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Entertainment Macco: Who is Lyrikal?
Lyrikal: “Devon Martin from Belmont (Trinidad)...very versatile, cool positive person who loves music”
Entertainment Macco: Tell me your Date of birth and your horoscope please J
Lyrikal: “July 19th 1981; Cancer”
Entertainment Macco: Are you single/in a relationship or married? (Depending on your answer a lot of women will be heart broken or very excited)
Lyrikal: “Single as a Pringle and ready to mingle....”
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any children or plans of having any?
Lyrikal: “No kids...yeah I would love to have kids in the next 2 years or so....I won’t say I am working on it currently....I am not rushing it because God knows his plans...have a lil lyrical running around.”
Entertainment Macco: So what made you want to sing?
Lyrikal: “It came naturally, my grandfather was a pastor I was in the choir (not by choice), and I developed a love for music not just singing. I used to write poems etc and I was good at fusing from young and it meshed with me singing in church. I was 7yrs old when I showcased in Belmont Government; I entered a mothers’ day competition, the decision was only made to enter it a day before the show and I won it...I never stopped...going in the studio from about 13-14 and the rest is history”
Entertainment Macco:I know you are a favourite with the ladies, has anything changed since your fame in Trinidad for 2010?
Lyrikal: “Well as far as the ladies I just meet more (lol)...it took me to alot of places I have never been before..more recognition from promoters and producers...”
Entertainment Macco: What is the most interesting thing a woman ever did to get your attention?
Lyrikal: “In Boston or Connecticut and this is the weirdest thing ever..this lady sent her husband to call me and asked me for my number in front of him...when I asked her who the person was she told me it was her husband....I have had wilder experiences but I wont say those...Shout out to her husband for being a real man.....that was crazy”
Entertainment Macco: In your opinion what is the difference between a Groupie and a fan…Do you have groupies or just fans?
Lyrikal: “It is simple a fan won’t really care to know you on a personal level; yuh phone number and come home by your house etc. A fan supports the music, supports you, buys the music and supports your career and a groupie wants to know you on a personal level come home by you..they wanna go out and party with you they wanna be in the life...I don’t have any i don’t mess with groupies...I take everything as love if they wanna meet Lyrical etc....I use it to promote my music. I wont disrespect a girl unless they take it to a different level.”
Entertainment Macco: I realize your lyrics are usually sexual….is it that you are very sexual or you are just giving people what they would like to hear? (I know sex sells..lol)
Lyrikal: “As an artiste you have to know your position in the game and build your own identity...I planned to go for the ladies..Wherever the ladies go the guys follow...I am a student of music, there are certain things you take from other peoples’ music and use it in your own; hip hop, reggae, dancehall or whatever you never loose with the ladies..big up to the fellas though but I do it for the ladies. The truth be told fellas go like whatever I sing because it is about the ladies and ladies won’t mind at all because they are a little more supportive than men etc...I am a mammas boy that is probably why I love the ladies so much..lol”
Entertainment Macco: So we have to ask, that sexy sexy song “Feel Right” rumour has it that this song was inspired by a special lady? Is this true? We promise not to ask who….
Lyrikal: “Yuh kinda have me dey it come like you know the lady and I eh know. Basically this is what went down/how the song came up....Natasha Andrews-Noel aka Tasha (she is not the lady eh because she married) brought the idea to me for a kind of sexy song and from the time she said it boom it came to me. Shawn (her husband) created the music right then and there and I recorded it then and there....that song is dedicated to every special lady and fellas should dedicate it to their ladies....”
Entertainment Macco: So are any of the lyrics that you sing true ?
Lyrikal: "All true it doh mean I experience all of them...might be someone i know might be you..."
Entertainment Macco: So we pulled a couple famous Lyrikal Lyrics so he can tell us If it True or False and give us the story behind these lyrics....follow carefully....
Entertainment Macco: Are you really a “gyalist from your born”?
Lyrikal: “Yea I came from a woman and since I was small I always loved the ladies and they love me...they say they love my eyes. When I was in primary school (shout out to Kim) she told me I have nice eyes, you want to know what I told her?"
