Twista Presents GMG featuring Lil Wayne

L.M.: Well my name is L.M. and I’m a 22 year old Hip hop Recording Artist/Songwriter from Houston,Texas. I’m also the CEO and founder of Hustle-4-Life Music Group and the face of Real

L.M. Interview

Serious Paper Clothing.

MVRemix: I recently spoke with Cassie who has added her phone number to MySpace but solely for fan voicemail. What made you decide to do this?

L.M.: Really just to be able to reach out to the fans that really support me and show them that I do pay attention and that I appreciate the support. I have actually called a few of them back personally just so they know that it’s real.

MVRemix: Do you feel it’s as effective as when Mike Jones did it?

L.M.: Um..yeah I think so because… Maybe more now because more artists are actually doing it now as a way of reaching back out to the fans and they appreciate that . Back when Mike Jones did it, [I] kinda think people didn’t take it too serious and thought it was just a marketing strategy.

MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?

L.M.: Man I gotta say 2pac. His music was so personal that at times you felt like you actually knew him personally just by listening to his music. I feel that the best way to have longevity and stay consistent is to keep your music personal so I strive to do that every time and it shows in my music.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?

L.M.: [laughs] Yeah it was a song called “Street Dreams”. I think I was a freshman in high school when I wrote it. Man I thought I was the shit when I wrote that song [laughs], I was always able to write rhymes but never knew how to write a full blown song until then.

MVRemix: How does living in Texas shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?

L.M.: It shapes my attitude to work harder and grind harder than my competition and not look for no handouts. Down in Texas we just live different – period. Our style, attitude and just general way of life is different from everywhere else in my opinion and that’s what I think makes us stick out. Texas artists think different from artists everywhere else. While they might want the fame and to be all over TV etc., we’d much rather cash the checks, drive the fancy cars and have nobody knowing who we are just off the strength that we real low key and laid back.

MVRemix: Tell me about the EP; “Almost Famous.”

L.M.: “Almost Famous” will show the people that even though I can make records that are quote on quote “radio friendly” or “commercial,” that I can still really spit because that’s what I started out doing. That’s the basics. But as a person you grow, and being an artist your music should grow as well. I’m trying to take it across the globe and “Almost Famous” shows both my growth and versatility as an artist.

MVRemix: How did the title come about?

L.M.: Honestly, it came about because so many times I was very, very close to getting a Major record deal but somehow it never fell through. Blackwallstreet, State Property South, Sony, Virgin, So So Def and a few others showed interest in me and had me running around in circles but no deal was ever secured. So I was like, “Damn, not quite yet but ‘Almost’.” Almost Famous documents my rise in the music industry from day one until now so by listening to it you going to learn a lot about me.

MVRemix: How long did the record take to record and how planned was it – ie did you set out with a tracklisting and stick to it or record a number of songs and chose a select amount leaving the rest on the “cutting room floor”?

L.M.: I been recording this record since 2006 to be exact and I have over thirty songs for it but narrowed it down to ten. Anybody that knows me, know that I’m real picky when it comes to choosing my beats and the direction that I choose to go for my project. I didn’t want to force the music so I just stayed patient and let the pieces to the puzzle come to me and the I eventually put them together. I didn’t rush it or pre-plan anything I just went with the flow.

MVRemix: What do you wish to achieve with the EP?

L.M.: Attention! With this one I’m gonna get the attention and the ears of anybody who comes across it. I got some Major’s watchin’ me so I’m expecting “Almost Famous” to push me into just “Famous” [laughs]. But real talk I want the EP to set a tone for whats going to be a long career for me. I’m here now.

MVRemix: Any videos planned?

L.M.: Yeah most definitely. I’m planing to shoot a video for the titled track “Almost Famous.”

MVRemix: You recently collaborated with Mateo Amarei, how did that come about?

L.M.: Actually I came across Mateo close to a year ago through his manager at the time. She said he liked my music so I checked him out and thought dude was real talented so I told him I’d like to work with him. “Don’t Stop” was a record that I had wrote myself and had recorded my verses to but I knew I needed a singer to lace the hook, just how I had it in mind when I wrote it and Mateo was the first person I went to. He laced it just right, even better than I had planned so shouts out to Teo for getting on the record. “Don’t Stop” is killing it right now so I’m planning on shooting a video for that as well.

MVRemix: If I’m coming to an L.M. show. What is it that I’m going to experience that I won’t experience simply from listening to your material on CD?

L.M.: Life. I’m gonna bring what you hear through your speakers to life live and direct. I believe a strong performance can make or break an artist. So I’ma bring that live energy every time.

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?

L.M.: Writing music or watching TV is my way of relaxing.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

L.M.: [laughs] Every rapper out who trying to sound like Lil Wayne ’cause 95% percent of y’all wasn’t really a fan of his and listening to his music from day one and said he sucked when he was really the “Lil” Wayne. Now they all jumped dick [laughs]. Every rapper/singer who be wearing them tight ass jeans and them small ass shirts that didn’t help start the trend. Be original cause that shit ain’t cool. And any rapper who don’t write they own lyrics. I just don’t respect that. Get creative.

MVRemix: Would you win?

L.M.: [laughs] No doubt about it.

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

L.M.: Oh yeah, I want to get into acting and directing. I’m a writer so I got a few scripts I wrote myself that I wanna bring to life someday. So definitely acting and a little directing. I’m also working on a clothing line called Real Serious Paper Clothing with my homeboy Floss P. He started it and I jumped down with him so we trying to take it to the next level and bring in a new style. Shouts out to Floss P.

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?

L.M.: Look for me to be the next big thing coming from Houston and breaking down the barriers for all the new unheard talent that Houston has that the world has yet to see. I want to be the one to open the doors for the new generation of artists coming from Houston because nobody else seems to give us that chance. It seems like that if your not from the Screwed Up Click, Swisha House, or Rap-A-Lot umbrella or somewhat affiliated that you don’t get a fair chance. But I’ma change that. So yeah, look for that.

MVRemix: Any last words?

L.M.: Thanks for having me homie. “Almost Famous:The Come Up” EP is finally coming January 2009 so cop it when I drop it. Call and request the new single “Don’t Stop” at your local radio stations and help make it #1. Check out Real Serious Paper Clothing at www.realseriouspaper.spreadshirt.com or www.myspace.com/rspproductions and get at me on www.myspace.com/lmhustle4life . I appreciate the love and support.

L.M. Interview