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I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the super talented and handsome French producer, singer-songwriter-model Didier Atine-Venel better known as Lehn Kessen. We talked about a range of different topics and about his latest EP and more .
But here`s a little background story on him, before we get into the interview: His love for music started a at very young of 7 years old, when he took his mom's cassette player and started playing American music to simply learn the English language, only did it do to that but it introduced him to a new world of music and inspired me to go down this path. So as soon as he could he bought himself his first keyboard and self educated himself into music theory and started working as an host for young kids, all his moves have been in the music direction as he was always carrying his keyboard, computer, mic to have the kids working on music, writing etc.
Lehn was given the opportunity to travel to America and attended a Gospel Church where it felt like meeting Mary J Blige Jodeci, Kelly Price, Fantasia Barrino ect every sunday. He went on to record some music with up coming artist that he had the chance to work for. Now Lehn is gearing to breaking the walls of the music industry as he takes huge steps forward after releasing his smooth EP called "Lehn Kessen Music" which was well received by his fans and music lovers alike.
Q: How would you describe your sound?
Hum, my sound, I would say Love,tragedies and hope.
Q: What thoughts went into creating your EP and what kind of react did it get ?
This EP was the most simple way to show a little bit of my different work, just few instrumentals to show the different type of music that I can do in a little bit. When I did it, I wasn't expecting any reaction, some people asked me when I was about to get my voice on a record and I was just smiling about it.
Q: What kind of impact your travels from France to L.A. to London had on your music?
Traveling gave me a lot of inspiration but also made me feel like home cause of the language I'm using in my songs, and collaborations. But when I first walked to the West Los Angeles Cathedral in LA, listening to the Choir and lead singers there made me feel like hearing 30 K-Ci and Jojo singing at the same time, and even last night I was watching to the movie called"I can do bad all by myself" with Tyler Perry, and same here the Gospel in the Church is what I have been searching for in my own creations, and coming from France, you don't get to find that much places with that level as it is in LA. I'm still learning about the London's music industry but I'm already working with some producers here and it's an honor to me to be here doing my thing.
Q: What other producers, songwriters and/or artists do you see as your primary inspirations?
My main inspirations mostly come from artists as R.Kelly, Tank, Dr Dre, B.Cox, Dark Child, DruHill and The Underdogs.
.Q: Do you have a favorite musical project that you've worked on?
I enjoy every single project that I get to work on, every time I get on a new it's a blessing to me.
Q: Is there an artist you want to work with?
Well, I'm open to work with everyone that shares the love for the music just how as I do. But I can tell I really would love to work on a song for Mary J Blige.
I remember myself watching to an interview of Rick Ross after his seizure, he said something that, in my opinion, says it all:" When you have a vision or a dream, only you could really see that through".
Q: Do you have advice for people who want to become a music producers?
Be strong, take your time, and trust your talent.
Q: What do you like to do for fun outside of working on music?
I like watching movies, mostly dramatics one where I could see myself in, I really like to watch actors play another role, just like Denzel Washington. It's really just like going on new song and be a different character everytime.
Q: What do you miss about France?
We'll, I don't feel homesick so far, but I do miss my family but they all very supportive and they keep pushing me to do better in every step I take.
Q: When you were in high school, what did you struggle with and how did you overcome it?
Well, my main struggle been to never let myself format to one character, growing up in France I always had this love for music, but always wanted it to be international, so I had to work hard on it, perfect my English, and make my way where these artists were, build my own character step by step.
Q: Which living person do you most admire, and why?
I could mention many famous people, but there's no stronger person than my sister, she always overcome and stays strong whatever the weather, she will always shine and put a smile and come back for the fight.
Q: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Every places I have been around the world, the people I have met told me that I was too nice, but I think that's the problem when you do things with love, people around take advantage of it.
Q: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
We all lucky to see another day, being ungrateful is really sad and I hate it in the people I meet.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
My creativity, that's all I need, and I thank God he made me different and I keep digging to stay that way, and that's what I look for in my music.
Q: Who would play you in the film of your life?
I had the chance to be playing a short role in the film "In search of the black knight", produced and directed by Tamarat Makonnen in Los Angeles back in 2012, and did a few theater plays, also took a few theater classes when I was 19 years old, and featured in few music videos. All these words to say that I would look for playing my own character in a movie.
Q: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"The depth of my struggle determines the height of my success" R.Kelly
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
My biggest disappointment was years ago, was working with that artist and he stole my songs and put them online under his name. I was really sad about it, and angry, but I don't keep negativity inside of me. I got back up and created even better.
Q: What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
"Only you can push yourself to do what you wanna do", someone said these words to me few weeks ago, and it all made sense to me, cause I wouldn't even be here talking to you if I didn't pushed myself to make things happen since all these years.
Q: List 10 albums that have stayed with you in some way and go into detail what kind of impact have they had on you.
The very first one that I can never get tired to be listening to is the album called "R" from R.Kelly.
Always amazed by the track #4 "Half On A Baby", this song is so technical and no other artist could ever get there in my opinion, one of the best ever. Not to mention "if I could turn back the hands of time", "I believe I can fly", "I am your Angel", etc...This album stays out of the regular, the creativity is definitely there and you everyone could regonize himself in one of the songs on the album.
Second one is "Enter The Dru" by Dru Hill. My brother was listening to them everyday, and then I got caught up myself and couldn't get tired of listening to them, I remember that night me, my brother and the two other of our band been singing "The love we had" under a bridge, and people stopped by and listened to us, this always comes back as one of my best memories.
The third one is "My life" from Mary J Blige, just listen to her, her passion, her power just by singing her heart off, that's how I pick my favorite ones, the one that get to catch the attention of the listener, making you feel like you're a part of the songs...
Fourth one is "This Is How I Feel" from Tank. His singing, writing and producing is so dope, you can't go wrong with his lyrics and passion. You can feel that the man is giving is all to his music from track one to the bonus one.
Fifth one is "The return" by Rubben Studdard, I love this album because the man made his way with top singles and remains one of the best, the single "change me" always on my playlists.
Sixth one is Usher and his 8701 album, the love, the soldier still standing till now, all generation will surely join me to say that he's one of the best.
Seven is the Haddaway's album, I always been a big fan, he was my first introduction to music, I remember myself I had his album offered to me for Christmas from my mom.
Eight is the Fugees'album, always loved the all album.
Number 9 is Michael Jackson's History album, producers like R.Kelly, Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerckins been working on it as well.
Number 10 Brandy Full Moon, the production was so good and Brandy's singing talent is just amazing.
Q: Who would say delivered the best album of 2013?
The best 2013 album to me is the TGT "Three Kings'album. You listen every track with that love feeling all the way through. The Underdogs always deliver the Best. Sometime in France, people don't even know what's R'n'B, and some even think that Lil Wayne is a R'n'B singer, I'm sure he wouldn't let anyone call him a singer, but if you're asking, TGT is what is RnB.
Q: What projects do you have coming up?
I am working on my own solo project, been working on few projects for other artists, now it's time for me to get myself out there, cause I have a lot to say, a lot of love to share through my music.
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