Lyricist / Top Line Songwriter

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting to make songs for great artists and singers. I hate it when I hear and artist with a beautiful voice, but the songs that were written for them don't do them justice or when I hear great music/production but the lyrics don't match.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Know yourself. Know your influences and why they inspire you. Also, know your limits. Sometimes you may think you want to sing about something deeply personal (like a break up) but you're not actually ready to talk about it. If you can't be open about a topic to the lyricist you hire, then it will be hard for them to do your emotions justice when they try to write for you.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: The most common question I get is: What if I don't have a beat chosen yet? What if I have a few beats that I can't decide from? DON'T let that stop you from working with a lyricist. If you and I can pick the beat together or if you let me choose from your catalog, that's even better than you giving me only one option. I can tell you which beat is better for your creative goals or I can just pick the beat that is going to be the best to write to / the catchiest. All that I ask is that you give me 4 options max.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That writing lyrics is just rhyming or putting a poem to music. That's not how good music works. A good lyricist lets the music direct the words. I follow the vibe you set. I rely on your perspective and I channel your influences more than my own. It requires a selflessness that not a lot of people are comfortable with. You truly have to find a writer that is passionate about lyricism and not just getting their own words out there.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask that my clients provide me with 1-2 artists that inspire them or 3-4 songs/vibes they want me to pull from. If a client is asking me to write about something personal to them, then we have to talk. Then I will ask them for as much information about the situation that they are comfortable sharing.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: 2 pens and 3 binders full of paper.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've written songs my entire life, literally. I've been a lyricist specifically for over 8 years.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If lyrics aren't coming to you, sometimes you need to step away for a minute. People can tell when the lyrics in a song are forced and rushed. Just because the music comes to you one day, doesn't mean that the lyrics will come at the same time, and vice versa. Also, just because you made/found a fire beat doesn't mean you will always know what to do with it instantly. Too many people rush to finish a song, good art often takes time and collaboration.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I usually work on hip-hop, r&b, and pop music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Writing from different points of view. I am an extremely open-minded person which makes me able to understand and write from different perspectives. I get people and I get emotions, that is what makes my work great.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a lot to a song, but the most important thing is great ideas. I am inspired by good music period. I take time to come up with lyrics that will fit your vibe and creative goals.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually ask that my clients provide me with 1-2 artists that inspire them or 3-4 songs/vibes they want me to pull from. When I'm writing a top-line, I listen to the beat/music you provide over and over again to create a melody that works best for the vibe you are trying to create. For lyrics: If I am writing all the lyrics to your song, I usually stop once I come up with either a concept, the chorus, or a verse to make sure you're okay with direction I am taking. If a client doesn't like my initial idea then I will change course once for free (this doesn't count as your revision). If I'm completing a song or verse for you, I like to write lyrics that are inspired by the work you've already done or the flow you have already. If you have work that is previously recorded, please let me know so that I can match your vibe and make sure the lyrics sound authentic/like something you would say.