Lil Byron dives into his process for pursuing a career in the music industry. He details his success and tactics for achieving success as an independent artist.
Lil Byron is a recording artist based from Nashville, TN. He is most recognized by his bright, upbeat attitude, lyrics about love and relationships, and his masterful branding. Lil Byron boasts 20,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, over 16,000 views on YouTube and over 11,000 followers in Instagram. Lil Byron is featured on a Billboard chart topping hit Never Leave You, which was also submitted for Grammy nomination. Whether you love him for his remixes, such as his Nice For What, No Brainer, and the popular Old Town Road tracks, or you’re a fan of his original releases, you likely have stuck with Lil Byron for a long time. Many of us also recognize his business acumen, as he has leveraged his platform into merchandise, a beneficial distribution situation, and most recently a collaboration with a spin exercise class. We sat down with Lil Byron to discuss the person he is, his taste for music, and how he’s turned his dreams into reality.
The following article and quotes have been taken from an interview with Lil Byron. His answers have been edited for brevity.
Interviewer: Who is Lil Byron, why should people care?
Lil Byron: Lil Byron is just a guy from Orlando who has big dreams. He’s a guy who’s very positive and he’s a guy who wants to be a light in a dark world. I’m bringing good energy to this world. This world needs my energy, my good energy. There’s so much dark getting pushed out here and I can be the guy that can be a light in this dark world.
Interviewer: Nashville vs. Orlando? What city do you call home?
Lil Byron: Honestly I claim both. It’s a balance because I’ve lived in Orlando just as long as I’ve lived in Nashville. But to be honest I’m starting to claim Nashville more because this is where I really did most of my damage. Orlando I was more so a little kid. Nashville is where I’ve pursued and found myself. Nashville is where I came into my own.
I: How has that impacted your music?
LB: Nashville is really a country scene, but the way it has impacted (my music) is honestly seeing that it is more than country. Linking up with a lot of other hip hop and R&B artists around the city, it kind of showed that there’s more talent. It influenced me to be me because I was questioning if I could be myself in Nashville.
Interviewer: Future of Nashville hip hop?
Lil Byron: Nashville artists have to think outside of just Nashville. A lot of Nashville artists are focused on just Nashville. Memphis (artists) have turned their sound more commercial. Nashville artists have to figure out a way to make their sound commercial so that we can branch outside of just Nashville. I think its a possibility within the next 5-10 years.
To date, Lil Byron has released two albums and countless singles. Byron is known for his ability to adapt any sound that is put in front of him. He has released a full length hip hop and RnB album, respectively.
Interviewer: How do you make such positive music?
Lil Byron: I’ll try not to get too religious. I have a strong relationship with Christ. I credit a lot of that to him. I love reading the word. In the Bible, we’re all called to be a light in the dark world. That’s why I do secular music, I could easily do gospel music and be fine in that genre. I’m needed (in secular music). That’s really what helps me, keeping my foundation on Christ.
I: Gospel collabs?
LB: It’s a possibility. I don’t think it’s a priority for me right now. Y’all will definitely hear maybe a gospel EP or definitely some singles for sure. I got plenty of gospel demos I just have to finish them.
Interviewer: BGR collaboration. How does that happen and why is it so good?
Lil Byron: I’ve been knowing BGR since 2016 so that’s about 6 or 7 years. I met him at a camp here in Nashville my dad was teaching. He lives in Atlanta I’m in Nashville so we do a lot of stuff over email. Our connection is so natural. I think the first thing I ever released with BGR was “On My Grind” remix in 2018. After seeing how solid he is, we locked in. He sent me a bunch of beats and he started to get a feel of my flow and style and I started to get a feel for his style. Over time it just continues to get more polished and polished. Most of my listeners will hear the difference between when I released my first new single with him, “Forever”, to hearing how I progressed (up until) now.
BGR produced over half of Captured by Love, 6 out of 10 songs.
LB: When Im in album mode, best believe majority is going to get produced by BGR.
Interviewer: CBL vs OMW? Progression as an artist, business, personally?
