We took some time out to chat to hip hop up-and-comer Leegit (aka Lee Lambert) who recently announced the first video from his soon to be released debut album I Am Leegit “Trippn’ With My Shades On” on Smash Box Records. We talk about the video for that track, the upcoming album and more.
You’ve released a string of albums over the past few years; working with others and of course your solo mixtape. What led you to finally produce your debut solo record?
I just felt that the time was right, the reason i went the mixtape path first was cause its a great learning path with great benifits, like you can pick the best beats in the world to rap on, u can learn how the original artist but the song together and then create your own. Now im at a point i feel totally confident in creating my own tracks from scratch.
Where did you record it and tell us a bit about the recording process?
I have my own studio that me and a few of my team have invested in over the years, so the bulk of it was recorded at there. Although a couple of the tracks we produced by the Sutardy brothers and I record at their studio. They’re great producers / artist them selfs so keep an eye out for them also.
How did the premise for the “Trippin With My Shades On” music video come about and who did you work with on it?
They way I write music I generally mood music, and how I feel at the time on any given day, I think the day I was listening to beats I had a massive night the night before & when the beat came on the idea just came to me, got a hook down pretty quick, too me quite a while to get the first verse and the flow down cause its pretty different to any other sound I’ve rapped over before. After that was down the rest poured out. The beat was produced by Castar, he has produced the majority of the album also.
You worked with Castar on the track – how did he get involved and what was it like working with him?
Castar has been the in house producer for me and the midnight militia since we kicked off in 2011. So he is always feeding us beats and if were feeling something we get it started.
Can you talk a bit about what inspired the track lyrically?
I guess we had had a massive year in music in regard to gigs and supporting some massive international acts, sometimes we put so much into our music, and it really feels like you don’t get much in return. But that doesn’t put me off, its a constant hustle & grind just like everything else.
Is the track a good taste of what we can expect from the full length?
Not exactly, I think the track has a lot of truth in it, like the rest of the album so in that sense yes, but I would also say if one track on there was completely different to rest, it would be this one.
The cover for the album, I am Leegit, has taken notable cues from a certain Will Smith film. What brought about that concept?
I loved that movie and the cover and as soon as I saw it I realised that the lettering fit exactly with my name Leegit, i also figure it would make people associate my name with Legend, and who wouldn’t want that.
Is there any end of days themes draped through the record at all? No not at all.
When will the album be dropping? Exact day I’m not sure but it will be this May, so very soon. You can follow me on twitter
www.twitter.com/leegit_smashbox and or www.facebook.com/leegitmusic to stay updated.
You’ve had the opportunity to share the stage with some big names – what have been some of your personal highlights?
Definitely the game at festival hall as he is one of my favourite artist and I love that venue, also myer music bowl, where we shared the stage with d12, Obie Trice, Tech9ne, Kid Cudi and a few more.
Who had the best crowds?
The 2 that I mentioned definitely had the biggest crowds, around 5000+
If there was one artist you could tour with who would it be?
Dead, Tupac, that guy was incredible and still is, alive is a tougher question but probably Eminem cause i went to his concert and that was insane.
What can fans of Leegit expect from your live show?
Energy and fun.
Will we see much of you on the road this year?
I hoping to see plenty of it, i haven’t toured Australia yet and I feel like now is the perfect time to start.
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The debut album ‘I Am Leegit’ coming soon on Smash Box Records…
www.facebook.com/leegitmusic | www.twitter.com/leegit_smashbox | http://instagram.com/leegit_smashbox
