Musician, entrepreneur, podcast host, event organizer, tastemaker, youth mentor, and consultant, LEMZI has unveiled a never heard before musical project titled OUTLIERS – A Creative Project By Lemzi. Born and raised in Leytonstone, east London, Lemzi accentuates the diversity within his personal life and external environment to provide his particular brand of emotive and uplifting music. After graduating from The University of Manchester with a 2:1 in LLB Law with Criminology and working in subsequent roles across London, he was made redundant in 2016 and left with a significant decision; whether he would continue on this particular route or follow his passion and change that into a music career. After choosing the latter, Lemzi has released his debut album, solo EPs, joint EPs, singles, music videos, toured the UK, performed across different continents, sold out shows, curated his own events, and is the Lead Artist of the UK’s number 1 music-led mindfulness app. He has continued to be prolific of late, and his latest offering, written and composed by LEMZI himself, is a versatile creative project and understatedly enticing hip-hop and soul offering that sees him accentuate art, music, and creativity across its runtime.
OUTLIERS opens with a poetic prelude, “OUTLIER.”, delivered by LEMZI emphasising the fact that this project isn’t a regular offering in the musical world. “Bill Dis.!?” featuring Monifé and Ferns, sees LEMZI questioning his choice regarding the kind of folks he chooses to spend time with, and the romantic number “Gemini Spirit” finds the artist caught in a web with a lady who has another man in her life. OUTLIERS includes guest appearances by Léloo, Hayreezy & LESiA on “Liberty”, Miss Dionne on “Good Grief”, and Dre9 on the groovy and soulful love medley “Bagel Shop Love’‘ as well, and LEMZI demonstrates natural chemistry with his guests across the project.
The Creative Project is the antithesis of a conventional album. The CP is an album-audiobook with 3 chapters serving as individual EPs and many different narratives. “OUTLIERS – A Creative Project By Lemzi” demonstrates what it’s like to make music when there are minimal incentives and resources, but still organically create and allow your output to be an extension of all your experiences and sporadic thoughts. Most artists create in these moments but struggle to package it, hence why most music doesn’t get released. The Creative Project is all about how to creatively bring these moments together.
Speaking about the inspiration and creative process of the project, LEMZI says, “It’s a concoction of pandemic times, relationship grievances, finding forms of mindfulness, serendipitous meetings, and alternative, creative ways of expression. The first song written here was “Mad Journey” and the second was “The Slump”, within 2 months of each other. Very different headspaces in quick succession. Everything else came as & when it felt appropriate.”
LEMZI’s latest is a distinct, versatile offering that finds him pushing creative bounds and bringing disparate elements together in a refreshing fashion.
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