Interview with LightBorn
07.28.07
In this interview, LightBorn speaks on the release of his second solo album, titled “The Psychology of Fire”. LightBorn provides candid and thoughtful discussion of his latest release, giving his fans and readers a glimpse into the mind of one of the most cutting edge and up and coming artists that we have heard in recent times. Fans and readers alike will find that LightBorn reveals just why so many people are taking him seriously as a powerful force in the modern Hip-Hop movement, transcending the East Coast - West Coast thing, and in fact erasing all borders and styles as he delivers a gripping new genre that he calls “Soul Force Hip-Hop”.
CS: Before we begin, I want to thank you for the opportunity to do this interview on the highly anticipated album “The Psychology of Fire”. So how is everything?
LB: Everything is lovely. I feel real blessed and I am syked about this release.
CS: Now before I ask you about the new album, I’ve got to get some background info for the fans. Can you tell me how you decided upon the stage name “LightBorn”, and what is Soul Force Hip-Hop?
LB: Well when I was a kid, way before the hip hop blew up, I used the name “Shamrock Prince” That kind of shows the time frame I guess. I was an Irish dude and there were not a lot of us rhyming. Back then I did freestyles and kind of rhymed about dumb stuff like jokes and things like that. My goal was to make dudes laugh with my freestyle "by any means necessary”, and that is what I did. My written poetry on the other hand was real deep, and as I got better and more serious and grew in my walk with The Lord, I changed it to “Lightborn”. The name is a reflection of Rebirth and faith in Christ. It was natural for me to have that name, it just made sense so it just kind of came to me. The “Soul Force” I just made up one day, same thing, I felt my rhymes were spiritual and esoteric and a lot different then what other people were saying. I was trying to go deep into the heavy mental with my words. There are a lot of sub genres, even in underground hip hop. I don’t think I fit into any of those categories so made up my own term.
CS: How long did it take for you to complete this new album, your full length sophomore joint, from conception to finish?
LB: Well it took a minute, but I am really glad I waited and was patient. It was supposed to be called “Battle Angel” but I changed the title two months before the release date. Basically I started writing soon after “Angel of Def”, but was doing side projects like Ghouls Against Boys, which is songs from my horror punk Misfits roots as a kid mixed with electro beats. That was fun, plus I did some DJ Battles and studio cuts, but about 2 and a half years of writing and the last year it is safe to say I was straight obsessive about the release. I actually have to shout out to this cat Slim DSM from The Boogie Down who told me after he heard the promo EP not to rush it but come with my “A” game. He said people would be expecting this to be dope and I felt he was right, so I changed up a few things. I pride myself in being a lyricist, so a few months tacked on plus a slight concept change to the album I think were well worth it.
CS: I know that every artist has a story about the blood, sweat and tears associated with the creating of an album. Can you speak on some of the struggles involved that you faced in bringing this project to fruition?
LB: Well like I said, I can be obsessive as an artist, especially with lyrics. I re wrote some tracks like thirty times, no lie. I don’t mean typed and changed, but rewrote by hand, if I didn’t like one word or letter I would start the whole thing over. Straight word my hands started really hurting after a while. Same thing with the cover, I must have drawn and painted about twenty pieces before I thought that the one I used fit perfect. I mean I could be at a party for three hours and ignoring people by accident, just redoing lyrics and beats in my head. I can agonize over a beat being 104 bpm or 103 for weeks. Combine all this with 21 tracks and it is a long haul, mentally and emotionally exhausting. Then last minute I couldn’t get a couple movie sample clearances in time, which were real minor, but it meant I had to remix the tracks. Overall I am glad all I went through. I never worked so hard on anything in my life and I never been so proud of anything I’ve done like “The Psychology of Fire.”
CS: I’ve been dying to ask you, how did you come up with the unique concept for this album, and can you explain to your fans, exactly what is “The Psychology of Fire?”
