We recently connected with Lenny Anderson and have shared our conversation below.

Lenny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Stumbling on a trombone and joining band in the 3rd grade. I didn’t know what I was setting myself up for. I knew I was doing something that felt right and I enjoyed. It felt like it came natural. The love for the music was at the core. Listening to the radio on those rides to school soaking in all that old school music was my preparation. With that said, things changed when I heard “Grindin'” by The Clipse Prod. The Neptunes. The drums spoke to me in a way I never felt. I was in middle school when it dropped. All I knew was that I loved that feeling and it was something I wanted to continue chasing. Something I wanted to provide when the time was right.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is LXNNY (Lenny) and I am a music artist in the genre of Hip-Hop/R&B. I am a producer and a rapper. I started making music on my own in 2012 when I purchased an MPC using my whole check from college along with a couple extra dollars for my mom. Ever since then I have been working on the craft and figuring out my identity. Influences such as Pharrell, Kanye West, Tyler The Creator, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, The Alchemist, & many more help guide the way.

For me it is important to chase the feeling of the music and ensure that everything is quality from the presentation on the visuals to the music itself. As a kid in High School searching for music, I would click on albums just because of their cover art. Now knowing anything about the Artist. That is how I came across Kendrick Lamar. So that set the standard for me early, that I need to put effort into the entire process of the art. Package it in a way that feels a like a curated experience.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first started rapping, my friend laughed in my face. First rap, first time recording it, and first time sharing. In that moment, I didn’t feel defeated though. If anything it lit the match. From that point I knew I didn’t want that reaction and I was going to continue to work on my craft until thoughts changed. Until people hear my raps and appreciate what they heard. Appreciate the attention to detail and penmanship. That same friend compliments me on my rapping so I think it worked out well for me.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

For me, it is a mix of books along with people and their stories and mantras. First off, The Alchemist is a book that truly inspired me. If anything, it reassured the feeling of never giving up. When I read it the first time, I was suffering from a torn achilles doing nothing around my apartment at the time. Reading that book at that time let me know that even when things seem the hardest, if you never give up the light is at the end of the tunnel. Accompany that book with the Mamba Mentality from Kobe Bryant to The Marathon Brand from Nipsey Hussle. Always strive to be better the next go around, focus on what you can control, double down on what works, and NEVER STOP. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Never lose sight of the vision and adjust when needed to, to bring you closer to that vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lxnny.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lxnny/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lxnnymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSlHXyUlq3j6a5y3MzS_RA
• Other: https://linktr.ee/lxnny

Image Credits
Photography: @photosbymelanie LOTUS FLOWER ALBUM COVER ART (Releasing October 21st.) Design: @mikey.sharks