Interview with Lexxi Meshan on January 1st 2016
"THE PILOT EP" RELEASE DAY
01/01/2016
Q: TODAY IS JANUARY 1st 2016, YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL EP JUST BECAME AVAILABLE ACROSS THE WORLD AND ALREADY ITS GETTING GREAT REVIEWS. HOW ARE YOU FEELING
a: Words cannot explain how overwhelmed with joy and excitement I am right now. It's only been a few hours but so far it's a great year!
Q: YOU JUST CELEBRATED YOUR 21st BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER. WHAT DRIVES YOU TO WORK SO HARD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE?
a: I have such an extreme, almost dangerous work ethic. I set seemingly unrealistic goals, then I work hard achieve them. I just feel like life is too short and the world is too big to live mediocre or make excuses. You have to put yourself and your happiness first- even if that means go against the grain, break the rules. Make the most of the one life you have- It might end tomorrow.
Q: HAVE YOU DONE ANY COLLABORATIONS WITH UPCOMING ARTIST SO FAR?
a: Most of the collabs that I've done to date have been really close friends and family. I am definitely ready and willing to work with any serious, legitimate upcoming artist though.
Q: WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLAB WITH RIGHT NOW?
a: Who wouldn't want to collab with a mainstream artist? But right now I kinda had this idea in my head where I would collab with the other up and coming artist before I go to the big-timers. So, people like Tori Kelly, GlamiRock, Bryson Tiller, Pia Mia, Tory Lanez, Tink, Somo, Sincerely Collins and a few others that I'm sure I'm not thinking of right now.
Q: WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER ASPIRING ARTIST?
a: From the few that I have heard on the come-up, they are extremely talented! And me, not so much. I've never seen myself as "talented". But what I am is driven, determined and ambitious. I work so hard, and not to say that others don't, I just really think that sets me apart. I also am very unique. I get an uncomfortable feeling when I see people following trends. I am really my own person in all aspects.
Q: IS THERE ANYONE IN THE INDUSTRY THAT INSPIRES YOU?
a: The list goes on and on. I don't really want to start naming people off out of fear I'll forget someone important, but I am constantly inspired by artist life stories and work ethic, more so than their music itself.
Q: YOUR LYRICS ARE VERY MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL, YET YOUR BEATS ARE SO HARDCORE. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE CONTRAST THERE?
a: I am a perfect 50/50 of both, I always have been. It literally depends on the day. One day I'll wake up feeling like DMX, wearing black Tims and a black puff coat. The next day I'll wake up feeling like Indie Arie, feathered earrings and all. It literally just depends on the day. I have always been 50% girly-girl and 50% tom-boy. Just part of what makes me, me.
Q: YOU AREN'T SIGNED TO A SPECIFIC LABEL YET, BUT IN 2015 YOU FOUNDED YOUR OWN MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY. CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT?
a: Basically, I found myself in the same cycle that most other internet artist are in. Releasing song after cover after music video online, and not getting anywhere. I didn't want to be like the rest, so I decided to separate myself by educating myself. I started studying heavy and learning about the music industry itself, and how it runs like a business. I familiarized myself with the terms, processes and procedures that really go into it. I started a publishing company, learned how to copyright my material, registered with a performing rights organization and relaunched my career the right way. And thus, "The Pilot EP" was born.
Q: SO WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT A PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN?
a: I learned about their cut! Haha, no but I just thought it made sense because I'm great at networking, I already write all my own lyrics, I copyright all my masters under me, why not just publish under me as well. There's no reason to give your royalties away to someone else for something you can do yourself.
Q: SO WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT A PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN?Q: WE ALSO HAVE HEARD RUMORS ABOUT YOU STARTING A INDIE RECORD LABEL CALLED O3 ENT?
a: I'm reeeeally not sure how that information got out yet! But yes, I am starting another company called O3 Entertainment. I felt very alone at the beginning of my career- and some days I still feel that way. So, O3 stands for "On Our Own"- I plan on signing other artist that are just as ambitious and hard-working as me. The type of underground artist that are really good and just need a chance... just need someone to listen.
Q: YOU WRITE ALL YOUR OWN LYRICS, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PUBLISHING COMPANY, YOUR OWN UPCOMING RECORD LABEL, YOU OWN ALL YOUR COPYRIGHTS, YOU'RE BASICALLY RUNNING YOUR OWN SHOW.
DOES ALL THE BUSINESS MANAGING EVER GET IN THE WAY OF YOU JUST BEING A CREATIVE ARTIST?
DOES ALL THE BUSINESS MANAGING EVER GET IN THE WAY OF YOU JUST BEING A CREATIVE ARTIST?
a: For me, not really. But I definitely see how it can for most. I have superb time management and organizational skills. I don't plan out my days... I plan out my months, almost down to the minute. People would be surprised how much you can do in 24hrs if you planned it out and pace yourself correctly.
Q: WHERE DOES YOUR WORK ETHIC AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DERIVE FROM?
a: I honestly don't know. I don't think there's an exact answer for that, I was born like this. For as long as I can remember I would go after what I want, and I wouldn't stop until I got it. My family jokes around and says i'm this way because I grew up spoiled, but that's not it. I guess deep down I've always known I have too much ambition to just live a regular life and die.
