Exclusive | Some Guy Named Lee Talks His Upcoming Project 'My Happy Place'
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is East Coast rapper “Some Guy Named Lee”! Lee is originally from Buffalo, New York but currently calls Atlanta home. Lee spent a few semesters in College at Niagara University and hasn’t had much time for much outside of music since pursuing it full time. This rapper doesn’t have a long catalogue of music, but just about every track he has dropped is flames. This is an artist who sounds like he’s been in the game for a minute but is really just getting started. Lee has a dope flow mixed with some laid back beats and is definitely an artist you need to watch out for.
Some Guy Named Lee - Grind (Official Audio)
We talked with Some Guy Named Lee in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Some Guy Named Lee: I want to say I’ve been doing music since 9, my mother got me a radio that had a built in microphone and me and my brother use to record on that.
QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Some Guy Named Lee: iClub has been my biggest influences along my journey. Dez Billups at Human Re-Sources and DeMiya Williams at RCA Sony Music have been more than helpful as well.
QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Some Guy Named Lee: Kendrick, Cole, Jay-Z, Drake, Chance, Jaden Smith, I have a Big list. I can go on and on lol. I think sonically we would make dope records and push each other lyrically.
Some Guy Named Lee - Playing Around
QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Some Guy Named Lee: Grind is my biggest record to date but it’s hard to say what is my best song, it changes per mood. Right now I would say my verse for Riff Blanco’s Sky is the limit is my favorite though.
QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Some Guy Named Lee: I will be releasing “My Happy Place” 1st quarter of the year.
QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Some Guy Named Lee: I like to have in depth conversations with friends, family and even strangers, and take from those moments and experiences to create.
QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Some Guy Named Lee: My kids, the culture, not having financial freedom and Buffalo motivates me. Success to me is generational wealth.
QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people?
Some Guy Named Lee: I don’t. (Marsha Ambrosius told me to just create and let the people describe my music). It’s art so it will be interpreted differently by each listener.
QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Some Guy Named Lee: Absolutely, but it’s different for each individual. No right or wrong way but you have to have a plan and follow through.
QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Some Guy Named Lee: I am my greatest inspiration. I owe it to myself to be success, I’ve put too much time, energy and effort in my craft to quit.
QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Some Guy Named Lee: Jay-Z. He’s made it possible to do anything, and it started with rap.
QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Some Guy Named Lee: Happiness, because when I’m happy I don’t have negativity or stress preventing me from creating music. I'm not one of those artists who makes better music when they're sad or depressed.
QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Some Guy Named Lee: Relationships, time with my kids, and sleep lol.
QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Some Guy Named Lee: Everything about creating excites me from recording to coming up with melodies but I love writing the most. Nothing discourages me, I make Lemonade!!
QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Some Guy Named Lee: Financially free, still touring with Multiple Grammy’s. Still rocking with the people I came in with.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Some Guy Named Lee: There’s people who think Jay-Z is garbage and he's the GOAT so don’t let negative comments break you. Know Thyself.
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