We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Beleshia Mcculley . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Beleshia below.

Hi Beleshia, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first client was my daughter Ashlee Bankz. She wanted to get into music so of course no one could take care of her like myself.

Beleshia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Giving up was never an option even when at times it seemed like that was the only option. Faced with rejection from the very beginning of her life Beleshia McCulley better known as Lyrical has overcome plenty of undeniable difficult circumstances. Forced into adoption by her grandmother who convinced Lyrical’s birth mother that she didn’t experience pregnancy, and then later paid Lyrical’s birth father to sign adoption papers under a closed adoption; Lyrical was born into betrayal but that didn’t define her destiny or growth. Lyrical was placed into foster care at the Cradle Society in Evanston,Il where she was adopted into a very loving and wealthy family at just five days old. At the age of 32 years old Lyrical was surprisingly reunited with her birth mother. Reuniting with her mother was very emotional but they have grown to have a beautiful relationship. Since reuniting, Lyrical was able to find out about her history before birth. She’s learned about her grandmother and the lengths she went too to keep Lyrical separated from her birth family. It’s said that her grandmother put all the information about the adoption in a safety box that Lyrical won’t be able to open until her grandmother’s death. Although everything she went through was truly heartbreaking and selfish Lyrical loves her birth grandmother dearly.
Growing up Lyrical lived in the south suburbs of Chicago. She took lessons in piano and vocal training. Lyric actually became a vocal coach but she found a better outlet in poetry. That’s actually how she got that name “Lyrical” through poetry. Later she wrote a book of poetry that was published by the name of “Relationshhhh VS Relationships” that is available on Amazon. Lyrical has always wanted to make a difference. She knew that her story could help others so she went into motivational speaking. Lyrical spoke all around the Chicagoland area at high schools and spoke about adoption and her story. She has always felt the need to help others even though most didn’t see fit to help her. So much that when working in the corporate world Lyrical worked with in Case Management for Disable people. She ended up leaving corporate America after constantly having to deny people funds that were in dire circumstances. The manager of the company she worked for actually asked Lyrical to leave. Not because Lyrical did anything wrong but because she knew Lyrical was destined for better.
After the push to leave the corporate world Lyrical began working within the entertainment industry with a music group then known as “Tha Intervention Music Group.” All didn’t work out at the music group so Lyrical left then to begin her own management company; Lyrical Eyes Management established in 2009 which started in her car. The beginning of Lyrical Eyes Management actually came from her daughter, Ashlee Bankz who has been one Chicago’s emerging female artist. Ashlee is also an amazing writer who just landed in Forbes for writing a song for a prominent snowboarder . At the beginning of Ashlee’s career Lyrical took on the role as mom-a-ger because honestly she felt like “nobody is going to work harder or take care my baby better than me.” With that same inspiration Lyrical went on to manage some of the hottest rappers and videographers from Chicago. Management on this level started for Lyrical in 2012. She managed at the time 13 clients at one time. Artists Tink and Lil Durk were of that bunch and she managed to get them signed to both major labels. Epic and Def Jam. Lyrical also was on call for Interscope records for Chief Keef.
Currently at 45, Lyrical Eyes Management is still a growing household name which is circulating now worldwide in 2022. Currently living in Atlanta but never there due to her clientele and high demand for consultations. Currently neo soul singer Ravyn Lenae is now signed to her Record Label. Three Twenty Three Music Group/ Atlantic Records. Ravyn Lenae has become a powerhouse which started out under management with Lyrical and then transitioned over to the label. She also managed super videographer A Zae Production for over 7 years. Lyrical named the music group after her late brother Timothy McCulley whose birthday is on March 23rd… hence 323.
Lyrical has also helped launch the career of rapper Lil Durk, through Lyrical Eyes Management she was able to launch the hit record “L’s Anthem.” After the launch of “L’s Anthem” Lil Durk was then signed to Def Jam Records. . Although Lyrical is no longer his manager they have a very strong relationship business wise and personal. Lyrical now manages Tre Lambert from Philly who is now Durks Drummer. Lyrical has also managed and launched the career of the female artist Tink, and got her to Timberland and LA Ried over at Epic where she later signed her first major deal. Lyrical has a great ear and eye for talent she has been dedicated to management since the beginning and has been blessed to manage some of the best artists from Chicago and world wide. Lyrical has clients in Los Angeles (Powerhouse Singer) Chlo Subia, Credit Clique Llc, Atlanta ( Rapper) Flee Kay, (Rapper) Tso Tadoe, Mississippi (Rapper) Toot, Chicago( Rapper) Teefa, (Rapper) Vicki Street, (Singer) Chinashadae (Motivational Speaker/Daycare Provider) Dianna Joyner, Miami (Rapper and Basketball D1 Athlete) 3 Lit Mari her son and newest Client Drew Sidora from The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo) Lyrical also has a host of consultation clients and teaches multiple classes for labels on artist development. In 2021 Lyrical was a mentor for two days for Revolt Summit and now has been asked to come back again for 2022. At this present time she has an industry book out called “Dont Change on Amazon as well as an Ebook to help clients.She is truly a power house all by herself.

Lyrical is heavy in the festival world. She was one of the top music moderators on Clubhouse for 2 years when the app first started. She is now gearing up to be a sports agent for her son.
Although Lyrical beginnings weren’t as picture perfect as she may have wanted them to be they’ve made her who she is today. More than anything Lyrical wants to be an inspiration to those around her and to the world. She is working toward leaving her children a legacy that they can be proud of. Lyrical is the human form and example of “when one door closes another one opens.” Throughout all the tribulations Lyrical made sure never to give up and to always keep God first. To contact Lyrical for inquiries, please email [email protected] or 323musicgroup.com.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As my life got bigger in the music business my quality of life was staying the same until I had to Pivot my mindset. I am always for the artists but so many times they switch up and leave the management for dead. I learned to push myself as much as I was pushing them. The bigger I became the more awareness came with me. My quality of life changed as soon as I believed in myself more than them and I pushed my self as much as I was pushing them. May sound weird but weird works for me.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think staying to myself and not speaking when people felt I should have spoken. In this business a lot of grimy shit can happen and how you respond is everything. I let Gods karma speak. I just love and move in silence. I treat people accordingly. I also speak up for myself and am very firm and direct. My name started ringing in the industry back in 2012. I just kept pushing praying delegating and operating a very close unit which is often myself. I wanted to maxamize every region and I’ve accomplished that. I’m known and highly respected.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Lyricalsheart
• Facebook: Lyrical Eyes
• Twitter: Lyricaleyesmgnt

Image Credits
Fernandez Gordon