North London based artist Lex Amor embodies the spirit of the first-generation of working-class London with her newly released debut project, cleverly titled Government Tropicana. Over 9 tracks, Lex effortlessly glides over relaxed beats taking us on an introspective journey through relatable life experiences, exploring themes of growth, gratitude, community and strength. Playing on a nostalgia and realism that’s close to home for many, Government Tropicana is a soothing collection of music perfect for chilled Autumn evenings.
Hey Lex, thanks for chatting with us, so to start off with, could you tell us about your musical background? What sort of music did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to all types of music man, my mum was obsessed with music when I was growing up – would wake up on Saturday mornings to my mum blasting TLC, Toni Braxton and Missy Elliot. Also spent a lot of time in Nigeria so definitely spent a lot of time with highlife and traditional Nigerian gospel.
What was the moment you decided you wanted to be a musician yourself?
Erm, I think it was a cluster of moments – what I can remember is the moment I realised music felt natural – I jumped on a drum set for the first time at 18 and felt a spiritual connection to the instrument – hard to explain, felt like I had played in a past life – that was the moment everything began.
Outside of music, what inspires you to create?
Nostalgia and existentialism lol.
What 3 words would you use to describe your style?
Young, Black, London.
Government Tropicana is a great name for your new project, could you tell us a bit about how you came up with it for everyone unaware of the meaning?
Tap water – government juice – making the most of what we were given; Government Tropicana. The Tape is the fruit of my introspection.
Do you have a personal favourite track from the project?
Ahaha, nah – my mum loves 100 angels though, and I love my mum.
You’ve worked with some incredible producers on this, Melo-Zed is a personal favourite of mine. How do you select the producers that you work with? What’s the process like when you get together in the studio?
Everyone on GT is family, wasn’t even a case of selecting etc, everything happened organically – we link up and just go; sometimes things happen, sometimes they don’t – GT is just some of the tracks that happened lol my laptop has many a skeleton. But yes, family and good energy.
Although your work is very personal, the themes and narratives relate to a lot of our generation growing up in working class Britain, do you think you primarily make music for yourself or for other people to relate to?
Abit of both I think. Introspection for me is exploring a shared human experience; sharing the fruits of that introspection almost feels like comparing notes. Pain and elation are relatable – what moves you can move a lot of people.
Do you have any plans for Government Tropicana visuals?
Let’s see how the spirits move lol
2020 has been a tough year to say the least, how have you been coping?
Music and Deliveroo.