Today we’d like to introduce you to Lew Sid.
Lew, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my music journey in the Green Run area of Virginia Beach, VA as early as 13 years old. I always had an ear for music and was addicted to listening to the radio and watching music videos. My mother always felt like I was special because I was her and my father’s 3rd attempt at having a child, after two stillborns. Early on, I realized that she was right and that my gift was in my ability to write and recite lyrics. One of the things I used to try and do was memorize an entire song I liked in one day. I would write the songs out in a notebook and then read back the design and layout of the words and rhyme schemes. Not too long after it just developed into me writing my own lyrics and following my own flows and I fell in love with the art of it. We used to have sessions at the end of every lunch period where we would beat on the table and just spit. I lived for those moments back then and as time passed it just transitioned into doing it on records in the studio. I started recording freestyles and mixtape tracks in high school, I put out a few unprofessional tapes in my early years. But my first official project wouldn’t come until 2016 with ‘Saga One’.
I had a big family coming up with relatives that were everywhere from the church to the streets. I kind of got to see it all and those experiences made me who I am today. One thing about it was I always knew myself so I was never influenced or persuaded into being someone I’m not. I grew up playing ball that was my sanctuary most times even before I started writing. I made it all the way up to playing Division 1 at Howard University. Throughout the entire ride through writing music was always where my heart was and what I spent most of my time doing. My well-rounded upbringing kind of showed me how you kind of have to be multifaceted in this world especially when you want to dabble in the arts. If I have the education and financial stability to back what I’m trying to get out there musically, I felt like nothing could stop me. Basketball was a tool I used to get me ahead like attending college. You learn a lot and meet a lot of good people on that journey it’s more than just the game. Moving to LA, I felt was key in being closer to opportunities, resources, and network I can build on. Some of those connections I made on that journey through school and ball. Virginia is always home that will never change and can never be taken out of me. I’m just spreading that Green Run/VA love to the rest of the world now that I’m moving around. I ended up where I am today by following my heart and by the grace of God.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road was never smooth actually. Coming from the bottom where not many have ever taken this road or know much about it you’re pretty much taking a strange road in the dark with your high beams on. You’re attentive and inquisitive but things can happen fast or very slow. Sometimes you might think you took the wrong road or feel lost. A big struggle early on was not really having a budget when I was young to get the quality and opportunities that I needed. From a recording standpoint just having that industry-level mastering and mixing as well as production kind of keeps you boxed in. Working a regular 9-5 doesn’t really allow that to happen especially in the time it needs to. Over time you learn you have to work with others and build those relationships etc. to piece the formula together well enough to where you get things done the right way. Like I said not having the guidance in this game and figuring it out on your own you make a lot of mistakes and learn by trial and error. That goes for everything from paying for shows that turned out to be a bust, to not pushing the right record or shooting a video for a specific record. Over time you learn and grow, I feel like at this point I’ve taken the hits and I’m not really as naive as when I started out. So I move accordingly and more wise at all times these days.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I see my work as a tool to inspire others through my gift and ability to make Hip-Hop music. As the product of my own parent’s hopes of having a child after failing twice, I feel that it’s my mission to bring that light into others when they play my music. I try to capture the full essence of an emotion or energy in my work and just have that grab the listener’s soul when it plays. Whether it be a positive record or detailing something more dark, my goal is to give it a real life perspective that you can feel and relate to.
One of my earliest records that stuck when I released it was titled “Whole Squad”. Growing up, I was always with the homies, whenever we stepped out at night or was just outside we were together. Whether we were out the way or going to play ball at the Rec center, it didn’t matter. In the record, I wanted to capture that essence because I knew many could relate to being with their team, their “Whole Squad”. That’s where I feel like I’m great when making records. Making it where the content is relatable and there will be plenty quotable lines that stick with you. I also make it sound amazing, not many can put the two together.
Another thing I focus on to set me apart is creating dope visuals for my songs. I had a record that has a Cosby show sample in the beat which we shot a video where we recreated the Cosby intros go crazy on social media. Royce Da 5’9 even posted it to his personal page. I want the visual to be as memorable as the record. Currently I’m pushing a single titled ‘Fried Rice’ geared around the chinese food spots popular in the black community. Leading the way for my ‘Green Run America’ EP releasing soon after the visual for the single. It’s going to be an active year for me I plan to drop another project in the late summer.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is when you are doing something you are passionate about to survive in this world. The ultimate success story is waking up everyday and literally doing what you love for a living. When you doing that and you’re happy and have love in your life you have succeeded. Family plays a big role for me if my loved ones are putting their energy into me and I’m returning that and it’s genuine, I’m fulfilled. But we have to make money and thrive financially in this life to support the great things we really want to do, and if you can do that by not having to slave for it and do what you actually love doing, that’s amazing. That’s special.
For me that would mean working with talented artists, songwriters, and producers daily. Touring and performing my songs for fans that love my music. Selling merchandise with my brand and vision on it. Having music placed on tv shows and series etc. Having a hand in every profitable lane of music that didn’t even seem attainable to most people who come from where I came with this. All the while staying solid with the genuine connections and family in my life. That’s the dream for me, that would mean I succeeded.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LewSidRaps.com
- Phone: 7573833502
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lewsidraps
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/lewsidraps
Image Credit:
Jamar Hutcheson; Perry Films
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