Music Review and Interview with L8YE – Android

Android starts off with this atmospheric collection of sounds that really soothe you and cause a certain calmness as you listen. I actually thought the way the vocal kicked in as well was brilliantly fitting, the flow was pretty phenomenal, the stops and starts and the ounces of character within the vocal deliver added a much needed element of personality and realness. There was entertainment from start to finish, yet there was certain level of depth, and the music consistently puts you in a dreamlike state whereby the only thing you can actually hear and focus on towards the end is the vocal. It’s a pretty hypnotic effect, and it’s great because when you do really listen, you realise it’s all on point, everything being said is relevant to now, you can relate to it, and there’s history in there, and thought provocation. Music that makes you think about the fact that maybe you don’t step back and think quite enough during your day to day life.

What it is about the backing music to this is difficult to pinpoint, it has a lot involved, the subtle addition of riffs, beats, vocals, sounds, effects, but it’s peaceful when put together. It has the feeling of being from some kind of fantasy film or dreamland. You occasionally hear the hint of a familiar sample in there, but for the most part it feels like fresh and original music, almost freestyle instrumentation, particularly towards the end. The vocal has a certain kind of power to it as well that means you feel like you should listen, there’s a subtle and quiet confidence in the delivery, and you sense there’s far more to it than what can initially be heard. That lyric ‘I don’t waste no time’ comes out again and again, it wraps itself around you, and the concept of the whole track seems to develop more and more throughout the verses, with that idea in mind always. It’s one to listen to way more than once or twice. The music is beautiful, powerful, and the lyrics are smart and stylish.

By Rebecca Cullen

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the northside. As a little kid my surrounding was good, but as I got older things changed. Music started carrying less message, and more negative. This was terrible to me, because we lost Tupac, Lauryn Hill stopped dropping music, Micheal jackson died I could go on day about the deaths, and people who stopped doing music for a bit that created a flame in me to do music.I really just wanted to when I first started have an outlet for my stress, and for people to try to understand my thinking more. It become more as I continued to do it, sick of seeing people hurt, and not feeling inspired I wanted to give this music scene life in my own way.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Well this is funny at one point my name used to be lil phil which at the time was inspired by lil wayne. Later down the line though I discovered wiz Khalifa’s smooth music, and he had a rather unique name. So I begin to think, and I thought of Laye which then later down the line became l8ye( last beyond good and evils years of excitement) 8 being on a level of understanding there is good and evil. 6 in religious terms would be evil satan, and 7 is supposed to be a good number representing god. I guess wiz at that time inspired me to bring innovation and really just sit and think of something clever.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I love online music sharing, it has helped so much with music getting around faster in this day and age. It is one of the greatest things we have from facebook, twitter and even myspace sharing links with friends and they tell their friends, and it’s like a domino effect basically. So I feel this is amazing for all artist of this generation coming up. Giving out free music right now is all I am doing I just love people getting inspired by me, and inspiring their friends, and family. it’s so cool to me just knowing I left somebody with good vibes. So I don’t mind giving free music away.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

As an artist talking to other artist understand patience is greatness.Well to start just be you, and that draws in the right crowd for you. Don’t be afraid to ask random people sometime to listen to your song, go to open mics, and stay consistent even if you perform the same thing over again practice until perfection. Sometimes these venues that have open mics if they like you they’ll watch you and one day after you perform hit you up to do a show there, or be involved in one. That’s only a taste of the crabby patty formula the big thing is to try to get your city, or a city to support you. When you get your city radios find you, because you are one of the hottest in your city.Remember quality over quantity at all times, and never give up.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

It varies to be honest on my college campus the brewhaus, but then I could be in class bored, and put headphones on and start writing any and everywhere pretty much. I heard a beat I really like, and I dig deep I get in my feelings, and write, but sometimes  will be in that mood, and here the right beat. Then just like that I wrote another dope  song I’m excited to record.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

At the moment I don’t have a band site but in due time I plan to. The music platform I use is soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/l8ye

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

If I was given half a million dollars I would maybe buy better mic. I don’t think  Icould take a year off though I would use a bit of it to keep paying off my engineer, and I would pay producers who show me love with free beats. Some of it I would use towards travel to different cities for performances, and things like that. The rest of it would be saved for an emergency if any was left.  I would just make the investments that would help me move forward in my career so I could eventually give back to my community and family when I make it.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

I study how people promote and see where it is flawed at, but I sometimes find better ways to do those things. I also have this type of confidence I’ve never seen in a artist except a few that I know of. I go outside, and simple I ask people if they are a fan of hip-hop, and I let them listen to something if they are willing to. Usually they don’t believe it’s me so I end up doing on the spot, and just like that I have a new supporter. Also usually many of my supporters find my facebook, and I contact them directly to thank them for their support. This is letting them know I appreciate their listen, and telling them they aren’t just a number to me. Many other ways I use but these are some of the most effective, especially being in college this works so well for me.

 

 

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Well I have a secret tape in the works only thing I will say is it will be very motivating, and a dope listen.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t making music easily I’d be a teacher, or a counselor, because with these things I still get to help others and give back in the community.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

I try to get things done ahead of time to stay on track. I do music whenever Im free, and not hanging with friends all the time. I usually don’t have much to do, but to stay focused on school work anyway. So most times I always have time, and I use it wisely.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Well I don’t have fans I call my supporters 8s, but expect nothing but greatness from me this year.