A Farewell to Lyrics Born, the Funkiest Indie Rapper

Welcome to Golden Dragon, a newsletter by Eric Diep about Asians in hip-hop and my takes on trending topics in AAPI pop culture. Golden Dragon is a rotation of interviews, reviews, news, critical perspectives, and random blogs about music I recommend.

• A letter to Lyrics Born, a send off to a hip-hop veteran.

• A review of KnowKnow, taking a break from his Mr. Enjoy Da Melody EP to do a collab album with a prominent Chinese rapper.

• Diep Cuts with Kali Flower, Audrey Nuna, G-Dragon, KEIJU, Yoshi T, Warren Hue, and Hanumankind.

• Send It: Chinese rapper and singer Vava introduces Cent3e, Among, Donotzetah, and Jennifer in an all-girl cypher.

On Oct. 25, Lyrics Born released his 16th and final studio album Goodbye, Sticky Rice. "For my last album, I wanted to throw the funkiest, freakiest, messiest going away party I could for myself,” LB declares. “I'm saying what I want to say, and then I'm boogie-ing my ass out the door.” On 2022’s “Who’s the Best (Dear Young LB),” he wrote a letter to his younger self, telling him the trials and tribulations he’ll face on his musical journey. Inspired, I wrote a letter to his present self, a proper send-off to his 30-plus career in hip-hop.

Dear OG LB,

Congratulations on releasing Goodbye, Sticky Rice. My favorite songs on the new album are “Take It 2 Far” and “It Might Not Be Love” with Trackademicks, Lateef the Truthspeaker, and Joyo Velarde. Shout to Hallway Productionz, Teak and Dee Underdue, for their contributions.

Over the summer, we had a conversation that got published on JoySauce. When my former editor reached out about doing a piece, I texted my friends who listen to a lot of underground rap and they shared their connections to your music with me. One said he knew you from your songs with Blackalicious while the other said “Bad Dreams” was his bluesy jam. He said you had a lot of versatility, which I agree with after digging through your catalog.`

Because of this story, I was able to piece together the importance of your contributions to the Bay Area hip-hop community. I was amazed to learn that you founded collectives SoleSides and Quannum Projects in the ‘90s with DJ Shadow and Blackalicious. I read old interviews about your stances on Asian representation in the music industry and the term Asian, seeing your perspective evolve as you continued to right the wrongs and pave the way for others. You told me in our interview, “You got to understand when I came up in the early ‘90s, there were no Asian rappers. Almost zero. I came out as Asia Born, and I got my ass kicked in the press. I didn't have a community within the industry to champion what I was doing. I was alone on an island.”

You remembered who the fuck you were. Incredible. The first Asian American solo rapper to perform at Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. The first Asian American rapper to reach 10 albums and the first with a greatest hits album. The first Asian American rapper to do an acoustic album of his fan favorites, including the highly lauded “Callin’ Out.” The first Asian American rapper who did all of this as an independent artist before it was cool to be independent. It makes Goodbye, Sticky Rice feel like a victory lap, retiring from rap on your terms.

I watched your recent IG Live where you connected with your fans, shouting out familiar faces and introducing yourself to new ones. I still learned something new. Your 12" vinyl of “Send Them” was made in Dan the Automator’s home basement at his parent’s house in San Francisco when you were 18 in ‘93. Now, look where you are. Snoop Dogg is reposting your music. “Take It 2 Far” is bringing in new fans, and I hope they check out your song “Coulda Woulda Shoulda” where you say the flow originated from. But I still want you to collaborate with Suga Free like everyone else. It’ll be dope!

In 2024, I’m glad you no longer feel excluded and you continue doing you. You gave us a blueprint to follow and you’ll always remain the funkiest rapper alive. People should stream Goodbye, Sticky Rice for your favorites: “Take It 2 Far,” “Can We Still Be Friends?” “Smokin’ Wit My Lady,” “Shades of Jade,” “It Might Not Be Love,” and “If Ur Down, I’m Down.” I’m honored to tell your story, even if I came late to the party, haha. Hopefully, I can catch you on one of your tour dates before you hang up the mic for good.

P.S. Dinner in Place Season 5. Let’s go!

From,

The Golden Dragon