We were lucky to catch up with Laydee Lyrix recently and have shared our conversation below.
Laydee , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
That is a great question, I believe it’s been my oblivion of youth that has allowed me to overlook the challenges this far to being a light-skinned Indigenous in the Hip-Hop music Industry. I come from a mixed ethnicity of Ojibwe and Scottish so my initial appearance to people who are from other backgrounds is that I am a “white rapper” who is misusing cultural appropriation. Or so in recent years, I have heard. Interestingly enough all this time of writing and performing spoken word mixed with singing, jazz/electronic, and whatever other genres I can mash into my music, it never really occurred to me that I shouldn’t be doing this style of music. I have always tried to evoke soul and passion into my songs, and I had a tumultuous time throughout my late teens and twenties. In all that I felt hip hop spoke to my struggle, my suffering, and my shot at a better life outside government housing, social assistance, and eating from food banks. Listening as a teen I learned to speak the language, my first inspirations were singers like Alicia Keys, and Beyonce, and rappers like Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Eminem. At the end of the day I don’t think music has a color, it is sound which is light, and then all the colors in the spectrum. The beauty of a song is the unity between the one composing and the one listening. Being in an industry that is ultimately dominated by stereotypes, I have never accepted this and have always been one to challenge the norms. Therefore I have overcome being the only person who looks like me in a room is by just seeing people as people and wanting to share my musical gifts with them.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Indi Singer/Songwriter, Rapper, Ambassador/Influencer. Graduate from Seneca College for Independent Songwriting and Performance. Owner and Ceo of both Laydee Lyrix. Driven to express her spiritual nature through music Laydee Lyrix cannot contain her desire to be on stage vocalizing. As a young, vibrant, Canadian aboriginal artist, Laydee Lyrix is creating her destiny breaking international barriers to share her take on the cipher. Laydee Lyrix is a role model in her community by performing for at-risk youth or doing shows for charity such as community care. By refusing to let her voice be suppressed, she is paving the way for young Indigenous entrepreneurs seeking careers as rappers, singers, and songwriters in a world dominated by stereotypes. Where do you start when recognizing this enormously talented young Aboriginal woman? Unable to hold back her creative energy, Laydee Lyrix is no stranger to the stage; she stunned audiences with her raw talent and creative energy at a very young age. From Filming with APTN, flying out to Winnipeg at 20, to still maintaining relevance gaining more synergy in the industry at 35. This journey often leads her to places such as Miami, Orlando, and California. She previously competed in the Championship Finals In Coast 2Coast live and recently had a successful listening session with “Success” VP of Atlantic Records this past November 2023. She also recently recorded three more tracks off her upcoming Album “Kym Possible” while also releasing the single “OIHTD” on all platforms December 24th, 2023 ( https://youtu.be/c6HM4pn3dxo?si=esAeQsad9vPCFg_t ). This Lyricist has bold edgy lyrics that demand your attention and draw out what lies dormant in the hearts and souls of her listeners. Music has always been an escape for Laydee Lyrix – “It is my most joyful escape from reality, and songs are my gift back to the people,” says Lyrix Her constant enthusiasm to express what lives in her soul is infectious and contagious to the younger generation. Through her music, she is constantly encouraging and challenging her audience to be daring, innovative, and fearless in reaching for their dreams. Growing up in an urban community with her Aboriginal spirit coursing through her soul, Laydee Lyrix has refused to give up her dream of establishing her Label and identity as a strong, independent, Aboriginal female artist. In addition to her singer-songwriter abilities, Laydee Lyrix attributes her incredible sense of rhythm to growing up listening to the beat of her ancestral drum. Laydee Lyrix considers herself a respectful life-long student, learning from the people she meets and the challenges the nonbelievers she encounters. She has an excellent background in vocal, dance, drama, and theatre, continually grabbing the spotlight in performance. Her insatiable appetite for improvement as an all-around artist will serve this young woman well as she matures and continues to craft her musical brand. Contact info:
Kym Ferguson aka Laydee Lyrix
ladylyrix@gmail.com
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think being able to take constructive criticism and overcome the opinion of one particular person in a situation is up there with work ethic. Those two skills will ultimately take you further than you would ever thought you would go. I think the biggest impact comes from my moments of reflection as when I do create from these, it’s where a lot of the play on words come from. With age I tend to think more before I speak so there are songs from my teens that I would just rap without even thinking with what I was saying. Sometimes there were great songs in that. Other times it called for phases of growth to occur and I would be presented with the choice if music was a big importance to my life, the answer is yes I can’t see myself ever working a normal 9-5 job. When I’m not in the booth or traveling, I am a dog walker and run my own business earning money from that and my music.
My advice to people early on in their journey is don’t be afraid to get out there and collaborate, but always strive for full ownership over your copyright and publishing’s, so do lots of solo projects as well. Do take some singing lessons or dance, it will help you with rhythm, performance and style.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was have me growing up around music from a young age. I was singing by 4 and playing the piano by 8, I was in gymnastics, dance and singing all by the age of 12. I continued singing obviously and I do play piano and the violin by ear. My mom always encourages me to try again if at first I don’t succeed, it’s funny often it’s the times nobody expects me to that I do, I suppose I even surprise myself sometimes. I will get a goal in my head and then that’s it we’re doing it, next thing you know I am. I do believe it was my fathers strong push on religion that made me realize I am more spiritual than biblical , I’m more like my mothers indigenous roots. For me it was impactful to see both sides, to decide for myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/laydeelyrix
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laydee.lyrix.965?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: @laydeelyrix
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/laydeelyrix
