Lord Luminous AKA Microphone God Goes One On One With MJ For This Exclusive Interview @LordLuminous

Highly acclaimed Hip Hop emcee and lyricist Lord Luminous keeps the origin of Hip Hop alive and preserves the culture by mastering disregarded elements; one emcee, one mic, and storytelling over prominent drum sounds. You want hear falsified bars or see flashy jewels or video vixens around the Lord. Listeners can expect superior wordplay with an unparalleled cadence; hence being known as the “Microphone God”.

MJ: First and foremost, thank you for taking time away from the mic to chop it up with me, and also thank you for being a vital staple in Hip Hop and representing its true essence.

LL: It’s always an honor to be able to open up to my fans and Media outlets about my life and my music. So, I thank you MJ for the time.

MJ: I want to talk about the names first, you have a few “AKA’s” including Microphone God, The Lord, Microphone Killer, and I’m sure there are more. What’s your initial reaction when you hear fans or media outlets refer to you by those pen names?

LL: You are correct about the many names. I see them as different spirits like our Ancestors. They had many alias names to describe themselves, each one of my names represents a personality. Most are good, then there's the ones I go to war with, thankfully I have not been in a situation other than my time in jail, I had to embrace those alias names. But as of now Lord Luminous, Clay Prycise, and Raspier God, are the main three I by, depending on the track. It’s absolutely amazing seeing media outlets even my fans say or bring up my names, I adore it.

MJ: Let’s rewind, you initially went to school for engineering. At what point did you veer off to the mic and start writing rhymes?

LL: To be honest I grew up playing drums, and keys, in church. So music was in my soul from day one. I got into rap around 93’; Wutang, ATCQ, Redman, and a few other 90s artist really got my attention. I started writing raps and producing for my crews, Higher Klass, then Tri-s. I did go to college for the 2nd time, I already had my AA/AS degree, this time for music engineering in 2004. That's the year I ran into Rza and Daddy O, and worked with Wu Tang in the 36 chamber studio in North Hollywood, Ca. It was a dream come true and it lasted 4 years. But till this day I still have a family relationship more than music with a few members of the Wu and their family. Just google Real Hood Music.

MJ: You’re no amateur to this scene, your music catalog and credits date back to the early 2000’s. Talk a little about how you progressed as an artist from your very first project to where you are now in your career.

LL: Yes… Junior year in High school, Rio Mesa High, HIGH KLASS, my first crew. We were young and we did not have any business ideas. We were just kids rapping, recording, and doing shows in Oxnard, CA. My brothers were Madlib, Med, OHNO, Premonition, Ezraw, and me at the time Cashis Clay. Hit Hot Wheels Cashis Clay on Google to see movies I’ve done that aired on Cartoon Newtork back in 2005. As I got older my crews changed and I was making music with Tri-S, Sick Sadistic Scientist, Shawn P, 1 9, and by then Lord Luminous came about. We almost signed as Def Jam artists but due to misconstrued business it didn’t happen. Now, I just create as much music as I can. I have a dope soulful singer and rapper female artist I am now working with and we just enjoy the art. Although it would be nice to be rich and famous the music industry today is not ready for my energy…you hear what’s out now.

MJ: I want to touch on your style, flow, and lyrical deliverance. For me I instantly associate Lord Luminous as uncanny, lyrical genius, unsurpassed, and true Hip Hop endorser. What separates you from other emcees? What would you credit your personal success and longevity to?

LL: Yes, my style of rap I can honestly say is an infusion of myself with a lot of artists some include Rza, Redman, Masta Killa, and spoken word poets. I am very deep with what I write, so I do tend to always rap about real life issues, but also have fun. I feel you have to balance it all out. My success and longevity is simple, I have a deep love and passion for music. I cannot go more than 2 days without writing and recording, I think it’s my addiction. I have no interest in quitting. My music is what I feel and you can’t change the painting, it’s still a form of art.

MJ: You have some singles and projects out now creating a large buzz on major music and media outlets. Talk about what’s hot right now and what’s forthcoming.

LL: It’s funny you say that, I honesty have no idea my music is up on sights or mentioned till I pick up my phone and see my alerts. So when those media outlets show me love and add my music to the headlines I really give them praise. I am working on some projects but no title or set dates to share at this time.

MJ: I don’t get to travel much so this is my opportunity to live through artists. Do you have a favorite tour spot? Are there places you would like to tour that you haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet in your career?

LL: Tour spots would be the world! I haven’t toured as of yet; it just hasn’t been a thing for me yet. The world and the people in it are beautiful, once we look pass all the negativity. I look forward to seeing the world and sharing my art.

MJ: Take me through your personal playlist. Who’s banging out your headphones?

LL: DYLAN, DYLAN, DYLAN, DYLAN…just kidding. But seriously, I really enjoy listening to myself. But when I am not I’m blaring out Redman, Wutang, Guru, ATCQ, Mob Deep, 2pac, Biggie, and pretty much all 90’s golden era artists. I might play some Kanye, the old Kanye though. I’m not a fan of this new rap era, the artists display low frequency and the music is soulless and hopeless.

MJ: There’s a lot of segregation in Hip Hop regarding the “Old School” and the “New School”. Do you have any insight on this topic? Busta Rhymes has been sending messages to our brothers and sisters who paved the way to spend time with the “New School” mentoring and sharing some Hip Hop history lessons. What are your thoughts?

LL: Old School and new school have the same content of sex, drugs, money, and beef. I feel the only difference is the New School has no soul. There’s no lessons to be learned, just bad choices. In the old school era emcees gave you the real with soul. Some may say what about Kendrick and J Cole? What I will say about the two is their energy hasn’t affected the world like 2Pac (ying) and Biggie (yang). They gave us balance in their music with soul and that’s what I’m doing.

MJ: As we wrap up, is there anything else you would like to share with the world of Hip Hop?

LL: All I would share is stay positive and balanced. Be mindful of what you listen to. Music isn't just sounds, it’s a spell. these words that are put into music can affect your life, so enjoy the music. Don’t let the spells of music or the negative energy affect your character.