Written by Angelo Gingerelli
Lex Rex has been performing in various capacities for years. She’s kicking off 2017 by debuting a new project with her crew The Dragons at Project Real’s Unified For Life event at The Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park New Jersey on Friday January 13. Pop Break got to catch up with Lex as she prepares to launch the next phase of her career…
How does rapping/singing/performing enter your life?
Performing was something that was introduced to me rather early. My dad is a jazz musician, so I have been around creative minds my whole life. I remember when my family discovered I had rhythm. My dad and my uncle were playing some music and I decided I was going to play the bongos. I remember, they were looking at each other smiling because they knew I had “it.” That was a special moment in my life. I obviously didn’t know what was going on at the time, but they were smiling so I continued.
As a kid I danced and trained in musical theater. I was always doing something involving performance, however singing came later in my life. I began writing on a piano when I was in high school. I started making videos of myself singing and playing, but doing live vocal performance wasn’t something I did until later.
After high school, I was performing acoustic singing gigs, which I really enjoyed. I enjoy doing those with someone I connect with. Truly beautiful. I mostly did them with a guitar player, but I decided I didn’t want to depend on anybody. I went back to playing the keys and singing, but rather than cover your stereotypical pop songs, I was covering Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys, Kanye West, and pretty much anything that was weird to cover on the piano. I rap/sang them. This was when I started meeting people that were rapping and that is pretty much how I landed here! I am glad I landed.
Who are your biggest influences?
I would be lying if I said that everything I have seen or heard hasn’t influenced me, whether it is negative or positive. I try to take something from every experience life has to offer. The good, the bad, the ugly, the brutal, and the painful things…all of them are the reason I am me right now, and honestly, I have to be thankful because things can always be worse.
One of my biggest artistic influences would have to be Andy Warhol. I love that his creativity was limitless. He was, what I would consider, a genius. He had, to me, perfect artistic intuition. He gave people what they didn’t even know they needed. I feel like people will always have very intense opinions about his paintings, but the marketing and the aesthetic was something that can’t be taken away from him. I can only hope to be half as genius.
David Bowie is another artistic influence of mine. I didn’t get into Bowie until rather recently. He was definitely not playing in my parents house growing up. I remember seeing a picture of him, the cover of the Aladdin Sane album, and I had to listen to him. Thanks to the Internet I was able to go and research all of the Bowie albums ever created. I stumbled upon an album called The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and at that moment my life changed. That record affected me emotionally. I never felt more inspired and comfortable with myself in my life. I felt the theatrics while listening to that album.
You are from the Jersey Shore and it’s a pretty unique place, what effect does that have on your art?
As soon as I was able to start driving, I was driving to Asbury Park. I started meeting people who were into the same things as me, which was refreshing. I slowly began meeting people who I would perform with and feel comfortable around. I am performing in the area about once a month (or more) now and I am truly grateful for venues like The Saint, The Stone Pony, Langosta Lounge, and The Asbury for being so inviting to many different genres of music. Asbury Park is a gem, and I am truly thankful to be a part of the scene.
Who are The Dragons? And what can we expect on this new project?
The “Dragons” are people with whom I work, a team if you will. Andy Warhol had “The Factory,” I have “Dragons.” I had some pretty dope dragons work on “REXZILLA.” I had Anthony Edward Curry who directed, shot, and edited the visual single. He was more than a dream to work with. He understood all of my visions and he absolutely made them come to life, I couldn’t be more thankful to have connected with him. Super thankful for all of these guys, all artists in their own right. Much love.
The single is debuting this week at a really cool event in Asbury Park, explain the event and what role you will have there?
This debut could not be more timely. First off, with a title like “REXZILLA,” I’m sure one would imagine its influence being horror film, that Friday January 13th could not be more perfect. I am also so thankful that I am able to premiere this video at Unified for Life. This cause is so near and dear to my heart. I was happy that two things I am so passionate about were able to connect; music and charity. More specifically, LGBT culture and Hip-hop. I know Hip-hop has had a not-so-great track record with LGBT culture. It honestly warms my heart to see this happening in my scene, let alone being a part of something like this.
I will also be performing with my posse, Posse Galore as well as some other amazing collectives such as OFFTOP, Black Suburbia, and Kidz from the Burbz. It is absolutely going to be a rowdy night in Asbury Park, which is pretty much a standard Asbury night for Posse Galore. I guess this just means it’s gonna be 4x as wild. I also hear a certain little jeep is going to be there, as well as some little dragon friends.
How can people follow Lex Rex and stay up to date with future releases?
REXZILLA the single will be available on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify on January 13th, the visual single will be on Youtube that day as well!
Facebook: https://www.
Instagram: lexrexandthedragons
Twitter: lexrexntdragons
Snapchat: lex_rexed
5 Random Questions
- What three other MC’s would you want to rhyme with on a posse cut?
Mike D (Beastie Boys)
Debbie Harry (Bondie)
Kanye West
2. Where are your favorite venues to perform?
The Saint
Longosta Lounge
The Stone Pony
3. Best Reality TV Show Ever?
If I have to pick…Keeping Up With The Kardashians
4. Ocean County Mall or Monmouth Mall?
Ocean County Mall
5. What five albums do you bring to a desert island?
– David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
– Kanye West – The College Dropout
– Led Zeppelin – Mothership
– Nirvana – Nevermind
– Frank Ocean – Blonde
Lex Rex performs Friday January 13 at The Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ as part of Project Real’s United for Life Fundraiser along with Black Suburbia, Posse Galore, Kidz from the Burbz, Offtop, and more. Proceeds from the show go to support Project Real’s efforts in creating and maintaining a safe space in the community for LGBT youth to get resources and to assist HIV negative persons and Persons Living with HIV/AIDS who are at high risk for HIV transmission or acquisition to reduce risk behaviors and address psychosocial and medical needs to improve overall health outcomes.
