Chicago native, Matthew Wilkes is what you would call a product of Hip-Hop. Growing up he was influenced by rappers from the West Coast and down South, but deep down his Mid West roots have helped create a spawn of Hip-Hop that will reckon with the best of them. Perfectly Known as Lion Heart or simply, L.H. the 28 year old has been perfecting the craft for 10 years, but now with a new single, “I Do It” and a fresh year, Chicago emcee L.H. is ready to formerly introduce the Visual Audio approach.
Parlé Magazine: When did you decide that Hip-Hop and music was the path for you?
Lion Heart: I have been rapping for years but the last 2 years is when I decided to pursue it professionally as a business/ indie label.
Parlé Mag: Do you write and produce? If not, who are some producers you work with?
L.H.: I’m just a writer. I can’t do beats at all (haha).
Parlé Mag: Who are some producers you’ve work with?
L.H.: Some producers I have worked with are Jay Ross (Columbus,OH) Base Kidd Beats (Atlanta) and Hardboiled (Chicago). Be on the lookout for L.H.H.B really soon in the future (L.H./ Hardboiled).
Parlé Mag: How did you get/come up with the name Lion Heart?
L.H.: Well first I have to say that I am a big fan of Nas. I got the name from listening to Nas – Stillmatic. In the intro at the end of the song he says “blood of a slave, heart of a king” and from there I ran with Lion Heart (L.H.) I feel L.H. Is more catchy and rolls off the tongue better.
Parlé Mag: How would you say listening to folks from the West Coast, or say the South influence your sound and the music you make now?
L.H.: It has always influenced me a lot with my upbringing. My earliest memory of Hip-Hop is riding in my big bro first car and him playing the Death Row compilation album. To my pops playing Cash Money Record artists when they first hit the scene. I even remember when I was a kid with my cousins when the East Coast vs. West Coast beef was going on, we were asking each other “which side are you? Then it was Cash Money or No Limit?” Before Wrestling (laughs).
Parlé Mag: I know you put out music often, but do you have any full length projects currently in the works?
L.H.: Well right now it’s all about supply and demand. So if the people demand it, I will give it to them 100%. When I make a full length album, it will be exactly just that, an EP or LP with no fillers with a theme and multiple feelings. So right now I’m just making singles until my name gets bigger, but I do have songs written and ideas if the time comes. I will be prepared 100%
Parlé Mag: What’s your goal with music for the coming year?
L.H.: My goal is to make L.H. and Visual Audio a brand people want to invest in. From a single, cd, feature, shirt, live show, radio or tv, you know that it’s going to be top quality. I work real hard on everything I do and I want people to get used to hearing and seeing the best from me.
Parlé Mag: What inspires you to keep going through the ups and downs?
L.H.: God and family is always first. After that it’s the motivation to create. As an artist I’m always creating. I love making something from nothing and sharing it with the world. For people to actually enjoy your art and invest their time and hard earned money in your movement is one of the best feelings in the world.
Parlé Mag: Tell me about the song and video for “I Do It,” I know that’s the track you’re currently pushing.
L.H.: The ” I Do It ” track is a song that was produced by Jay Ross the Hitmaker. First I came up with the chorus and then I started writing the verses. The song is about some of the many reasons I rap. My city is a huge reason. I wanted the song to have a ying yang feeling. I wanted to include the good and bad. Wanted people to know that you can be at the lower of the low in your life at this moment or the highest of the high and at the end of the day we breathe the same air and bleed the same blood. I wanted the song to be motivational and powerful for males, females and all races. I also have a video to the song, which I had a great time shooting.
L.H. – “I Do It” music video
Parlé Mag: For those who may not be familiar with Lion Heart yet, what should they know about you?
L.H.: I love making great music. I try to be as versatile as possible so every song you listen to sounds new. I’m starting up my indie label, Visual Audio. I’m a big sports fan (Bears and Bulls for life) and I’m always working to get closer to my goals. Also shout out to Sally Battle of “Halo Entertainment,” my management company for the terrific job that they have done.
Parlé Mag: Everyone hears about what’s going on in Chicago right now and the movie Chi-Raq helped spotlight that, but how does your music reflect those circumstances?
L.H.: From what I heard, I definitely wouldn’t call Chi-raq a “spotlight,” it’s more of an “exploitation.” The movie was not relatable to the people from Chicago at all. It was just a name slapped on a universal movie. My music sheds light away from the stereotype that’s been flooding the media from Chicago rappers. People say Chi-raq and I’m like “Hey! I don’t have any bullet wounds, stab wounds, a criminal history, any extreme drug use or any of the portrayal’s that comes along with the stigma of being a young black male in my city.” That doesn’t mean that my music doesn’t consist of that subject matter either. I want to make music and give a different vibe and feel to represent not just my city, but Hip-Hop period. Letting the world and my city know that people like me do also live in Chicago as well.
Connect with L.H. on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/LdotHdot
Facebook.com/LdotHdot1
Instagram: LdotHdot
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/l-h-3
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LdotHdot
Website: visualaudiollc.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lionheartrap
google play: L.H.
Google plus: LdotHdot