During a recent conversation with Audacy’s Emily West, Jersey native and up-and-coming artist Spence Lee discussed the inspiration he's found from his hometown and his parents, as well as his new project and upcoming single, "Spend My Days."
LISTEN NOW: Spence Lee talks with Emily West
Attributing his vast array of interests and accomplishments to having grown up in the diverse Franklin Township area of Somerset, NJ, which he noted is “looked at as a model for diversity.”
“I didn’t I realize that until I got older, that because there were so many different cultures, different music, different people in the area… my exposure to a vast variety of like art and all of that… It increased my taste level, and it made me have a wider vision of what I like and therefore what I like to produce."
Another major influence in Spence’s life are his parents. His mom, a Vietnamese war refugee and his dad, Chinese, Lee tries to represent both in his art. “I always try to represent, and put on those stories,” Spence said, “you know those Asian peoples that are in America, and you kinda just look at all the Asian people as one population. But each and every individual has like a unique story and has a different background, different struggles they went through and things they overcame in order to exist in the country. So just me telling my story and even telling my parents story… hopefully inspires other kids.”
“They don’t even have to be Asian,” Lee added. “Just any kids that come from something, to be proud of where they from.”
First getting recognition for his bleached skeleton t-shirt creations, even selling a few to some big names, Spence eventually started styling artists and producers for events and music video, before he steered himself more towards his passion for music.
One of those music videos happened to be for Rae Sremmurd, who happen to be signed to Mike WiLL Made-It's EarDrummers Entertainment. “I was looking at it as an opportunity, cool, imma come to this shoot, I’m gonna meet Rae Sremmurd, I’m gonna meet Mike WiLL, I’m gonna show them what I’m working on, tell them vision and then hopefully it resonates with them, and it did.” Calling it a “blessing” that “came from being confident in my art, confident in my work, and just trying to be genuine.”
Lee is now signed with Mike WiLL’s EarDrummers as well as 88rising, which Spence said is “an honor.” Going on to note, "I was in high school listening to Mike WiLL’s music… so I’m just thankful for that.”
Lee worked with Mike on his upcoming project, which includes the sonically diverse tracks from the electrifying anthem “Sundown Ice On” to soulful tracks like “God Is Love,” and his soon to be released single “Spend My Days.” Calling the track “a different vibe” that has “a lot of melody and harmony in it,” "Spend My Days" differs from his usual sound that features a lot of “Hip-Hop heavy drums, trap beats, and fast flows.”
“I knew it was a great song, Mike new it was a great song, but we just kept getting signs from everybody… that this is something we should go with.”
For all that and more, listen to the entire interview with Spence Lee above.