ll. Born in Tokyo, Tsutomu “Tom” Shimura came to America at age 3. He grew up in Berkeley, spent time in Salt Lake City and attended high school in Tampa, Fla. His musical journey began in 1991 in the KDVS college radio station studios on the UC Davis campus with his SoleSides crew, which included distinguished alumni DJ Shadow, Blackalicious duo Chief Xcel and Gift of Gab, his Latyrx partner Lateef the Truthspeaker, author Jeff Chang and Academy Award-winning producer Joseph “Jazzbo” Patel.
Since releasing his first single “Send Them” in 1993, Lyrics Born grew to become one of the most prolific and respected independent rappers in the Bay Area. While many of his independent rap peers signed major label contracts, Lyrics Born was repeatedly turned down because — even though he was meeting similar metrics and analytics — he says major labels didn’t know how to market him, being a rapper of Japanese, Italian and Jewish heritage.
“It was almost a blessing because it forced me to go out and create my own label, Mobile Home Recordings, and get my own distribution deals,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why I’ve been able to continue to do what I do, because I own my entire catalog and I’m able to live off of that.”
While he hasn’t ruled out recording an occasional single or performing live, choosing to stop recording full-length albums was a decision that took into account the mental, physical and economic toll each release takes. Making an album goes beyond just writing raps and getting in the booth — it’s also managing hundreds of micro-migraines like promotion, designing album covers and merchandise, booking tour dates and creating social media content.
But San Jose DJ Paolo “Cutso” Bello, who has collaborated with Lyrics Born since 2012 and is one of his touring DJs, is still skeptical “Goodbye, Sticky Rice” is the end of the rapper’s discography.
“When artists say that they’re going to retire, they don’t really mean it,” Cutso said, with a knowing smirk. “It makes them want to come back even more. They still have more to say.”
Lyrics Born’s reframing of priorities also aligns with his personal health needs. Around 2019, he began experiencing health issues aggravated by the rigors of touring up to 125 days a year. Cognizant of his advancing weight and age, he began eating healthier and exercising more. When COVID lockdown hit in 2020, and the tours disappeared, he was able to concentrate fully on hitting reset on his overall health needs.
“It really allowed me to delve even deeper,” he said. “That’s when the health journey actually accelerated because I was off the road and in a more controlled environment. I had more agency over what food and amenities were available to me.”
And like many budding food influencers born during COVID lockdown, he began uploading videos to YouTube of him and his family cooking nutritional yet tasty multicultural meals like barbecue jackfruit sandwiches and pescatarian paella with cauliflower rice. Thanks to his natural charisma and cheeky catchphrases (“Stir it up,” “All the yum-yums”), the cooking series caught on with viewers, winning a 2024 Telly Award in the Food & Beverage category.
While Lyrics Born’s enthusiasm and ambition for the series expanded, his waistline tightened — he lost 75 lbs.
“I derive a lot of satisfaction from my health,” he said. “I really love this version of myself.”
For its fourth season, “Dinner in Place” moved from Lyrics Born’s Kensington kitchen to a professional setup at the Producer’s Loft Studio in San Francisco’s Mission District. Guests who have popped by to cook include Señor Sisig chef Gil Payumo and “Top Chef Masters” winner Chris Cosentino. He said new episodes will debut soon with fresh guests and surprises.
But before he straps on the apron or appears in another film, he wants to throw a funky, messy going-away party for his last album. He’s in the middle of a short west coast run of shows to promote it.
To be clear, “Goodbye, Sticky Rice,” is far from a maudlin wake. The 10 tracks tap into good-time ’80s R&B and funk music that brought him comfort as a youth and during the pandemic.
“Funk really got me through every stage of my life, but that strain of funk really got me through the pandemic,” said Lyrics Born. “It’s just danceable and upbeat.”
Teak Da Beatsmith — who played on Lyrics Born’s first solo album “Later That Day…” back in 2003 — handled production duties, giving it requisite bump and freshly waxed dance floor gloss. Jazz Mafia added bright horns. R&B singer Joyo Velarde, who is also his wife, brought vocal flourish. It’s all topped by Lyrics Born’s wicked wordplay and musical sing-song flow. Snoop Dogg even recently reposted a video clip of “Goodbye, Sticky Rice” single “Take It 2 Far” to his Instagram page with one word, “Dope.”
If this is indeed his last full-length album, Lyrics Born is going out on a high note. He invokes a line from the album closer, “Live Your Life (Without Permission),” about staying true: “A toast from the mezzanine to the freest Asian man you’ve ever seen / To me, my freedom means everything / To spend how I want to spend, dream any dream.”
“I really want people to say: ‘That guy made the decision to pursue and live in his purpose and his truth,’” he said. “We really owe it to ourselves to show up for ourselves. You really do have one life, and you have to do what makes you fulfilled and makes you happy.”
Todd Inoue is a freelance writer.