Songwriter, DJ, Producer +more

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: One project I am especially proud of is my contribution to Phife Dawg’s Forever album. Phife Dawg is a legendary member of A Tribe Called Quest, and after his passing, his collaborator Rasta Root invited me to be part of the project. I worked from a reference track containing Phife’s vocals and added harmonies, melodies, and spoken dialogue in a way that made it feel as though we were creating the song together in the same room. The experience was deeply meaningful both personally and creatively, and the response confirmed that my contributions helped bring the track to life. My role on the project was feature lyricist and vocalist.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on two music projects alongside ongoing creative and educational work. The first is a new band project with music set to be revealed in January, followed by a single rollout through the spring. This marks my first time being part of a group rather than leading with a backing band, which has been an exciting creative shift. I am also developing a duo project with my collaborator Ian Wallace, with two releases already out and more music planned toward a full project in the summer. In addition, I am building a content series centered on fashion and music culture with DJs, drummers, and engineers, while continuing my work in education through panels, mentorship, and community engagement.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: No at the moment yet.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because it is the environment I learned and developed in as a producer. Working primarily on a laptop with tools like Logic and Reason shaped my workflow and creative instincts. Digital allows me to move quickly, stay flexible, and translate ideas efficiently from concept to execution. While I appreciate analog gear, digital tools remain central to how I create and refine music.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I promise professionalism, clear communication, and excellence at every stage of the process. I am punctual and intentional about setting milestones so projects stay aligned from start to finish, not just from a single conversation to a final deliverable. Clients can expect organized, clearly labeled files and a smooth, reliable workflow. Most importantly, I bring the same level of care, skill, and artistry to every project, delivering Lyric Jones vocals, songwriting, and creative expertise with the same quality and intention regardless of platform.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I love most about my job is how music resonates with people and the feedback that comes from that connection. I remember the feeling of hearing my favorite artists for the first time across many genres, the chills, the butterflies, and the inspiration to create. My work is driven by the desire to offer that same feeling to others. When someone shares that my music or contribution moved them or made an impact, it reinforces why I do this and keeps me motivated to continue creating.

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

A: Clients most commonly ask about my background and past collaborations. My response is always grounded in transparency and real experience rather than surface level credits. I share what the process was actually like, what I learned from each collaboration, and how those experiences shaped my approach to music. I aim to be informative and honest, offering insight into both the creative and practical realities of the work. While this platform is newer for me, I am often sought out because people are already familiar with my skill set and perspective, which allows conversations to begin from a place of trust and understanding.

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

A: The biggest misconception about what I do is that because I am well connected and have been working in music for a long time, people assume I have already made it or have everything figured out. Social media often only shows highlights, which can blur the reality that artists at every level are still growing, learning, and collaborating. Even with accolades, performances with legends, and work alongside Grammy Award winning artists, I am still very much an active part of the creative community. Another common misconception is being placed in a box based on how someone first encounters me. If people discover me as a DJ, they are often surprised that I also rap and sing, and if they meet me as a singer, they are surprised by my lyricism. My work spans multiple roles and disciplines, and that range is core to who I am as an artist.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to start by understanding what the client is working on, whether it is a single song, a full project, a school assignment, a work for hire request, or something created purely for fun. I ask why they chose SoundBetter as a resource and what they hope to achieve through the collaboration. Understanding the end goal is important, including whether the music is for practice, private use, or public release on platforms like YouTube or streaming services. I also clarify expectations around credits, such as whether my role is featured, behind the scenes, or ghostwriting. These questions help define the scope, intent, and direction of the project from the start.

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

A: If you are looking to hire a provider like me, clarity around your needs will help us get the best results. I can step in as a vocal collaborator adding texture, harmony, chants, and toplines, or provide character driven vocal and voiceover performances for animation and sync projects. I also offer lyric revision and refinement, especially helpful for artists whose first language is not English, ensuring clarity, flow, and strong storytelling. In addition, I provide thoughtful critique and consulting on existing music and catalogs. If you are seeking an experienced, active artist with a wide skill set, strong musical intuition, and a collaborative approach, I bring both creative range and industry insight to every project.

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

A: If I were on a desert island and could only bring five pieces of gear, I would choose my Roland SPD SX Pro, my laptop, a power generator, an audio interface, and a microphone. With those tools, I could create, record, and perform anywhere without limitation.

