Calez
By Paul Jimenez on January 21, 2014
In today's hip-hop world, Chicago is one of the few areas you can find young, talented artists almost anywhere you go. Standing out of the pack is Marcale Lewis, a lyricist and producer better known as Calez. The kid from South Cook has been composing verses since he was just 13 years old and constructing instrumentals since he was 16, progressing respectively in both crafts each and every day. His lines are genuine, while his beats sound energizing, coming together for an intense poetic feel. He also has a deep passion for film and the imagery inside the visuals. When he's not making music, the young MC is working on his Internet show: The American Dream Concept. A series "produced by the people" based on Calez daily lifestyle, used to inspire individuals to have fun with their lives and be themselves. Stay up to date with each episode, as the short-clip Internet series leads up to his next project, Ceito.
Interview
Who is Calez? Tell us about yourself.
"I'm a guy from Chicago that has his own world."
What is the 2008ighties group all about? What do you guys represent?
"2008ighties is about brotherhood and foundation. We represent unity with individuality."
Talk about your hometown Chicago and how it has influenced your life.
"My family was homeless growing up, I grew up skipping to relatives houses all around the Cook County area, mostly South Cook County and Chicago. With that I've seen a unique aspect of my city and how people interact. It gave me my own firmness to stand on. I learned how to move with negative and positive influences, most importantly choose what I wanted for myself."
What are a few hobbies you have outside of music?
"I love film. I got a passion for good imagery in videos. I'm also into the spiritual aspects of life, creating and connecting with my world the way I want to see it."
Any influences?
"Existence is my biggest influence, the fact that I live on a planet as a human. I appreciate that so much because it's something new to give your focus to everyday and it's infinite. Humans do amazing things everyday."
How would you describe your overall style?
"I'm a poet, influencer, channeler. I channel one of the most god-like parts of myself in music and that is why it resonates so well. It comes straight from my background and memory so it sound like Calez."
Talk about your Internet show: The American Dream Concept.
"TADC is on the roll right now. We are inspiring lots of people to do something fun and creative with their life story, and that is all i want to do with mine. Another passion of mine is making money. I love it, so I appreciate all the donations we are receiving and people that are sharing, it's amazing."
You just released "Peaceful", any idea on when the Ceito project will be complete?
"I want to have the project complete by March."
Do you play any instruments?
"I dabble, I play the computer though which is like one of the best. I mean, I made the "Peaceful" beat and more of my production that is going on my album. It's a skill, haha."
What's one thing people don't know about you?
"I love them."
Lastly, what makes your music different from other hip-hop artists in your generation?
"They cannot compare to me in any type of shape or form. They'll never be able to look through my eyes, hear what I hear, or create what I create. That's all."