Social Media Authenticity & Content Creation

Speaker 1 0:00

And I think so many people call themselves being burned out on social media and it's because they're not just recording themselves doing what they love. If you're a makeup artist, every time you do makeup, just turn the camera on. Don't overthink it yeah, you know what I mean, you don't have to make it into. I would love to do more lifestyle content and I plan on it, right? But I talk.

Speaker 2 0:23

Yeah, my name is Lish.

Speaker 1 0:26

Speaks for crying out loud, and that was way before I went viral. That's been my name on Instagram for as long as I've had an Instagram. Oh, wow, right word. Lish Speaks, I speak, yeah. So all the time it would take me to show you guys doing my makeup and brushing my teeth, I could have made 20 videos sitting down talking. So guess what I do? I sit down and I talk. Now, eventually, you'll see me brushing my teeth here and there in a YouTube blog.

Speaker 2 0:48

So when you?

Speaker 1 0:48

know, but the main thing has to be the main thing you know.

Introducing As I Are: Christian Rapper

Speaker 1 0:51

And so what? What brought you to my page, and your in your case, was my, my lyricism, my creativity. Then let's, let's just focus on it. You know? Um, that was free. The next time I'll charge you for that. Okay, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding. Don't bring no drama my way. Don't bring no drama my way. Don't bring no drama my way. What's up everybody? Welcome back to another episode of I'll Just Let Myself In with your girl, lish Speaks. This is the podcast where we let ourselves in to our God-given doors. We don't wait for an imaginary permission slip or some seat at the imaginary table. We walk through doing the things that God has called us to do. Today, I got a guest in the building. His name is, as I Are, dope rapper, becoming a friend, somebody who I really think is amazing. I got to see him perform at a benefit concert a couple of months ago. He's a rapper, writer and producer, a Christian and someone who really represents Christ.

Speaker 1 2:09

Ladies and gentlemen, give it up, for as I Are.

Speaker 2 2:11

What's up guys? What's up? Happy to be here, guys.

Speaker 1 2:14

Thank you for having me Awesome, awesome. So, as I Are, yes, as I Are, yes, you know, I know your real name. Yes, you do. You know my government. Yeah, I know your real name. Yes, you do. You know my government.

Speaker 1 2:24

Yeah, I know your government so I'm trying not to call you that, but I am excited to have you here because I know that you are really working hard behind the scenes to grow as an artist, yes, to grow as a Christian, yes and really to show the world what God has put on your heart. So thank you for being here, thank, you for having me.

Speaker 2 2:42

Thank you so much for being here, man.

Speaker 1 2:44

What's going on in your life right now? Tell the people you know what you got going on.

Speaker 2 2:47

So, as of right now, I'm working with my producer, shea versus the world, and we are working on a project right now. We actually been locked in since like 2022. And we just been stacking up tracks. I actually made like a record a couple weeks ago when I was rapping over one thing and I was like stacking up tracks, you know, just going crazy, and I feel like, you know, we're just getting a lot of demos in and we're really just ready to kind of shoot it off to see what the people think and then after that, just continue to grow and also to just to network with some other people within the industry and to see where I can fit in, like how I can help others to see Christ in a different way.

Speaker 1 3:24

I love that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I tried to do a lot of research about you. Okay, you don't do a lot of interviews.

Speaker 2 3:30

No, I don't.

Speaker 1 3:33

I only got one. Actually, I saw it.

Speaker 2 3:35

Shout out to Trackstar. Shout out to Trackstar.

Musical Upbringing in Augusta, Georgia

Speaker 1 3:38

And so tell me a little bit about your upbringing. Where're from? I love this because I feel like this is. I feel like I'm like an untapped uncharted territory so many times in CHH you do interviews and like they have like mad interviews and I'm like I'm getting in first. So, yeah, tell the people about you, know your upbringing, where you're from and kind of how that influences the way you you do music yeah, so my upbringing.

Speaker 2 4:02

So I grew up in Augusta, georgia it's probably like two hours and 30 minutes away from Atlanta, and, with that being said, my mom 100% Christian. But you know, my dad wasn't really a guy of faith so, with that being said, it just brought some different vibes in the house. But ultimately, my dad was definitely in full support of me and my brother going to church and it was just a great time going to church, being around gospel music, being around just older Christians, but didn't really know where I would fit in in the Christian faith. But I also loved music at the same time. So I was in the choir singing, and then also, to my, my parents, they put me into a fine art school it was Davidson Fine Arts and it's out in Augusta, georgia and so my fine art was playing the violin, playing piano and then also, too, being in the back with percussion, so playing the marimba, bass drum, timpani, snare drum, all of that.

Speaker 1 4:55

So I really yeah.

Speaker 2 4:56

So I really got like a good, well-rounded view of what music can be like. And then after that I graduated from high school and then I went to Kennesaw State and that was kind of like my introduction into audio production. So I joined a radio station. They put me on game on how to record and I was just grinding. But also at the same time, when I first, when I got to campus, I started studying the Bible and I got reached out to. So at that time like that was like my first, like I was going deeper in my faith because you know, I started off, you know, with a little bit of faith but it was almost like my parents or my mom's faith per se. But now it was like making faith my own and I did. And within that, when I was studying the Bible, I had a friend, good friend, named Najee, and he challenged me to make music for God and I was like I ain't never really thought about that Because I mean for me.

