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L.I., born Curtis Arline III of Rochester, N.Y., was introduced to and influenced by hip hop at a very early age. Being the next to youngest out of four very different brothers, Curtis was exposed to all different types of music. Tapes scattered around their bedrooms ranged from rock music like Van Helen to rap music like Kool G Rap and A Tribe Called Quest.
Being able to express himself through writing came natural to Curtis. Whether it was keeping a journal or creating short stories, he was always writing. Soon he became interested in expressing himself in a musical form. Fast forward to 1994, Curtis wrote his first lyrical verse while listening to Nas debut album Illmatic. It has been nothing but history since then.
Calling himself Clevy, Curtis continued to write more and more verses. When he became confident enough, he would perform these lyrics for his peers. This, very quickly, earned him the rap name Lyrically Intelligent (L.I.) for the skillful way he would choose his word play and the descriptive way he would tell his stories.
Throughout the mid 90’s, L.I. and his partner SunN.Y. (Virgin/So So Def recording artist and 106 & Park freestyle champion in 2004) went on to perform various talent shows, calling themselves The Goodfellas.
Later, in 1999, L.I. recorded his first solo track "Street Talk" which received airplay on 88.5fm WRUR, "The Hot Spot" mix show, hosted by Dj D Imperial. The song also received airplay on 89.7fm WITR, "Straight From The Underground" mix show, hosted by Dj Chris G. L.I. was the first local artist to debut 1 in the top ten countdown of Dj Chris G’s mix show. L.I., also, was later rewarded local artist of the year on the "Straight From The Underground" mix show.
After a four year leave of absence due to school and work, L.I. returned to the hip hop scene even more focused and mature. Since his return he has kept himself very busy in the recording studio. L.I. has worked with the likes of producers such as Vato (in-house producer for Carl Thomas), Midnite (Frankie J, Stacks, Loone and more), E Bass (Jay Z, Fabolous, Memphis Bleek and more), Battle Roy (SWV, Next, 112 and more) and many more. He has also, since then, created songs with SunN.Y. and Lady Luck (former Def Jam artist known for Fight Klub battle with Terror Squad’s Remy Ma).
On his road to success L.I. has been featured on numerous CD’s (Dj Bac-Spin’s "Bac On Track" mix CD, SunN.Y.’s "Braveyankee" mix CD, SunN.Y.’s album "The Introduction", etc.) and he’s created two of his own CD’s ("Left Lane the Stop Snitchin’ Edition" hosted by Dj Sight which sold over 5000 copies to date and "The Time Iz Now" hosted by Dj Bac-Spin). He has opened up shows for artist and dj’s such as Styles P and J Hood of D- Block, SunN.Y. and Dj Kay Slay (the Drama King). He has, as well, performed at many clubs in the Rochester area including Milestones, Club V.I.P., Penny Arcade, Bug Jar, Club City (Manhatten, N.Y.) and Club Icon (Buffalo).
L.I. has also had songs played and/or he has interviewed on many different radio shows including "The Slow Flow Show" hosted by Dj Jaythreeooh of 89.7fm WITR, "The Vinyl and Precusion Show" hosted by Dj Wiz and Bird (The Voice of the 585) of 103.9fm WDKX, "The Joint" hosted by Bird of 103.9fm WDKX, "The Firestorm" hosted by Dj Grand Imperial (G.I.) of 103.9fm WDKX and "The All Out Lounge" hosted by Ace of 90.3fm WKBR.
He’s featured in two of SunN.Y.’s videos ("Soul of a Hustler" and "Introduction") and has made his own video for his underground single "Cook". L.I. will also be a participant of the city funded song and video titled "No More Murder".
Accumulating fans that understand and relate to L.I.’s music through radio and video is only a portion of the outlets he has aimed to conquer. L.I.’s myspace music page (WWW.MYSPACE.COM/LIMUZIC) has received over 18000 plays to date and still counting.
L.I. is prepared and ready to be exposed world wide to let the world know that he really is Lyrically Intelligent.