PREMIERE: Lucius∴ - UNSGND 333STYLE (Official Video) + 10 Questions

13 April 2022 – Marks a key date for ‘Lucius∴’ as his first release for 2022 and third single release as an independent artist. The track ‘UNSGND 333STLYE’ is yet again a self-produced title from the artist and is available on all major streaming platforms, dropping alongside a debut music video for the artist on YouTube.

The approach to the creation of this track adheres to what ‘Lucius∴’ knows he can do with confidence and uses this to play towards his strengths as a rap artist, lyricist, and producer. Having previously produced the instrumental back in 2020 and with no initial intention for use in his own arsenal of material, he then returned to writing and arranging the finished track in the summer of 2021. Having performed this rendition of the title in several live performances since, and to the acclaim of fans and audiences, ‘Lucius∴’ felt enough self-assurance within the track to finish a professional vocal recording at The Digital Holdings studios in London, towards the end of 2021.

The altered spelling of the word ‘freestyle’ within the title is intended to draw attention to the fact that this new release is an ode to the original definition within rap music - as a track free of style, moreover highlighting that it has no hook, chorus or definitive popular music structure, that being more apparent in his two previous releases: ‘WORK’ and ‘Pattern Up’. The track pairs an alternative style of futuristic timbre with a more traditional 'Boombap' style backdrop and accompanying beat and serves as a platform to showcase the artist’s ability in lyricism, flow and wordplay as a writer. The fierce and emotional nature of the lyrics details the artist's frustration with the music industry as being an independent artist.

Lucius∴ sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I’ve been involved in music for as long as I can remember. I started taking drum lessons way back when I was still in lower school, at about the age of 7 and began to learn to play a variety of other instruments, such as the guitar for the next 10 years. Taking me into my teenage years I was more into the alternative scene – the heavier stuff like rock, punk and metal. I was in a couple bands, acting as frontman during this time and we played all around my local circuit in Bedfordshire, Herts and Bucks. It was only when I started to get really into music production during my 20s that I had a new appreciation for all genres of music, especially rap and hip-hop, which is what pushed me to start making beats and really make headway with writing my own material to the stuff I was producing. I think the whole process of creating something from nothing is what made me realise how much music meant more to me than anything else.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I really rate the London rap scene and the movements a lot the artists are making right now coming out of there. Artists like Sam Wise and Knucks are huge inspirations to me - and not only to my sound – but also for the amount of engagement they are creating for the scene outside of the UK to the wider world. To be able to work with one of them, or even for them to recognise me as an artist would be dope.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

Well the premiere of my latest single ‘UNSGND 333STYLE’ drops today, which you can check out following this interview! It drops with my first visual that I’ve released as Lucius∴ which I’m super hyped about, it’s refreshing to have my image at the forefront of the music for this drop. Moving forward this year, I have another three single releases planned over the coming spring and summer months along with at least one other music video to go with one of the drops! They all fit into different genres too, one Lo-Fi house, one UK Garage and the last being more Trappy. I can’t give you any specific dates yet, just be sure that its all happening sooner rather than later!

4. How would you describe your sound?

I often try not to box myself in, as I like to bounce around from genre to genre within the space of rap and MC’ing. However, someone has once described my sound as ‘gritty, raw, cohesive - yet creatively unbound, and inherently British in the best way’, which I can get behind.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I think I’ve still got a long path ahead of me as Lucius∴, having only released three singles to date and performed around four to five live shows since I made my debut last year. However, it has been super self-assuring to have my music played on air by both BBC Introducing and Platform B radio.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I think my strongest advice would be to really believe in yourself and love the music your making first and foremost. If you aren't feeling it how is anyone else meant to vibe with it? Apart from that just stay consistent and keep creating, you’re always going to improve and make something that's better than what you made yesterday if you keep mastering your craft.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I got to shamelessly plug my own crew here...I also create and put out music with 3 of my day ones and we go by the ‘Sakawah Boys’. We’ve put out a couple projects in the past but recently are having a re-brand and overhaul of our material, moving towards the UK Garage genre. It’s all scheduled to blow this year and there will be some releases from us very soon - so find us on socials at ‘sakawah_boys’. Other than that, if you haven't checked him out already, I’d be watching man like ‘Kish!’ closely – his flow and vibe is on a different level.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

It's a bit of a wild mismatch really and I’m listening to a lot of new and old. Yeat’s albums ‘2 Alivë’ and ‘Up 2 Më’ have been on heavy rotation for me recently, I think his music is super interesting. However, saying that – when the auto tune gets a bit too much I find myself going back to classics like ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’’ from 50.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

To be honest, I’m a bit of a recluse during the week when I’m not producing or writing. I spend a lot of time watching live streams on Twitch when I’m just relaxing between music and work.

When the weathers nice enough I try get out and Skateboard down at my local park, other than that I’m between home (Luton) and London seeing friends and trying to keep social.

10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?

When I’m at the HQ home studio set up - producing or mixing, I usually need to rock with a nice cup of hot Chai Tea. When I’m at the Studio in London tracking vocals with my engineer Kuba Hus, I always got that bottled H20 on me. Other than that I always need my MacBook as I’m mostly self-produced in terms of my beats, I only outsource other beats from producers that I really vibe with. So overall, nothing too crazy to be honest!