Lil Byron: “On My Way” was me at that point where I’m just starting out, just having fun (and) coming up with a bunch of topics. It wasn’t a personal album, it was more so these are a bunch of ideas I got and I’m going to form it into an album. As life went on,I started to learn the business more, I started to learn how to market myself more, and I started to actually deal with life a little bit more. I got into a relationship. I started coming up with songs that connected to my real life. Every song on (CBL) is not about my relationship, but a couple were inspired by it. The progression from “On My Way” to “Captured By Love” was me going through life and having certain obstacles that I’ve dealt with. “Captured By Love” is more of a story compared to “On My Way”. “On My Way” isn’t a deep complicated concept, “Captured By Love” is a thought out concept from top to bottom.
Interviewer: How have you managed to get the business opportunities that you have?
Lil Byron: Google was my best friend. I’m always trying to find more ways to market myself and put myself in positions to put my music in front of new people. I did a lot of research with google. I took notes and I just learned. Some stuff kind of just happens. I’ve (had) tv placements. Everyone has heard my song “Happy Holidays” which was on ESPN. That placement fell in my lap because my distributor is United Masters and they are partnered up with so many different brands. I’ve been apart of a song that reached top ten (on the) billboard charts with my dad Mr. Talk Box called “Never Leave You”. That’s just me being me honestly. Some stuff you can seek out, some stuff you have to keep pushing and it’ll fall in your lap.
I: How did “Never Leave You” happen?
LB: My dad was playing a bunch of beats and I said “Whoa I have an idea for that one.” And I came up with that whole concept for that song. I wrote that song and he loved it and I had the opportunity to work him and a legendary gospel artist J Moss. Most people don’t claim their features because they don’t feel like they are part of the process, they are just hopping on the foundation that’s already laid. But in my case I created the foundation and that’s why I’m very proud of that song to see that it does very well on the radio.
Interviewer: How involved are you in the music making process?
Lil Byron: I’m super involved from top to bottom. I learned it from my guy Akiin. I learned it during compromise, he filmed my video “Compromise”. I had a vision for it but not really a full vision. I kind of put him in a position where he came up with a lot because I didn’t have a full vision. I learned that I have to have the full vision. I learned to be apart of the whole ins and out of everything from production, getting mixed, getting written, etc. I also have my sister Yaubryon going over my lyrics and critiquing so I don’t get tunnel visioned.
During his time at MTSU, Lil Byron would often engineer recording sessions for fellow recording artists. He also produced tracks such as Vanity from Loque's album Come Out the Rain.
I: What does a typical day look like for you?
LB: I’m a night owl. I’ll probably wake up at 10 o’clock, I’m not going to lie. Get me some food. If I can get me a little workout in, I’ll go hoop. Then I’ll come to the studio and I’ll just create. I have plans for the future so I have deadlines that I’m trying to make sure I stay on board with. Sometimes I don’t record. Some days I focus on prepping for marketing and visuals. A lot of artist get caught up in just recording a bunch of songs, and being an artist is so much more than that. You have to make sure you’re recording, your have to make sure you’re staying consistent on social media. So sometimes if I’m not recording, I’m filming a remix video, I’m filming a promo video, or I’m making calls to set up photoshoots or video shoots. (Then) I’ll take a break and go eat dinner. Sometimes I’ll just take a week off. Sometimes you have to go away and rest so when you come back you can be at your best self. You don’t want to be drained. I hate when a lot of people say get I no sleep. Nah you need to get sleep so that you can be your best self when you go and pursue your goal. Get you your seven hours of sleep.
I: Your goals?
LB: I’m very inspired by Jay Z. I don’t want to ride my music wave (too long) and have all my eggs in the basket of music. I want to be able to branch out and do acting more. I want to be able to become a business man. Get into real estate. A side goal is that I want to be a voice for a cartoon character. I want to build my music brand and take that brand and branch it into other things. I know I ain’t gonna be doing this forever, I ain’t gonna be singing or rapping or whatever y’all want to say I am. I really don’t wanna be dropping albums when I’m in my 50s and 40s I want to be doing other stuff and having my own label and giving other artists opportunities.
Interviewer: How do you see yourself pushing your career to the next level?