LB: I was with my dad in a bookstore, and I saw a book on Psychology. Like I said, I had these songs embedded in my head and existence, it said like “The Psychology of Man” or something and I for some reason just thought “The Psychology of Fire.” It fits and make sense on several levels. A lot of my themes and concepts speak of transcending darkness and receiving The Light. Fire has symbolic metaphoric and spiritual power pertaining to metamorphosis and rebirth. Fire represents dynamic change. I feel that you have to let the fire within just burn the darkness, destroy certain things so that you can grow and move on. I like fire and it’s symbolism. Destruction and Creation, Death and Life, Night and Day, Fear and Hope. Purity. The rising from the ashes. The Phoenix.
CS: How would you best describe the vibe of this album, and how is it different from your last full length album “Angel of Def?”
LB: I ain’t going to lie, I was really, really surprised that so many heads took to the “Angel of Def”. I feel blessed that it went over well with so many hip hop heads and people who I really wouldn’t expect to feel it. It was a brave release. You can’t say another album sounds like that. The vibe I guess was dark, but hopeful, and I really like how the lyrics have held up. A lot of those songs when I was creating the beats had live performances in mind. The thing looking back was that some of the songs are mad long, like one is like six and a half minutes. That is like a heavy metal epic song. “Angel of Def” helped me realize certain things about myself as a poet and artist, and was very personal and introspective. This new album is introspective but also allows people in a little bit more. It is like I am learning to share the ideas more. I also think I’ve grown in song structure and as a lyricist.
CS: The mood of this album is dark, with bright lyricism. Is there anything people might want to know about what you were trying to express with this album?
LB: Well in that sense it is similar to what I guess 2 albums deep is a signature style that is developing. I am saying basically that you need to find God and glorify Him in all things. For me the Foundation, The Center, The Goal, The Fulfillment, is the high truth that Jesus is Lord. There is a lot of darkness and pain in this world, so His children have to be strong and be a light. I am trying to be a light. If it weren’t for God’s Gift of His Son there would be no one on earth more full of venom than me. I am filled with jealousy and hateful vengeance that could split the world in half. I have been hurt by this world. So if The Lord could take an angry, hurt little boy like me and bring forth a divine declaration then let me shine the wisdom of the oracle. People talk too much and bury themselves in nonsense and harmful words, if I speak at all I am trying to help and heal with words. That is all it is. I am trying to say something positive but you may have to look deeply to realize what I am proclaiming. That is why a lot of street heads relate to the shared experiences. If you look, listen deeply to what I am saying, you will find passion and love and truth and feel the spark that I feel.
CS: Your new album features the likes of Hip-Hop heavyweights Killah Priest of the Wu-Tang Clan and Philly Legend Maylay Sparks. How was it to work with these guys?
LB: First off it was surreal because if you know me then you know Killah Priest is my favorite MC ever, so take that into account. That kind of says it all. It was amazing working with my favorite artist beyond words. Even more so because he really digs my style and lyrics and is encouraging me. We are talking about a legend, someone in the Wu Tang who has worked with KRS, RZA, Method, Nas is on his new album, he is known and respected worldwide. We are boys now. Yeah working with Priest is a highlight in my life. If Priest is my favorite MC, let’s see then you got Chuck D, KRS, Kool Keith, Large Professor, and then Maylay Sparks. Maylay was in Rasheed and iLL Advised and is loved throughout the world for his rhyme game. He is a ridiculous talent and one of the nicest people I ever met. We are both from Philly so it was great to work with him because he isn’t home all the time now, he is doing things overseas in Europe, but right there, not only do you got 2 legends, but they killed it for me and the songs they did are vicious.
CS: Who have been some of your main influences, sources of inspiration, and why?
