Hit that play button to deep dive into the music! You might have just found your newest playlist addition!
As this genuinely motivating, refreshing, and purposeful new alternative hip-hop single “Called” from Ljak reaches the scene, creative production and robust sound design combine with firmly planted objectives to create something extraordinary.
Boston-based artist and rapper Ljak continues to raise the bar in the alternative, soulful, and storytelling hip hop, with the striking intensity and equally inspiring visuals of Called.
Ljak is an artist known for throwing a wrench into the works and going against the grain of the current music trends by providing an alternative vibe. Their mannerisms are all their own.
“Called” builds up from modest, minimalist beginnings through several levels of cinematic intricacy and ambiance, ultimately immersing and engrossing listeners from start to finish in this surprising world of sounds.
Ljak’s low-voiced bellow is deep, atonal, and easygoing, and its contained coolness is captivating. It’s a kind of rap rendition that wraps you around its low-voiced bellow.
The Called tune employs a genuine calm feel alongside a single vocal lead and minor echoes of voice for added impact, with essential yet melodic background and intense pace. The vocal tone of Ljak, the sharp delivery, the dynamic flow, and the similarly sharp, smart arrangement of the bars all contribute to the weight.
In both sound and lyrics, Ljak’s voice is becoming increasingly distinct from the rest of the artist’s repertoire. In addition to being familiar and appealing, it authentically conveyed the song’s atmosphere, presented honesty, and revealed exposure. All while weaving through a series of flows that continually return to the creative and melodically captivating hook. The multi-layered sounds and moments that comprise this record are rather refreshing in terms of production.
“Rare rappers like up and coming talent LJak are blessed with a mind that can create images with words as an artist with a brush.”
Artist Interview
Modern Soulful Music Awards: What made you decide to jump into the music industry or music business?
Ljak: I’ve always, since a kid, been drawn to music, and especially to writing music. The opportunity to have my music heard globally was really a factor of motivation, and to possibly inspire other from what I produce.
What do you think makes you stand out from all the other aspiring and upcoming artists in your genre of music?
Ljak: I like, to be a “talent,” you have to have talent, pedigree, skill, a look, and wherever else can be connected to this. But you can have all of this and still absolutely suck. I feel like what sets me apart from every other artist is the fact that my skill, talent, pedigree, and look is held together by an intelligent rhythm that identifies me as being me. Everyone sounds the same “out there”. And even when you think it’s an original sound, it’s yet a copy. We may all of course remind someone of someone else, but the fact that my flow has an intelligent identity, and that this identity leads back to me, is what sets me apart.
If you could collaborate with ANY artist/band… Who would you choose and why?
Ljak: honestly don’t even know.
What do you think is your biggest Advantage and your biggest Disadvantage of being an Indie artist?
Ljak: I would say the greatest disadvantage is the lack of connections. Of course, this will come with time, but life is about networking, and networking is a skill that has to be developed. Sometimes, as an indie artist, networking isn’t easy, making that skill difficult to develop. The greatest advantage of being an indie artist is the grind. Because you have to grind to get everything everyone else with connections and with a network has, you are building your “temple” from scratch, creating your own network and connections as you go along. In that sense, the journey, and not the destination, is the greatest advantage.
Do you prefer the Independent route or would you rather sign to a major record label, and why?
Ljak: I don’t even have a clear answer anymore. I can get why artists choose to sign. The grind isn’t easy, and getting signed is an achievement that, if it happens, should be handled correctly and appropriately. But remaining independent gives you the liberty to enjoy your conscience as an artist. It all depends on the personality and the character, and also on the circumstance.
Out of all the songs you’ve released, what do you think is your best song and why?
Ljak: I’ll say “Your Worth”. I love this song because it has the 90s feel to it, in sound and in flow. It also has a strong message, a message that I hope women hear and meditate on. It’s a powerful song about women getting their life straight before they trust that life to love and to always remain open to love and correctly judge it, while they get their life straight. There isn’t much conscious hip-hop music for women, and especially for young multicultural women out there, so I purposely wrote this song so that women could go, “Man, if I don’t have one male on my side, at least LJak got me”.
Between creating in the studio OR performing live on stage, which is your most enjoyable one and why?
Ljak: I’m like, an introvert in the world of an extrovert, so I will always say creating in the studio is for me. I love the solitude, I love the vibe, and I love the feeling of the studio. In that space of “feeling” exists so much potential for creation, which is good therapy.
What would you consider the most successful or proudest moment in your music career, so far?
Ljak: Knowing that my first album actually touched people and got them thinking better, this has been a highlight of success for me. You make music, you put it out there, and you expect love and hate, but you don’t really expect waves of appreciation. Having my work appreciated has been a major highlight for me.
What inspires you the most about the music industry these days?
Is that a trick question? I almost fell for it! The “industry” isn’t inspiring, and the way hip-hop music sounds isn’t inspiring either. But what is inspiring is that people are hungry for music backed by thought. I don’t know if the “industry” is inspired by this type of music, but I know listeners of music within the “industry” are.
Giving people music that is mindful, that can elevate, and that still sounds insanely dope, is what inspires me.
– Ljak
If you weren’t in the music business or industry, what do you think you would be doing with your life instead?
When I’m not writing or recording music, I write books and lectures on subjects connected to my books. I’m definitely all over the place, but, for some reason, music is tied to my soul.
Here at Modern Soulful Music, supporting artists is our #1 priority, we kindly ask you to check out the amazingly soulful Ljak!
Modern Soulful Music Awards 