Speaker 2 5:49

I was just making music, but it was like kind of like R&B-ish, a little bit of hip hop, but it was clean because I was like my mom not going to you know she ain't going to allow that.

Speaker 1 5:57

You know what I'm saying? Same my mom. You only go so far.

Speaker 2 6:01

Yeah. So, with that being said, like I was like, okay, cool. So he kind of put me on to more Christian hip hop, because I didn't grow up in Christian hip hop. I grew up with gospel music, like straight up. You know what I'm saying. Donnie McClurkin yeah, cece Winans, you know what I mean. Yolanda Adams, like that's who I grew up on pop with, like Kanye Drake, big Sean, lil Wayne, and then I didn't really listen to, like you know, the Young Thugs or anything like that. That was just.

Speaker 2 6:30

I was, I think I was more so into like the lyrical rap at the time. Yeah and so, yeah, but once I locked in with my boy, najee, and we just I was learning more about Christian hip hop. I was, you know, trying to see like how I could fit in, cause I felt like at the time that I was listening to it. It was like 2017. I just didn't know how I could, you know, put it in to it. But then, as time went on, I was like, okay, I can see how I can make my own line, cause I started seeing other guys like Holvey no Big Deal. And then later on, caleb Gordon and guys like that. I'm like, okay, they just, you know, doing their thing like you know.

Speaker 2 7:04

So I was like, all right, cool, I can do my own thing. And so, uh, yeah, that's kind of like my upbringing, quick little, yeah you know, I love that.

Speaker 1 7:12

what is? What do you feel like is difficult about deciding to label yourself as CHH or not? Because I feel like that comes up a lot for people who it's like I don't want to be labeled, I don't want to be boxed in, but at the same time, like every single song you make, you're talking about God. You know, I know because I went through that, and so what do you think is the difficulty for people making that decision?

Speaker 2 7:35

I think you don't want the Christian label because you don't want someone else to judge you or prejudge you before they even listen to the music. Because when you hear that Christian label in a world like this, in a time like this, where things are just so polarized, people can just assume like, oh, you hate me. You know like you're going to say something that is going to hurt me, so I don't even want to listen to you or offend me Exactly, and so I think that's why it can be hard to have that Christian label.

Navigating the Christian Hip-Hop Label

Speaker 2 8:02

But then also, too, you just have individuals who have used the word Christian and almost I mean abused others. You know what I mean. And so it can just be like a weird thing to say, oh, I'm a Christian artist, and it's like OK, where do you actually stand at? But then we get into the music. It's like OK, you're a cool guy, you're talking about great things. And then also, too, like we don't even know, like you were talking about God, like you know what I'm saying, like I know for me, with songs like Sunflower, I put it into a competition with a studio down here it's called Bandwidth at the time and the main guy, the owner, he didn't even know that it was a Christian song. Like he had to listen to it a couple of times. So, with that being said, I think it can be a good thing, but also, too, it can be a bad thing. It just depends on who. I wouldn't say bad thing, let me, let me. Let me revert back. I think it just depends on the where you stand at the time.

Speaker 1 9:02

Yeah. So yeah, yeah. I think it also depends on the why, right yeah?

Speaker 2 9:05

exactly as long as it's not because you're ashamed? Yeah, because you're ashamed, you can call yourself whatever you want to call yourself. You know like and people know.

Speaker 1 9:10

Yeah, people know what they need to know. You know, I think about being a Christian in this day and age, right Like it's not easy. Not because of the reasons you would think, like persecution, or I think that time will come. Yeah, I think that time will come. In fact I know the Bible says it will, but it's difficult because everyone calls themselves a Christian.

Speaker 1 9:35

That is a fact too, and so you have Christians who believe one thing and it's like I believe this, so I can never vote that way, Yep. And then you have other Christians who are like I believe this, so I could never vote that way, Yep. And then you have other Christians who are like I believe this and I could never vote that way you know, or um, I think it's okay to do this or say this or talk this way Other people are like that's, you know, and I find myself sometime feeling very, what's the word?

Speaker 1 10:00

I think I'm not confused about where I stand, but confused about what standard to call people to, because everyone seems to have a different standard.

Speaker 1 10:09

That is so true, and I feel like it unfortunately waters down our faith. Yeah, you know what do you feel like as an artist or just even as a disciple, as a person? Yeah, you know what do you feel like your part or your responsibility is in that, because I can feel like my responsibility is just to like be as honest as possible, as frequently as possible, you know, but that can also play against me sometimes, so I don't know what do you?

Speaker 2 10:34

how do you handle that? I think that's a good question that you just asked. Um, I think where I stand out as of right now, in the season of life that I'm in, I think I would say singleness. I feel like in the music that I've made I've talked a lot about singleness and how to live. So I would say that's one area. I think another area would be just fighting temptation, fighting against lust. I think as a single man, it can be definitely hard out here you know what I'm saying Just to be able to hold down the conviction. I'm out here you know what I'm saying For real, but like really just having that conviction of like no, I'm not going to like interact with this young lady in that way, like I'm going to respect her. You know what I'm saying. So I think those are like the two areas where I feel like this is where God has me at and this is where I'm going to defend yeah.

