RESILIENCE AND RHYME | Liym Capital

INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK

In an era where authenticity is often questioned, Liym Capital stands as proof that hip hop’s spirit of truth-telling and self-expression is alive and well. Hailing from Ellenville, New York, the rising emcee blends raw lyricism with introspection, delivering verses that balance grit with wisdom. His wordplay pays homage to legends like Nas and AZ while carving out a lane that is entirely his own.

With collaborations alongside respected names such as The Hoodies, Planet Asia, and Skyzoo, Liym Capital has already made his presence felt in the underground circuit. His 2024 album Every Day Is Day One showcased his philosophy of mindfulness and resilience, and now he’s back with It’s Dark and Dawn Is Bright—a project rooted in duality, struggle, and renewal, crafted alongside longtime collaborator Sicksiah.

Whether it’s dropping thought-provoking freestyles from the driver’s seat, curating his unique “Laced Taste” plant-based food commentary, or aligning with streetwear staples like Dareales, Liym Capital is proving he’s more than just another rapper—he’s building a movement. VALIDATED sat down with him to talk early inspirations, the meaning behind his name, his latest project, and the philosophy that drives both his music and his life.

VALIDATED: Growing up in Ellenville, New York, what’s your earliest memory of experiencing hip hop?

LIYM CAPITAL: I grew up in a small town named Ellenville, located in upstate New York. My earliest memory of experiencing hip hop is being in the backseat, hearing Biggie’s “Hypnotize” on the radio, and playing Puff’s “No Way Out” CD in the crib.

VALIDATED: How did the name Liym Capital originate, and how does it reflect who you are as an artist?

LIYM CAPITAL: Liym is a derivative of my name, and “capital” represents ownership and equity—two things I aspire to attain. I believe embodiment is essential to manifestation, so I decided to include some of my desires in my handle.

VALIDATED: What was the pivotal moment that made you decide to take rap seriously and fully pursue it?

LIYM CAPITAL: There have been several moments, but the most recent and most pivotal was when I realized that I had let a lot of time pass without actually doing what it takes to make things happen for myself. It had been a hobby, and even when I thought I was serious, I really wasn’t. More than anything, I want to share my message with whoever is willing to listen and hopefully leave a positive impact.

VALIDATED: Which artists helped shape your flow, and what elements—if any—did you take and make your own?

LIYM CAPITAL: Nas and AZ are the two that come to mind when I think about who I’ve been most influenced by. I’ve always favored the multisyllabic style of rhyming that they’ve exhibited. To me, being able to do that is one of the true determinants of skill. There are other factors, of course, but that writing style has always been my favorite and the one I’ve revered the most. Also, their laid-back delivery is something I could relate to, since my temperament and demeanor are calm.

VALIDATED: Your last album Every Day Is Day One dropped in 2024—what was the inspiration behind the title and the message you wanted to deliver with that project?

LIYM CAPITAL: The inspiration behind the title comes from what I believe to be the most sustainable approach to life: staying present and grateful. The only time is now. Yesterday doesn’t exist, and tomorrow has yet to come. Neither is “real.” There’s a quote I’ll paraphrase: “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional,” meaning unsavory occurrences will happen, but prolonging their effects is solely our doing—by dwelling in the past and not being present and grateful for all of the beautiful things we are afforded. I think this approach to life is the most optimal and sustainable, and it would rid us of a lot—if not all—unnecessary grief.

VALIDATED: You’ve collaborated with indie hip-hop heavyweights like The Hoodies, Planet Asia, and Skyzoo. Are there any other well-known artists you’ve worked with?

LIYM CAPITAL: I’ve also had the opportunity to indirectly collaborate with Hus Kingpin, thanks to Harmoni Equality. She’s also responsible for curating the Planet Asia and Skyzoo collaborations. The Hoodies are family, so that’s a blessing. “Well known” is relative, but I’ve also worked with Stevie Crooks, Mar, Bub Rock, Rique Wit Da Wicks, and Doe Boy Philly—all titans!

VALIDATED: You recently dropped It’s Dark and Dawn Is Bright which feels like a title rooted in duality—struggle and hope, pain and renewal. What inspired that concept, and how does it reflect where you are in life right now?

