I’m Le’Shawn — a 24 year old who just happens to have access to the Internet. It Caught My Ear is where I share music that connects with me & whatever makes my head nod. Nowadays, it's pretty much my personal inspiration board made public for the world to see.
After listening to Dark Arts Vol. 1 multiple times, it made me want to find out more about Lord Byron a.k.a Black Coke . “Why don’t you look up his bio”, you ask? – well, as far as I know there’s not one in sight. So, my curiosity got the best of me and I managed to get in contact with him and ask a few questions.
I guess the biggest question I have for you is, where are you based? One of the tags listed on your bandcamp page is “Denver” – also throughout Dark Arts Vol. 1 refer to Dallas, TX. Where do you call home?
I currently live in Denver Colorado, but I’m most definitely from the South. Dallas, Texas .
Why the alias Black Coke? It’s been your nickname for quite some time. What does it mean to you?
Well actually Black Coke was the first name I chose to go by but I recently changed it to Lord Byron. Lord Byron was a poet in the 18th century and my real name is Byron – Made sense. But, Black Coke was me being young and easily influenced and not really knowing what I wanted to portray through my music. I’m more mature now.
How did you form a relationship with producer brrd? — you both are a great combo and your styles compliment one another.
I met Brrd through my other producer 5 Star who’s from Dallas and they both go to the same college, and the story on how I met 5 Star is insane but we’ll just call it Manifest Destiny.
I currently live in Denver Colorado, but I’m most definitely from the South. Dallas, Texas .
Why the alias Black Coke? It’s been your nickname for quite some time. What does it mean to you?
Well actually Black Coke was the first name I chose to go by but I recently changed it to Lord Byron. Lord Byron was a poet in the 18th century and my real name is Byron – Made sense. But, Black Coke was me being young and easily influenced and not really knowing what I wanted to portray through my music. I’m more mature now.
How did you form a relationship with producer brrd? — you both are a great combo and your styles compliment one another.
I met Brrd through my other producer 5 Star who’s from Dallas and they both go to the same college, and the story on how I met 5 Star is insane but we’ll just call it Manifest Destiny.
How did you decide to start rapping? I’ve noticed a couple of times on Dark Arts Vol. 1 you mentioning giving up playing football to begin picking up the pen. Where there any artist/albums that inspired you to give rapping a go?
Well I’ve been listening to hip-hop since I was 5. My father was and still is a huge Tupac fan and he introduced me to a lot of rap early in age. I had dreams to be in the NFL and was actually a great player but my high school coach who I mention on “Cinnamon Porsche” was basically a pompous asshole so I didn’t get big scholarships like I hoped and when I went to college. I met some NY guys who I spit old verses for and they told me I should take this rap thing seriously so here I am.
You briefly describe Dark Arts Vol. 1 as “a social commentary of life seen through innocent eyes.” Can you explain what that means to you?
If you really, really listen to the lyrics and don’t just skim through them you will understand completely what that means. I lived in the East Dallas/South Dallas projects my whole life until recently and the things I’ve seen in a child-like state was horrific seriously. So Dark Arts Vol.1 is just a brief commentary of these situations that I’ve experienced as an adolescence. Simply.
All of your projects you released this far have only featured, I find that to be a rarity for young rappers nowadays — everything seems to be affiliated with this clique and that posse. Do you find it to beneficial to work solo?
Nas said it best “my first album had no famous guest appearances
the outcome, I was crowned the best lyricist”. I’m simply going to be an icon one day and I’ve only been rapping a little over a year so I’m only getting better and better and working by myself is the best way to prove this but I do have features coming up with great artists soon but most of my works will be me dolo.
What’s next for Lord Byron? – are there anymore things I should be on watch for after the upcoming release of Dark Arts. Vol 2?
Actually, yes. I have a project dropping right after with another producer of mine named Sam Crooke, but as of now I’m strongly focusing on Vol.2 to make this album nothing less of a masterpiece so long, long, long days of writing and living and writing is the routine to make this project gorgeous.
Thanks for cooperating in an interview with me, you’re someone I’m looking forward to more music.
No, thank you my brother for the invite. It’s seriously an honor to have someone show your art love and I’m completely grateful. But mostly raps and raps and more raps is what the future holds for me. It’s mad love for the interview again and I pray your hopes and dreams come into fruition G.