Speaker 1 11:25

So yeah, so yeah, I like that question. Thank you, man. Let's talk about your singlehood, since you brought it up For sure. You do unashamedly talk about it in your music, which I love, and I think that it's just so good for people to hear music that does not center not only sex, because we know that, all right, we're Christians, we're not going to make a song about sex right, yeah. But that doesn't center the blessings over the blesser right yeah 100% you know like doesn't center the created things over the creator.

Speaker 1 11:58

Yeah, um, and I feel like it's important, especially in a season of singlehood, because I was single, for I got married at 35.

Speaker 2 12:05

okay, um, for the first time, yeah, first time, the only time, first and only time, in jesus name amen um, and I became a disciple at 14, so I know what it is like yeah when you talk about holding down the fort and you talk about respect to that young lady.

Speaker 1 12:22

Young lady, respect yourself. I got a story about that, but anyway I'm going to say it, cause I just think it's worth saying there was a time where I was really not doing well spiritually, right, and I won't say more than that. I wasn't doing well. Yeah, I had a guy tell me I'm not doing anything with you.

Speaker 1 12:46

He said I got enough to talk to God. His exact words. He said I have enough to talk to God about when I get to the gates, and messing up your purity will not be one of the things. He was not a Christian.

Speaker 2 12:58

That's real, though I guess he was a believer, but he was not like a disciple, you know.

Speaker 1 13:03

And I was just not doing great and you know we were hanging out and he was like girl. And he didn't say it like that.

Speaker 2 13:11

You know he was he could have.

Speaker 1 13:13

Very well, you know, we liked each other.

Speaker 2 13:15

You know what I mean. We wouldn't have been hanging out as much, and he was like yo.

Speaker 1 13:18

I got to be honest with you. I can't, I can't, I can't not you, you know, like he's, like I, I not you and I think about, I don't think about it in anyone that I marry. But when I was single I used to think about that like dog, like what is that? Like you know. And now I understand it was just the anointing over my life. God was like no, you know what I mean Like I have set you apart. Even you can mess that up. That's powerful.

Speaker 1 13:42

That's what that situation I always laugh about and we had talked about it after that and he was like yo, he was like, I'm telling you like he was like I feel like that was God, because like that ain't even like me. He was like, but to be honest, like you're such a good, like you're such a like he's, like you're the only real Christian I like know, and so like he's like I didn't need that on my conscience. I laugh about it, but it's you know.

Speaker 1 14:05

So, ladies, respect yourself you know, don't put yourself in situ and that snapped me back to reality, you know. I never put myself in a situation like that again, because he could. He what if?

Speaker 2 14:15

he didn't have integrity. What if he didn't respect the?

Speaker 1 14:17

anointing on my life. You know, and God, what you know, and so I just yeah, it's real, it's real so in that, which is you know. And so I just yeah, it's real, it's real. So in that you know. And listen, I didn't plan to talk about that, but sometimes you know. With that being said, you know as a single man, yes, trying to keep his way pure, yes, trying to do the right thing. You know, what advice would you give?

Speaker 2 14:39

other young brothers or sisters.

Speaker 1 14:41

But let's talk to the men you know for staying pure, for staying righteous, for waiting on God.

Speaker 2 14:47

Yeah, okay. I think the first thing is having scriptures. I think you got to have scriptures on your mind that you can use to defend in times of temptation. I think the other thing is also to just having homies. Having quick homies you can call like man, like this is a situation I'm in. Having quick homes you can call like man, this is the situation I'm in, because I think also too, when it comes down to dealing with temptations, there's this inner feeling that you really got going on. I feel like when you feel temptation, it's like, oh, it's a check engine light, but it's a deeper emotion that you got going on. Really. It's like, oh, I really want this, but are you feeling lonely? Are you hurt about something? Do you need comfort?

Speaker 1 15:24

Like miss your mom. Yeah, 100%. That's what it really is. It's not even you know what I'm saying.

Speaker 2 15:30

So I think, talking about those things with your homies, I think that's one thing, and I think also too, praying to God, because I think I mean the scriptures do say like, talk to God about the desires on your heart and I mean we'll see if he'll give them to you. It's not a guarantee, it's not 100%. I mean marriage is not a guaranteed thing. So I mean, just continue to pray, have scripture in your mind and then also to have homies that can keep you accountable, and I feel like those are the things that have helped me. And then also to talk into individuals who are both single and married. Married, because I feel like you have a holistic view of what things are supposed to be like, because I think a lot of people can romanticize marriage or they can romanticize singlehood and you just expect oh, once I get married I get all these. You know, I get the keys Exactly, but them perks you might have to, you know, I guess, boost up your subscription.

Speaker 1 16:23

You know what I'm saying.

