Meet Jay Lyric | Artist, Creative, & Philosopher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay Lyric and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay, what do you want people to remember about you?
That my story and my voice was my own. One thing I believe people don’t realize about “dream chasing” is that you can lose yourself and who you are in the process. It’s so competitive being an artist and a lot of it is luck and ego. We tend to let egos get in the way and when that happens we start comparing ourselves to those who do what we do but are at a higher level. A level we aspire to be. I believe some of us tend to try and do what the ones ahead of us have done to try and secure that same seat. But your seat is yours only and you have to figure out how to get there and stay there. Along the way one of the challenges is remaining true during those down times. Those walks through the valley. The walk to being a successful artist is filled with people who have given up and lost sight of why they do it. Is it for the money? Is it for the love? Is it for the fame? Your story is yours and yours alone and many people may not like it. But there are the ones that love it. And even if nobody loves it, I believe the success lies in you accepting yourself and loving what you do and what you create. Whatever the reason. As long as you’re true to it that’s success. That’s a legacy. Leave a name

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The road I’ve been navigating has been both difficult and rewarding. So many lessons and hardships but also many peaks and good times. The most important lesson I have learned though is patience and belief. There was a time when I first got started (and I won’t even front I was a late bloomer) that I wanted to pop overnight. I figured I’d drop a few hot 16s and wake up the next day or week or month and be viral and be on my way. But what I neglected back then was the fact that this is a BUSINESS and it takes money to make money. There are many success stories but even those successes had a business side to them. There were checks and balances there was proper paperwork. And there was also patience and (how could I forget) BELIEF. I think that is something that gets overlooked a lot is belief. Not only in self but in a team. Nothing is done without a team. Artists are so used to instant gratification that we forget we have to build a solid team. And that’s not always easy. We aren’t all fortunate enough to have a dope producer as a friend or a dope rapper as a brother but with the dawn of social media we have avenues to build those relationships. MXII will be remembered for being a safe haven for the creative and the dreamer. I believe you can do any and everything you want if you have the proper foundation of belief and drive and that’s what MXII is. It’s that foundation of belief and drive that tells you yes you can be that doctor you can be that actor or actress. That astronaut, that superstar artist or athlete that legendary poet or author. Whatever your heart desires.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Me personally I would take my friend to discovery Green Houston first. The art the nature the peace the inspiration would have me creating and talking for hours about how great Houston is and how beautiful art and life is. I’d definitely also have to take them to Papadeauxs and Lotus because I’m a seafood fan. And…who doesn’t like Cajun seafood I mean cmon. The most important stop would be a studio visit with the homies so they can see how we create because we are genuinely dope. And of course a live show. We have a good track record with bringing people out to be together for a good time and always a good cause. I’m connected in Houston to a few people that know some heavy hitters so I’d get some people in the studio to at least show face. Some hip hop legends out in Houston and a few really hot up and coming artists.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Roderick Vonn Liyah Iman Taylor Briann Miquo Joel

Website: www.themxii.com

Instagram: Jlyric24