LB: Jesus is My Lord, He is the Sun of Inspiration for me. My family in whom I receive His presence are inspiration as well. I could not have been blessed with a more loyal and loving family, my wife, mom, dad, brothers, and some close friends who are like brothers. Artistically I am influenced by vision, truth, and passion. Many various innovators. The collagist Romare Bearden, Stanley Kubrick, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, Edgar Cayce, Dario Argento, Miles Davis, Jim Croce, Sensefield, Freddy Mercury, Kool Keith, Killah Priest, RZA, Johnny Cash, HP Lovecraft, Ravi Shankar, Bad Brains, Stevie Wonder. I consider the Buddhist monk and author Thich Nhat Hanh a teacher and mentor. I like a Japanese director Takeshi Kitano whose films have that theme of the duality of man that I often represent in my lyrics. I like that which is dark and beautiful in art because I often think it is more honest. A Christian label wouldn’t probably work with me because I may talk about ripping the head off a devil and drinking it’s blood to get drunk, another label may think I am too “religious” in my approach, so I am proud to be an original artist, and whatever things inspire me kind of flow through a prism. You often won’t find that, a lot of times, probably especially in hip hop right now, you know exactly what or who inspires an MC because it is more of some one else’s style or a fashion statement then it is their own vision. I combine a lot of different themes and influences with my own urban and spiritual experiences. I write poetry all the time too, so that helps my overall daily awareness. I am very interested in the correlation of all the world’s faiths. I think this is the path to peace.
CS: I noticed that you give shout outs to the late Jimmy McShea on this album and you also dedicated you freshman joint to him. May I respectfully ask who this man was and how he has influenced and inspired you?
LB: He was my grandfather on my father’s side. He taught me to live and smile and had the purest, most genuine affection for me possible. I consider him my “Anam Cara”, the Celtic “Soul Friend” who passed the title on to my wife when he died. He was one of the greatest men to ever live.
CS: How have the people you know (aside from your family), responded to your recent success as a Hip-Hop artist?
LB: It is very fulfilling when I hear positive feedback or hear about someone knowing someone else who likes the music or got the album. People have mostly been very supportive, but I think that underground hip hop has an audience but a limit to its exposure. The style of hip hop and lyrics I shine aren’t radio songs, but mostly, people with passion and intelligence like what they hear. Hip hop is often a fashion show, and I don’t really mess with that part of the game. I ain’t getting stopped in the street by fans, but I can do a spoken word accapella opening for Reef in a rowdy West Philly crowd of 4oo hardcore hip hop heads and I still get love. I will tell you, I am supremely touched and honored by all the love I get for these songs.
CS: How did your album release party go and how did it feel to finally celebrate the divine arrival of the new album?
LB: Hahaaaa. Yeah it went well, it was at Grape Street, my favorite Philly spot because of the quality sound. It was a cool time, but there should have been like 200 more people there in my opinion. The real heads who came out got an ill show, and it was very refreshing to finally get the work out there.
CS: Many people know you are from Philly, but what they may not know is that you rep an area that you refer to as Green Hell. Can you describe this place and what it was like to grow up there?
LB: Well I am from Overbrook originally, which is part of West Philly. Green Hell is a vile stretch of land that borders Overbrook and Upper Darby, I moved there later on, but I always lived in either Overbrook or the section of Upper Darby that bordered some part of West Philly. The Green Hell was called that because it used to be a IRA Irish hide out neighborhood supposedly with some very angry Irish residents, but when I live there it was mixed Irish and African American. Regardless of the ethnic make up, it was a dirty place that was hard for people to get in and out of due to traffic geography and was dangerous. I am talking people with guns and drugs right out in the open. I never was a street type dude, I won’t lie and say I was to come off hard, even if I was born into that element. I always worked and had interests and played sports and had loving family, so I stayed straight, but living there and knowing some people and seeing some things really can effect your perception of the urban climate.
CS: Can you speak on the making of Battle Plans EP?
LB: I wanted a promotional piece to give out. It was cool, I really like the track “Chaos Velocity”. My boy Kevin Killen said give ‘em something different on the EP, like unreleased tracks, so that is what I did with a couple songs. I was itching to release something new, and I am glad I put it out, but it was supposed to be a promo for the album, and by the time the album was done I feel it was a separate entity.
CS: It’s no secret that you have many musical talents aside from being an emcee. Can you tell us a little bit about your other projects?