Speaker 2 16:28

You was a basic member, but you might have to get a, become a premium member at some point. But all jokes aside, though, like you know, it's you you really want to have a holistic view of like both sides, yeah, um. So I think that's the advice that I would give. Um, and also, too, I think, know yourself, don't put yourself in like situations that you, you're going to be tempted in. Man, I know, for me, bro, I can't be on certain websites. You know what I'm saying. I can't be around certain people, and that just is what it is. I mean, I know my flesh It'll tweak easy, you know what I'm saying.

Speaker 1 16:55

It'll tweak easy.

Speaker 2 16:57

So it's like you just really got to keep it on lock and just know. So I would give those four things prayer, accountability, and then I said scriptures and then know yourself. Don't play yourself, know yourself.

Speaker 1 17:09

Yeah, yeah, that's good, that's good yeah.

Working with Producer Shay

Speaker 1 17:12

I would add one to that too, for, you know, anybody I was going to say for the sisters, but this is for anybody have something else going on, that's true. Like be busy. Yes, if you just sitting around all day, you know, struggling, lusting, stressed about the fact that you ain't got a man or you ain't got a woman, you get you some business. Like, get some motion. Yeah, get you some motion. Like I really do feel like my time in the you know, as a, as a, as a CHH artist, my time as a rapper, my time in the music industry, my time traveling the world, it really saved me, yeah, because I didn't have time to be home making poor choices.

Speaker 2 17:51

Yeah, no, for sure, for sure.

Speaker 1 17:54

You know, and I remember there being a time where I would be like hey, like I would have friends come to the studio with me if the engineer was a dude or if the producer was a dude. Know that I that was a single dude. You know what I mean. Like yeah, I'm like, yeah, let me not even play myself like you said, the knowing yourself you know, especially if you're in a weaker season, because the truth is you're gonna have weak seasons.

Speaker 1 18:13

Yeah, you know, super christian is is a myth. Yeah, you know, and some should I say this holy spirit, some of the people that are super christians um struggle in their marriages to be intimate and to actually love their partner because they spent their whole life saying this is so bad. Don't you know? Don't engage that side of your brain at all.

Speaker 2 18:37

That's not realistic you're a human, you're gonna have temptations.

Speaker 1 18:40

You're gonna have feelings, you know under normal circumstances. Yeah, yeah, so you know. Um, even in relationships, I tell people when my husband and I were dating, it was a struggle. That's real. That was a good sign of things to come. It was a struggle. You know what I mean. Yeah, it should be a struggle. Yeah, now you shouldn't be giving in. Yeah, but it shouldn't be like, oh, I'm not attracted to this person at all.

Speaker 2 19:05

I mean that's weird. That's weird. You know what I?

Speaker 1 19:07

mean Like you should be attracted to your person and you should be. You should have to have accountability, People should have to know what's going on. Like. Those things are so important and I think especially for artists, because Christian artists are not. When you in them spaces, you in them spaces, you know what I'm saying Like you in them spaces? Yeah, there's a lot of temptation all around. Yeah, like I said, christians are at varying level of conviction. You know, I've been at Christian events and I'm like that's weed who's smoking weed.

Speaker 1 19:38

This is a Christian event. Some Christians do that. You know what I mean. Or some people call themselves Christians. Do that, you know. Or some people are just not delivered. They're struggling. Yeah Right, because that's a thing. Or you know you may need to stay away from alcohol, but there may be alcohol at the event. You know what I mean, because drinking is not a sin. Drunkenness is Right. Knowing yourself, you know. The women in the body of Christ still look good. The men in the body of Christ still look good. It's not like when you become a disciple and you go to the function, everybody ugly.

Speaker 1 20:06

Yeah, no, people look good, you know so you got to avert your eyes, you got to you know see your brothers as your brothers and see your sisters as your sisters until God makes them otherwise. And so I think that's such a such a dope dope thing to talk about when you think about yourself as an artist moving forward right because, you're working on a bunch of music.

Speaker 1 20:28

I've had the pleasure of hearing a couple of tracks that are not out yet. I feel like there's a sense of elevation from the music that you've put out in the past, which was amazing, um. But to where you're going, right, yeah, um. When it comes to the messaging, right, your, your, your messaging, your testimony, yeah, um. How do you decide what to talk about and what not to talk about?

Speaker 2 20:49

that's a good, good question. I just lay it all out. I think when I first record, we just record everything and then after that I think we kind of just do this fine tuning. But I mean, with Shea we have just sat down with the records and he's been cool with it because he knows this is what's going on in my life. It's like we're not going to hold back on this. Maybe we can reword it. Yeah, you know what I'm saying. It can be more palatable. It can, because you know you never know who's listening and you still want to be a light, um, but I think I just try to lay it all out, because even in the scriptures I mean you see david, he lays it all out in different parts of the song um, I mean, you just see the struggle with I feel like with joseph at times too, but I mean you don't get the full picture, but you see him struggling. Yeah, you see moses struggling you know what I'm saying.

Speaker 2 21:31

So I'd rather just show the real, because I mean no, and I think sometimes, sometimes within, like christian hip-hop, um, it can just be like this oh yeah god, it is god that I'm five, we gonna get that demon, but it's like oh bro the devil is my op.

Speaker 1 21:47

Yeah, you know, I saved me. I used to be dead. Now I'm alive. You know what I'm saying? We on fire yeah, we don't party in the club.