Entertainment Macco: What?
Lyrikal: “I told her I am a gyalist from meh born”
Entertainment Macco: “Strip you in a split second is what me famous with”?
Lyrikal: “Off course that is true...why wait, why beat around the bush this is 2010 we not into that again...once you come into the dungeon and i get the green light and i give you the green light it’s on....”
Entertainment Macco: The story of “10 gyals in hunter”? Is that true?
Lyrikal: “I am an artiste we create different situations...not because I say 10 girls means I had 10. The 10 girls to 1 man came from my friend, whom invited me to a lime and I told her I couldn’t come because I had to finish a song for the next day and she said...10 girls over here..”
Entertainment Macco: Can you really “Beat it beat like a kettle drum”?
Lyrikal: “I am not a violent person..Beat what?
Entertainment Macco: I don’t know you tell me….it is in your song “Trouble Me!!
Lyrikal: “I know what you talking about but yeah why not...gotta give the ladies what they like...some like sweetbread some like cake...”
Entertainment Macco: “We could have a private show? “
Lyrikal: “Off course...this is for the ladies not for fellas eh...right mood, right person right chemistry, why not!”
Entertainment Macco: How many songs have you recorded so far?
Lyrikal: “Actual songs like 150 from 1994-2010...I might be off by a little. I have been recording since I was like 13-14years”
Entertainment Macco: Any plans of dropping an album?
Lyrikal: “Yeah for sure...no actual date yet but could be early next year. I am still going to release a couple more singles build the fan base... The name of the album will be “Mood swing”
Entertainment Macco: Why “Mood Swing”
Lyrikal: “I am a versatile artiste when it comes to my music I set different moods and I do music so differently…”
Lyrikal: “I am a versatile artiste when it comes to my music I set different moods and I do music so differently…”
Entertainment Macco: Many people are under the impression that you are a new artiste…telling them how long you have been toiling….
Lyrikal: “I have been in the actual industry professionally and performing etc for approximately 5years...But recording since I was like 13-14years...”
Entertainment Macco: I heard you had a “thing” for Alison Hinds so you were excited to do the collaboration for “All over the gyal” with her?
Lyrikal: “Haha…you are something else….but seriously it is a mutual respect....she works hard she has accomplished a lot in the industry. I am not crushing, it is just that she likes and respect my talent and i grew up listening to her music...nothing personal.”
Entertainment Macco: The song “All over the gyal” is an old song right?
Lyrikal: “For some...but for others it is new and I say that because there were certain places the song did not reach until recently. In Trinidad it is a new song but up in NYC it is old...”
Entertainment Macco: How old is it and why was it re-released?
Lyrikal: “To give it a breath of fresh air, to add that extra ingredient for the people who got used to the original. I called Allison’s name in the original song and God just blessed me with the opportunity to remix the track with her and that allowed me the opportunity to be part of her show for the carnival. The song was recorded late December 2008 and picked up around March 2009; that was when people started to get a little familiar, however, by memorial weekend 2009 the song took of and it was just one of the biggest and most played songs in NYC for 2009.”
Entertainment Macco: What is you most memorable industry experience thus far?
Lyrikal: “There are a couple....I never ever took part in carnival in Trinidad...that was real big for me...the opportunity to perform in the major fetes was memorable..big up to Alison Hinds and them for making me a part of their team. I had never been to Tobago and this year was the first time because of “All over the gyal” with team Alison...”
Entertainment Macco: How frustrating was it for you or is it for you to get airplay in Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean due to the fact that you are based overseas?
Lyrikal: “It wasn’t really frustrating, I never took it upon myself to go Trini before to push meh music but this time I went Trini as soon as Miami Carnival was over in 2009 (like November) and started to push my song. I believe that when it is your time to shine you will shine...good music is like a plant coming out of the ground...work hard and stay positive..if they eh wanna play it I still stay positive...”
Entertainment Macco: Which genre are you more loyal too Reggae or Soca?
