Lyrical A.J. is getting ready to release the Official Video for his up tempo and horn filled song Ride (To Chipotle) off of his debut Indie album Cinematic 0.5: The Pursuit of Happiness which is available now on I-Tunes & Amazon. Just as interesting as the song title is, so are the looks of the video based off this Official Intro Video he has released to keep the anticipation. The official video is set to post on his birthday September 21st. Here’s the teaser… be sure to check out the short interview below.MTM: Where are you from and what inspired you to get in the game?
L A J: I am from Indianapolis, IN. Before I began rapping I wrote poetry, but it always rhymed. I was actually winning awards for my poetry at a young age, but I never thought to put the two together. Until around 11 or 12 my two older cousin’s who produced and rapped at the time told me I should try rapping. They literally sat me down and made me write a rhyme to a beat they made. It actually turned out pretty good, we recorded it through a little boombox on tape player at the time. I had so much fun doing, I’ve never stopped since.
MTM: What was the coolest part of making your album “Cinematic 0.5”?
L A J: The coolest part was that this time I got to record everything in house, so I didn’t have to worry about a strict time block with my creation. So I could take my time, go back and make edits, and get more of the other artists on my project’s inputs. I worked with the executive producer Nick (The Quick) Dean on majority of the beats of the project so I could direct and alter the tracks in a more intimate way. It’s definitely a better more fun experience when you personally know the producer and record the track with them and really collab on the records.
Overall it was fun process cause all of this started in my head and is now an album you can hold and digest sonically. It’s wonderful.
MTM: Is there a theme or message you are trying to get across in this record?
L A J: Most definitely. I’m starting a series of “Cinematic” projects and this was the kick starter for that. Which is why it’s titled “0.5”. But Cinematic stands for someone having a vision for themselves and where they want to be in life, then taking action to make their vision come to life in a big way. The same way a director of a movie has a vision and then gets actors to take action to act out his or her vision to bring it to life on a big screen for all to see and react to. That’s what being Cinematic is all about.
The Pursuit of Happiness specifically I wanted the listener to think internally and decide or confirm what it is they really want for themselves. What are they doing all this for? Once you know why you’re doing the things you’re doing everything makes sense from there pursuing your happiness.
MTM: You’ve been doing a lot of videos lately. Have you learned anything you’d like to pass on?
L A J: I’m learning persistence is key. And make sure what you’re putting out is quality work. I’ve definitely took the quality over quantity route and I’ve been respected for that. I’d say really know what you want yourself to be perceived as and define that before other define it for you.
MTM: Are you touring? Where can folks catch you next?
L A J: I have been doing a few shows a month consistently. My next major show I’m putting a lot of preparation for is my Cinematic Life Special event in Atlanta at the SESAC Headquarters Oct. 24th. It will be performing majority of my album for the first time. It will be a live show, streamed live and recorded. I’m very excited about this one. I may also be making appearances on Morehouse College Campus in early October at their Jazzman’s Cafe as well as the A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta in the first week of October, but things have to be confirmed.
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