Speaker 2 21:55

We party in the church, yeah, it's the same seven tropes yeah, and and I get it because I think there is a time and place for that. You know what I'm saying. I think for you know people who may have like start off within their, their walk, like that's 100 what they need, but I think you know, maybe further down the line, like life get real, you know what I'm saying.

Speaker 2 22:13

Oh yeah, like life just started lifing and I think and a good example of that would be like Lecrae's uh Restoration album that helped me out in 2020 a lot, because I was going through a time where it was bad breakup me, you know, weaker in my faith, choosing temptations you know what I'm saying and just breaking down. But that album it showed me that, okay, one, a christian, can struggle but also, too, like an artist who is also a christian, is trying to make his way back to god. But he's putting it in a format that is palatable to me, yeah, and I can enjoy and I respect that and I think with that album you know, it really helped me out and I also to like shout out to lecrae because, like, yeah, I mean, he's phenomenal yeah, he is 100.

Speaker 1 22:57

So, yeah, dope, um, I think about you know where you're at when it comes to your production with shay. You know um chay, how y'all say it.

Speaker 2 23:09

I pronounce it Che I know these people's real names, so I'm like who are we talking about?

Speaker 1 23:14

but shout out to, to your producer, who I've known for probably almost 20 years wow, yeah which is crazy that is crazy to say we were definitely probably, maybe, maybe. I think I was like 19 18, 19, when I met him and just a dope guy, true Christian.

Speaker 2 23:37

True believer. He don't be playing you know he don't play.

Speaker 1 23:41

You know same thing, my producer, our manager we're not playing church. You know, what I mean. Like we in this thing, we live this thing, and it's so important when you're creating music that's bigger than just the turn up. Yeah, to have a like-minded person in the process with you. Yeah, tell us just a little bit more about your relationship and why you locked in with him.

Speaker 2 24:06

Yeah, yeah. So a couple of years ago we met, probably like during that time where I was at my rock bottom, when I was listening to the Restoration album I was telling you about, and Mo, like Shay does it matter.

Speaker 1 24:21

I mean I'm gonna call him Mo shout out to Mo shout out to Shay.

Speaker 2 24:27

Shout out to his whole momotis. Shout out to Shay you know what I'm saying?

Speaker 1 24:30

Shout out, I'm not saying his whole, my multi.

Speaker 2 24:33

Shout out to the guy Super talented.

Speaker 1 24:37

Always trying to put people on. For sure, super humble, yeah, shout out to you, but go ahead, so yeah.

Speaker 2 24:43

We. So I think I was at one of his like we were at a studio session for someone else and they were like a project, I forget, um. And then after that, like I just wanted to talk to him, just for like just to talk to him like I didn't really care for the music.

Speaker 2 24:56

I think a lot of people try to get in on that level with him, but it was just like you don't have an organic relationship. So I started talking to him about my life and just telling him where I was at, and I mean, we just, you know, started having you know times where we just talked like you know times and all that, and so it was really good for me because, like I said, I was at a very low point and I feel like that brother was like my Matt Carrier for the longest, and I feel like he still is my Matt Carrier in a sense. You know what I'm saying in this season of my life. But as we were talking about my life, I was being real, he was being real about his life. Then, that's when we started talking about my life. I was being real, he was being real about his life. Then, that's when we started talking about music. It was just like okay, cool, like you know, what are you doing musically, though? And then after that, it was like okay, cool.

Speaker 2 25:40

Like I hear what you're doing, cool, I hear what you're doing. As I are, I want to be able to add to that because I see something in you and I think that was the other thing too. Like Shay, he just saw something in me and I was just like he just believed in me in a sense and I was like all right, cool. I mean, I feel like I haven't had that. Initially, when it came to the music, like I had my boy, najee, but it was like almost like a Najee and Azar Duro you know what I'm saying Like Batman and Robin, I was the Robin and I wanted to, you know, be my own guy.

Speaker 2 26:08

You know what I'm saying. But yeah, with Shea, he was just like I want to build something in you. And so ever since then, we've just been building up and though it's musically, it's also spiritually, because I can always give him a call and ask for advice in any type of way and you know he'll get me right. I think it was one story I would like to share that he, um, I was going through a really rough time, 2021, and I was like just out here doing whatever and my, my whole brain and my, my, my thoughts on how, to, how I viewed sin was just really weird.

Speaker 2 26:44

You know what I mean. And so I was just like there's no true consequences. That was like my. I really thought that. I was like there ain't no consequences to sin, even though scriptures say that. I ain't believe it because I got sinned against and I didn't see anything happen to the individual that happened in their life and I was just like you know what, you know what I'm saying Like I need to be repaid, in a sense. And so he opens up. He opens up the scriptures.

Speaker 1 27:07

I want to know what happened, but go ahead. He opens up a scripture. I want to know what happened, but go ahead.

