We recently had the chance to connect with Lewus and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lewus, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Lately I’ve felt called to go my own way with the music I’ve been making instead of blending in like I have in the past. For a long time, I held back from experimenting because I was afraid people wouldn’t like what I made if it didn’t sound like everyone else. But the more I grow, the more I realize that not sounding like everyone else is the whole point. I’m learning to embrace some new ideas, take some risks and play with new sounds that don’t fit into trends. I’m finally letting myself create from a place of curiosity and authenticity, and it feels like I’m finally becoming the artist I want to be. Making music I genuinely love has been huge too, rather than creating a track that I think others will like. Its been a huge weight off my shoulders to feel like I can be myself when it comes to making my art.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a record producer, DJ and founder of Bad Tenant — a label built for the outsiders and the people who never quite fit the mold. I started creating music in my bedroom, teaching myself everything I could and developing my own approach to production. After years of trying to blend in, I’m now leaning fully into my own sound. As a DJ, I try to bring a mix of creativity, emotion, and unpredictability. I want people to feel something, whether it’s surprise, curiosity or a moment they’ll never forget. I strive to create those moments that feel alive. With Bad Tenant, my mission is to build a community where artists can grow together and make music that actually means something. My goal is bigger than myself. It isn’t about fitting in anymore. It’s about creating a space where being different is the whole point. Everyone is welcome, if you love music, you are invited.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that needs to be released is the version of myself that constantly compared my journey to other artists. For a long time, comparison held me back. It made me feel like I was behind, not good enough or somehow failing because I wasn’t as successful as everyone else. It took a real toll on my creativity, to the point where I sometimes hated making music at all. But comparison isn’t all bad. It taught me what worked for me and what didn’t. Now, I finally feel grounded in my own path and secure in the direction I’m heading. Comparison has its place, but for an artist, it can completely destroy your mindset and kill your creativity. I’ve seen so many artists get stuck because they’re focused on others instead of themselves. You can’t create freely if you’re measuring yourself against someone else, it just doesn’t work. Letting go of that comparison is what’s allowing me to grow into the artist I see myself becoming.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
A hundred times over. It’s never been easy, but it’s not supposed to be. This path is a long constant grind, and there have been moments where I came very close to quitting. When you pour everything into something and see little or no results, it can be incredibly demoralizing. But I love what I do, and I’d still make music even if I never earned a single penny from it. Pushing through is the hard part. Choosing to keep going when every part of you feels like giving up. Those moments don’t hit me as often anymore, but they still show up sometimes. I still question myself and wonder if I’m on the right path and think about whether I’m really doing what I’m meant to do. But every time, I find a reason to keep going.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that everything I released had to be perfect. Like a lot of artists, I’d hold onto a project forever, waiting for that moment when it finally felt perfect, but the truth is, it never will. There will always be something you can tweak or change, and if you keep chasing perfection, you never move forward or make more art. I’ve learned you just have to put your work into the world and see what happens. Most of the time, it’s not the track you think is going to change your life that makes an impact. I’ve had songs I was sure would blow up get almost no attention, and tracks I didn’t think much of end up being the ones people connect with the most. Art is too subjective to hold anything back, and perfection is the quickest way to stop creating altogether.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
What people will probably misunderstand about my legacy is how hard it really was. The sacrifices I made, the time I gave up, and the things I chose to miss so I could get to where I wanted to be. This path is hard, and it’s a long process. I skipped family events, time with friends and nights out because I stayed home learning how to produce or handling the behind-the-scenes work for the label. I don’t think anyone in my life truly understands how difficult it’s been. They only see the final product, which is great, because that’s what people are supposed to see. But the real work happens in the background, in the moments no one else notices or thinks about. That’s the part that’s easy to overlook, but it’s where everything actually happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lewus.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslewus/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lewusmusic
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