wordplay: Adam Anderson

In recent years, the exploitation of commercial Hip Hop has pushed the art form back into the underground mindset from which it came. Small clubs again resound with the electricity and unity of an independent musical revolution. The same cities that were breaking the stars of the original movement twenty years ago, are repeating themselves this time with more complex and diverse talent than ever before. Once again, the San Francisco Bay area of California is consistently producing the cream of the proverbial crop. Atop the most prolific of these artists is Lyrics Born.

Born in Tokyo in 1972, Lyrics Born is half Japanese, half Italian and an American who has spent most of his life in the Bay area. As a student of UC Davis he was a DJ at the college radio station, WDVS. Surrounded by what would prove to be a who’s who of future stars, such as Lateef, Gift of Gab, DJ Shadow, and Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, the stage was set for the future Quannum Projects label and the Bay’s return to the top of Hip Hop. Formerly known as Asia Born with the group Latyrex, he released his first solo LP as Lyrics Born, Later That Day, in October of 2003. The single “Callin’ Out” became an instant hit, maintaining a #1 slot on San Francisco’s Hot 105 (the first rap single to ever hit #1 on that station), and, in addition to other LB debut cuts, it was featured in Tower Records, Vans, Motorola, and Diet Coke commercials, as well as the movie Waiting. Lyrics Born returned to the booth in 2005 with the triumphant follow up, Same !@$ Different Day, another commercial success, landing him spots on HBO’s Entourage and Six Feet Under in addition to Fast and The Furious III : Tokyo Drift, plus multiple video game features. His most recent release Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born LIVE! received 3.5 out of 4 stars by Rolling Stone Magazine and heralded one of the best live Hip Hop albums ever recorded, by many other critics.

LB maintains a rigorous tour schedule, averaging over 150 shows a year worldwide. Accompanied by a four piece live band, he has rapidly built the reputation as one of the funkiest live shows on the road. Having conquered such American staples as Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Bumbershoot, he still finds time to frequent more intimate clubs, never failing to deliver a powerful performance. On September 6, 2007 Lyrics Born appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Show with New Orleans’ funkiest band, Galactic, absolutely killing it with “What You Need” (a must see clip for any fan). Let’s hope that collaboration moves forward!

October 23rd @ Cervantes

LyricsBorn.com