Speaker 2 27:10

No, no, listen, I'm nosy, but he opens up the scriptures and we're looking at the story of David and Bathsheba, right, and essentially I mean like I see it happen, I see the sin that has happened, but I'm like I mean you got the, you know the passing of his child, but I was like what more happens? Like, well, his whole lineage just starts, you know, getting a little finicky and things just start getting haywire. And so I think for me it shined a light on how sin can one be generational and it may not affect you now but it could affect your kids' kids, and so the choices that I make could affect my kids' kids. So I think that kind of just sobered me up as we looked at those scriptures, and I appreciate him for pointing that out in me, because I was really about to just be like, well, I'm going to do whatever.

Speaker 1 28:01

Crash out, yeah, d1 crash out.

Speaker 2 28:04

You understand me. D1. Okay, top pick, but yeah, so when we sat down and had that conversation, it was really great. So, like I said, that was just an example like how we can just talk. I love that and he can just, you know, get me correct you know what I'm saying?

Speaker 1 28:19

yeah, yeah, how does it go in the studio when he is um? Because I've had the pleasure of being in the studio with him. Yeah, um, my whole last ep okay, I recorded with him. Yeah, shout out to my last EP. Please Use Exact Change. I actually do not promote this enough, hey.

Creative Marketing vs Quantity Struggle

Speaker 1 28:34

Give it a stream, man, because old music ain't old to people who ain't never heard it Fact that part. So my last EP Please Use Exact Change was mastered by him Word. He actually sang on one of the tracks because we needed a vocal, so I know what it's like when he's like do that again.

Speaker 2 28:49

Yeah, try that again.

Speaker 1 28:51

Try that like this. Yeah, he is not demanding, but he ain't sore, no. So, what's your process like when you're in the studio? How do you do it, taking that?

Speaker 2 29:01

instruction. So our process, I would say, oh, I'll talk about the instruction part. So the instruction part, I feel like I can take it well and for me, I'm just like an open-minded guy when it comes to making music, as long as it's not out, I'm not married to the idea. So once it's out, we're married to the idea, there's no changes. So we could change whatever and I'm chilling with it, unless it's like no, we don't want to change this. For example, we actually had a different singer on one of the choruses and we just wanted to change it and we just did. So it's things like that. Like I'm really like fluid.

Speaker 2 29:40

But you know, our process, I would say, is usually I record songs, like I'll record a whole song, just the loop, and then I'll just give it to him and I'll be like all right, can you produce around it? And then he'll kind of take out that sample, do his own sample, and then just build it, you know, build the actual skeleton, and then he'll give it back to me and I'm like okay, cool, I'll rock with this, and then we'll just go in and record it. Nice. So it's almost like a, like a game of, I would say, tag, because like all right, here you go, all right, I got it, here you go, all right, got it.

Speaker 2 30:05

And then we just keep exchanging Right, but, um, but when it comes, to recording I was gonna say when it comes to recording, though, um, I usually am the one that's messing up, I, and what I mean by that is like I'll rap like a certain lyric, but I'll change the whole entire lyric, whole entire flow, and it never fails. I do it every single time I record, so I think I can be the annoying one when it comes to the sessions, because I'll he'd be like you actually didn't say that when we're trying to stack tracks, he's like yeah, you got to change that. I was like, uh, well, what did I say? Yeah, exactly, that's exactly what happens every single time so yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 30:37

Um, like I said, I think I'm the annoying one when it comes to the sessions truly and honestly I love that.

Speaker 1 30:42

Listen. You gotta have that chemistry, you know, with someone, someone, someone to be able to tell you when that that take, didn't, you know, sound like you was giving it your all when you was mumbling. When that word isn't clear, you know, say that full s. You know, say that t. You know what I mean? Uh, say that again you know that kind of thing and um, even my, my, my manager and producer, he, you know we used to be in the studio he'd be like, uh, can you do that over?

Speaker 1 31:10

and do it like this, you know, and it's so funny because as artists sometimes we can be oblivious to our idiosyncrasies, to our little quirks, to the way that I'm able to articulate my thoughts, the way that I'm able to speak clearly, the way that I'm able to convey certain feeling, even through words, is because of constant correction in the studio. Yep, because you got to take it. You do, you got to take it on the fly In that moment.

Speaker 1 31:46

You got to take it immediately and do it. Yep, you don't have time to get emotional. You don't have time to get upset. You don't have time to state your case. Yep, like nah, I'm doing this this way because I want it to sound they don't care.

Speaker 1 31:55

Nah, them producers and engineers, especially the one like if you got a producer that's or an engineer that's telling me what it is, and, um, people often be like dang, you did that in one take. Or you do things in one take it's because I had the background, so I come in the studio ready you know if you are correcting me.

Speaker 1 32:27

It's gonna be maybe on you know some speech stuff. It ain to be on my I know what I'm here to do. You know what I mean, and that also comes from the fact that I didn't have free studio time, like I didn't come up with my own studio equipment so I didn't have a bunch of times to try it over. Like I see people now, they go in the studio they may record a line, stop, record another line stop.

Speaker 2 32:48

I had to have my whole written out before I went to the studio.

Speaker 1 32:50

And so that kind of informs the way that I that I make music, but I love what you guys have and I love his belief in you. It's really important when you're in this season of building your career, you know, to have someone who sees the vision and it's great when you have that. But I want to talk about a time where you feel like you didn't have that, where you didn't necessarily have a Shay or you know anyone really like backing you and believing in what you had going on. How did you make it through those seasons?

