This artist stopped prioritizing men over her own dreams and dropped a mixtape
Walking down the street, you can’t miss her: her signature afro and criminally trendy attire make her the type of person you want to stop and ask (completely unironically), “What do you do?”
Well, we did ask. And upon asking, we’ve found that Lexxy is many things – a singer, songwriter, film maker, songwriter, creative director, actress, cool girl (was that one implied?). We could go on. But let’s begin with the first two, shall we?
Born and raised in the Bronx, Lexxy has always been passionate about her art and creativity in general: in fact, the artist’s mom sent her to live in Pennsylvania when she was 16 so she’d focus on school. But out of the inevitable boredom and downtime, Lexxy says, came a lot of surprisingly dope art. Thus, Pennsylvania was a blessing in disguise.
Lexxy’s musical inspiration stems from a lot of things. Lately, though, it’s been coming from those who piss her off (we feel that one on a visceral level). In particular, her latest project, “Deja Vu (Interlude)” is about an ex that did her wrong, to say the least.
READ ALSO: 9 badass womxn give us some badass phrases to live by right now
The artist opens up about that hurtful experience, and how it’s led her to her latest project. We also chat with her about her creative process, who she is as an artist and how she copes with rejection. Check out the interview and photos below!
When did you decide to seriously pursue your career as a musician?
My mom moved me to Pennsylvania when I was 16. I was bored as hell in the house all the time, so I was like, let me take my interests in music more seriously.
I also got tired of taking guys more seriously than my own damn dreams. So I dropped my first mixtape on my own in 2015, and ever since I’ve been focused on being the best artist I can be.
What is “Deja Vu (Interlude)” about?
Funny story. It all started after the 2 month relationship from hell! This song is about the reason it ended.
One day, he told me he was going to the movies with his friends, but we were supposed to have a sleepover at his house. He told me to wait for him but was taking too long, and I felt like he was up to something. So my logic was to pop up at his house and wait for him. So I did just that – popped up at his house, I mean. His brother let me in.
I went to his room and, to my surprise, walked into his room where all I see is the lights off, TV on, candles lit, and him and a woman laying in the bed together cuddled up. I literally spazzed out, cried – the whole nine. The song “Deja Vu” reflects on this moment, yet also reflects on how stupid I felt. On the first night we spent together he lit candles for me, and I was sprung. So walking in on him doing that for another girl, I was hurt, and it was a moment of deja vu.
Ironically though, if this never happened, I’d probably have taken longer with actually doing music.
How do you cope with self-doubt and the fear of rejection and failure?
Omg. I deal with self doubt all of the time. I think as an artist in general, you consistently deal with the ups and downs of feeling great and then feeling like, “damn, I suck.” I think the moments of overcoming this fear of rejection and failure are when I have to remind myself that I’m That Bitch, and that if I don’t believe in me, then who will?
How do you go about writing your own music?
Most of the time my music comes from free-styling. I’m a very free spirited person so I feed off the energy in the room. I hate feeling like I’m doing a job. I want to feel like I’m just having fun, and actually creating something rather than working a 9-5. The best inspiration typically comes to me when someone makes me mad or sad even, which is all the time. People love pissing me off, so I make cool songs about them!
Who are some artists you identify with?
Currently: Solange, Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino.
What they all share is that their overall presentation as artists right now is so inspiring, warm and inviting. I feel like that they all give me something to believe in. I don’t know if that sounds cheesy ASF, but I do love that.
Specifically, I love how Solange’s music and visuals at the moment are just a breath of fresh air. I feel like she’s there holding every black girl’s hand like ‘I got you.’
Have you faced challenges in the industry while pursuing your art?
Yes — the most challenges I’ve faced have been in dealing with people trying to put me in a box or control me. It’s almost like people want to make you into something you’re not ,or even ruin what you already have & tear you all the way down just so they can build you back up and say they made you.
Well, I had to learn exactly who I was. I’m still figuring out who I am, but I feel like right now, at this very moment in my life, I know who I am and what I want more than ever. When I didn’t know who I was and didn’t have much confidence in that, it was easier for people to influence me and make me feel like shit. Now I’m like oh, NOPE! I’m Lexxy and I deserve this and I’mma get it with or without you.
Who do you create music for?
Myself! I literally create music for my own sanity. I create music for the days when I have anxiety, for the days I feel depressed as hell and I don’t want to do anything. For all those times someone hurt me and I wanted to smack them, but realized it wasn’t worth it (laughs). I know I’m not the only one that goes through that, so why not express it in the form of art to help others out also?
Do you ever find that people pigeonhole you as a minority woman in music?
This is an interesting question because as much as women are in the most powerful place we’ve ever been in music, there’s still work to be done. Especially being a black woman: you would think with all of the black queens killing it right now, this wouldn’t be an issue.
But yes, I have felt a disadvantage. From not being able to take my sessions at a studio, to not being acknowledged in a room full of men, and in realizing that people in the position to help me would rather make me feel less-than instead of lifting me up. You think to yourself, “Hmm, if I were a dude, he wouldn’t have done that.” It’s just a certain level of respect that I’m not granted.
What about pursuits outside of music?
I have this strong desire to do things like Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover, and Solange. I admire how they are musicians but are also overall creative beings who do what ever they want. That’s me! Singer, songwriter, creative director, film maker, actress. I literally want to be everything, so why not be?
As of right now I work at VFiles — it’s a cool ass streetwear store and creative environment in Soho, NYC.
READ ALSO: Emmaline is the modern day version of your favorite old Jazz singers
Are there any creative projects that are particularly special to you?
I really love the “Nostalgia” album by Frank Ocean. I listen to that album when ever I feel like, “Damn, what’s my purpose and how can I touch peoples’ souls?” I can’t wait ’til I’ve made a body of work that makes me feel the way that project makes me feel, seriously.
What’s something you want to accomplish in the next year?
I want to start creating short films. I also want to go on tour! Like really badly. I will go on tour! (That’s me manifesting it).
I’m a Virgo. Virgos are very goal oriented, perfectionist, and also nit-picky about greatness and perfection: that’s literally how I am with my art. Every time someone asks what sign I am I’m always like “ Beyoncé is a Virgo! “ lol that literally reminds me that my sign is golden. I recently found out that Amy winehouse was a Virgo also & she’s literally one of my top vocal inspirations.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LEXXY’S LATEST SINGLE, “DEJA VU (INTERLUDE).”