LIYM CAPITAL: The soundscapes that Siah provided and my outlook on life are what really inspired the content. A lot of his beats have a grimy aesthetic to them, while others have a more soulful, bright feel. I’d say he provided the foundation for the house we built in that regard.

“It’s darkest before dawn” is a phrase I’m fond of, since it’s rooted in reality but also has a poetic, figurative element to it. The title was just a play on that, and also a play on DMX’s debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. I gave it an optimistic spin since our thoughts and words are so impactful.

It reflects where I’ve always been in life—whether I knew it or not is another story. Whenever things have seemed bad, I’ve always been able to persevere through it. We all have. We’re all here as living proof.

VALIDATED: The album carries a very cinematic feel—almost like listeners are moving through night into morning with you. Was that intentional, and how did you approach sequencing the songs to capture that transition?

LIYM CAPITAL: Siah chose the sequence. I think it was the right choice, considering he actually constructed the music—so naturally, he’s closer to it, the beats I mean. Darker tones are followed by lighter ones, which is a sonic representation of life. So yeah, he nailed that.

VALIDATED: My favorite track on the project is “Forrest Gump”—that second verse is epic. But I want to know, what’s your favorite record from the project, and why?

LIYM CAPITAL: Thanks, I appreciate it. My favorite is probably the intro and the outro. I love the beat on the intro, and everything I’m saying is just real—referencing certain instances in my life and how I decided to get past them. The energy of it… that shit is hard.

I really like the outro because of the content. I’ve never heard anyone approach a record the way I did on there. It’s about someone projecting their insecurities onto you. I think the root of all evil is people not feeling good about themselves. We have to be cognizant of that and not allow people to transfer that energy onto us. So yeah, it’s a really important song, and we executed it beautifully.

VALIDATED: You regularly drop video clips of yourself delivering dope, thought-provoking, bar-heavy verses while driving—what inspired that approach, and do you feel it adds a unique element to how your fans connect with your music?

LIYM CAPITAL: I can’t quite pinpoint what exactly gave me that idea, honestly. I’m sure it derived from me listening to music in the car, obviously, lol. I just wanted to do something I hadn’t really seen done, so I went for it. I definitely think it adds a unique element. To my knowledge, it hasn’t been done—although there’s nothing new under the sun. I think it’s relatable. Who hasn’t acted like they’re in a video while driving in the car? Lol. The people seem to be connecting with it, so I’m grateful for that.

VALIDATED: You’ve got an upcoming project with Cleveland, Ohio producer Sicksiah—what can you share with us about it?

LIYM CAPITAL: It’s called “It’s Dark & Dawn Is Bright”, a play on DMX’s debut. The soundscapes are both dark and bright at different moments. Siah and I have been collaborating for years, so this project is overdue, so to speak—but really, it’s right on time. Conceptually, it’s a story about viewing the glass as half full, not half empty. Optimism, resilience, and determination are recurring themes. It’s heavy affirmation music.

VALIDATED: Laced Taste is described as a “plant-based cuisine commentary with a poetic element.” Can you share more about the concept and what inspired it?

LIYM CAPITAL: Laced Taste came about on a whim. I’m an epicure of sorts and tend to eat out often, so I decided to document the dining experience and put a poetic twist on the commentary. It’s been well received, so I continued doing it. I focus strictly on plant-based meals since I’m plant-based, making it a blend of entertainment and an actual service, where I showcase meals I’ve enjoyed from different restaurants.

VALIDATED: What’s your association with the Boston-based clothing line Dareales, and how did that collaboration come together? What does the brand represent to you?

LIYM CAPITAL: Dareales is family. My brothers, Rome and Ciz, are the owners. To me, the brand represents individuality and authenticity. The gear is dope, so it’s a no-brainer for me to be a part of that.

VALIDATED: Aside from the upcoming music project, what else is next for Liym Capital?

LIYM CAPITAL: You can expect more Laced Taste content for sure. More music—I’m making up for “lost” time, so I’m going into overdrive this time around. There are some potential collaborations with bigger-name artists and producers. We’re pushing this time for real.

VALIDATED: Where can people support your music and stay up to date with everything else you’re working on?

LIYM CAPITAL: You can stay up to date with me on Instagram at @liym.capital, on Twitter at @liymcapital, and at liymcapital.bandcamp.com.