Lyrical Desperado is a new, aspiring artist who is both talented and inspiring. The inspiration for his artist name comes from a song he previously wrote, which includes the line, “Lyrical Desperado, Riding High Up on My Saddle.” He was fixated on this combination of words. “Lyrical” refers to songs with poetic and musical qualities, while a “Desperado” is someone reckless due to a life of despair and hopelessness. A desperado also represents a person who takes risks without fear—someone relentless. This was when Lyrical Desperado knew it was the perfect artist name for him.
He was born in Harbor City, California, and grew up in Long Beach, California, where he currently resides. “Get Up and Go” is a track he recently released in collaboration with producer Fewtile from Germany. He also released two other songs, “Shake Sumpthin” with Fewtile and “Flowstranomics” in collaboration with Northern California producer KreacherK. He promoted all three songs on Instagram, and “Get Up and Go” has become the crowd favorite among listeners. The track represents who he is: a dedicated, driven hustler with tremendous ambition. It offers an upbeat, lyrical, and inspirational vibe, designed to captivate and motivate listeners to “Get Up and Go,” whether that means achieving their goals or getting through the workweek. This track is like a lyrical espresso shot, giving listeners a boost in the right direction.
When asked about his career, Lyrical Desperado states that he is in a great place as an artist. He says, “My writing, creativity, recording, and overall vision of who I am as an artist is more evolved and clearer than ever before. I would like to perform at major events and concerts, and I have made the right connections to achieve that goal. I am focused and consistently building upon my artist foundation day and night.” His musical inspiration comes from his uncle Mike, who was the lead vocalist for heavy metal bands in the 1980s. His uncle David, a professional drummer, and uncle Arturo, a bongosero in his band, were also onstage performers. Lyrical Desperado grew up inspired by their journeys as artists and musicians.
Lyrical Desperado describes his genre as West Coast Hip Hop, and his sound varies depending on the feel he wants for each song. He’s been told that some of his tracks evoke a conscious vibe, similar to NF’s music. His ability to pivot between styles is impressive, allowing him to create songs in many different genres.
His 2024 career goals include continuing to elevate as an artist and take his career to new heights, and he feels everything is headed in that direction. His work ethic, patience, and paying his dues are how he plans to achieve these goals. Launching his own clothing line is another personal milestone he hopes to reach. His biggest motivations are his wife, son, and daughter, who he describes as “the driving force that keeps me going hard in the paint.”
He has always written poetry, but it wasn’t until 2008, when another artist noticed him writing in his notebook, that he was invited to a friend’s house to record music. That’s when he learned how to rap his words to a beat and create songs. He has been creating music ever since—16 years and counting.
One of his biggest highlights, memories, and accomplishments was his first time performing on stage. He was introduced to Tromaine Scott and Kencai Andrews, also known as Ken Madskills, who offered him a slot at their “Lyricist Lounge Artist Showcase” in downtown Long Beach. The venue was packed, with artists from different states set to perform. When it was his turn, Lyrical Desperado performed two songs, rapping 96 bars total (not including the hooks) without missing a beat. The crowd erupted in applause, and it was a moment he will never forget.
Lyrical Desperado is grateful for the smooth road in his career so far, attributing his success to the lasting relationships he’s built in the industry. However, he’s had to overcome challenges, especially becoming a young father at 17. He believes life is a test, and while obstacles are inevitable, they’re meant to be overcome.
One thing he wishes he had known before entering the music industry is how much money an artist has to invest. He has spent thousands of dollars over the past 16 years and hasn’t seen much financial return. Despite this, his passion keeps him motivated, and he offers this insight to amateur artists entering the industry.
In addition to music, giving back to the community is important to him. He organized the “Close The Camps” protest on June 20, 2020, in Long Beach, which aimed to raise awareness of the mistreatment of migrants detained in ICE facilities. The protest was part of a larger effort, with events in Adelanto, Downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Ana.
Looking ahead, Lyrical Desperado takes life one day at a time, knowing tomorrow is never guaranteed. In five years, he envisions himself on tour, performing in a city near his fans. Outside of music, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, attending events, visiting amusement parks, and creating lasting memories with his family.
He lives by the motto, “Believe in yourself, even when things are hard; your mindset is key.” As an independent artist, he writes and records his own music, using emastered for engineering. He has collaborated with producers like Anno Domini Beats, Legion Beats, and many others.
To date, Lyrical Desperado has released 22 singles, with “Get Up and Go,” “Shake Sumpthin,” and “Flowstranomics” being his favorites. These songs represent his evolution as a lyricist and showcase where he’s headed as an artist in terms of creativity, style, and sound.
What he enjoys most about being an artist is the ability to create music and perform on stage in front of large crowds. The crowd’s reaction after a set is the best feeling in the world for him. He also values the relationships he’s built with fans, producers, fellow artists, and event coordinators along his journey.
He believes people should listen to his music because it’s relatable. As a versatile artist, he creates songs about life and relationships—whether good or bad. His storytelling through music connects with listeners on a personal level.
Currently, he is working on four different songs: “Deception,” “Wild Angel,” “Low Life,” and “Damaged Petals.” While these tracks are close to completion, his perfectionism sometimes slows down the process.
For anyone looking to follow in his footsteps, he offers advice from his song “Remember Me,” which emphasizes hard work, staying true to oneself, and pushing through obstacles.
Lastly, he expresses deep gratitude to his fans for their support, which keeps him motivated. He also thanks Angie Churn and What’sPoppinLA for the opportunity, and Cece Valencia for her unwavering support throughout the years.
His music is not yet available to stream or purchase but is in the works. Be sure to look out for it! You can connect with him on Instagram (@lyrical_desperado) and YouTube (@lyrical_desperado), and check out his SoundCloud under the name Lyrical Desperado.