Q: A LOT OF YOUR SONGS STATE HOW YOU MADE IT BY YOURSELF. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR O3 ENTERTAINMENT TO GET SIGNED TO A MAJOR LABEL, OR STAY INDIE?
a: I mean, if a label wants to sign my label, great. If not, great. But I honestly don't see myself getting signed anytime soon, because I did my homework on the industry...you feel me?
Q: YOUR MUSIC TALKS A LOT ABOUT BEING POSITIVE, ACCEPTANCE AND UNITY. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DIFFERENT "BEEFS" IN THE INDUSTRY, BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST.
a: Again, I am a business woman first. So I completely understand using publicity stunts as a way to promote albums and keep your name relevant. But with all these creative, artistic minds in the industry, the only thing we can think of to promote record sales is to fight each other? Like, come on man...
Q: HOW DO YOU VIEW TODAY'S HIP HOP MUSIC?
a: The music industry has changed so much. I want to get back to hearing authentic hip hop- that's not about money, cars and clothes- but rap songs about overcoming your struggles, heart break, achievements, political injustice, you know? The things that matter?
Q: DO YOU LISTEN TO GENRES OTHER THAN HIP HOP?
a: I am a fan of all different kinds of music. I'll listen to whatever I'm in the mood for. But, I find that harder and harder to do when all these genres are mashed up. Personally I just think hip hop was better before it inherited all these "sub-genres".
Q: DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PERFORMING ANY GENRES OTHER THAN HIP HOP?
a: My plan is to be a cross-over entertainer. I'll start with hip hop then eventually I'll test some different waters and see where the wind takes me. But like I said, I can't really "switch" to another genre when they're all mushed together.
Q: CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE INSIDER ON YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LEXXI MESHAN PICKS UP THE PEN READY TO WRITE A NEW SONG?
a: Sometimes it starts with the pen, but that's rare. It's usually the beat. When i hear a good beat, it speaks to me. The beat has a story it wants me to tell. I'll literally listen to the sounds of the different instruments and after awhile I can begin to hear the words. I just write down whatever it says.
Q: YOU HAVE QUITE A FEW STORY RHYMES ABOUT LIFE. ARE THE MAJORITY OF YOUR SONGS SPEAKING ABOUT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OR REALISTIC FICTION?
a: So far EVERY song I've done has been about personal experiences. I'm still learning and growing and going through things. Everyday is a possible new song. But I also have a crazy imagination, so one day I'll really dive deep into some story rhymes that will really have you up thinking at night- like Immortal Technique.
Q: MOST RAPPERS HAVE THE GRUESOME RAGS-TO-RICHES STORY. YOUR RHYMES TOUCH ON SOME OF YOUR PAST FINANCIAL HISTORY, BUT YOU NEVER GO TOO MUCH INTO DETAIL. DOES YOUR LIFE DIFFER OR ARE YOU KEEPING YOUR STRUGGLES MORE PRIVATE?
a: Haha, no rags to riches over here. I do NOT believe in using my craft to talk about a lifestyle I know nothing about.
When I was younger my family was very well off. My dad was a very successful real-estate developer, so when the recession hit, we fell HARD.. And today, we're still trying to come out of it, which was all very character-testing. I guess my story is more.. Riches-rags haha.
When I was younger my family was very well off. My dad was a very successful real-estate developer, so when the recession hit, we fell HARD.. And today, we're still trying to come out of it, which was all very character-testing. I guess my story is more.. Riches-rags haha.
Q: RAPPING IS MORE OF A MALE DOMINATE SPORT. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING LABELED A "FEMALE" RAPPER?
a: I really couldn't care less. I don't get as worked up about it as other female rappers. The only thing that irks me is when people say "wow she's good for a female rapper". Why I can't just be a good rapper? But when people introduce me as "Lexxi Meshan, the female rapper" I have no problem with that. I'm comfortable with my sexuality. Plus, I think female rappers need to be more concerned about how they treat each other, before they worry about titles.
Q: WHAT CAN THE WORLD EXPECT NEXT FROM LEXXI MESHAN? CAN YOU SHARE WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
a: I can't say too much of anything yet, but I am working on a lot. Songs, videos... I really wish I could say more, but everything has to stay under wraps. What I can say is, everyone should expect to see a lot of Lexxi Meshan in 2016-2017!
Q: CAN YOU TELL US OF SOME OF THE INDUSTRY PEOPLE THAT HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY?
a: I've never really known anybody in the industry personally, but I've read a lot of books from great industry people, and these books have really helped me. I'd have to thank Don Passman , Pat Pattison and Wendy Day for all the knowledge I have on the industry. I don't know what kind of monster Lexxi Meshan is going to be in the future, but she is going to owe it all to these 3 individuals. If I ever get a chance to meet them in person, big wet kisses!
Q: IF YOU DIED TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE KNOWN AS 100 YEARS FROM NOW?
a: Wow. Um, well first of all, if I died today and people know of me 100yrs from now, I'm doing something right haha.
But I would like to be remembered as the girl who brought back morals, and made it cool to be classy again. The one who showed you how to accept and embrace where you come from, and be the best YOU, you can be. And above all, don't ever let anybody tell you "No".
But I would like to be remembered as the girl who brought back morals, and made it cool to be classy again. The one who showed you how to accept and embrace where you come from, and be the best YOU, you can be. And above all, don't ever let anybody tell you "No".
