing shows and putting out independent records at the same time. I’ve known Cut Chemist for a long time, almost 10 years. We understand music. He understands what I am trying to do. We understand each other. He likes to do shit that pushes the boundaries too. The thing about Cut Chemist that is dope is that he likes to do that in a way that is still fun. The DJ in him is very strong. A lot of the shit that Cut likes to do is still DJ friendly. It will be different and dope but it will also be danceable because the DJ in him is very strong. He’s easy. He’s probably the easiest person to work with that I know. He’s like ‘Here’s the beat. Go ahead, rap.’ Then, I’ll do something to it. It’s done.
What collaboration are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of everything. I am excited about working with Joyo Velarde. She has come so far and she is such a great talent and a great singer. I’m working on her album right now. I’m producing most of her LP. It’s been 100% pleasure because I get to stretch. I’m learning new things everyday. It’s something I have never done before. She’s receptive, willing to try stuff and versatile. She’s naturally gifted and has a beautiful voice. In my opinion, there aren’t many singers out here that are as good as she is.
Are you doing production work for other people too?
Yeah, I just did a remix for Blues Legend. I did a track with Morcheeba. I did a track with Tommy Guerrero. I’m also working on a ‘Later That Day’ remix album. Shadow is doing a remix. Young Einstein from Ugly Duckling is doing a remix along with Automator and Evidence of Dilated Peoples too. Morcheeba is doing something too. It’s going to be hot.
What do you think hip-hop or music (in general) needs these days?
I think it has everything. It’s there. You have more variety now than ever. It needs more balance in the mainstream. There are more kinds of hip-hop now than ever before. The mainstream just needs to reflect that.
What is the biggest mistake that you made in your career?
Maybe, not going on the road sooner.
Since you traveled all over the place, how would you say the European audiences are different than the American audiences?
Sometimes, the European audiences are different because they are not as jaded. It’s not always lost on them. We are 100,000 miles away. Americans sometimes take their music for granted.
What are some major misconceptions that people have of you?
I don’t know. I honestly do not know.
If you could re-make any classic hip-hop song, what would it be?
That’s a good question. I would say ‘Looking At The Front Door’ by Main Source. That’s one of the songs that I wish I made. I don’t know if it could be re-made. You don’t re-paint the Mona Lisa.
How has your live show evolved?
I try to use everybody in the audience more. I try to get everybody involved, including the crowd. I try to turn the crowd into part of the show.
What is your favorite part of your live show?
Probably the freestyle. It’s a cappella.
What is next in the future for Lyrics Born?
Well, I’m going to be touring all over America. I’m working on Joyo Velarde’s album and I have the ‘Later That Day’ remix album coming out too. On the remix album, there will be a ton of collaborations. It’s going to be great!
Any final words for the people who are reading this?
Buy the album, don’t burn it!
Real Audio
• Callin' Out
• Cold Call (featuring Gift Of Gab of Blackalicious)
• Love Me So Bad (featuring Joyo Velarde)
• Do That There (featuring Cut Chemist)
• The Last Trumpet (featuring Lateef)
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