Lex Gérard delves on his musical influences and latest project “MAMI CHULA”
Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself.
I am Lex Gérard, a singer, rapper and songwriter who is originally from Berlin, Germany, but currently residing in Boston, Massachusetts.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
Having grown up in a big city listening to Hip Hop and Dancehall, I have always been a big fan of the culture. Being from an urban environment and having been influenced by Hip Hop culturally from a young age were factors that have played a great role in shaping my mindset towards music.
As a teenager I lived and went to school in the very south of Spain and back then you couldn’t help but getting into contact with Latin urban music one way or the other, especially back in the day when Reggaeton music started in Puerto Rico and quickly made its way to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries soon after, where it gained increasing popularity so it was only a matter of time until I got hooked.
I remember buying my first Reggaeton CD “El Disco del Reggaeton 2” at 15 years old from a street vendor in “Torre del Mar” a costal town not too far from where I lived and I would head back to the casa, grab a cerveza, turn on my stereo and instantly fell in love with the sound, in fact I would listen to that very CD every day for 3 months straight. Fast forward a few years when I went to stay with my American relatives on the East Coast of the U.S. I would hear Reggaeton and Dembow on every other street corner and even on certain radio channels catering to predominantly Spanish speaking audiences.
So due to already having that Reggaeton background when I came to America as well as my passion for Hip Hop in my musical blood stream I wanted to finally go ahead and tell my own story by finding a way to blend these two music genres together to create a sound that can resonate with traditional Hip Hop-fans and fans of the Latin urban genre alike through writing and recording songs that have English and Spanish lyrics using heavy Latin Urban rhythms like Dembow, Brazilian Funk and Reggaeton in order to combine the best of both worlds. So that idea became a reality and I have been writing and recording songs ever since.
Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?
My latest project “MAMI CHULA” is available on Spotify and across all major streaming services and is dedicated to all the Mami Chulas out there that have a ton of swag while embracing their feminity. Due to its heavy Brazilian Funk rhythm, energetic vibe and catchy rap lyrics it turned out to be a musical blessing for those wanting to step up their twerking game.
What makes your music unique? How would you describe it?
My musical style interpolates various genres in the urbano umbrella genre including Dancehall, Dembow and Brazilian Funk. Being a big fan of Hip Hop culture has fueled my inspiration and dedication towards creating a fusion of both genres in a major way, which is greatly reflected in my music. Infusing Latin urban rhythms with rap in English, Spanish and German I am not only able to build the bridge between these genres but it brings forth a distinctive blend merging both worlds into a unique urban sound.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Being such a big consumer of music, it’s hard to narrow down who I am influenced by the most, so it would be much fairer to talk about genres and in this case what had the biggest impact on me as far as my inspiration is Hip Hop from the Brazilian Favelas, also known as Baile Funk as well as Dembow which artists like “El Alfa” are best known for .
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
My newest track “MAMI CHULA” has definitely been received amazingly well, so I guess you could say that it took my YouTube and Spotify game to the next level as far as my plays and new subscribers and I am hoping for it to grow further, especially right now on this very day today because another new single of mine is just about to drop on 12 am sharp and I invite everyone to check it out and add me on YouTube & Spotify or the streaming service of their choice. Stay tuned.
How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
Transitioning into the music game in the early stages took a bit of adjustment from scheduling releases to actually making time to write and record new material but it has ultimately become a fulfilling and exciting journey and I enjoy every minute of it.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Don’t overthink what might or might not happen, just do it.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
I appreciate y’all and it doesn’t matter how much of a fan you are, it’s all love so the moment you become a sub on my YouTube and add me on Spotify I consider you a member of this crazy family because we’re all vibing with the Latin Urban culture and my music is supposed to highlight and embrace every aspect of it to the fullest.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
Stay tuned, the party’s just beginning.
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