Lyrikal: “I am loyal to music on the whole but I from Trini so I have to represent for the Red White and Black....I am an artiste, I am more pushing for the Soca because Soca needs all the push it can get from all the artistes....reggae is already established and Soca eh reach all them places yet.”
Entertainment Macco: What is a regular day in the life of Lyrikal? What happens?
Lyrikal: “Get up...say meh prayers; must thank God for life ...I have to check my facebook page, emails, there is the studio; listen to riddims if I am not recording, I always writing but I always continue clinging to the music....”
Entertainment Macco: Are you a full time artiste or do you work? If yes…what field are you into?
Lyrikal: “Full time artiste now, I used to work and then we had the recession and work got slow etc but everything happens for a reason.....because now I have the chance to travel and record as well as work on the album, if I was still employed I would not have been able to dedicate all the time to my craft.”
Entertainment Macco: What is difference between Devon the person and Lyrikal the artiste?
Lyrikal: “Lyrikal is the entertainer and is more popular than Devon. Devon is a more laid back, stay in the house, don’t talk too much guy. Lyrikal is frontish, musically aggressive, slack talk. However the music streams through Devon and Lyrikal though. The ladies seem to like Devon more....they say Lyrikal looks mean sometimes. Devon does not have any fans or groupies, he is not that popular he is the guy in the background he helps support Lyrikal”
Entertainment Macco: How do you usually prepare for a performance?
Lyrikal: “Mentally - look at the crowd...get familiar with the band..make sure tracks are in order, prayer is important but there is not too much preparation my talent is from God nothing is rehearsed...”
Entertainment Macco: Things you do when you are not performing or recording?
Lyrikal: “To be honest I real kinda laidback; bowling, bars, restaurants, watch sports, animal planet, documentaries, a little bit of soccer, I like basketball now (NBA) that is when I do get time but I am not really a movie person..”
Entertainment Macco: What is your biggest personal challenge?
Lyrikal: “Making a million dollars...I trying about 10 years now...but it hard...lol i not seeing them digits in meh account yet...”
Entertainment Macco: Most embarrassing experience and how many people know about it? (well before me and the rest of maccos who will be reading it when it is posted)
Lyrikal: “I was performing for WIADCA (a show every Labour day Friday in the museum) (brass fete in nyc) in 2008. While I was performing my belt burst and my pants fall down while I was on stage...it didn’t go all the way down and I had to grab it up, I had to do my entire performance while holding up the pants with one hand and the mic in the other hand and you were like seeing my boxers and stuff, it was pretty embarrassing and funny at the same time.”
Entertainment Macco: LOL
Lyrikal: “There was a time as well, a girl jumped on me and I had to hold her with one hand, I was under serious strain and she was full- figured; she was whining and jooking on my hand…LOL. When I got up the next morning I had to take 2 Aleeve for the pain…
Entertainment Macco: I heard a piece of talk that you and a certain Producer friend love to bubble pot…what is your specialty?
Lyrikal: “We are professional people..whatever we do, we do it in a very professional manner. I am a professional cook and so is he. We specialize in different things and we do not burn down houses. Da Mastamind and I are professionals I say!!
Entertainment Macco: What is your speciality?
Lyrikal: “Macaroni pie, Peas specialist (cah come round me with that), baked chicken, stew chicken. So any lady who looking for a man who could cook good peas check me......www.peas.com – link me...”
Entertainment Macco: You are sooooo full of it dude!! lol
Entertainment Macco: What is your biggest turn on in the opposite sex?
Lyrikal: “A smile because the sex appeal can only carry you so far. Then there is hygiene; if you don’t have good hygiene don’t talk to me if you not sure be sure and then talk to me.”
Entertainment Macco: When u are/were looking for a mate did u look for someone in the industry or out of the industry and why?
Lyrikal: “ I don’t really search to be honest, I never really went searching...they usually come to me....but it don’t really matter to me you know...God always have a plan. I just go with the flow....it is just about compatibility”
Entertainment Macco: If a girl wanted to know what is best way to your heart what would you tell her?
