Dana Burtin (aka LyricalGenes)
Reigning from Cleveland, Ohio, Dana Burtin is a published author, entrepreneur, signed model and actor, and award winning musician performing under the moniker “LyricalGenes”.
Boyz II Business Entertainment, LLC is owned and run by Dana Burtin (LyricalGenes). Boyz II Business is an entertainment agency/record label that helps aspiring music artists launch their career in the industry. B2B Ent. believes an artist should have creative freedom; therefore, Dana helps artists with distribution, PRO affiliation, artist development, and much more, Boyz II Business Entertainment helps those who never had the chance to prove themselves, not just in music, but in life, to have an opportunity to demonstrate their talents and live out their purpose in life.
Since Dana is an artist he understands the obstacles a musician has to go through in order to pursue a music career. Boyz II Business Ent. supports artists and producers who have a truepassion for the art of music and who are ready to take the initiative on their lon,but exciting road to becoming successful in the music industry
Trauma
“I’m not even comfortable with love. Every time I think I’ve had enough. It stays on my mind. Like all the time. It’s just nature telling me that this time. It’s gon’ be alright. I hope so”. "Trauma" ein Lied, mit dem sich Menschen identifizieren können. Gezwungen mit seinen Dämonen zu leben, sie zu bewältigen und oder sogar zu akzeptieren. Liebe, Beziehungen und das Gefühl, aufgrund eines vergangenen Traumas im Leben von der Welt isoliert zu sein. Das Alles wird von LyricalGenes in Worte gefasst.
Das dazugehörige und auch sehenswerte Video von LyricalGenes ist eine Anspielung auf den Film "Get Out", in dem Chris Washington, gespielt von Daniel Kaluuya, an einem "versunkenen Ort" eingesperrt ist. Des Weiteren befindet sich Andre Logan King, gespielt von Lakeith Stanfield, in der Armitage-Residenz in einer Art Zwielichtzone. LyricalGenes nutzt seine schauspielerischen Fähigkeiten, um Chris Washington und Andre Logan King gleichzeitig im Musikvideo "Trauma" zu porträtieren. Somit bekommt der Song auch sein Bild, und der Track wird perfekt von Dominic Forniti, einem langjährigen Freund von LyricalGenes in Szene gesetzt. So we have to say Achtung: listen carefully, maybe he's been talking about you.
The Interview
Who inspired you to make music in general?
Actually, my catalyst for music and book publishing was influenced by my mother. My mother insisted that I write everything I felt in a notebook. Overtime I became bored with merely writing sentences about how I feel; therefore, sentences turned into rhymes, rhymes turned into poems, and 30 second poems turned into 3 - 4 minute songs.
...and especially to "Trauma"?
The day I wrote the instrumental and lyrics to “Trauma”, I went through a recurring situation where a female friend wants to take the next step in the relationship; however, I am extremely reluctant to do so because of my past trauma. “Trauma” is one of the first songs that I openly discuss and illustrate love and depression. Within “Trauma” I am not talking about myself in some instances.
In one line, I state, “I think I’m slightly addicted to drama.” Personally, I do not like drama and abstain from it at all costs because I feel it can drain energy. The reason I said that line, along with other subliminally implicated lyrics, is to somewhat demonstrate what depression can do.
Depression can control a person in a way where an individual can end up disliking what they actually admire. On the other hand, depression can control a person in a way where an individual latches on to something “negative”, regardless if they like it or not.
What is your creative process like?
In a literal sense, I will make the beat first, lay down the vocals, mix, master and edit, then publish the song; however, my process is pretty sporadic at times. For instance, I may completely write the lyrics to a song first without making or hearing a beat.
On the other hand, I may hear a beat and not write any lyrics. In this case, I would freestyle in the recording booth with multiple takes. In a more general sense, I hear music in everything like: nature, movies, other music, and random sounds; therefore, my creative process never turns off. It’s just a part of me.
What is the most useful talent you have?
The most useful talent I have is phrasing words in a way that is easily digestible and comprehensible for a broad array of individuals as well as seeing talent and passion in other people. I would even go as far to say that I can see a person's intentions as well.
...and the most useless talent?
I can complete a rubix cube in about 15 or 30 seconds. It’s definitely a really really cool talent, as people tell me, but I don’t exactly use that talent for anything. If I do, it is definitely inadvertent.
If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?
Taking certain opportunities sooner. When I was younger, I was more timid. Which is not how I am now. But missing opportunities or prolonging an assertive decision is why I am how I am now. So, not to contradict myself, I don’t think I would change the past per se, but I wish I knew what I know now, when I was younger.
How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music
business?
This is a question that has a multi-faceted answer. Business wise, social media is amazing due to the fact that an individual can remain in connection with someone no matter where they are or where they are from. In addition, businesses can promote their talent, products, brand, etc. on a plethora of platforms to gain exposure and retention.
On the other hand, since the internet and social media makes it easier for anyone to make a song or promote a product, for instance, it can be harder to spark a person’s attention let alone retain it since, as the saying goes, “everyone can do it.”
With that being said, one must bring something to the table that is different from everyone else. This is why I advocate for people to be themselves because no other person is like you; therefore, if you remain yourself, you are unique.
Lyricalgenes respectively Dana Burtin is...?
Dana Burtin is a college student majoring in Liberal Arts. Pursuing law to become an entertainment attorney, Burtin is making Cleveland a central hub for music and music business professionals.
Burtin has published 7 books on Amazon, is a poet, has appeared on Fox News (the second occasion for creating the official hype song for the Cleveland Browns entitled "Motivated"), is a signed model and actor, has created his own record label called Boyz II Business Entertainment, as well as helped other businesses vertically integrate.
With such experience under his belt, Burtin strives to connect, learn, and reciprocate information on an entrepreneurial and personal level.
What’s next for you?
Releasing my new folk artists, Anthony Forniti, new EP and album, continuing to build an empire of creatives in and around my hometown to continue to expand worldwide, and breaking through a financial threshold that enables me to put other like minded and passionate individuals in position to live out a purpose that they have always dreamed of.
