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Japan-born hip-hop artist Lyrics Born, aka Tom Shimura, caught nationwide attention in 2003 with his hit single "Callin' Out," and more recently, with his 2008 album Everywhere at Once. He's working on a new album now and stopped to talk to us about his independent spirit, Asian-American identity, and of course manga and anime.
Shojo Beat: How do you start working on a new album?
Lyrics Born: You just go. You just show up. I go to the studio and I write every day, even if it's just a line or two. I'm always coming up with song concepts. I just look at what I like and what I've written. I pursue the [ideas] that still hit me.
SB: Are you a one-person show?
LB: I definitely am not. I do produce my albums. I am very hands on. I work with musicians. I work with other writers. I would say that I am the orchestrator.
SB: So you first called yourself Asia Born?
LB: It's who I am. I'm from Japan. I realized that it was one of the things that made me unique. It's a source of pride.
SB: Then why change your name to Lyrics Born?
LB: That's all the press was focusing on. I never thought of myself as white. If I went around telling people that I was white, then that wouldn't fly.
SB: Do you have a favorite memory from Japan?
LB: I went in December [2007]. It was the first time I'd been in a couple of years. It was just crazy to see it now as an adult as opposed to a kid every year. It was crazy to see how culturally rich it is. You definitely don't feel like life is easy for you here [in America]. It's not always geared towards you. But in Japan it is. That contrast was pretty obvious. It's a country built by and for Japanese, but America isn't that way really for anybody.
SB: Have you ever collaborated with traditional Japanese artists such as taiko drummers?
LB: No, but I want to. I love taiko. I just collaborated with a group called Dos Moccos from Japan.
SB: People admire your DIY ethos. Would you agree with that description of yourself?
LB: Definitely. Because I've been an independent artist my whole career, you have to have that to survive. To me the music business is like a microcosm of America. You are really on your own. It is up to you to make it happen, to create a legacy, to create art and work that represents you. I really feel like the music business is like that. It's totally set up for you to fail. You are only as good as your last record. I really feel that way about American life.
SB: What are your personal challenges?
LB: This business in general is an uphill battle. When you're an independent artist, certain aspects of it are more difficult. You don't always have access to the resources. I've never made a record I didn't want to make. I've never had anyone tell me your record should sound like this or else. I have been able to forge a path that's off the beaten path. It's forced me to always think outside the box. It's helped me condition myself for a lifelong career.
SB: Do you have any advice for our readers?
LB: The advice that I would give is the advice that I would give anybody in any career:
You simply cannot give up. You just have to continue to go. And speak up. You have to always speak up. If you have questions, ask them. If you don't like something, speak up about it. If you love something, speak up.
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