Lyrikal

Lyrikal
Background information
Birth name	Jesse James Enoch
Origin	Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Genres	Hip Hop,
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriterRapper Producer
Years active	2001–present
Website	www.lyrikalofficial.tumbr.com

Jesse James Enoch (born 14 September 1983), better known by his stage name Lyrikal, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer and songwriter. He started his professional music career in 2003 with Port Harcourt city based record label Tuck Tyght and released his first official single 'Learn Something'. His second single 'Can U Relate' showed his boldness and ability to address sensitive topics like Socio-political issues in Nigeria. Lyrikal has since become a voice for the gifted and the oppressed.

There is a certain restlessness that has characterised Lyrikal's journey as a musician and a man. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that he was born on the road to Aba, Abia; hails from Akwa Ibom state and spent his formative years in Sokoto. As the second and last child of a retired civil servant, Jesse relocated with his family in 1989 to Port Harcourt where his father was posted to serve. He received his primary and secondary school education in Port Harcourt and in 2005 he gained admission into The University of Lagos but dropped out a year later due to insufficient funds. Life in Lagos was hard, so he decided to return home to Port Harcourt where he tried to reorganise his priorities.

Lyrikal claims his inspiration for making music comes from being exposed to almost all genres of music especially reggae and disco during his early years. His early music influences were the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Mc Hammer and Shabba Ranks. His love for rap music manifested when he saw the 1990 flick House Party.

In the early 90's young Lyrikal fell in love with Hip Hop and honed his skills in rapping, rhyming and song writing. He would later be influenced by the music and works of acts like Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion), Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, Wu Tang Clan, and Nas whom he also happens to share the same birthday with, though ten years apart. In 2003, he began his career with Tuck Tyght, a rap label that housed some of the most celebrated rap talents at the time in Port Harcourt. Some of these talents were Mack Gee, Double K, Andre Blaze, The Veteran and Damage. His contribution to the Port Harcourt City classic album "Now Official" could not be ignored as he slowly cemented his place in the Port Harcourt music scene.

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