Speaker 2 33:22

That's a good question. Um, yeah, I think I would say that was definitely high school for me. Um, it was just me on my hp laptop running fruity loops, trying to make my own beats. Yeah, um, but I think I had to have like a a little bit of delusion, like I can do this, I got this. Or like I'm the guy like, so I was dropping tracks. I'll be like, hey, I gotta check this out. You know what I'm saying. I gotta you know. I was really just being my own, I guess, like spokesman in a sense it felt weird, but it was like this is the most needed thing.

Speaker 2 33:56

But also, too, I think I I would try to fight to, you know, have dynamics of you know guys who are better than me in certain different things because, like I said, I went to a fine art school so you got guys who are other like talented in other different areas and they can definitely help out. So I will say that I've I've felt supported in different ways, um, but I think as an artist, it's definitely been like. Becoming an artist has definitely been, I guess, harder. Yeah, I think making the music has always been easy, like it's, it's a thing that's simple. But I think becoming an artist, becoming a brand, I do feel that struggle now, I 100% feel that struggle.

Speaker 1 34:37

It's like okay, make the content.

Speaker 2 34:39

Okay, what you wearing. You got the photos. You going to these events. You know what I'm saying. So it's almost like, yeah, the marketing is way bigger than the music at times. So I think that's where I'm like I need someone to do videography for me I need someone to take photos for me, like I need to.

Speaker 2 34:55

You know what I mean, like it's just all those different things. Yeah, that is 100%. So I think I feel that, now more than ever, I think with the music, the music is easy to make, yeah, it's, it's fluid. But with the marketing, the branding, that's where I'm struggling.

Speaker 1 35:17

Yeah, let's talk about marketing and branding. Okay, let's talk about. Let's talk about your social media, um which I actually think you do very well. Thank you, you're very creative thank you um your, your social media. Uh, output is very clean. Thank you, it's pretty consistent. Thank you, um, what do you think is the hardest thing for you about doing the social media part?

Speaker 2 35:37

because nowadays it's hard to be an artist without it yeah, I think it's like having creative ideas and creating the content, like having the quantity. I feel like I can make the quality, but the quantity is like where I'm like I can just drown it. I'm just like I'd rather just make a really good video versus making like 30 videos of me, just, you know, I mean eating my food and just having my music in the background. You know what I'm saying, because I feel like a lot of guys can just do light work with that. But, like, when it comes to just being creative and just thinking outside the box, I got that down to a t.

Speaker 2 36:11

I feel like I made a campaign for this song called Sunflower and it was just like I had the idea to, you know, make it feel like, oh, we actually are a brand that's called Solomon Sunflowers, and I went all out on that. And then I did another time with his way, and his way was like inspired by beads and I was using beads and magnets to, you know, showcase the song. So the creative, the creative part is really easy, but the quantity part is where I like struggle at yeah, um, and so yeah so many people struggle at that, and you know why why, it's because you're talented it's because you're gifted.

Speaker 1 36:49

Like you said, you went to a performing arts school. Yes, as did I. We overthink stuff 100%. We do Like I remember Lady Gaga talking about this one time. Like most people, don't care All these little stuff we get so like about. They're like what. You know what I mean.

Speaker 1 37:06

Like when you understand instruments and when you understand music, when you understand certain things like I have a playlist that I make. There's a sound that I like in music and I will play for people and I'm like don't all these songs sound the same to you?

Speaker 1 37:18

and you're like not really yeah, but to me all these songs sound the same because they have a specific instrument in them and a specific sound. And it takes moments like that for me to realize, baby girl, you overthinking it. I remember I would be in the studio and I'm, like you know know, bar after bar after bar, double on time, triple on time, yeah, you know, and it's like half of what you're saying is going over. Yeah, Now there's that 10% of listener.

Speaker 2 37:44

that's going to be like yo, oh, she rapping, and we live for that moment we live for the person who gets it.

Speaker 1 37:50

But sometime and this is, I wouldn't say this absolutely applies to your lyrical content, but it certainly applies to your social media content. Yeah, if the video of you eating is stressing you out, it's because you're overthinking it. It's true. You know what I mean. Like I had to check myself. Like you don't have to change your clothes every time you have something to say. I would sit and make my content because I like to batch create, because I don't have time to make a new video every day, and I would be saying my point. Then I would make one video and change my clothes. Make one video. You're going to be here all night. Make two or three videos in the same clothes and then change and make three more videos Because, guess what, your followers don't care.

Speaker 1 38:33

They didn't even notice. And even if they did notice, they don't care. Yeah, yeah, they don't care. Yeah, people, now and now, everyone knows people batch, create and sit down and make.

Speaker 2 38:44

Yeah, it's normalized, it's normal.

Speaker 1 38:46

You don't have to pretend that you're somewhere different and go outside to make one and come inside to make the other. Yeah, nobody cares. And so I would say, for your super talented, brilliant brain, stop overthinking it. Ok, you know, obviously this is a conversation that we've had off camera as well. Yeah, stop overthinking it and just allow your, your content to get out to the people. Continue to be creative, continue to you know, share your message. I think you have a unique way of sharing the things that you're going through and I think it's going to land with just the right audience.