Lil Byron: I look at what I’ve done until now, and I just say I gotta go harder than what I did last year. Last year, I was on the Billboard charts and I was nominated for a Grammy. Whatever I accomplish I celebrate in the moment, but I know I gotta get back to work it doesn’t stop here I have to keep going. If I get million streams I’m like “ok lets go for 2 million next time”. I try to keep a killer mentality. I’m a very nice guy, but deep down I’m a killer. Like really I come to kill I don’t just do this for fun this is what I do. That’s just my mentality about myself and about my music.
Interviewer: Any new work we should look forward to?
Lil Byron: There’s so much planned. I want to showcase more of who I am. I’m more than just a hip hop guy. I’m more than just an RnB and pop guy. I’m a music head and I want to showcase that with you guys. Expect a live arrangement EP from me in the near future, probably my next release. A lot of people do live albums but I don’t see a lot of people who do live arrangements. I want to do a celebration of what I’ve done so far. This (next release) is going to be for the music heads. I love music, I love chords, (and) I want to showcase that side of myself more. I hope it gets appreciated.
I: Live shows?
LB: I’m seeing that stuff is opening back up so I might have to start planning some shows. I’ve just kind of been feeling it out. I love performing. I gotta (with) link my guys Loque’ (and) Dave. We gotta do something.
I: Last performance?
LB: I did “Cha Cha Cha” and it was insane. Those kids knew the words, I felt very famous. I really didn’t have to say anything. I hope every that artist that wants to do music experiences that feeling of people knowing your music.
I: New music?
LB: Outside of the live arrangement (which) isn’t anything new, in the summertime I’m coming out with a new single. It’s going to be an undeniable hit I’m excited about it.
Lil Byron went on to tell us about his comprehensive plans for music releases for the foreseeable future. But for the sake of the surprise, we have redacted several of his comments. Trust us on this one, you have plenty to look forward to.
Interviewer: Features?
Lil Byron: I’m on Dave’s drill tape. I’ve never hopped on a drill beat in my life. I’m on Shemar’s record. He’s going crazy. He’s my favorite up and coming RnB artist for sure. You know me and Loque gon’ cook up. I got something with UU coming. I think he’s back
I: Tour?
LB: I would do a tour if it’s done right. I think it’s just up to the artists. It’s really about getting quality artists who (have) something going, who’re serious. It’s all about putting it together, and then being committed. And then having a team of people who are not artists to help put it together, marketing people.
I: One artist to go on tour with?
LB: Right now I would say Drake. He’s a legend so that gives me the opportunity to be seen on that platform. I’m not a fan of hip hop artists shows though. Most artists have a DJ and they’re just standing on stage. I’m going to have a band. I would say Roddy Ricch then. He’s very musical, people sleep on his live arrangements. I’d say Doja Cat too I like Doja Cat. I don’t know how we’ll fit but I like it.
I: Nervous to perform in front of 30,000 people?
LB: No, I’m too built for this. I’ve been around it my whole life and I don’t want to go back to where I was. (I’m) rocking it out no problem.
Interviewer: Who are you listening to right now?
Lil Byron: Im aways listening to T-Pain. He’s my biggest influence. I’ve been listening to a lot of Drake. A lot of Roddy rich. I’ve been listening Dave Tsimba a lot too. Shoutout to him, I like his music. Honestly I have a stretch where, I’m in creative mode right now, so I try not to listen to too many artist because I don’t want to be inspired by those artists. Because I’m trying to create my sound. A lot of times when I’m in album mode or EP mode or whatever mode I just listen to what I’m working on. You can tell who somebody was listening to when they recorded.
Interviewer: Any last thoughts?
Lil Byron: Follow me everywhere @lilbyonmusic. On IG. TikTok. Youtube. In between my releases I’m always posting content. I’m always putting my touch on popular songs. I’m going to try to be more consistent this year. I would say don’t just stream my music. If you can, buy it. A purchase goes a long way in today’s era, we get paid barely a penny per stream. It’s hard out here in these streets, especially if you’re not on tv or on the radio money is very thin for an artist. Before I release these new releases check out everything leading up to now. You want to be apart of the story and progression of Lil Byron. To all my new listeners welcome aboard. Stay tuned. I’m looking forward to releasing music that brings people together, that lights up rooms. I get criticized for taking the positive route. I’d rather do that than be dark because a lot of other artist are already being dark. If you want to listen to dark music just go find somebody that makes that kind of music.
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