When Brooklynites link up, you know the result is going to be fire. Luckily, I had the opportunity to witness the ignition. On a summer Saturday, I headed to the Grand Staff Studios for what was advertised as a listening party, but turned in to an intimate turn up. How could it not when LFS Music and Lyrikal are in the building?
If you’ve been reading dyschick.com, you know that I’ve been telling you to pay attention to the talent coming out of Brooklyn. Artistes like One Voice, Mr. Legz, and Motto have all been on an upward trajectory for years. Now, Brooklyn can claim yet another group of talented artistes: LFS Music.
Photo cred: LFS Music
From the moment they appeared at Lyrikal’s Hurricane relief concert in 2017, I’ve been a fan. They create not only “feel good” music but music that uplifts. Their debut single, “No Weapon” is still in rotation while other groovy tunes are losing their luster. (Hi.) The chorus, “Pure heart we doh ‘fraid no weapon. And we don’t run away from no weapon!” still has socaholics chanting out the lyrics of resilience and faith.
The tune thrust the group into the spotlight as they proved that groovy soca does not have to be strictly jam and wine. It also showcased the vocal range of the two lead singers - and brothers - Nkosi & Jabari Blackburne. We were also introduced to drummer Kiddo (man, I hope I spelled that right), Whixxkid on beats, and DJ Toonkie who you might know from his radio show on Teamsoca.com. Throughout 2018, LFS was booked to perform on countless stages in Trinidad, Toronto, Bermuda, and even Hot97’s “On the Reggae & Soca Tip.”
Their follow up single, “Ándele” is not even cold yet and they are back in the lab creating new music for 2019.
For their latest endeavor, they enlisted Brooklyn’s Soca King, Devon “Lyrikal” Martin, with whom they wrote the hit “Cloud 9.” Although in the midst of promoting his recently-released sophomore album “All or Nothing,” Lyrikal could not resist the vibes of the song and was eager to once again team up with LFS.
Photo credit: Lyrikal.com
The new track “Issa Blessing” conveys the freedom and joy that is soca. Lyrikal’s raspy vocals add a harder edge to the brothers’ smooth singing voices. He also supplies the Carnival mode lyrics. “Mi cup is always full of rum and I always have a gyal around, so mi party mode is always on!” The song was mixed and arranged by fellow Brooklynites GBM Nutron and K Quick and produced by Trinidad’s Optimus Productions TT. I would be remiss if I did not shout out Queens videographers Drestapha and Wendell Allen who created the video.
Whether or not you believe the song is a banger (and I do), it certainly gives validity to their motto “Loyalty + Focus = Success.” By working with those who have supported them from inception and staying focused on creating music with strong lyrical content (pun definitely intended), there is no way this talented group can fail.
Take a listen to your new favorite song and drop a comment below.
