MEET LYRIC MICHELLE

Born to Nigerian parents in Chicago and raised in Houston, Lyric Michelle is an upcoming artist that exudes west coast-inspired hip-hop and fashion. However, unlike other southern rappers creates a sound that is all her own by fusing southern charm, a dash of poetry, and a burst of furious lyricism. She began her career in poetry, but as she seamlessly switched from writing prose to spitting bars, music ultimately won her heart.

Lyric made a splash on the Houston music scene in 2011 by covering J. Cole's "Lights Please." However, sharing the stage or after opening shows for the likes of NAO, Jean Grae, Casey Veggies, Joe Budden, Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, and Travis Scott, she quickly garnered a lot of attention and something of a cult following.

Lyric has performed as an authorized A3C and SXSW artist on multiple occasions while being chosen as a Pop Montreal Festival Artist. 2016 saw the release of Lyric Michelle's debut album, "Miss Direction." The Houston Press named her Best Lyricist that year, while the Houston Chronicle named her CD "The Best Album in the City."

For Lyric Michelle, it's not just about the music; she wants to open doors for a new generation of female artists and singers who want to show that they can compete with any man in terms of lyrical prowess. She is currently located in Los Angeles and is continuing to accomplish this while breaking new ground in the LA hip-hop scene and writing new songs for her next album.

During her interview with Vice.com, Lyric shared her background and how she spent her life finding her soul in music. She remembers how she dealt with an abusive partner, lived in her car for a while due to extended family disputes, was briefly expelled from school, and more.

She also shared the background of her song "Directions" and its music video. She shared that the video is about two Houston rappers, Fat Tony and Lyric Michelle, who were raised with the same idea about achieving the American Dream but struggled to understand what it would mean for their generation. The majority of "MissDirection," which relies on Lyric's fiery delivery and Chicago-meets-Houston dialect, is about the quest for individual freedom. It's a terrifying journey that attracts many of Houston's up-and-coming stars, like Kam Franklin of The Suffers, to help tell the story.

She also loves the Rocky movie franchise and ranks the best, analyzing the points where the movies veered off course and became more of an Americana story. Her attitude towards these Rocky movies is telling. She is interested in telling stories rather than joining ciphers and blending in with the male club that has traditionally dominated the Houston rap industry. Not just for women but Nigerian immigrants and women who felt that becoming artists offered a much greater sense of fulfillment than academics.

Ultimately, Lyric Michelle is living a breathing example of how women can flourish in the typically male-dominated American music scene.