Lex LaFoy: What’s in a name?

Lex·i·con:

1. A dictionary.

2. A stock of terms used in a particular profession, subject, or style; a vocabulary: the

lexicon of surrealist art.

According kabalarians definition

of a name: “It is the grouping of several letters of an alphabet, or other symbols,

which represent the identification of a person or an object”. I am sure you

pondering what could be the logic behind the foregoing definitions. Like William

Shakespeare inferred “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely

players…” Whether is a question of fate or one’s will, we are all players in the

world stage. Hence is utterly important for one to conjure up his/her own identity

and foster character traits that set one apart from a sea of countless

personalities.

Durban born and bred Poetess and performing Femcee Ash-Leigh La Foy who’s

prefix Lex is derived from her alias ‘Lexikon’ by which she was known from 2005-

2012, which of course was preceded by ‘Leigh.L’, who, of that known Era, (as she

would say that only Zuluboy seems to remember her by), is one such individual

who’s musical genius fuses Electro, Dance (EDM), Pop and BoomBap. With funky

sounds ranging from Vogue-Euro-Dancall all the way to Moombahton. She raps

on Trap, Dub-step as well as your big-bass New Age beats with ease and

sassiness. It is apparent that Lex has created a distinct name for herself.

According to Lex all her formal education thus far has been done in her home

city- Durban. Where she attended Glenardle Primary School (On The Bluff),

Chelsea Drive Senior Primary (Durban North) and then Northlands Girls’ High

(Durban North). In 2005 she completed her Bachelor of Social Science Degree at

UKZN majoring in Psychology and Philosophy. With a blend of intellectual and

artistic qualities that she embodies, Lex is one poet/musician approach caters for

the head-bobbing yet thought provoking appeal. Let us now proceed with getting

to know Lex Lafoy the intellectual and the artist:

Tell us about the years you started realizing your love for hip hop and

subsequently Femceeing?

This question makes me giggle) Looking back, I was born with the gift and love

for writing. As a child I’d sit in my room, converting my then merit books into

lyric books. Writing from when I became literate, I would title the pieces

according to poetry and song. At about 12 I formed a singing group with my

girlfriends. I’d write songs for us. Our break times were our rehearsal times.

Hiding out in the gym, we’d mainly dance and perform cover-versions in

assembly though. I was always ahead of my years maturity-wise, and at 15 I’d

hang out with kids in varsity. Moki Sage and Casper of Kold-Product were part of

my inner circle back then. I remember we’d all take turns to rap on the Breathe

Easy hidden track on Jay-Z’s Blue Print 1 in the car. The culmination of my love

for Hip Hop as music and culture arose when I was 16. I was dating someone

who was more involved than I was at the time. He started exposing me to ’the

underground’ and the stuff you wouldn’t easily come across on the radio. During

this era mix tapes were a rare commodity, and everybody on the street was

hustling to get their hands on the most exclusive remixes and disks, before the

widespread availability of music on the net. You had your dope dealers and your

music dealers. Between the ages of 16-18 my love for hip hop grew immensely.

It was here I fell in love with the likes of Cannibal Ox, Last Emperor, KRS1, Dead

Prez. It grew simultaneously with my exposure to the culture. My home girl

Janelle told me about the Inqaba Hip Hop Sessions at The Bat Centre (Durban,

South Africa ) on a Thursday, and so we went this one day. We listened to the

cypher, I took her aside, started free styling for her and was like “I can do that!. I

can Freestyle!” and she took me back to the cyphers, held me around my waist

from the back, and said “Do it!” That was it, the beginning of forever. From then

onward we attended Inqaba every Thursday for the next year or so and the Bling

Free (later called Life Check) Sessions once a month in Albert Park, where you’d

find the 'Graffers' (Graffiti Artists), MC’s, Beat-boxers, B-Boys and DJ’s doing

their thing. This enlightened my world, YO! I’d finally found people like me. The

real-life experience together with the music we listened to on disk and radio,

enhanced the realness of this art form for me. It made Hip-hop personal. It made

it real.

When was your big break into becoming a recognized and sought after

artist?

I haven't had my big break yet. This is all still groundwork. The time to soar is

close though. I can feel it.

Please align your discography for us, what inspired each of your albums?

SKETCHES IN THE MIND (2011) - was inspired by my coming into being as

thinker, a self-searcher.

HERETIC (2012 Unreleased) - was inspired by the coming out of the rigid box I’d

created for myself. It was inspired by a lot of boom-bap and punk sounds, as well

as my friend and muse (at the tine) Bonko Cosmo Khoza. It was here I started

working with Ifani too, and his energy complimented mine a lot.

