We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Larry Wells a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Larry, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I didn’t always have confidence and good self-esteem. Up until a few years ago I was always insecure and had low self-esteem. I didn’t consider myself attractive, I always compared myself and what I was doing with other people, and I just didn’t feel like I fit in. Growing up I was bullied a lot by the popular kids. I was one of the kids that nobody wanted to sit next too. I remember specifically when I was in middle school my father was visiting me and he saw me and this one other kid sit alone at another table while behind us the rest of my class was sitting together. My father asked why weren’t we sitting with them because there was still room. I told him we weren’t popular like them. Stuff like that was frequent until about 7th grade when I hit my breaking point. A few kids formed a circle around me and started ganging up on me verbally. There was specifically this one kid who was the leader of it. He loved to kick me down and make fun of me every chance he got. It got so bad I ended up shouting at him, crying, and ran away as fast as I could. From that point moving forward I promised I would never let anyone else make me feel so low again. As the years went on I started practicing becoming more confident and upping my self worth. I started going to the gym, started writing what was on my mind and putting it into music, hanging around people that lifted me up, etc. It was a long, but steady process. The more I practice this, the more the confidence and good self-esteem came. I still struggle with it, as do everyone else at times. It’s normal. We are humans. But I’m in a much better place with it now then even 5 years ago.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My real name is Larry, but my artist name is Leccentric. I originally went by another name, but I wanted something that actually sounded like a real name that you’d call someone. My friends actually helped me form it, little do they know. I asked my them what words they would use to describe me. The most common word was eccentric. So, since my name is Larry, I just added an “L” in front of the word and then Leccentric was born.
And I, Leccentric, am just a Floridian rapper who likes to enjoy life. My life is a party and everyone who isn’t with the bull is invited. Everyone involved in my life are here for a good time and a long time. In my music I also allow myself to express how I truly feel. When I’m in the studio I am unfiltered. I say what I want and what others may be thinking, but don’t say it due to being afraid to speak up or don’t feel comfortable speaking up. So I also consider myself a voice for those who haven’t discovered theirs yet. And I take that seriously because growing up I didn’t find my voice until I hit a breaking point due to bullying. I got disrespected and walked all over a ton and nothing helped stop it, not even the adult figures sadly. The only thing that helped was when I found my voice and started using it. Being able to create music that express how others feel, but also allowing them to escape their reality and have a good time is what I am most proud of.
Right now I am collaborating with other music artists and producers in my area which is so exciting. I recently was involved in a jam session with another producer and within less than 2 hours we were able to create a song from scratch. After the session we realized we really loved the song and, who knows, maybe the public will be able to hear it!
Something I’m excited to announce is that I released a new song of mine called “Bad B*tch”. It’s one of those songs that you would hear in the club and dance to with your friends. It resembles a time in club culture before everyone cared about getting a section. Everyone was there to have a good time with their friend, their lover, a stranger, etc. It makes you forget about the real world for a second.
Aside from being a creative, I also treat my career like a business. I am currently adding people to my email list and the list is growing immediately everyday. And along with the list, I am also looking for investors who would love to be a part of the Leccentric music journey and experience.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Working on my craft. It has been 10 years and I am still working on my craft. It never stops. I’m always pushing myself to push myself lyrically, sonically, etc. I want my songs and my lyrics to stick. I don’t want it to just be something people listen to once and then call it a day. And I definitely don’t want to be on the lower tier in my space. I want to be remembered. I want to be at the top.
2. collaborating with other people in your community who have the same goals as me. This is very important. I collaborated with a producer in my area named JDUBB. I met him at a mock studio session at Saltmine (shout out to them). We have similar goes and want the same outcome, to be involved in mainstream and work with the top people. People really underestimate what can happen when you collaborate with people in your area. You can come up with some wonderful art. You’ll be challenged which is a great thing if you want to be an artist. Also, they can introduce their network to you and vice versa.
3. Being consistent. This is something that goes beyond music. Always showing up, clocking in, and being consistent. I had a bad habit with this, not going to lie. I would always stop music for whatever period of time because of dumb things: I thought I could be better in something else, I didn’t think I was good enough, I thought it wasn’t realistic, all the excuses. But at the end of the day, if you are consistent then ultimately you will grow. And even if you don’t see it, others do. And you will need to want it. Not just want it like you want new clothes or a certain food. But want it like you have nothing else to depend on if it doesn’t work.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I do a mix of things. Sometimes I read books to help me learn certain skills and lessons that I can apply in real life. I only read books that, once I learn something in it, I can put it down and immediately use it. I like practical. Not theoretical. I also listen to some interviews by music artists I look up to. I love listening to their stories. You can learn a lot by someone’s story. Depending on the artist, I compare what I’m going through with them and think to myself “Jesus they had it worse than me and they still made it and are making it, so what’s my excuse”. I end the interview knowing more and feeling inspired each and every time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imleccentric
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leccentric
Email List Signup: https://mailchi.mp/8fa9f63309c9/leccentrics-guest-list
Image Credits
Reinhardt Kenneth
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