Rhyme Report

Published on July 30th, 2014 | by Jameelah "Just Jay" Wilkerson

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The Hype Magazine Interviews: LIZ

Still riding high off the popularity of her very well received 7-track EP Just Like You, which was made available as a free download back in late February, Mad Decent's pop princess LIZ is definitely the one to watch for throughout the remainder of 20-14 and beyond! Let's find out exactly why…

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested? And actually, how did it all begin for you, LIZ?

I've always been singing ever since I was little. I performed a lot in school and took any chance I could to be a part of something professional. I performed with the Joffrey Ballet for four years and did some TV/film work, but music was always my biggest love and inspiration. I started working with writers and producers at age 13, and kept navigating the industry and writing tons of songs and performing lots of shows up to today. Now that I'm signed (to Diplo's Mad Decent imprint), I have a platform in which to put my music out and I am so grateful for that. It's been many, many years of hard work to get to this point. Nothing happens overnight.

Where exactly do you hail from? So growing up, who were/are some of your strongest musical influences?

I was born and raised in Tarzana, which is in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. I grew up listening to Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Aaliyah, Britney, etcetera…But also, legendary songwriters like Carole King, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles.

How would you describe and/or define the style of music that you create and perform?

I make progressively produced pop with a very strong R&B influence…Especially the shiny bright music of the late '90's and early 2000's.

At the end of February you unleashed your 7-song EP Just Like You, which has since garnered you a lot of attention — That being said, were you at all surprised at how well it's been received thus far? And, although pretty self-explanatory, still tell me what was it that prompted your decision to title the project this?

I've been very pleased with the reaction to my EP, and it makes me pumped to keep putting out more music. If I gained more listeners and my songs made someone's day better, I feel like I've won. Though my songs may be done in a stylized manner, my lyrics are still things any girl or person can relate to in life and love. The line “just like you” came from the opening track “Y2K.” I kind of consider myself the ~people's pop star~ (so) I want listeners to know that I really am here to be their friend and perhaps by being vulnerable myself, I can help whatever they're going through. The fact that I get to express myself through my music helps heal whatever I've got going on myself. So, at the end of the day, we're in this together!

On it, you worked with Young Money rapper Tyga on the track “Don't Say” — How did that particular collaboration actually come to fruition?

Tyga was always my first choice to feature on “Don't Say.” I love his tone and thought our aesthetics and vibe would work well together. I met Tyga briefly with Diplo like almost two years ago, so we were on each others' radar for a bit.

I'm assuming here, but Just Like You is more than likely a precursor of sorts to your forthcoming still untitled solo debut — So with that being said, what all can you reveal and/or divulge at this particular time about upcoming said album?

I am working on my album right now, and it's all over the place. Literally! I have so many writing demos and half finished songs I need to get done. However, a lot of the songs are very promising, so I'm not too worried. It's just a matter of tracking everything before I continue on in new writing sessions. I'm trying to figure out if I want to release another EP before the album, or if I'm just going to release singles with remixes, etcetera? I have to just focus on the creative right now, and the rest will take care of itself.

Longevity, what has been the key to yours thus far? And, of course, what will continue to sustain you in entertainment?

I think it's very important as an artist to have street smarts and know how to navigate the industry and all pockets of it. You have to know what you want and ask the universe for it. It may sound silly, but I've manifested lots of things in my career because I legitimately put them in my prayers and visualized scenarios where I am living my dreams. I am going to continue to identify specific things I want to achieve and tell myself that anything is possible.

Do you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?

I want to have a career like Gwen Stefani! I am working on some things right now, but would prefer to talk about them once they actually come to fruition.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment?

I'm not sure I've had any one defining career moment yet…It's been more of a mixture of things. I usually don't sit back and acknowledge certain things have happened that I dreamt about happening…I just keep fighting to get to the next step.

Looking ahead, say five or even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

*LIZ laughs robustly* I always hate this question! I'm never going to answer it because I like to keep those dreams to myself.

As for the immediate future, what's next for LIZ?

There's a song I did with Pharrell (Williams) called “That's My Man” that comes out on the (The Amazing) Spider-Man 2 soundtrack real soon! I'm excited for that one…I want to perform it with him live. I'm going to be on the Mad Decent Block Party tour this summer, and just releasing more songs/videos and collaborations with dope people.

Is there anything I left out of just plain forgot to mention? And lastly, do you have any “message(s)” for our readers?

I used to feel this overwhelming darkness that it was me against the world…But, as soon as I changed my thought process, beautiful things started to happen quite easily. Just keep fighting and know that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Oh, and just remember; no one will work harder for you than YOU!

Interviewed By: Hype Staff
Twitter: @LIZ_Y2K



About the Author

Publisher and CEO of The Hype Magazine. Follow me on Twitter @HypeJustJay


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