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

A: My career path has evolved into leadership, education, and creative consulting. As a multi hyphenate, my focus has shifted from chasing visibility or traditional markers of success toward building meaningful impact. Music remains central to my work, but it also serves as a tool for mentorship, education, and community building. I see my path expanding into hosting retreats, writing camps, and educational programs, supporting grants and initiatives, participating in panels, and serving as a trusted voice in music knowledge and artist development. My goal is to help others grow creatively and sustainably while contributing lasting value to the culture.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style blends the spirit of Erykah Badu, Nas, Grace Jones, and Robin S rooted energy into a sound that is both grounded and elevated. I balance around the way authenticity with high fashion sensibility and eclectic taste. My foundation is deeply rooted in soul, gospel, and 90s hip hop storytelling, which gives my work warmth, intention, and lyrical depth. Sonically, I sit at the intersection of soulful house and hip hop, where groove driven dance music carries the dust and feeling of boom bap and neo soul. This fusion has become a signature sound that feels classic, forward, and unmistakably my own.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Two artists I would love to work with are Anderson Paak and Kendrick Lamar. Anderson Paak resonates with me because of his versatility as a drummer, singer, and rapper, and his ability to move seamlessly across styles while remaining unmistakably himself. That range closely mirrors my own artistic journey. Kendrick Lamar inspires me as a writer and emcee, and I believe his depth, creative scope, and approach to production would challenge me to tap further into my lyrical instincts and storytelling in a meaningful way.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The more organized your workspace is, the more productive your creative process will be. Create templates for your sessions and save presets you know you will return to. Keep your drums, sound packs, and instruments clearly organized and easy to access. Label tracks, buses, and routing in advance so you can focus on making music instead of searching for sounds. A well prepared template for elements like keys, bass, drums, and samples removes friction and allows ideas to flow faster.

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

A: I primarily work on house, dance, soulful house, pop, and disco music. While my recent focus leans toward groove driven and dance forward projects, I also have deep experience in hip hop, rap, underground hip hop, and boom bap. Those styles are not my primary focus at the moment, but they remain a strong part of my skill set and musical foundation.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is songwriting. I excel at structuring lyrics, crafting rhyme patterns, and telling clear, compelling stories, informed by my experience as both a rapper and a singer. Performance is a natural extension of that skill, allowing the writing to fully translate emotionally. I am also highly skilled in arranging vocals and shaping full songs, with a strong instinct for dynamics, structure, and how ideas should unfold from initial concept to finished form.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a distinctive tone and creative seasoning that is immediately identifiable and tailored to each project. My background across multiple genres allows me to approach music with depth, versatility, and strong musical intuition. I bring curiosity and playfulness into the process, remaining open to experimentation and new ideas rather than relying only on what is familiar. This openness often leads to unexpected moments that elevate the work. Above all, I bring a well rounded musical perspective, strong taste, and a collaborative spirit focused on serving the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My work process is flexible and adapts to each project, which allows me to stay creative and responsive. I primarily work in two modes, collaborating in the studio and creating independently at home. When working at home, I live with the production in everyday life, allowing melodies and ideas to surface naturally before recording vocal scats, harmonies, and phrases until lyrics take shape. I use repeatable creative exercises to draw from real life experiences and emotion. In collaborative studio settings, I operate with a producer mindset, shaping arrangements, guiding melodic direction, and developing sound and feel across vocals and instruments. Once vocals are recorded, I organize sessions using presets and routing, then deliver labeled stems to my engineer for refinement.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is intermediate and intentionally stripped down for efficiency and creativity. I work from an M1 MacBook Pro with Yamaha studio monitors and record vocals using a Warm Audio WA 47 Jr microphone through a Universal Audio Volt 2 interface. For music creation and performance, I use the Serato Sample pad, the Roland SPD SX Pro, and the Delia synthesizer from Melbourne Instruments. For vocal processing and performance, I use the TC Helicon VoiceLive Touch 2. My home DJ setup includes a Pioneer DDJ SB3 controller, with Audio Technica headphones for monitoring.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: My musical inspirations span production, songwriting, and groove driven artistry. In production, I am inspired by Pharrell, Raphael Saadiq, Kaidi Tatham of Bugz in the Attic, Terry Hunter, D Mile, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Touch of Jazz movement, and Louie Vega. Artistically and sonically, I draw deep influence from D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, whose approach to feel, storytelling, and musicality continues to shape my work.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I specialize in song critiquing and creative consulting, offering clear, professional feedback on songwriting, arrangement, vocal performance, production, and mix direction. Clients trust me to help refine their sound while honoring their artistic vision. I also provide vocal services including lead vocals, background vocals, and voiceover work for animation and sync projects across hip hop, R and B, soul, house, dance, and disco. In addition, I support artist development by helping artists shape their identity, story, and rollout through music, visuals, and content strategy.