Born and raised in Pasadena, Maryland, a suburb right outside of Baltimore City that has been heavily affected by the opioid epidemic, Lewis School Em has taken his life experiences and used them for the greater good.
Currently, a resident of Southern California, when he was in Pasadena, Lewis School Em was surrounded by street violence, drug addiction, and the loss of his friends due to the trials and tribulations affecting their reality; Lewis School Em began making music at the age of 19 and started exuding his inner emotions into the songs that he carefully crafts.
In the passion-fueled consciousness of Lewis School Em’s most recent single, “Szuba,” we are submerged in a universe of reminiscent teachings that revolve around the experiences of Lewis School Em.
Exposed to the undeniable passion in the lyrical dexterity vocalized by Lewis School Em, his hunger drives through the musical tenors that provide thought-provoking material to saturate your headspace. Sharing his insight comes fluently to the emerging artist.
The in-depth tales that are told through each lyrical offering shed a few weighty layers off of the unbearing pressure the world can convey. The tantalizing components that simmer in mid-tempo instrumentation comprehend the intimate messaging that Lewis School Em so naturally performs to create an emotional connection with his audience.
Through self-reflection, diligence, and the power to overcome obstacles, Lewis School Em’s musical creations relocate his quintessence in a transferrable manner. Triumphantly swaying through each glistening cadence heard in this sonic invitation to the intimate soul of Lewis School Em, we are accustomed to his rap forward progression in the substantial hues conveyed.
Anticipating the storytelling methods that we’ll be hearing in his subsequent creations, “Szuba” has a special place in our hearts as Lewis School Em glides across this beat with pure fortitude.
We love the depth that you provide us in, “Szuba.” In your own words, what does this specific track mean to you?
I’ve never written a song that means more to me than this one, to be honest. My neighborhood has been devastated by opioids and I’ve lost so many friends I can’t even count. Adam, who the song is about, was basically like a brother. We grew up together and his death affected me in a lot of ways. We had a conversation shortly before he passed where he told me to chase my dreams and he’s one of the reasons I’m on this journey in Cali. One thing I learned early on is that every day is a blessing so I’m working as hard as I can to tell our story.
In terms of themes and messaging, what are you hoping that your listeners take away from this song?
I hope that this track can provide some hope to those still addicted and trying to move on from this disease. I’ve had so many positive responses and people telling me how much it relates to their lives. So many people told me they were in tears. I like to spit bars and get wild, but when you can positively affect someone’s life with your music, there’s really not a better feeling as an artist.
Could you please shine a light on what the creative and recording process entailed when creating, “Szuba”?
I came up with the idea to make this song on the two-year anniversary of his death. I was thinking about all the times we had and I just knew I had to make a song about this. I actually recorded another song before this one, to a completely different beast, but I didn’t feel it was powerful enough, so I started over. My girl and I were on a drive to LA listening to some beats, and the second We heard this beat drop, we both immediately knew it was the one. I wrote the song on the way back home and recorded it that night. It definitely stirred up a lot of emotions and was hella tough to record because of how personal it was, but I got it done.
How have you found yourself growing as an artist from your first release to this current song?
I feel like since I moved to LA from Pasadena a lot has changed. Since I started dropping music I’ve made so many connections and I feel very positive about the future. Since releasing Szuba, I’ve learned that being vulnerable and showing your soft side in your music isn’t a bad thing. I’m going to be dropping some music videos soon, including one to Szuba, and I have plans to release a couple of songs a month for the near future. I’ve gained so much confidence and I feel more positive than ever.
What would you like new listeners to know about you and the music that you create?
I’m a pretty quiet dude, but when I get in the studio I’m wild bruh. I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff. I’m not scared to say how I feel behind the microphone. Like at all. I talk about what I’ve experienced. I’m at all times, being me. If you like rappers that have bars and punchlines, hop on the bus!