Q&A With Rising Christian Hip Hop Artist Lumont Deshield
I appreciate you guys having me on your great website. Yes, Christian Rap is definitely under appreciated. I have been writing and rapping since the age of 11. I got more serious about rapping about 2 years ago. I am from Maryland aka part of the DMV. I wrote my first track which was a poem in my 6th grade classroom.
Who or what influenced you into becoming a Christian Hip Hop artist?
My mother is probably the boggest inspiration to become a gospel artist. She knows the Bible like the back of her hand. Music wise, artists like Lecrae & Dee-1 showed me that Gospel rap can be dope.
Tell us about your Hometown? How is the Hip Hop scene out there? Other than yourself, who else in the underground scene is making noise out there?
My hometown is Fort Washington, MD is right outside of Washington, DC. Being so close to DC, everything is influenced by it. GOGO is the major music genre in the area but in recent years many young rappers have emerged out of PG County where I’m from. There’s not many gospel rappers in my area but young rappers like Shabazz & Will the Rapper are making noise.
Your style is very unorthodox and different, how do you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as diverse. My style is different because it’s a combination of Gucci Mane, Lecrae, & J.Cole. Growing up that’s who I listened to. Those artists helped to develop a style I call Trap Gospel music.
Please breakdown the creative process of your latest album “The Good Samaritans”.
The Good Samaritans Album was written, created, and performed with the purpose of giving our youth something positive to listen to. I wrote the album while being inspired by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in mind. My Pastor, Robert D Slade of Grace United Methodist Church, was the inspiration behind many of my songs such as Thorns in my Flesh. He preached a sermon about thorns holding people back and it inspired the hit song. It took me about 6 months to complete the album.
What are you looking forward to for 2017? Anything you going to be doing differently compared to past years?
In 2017, I am looking forward to greatness. God has blessed me with positive people in my life to help me improve my music and overall way of life. I look forward to giving back to my community and flooding the world with positive music. This year I am getting better. I have been working more on my flow and I have some big name features coming this year! I will not say who but it will be HUGE!
Any pressuring situations before you decided to push your album? Did everything work out according to plan?
The only pressuring situation was the pressure I out on myself. It was on my bucket list to release an album that was different but Christ driven. I am my own worst critic to be honest. I know that there is ALWAYS room for improvement but the album release did go according to my plan.
Any new projects coming out!?
I do have some new projects coming out. My next album is pretty much done. I also have a gospel beat themed project of songs completed as well. These projects are awesome and that is all I can say!🔥
Rappers nowadays think by throwing up a few videos up on social media and pushing quick projects, they can blow up overnight! Give us your view on how over saturated the market is right now with so many MC’s/Producers but not to many quality music.
The funny thing is I have been recently discussing this with two of my engineers, who are like my older brothers. There is a process to gain success. Your biggest competition is yourself and not others. Everyone’s story is unique. There is no set way to make it but one thing is constant… hard work! Most rappers are copycats now a days. Everyone wants to sound the same and they are afraid to be themselves. I look at rappers such as Chance the Rapper, who is an independent artist, is not scared to be himself. That is an amazing thing in this grimy industry!
Rappers and Producers should continue to grow musically, take their time, and I speak for myself first, I need to get better as well.
How often do you perform LIVE? Any shows lined up in the near future?
I have done many live performances such as Churches, Clubs, and Community days. All the proof is on my Youtube.com/ladjfly86
My next performance is next week at brother’s birthday party and in June ill be performing on a cruise for my Mother’s high school students.
Where do you see yourself in 5yrs time?
In 5 years, my goal is to be an established gospel artist as well as on a professional football player. I have done many CFL tryouts in past years and my training has helped me improve greatly.
Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
My definition of Underground Hip Hop is great music that is undervalued by the mainstream. Underground music is so great and I praise your website for giving us underdogs a voice.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
You can find me at:
Officialjesusgang.pushcommerce.com
Facebook.com/officialjesusgang
Soundcloud.com/ladjfly86
Instagram.com/officialjesusgang
Instagram.com/ladjfly86
Youtube.com/ladjfly86
Shoutout My Savior Jesus Christ, My lovely mother Denise, My gorgeous girlfriend Domo, My sisters Lavonne & MY DAD, my bro in law Dre, my Grandma Dorothy, My nieces AR, Des, & Daisy, my Bro for life Cody Glaude, Cheef, Phil Derihl, my family, my friends, my Grace United Methodist Church family, and last but not least, shoutout UndergroudhiphopBlog! You guys are a blessing!
