Artist bio

Alexis Dean Jr. (stage name L.E.X) is a clean Hip-Hop artist, grief camp counselor, nanny, author, and much more. Using his music and love for teaching he’s received “AmeriCorps Member Of The Year” in the state of Wisconsin and “Most Impactful Member” for the country, while serving as a literacy tutor with AmeriCorps. His dream is to continue to teach all ages through his passionate music and poetry.

Title

Black Tears And Smiles

Medium/Genre

Hip-Hop / Rap

Artist Statement

This emotional song is the opening track for the album "Black Tears And Smiles" by L.E.X. It begins with a vital phone conversation between two brothers expressing their love for each other, even when separated by prison bars. The oldest brother has devoted his life to carrying the family's legacy and name throughout the world, but he's grappling with the desire to live forever. While the youngest brother battles his demons as he awaits his freedom. Though both brothers now live very different lives, they are learning a lot about faith and gratitude. They are both Black men with tears and smiles.

How it fits into contest

There are spiritual battles constantly happening around us today, whether it's loved ones trapped in physical prisons praying for forgiveness from themselves and God. Or individuals that feel mentally trapped in negative situations alone. "Black Tears And Smiles" is the story of a growing person, realizing that he can be free. He can smile, and he can cry. In lines like, "I'm seeing now my destiny. Who knew that changing lives after losing lives would be best for me," you can hear the gratitude begin to piece his puzzled heart together. He's seeing the armor of God will help him persevere through the darkness. Ephesians 6:10-20 is a message to "be strong in the Lord." This song openly depicts a Black man speaking boldly about his desire to live eternally while helping others on the path.

Credits

Thank you to Aidan Dresang for the brilliant camera work and vision for the video. Music written and produced by myself (L.E.X).

How to Purchase this Artwork

"Black Tears And Smiles" by L.E.X is available now on https://dreamsstartyoung.hearnow.com where it's easily accessible for those without streaming services. It can also be streamed or purchased on all major streaming platforms.

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

I am L.E.X the music artist, and I'm also Alexis Dean Jr. the educator and author! My first children's book "Finding Me" will be available as a physical and audio book early 2022, and I'm currently finalizing a poetry book about fatherhood as a Black man. Where to find these projects will be posted on DreamsStartYoung.com once released, and this is also where you can find "Dreams Start Young" merch created by me.

Music / Sound Sources

Music written and produced by me (L.E.X)

Transcript / Lyrics

Black Tears And Smiles

(Verse 1)
Is it too much to ask for immortality
Just made it to the age I wish my dad could see
They took him away savagely
And since that night my paranoia has been ravaging
Looking up the life spans black men are averaging
Inside man I know this embarrassing
Like my fear of the dark, when I knew people would laugh at me
Cause like me they couldn’t understand the things that were happening

Yearly things got better, healing things that’s severed
But life doesn’t come with an on and off lever
It takes a lot of effort, to keep yourself together
I hope that you can find a way to have your growth measured

Thinking bout my step pops, you welcome every endeavor
I hope you’ve known, you’ve shown, God built inside you a treasure
I’m thankful for every lecture, I grew because of the nectar
You planted inside the words that I needed now and forever

That was best for me, I’m seeing now my destiny
Who knew that changing lives, after losing lives, would be best for me
Getting close to my dreams, because the man above is blessing me
And now I don’t just hope, or doubt myself, it’s an expectancy

But let’s go back to living forever, it’s on my wishlist
Because I don’t want to leave here, without finishing some business
Pouring confidence into the kids that’s labeled misfits
Lending every ear kids just need someone to listen

I don’t want to be Pac, Fred, Malcolm or another gone
And the topic on the next project, artist working on
Obsessively working to rebuild and make others strong
So I’m just hoping and praying that my life is super long

I could have all I want, but still, want more time
To keep shedding the light on those who want more shine
If that means more pain, strain, and more cryin’
I wouldn’t care man promise I’ll be just fine

(Verse 2)
I had a kid ask me what I’m afraid of
Tell me why I was about to say love
And not having the things I fill my day of
At that very moment I realized I love and hate love

Perspective is the key to the world, and your success story
Low self-esteem could’ve easily made a mess for me
Pray for you a life of less challenges and less mourning
Learning my relationship with my dad ain’t end with death for me

Learning I can smile, but there’s so many things I can’t shrug
And always stand up for myself, I’m here cause people ain’t budge
Rest In Peace uncle mike I’m sorry this world made you take drugs
Shadow boxing demons, that anxiously fight to take us

I’ve been through some things in my life I couldn’t make up
And lost a lot of valuable time I want to make up
I said a lot of things on this song, but the main stuff
Is life is about more than just struggling for a pay stub,

And I’m a Black man with tears and smiles

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