LijahT

Old school hiphop with a modern lyrical flare is how some describe LijahT’s creative flow. Born in East Oakland, CA, LijahT paved his way to music after incurring a football injury during College. Music was his outlet during a time he needed to find a new direction in life. Most of his inspiration came from his family. His uncle the writer and his cousin, Pam, “The Funkstress.” He continues to talk about his late cousin who is also known as the Legendary Prince’s DJ. LijahT fondly remembers how she was a member in a hiphop group named “The Coup” and how she would send his father a vast number of CD’s full of mix’d music. His parents eclectic taste in music also inspired his sound. Their music library would range from “The SOS Band” to Bill Withers and from Bob Marley to the west coast pioneers like Tupac, Snoop Dogg, E40, Souls of Mischief, DJ Quick just to name a few. With the impact these artist had on him, none impacted him like his cousin whose spirit lives through him and exhumes through his music.

His stage name was presented to him while studying at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. He was given Lijah Tino. He has since then, dropped Tino but kept the initial “T:”. When asked about his creative process, LijahT explains how sitting in his car helps get his creative juices flowing. This is how he originally started rapping and writing. He and his boy, TommyOTD, would just sit in his car and rap. He continues this process. He states “It’s has become more comfortable for him.” LijahT connected with one of his closet friend who helped LijahT create his first project “Black Thoughts” (2017). Looking back on his life, LijahT states if he didn’t turn the pain he incurred internally from that high school football injury, he would probably be doing something he shouldn’t be doing and running from the law.

LijahT has one message he would like to give his fans. “Stay on the grind and never be satisfied.”

Make sure to look out for LijahT up coming single “Youontknow” being distributed through Empire Universal.