Lyrikal: “Just be yourself, I really don’t believe in things you have to do...those things does only last for a short time. Sometimes you might see someone and she is beautiful but the attitude off and then you might meet someone and you don’t really like them but you grow to appreciate them. I am not into the trying to impress me thing.”
Entertainment Macco: You are always dressed to impress, who is your stylist?
Lyrikal: “I have a stylist his name is Devon Martin...big up Devon....he is a pretty stylish dude fly from since he small....very fashionable, his mother is flashy and father is neat so he got the best of both worlds and he meshed it… he keeps me looking right for the ladies...”
Entertainment Macco: *Rolls Eyes* Here we go again!
Entertainment Macco: What struggles have you faced as an artiste?
Lyrikal: “I don’t think I have faced any major struggles...regular stuff...lack of finances...regular struggles..the struggle right now is to break down barriers and borders as far as music is concerned but I don’t complain.”
Entertainment Macco: We heard you have many skills and that singing is not the only thing you do well, you want to talk a little about that?
Lyrikal: “You have an inside link? Like you link up with Devon and he told u things or what? I am a very athletic person, used to play soccer and basketball...I got scholarships for soccer in NYC.”
Entertainment Macco: Why is it that there are more successful men in our music industry than women?
Lyrikal: “Is not that…more women are missing so automatically there are more men, if it was equal then it would be fair to assess it, the industry also makes it hard for the females. It could be that some of them shy but I think they should step up and knock on them doors to be heard.”
Entertainment Macco: In your industry what is your biggest pet peeve..that one thing that does stress yuh out?
Lyrikal: “You know what does piss me and I mean really piss me off… So much good music and these Djs not playing them. I don’t even want an explanation for why they don’t play them because there is none...they only play certain artistes and this is not about Lyrikal is about plenty new artistes...I know it have alot of nonsense music out there too just like in other genres but Soca not established internationally and if the DJs not supporting we then how we supposed to reach there....them Djs need to get their acts in order....”
Entertainment Macco: We also Macco that you say you are “shy” (really now), Is this true?
Lyrikal: “Yeah....Devon is shy...Lyrikal isn’t. Devon is not the stage guy but Lyrikal is. Devon is not the gyalist....Lyrikal is pretty much active and a little more aggressive not in a disrespectful way...Devon doh like attention.....”
Entertainment Macco: Boxer or Briefs?
Lyrikal: “Boxer briefs....sexy for the ladies and it keeps the goods sturdy and in place.”
Entertainment Macco: So every girl wants to know how you rate yourself in bed
Lyrikal: “I don’t they do.....I never get a complain yet....”
Entertainment Macco: Which of your recordings is your favourite?
Lyrikal: “That is hard that is like picking a favourite child...I can’t pick one, me being a versatile artiste I have many songs, different music and different mood, so it is hard to BUT I can say that each one is special to me. Not one of my songs sound alike, It reallll hard to pick one...”
Entertainment Macco: Fair and understandable response!
Entertainment Macco: I know it have real life maccos out there, how do you keep your personal life and business life away from the maccos?
Lyrikal: “I just basically separate the two. I separate Devon from Lyrikal ; personal and business. I just give people what they need to know....I go where I need to go...Devon does talk to personal people he knows and Lyro talks to the people he needs to. I am neutral not into the crew thing...know when to do what and what to do and when to say what....Most importantly Lyrikal and Devon don’t ever get into each other business.”
Entertainment Macco: Thank you Lyrikal for the macco session…In closing is there anything else that you would like to say?
Lyrikal: “Firstly, I want to thank God for Health, Strength, Talent and Opportunity. I must shout out all the producers that I have worked with Mastamind, Dainjamental, Shumpeie, Maffie, Kamau, Art and Life, Attic Studios, Studio 53…..all the producers if i didn’t call your name I apologize. I appreciate you guys and I enjoy working with everyone. All the Fans/Supporters, Shout out to the ladies….Lyrikalist the gyal them specialist for the ladies and thank you Macco for the opportunity.”
