Introducing ‘Notes from Mr. Sandman‘ – a column slapping a spotlight on lyricists overlooked, under appreciated, or just plain criminally slept on. Or like a man named Nas once said, “I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.” Enter Mr. Sandman with what y’all missed while chasing the REM dragon; Photo: Mellow Music Group
Fury is a Chicago-based lyricist who is best known for her uplifting rhymes and high octane performances. Her supreme confidence and magnetic charisma can be heard all throughout her raps, and her commitment to preserving lyricism makes her a sorely-needed ambassador.
For Fury, rap is an opportunity to examine her growth and how she’s been able to succeed in a world where hate and discrimination are the norms. She’s drawn strength from other powerful lyricists and takes pride in knowing that she’s carrying on a sacred tradition.
“I was drawn to rap by watching Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill on television. To see powerful women in positive lights really had an impact on me,” said Fury when asked what drew her to hip-hop. “Not only could you be successful but you could do it on your own terms without being vulgar and disrespectful.”
Fury’s integrity is an essential part of her style. She’s not one to compromise her principles, but at the same time she isn’t afraid to put herself under scrutiny and make the necessary changes to facilitate growth. Her commitment to self is an inspiration, and her ability to narrate her evolution while still holding lyrics at a premium is a skill that only comes from years of hard work.
On “Home” Fury sets out on a journey of self-exploration. She embraces the internal struggle, and offers up a sampling of how far she’s come. It’s an inspirational effort that reminds people to never forget where they came from: [LISTEN]
“I am not a very political person I am however a passionate person so I speak about my personal experiences rather than situations I know nothing about,” said Fury when asked how the political climate influences her work. “Things such as relationships, loneliness, depression, strength, pride and ambition are my main subjects. These are things we all deal with and therefore help to connect us.”
The universal nature of Fury’s work is a testament to her ability to find common bonds. Being a woman in an industry dominated by men, she’s chosen to not be swayed nor deterred by circumstance but rather speak to her experience as honestly as possible.
“My main motivation is being true to myself and never writing something I’m not passionate about,” said Fury about her writing process. “Other than that it’s entirely up to the beat. I listen to the beat over and over again until it starts to speak to me. I try to envision myself hearing it on the radio for the first time and listening to the emotions it stirs up inside of me. There are times that I will write a verse with an idea in mind and sometimes use it for a different beat later on down the line.”
Fury’s latest single “I Won’t” is a line in the sand. She’s breaking down walls, but at the same time doing more than just leaving a path of destruction. She’s clearing the way so she can build bridges, a facilitator of understanding: [LISTEN]
Fury’s project F.L.O.W. is a reflection of her collaborative nature. It was a chance to exchange ideas with like-minded individuals who shared the same passion for hip-hop as she did. The synergy can be felt on each song, which is a rarity in a time when most collaborations are tasteless and contrived.
“Flow stands for Future Leaders of the World and it was a collaborative project that I put together over the course of 2 years,” explained Fury. “As far as lyrical inspirations, I would definitely say ’90s and early 2000s hip-hop will always be my inspiration. This is what I was raised on and this is what I represent and I feel that is why people really connect with me because they miss that sound and that feeling.”
“It was also important for me to branch out and work with other artists that I admire and respect in the hip-hop community. The project allowed me to test my abilities as well as gain new fans that would not have heard of me had I not done these collaborations.”
On “Hip-Hop Around the World” Fury reflects over her success. Hip-hop has brought her so much, and she’s honoring it by bringing her best lyrics. It’s a dream come true, but she knows that the work has just begun: [LISTEN]
For Fury hip-hop is in her DNA. It’s an outlet that has been both exhilarating and therapeutic. It’s her heartbeat and her unwavering love is something that can’t be taught. She’s a lyrical champion with limitless potential.
“I love hip-hop very much,” said Fury. “It has changed my life and it is the therapy that I so desperately needed. I hope to be an inspiration to this current and future generations to show that hip-hop can never die as long as we speak from the heart. My new project it’s called Black Magic and it will be released June 29th.”
