Latyrx is an American alternative hip hop duo consisting of Lateef the Truthspeaker and Lyrics Born . The partnership grew from the Solesides collective at the University of California, Davis .
12-711: Tsutomu William "Tom" Shimura (born September 2, 1972), better known by his stage name Lyrics Born (formerly Asia Born ), is a Japanese-American rapper, singer, and producer. He is one half of the duo Latyrx with Lateef the Truthspeaker . Shimura was born in Tokyo and raised in Salt Lake City , Utah and Berkeley, California . He attended Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida . Shimura changed his stage name from Asia Born to Lyrics Born in 1995, citing
24-447: A podcast that a new Latyrx album would see light after his next solo project. The album was finally released in 2013 and was entitled The Second Album . It was released on Latyramid Records to mixed reviews. Albums EPs Remix albums Compilations Live albums Singles Lyrics Born Tsutomu William "Tom" Shimura (born September 2, 1972), better known by his stage name Lyrics Born (formerly Asia Born ),
36-763: A 1999 single by The Herbaliser , and also contributed new material to the Quannum Spectrum compilation that year. Quannum Projects finally reissued The Album in 2002, allowing it to take its place alongside the new crop of independent hip hop that included El-P's Def Jux crew, Anti-Pop Consortium, and Anticon . Both Lateef and Lyrics Born went on to successful solo projects, the former with Blackalicious ' Chief Xcel and Fatboy Slim . Lyrics Born released two successful solo albums on Quannum Projects, before signing in 2006 to Epitaph Records . Lyrics Born announced on his website in February–March 2007 through
48-481: A rapper rather than his ethnicity. His first studio album, Later That Day , was released on Quannum Projects in 2003. In an article published by Rolling Stone in 2022, Later That Day was listed as one of the "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time." Lyrics Born's collaborations with Lateef the Truthspeaker on Latyrx records often see them trading lyrics back and forth in quick succession. Lyrics Born and Lateef's methodology for writing this type of lyric
60-426: Is a Japanese-American rapper, singer, and producer. He is one half of the duo Latyrx with Lateef the Truthspeaker . Shimura was born in Tokyo and raised in Salt Lake City , Utah and Berkeley, California . He attended Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida . Shimura changed his stage name from Asia Born to Lyrics Born in 1995, citing the desire to ensure that he won fans based on his merits as
72-460: Is described by Lateef in the book How to Rap : "With Latyrx stuff, when we have parts that we're writing that we're both going to be trading off, we write them together for the most part. I'll sit there and write a rhyme, like I'll write a line or two and then we'll break up who's gonna say what, and he'll write a line or two and we'll break up who's gonna say what. It's a very organic process." In 2023, Lyrics Born's most popular song "Callin' Out"
84-459: Is described by Lateef in the book How to Rap : "With Latyrx stuff, when we have parts that we're writing that we're both going to be trading off, we write them together for the most part. I'll sit there and write a rhyme, like I'll write a line or two and then we'll break up who's gonna say what, and he'll write a line or two and we'll break up who's gonna say what. It's a very organic process." In 2023, Lyrics Born's most popular song "Callin' Out"
96-459: The boards, and Lyrics Born produced his own 12" release, "Balcony Beach" b/w "Burnt Pride." Most of these solo sides, along with a raft of new material, appeared on the duo's debut LP, The Album , which was released in 1997. DJ Shadow produced a total of four tracks, and Chief Xcel (later of Blackalicious ) helmed two, while Lyrics Born handled the rest himself. The Album earned rave reviews for its adventurous, electronic-flavored production and
108-539: The desire to ensure that he won fans based on his merits as a rapper rather than his ethnicity. His first studio album, Later That Day , was released on Quannum Projects in 2003. In an article published by Rolling Stone in 2022, Later That Day was listed as one of the "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time." Lyrics Born's collaborations with Lateef the Truthspeaker on Latyrx records often see them trading lyrics back and forth in quick succession. Lyrics Born and Lateef's methodology for writing this type of lyric
120-642: The distinctive flows of both rappers. It was followed closely by the Muzapper's Mixes EP, which contained the single "Lady Don't Tell No." Muzapper's Remixes appeared in 1998, but, the Album didn't stay in print much longer; it was reissued briefly in 1999 before disappearing. Meanwhile, Solesides was reconfigured into a new label, Quannum Projects , and the collective officially changed its name to Quannum. Latyrx did not record much following their brief reign as an underground sensation. They appeared on "8 Point Agenda,"
132-576: The name Asia Born; the latter released the first single on the Solesides label, "Send Them," in early 1993. The first proper Latyrx release came in 1996, and was actually the B-side of Lateef's solo single "The Wreckoning." For the track in question, also called "Latyrx," both MCs recorded completely different raps played back simultaneously. More solo sides followed that year — Lateef cut "The Quickening (The Wreckoning, Pt. II)" with DJ Shadow on
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#1732793892788144-428: Was mentioned as one of the "100 Greatest West Coast Hip-Hop Songs of All Time" by Rolling Stone . Lyrics Born now produces a cooking show. Latyrx The crew's charter members — which also included DJ Shadow and the future Blackalicious team — were all involved in student radio and shared a progressive-minded approach to hip-hop. Lateef and Lyrics Born initially recorded as solo artists under
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