LB: I work with a lot of talented people, especially from Philly. Philly is a dark place right now so it is good that many people are expressing themselves through art. I play four instruments besides the tables. Hip hop wise I have formed an esoteric collective of some close friends that rhyme called “Heliopolis” which means “City of the Sun.” My boy Javelin, Spiral, and my brother Earth AD are in that already. That cat Savage Sun will appear on it. Also I got a loyal partner out in San Fransisco by way of Philly named HMD who is a creative producer and one of my best people, and we are branching out into something called “Space Jazz” which will have a chill jazzy type trip hop feel. I do cuts and scratches with some friends like my boy from Animus and Wolfpac. And there are more people planning to build with me. Lost Children of Babylon, Lazarus Divine, Snow Goons, Aquabeam, Espo, Dub Sabbath with McRad's Chuck Treece, Jamie Reilly, an ill producer Stress, my boys iLL Aphillyates, Jeremy Dyen, my boy who plays steel guitar Isaac Stanford, Suns of Atlantis from Sweden. We already did a track that came out sick. I am really into the concept of the Atlantean civilization which I believe was a real place. Untytled MC from the album is ill, I always like working with him. Philly has a lot of creative music going on and is a powerhouse hip hop wise. I am real proud to be part of that movement. Anyone reading this should check out anyone and anything on 215hiphop.com, especially the message boards, it is a good glimpse into Philly hip hop culture and there are some real driven and talented cats on there. Philly is the center for hip hop in my opinion, there are crazy styles all mixed in together, diverse talent that is unmatched. All styles, all elements. Cyphers, graf, to tablism. I think I may be done DJ Battles because they take so much time and I am so busy, but they are fun and challenging so you never know. Long term I got an acoustic project called “Regulus”. Regulus will probably one day be my main focus. That and Lightborn spoken word
CS: I know you have made some changes to your web page. Can you tell us about your artistic sanctuary, Eastlight Records?
LB: I made my own label called “Level 3 Rhino Alert” Records after the Kent Brockman term from the Springfield Zoo ruckus. It was cool but I am not into the business end of things and it gets frustrating and boring. Now with Eastlight I have more distro and it is more professional and I am getting more help. Most importantly, I have 100 percent artistic freedom.
CS: Do you have any tours or upcoming performances planned that fans should be aware of?
LB: I am doing a spoken word at the legendary Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe in the East Village down in Alphabet City as a feature artist, and then another Philly show, and I have some things tentatively lined up, but I like to space out performances, unless I am in a certain area and have to do them back to back. This year I will be playing shows to support the album.
CS: Where can people pick up the new joint, or hear you on the radio?
LB: It will be on the I Tunes soon, and it can be ordered directly from outlets all through out the world, physically and digitially. You may need to order it and wait a few days, but the best bet is to go to a hip hop outlet like Underground Hip Hop in Boston or Fat Beats in NYC or on line there are often discounts from distributers. Radio wise I don’t know, tell the college or hip hop DJ to put on Lightborn.
CS: Where can people find you on the web?
LB: Eastlight Records.net. Plus of course the myspace.com/lightborn. I met a couple musicians that we had the same friends on there. Do a search and you can get all the songs on all of the download sites like iTunes, Yahoo Music, Napster, PayPlay I think one is called, there are like ten of them. Nah more like twenty five sites.
CS: Is there anything else you would like fans and readers to know about Lightborn?
LB: Yeah stay positive and trust in God. God is good. Also go cop the album if you like hip hop, lyricism, or ill music. Also thanks so much for all the people who support me and come to the shows and feel my music. Shout out to Deesha for the Philly City Paper write up and everyone who shows me love, especially my brothers and my wife, who is very supportive of my art. And peace to all my friends. God bless my Uncle Ron. He is a Buddhist poet and he is fighting for his life right now. He is one of the first ones who taught me to find that fire.
CS: Well, I want to thank you for your time and for giving everyone a glimpse into the world of the Shamrock Prince. It’s been an honor to interview you and I look forward to what you have in store for real music lovers. Stay up and never relinquish your vision. Peace ~
Christopher Schamber
Sentient Productions