24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.

Dylan Lloyd: First and foremost, I would like to say thank you to “24HourHipHop.com” for wanting to interview me. My name is Dylan Lloyd and I am a Singer/Songwriter from the neighborhood of Englewood on the south side of Chicago. I have been signed to a music publishing deal for the last four years with a company from LA known as Radar Music Publishing (administered by Bug Music/BMG). Since being signed I’ve been blessed with many amazing opportunities to work with some of the most accomplished songwriters and producers the music industry has ever seen.

24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?

Dylan Lloyd: I started creating music at an extremely early age, I was 5 when I started to compose my own music on piano. At 12 I took my first and only piano lessons for three months and never took anymore again. I have been a self taught piano player for 21 years and counting. Through learning piano, I developed skills in guitar, bass, and drums, and I play all of these instruments proficiently. My influences growing up were specifically Michael Jackson, Prince, Elton John, Ben Folds, the Foo Fighters, Tears For Fears, Peter Gabriel, Phish, Chris Cornell and Dave Matthews Band…I always analyzed these artists’ songwriting more than i ever analyzed their performances…i always wanted to write like them more than i wanted to perform like them. When I was 22 years old, I had a connect in Chicago that gave me a lead on a publishing company in LA that was looking to sign fresh songwriters…the company was called “Radar Music” and they were fronted by a highly reputable music industry vet named Jonathan Stone. Stone had the reputation of running into big talents and kickstarting them; he was one of the first publishers to sign Bruno Mars to one of his first pub deals, and most importantly, he worked under Quincy Jones pub company throughout the 80’s and helped facilitate the pairing of Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett to write the song “Man In The Mirror”…So I was very blessed to have this man see my talent and sign me to a pub deal because if he hadn’t, I just wouldn’t have been able to have the opportunities that I’ve had in my life up to this point…especially comin from the hood…To say that growing up in Englewood is “tough” is an understatement. Growing up there taught me a lot about starting from the bottom and working your way out of hard situations through faith in God, determination, and family. There is no making it in this world without God and family…I wouldn’t be here sharing my experiences with you if that were not true. I could be dead, into drugs, doin time in jail…who the fuck knows…I could be all fucked up. But all thanks to God and my family…They kept my mind on music and nothing else.

24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?

Dylan Lloyd: I am Hip-Hop…everybody in Englewood and in every hood in America whose grown up in these crime stricken neighborhoods…are apart of the REAL hip-hop scene. Growing up with my black grandparents on the south side of Chicago, being poor as fuck and having to survive in one of the toughest neighborhoods in America…killings, drive-by’s, hit-and-runs, drug deals, almost every day and night, gunfire almost every night just a block or two from my house…i could hear them when i would try and fall asleep. my musical influences are not hip-hop…but my up-bringing was most certainly…Hip-Hop. Me being half black/white makes no difference…I could be all white, or all black, God still chose to have my life start in Englewood…and honestly…I couldn’t be anymore prouder of where I came from despite the fact of how dangerous it was. It’s made me strong.

24: What makes you Unique as an artist and different from other rappers out now?

Dylan Lloyd: Well for one I can’t rap…I badly suck at it hahaha but…because of my heavy Michael Jackson influence, rhythms really hit me hard…so I absolutely am at my best when I sing over beats, which is why this pairing with Soundtrakk has been ideal. We’re both very musical people and he’s just simply…a legend. Having the honor of him producing my music is such an extraordinary thing, considering how he’s such an essential piece of what Lupe Fiasco’s sound is…”Kick, Push”…”Superstar”…”Paris, Tokyo”…”Hip-Hop Saved My Life”…it’s simply amazing that I get to call Trakk not only a friend and a mentor, but my producer…best feeling ever.

24: Tell us about what you are working on?

Dylan Lloyd: Right now I’m working on numerous projects…such as my debut EP coming out this summer called “One By One”. All of the songs on this EP are co-written and produced by Soundtrakk so I’m extremely excited about this. On the NON Hip-Hop/R&B side of things, I have a successful side project with my friend Stephen Jerzak. We do collaborations together and our last two split EP’s have charted top 20 on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart (“What Could Be Better” and “This Is Better”)…so now, we’re gearing up to make our first full length together with Taylor Swift’s producer/engineer in Nashville named Christopher Rowe.

24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?

Dylan Lloyd: I have been blessed to work with some of the best…Soundtrakk (Lupe Fiasco), MdL (Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Chris Brown, Mike Posner), Rob Kleiner (Cee-Lo Green), David Das, Deron Johnson (Seal, Miles Davis), Raymond Lane, Kevin Savigar (Rod Stewart), Michael Jay (Martika, Eminem), Tim Fagan (Jason Mraz), Joel Tock (Stephen Jerzak), Chris Sernell (Cee-Lo Green), Allan Roy Scott (Luther Vandross) and many more amazing producers/songwriters. I would REALLY really really…love to work with Teddy Riley. I wouldn’t be the artist i am today if it wasn’t for Teddy Riley’s production underneath Michael Jackson’s genius music.

DLFront

24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?

Dylan Lloyd: Yes I am very happy with the feedback I’ve been getting on “I Wish” and other songs I’ve written/recorded…but my main goal is to get EVERYONE to hear this music I’m making…and to get EVERYONE to know what I’m doing and what new things musically I’m trying to bring to the industry.

24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make yourself a household name?

Dylan Lloyd: Write great music…that simple. I’ve always felt that the key to success in this industry will always stem from the songwriting. You can look great, perform great, and sound great, but is what you’re SINGING great?…Are the songs DOPE?…9 times outta 10…the shit I’m hearing is not dope, and it’s very disappointing. I’m trying my very best to reverse this as a songwriter.

24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?

Dylan Lloyd: I can’t really say because I’m not as immersed in the genre as a rapper would be…BUT…I will have to say…in GENERAL…the quality of songwriting has greatly, and significantly declined. People seem to be more focused on writing a hit song before the next person does, instead of taking the time to craft something timeless…nobody seems patient anymore. it’s an ultra competitive field nowadays because theres not as much money going around as there used to be…its very rare you get albums that even go platinum anymore, let alone gold.

24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?

Dylan Lloyd: Outside of music I’m constantly working on being a better person, and being a role model for my step-son. Being a step-dad is already changing my thought process about life…it’s making me be more selfless and patient with my life, and most importantly its making me understand that God gives you everything you need when it’s time for you to have it. He never not equips you with the tools you need to succeed. My future wife and step-son are now an integral part of what will be my overall success as a human being…and I need them to move forward.

24: Where do you see yourself going in 2013 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?

Dylan Lloyd: I see myself making it this year. I feel like it’s the right time, and I’m ready for it. Me being who I am…black/white kid from the hood who jams out to Elton John and sings over Lupe beats pretty much makes me a unique artist from the very start. my music has already got people boppin there heads…so I know what I’m doing musically is definitely the right thing. I just have to stay positive and keep my faith intact. i have to stay focused, and not let my ego get the best of me.

24: How can fans go about contacting you?

Dylan Lloyd: Fans can find me on twitter at @dylanlloyd1, they can also find me on Reverbnation at reverbnation.com/dylanlloyd. Also, i have three leaks from my upcoming album with Soundtrakk on my soundcloud…that site is soundcloud.com/dylanlloyd. For any other music, websites, or interviews, google me and you’ll be able to find me everywhere.

24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?

Dylan Lloyd: Again, I’d like to give a tremendous thank you to “24HourHipHop.com” for conducting this exclusive interview. To my fans past, present, and future…don’t be surprised if you hear me on your radio very soon.

DLEnd

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