PAPERWORK (2014 Yet to be released) - Is inspired by the death of Lexikon to

LexLaFoy. The phagocytosis. The rebirth. The full circle. The return to Music. Fun.

Dance. Happy. Me. Thankfully, Time aligned me with Jonny Joburg (Spaza Shop

Boys and Renaissance-Rock Recording) who shared a vision and helped nurture

the becoming of Lex LaFoy with me.

Who are your role models in your art form?

My Role Models include Bjork, Kimora Lee Simons, Madonna, Rah Digga, Missy

Elliot, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, Malika Lueen Ndlovu, Saul Williams. TLC,

Brenda Fassie and Boom Shaka (to name a few)

Who has played a key role in your music career whether personally?

(family who encouraged you or bought you your first equipment for e.g.)

or professionally (people who have showcased belief and have assisted

with getting you GIGs)

On the Home Front: Regan Wagner. Janelle Ngubane. My Mother Lerlen La Foy.

my grandparents Colin and Jean La Foy. My Babydaddy Mduduzi ‘Psalm1’ ’Sumit’

Tshabalala. My Daughter Turquois. Professionally: Black Eye Entertainment.

ZuluBoy. Osmic. Sheiks, Mak and the RUN JHB Team. Jonny Joburg and the

Renaissance Rock Recordings team and (my favourite) Ifani.

Let us know of shows/events that you actively involved in?

I'm not committed to any shows or events. I have my own registered company

called Heartistree Productions which I arrange and facilitate Creative Workshops

at schools with every now and again. But I have no fixed affiliation to any

platform (As Yet). I work on Lex. She is my full-time occupation. She is so

demanding. Jesus.

Tell us your achievements and you milestones so far, competitions you

have won, awards, and endorsements?

In 2002 I received a Special Award with The Department of Education at national

level for my poem titled Home as part of a Heritage Day Celebration. I was the

runner up to the first ever MTV Base VJ Search in 2005. Sizwe Dhlomo had lost to

me in Durban, got the Joburg title and he went on to winning the national title. I

was a participant in the international festival Poetry Africa as a Slam Participant

in 2006 and 2008, and in 2013 on the Main Lineup for the first time. I

was nominated for Best Female and Best Mixtape at the first South African Hip

Hop Awards in 2012. I don’t have any endorsements as yet. I was a Participant in

the first Red Bull Bass Camp in Braamfontein this year (2013) with 29 other

participants from all over the country. That was fackin rad. I am often dressed by

Moonchild’s Cultwear designs. I am looking forward to endorsements in the near

future though.

Who are your Top Five favourite Hip hop artists and producers locally and

internationally?

My top 5 Hip Hop Artists: 5. MF Doom 4. Kendrick Lamar 3. Yolandi Vi$$er 2.

Drake 1. Jay-Z.

Oh my hat. There are so many producers I’m in awe of. Can we extend it to Top

7 (In no particular hierarchical order)? 7. J-DIlla. 6. Casper Nyovest 5. St.

Boserreti 4. Frank Marksy 3. The Nutscratchers 2. The Gravy Crew 1.Rick Rubin

Consciousness or commercial rap, which is your preference taking into

consideration that the latter seems to generate more revenue in the

business?

Let’s not forget that Music is Music. And what sells becomes known as

‘Commercial’, and what is favoured by a minority or speciality market is defined

as ‘Underground’. I love them both. I once preferred underground Hip Hop.

However I now love underground Drum n Bass and Electro (not the popular

remixes, but the fresh productions) and I dig commercial (Hip-hop/Pop) sounds.

If it comes from an authentic place I’ll feel it. Music is an etheric connection. So if

I feel it I feel it, and it shouldn’t matter whether its underground or commercial.

Pop, Hip-hop or Rock.

Enlighten us about your latest project?

My latest Project titled Paperwork it’s my pride and joy. It contains music I can

jump around, wild out and get free to. I’m all about Self-Liberty (where it brings

no harm to others... Unless that B*tch on the speaker is standing to close, and

you accidentally hit her with your hair with the extent of your wilding out tactics.

Then I condone it fully. Tell a B*tch ta move.). So far we’ve released From The

Head as a free download which is a prelude to a joint upcoming project by Lex

LaFoy and The Nutscratchers. The next single to be released any day now is

titled "Make Way" where I feature with Pop Vocalist Lily White. Gosh. I'm also

featured on the upcoming Rehab Tony Project, which is faaaar more electro. I’m

super amped. I won’t reveal too much. M*thaLovers can stay tuned :-) and follow

a girl on Twitter @Lex_LaFoy and Facebook LEX LAFOY for the latest news. I’ve a

reached place on my journey where I value being true to one’s self over the

expectations of the group. Whole People make Whole Systems.