Meet Lyrical The Goddaughter of Hip Hop: Hip Hop Artist, Entrepreneur, Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lyrical The Goddaughter of Hip Hop and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lyrical, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
The past year and a half work life balance has changed tremendously. Between motherhood, music, school, working full time, and running my own business, I am always busy. I always have something to work on, and it seems I just keep adding to it. One thing I had to learn how to do is respect my own time, learn to tell others no, and not be ashamed to put myself first. We work so hard for jobs and other people and we leave no energy for our own passions. I made a conscious decision to change that. I prioritize my time, i look at work and personal life as a compliment to each other, not a competitor. I cut off work and doing for others at a reasonable time or effort, and I focus on my personal goals, including my children, home, school, etc.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My most recent single “Gimmie The Bag”, epitomizes who I am as an artist and person. I am a go getter by all means. My music expresses my inner thoughts, beliefs, Vulnerabilities, and strengths. My listeners can relate to my music and get to know me as well. I think my authenticity and genuineness sets me apart. As a female rapper, it’s so easy to get caught up in the hype of taking my clothes off and dumbing down lyrics just to fit in or be seen. I don’t need to do that. In fact, I won’t do that. I command attention and I inspire people to listen. I got where I am professionally because I don’t quit and I give my all. I recognize all of my strengths and I put them to the test daily. I have made mistakes and learned from them to be better. I ask questions. I got where I am by asking questions of others and myself to help me make the right choices. It was definitely not easy and it still isn’t. It seems the easier it gets for artists to make music, h harder it gets to actually be heard and profit from that music. Being a mom, a black woman, I’ve had my fair share of horror stories and challenges. I overcome them by remembering who I do this for, who I represent. I do this for my kids, for every black girl and woman I represent. I do this for the culture. I’ve learned so many lessons and I am still learning. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that numbers don’t lie. It’s not about who is the best, who has the most and when they got it. It’s about hard work, dedication, understanding business, and reflecting on yourself to make change where necessary. I want the world to know who I am. I am Lyrical, the hip hop artist, the mother, the entrepreneur, server of my community. I own Shanta Hair Beauty Fashion and plan to expand into a full service beauty bar in Dallas Tx, providing jobs and improving the economy for the black community. I volunteer and donate to many organizations, including Dallas Leadership Foundation and Stand 4 Sisterhood. I just started a new podcast Be Your Own Black Boss available on Spotify and more, where I teach the black community how to be entrepreneurs and highlight black businesses every week. I donate portions of my music royalties to NAACP and Color of Change, which I am an active member of. I am an artist for the people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Omg, of course we would have to hit Reunion Tower, or what we call the Dallas Ball. Gloria’s And El Fenix is one of my favorite places to eat. We would for sure have to check out the scene in Deep Ellum. If it’s October, we have to hit Fair Park! Then we could go downtown and explore the tunnels and the underground shopping and eating. We can kick it on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Keist Park, and so much more!!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out my producer, engineer, mentor and everything else, CEO of Mr Lawton Records, Frederick Lawton. None of the music I have made thus far would’ve been possible without his talent, support, and belief in me and who I am. THANK YOU.