Exclusive | Lijah Turner Talks Leaving Behind Football to Focus on Music
By: Omar Cook
We talked with West Coast rapper, Lijah Turner, in an exclusive interview! Originally from East Oakland, California, his parents relocated him and his siblings to North Las Vegas, Nevada where he grew up. Turner initially had sports dreams and had aspirations of playing in the NFL or running track in the olympics. An ACL injury in 2016 caused him to turn to music which has been his focus ever since. Turner now lives in Los Angeles and is looking to make a name for himself in a region that is rich in hip hop culture! Lijah Turner brings a west coast sound with dope lyrics that is sure to turn some heads in the near future!
We talked with Lijah Turner in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Lijah Turner: I’ve been making music since september of 2016 right after I torn my acl at Cal Lutheran University.
QUESTION: Musically, what are your biggest influences and who are your favorite musicians?
Lijah Turner:: My favorite musicians are Dj Quik, Dom Kennedy, Curren$y, Tupac, and k-Dot.
QUESTION: What musician would you most like to collaborate with and why?
Lijah Turner: Nipsey Hussle because honestly he has shown how to build yourself behind a brand without a record deal and now look at Nip, he is really a self-made legend in South Central.
QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song you've ever released and why?
Lijah Turner: The best song I’ve ever released is SMOOTH N***A because it shows my creativity and my alter ego(Tino Daddy) the cold pimp himself haha!
QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Lijah Turner: My nephews motivates me and success is defined as meeting and surpassing your own expectations.
QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas?
Lijah Turner: I’m a cali kid so I’ll be honest I’ll roll up and it get my mind racing!!
QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people?
Lijah Turner: Real feel hip hop honestly that trap music, autotune mumble rap bullshit don’t come out my mouth.
QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Lijah Turner: Staying true the game, your close loved ones, and most of all yourself.
QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Lijah Turner: Honestly my grandmother that passed away in 09, our birthdays were only two days apart and when I was younger her and myself was that close, but as I got older our bond got stronger then ever. And the crazy part is I was the last person to talk to her on the phone and she was really young when she passed so she inspired me to live my life to the fullest because you don’t know when your time's coming
QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Lijah Turner: K-Dot, through the years he shown why is the next GOAT of our time he literally takes you through every emotion in his music and he is brilliant
QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Lijah Turner: Honestly every emotion, (next pac in the making) haha lol jk
QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Lijah Turner: Man a lot of sacrifices missing out on family events because of shows, spending my last on studio time, ignoring a lot of people to finish my last project I did (Baby To The Game) and man I know more will come it's just how you handle the situation and if you close ones stay down through the hard times
QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Lijah Turner: Everything excites honestly hell I’d sleep at the stu and to be 100 nothing discourages me music wise I really don’t care if you like my shit as long as I do I could give two damns nothing phases me
QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Lijah Turner: Shit, hopefully chillin with my loved ones living the best life I can!
QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Lijah Turner: I mean the only advice I can give right now I sticking to it and being consistent cause if you not getting better you're getting worse
QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Lijah Turner: Man I just want everyone to take a listen to it thats all!
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