Lyrikal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lyrikal
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jesse James Enoch |
| Also known as | Lyrikal |
| Born | September 14, 1983 Aba, Abia, Nigeria |
| Origin | Port Harcourt, Nigeria |
| Genres | Hip Hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriterRapper Producer |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Associated acts | Korkormikor, M Trill, Mode 9, Eva Alordiah, Shank, KING STUNNA |
Jesse James Enoch (born 14 September 1983), known by his stage name Lyrikal, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer, and songwriter. He emerged onto the music scene in 2003 as part of the Port Harcourt-based record label Tuck Tyght. Throughout his career, Lyrikal has engaged with socio-political issues in Nigeria, contributing his voice to the matters concerning the gifted and oppressed.
Contents
Early life
He was born in Aba, Abia and hails from Akwa Ibom state. He spent his formative years in Sokoto. As the second child of a retired civil servant, Jesse relocated with his family in 1989 to Port Harcourt where his father was posted to serve. He received his primary and secondary school education in Port Harcourt and in 2005 he gained admission into The University of Lagos. He dropped out a year later due to insufficient funds and returned returned to Port Harcourt.
Music career
Lyrikal claims his inspiration for making music comes from being exposed to almost all genres of music during his early years, especially reggae and disco. His early music influences were Madonna, Michael Jackson, Mc Hammer, and Shabba Ranks. His love for rap music manifested when he saw the 1990 film House Party.
Early 90s – 2006
In the early 1990s, young Lyrikal fell in love with Hip Hop and honed his skills in rapping, rhyming and song writing. He would later be influenced by the music and works of acts like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, Wu Tang Clan, and Nas (whom he also happens to share the same birthday with, though ten years apart). In 2003, he began his career with Tuck Tyght, where he contributed to the Port Harcourt City album "Now Official".
2006 – 2010
In 2006, Jesse went on a solo campaign with "The Escalator Project", during which he recorded over thirty songs including a number of singles.
2010 – 2013
In late 2010, Lyrikal moved to Xcel Music where he recorded over a hundred songs. His debut project was released in 2013 titled "R.M.F.A.O (Rappin' My ...' ... Off)".
2014
Lyrikal promoted the release of his second mixtape titled "OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which features contributions from Mode 9, Eva Alordiah, KING STUNNA, Korkomikor and more. On 6 January 2014 he released 'Focused'; the first official single off the OCD mixtape. Subsequently, he released his covers to Pound Cake by Drake, Tom Ford by Jay-Z and Rap God by Eminem.
Behind Bars Campaign
In January 2014, Lyrikal launched a campaign aimed at inspiring young Nigerians to become more engaged in personal and national development. He conveyed his message by releasing a photo series portraying himself behind prison bars, each image accompanied by thought-provoking quotes from figures like Nelson Mandela, William Glasser, and Henri Matisse. The photo campaign, shared across various African blogs, sparked discussions about social participation in national development and creative expression. Lyrikal explained that the metaphorical "bars" signified the challenges faced by Nigerian youth, encompassing physical oppression, mental captivity, and creative limitations
Discography
- 2013: RMFAO (mixtape)
- 2014: O.C.D (mixtape)
See also
- List of Nigerian rappers
