WATCH: The Lytics sits down with Shannon Cuciz on the Morning News to share their story
A Winnipeg family is making a mark in the hip-hop music industry while staying humble.
Brothers Andrew and Anthony Sannie started trading rhymes with their cousin Mungala Londe as children.
“Our grandfather was a big musician and so growing up in and around that you just sort of pick up things,” Andrew Sannie said. “It’s a family affair, we all grew up together all making music.”
Eventually the family started turning those rhymes into hip-hop music with the oldest brother, Andrew making the beats and taking on the production duties.
The trio also added their adopted brother DJ Connie Ce to the band and started performing songs at events in Winnipeg.
“It’s a reflection of the type of music that we enjoy listening to, J Dilla, Slum Village, A Tribe Called Quest… that type of sound is where we based ourselves off of,” Mungala Londe said. “We like to be very energetic and love jumping around.”
In 2009 the band released their self-titled debut extended play record, combining their influences and inspiration into original songs. In 2012 they released the album They Told Me.
Since then The Lytics have headlined music festivals across Canada and performed around the world, playing for thousands of people. They’re heading on tour again at the end of March.
“We’re going to go off to Europe and we’re going to hit the U.K., Germany, Estonia and Paris,” Anthony Sannie said. “We’ll also be in Texas for Southwest Music, Film and Interactive festivals.”
The band is releasing three new music videos in the next few months for their upcoming album.
They’ll be hosting a farewell party celebrating the release of their new music on March 25 at the at The Pyramid Cabaret.
Their official album release is set for April 8th while they are touring in Europe.