OutHipHop.com Exclusive Interview with DALYRICAL
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:13AM 
(DaLyrical performs at this year's Mondo Homo, Friday May 22, 2009 in Atlanta, GA)
We learned a lot about this talented lesbian hip hop artist who has been largely silent over the last year or so. DaLyrical has been on the scene for quite some time, putting out not one, but two CDs. She has been on the HomoRevolution Tour 2008, Unity Tour, performed at Atlanta Pride and a number of events. She gets very personal with us as she disccusses last year's tragic events, goes back to her start as a rapper, and talks about where she is going and what is on her plate. Check out this interview and see not just a great artist, but a good spirited human being we could all get to know a little better. Here's DaLyrical:
How did you get your creative name? What does it mean, and how did you come up with it?
I first came up with the name "Lyrical D" when I had my first rap group. "Lyrical" because of my love for music and my new found ability to write songs others would actually listen to, and secondly "D" which is the first letter of my first name. Later I hooked up with my first producer "Mousequake" Barrett and he suggested we change the name around by putting the "D" in the front and instead of "D Lyrical" or "The Lyrical" make it "Da instead of The".
We know you are presently in Atlanta, but where is DaLyrical repping from - OHIO? KANSAS? ATLANTA? The MondoHomo site says Ohio, so we want to get it right.
I'm originally from Wichita, Kansas and am currently residing here since my mom passed in July '08. I've previously lived in several cities including Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Columbus, Ohio and most recently Atlanta, Georgia. I guess you can say I'm from the Midwest by way of the Dirty South.
Speaking of Mondo Homo, this forthcoming appearance will be your third time at the event. How would you describe Mondo Homo and what can people expect from you this year?
Mondo Homo is an eclectic, energy-packed, awesome, fun-filled festival. It is a great experience for festival-goers as well as the performing artists and entertainers. I feel blessed to have been chosen to perform again, so I'm gonna give it all I've got and then some. Expect my performance to consist of new songs off my upcoming CD entitled "Can't Stop".
Tell us about your first CD, what did it represent and is it still a picture of where are you right now?
My first CD represented my coming out to the world musically. I use to write songs that were not gender specific before then...which I felt wasn't being true to myself. I don't feel like my first CD, "Lez Is More" is a picture of where I am now but rather my foundation, my beginning. "Proud" is actually my 2nd CD and it represents progression...it shows my versatility. Unlike before now I have a no holds barred approach to my music. I don't feel contained like I once did. ("Lez Is More" songs available on MySpace only...myspace.com/dalyrical.)
You had the privilege of being on not one - but two high profile tours - HomoRevolution and Unity -What were some of the highlights or things you remember about the tours.
First of all, I felt blessed and indeed privileged to be selected to perform alongside so many talented artists. What I remember most about the tours is having a sense of belonging, and a sense of purpose. I can't begin to tell you how many times I was told, "Thank you for giving us a voice", and "I really appreciate what you all are doing." I also have a lot of great memories of the fans. The crowd was hype at each venue, especially at UCONN (University of Connecticut), Boston, and at Mondo Homo in Atlanta. One of my favorite moments comes from the HomoRevolution Tour show at UCONN for the True Colors Conference. While I was on stage singing my song "Stay" a girl kneeled in front of the stage to take a picture of me. After she snapped a few shots I jumped off the stage and walked toward her. She then dropped the camera and laid back on the floor, so I crawled up next to her and sang to her. It was so tight as if it was planned that way. The crowd really went crazy after that. It was truly a night to remember. After the show it seemed like the whole crowd stayed to meet us all in the parking lot. It was so awesome.
You recently fell on some hard times with the passing of both your grandma and mother - We wish you well and wonder how this has impacted you on a personal level, and musically.
The passing of my grandma and mother last year was very hard for me to deal with. I was at Mondo Homo when I got the news of my grandma passing. Then exactly two months later to the day I lost my mom. Losing my mother hit me the hardest because it was unexpected. My grandma was 98 and had lived a long blessed life; however my mother was only 56. We had just found out my mom had congestive heart failure in April; she had surgery in May and later passed away in July. It all seemed to have happened so fast...it has been really hard for me to stay strong. I miss them both so much that it was hard for me to focus on anything. I battled depression daily, because I use to talk to my mom everyday, sometimes three or four times at least, anytime day or night. I would call her before and after every performance, so the first time I performed after her death I broke down, because I couldn't call her and talk like we usually would. She would always give me a pep talk....she would tell me to never stop...to keep on doing my music and that she was very proud of me. My grandma and mother were always the two most important people in my life...now they've gone on to a better place and they are with me in spirit. I know they're both watching over me. I now wear a chain around my neck everyday with my grandma's cross and my mother's ring. Their deaths have inspired me to keep going with my music...because of what my mom use to tell me I named my upcoming CD "Can't Stop"...she made me promise I would never stop doing my music. I've also been affected by the passing of my best friend Brenda Welch this past March. Brenda's gospel song "Get Ready" was the last song on my "Proud" CD. She was such an inspiration to me. She also believed in my music and told me to never change who I am. So now I really feel focused because I don't want to let them or myself down. I now feel more empowered to try new approaches to my music, because of what they saw in me. So the passing of these three special women have inspired me to dig deeper and find the strength that I need to keep pushing forward personally and musically.