Speaker 1 39:21

Um, it's funny, because sometime, as artists, we can think we need to, like. You talked about the clothes and the photo shoots and all that stuff, and all that stuff is important. It is important, right, but you can have all that, and if you don't actually have a gift that brings people together, it will fall flat. So, focus on the gift. Don't neglect the other stuff. Yeah, but focus on the gift. Focus on the gift, whatever that is for you. If you're watching this and you, you know your gift is that you sew, you know. Focus on this. Don't get so focused on the Instagram page that you ain't made a shirt in three weeks.

Speaker 1 39:57

That's not what you you sell, you know what I mean like don't get so focused on the branding that you you're not actually doing it, and I think so many people call themselves being burned out on social media and it's because they're not just recording themselves doing what they love. If you're a makeup artist, every time time you do makeup, just turn the camera on. Don't overthink it. You know what I mean. You don't have to make it into. I would love to do more lifestyle content and I plan on it, right, but I talk. Yeah, my name is Lish, speaks for crying out loud.

Speaker 1 40:30

And that was way before I went viral. That's been my name on Instagram for as long as I've had an Instagram. Oh, wow, word Lish Speaks, I speak so all the time. It would take me to show you guys doing my makeup and brushing my teeth. I could have made 20 videos sitting down talking. So guess what I do? I sit down and I talk. Now, eventually, you'll see me brushing my teeth here and there.

Speaker 2 40:52

In a.

Speaker 1 40:52

YouTube vlog, but the main thing has to be the main thing, and so if what brought you to my page in your case was my lyricism, my creativity, then let's just focus on that. That was free. The next time I'll charge you for that. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Before I let you go, I have one question that I ask everybody, but I want you to tell the people just anything you want them to know, whether that's new music that's dropping, or to follow you somewhere, or just to tap in with your community on whatever platforms you have. Please take this time to let them know.

Speaker 2 41:28

OK, what's up, guys? So I would like you guys to follow me on Instagram. It's, you know, as I are A-S-I-A-R-E four underscores four. Okay, it'll be linked in the stuff. I have a website. It's asipresentcom, so A-S-I-P-E-R-E-S-E-N-Tcom. And then also, too, new music is on the way. We have not yet established a time, but just check us out on IG and TikTok and you will definitely just hear the music and then you can just be waiting for it. So those are the places that you can catch me at and, you know, leave a like, a follow, comment, share it you know what I'm saying?

Speaker 1 42:10

Lock in, lock in, lock in, lock in, lock in and listen. Like I said earlier, the music is old, but you've never heard it. It's new to you. So go ahead and run up all the stuff that he already has on streaming platforms. You will not be disappointed. The question I ask people as we close out our show is, in the grand scheme of things, what do you want your legacy to be?

Speaker 2 42:32

That's a good question. That's a good question. I like that question, I think for me, my legacy, I would want to just help the next generation. What does that look like? Um, I have this mind. I have this idea where I build some type of establishment where kids can also be creative, because I think going to my fine art school, there wasn't a lot of kids who had the opportunity. Like, my graduating class was 116 people. It's not a lot. I mean the whole. Yeah, the place is not big, so I would want to extend that opportunity to other kids as well. So it would just be me giving back and then also to. I also have this other idea where I would like to help other people get clean water. That's one of the beverages, that's probably the only beverage I drink outside of the juice, and crackers, I'm telling you, your skin is glowing.

Speaker 1 43:24

So I see it, I see it.

Speaker 2 43:25

Your skin is glowing. So I would really want to help other people get clean water, because it's very essential to have and I think we can just take it for granted While in first world countries or just any other part of the world. So I really want to help others out. So those are the two initiatives I would have Give back to the next generation and then also to give to other people who just don't have as much.

Speaker 1 43:48

I love that. That's a great answer.

Speaker 1 43:51

You're well on your way to creating that legacy for yourself. Thank you, thanks so much for being here. Thanks so much for sharing your energy, your time, your space, your smile with my audience. Listen, guys, this has been another episode of I'll Just Let Myself In With your Girlish Speaks. I hope that you heard something in this episode that encouraged you to walk through your God-given doors, not to wait, but to go ahead and go after the opportunities God has put on your heart. If this blessed you, please send it to someone, share it with them.

Speaker 1 44:22

If you listen to this on Holy Culture, sirius XM, channel 140, I want to thank you so much for tuning in. If you've watched this on Holy Culture's YouTube or my YouTube, atlas Speaks, I want to thank you so much. Make sure you subscribe to all those channels. Leave us comments, show us love. It is how other people who are like-minded get to see what we're doing. Last but not least, I also have an email address. Speakers at LishSpeakscom, or you can send me an email directly. You can let me know what you think about the show, any questions you might want answered or topics that you want us to cover. We'd also love to know what guest you would like to see on the show, or if you yourself are a person who would like to be a guest on the show, you can write in and we'll see what we can do Again. I really enjoyed this time with you, as I am.

Speaker 1 45:10

I'm grateful for you being here and, guys, we'll be back same time, same place next week. Peace.