An Interview with Loick La Lean
Dami: What inspired you to start making music professionally?
Loick La Lean: I was inspired to pursue music *professionally* by a friend of mine that is now no longer here with us (RIP CQuick). He is the sampled artist on "Charlotte's Web". Even though we didn't see eye to eye on MANY things artistically and professionally, I'd be discrediting his well-intentioned efforts if i didn't mention his contribution into honing in, focusing, and channeling my talent that I've had since I was a kid. He saw the vision and potential that I've always carried with me.
Dami: Was this debut album also inspired by him?
Loick La Lean: Partially, but most of it was self-inspired and to the number of teachers that believed that I could craft great artistic material. The person who deserves the credit for my musical *technicality* is my middle school band teacher, who installed so much discipline in me. I cannot thank her enough for her efforts and stern instruction. She had her program sharp down to the teeth, and it rubbed onto me subconsciously. I cannot forget my middle school English teacher who saw my works in elementary school and my works in his class, and encouraged me to continue to practice poetry (and re-introducing me to jazz history). I owe it to not only them, but to other teachers that encouraged me to stay sharp, but also my folks and brothers for putting me into a position at such a young age to develop quickly, and shit, to myself for all the hard work that I've did, am doing, and for what I have planned.
Dami: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before?
Loick La Lean: Lol that's a hard one, because I went into musical production with the goal of making my own original sound, while incorporating elements from music that I'm influenced of. At the end of the day, it's hip-hop, because it is a "melting pot". Isn't that what hip-hop is?
Dami: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?
Loick La Lean: There’s many to name, and I’m sure I’m going to forget some key artists, but off the top of my head: Pharrell for his creativeness and willingness to go outside the box. Ye for his genre-blending and collaborative skills and artistic vision. Zaytoven for bring his Bay Area sound and crafting the Atlanta trap sound. 50 Cent - his aggression and tact on the mic. Mannie Fresh - nothing else needs to be said. A$AP Rocky - his originality & authenticity. The 90's early 2000's rock scene. The artists that they have worked with have a part in influencing me.
Dami: What’s your creative process like?
Loick La Lean: It’s like a jigsaw puzzle without a picture, and most of the time I carve out & draw my own pieces. Drawing comes natural to me. It’s the organizing that requires work and I have found joy in doing so. Both processes spawn out new ideas and concepts. It’s a drug
Dami: How did you carve out the debut album you just dropped?
Loick La Lean: This project is ACTUALLY OLD as far as when it was first conceived. I started producing music back in 2013 while in high school, and didn't really reach the quality I was aiming for until 2015 after I left my freshman year of college. A bulk of these tracks were created back in 2016. CQuick & abihyphen were supposed to released a joint project around that time, however that was scrapped due to creative differences and scheduling. I started writing to my music last year after I found the time to practice recording. The concept of bellechasse stems back to my toddler days growing up in New Orleans. I lived in Forest Isle, west of the Mississippi RIver by the levee. we used to play football, soccer, and baseball (with tennis rackets & pizza boxes) by the levee, and after playing, I would always look over the river, wondering about the other side. I would get into a ton of trouble during my school days (not for academic reasons), and frequently I would be sent out of class and left to go wait outside in the hallway
Photographed by elevenstudios
Dami: Do you have a favorite song you’ve released and why that one?
Loick La Lean: That’s tough, but it probably would be "treasure". I vividly remember making this track at a Starbucks at a local high business town center back in 2015-2016 when I was attempting to recruit local vocalists and trying to start an independent label. There was one couple in the area and I showed this track to them. The girl loved the track and had a beautiful voice, but didn't have the confidence to use this track to launch her career. This track reminds me of that time period when I was juggling being a student, and attempting a basketball career. Music was just a hobby; I had no intentions to be a solo artist. It also gave me confidence in my ability as a songwriter, knowing that this record was originally on an album that was stolen from me, and released with a VERY well known artist and reached top 5 in the UK & top 2 in the US. I never got credited nor compensated for my contribution for that and other successful projects that i will not name.
Dami: What’s been your biggest challenge so far as an artist?
Loick La Lean: Promotion, exposure, and funding. In addition to that, getting my mixes cleaner. It just takes practice, and more perfect practice.
Dami: What message do you hope people take away from your music?
Loick La Lean: 1. If you can do it yourself, do it. Don’t wait on ANYTHING. Run on your own schedule & timeline. Time is of the essence
2. Fuck the naysayers, they don't benefit you
3. Keep your inner circle very tight
4. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain
Dami: Where do you usually draw inspiration from when writing lyrics?
Loick La Lean: Real life experiences. Things that I’ve gone through. That was one of the main reasons why i didn't pursue rap or songwriting as a youth. Didn’t have enough stripes, and my earliest stuff was very unorganized, confusing, and depressing. Didn’t want to make that my first impression. Very raw stuff though. I would write every day. One day a rap, another a journal entry, another day it would be just freelance expression. It’s a hobby that i do on and off from time to time.
Dami: What’s next after the album?
Loick La Lean: I’m getting into content creation to build exposure, but as far as musically, "I got 1 down, 3 more to go". That 3 might change into 4. This interview did give me some more project ideas so there may be an appetizer. The next one is about 30% done and I can't wait to finish and release, but it has to be proper. It may be time consuming, so it makes sense to possibly have an appetizer before the main meal. Don’t want to wait too long. Gotta step up artistically. I’m interested in doing small shows as well.
Dami: How do you overcome writer’s block?
Loick La Lean: Move on to something else man. If it don't flow, then don't go. I don't force anything in my music; gotta keep it moving. I’ll get on the game, work on my basketball skills, read a book, catch up on my shows, handle some personal and professional business., whatever. Music is important to me, but it ain't my entire life. I’m a renaissance man. I know that there will be times that I come up with a lot of ideas at once, its just a matter of capturing those moments and making them as productive as possible.
Check out Loick’s debut album here