You began rapping after teammates confused your music with McLyte - Can you elaborate?
I would write my own lyrics to current instrumental tracks just as a hobby. I would record my versions just for me to listen to....I never intended on anyone else hearing the songs. However I had taken one of the recordings with me to college and was listening to it when my teammates barged in my room. I was so embarrassed by the fact that it was playing...I wanted to turn it off quickly but couldn't get to it fast enough. Suddenly they all started dancing and one of them said, "I didn't know MC Lyte remixed this song. This is a jam." I couldn't believe she thought it was MC Lyte!!! They were all in disbelief when I told them it wasn't MC Lyte...it was me!!! After that people were telling me I should pursue a career in music, so here I am.
What is your opinion of some mainstream female mc's who have been rumored to be Lesbian - i.e. --Latifah, McLyte, Missy Elliot -- Would you think any less of them if you knew they were Lesbian - while you have been out on the frontlines in the ohh scene?
I wouldn't think any less of them if they were Lesbian, because we all have to live with our own life situations. They must have reasons to want to stay closeted if that is actually the case. I can't be the judge of them.
What is the first hip hop album you remember buying --?
I don't actually remember, but I know I had Whodini, Run DMC, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Eric B. & Rakim, and LL Cool J....just to name a few.
What would you label if any your kind of hip hop ?
I don't know...my music seems to blend hip-hop, pop and R&B...I guess!!! I also want to do some rock tracks so I'm not sure...to me it's all hip-hop, because hip-hop is all-inclusive!!!
Who or what inspires you as an artist?
People inspire me...I write about my life experiences but it really feels good when someone tells me that they were touched by something I wrote or that they had experienced the same thing.
If you could collab with anyone, gay or straight, who would it be?
I would love the opportunity to collab with Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Akon, and Korn just to name a few. I like all types of music so it's hard for me to name everybody I would like to work with. I would love to have the chance to collab with so many artists from different genres of music. Getting a chance to do that would be very special to me.
You have an LGBT theme song called PROUD - is it important for you to be an activist as well as an artist?
I can't necessarily say that I am an activist...I wrote "Proud" to put my feelings out there. I wanted to make a statement that I'm proud to be gay and that I let it be known in my everyday life by showing that I'm proud to be who I am.
You recently signed with Lil Milo Management. How did that come about?
Captain Magik turned me on to Lil Milo Management. He had signed with them and said that everything was looking up for him. He said there were discussions of who they would love to have on their roster and my name came up. I was excited about the possibilities especially to be in the loop as well as working up close and personawithl Deadlee. I have admired Deadlee for the work he's put into Gay Hip Hop...as well as for the person he is, so it is definitely an honor to be in his circle.
What's next for DaLyrical - what are you working on and what can people expect from you?
I'm currently working on my third album entitled "Can't Stop" which I hope to have completed by Mid-Summer. I have some Pride Festival performances coming up and am in the process of booking other shows. I have music on the urban internet drama "The Lovers & Friends Show" at www.loversnfriendsshow.com and there has been talk of me possibly making an appearance on the show. I'm ready to get back in the swing of things...I'm reloaded and ready to go...I'm looking forward to making a mark. All I know is I "Can't Stop".
Any shout outs?
I like to say thanks to everyone who had an encouraging word for me in my time of need. All your well wishes, prayers and encouragement helped me to make it through the tough times. Thank you to all my family, friends and fans who believe in me. A special thanks to OutHipHop.com, Deadlee, Captain Magik and Lil Milo Management.
Anything else you'd like to tell the out hip hop community we did not already ask you?
My songs or CD can be purchased on my MySpace page, iTunes, and CD Baby and if anyone wants to hit me up my email is dalyrical2@yahoo.com
I would like to add that now is the time for gay hip hop to make it's presence known...there are so many talented GLBTQ artists...Bigg Nugg, Tori Fixx, Melange Lavonne...just to name a few!!! There is strength in numbers; however we need the support of our community to make a difference...support gay artists!!! One Love Always!!!
Reader Comments (3)
I love dalyrical! i cant wait for all her shizzle to drop! <3
Great interview! She seems like a really nice and good person!
SON I'M DIGGIN' YOUR SWAG!!!