Lily Jay wouldn’t have an answer if you asked her to describe her dream life 4 years ago. Not because she didn’t have ambition or goals, but because she’d lived her life in survival mode just to get by each day. At barely 18 years old, she had no education or source of income. As a result, Lily had to drop out of school and fend for her siblings. With no clue where to start, it didn’t take long for her to be sucked into the drug world. Then, her boss got shot on the streets in a drug war, and everything changed.
Lily knew she was facing the same danger or worse if she continued walking on that path. Though she didn’t have many skills, she was quick on her feet and bold. That’s how she got a job, waiting tables at one of the larger hospitality venues in her neighborhood, where she discovered her passion for music. Every night, she’d watch the DJ spinning music and the crowds going crazy on the dance floor. She admired how the music affected the mood and changed the vibe on an entire floor. Slowly, she started dreaming of a better life for herself.
Lily approached the resident DJ at the club and asked for his guidance on how she could create a thriving, energetic career similar to his. Although her free time was scarce due to working to make ends meet, she was determined to succeed and make a better life. Remembering the unrelenting struggle Lily and her siblings had endured was enough motivation to continue not only working but learning a new skill as well. After just 6 months of sporadic learning, Lily mastered the basics of music production and thus began her own career.
“Dreams,” produced by Lily’s friend DJ Nite, was her first single. The song received overwhelming support from the friends she had made in the music industry and gave her confidence to push ahead. Lily spent even more time socializing with others and attending shows when she could, which helped her polish her skills and perfect her style. The next time she went to the studio, she recorded “Bones,” her second track that was highly successful. Describing her life since her mother’s death and the struggles she’d been through, the song was an instant hit from day one.
“Bones” attracted 125k views on YouTube within the first 2 weeks. It also attracted 52k streams on Spotify and gained Lily thousands of followers on other social platforms. Many fans praised Lily’s straightforward lyrics and appreciated her courage and strength. Lily’s audience has continued to grow since then, with more fans following her on different social platforms.
Though the hip-hop industry is renowned for swaggering artists with similar themes in their songs, Lily continues to stand out. Instead of praising drugs and violence, she creates thoughtful rhymes about family, relationships, and dreams for a better future. Her tremendous skills and passion have propelled her career and changed her life completely. Lily hopes that change will inspire at least one soul and give them hope for a better tomorrow. To her, that will be the achievement of her lifetime.
