Nikšić rapper Martin Lješković, who performs under the stage name Lucid, has been known to those who follow the local hip hop scene for some time. He introduced himself to the public four years ago, when he mostly published songs in a duet with fellow citizen Simply (not to be confused with the Podgorica rapper Simple who appeared a little later), then originally under the name Lucidan, which he later shortened. He soon broke free and gained enough self-confidence to start publishing his works independently, so several singles followed, and his work culminated this year, during which he was most active so far and became part of the new wave of hip hop artists in Montenegro, which more and more. After several singles, Lucid finally decided to release his debut studio release, the EP “Sick Thirst”, which can be heard on his YouTube channel and contains five tracks. On this occasion, Lješković spoke to "Vijesti".
When and how was the EP created, what was the process of working on it and was there any guiding idea that guided you while working on it?
The very idea of creating this EP came to me a couple of years ago. For a long, long time, I had ideas in my head about what this release of mine should look like, what kind of content should characterize it... And then I finally wrote the title track, the song "The Thirst of the Patient", and that was the turning point in the whole tell.
It is interesting that there are no guests at all on this edition, why did you decide on such a move? How will you promote the release - performances are impossible due to the situation, will there be any videos? Where will everything be heard/downloaded/purchased?
So for my debut studio release I wanted it to be a completely independent project, to present myself to people in the right light. The guest will already be on some other projects, just take it easy. The promotion of this mini-album will be organized soon, I still don't know the exact date when it will happen, but everyone interested will be notified via social networks.
How did this whole crisis caused by the global coronavirus pandemic affect your everyday life and your work? Many, if they had that opportunity, turned more than ever to work in their homes, home studios and the like, is that the case with you?
The situation with the coronavirus is now a little better, as far as I can see, the first gigs have started to be organized, at least according to Nikšić, as far as I know. You know how, with me both before and during this crisis because of the corona, everything remained the same, nothing changed significantly. It is true that I was able to use it to dedicate myself a little more to creating my music and I wanted to release the album "The Thirst of the Patient" right now, somehow I felt that it was the right moment for that move.
What does "Thirst of the Sick" mean, is that thirst a metaphor for the need to express yourself through music or something else?
The meaning of the title "The Thirst of the Sick"? I want to leave it to the audience's imagination, for each listener to discover for himself what the name of this EP means. Feel free, everyone is invited to understand that title in their own way, the way they want and see it, and let this interpretation of mine remain hidden, at least for a little while longer.
Your songs are characterized by a poetic lyrical approach, which has somehow been characteristic of rappers from Nikšić (Bacili, Psiho Mistik and others) in recent years, since the NaVamGa team - what do you think is the reason for that and do you think that more such expressions are needed on our rap scene?
That's right, I've been building that style for years. It was always a trip for me to hear in a song that something smart, wise was said. Or to hear a good metaphor and say to myself: "Why didn't I think of that?". I think that every musician, regardless of the genre he chose, should have his own style and direction. I chose to say what I have and to never stop in that sense. I think this country needs to finally be respected because of the people who do hip hop in our scene. If we look back at all of them, I am confident that we will find incredible talents that have perspective.
What does it mean and to whom are the lyrics "I don't write to be heard, I write because I don't believe you" that can be heard on the album mean? Also, in your songs, you repeatedly point out that "there is no more love", in what sense?
I never picked up a pen and wrote lyrics for one of my songs because I wanted anyone to hear it, but to get the negative energy out of me. That's how I say in my songs that I don't write to be heard, but that I write because I don't trust them, the mass of people who cheat on your trust. They inspire you that way. People are my biggest inspiration for songs. As for the mentioned verse "there is no more love, nothing is the same"... Well, in this city, and I hope that this applies only to this city, I see too many fake hugs, fake kisses, love in general. I pass by society on the street and people won't even say "bye". Those lyrics, it's disappointment in everything. I have the impression that these new generations do not see the essence of love at all. But who am I to tell them about it?
I want Montenegrin rap to have a recognizable style
In the last year or so, we have experienced an influx of rappers in Montenegro from all over, of various styles, what do you think is the cause of this - the growth in rap popularity, the availability of technology and software, all of this together or something else?
Well, too many rap artists appeared, I think that's good, but on the other hand, it's negative that the same things are marketed, they're all quite similar. My desire is to build a style that will be recognizable, just for us. To record on bits that will also be recognizable only to us. Day by day, the number of rappers in Montenegro is growing. I am happy that it is so, there has never been a shortage of creative people in this country, I believe that we should not be in the minority. It's definitely true that the availability of technology also contributes to this, because now it's easier to get instrumentals, thus you have half a song.
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