For Bridgeport rapper Lyric, music has been salvation.
Faced with his parents’ drug problems at the age of six and the death of his brother just years later, the 24-year-old Bridgeport rapper has taken his pain and turned it into music that has changed his life and brought him from the streets of Bridgeport to the stage with Trick Daddy.
Lyric’s newest album “The Source of Lyric” is yet another achievement to add to the list of locally successful albums that the rapper has released in the past 10 years. Written, mixed, and produced by Lyric, and featuring rappers from his clique Something Tragic, the album represents a growth in Lyric’s beats and raps.
“This album is a totally different representation of me, of what I’m about,” explained Lyric. “But that’s good, you have to be versatile, to perform in lots of different styles.”
The album features a slew of strong songs, including the West Coast influenced “CT to Cali,” “I Got This” and “Bridgeport Anthem,” a favorite in the rapper’s hometown.
With interesting, layered beats reminiscent of Kwame and Terminator X or Public Enemy, and lyrics inspired by influences such as Busta Rhymes, Mobb Depp, and Leaders of the New Tribe, Lyric’s fifth album is sure to be embraced by fans of the hip-hop genre. But despite the comparisons, Lyric’s songs are ultimately influenced by the unique Bridgeport sound.
“I try to bring something different – a tight beat or special rhyme – to every single song I do,” said Lyric, who is currently in negotiations with several major record labels. That individuality is something he strives for, especially in the today’s over-hyped hip-hop scene.
“Rap is getting a little too commercial, but that’s where the money is,” the rapper said. “I have some commercial tracks on my album, too. But, you have to be versatile. You have to take what the people want and add your own flavor to it.”
After running away from home with his brother at the age of six to escape his parents’ drug problems, Lyric turned to music as a source of relief. “I started listening to music as a way of shutting out the pain and anger I was feeling towards my parents,” said Lyric.
By the age of nine, with help from his brother, Lyric was already learning how to spin and cut, and soon began DJing at parties in Bridgeport where he became known as ‘Hollowtip: the swift-handed DJ’.
From there his career took off, and DJing turned into writing rhymes and making a name for himself in Bridgeport. But he soon hit a bump in the road. In August of 1992, his only brother and mentor Kevmark was killed. But Lyric took that pain and turned it around, releasing his first underground album, “Damage” in February of 1993 when he was only 14 years old.
Since then Lyric has continued climbing toward the top, releasing four more albums and creating beats for other artists. He reached a career peak in November of 2002, when he opened on tour with Trick Daddy and Trina.
In the coming months the rapper plans to promote “The Source” by playing shows at Toad’s Place in New Haven and throughout the tri-state area.
“Right now, I’m where I want to be. I just want to keep going forward with my music,” said Lyric, also known as the producer K. McLean.
And where does Lyric hope to go in the future? “In the next five years, I’m going to be at the Source Awards,” Lyric laughs. “Five Golden Mics for every album I drop.”
“Music is my life. It’s the backbone of everything.”
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